Handmade Holidays!

I was fortunate to be able to drive about an hour south to visit my friend Tammy (Tammy's In Love) the other day! Well, many of you know Tammy and her talent with a scissors and some paper. She can create magic! And I wanted a lesson! The plan was for her to help me create a paper garland, and then I would help her make a glass ornament wreath. We accomplished both! I pulled into her driveway at noon, and back into my driveway at 12:15AM!

I think it took us so long because we're so similar! We over thought EVERYTHING! For example, this is scene 3 of my banner. Santa has arrived to a child's home, which is why this is the only one that's shaped like a house. Tammy suggested that the cute paper in the background run vertically instead of horizontally because it would represent wallpaper! LOL It totally worked! Is she a genius or what?

This is scene 5, and I think it's our favorite! Santa is done with his work and heading back home to her! She has made him cookies of course. Notice the little elf that we added? He's waiting with his plate because he wants a cookie too!

OH! All of my images came out of the Little Golden Book "Santa's Toy Shop". I found a vintage copy for $1 and just had to use pages that weren't colored on!

Tammy showed me how to use a cereal box for the banner pieces. She also keeps templates (made from more cereal boxes) handy to make things way easier.  Pinking shears turns vintage sheet music into the perfect border. My favorite part of Tammy's lesson was that your main image can stick way off of the banner, like Santa's leg in this photo.

Sorry for the terrible pic! The banner is sooo much cuter in person!

Thrilled with my banner, we moved on to Tammy's wreath. We used the exact same method as the one I made a few weeks earlier, only Tammy's is one size smaller.

We LOVE how it turned out!

My favorite part is the mini bead garland, and the little elves that look like they are playing in the wreath!

You'll have to click to inspect this further, but can you believe that Tammy's husband creates this little scene in their kitchen each year? How many husbands do that?????

He uses things from their baking cupboard like the food dye and paper cups to build height and interest.

Rice becomes snow, and peppermints become a cobblestone walk!

And Tammy's husband is a postal worker. Look at this darling USPS themed wreath that she made!

The Little Golden Book makes a perfect focal point. Did you know that Tammy has a massive collection of LGB's? I'm talking many hundreds!

Thank you Tammy, for your hospitality and friendship! Our Craft-a-palooza Day (ha-ha) was a blast!

I put up a few little decorations! Here are some of my vintage snowman Christmas cards. But do you see who else has made an appearance?

Yes, I finally have one of Elizabeth's Snowmen! Doesn't he look right at home?

And look at what else E sent...

The cutest winter pom-pom birds ever! I have them sitting with the green mushrooms that E sent last summer. Elizabeth you are too generous and oh so talented! Thank you!

I hope you are all having a fabulous week,

Erica (and Wellie too)