VLOGMAS - Day IV - Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes

 I'm currently on a gnome kick. So, I wanted to make some shirts with gnomes but I was a little worried about whether or not the paint would bleed all over the fabric. So, I decided to do a test run with one.

I bought the shirt at JoAnn Craft and Fabric and I had to buy some fabric paint too. I bought the Scribbles Paint, which was super cheap - just the way I like my crafting.

Then I sketched some little wee folk on the plain white tee shirt and went to town painting away.

If  you'd  like  to see more about this  project, check out my video here. 

And, if you're interested in Vlogmas or any Christmasy Crafting, Baking or Making, check out my other  Youtube videos.  

Kim Kasch - YouTube

And, if you have any questions, comments or helpful tips, please share them in the comments. 

Happy Gnome Hunting!

Christmas Gnomes Come for a Visit

 I'm sure you've heard of Elves, but what about Nisse, or Gnomes?

Well, if you've never met one of these cheery little guys, here's an easy way to help bring them into your house for the holidays.

It's a simple craft you can do with your kids or grandkids and what could be more fun that creating your own little helpers to have around the house at Christmas?

If you'd like  to see how to make these little fellows, just click on my YouTube link and watch the short little video.

And, if you do make a few of these  little wee folk, please  let me know because I'd love to see what you did with these little people. 

Christmas Advent Calendars - An Age Old Tradition

 In the United States, we've seen advent calendars before but these aren't your typical American Advent Calendars. These are European Advent Calendars or Danish Designs to be exact. 

My Mother-in-Law started me  out on this tradition many years ago and it's one of the things I appreciate the most about her. She brought a wonderful holiday tradition into our house and we still practice it about 40 years later. 

These are cross-stitched, sewed, or even appliqued designs she perfected as presents for each of us. The kids grew up loving this tradition and they still open the presents every morning during the 24 days of Christmas. 

If you'd like to hear more about this Scandinavian tradition, just click on my Youtube Link and read - or watch - all about it :D

And, if you have an Advent Calendar, share your comments in the box below. I'd love to hear how you celebrate Christmas. 

VLOGMAS 2020!

 Welcome to Vlogmas 2020!

If you haven't heard about Vlogmas, let me tell you a little bit about it...

Vlogmas is a way to celebrate the 25 days until Christmas, with Video blogs every day. It's sort of like an elongated version of the 12 Days of Christmas but instead of a song, this is a video celebration of the  build up to Christmas.

So, after that longwinded explanation, here's my first-ever Vlogmas post: just click here

https://youtu.be/f9vCaehsh00

The Twelve Days of Christmas - with Pinspirations

A Partridge in a PearTree

 It’s December 13^th, which means IT’S OFFICIAL!

The countdown has begun!

But come on people…FIVE golden rings, wouldn’t one be enough?

Yes, Christmas is coming and, in the spirit of The Twelve Days of Christmas, I’ve been searching the web for a little pinspiration because I need some new gift-giving ideas.

You see, over the years, Christmas around my house has always meant a lot of making, baking and creating is going on. I’ve always loved to make homemade gifts to share with my family and friends. But this year my kids told me, “no more knitted hats or scarves.”

“WHAT?”

This is a brave new world I’m trying to live in, which means, I’ve been searching for something different to give my kids. And I’ve found some fun sights on the internet. So, in the spirit of giving, I’m going to share some of these things.

1)      Free Bullet Journal Doodles are here, so you can learn how to draw
2)      Free Printable “I Spy” Activity Sheets for kids or kids at heart here.
3)      Nine Free Printable Christmas Carols you can download here.
4)      Free STEM Kids’ Activity workbook
      (full disclosure – this one is from my own book Irma the Inventor-which is now on audible) and you can download the FREE workbook here.

And to really kick off the season, let’s all sing along:

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me

Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me

Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

Plus, I thought I’d share a little history about the famous song.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was originally published in 1780 without music. It was more like a chant that came from a French rhyme. Still, more than 200 years later, it is still sung today and has become one of the most well-known Christmas Carols of all time.

Of course any parent, who sings the song with their kids, understands this is a cumulative song (which means each verse builds on the last) and plays to the excitement of the season with the giving of grand gifts that grow bigger and more extravagant with each of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Really, eight maids a milking…?

And, could a partridge even be found in a pear tree, since they are ground nesters?

But I am easily distracted. Just follow the links I’ve provided and enjoy this beginning to The Twelve Days of Christmas!

I'm Dreaming of a . . . Pink Christmas

Some people dream  of snow...not me, I prefer a warm, cozy Christmas. And what could be better than spending the cold weather inside, crafting?

This is an old craft I've done before...but believe me, I'm working on new ones but I thought I'd share this oldie but still a goodie one with you.

This is an easy tree to make. Don't feel restrained to go small; you can make it as big as you want.

All you need is a little tulle, which you can pick up at any fabric store. And, if pink isn't your color, you can go green with a green tree...

Or purple, if you prefer.

Here's how to do it. Lay out your fabric 

Then cut it into strips

Use a dowel and a heavy piece of wood to hold the tree and simply start stacking your strips...

It's as simple as that - then add a star

And you could be finished there. Or pull out your handy-dandy 

glue gun

And then add whatever embellishments you like...I like sparkly rhinestones or fake gemstones

And voila - you'll have a pink or green or even purple Christmas! But no matter what color you prefer,  I hope it's a  healthy, happy and fun-filled Holiday!