Thursday, November 29, 2012

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)

30 comments:

  1. Looks like you girls had fun and yes Tammy's decorations are sweet. I sure do love your Snowman display. Cannot wait to see more of your decorations!

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  2. It's all so much Christmas goodness! Great tag/banner and wreath!
    Love the gifts from E!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  3. Looks like too much fun!! Love the banner and wreathe you two made! And of course love the things E sent you!! :) Hope you and Wellie have a wonderful night! xo Holly

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  4. Oh what fun you two had!!! What a great banner, and those wreaths turned out darling. How's the foot doing?

    Hugs,
    Meri

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  5. Oh my gosh Erica what a blast. I want to come over and play. lol.
    Hugs
    donna

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  6. That's two very creative people at work!! So pretty!! I owe you an email, going away for the weekend, I'll be in touch next week.

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  7. You must have had so much fun together. Your talents are amazing. I'm especially tickled to see Tammy's husband kitchen display and the postal themed wreath. What a perfect day. I wish MN was closer. I definitely want to come play with the two of you.

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  8. I would have been content to just sit back and watch the masters at work! I may have even picked up a few pointers for when Sister and I make our ornament wreath (hopefully) this weekend!

    Happy Holidays!!

    Erica

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  9. Wow, I love the little elf peeking out!

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  10. Absolutely beautiful pix! I love, love, love my wreath and hope you have recovered from the glue gun bite! Hee hee. The Little Golden Book banner is one of the best ever! The Christmas decorations at your house are eye candy for the Christmas addicted among us! Thanks for a GREAT day, I mean craft-a-palooza!

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  11. I just love this post!!! I was lucky to meet Tammy in October when I came "home" for a visit to Eau Claire and boy did we have fun! I sooo wish I could be at her house this time of year! :):)

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  12. ~Squeal~ that post made me smile with delight. It sounds like you had so much fun! And her husband does all that?! I showed mine my first spun cotton snowman and he looked at me like I was speaking in tongues! Good for Tammy and her hubby!

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  13. Your banner is adorable. I think I have that book somewhere and you better believe I'll be digging it out. The wreath that Tammy made is beautiful.And the snowman from E. looks so at home . I envy your little craft get togethers. Why don't you'll come down to Texas?

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  14. It was so much fun reading about your day with Tammy. My gosh, you both did amazing work. I am in love with everything you made and your displays. Very inspiring!!!

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  15. Looks like you girls had a great time!! You had quite a productive craft session!!

    chris

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  16. Oh Erica, your banner is just awesomely cute!! I loved Tammy's wreath, so pretty.
    Have a great week-end,Dorothy

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  17. An adorable banner and wreath!! Looks like you both had so much fun!! Wished I lived closer to come play! Happy weekend! xo Heather

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  18. That snowman display won my heart. Just the push I needed to get mine out!

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  19. Wonderful job on both pieces, girls! What fun that you can see each other now!

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  20. Totally unfair..I want to come next time...Spot me the 7 hour drive and I will meet you there...Love all the goodies and can't believe how great your banner came out..smiles..Renee

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  21. What a fun day!! And what a joy to have a fellow blogger live so close to you. Everything looks absolutely adorable.

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  22. What an exciting day of crafting! I bet the two of you together are just a crafting frenzy of fun!! I think it is so neat that you guys have the opportunity to do things together! Amazing!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  23. Erica, What a fun post, and what a cute garland! I love all that you have shared of Tammy's kitchen. WOW! what a husband! Thank you also for sharing that her husband is a postal worker, I must send her a special Get Well gift. Always so much fun to visit you here! Elizabeth

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  24. What a fun day you had! Love your Christmas Banner idea using cut outs from the vintage Golden Book1

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  25. Beautiful! LOve both of your projects, you gurlies are sooooo talented :)

    Sounds like you had a fab craftapalooza day! ((JEALOUS!!))

    xo P

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  26. Oh my gosh Erica, I am just oohing and aahing over these. The banner is just so darn cute and I love the wreath. So fun that you could get together. What talent was in that household that day. Love her hubbies village also.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  27. Looks like fun was had by one and all! Love that Tammy's hubby gets into the holiday spirit! The wreath you gals made is gorgeous!

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  28. We just read that book "Santa's Toy Shop" yesterday! I thought the illustrations looked familiar! Love the banner you made with them!

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  29. We are new followers, we looked around a little and we must say it's super sweet here! The banner is adorable!!! I hope to find the time to copy that one :)Thanks for sharing!
    Laura and Michele

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