Christmas Themed Matryoshka Nesting Dolls

matryoshka-nesting-dolls-set-of-five

Inspired by the traditional Russian matryoshka nesting dolls, this charming set is designed by Suzy Ultman and handpainted with detailed, folkloric patterns. Each matryoshka is hollow inside and opens in two, so you can hide a tiny treat or gift inside.

Set of 5 Matryoshka Nesting Dolls in Decor | Crate and Barrel .

Even on sale after Christmas they are still expensive enough. But, I like the style and colours.

Warm Your Feet with Slippers this Winter

My Mother has decided to make slippers for Christmas this year. She knits. I crochet and sew. We have tried two patterns found online so far. One did work but the slippers are pretty huge and floppy. I do like the chocolate brown colour she knit them in. They remind me of the sweater she knit me when I was still in high school, same colour and same style of knit.

We have looked at a lot of patterns. Some just don’t look right. Some are too cute for me to consider – maybe if I were still a child. Some patterns look so complicated I don’t think I’d want to start them as just a light-hearted project. But, a few look great. One I especially like but it’s a knit pattern and we need to get out and buy a set of four knitting needles for it. We haven’t done that yet. (It’s on the to-do list).

This whole winter slipper project started because I have bought so many slippers and then found them disappointing. One pair actually lasted a second winter, but then I decided to get a fresh pair and used the pink furry stuff they were made from for a holiday gingerbread man I was sewing up. If I had known those were the last slippers I would find to be good, I would have kept them. I bought three other pairs after that. All of them fell apart, became worn out or were awful because they didn’t have some tread – especially bad when the floors are a bit wet in the kitchen or bathroom.

So on the project goes. Between the two of us we will create a great pair of slippers, one method or another. I haven’t bought a pattern book, but looking online does make it tempting. I found one pair made from felt, those look warm and toasty for a cold winter.

One interesting thing I’ve discovered – in the US people leave their shoes on in the house. As a Canadian this sounds really odd. We take our shoes off at the door. That’s why we wear slippers in the house. Or, socks or just bare feet, if we don’t have slippers to put on.

Pincushions: Make Them, Collect Them and Use Them

Pincushions are functional, decorative and the best way to keep your sewing pins from winding up in various odd places around the house. If you don’t sew you could collect hat pins and use a fabulous pincushion to display them.

The first pincushion I remember using was my Grandmother’s standard tomato-strawberry pincushion. It was red with green embroidery, Made in China. Hers had two strawberries, hanging from the side.

That pincushion design started in the Victorian era. It probably came from the idea of having a tomato on the hearth for good luck in the home. When tomatoes were not available families would use a red ball stuffed with sawdust. At some point it became used to hold pins while the ladies were sewing. (There was a lot of hand sewing in those days).

I don’t know if my Grandmother’s pincushion was stuffed with sawdust. But the old way was to stuff the tomato with wool roving to prevent the pins from getting rusty. The attached strawberry was filled with abrasive to clean and sharpen the pins.

Pincushions are one of the pretty extras you can use when you sew. You can sew without using a pincushion. Just as you don’t really need a thimble, but the pincushion is tradition, adds history and elegance to the event. I don’t wear an apron when I cook, but I still like to look at patterns for sewing them and embellishing them. It’s not about what you need but more about what you want.

The pincushion needs to be the right size to not get in the way of your work, yet it has to hold a good load of pins as you work. It should have stuffing which is tightly packed so your pins don’t wobble around or sink right through up to their heads. I’ve seen very pretty pincushions which would be decorative but not very functional. If you buy a pincushion make sure it’s more than just a pretty face.

See More Pincushion Designs

Snowflakes for a Vanilla Cake

The full recipe comes from the Kraft site. Vanilla Snowflake Cake . But it was made with a cake mix and instant pudding. I wasn’t interested in a cake made that way. But the snowflakes decorating it are really pretty.

It uses 6 squares of Bakers white chocolate. Directions follow:

Meanwhile, draw 3 or 4 snowflake shapes on paper, ranging in size from 1 to 3 inches in diameter. Place on tray; cover with waxed paper. Melt chocolate as directed on package; cool 5 min. Spoon into small resealable plastic bag; cut small corner off bottom of bag. Trace over snowflake patterns with chocolate, rearranging patterns as needed to make a total of 35 chocolate snowflakes. Freeze 10 min. or until chocolate is firm. Carefully transfer snowflakes to plate; refrigerate until ready to use.

Colour Yourself

violet

And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don’t always use it!

The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say

Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony

Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach


Your Aura is Violet


Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world.

And with a little black, you will project a aura of mystery, rebellion, and dominance.

If you want people to respect you, you’ve got to get a little black in your life!

For extra punch: Combine black with orange or red

The downside of black: People won’t be able to “read” you – and may perceive you as more aggressive than you actually are

The consequences of more black in your life:

You’ll become a figure of intrigue and speculation

You’ll be better prepared for life’s unknown path

You’ll rest better and free yourself of expectations


You Need Some Black in Your Life


Black will make you feel powerful, in control, and not bound to what other people think of you.

When love comes your way, you integrate it peacefully into the rest of you life.

Your flirting style: Laid back

Your lucky first date: Walking around aimlessly and talking

Your dream lover: Is both enthusiastic and calm

What you bring to relationships: Balance


Your Heart Is Green


Love completes you, but that doesn’t mean you seek it out.

You are warm, sensitive, and focused on your personal growth.

At Your Lowest:

You become defensive and critical if you feel attacked.

In Love:

You are loyal – but you demand the respect you deserve.

How You’re Attractive:

You are very affectionate and inspire trust.

Your Eternal Question:

“Am I Respected?”


Your Power Color Is Red-Orange


At Your Highest:

You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver.

You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don’t get stuck in bad thinking patterns.

You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).


Your Mind is Green


Of all the mind types, yours has the most balance.

You tend to be a cautious kisser. You don’t want to scare anyone off.

Once you get to know someone, your kisses are daring… and even wild.

No matter what the situation is, you know how to deliver the perfect kiss.

Kissing Type: Varied

People See Your Kisses as: Skillful

You Kiss Best With: A Blue Kisser

Stay away from: A Black Kisser


Your Kiss is Green


Your kisses are short and sweet – at least a first.

Do Si Do with Twirls

Do Si Do with Twirls Rune Horoscope:

You make the most of life, embellishing even the simplest things to make them more pleasurable. Brainstorming is one of your many talents, finding that ideas inspire yet more ideas, one building upon and entwining with another. You see the fractal patterns that emerge when you let yourself go, and discover that a satisfying order often emerges from what at first might appear as chaos.

Dance A Runi