Translate

**If you have previously subscribed to received my posts via feedburner or Bloglovin, those are inactive now. To receive my creative updates, please subscribe in the right sidebar.**
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Festive Paper House Decor... 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments Bloghop

 
  

Hello creative friends! Welcome to DAY FOUR of the 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments Bloghop. Pop over to Try-It, Like It for the details on all each days ornament tutorial. 
 
 
Today I am sharing how to create this adorable festive birdhouse ornament. This is a fun stash-busting project and can be done using what you have on hand. All you need is a few paper scraps, buttons or metal findings and ribbons & trims, this sweet house is ready to adorn the tree!

I was inspired by the red & white checks on this 1 1/2" wide wired burlap trim - it's perfect for the rooftop of my whimsical little bird house.

PLEASE NOTE: This was put together in a free-form fashion... like one of those recipes that you throw together using a handful of pantry staples. This project came together with ease and the size was determined by the size of my paper scraps & width of ribbon trim that I selected for the roof. No precise measuring! 

Let's get started!

To begin: from my stash I found and cut two matching strips of patterned paper. My paper has a distressed painted texture on both sides and I made width match the wired burlap trim I am using for the roof which is approximately 1 1/2" wide


Overlap the two strips together like a "plus sign", then glue together with white craft glue. Next cut a matching triangular peak to support roof from top and bottom of one strip. This overlapped section will be the base of house. When glue is dry, fold up the sides at edges of the base section. Punch a series of equally spaced holes along each edge. I used six – this may vary depending on your size paper. Keep in mind that an even number of holes are needed to complete stitched X shapes along each side.

 
Using a contrasting yarn, embroidery floss or baker's/burlap twine, stitch house walls together using a cross stitch "X" pattern and and knot off on the inside.



Completed house with all sides stitched – no glue necessary. 



I cut a section of a decorative wired burlap trim, folded in half, then folded edges over twice to add extra dimension. Any kind of ribbon or even decorative paper could be used. Cut a matching size section of patterned cardstock and fold in half. 



For extra stability, adhere the piece of scrap patterned cardstock using double-sided tape. For this step, I opt for a dry adhesive method as some glues may seep into and discolor ribbon. Please use your choice of adhesive based on your materials.



Create a hanger by tying a knot to form a loop with green burlap thread. Poke a small hole in center of roof with a pushpin and feed through keeping knot on the inside. To add extra detail, I strung on a bead cap. 
 
 
 
To create a base, I mount a red cardstock rectangle on the bottom that is slightly larger and added a thin natural burlap twine around the base. I nipped the tips off the corner edges with scissors.

To add a roof overhang, I cut and adhere a piece of red cardstock below that is slightly wider on each size under burlap roof piece. To finish: I glue the roof assembly onto the house structure using white craft glue and set aside to dry.
 
 
 
The finishing touches are a keyhole brad embellishment glued to the front of the house and a beautiful tied bow made of burlap ribbon adhered with a heavy-duty glue-dot. This ornament is so adorable! As you can see it can fit in my hand. Fully embellished this house is about 3 1/2" tall and 2 1/2" wide.


This ornament comes together easily using a minimal amount of supplies. Grab up all the little bits and bobs and make a whole bunch in different colors and sizes! These will be my handmade ornament gifts for family this year.
 
I invite you to join me and subscribe to my YouTube channel where I will share a video process of this ornament in a different color and pattern range on December 8th! While you are there you can view a video on a mixed-media Junque Fairy ornament.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment and your contact information spelled out {ie: youremail at service dot com} and I will be happy to respond. 
 
Thank you for stopping by. Check back for more fun projects!  :) Sb

Trim the Tree with Handmade Holiday Ornaments...

Hello creative friends! Handmade holiday gifts are my jam – especially ornaments. It's a tradition that I share with my Grandmother which has spread to other family members too. I am also into all sorts of art & crafts, sewing and of course, I just can't resist making ALL THE THINGS! 

That being said, 
I am excited that my creative friend Janet invited me to be a part of a special handmade event where each day brings a new craft tutorial to follow along and make some new handmade holiday ornaments... the 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments!


+ + + + +

To visit all the stops for the 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments visit Janet at https://tryit-likeit.com/12-days-of-christmas-ornaments/

Here's the list of all the Ornament Makers in this bloghop:

Day 1 – Janet Trieschman: Fabric Ball Ornament
Day 2 – Donna Wirthlin: Santa Fabric Star
Day 3 – Natalie Shaw: Waterslide Decal Ornaments
** Day 4 – Susan M. Brown {sbartist}: Festive Paper House Ornament ** YOU ARE HERE
Day 5 – Michelle James: Old World Santa Ornaments
Day 6 – Julie Nyanyo: Felt and Button Stars
Day 7 – Christie Troxell: Pinecone Flowers Wood Slice
Day 8 – Gail Griffin: Bejeweled Decorative Ornament
Day 9 – Katie Adams: 3D Laser Cut Reindeer Ornament
Day 10 – Janet Trieschman: Alcohol ink Ornament
Day 11 – Terry Ricioli: Rustic Wood Slice Ornament
Day 12 – Janet Trieschman: Christmas Tree

Thanks for stopping by – I hope you enjoy creating along. Merry Christmas and Happy Making. I'd love to hear about what type of ornaments you like to make. :) Sb

Thursday, November 13, 2025

NO-BAKE Gingerbread DIY Holiday DECOR... Day Four of the Gingerbread Crafts Hop



Welcome back creative friends!. It's DAY FOUR of the Gingerbread Crafts Hop and we're halfway there! Did you enjoy Janet's festive Shrink film earring tutorial? TODAY, Christie of @ritzy_parties is up on her INSTAGRAM acct sharing her take on the viral make of the season... and it's EASY-AS-PIE!

NO-BAKE Gingerbread Holiday DECOR!



Recycled cardboard boxes are magically transformed into a sugar coated row of holiday houses, fit for Candy Cane Lane.

The Gingerbread Crafts Hop is SIX days of crafty Christmas fun for everyone! November 10th through Saturday, November 15th myself along with my Creative Friends will share a gingerbread themed creation – every day filled with sugar, spice and EVERYthing NICE!

Follow along with us on INSTA to see some crafty inspiration! Please be sure to Like, Comment, Follow and Share the creative spirit!

Monday, November 10th – @juanitascasita Jane Rudolfo Shouse
Tuesday, November 11th – @sassyeyedsusan Susan M. Brown {sbartist} **THAT'S ME**
Wednesday, November 12th – @tryit2likeit Janet VanLone Trieschman
Thursday, November 13th – @ritzy_parties Christie Troxell
Friday, November 14th – @makeablecrafts Meg Daves
Saturday, November 15th — @ernavandyk Erna van Dyk

See you tomorrow for DAY FIVE... Meg will be sharing her Sweet Make with you tomorrow!!

;) Sb 


Wednesday, November 12, 2025

No-Bake Holiday Earrings... Day Three of the Gingerbread Crafts Hop

 
 
Welcome to DAY THREE of the Gingerbread Crafts Hop! Did you enjoy Susan's hand-painted Gingerbread House ornament?! TODAY, Janet of @tryit2likeit is up on her INSTAGRAM acct sharing a fun & festive Shrink film gingerbread tutorial!

Make these SWEET Gingerbread Friends!

 
Shrink film gingerbread can be used for earrings, charms, or decoration. They are so fun to make.  
 
The Gingerbread Crafts Hop is SIX days of crafty Christmas fun for everyone! November 10th through Saturday, November 15th myself along with my Creative Friends will share a gingerbread themed creation – every day filled with sugar, spice and EVERYthing NICE! 

Follow along with us on INSTA to see some crafty inspiration! Please be sure to Like, Comment, Follow and Share the creative spirit!

Monday, November 10th – @juanitascasita Jane Rudolfo Shouse
Tuesday, November 11th – @sassyeyedsusan Susan M. Brown {sbartist} **THAT'S ME**
Wednesday, November 12th – @tryit2likeit Janet VanLone Trieschman
Thursday, November 13th – @ritzy_parties Christie Troxell
Friday, November 14th – @makeablecrafts Meg Daves
Saturday, November 15th — @ernavandyk Erna van Dyk 

See you tomorrow for DAY FOUR... Christie will be sharing her Sweet Make with you tomorrow!!

;) Sb


Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Trimming the Tree with Handpainted Ornaments... Day 2 of the Gingerbread Crafts Hop

 
 
Welcome to DAY TWO of the Gingerbread Crafts Hop! Did you enjoy Jane's glittering Gingerbread House Cards?! 
 
 
 
TODAY, I am sharing a tutorial over on my INSTAGRAM acct transforming a nearly vintage ceramic ornament blank found in my box of Holiday Goodness using DecoArt Glass Paints!  

Handpainted Gingerbread Ornie Sneak Peek!

 
I'm so thrilled to have transformed this craft blank into a new ornament to hang on my tree with my collection of handmade pieces over the years. How do you decorate ceramic ornament blanks?
 
The Gingerbread Crafts Hop is SIX days of crafty Christmas fun for everyone! November 10th through Saturday, November 15th myself along with my Creative Friends will share a gingerbread themed creation – every day filled with sugar, spice and EVERYthing NICE! 

Follow along with us on INSTA to see some crafty inspiration! Please be sure to Like, Comment, Follow and Share the creative spirit!

Monday, November 10th – @juanitascasita Jane Rudolfo Shouse
Tuesday, November 11th – @sassyeyedsusan Susan M. Brown {sbartist} **THAT'S ME**
Wednesday, November 12th – @tryit2likeit Janet VanLone Trieschman
Thursday, November 13th – @ritzy_parties Christie Troxell
Friday, November 14th – @makeablecrafts Meg Daves
Saturday, November 15th — @ernavandyk Erna van Dyk 

See you tomorrow for DAY THREE... Janet will be sharing another Sweet Make with you tomorrow!!

;) Sb

Monday, November 10, 2025

All that Glitters in Gingerbread Land... Day one of Gingerbread Crafts Hop

 
 
Welcome to DAY ONE of the Gingerbread Crafts Hop! Today, Jane at @juanitascasita kicks it off the event… be sure to visit her INSTAGRAM acct to see what she's baking up in Gingerbread Land. 

Glittering Gingerbread Sneak Peek!


The Gingerbread Crafts Hop is SIX days of crafty Christmas fun for everyone! November 10th through Saturday, November 15th myself along with my Creative Friends will share a gingerbread themed creation – every day filled with sugar, spice and EVERYthing NICE! 

Follow along with us on INSTA to see some crafty inspiration! Please be sure to Like, Comment, Follow and Share the creative spirit!

Monday, November 10th – @juanitascasita Jane Rudolfo Shouse
Tuesday, November 11th – @sassyeyedsusan Susan M. Brown {sbartist} **THAT'S ME**
Wednesday, November 12th – @tryit2likeit Janet VanLone Trieschman
Thursday, November 13th – @ritzy_parties Christie Troxell
Friday, November 14th – @makeablecrafts Meg Daves
Saturday, November 15th — @ernavandyk Erna van Dyk 

See you tomorrow for DAY TWO... I look forward to sharing a Sweet Make with you Tomorrow!!

;) Sb

A Cold Snap in November... brings Gingerbread Wishes!

Still enjoying all things PUMPKIN Spice?? It's time for a rare November cold snap in SOFL. It must be a daydream?! 
 
Actually this time it's true... I'm counting the minutes and my Bumble Slippers are on standby, hot cocoa and marshmallows ready and the holiday music going because it's the most wonderful time of the year – Handmade Holidays! I love, love, LOVE making all the sparkly things and this year I am starting early thanks to my group of Creative Elves.



The Fall-o'Ween Crafty Crawl was so much fun – we're doing it again with Gingerbread Crafts! To get you excited for our SWEET Seasonal event I am doing with some Artsy Pals this week... enjoy this festive stamped card with a snarky twist.

YOU DO NOT want to miss
the kickoff of Crafting Season!



Our Gingerbread Crafts Hop is SIX days of crafty Christmas fun for everyone! Each day beginning Monday, November 10th through Saturday, November 15th myself along with my Creative Friends will share a gingerbread themed creation – every day filled with sugar, spice and EVERYthing NICE! My project will be revealed on DAY TWO, November 11th!

Follow along with us on INSTA to see some crafty inspiration!

Monday, November 10th – @juanitascasita Jane Rudolfo Shouse
Tuesday, November 11th – @sassyeyedsusan Susan M. Brown {sbartist} **THAT'S ME**
Wednesday, November 12th – @tryit2likeit Janet VanLone Trieschman
Thursday, November 13th – @ritzy_parties Christie Troxell
Friday, November 14th – @makeablecrafts Meg Daves
Saturday, November 15th — @ernavandyk Erna van Dyk

Monday Jane at @juanitascasita kicks it off the event… be sure to visit her INSTAGRAM acct to see what she's baking up in Gingerbread Land. I'll drop some reminders each day too!

Thanks for dropping by today. I look forward to sharing a creative week of Sweet Makes!!

;) Sb

Friday, December 13, 2024

12 Days of Christmas Cookies Bloghop RECAP -- Links to ALL RECIPES


 
SPECIAL THANKS to Janet at Try It Like It Create It for hosting this fabulously sweet bloghop! It was so fun and was just what I needed to get infused with all the feelz of the holiday spirit. We all have our 'standards' that we make every season... this fun event has given me a whole new myriad of cookies to add to the recipe box.

THANK YOU and many big virtual hugs go out to each baker for giving of you time and participation in sharing these HOLIDAY SWEET TREATS!

If you missed out on any of the days... here's a list of all the blogs linked to each days recipes. So you can refer back at your leisure. I can't wait to try them ALL! I am totally addicted to macarons from the local French Bakery – this is the recipe I will try first... so I can have a whole platter JUST FOR ME!!
 
WHICH RECIPE IS YOUR FAVORITE?



All the recipes in the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2024 Bloghop:
December 1 – Birds of a Feather: Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
December 2 – Tales of Belle: Danish Pebernødder Cookies
December 3 – Jenron Designs: Movie Night Toffee Pretzel & Popcorn Cookies
December 4 – Sum of their Stores: Chocolate Orange Porridge Oat Cookies
December 5 – Esme Salon: Easy and Fun French Macarons Recipe!
December 6 – Our Hopeful Home: Belgian Butter Waffle Caramel Sandwich Cookies
December 7 – Purple Hues and Me: Christmas Light Bulb Cookies
December 8 – Rose Bakes: M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
December 9 – sbartist : painting in the dark: {yours truly} Sugar Balls
December 10 – Get Inspired by Faith: No-Bake Candycane Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
December 11 – Jupiter Hadley: Chewy Lemon Cookies
December 12 – Save Money Fever: Piped Butter Cookies

I'd love to hear what you are baking for the season.
I'm having fun baking batches of sugar balls with the different nuts that I have on hand in the pantry! :) Sb

Monday, December 9, 2024

Baking Tasty Ornamental Treats... 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Bloghop




Welcome to my blog and to the Ninth Day of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Bloghop!
 
My name is Susan and I am thrilled that my dear creative friend Janet invited me to be a part of this special baking bloghop. I love to bake, art, craft, sew and make ALL THE THINGS (like my handmade Scoutie Elf claiming today's bake).



I'm sharing one of my favorite family Christmas Cookie recipes – Sugar Balls. Colored in glistening sugars - these bite sized treats look like ornaments! I don't know how long this recipe has been passed down in my family, I just have a cherished handwritten recipe on an index card from my grandmother (along with about a dozen others). These hand-written cards are cherished and bring back so many childhood memories each year when the holidays roll around.

These cookies are colorful, quick and easy to make and don't require eggs or dairy. Grab some extra tiny hands to help and lets get baking!


SUGAR BALLS

Cream thoroughly —
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sifted, confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla

Stir in 1 tablespoon water

Add in 2 cups sifted flour & mix well

Stir in 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or your choice)

Shape dough into 1" balls & roll some in red sugar, some in green

Bake 1" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet at 300° for 20 minutes or until firm to touch.

Cool thoroughly before removing from pan

Yield - 4 dozen


This is a super easy recipe and requires little prep work. Gather ingredients and follow along...



Feel free to use your choice of nuts. For the red & green versions, I used chopped pecans. For the second batch (lime green and purple), I tried pistachios. I had to toast these first as they were raw & unsalted.



Creme confectioners sugar with butter, then combine vanilla and water.



Next add sifted flour.



Combine flour into creamed sugar mixture thoroughly.



Completed dough before adding nuts. Feel free to try with whatever nuts you prefer. I used pecans here and also tried pistachios because I happened to have some for use in crusting fish. After you make the basic dough, feel free to select your favorite nuts and colored sugar.



Mix nuts into dough. I'm added chopped toasted pistachios here.



Combine thoroughly to ensure even nut distribution. This dough can be made ahead of time and chilled.



Since I don't have any extra hands to help, I find it helpful to divide dough and roll into long 1" rolls then slice about 1" segments that easily roll into balls. The 1 inch size makes the perfect one bite cookie.



Roll some in green sugar.



Roll some in red sugar.



I also tried some rolled in this lovely vintage sugar I scored at my local "Fresh Market". I was surprised that the thicker grain of sugar held up in baking and didn't melt all over the pan.



Bake at 300º for 20 minutes or firm to touch. They keep shape very nicely. Be sure to let them cool completely before removing from pan or the cookies might crumble when you pick them up. When cooled, the sugar makes a nice crispy shell for the nutty goodness inside.



For the pistachio batch, I tried some other fun colored sugar I have in the pantry – lime green and purple.

 

Batch number two in the oven!



After baking. the purple sugar didn't change color or brown when baked – these are so pretty!



I gently sliced one in half just so you can see the inside. These lovelies are meant to be enjoyed in one bite.



The bottom of cookie (at top) has a bit of the colors melted together.



When cooled the cookies are ready to enjoy! I have placed each cookie in a decorative mini muffin liner ready to serve on a platter or pack into gift tins.
These certainly are a treat any time of year.
 
Shhhhhh! The pistachio batch is staying with me! I'm looking forward to trying other combinations – leave me a comment with your suggestions!

+ + + + +

To visit all the stops on the hop visit Janet at https://tryit-likeit.com/12-days-of-cookies



Here's the list of all the recipes in this bloghop:
December 1 – Birds of a Feather: Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
December 2 – Tales of Belle: Danish Pebernødder Cookies
December 3 – Jenron Designs: Movie Night Toffee Pretzel & Popcorn Cookies
December 4 – Sum of their Stores: Chocolate Orange Porridge Oat Cookies
December 5 – Esme Salon: Easy and Fun French Macarons Recipe!
December 6 – Our Hopeful Home: Belgian Butter Waffle Caramel Sandwich Cookies
December 7 – Purple Hues and Me: Christmas Light Bulb Cookies
December 8 – Rose Bakes: M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
December 9 – sbartist : painting in the dark: {you are here} Sugar Balls
December 10 – Get Inspired by Faith: No-Bake Candycane Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
December 11 – Jupiter Hadley: Chewy Lemon Cookies
December 12 – Save Money Fever: Piped Butter Cookies

Thanks for stopping by – I hope you enjoy this recipe. Merry Christmas and Happy Baking :) Sb

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Dimensional Paper Delights... Designer Crafts Connection Dreaming Tree Bloghop

 

Greetings everyone -- today I am part of a special bloghop! The Designer Crafts Connection is delighting us with dimensional papercrafts using SVG patterns from Dreaming Tree. My project has all the holiday feels and brings back my love of dimensional papercrafts with a fun twist -- using my high-tech Cricut and SVG patterns combined with cardstock, patterned paper and old school tools from my stash.


If you dream it you can make it with SVG files from Dreaming Tree...

CLICK HERE to hop on over to learn more about these fabulous products!

Be prepared to be delighted with projects for any theme or occasion at Dreaming Tree... and a large selection of FREE designs! Pick your project, download the digital package, pick your papers and put your electronic die cutter to work! I love my dies, stamps and fussy cutting and use my Cricut for vinyl projects. This is the first time I have used my machine to make something with paper.


I was so excited to find several pop-up card designs. I enjoy learning the art of making pop-up mechanisms and Dreaming Tree made the process enjoyable. I frequent a little shop that sells cards like this and with the Tis The Season Pop Up Cards SVG Bundle, I'm happy to try them myself. It also gives me a reason to get a jumpstart on making my handmade holiday cards. 


The hardest part was deciding which card to make first and which of my treasured patterned papers to use. I decided on this lovely My Minds Eye snow pattern paired with a coordinating solid blue and a prized sheet from one of the retired Basic Grey holiday lines. I have the big 12" x 24" mats so I load up my papers on both ends and set up the cut files in CDS interface.


I did a little modification to the SVGs by combining the card base and the trees so I could cut them all from the same sheet of patterned paper. This worked great though the interface still decided to move things around on me.

**PLEASE NOTE** The patterns and assembly instructions use solid core cardstock. When using patterned paper, plan to make an extra set of trees that are inverted (flipped horizontal) from the original cut design. I had to go back and do this so that when I assembled I would have my beautiful snowy pattern showing on all sides and not alternating with the white backside of the paper. Not a big deal -- I now have things cut to make two cards.


Time to cut! I was a bit concerned that the delicate details would tear or not cut all the way through.


The blade whirls and dances around and 
the software tells you the progress.


Wowee! I have the Cricut Expression Air II which is 
a few years old and it did not disappoint.


The removal of the cut pieces is the hardest and most time consuming step. It requires a delicate touch, and a lot of patience. The reward is a ready made card phrase for another project (I wonder how to remove that all in one piece)!


This is really impressive. The resulting design on card 
front is approximately 2" wide by 4" tall.


Solid blue cardstock is up next for the envelope.


This Basic Grey snowflake pattern will be the accent for the 
envelope flap and also the inside papers for the card.


This beautiful snow spritz design is so tiny. I am amazed by how perfectly cut each shape is... even the tiniest dots the size of a marker spot. I use my Cricut spatula tool to gently lift the tiny pieces off the tacky mat.


The negative space design leaves me with lots of free coordinating embellishments to use later.


out of a green patterned paper from DCWV Christmas Stack.


This little box is quick and easy to cut and assemble with a bow. 
I will have fun filling these with girly gifts or some sweet treats.


Now with all my pieces cut, its time for the FUN part... embellishing!


I really enjoy the assembly process and taking time to add little extra touches that make handmade cards really special. The tree pieces are very detailed so I didn't want to apply ink to them. Solution: I dusted off my "old-school" scrapbooking dry pastels and brushed on a bit of color with a soft bristle paintbrush to cover the white edges. Quick and easy and the brush easily gets into all the small nooks and crannies.


To add some sparkle, I gently swiped the edges of all patterned
paper pieces with silver distress stain dauber.


For the star, I added some craft glue and sprinkled glitter the old-fashioned way.


I filled with candies and secured the top with a silver twist tie. 


I added a swirl of pom-pom garland to complete 
this adorable whimsical tree... ready to gift!


Assembling a Dreaming Tree pattern is easy-peasy -- you cut/prepare all the pattern pieces following the PDF provided, then assemble by following along with a video. Before final assembly of the card and envelope bases, I used double-sided adhesive tape to sandwich some scraps of sparkly tulle behind the cut outs. This quickly adds a bit of sparkle and shimmer.

 


I finished off the card and envelope with some icy colored gems.

Let It Snow... Let It Snow!





I love how the pop-up dimension really ups the WOW-factor!

What dimensional delights
will you create with Dreaming Tree?

CLICK HERE to jump over to the beginning of the Dreaming Tree Designer Bloghop at the Designer Crafts Connection blog to view more inspiration and projects using Dreaming Tree SVG designs. 

If you are getting a jump start on your handmade holiday creations --  enter Dreaming Tree's "Christmas in July Own 'Em All" giveaway! Click here for details.


You can find SVGs galore on
Dreaming Tree Website HERE

Find lots of creative inspiration at the Dreaming Tree Blog HERE.


Thanks so much for visiting! Sb :)


** This is a sponsored post. Dreaming Tree provided SVG digital products for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.