HANDMADE Advent Calendars

 I'm a little late posting as our car is being fixed and had to be driven this morning to the mechanic...oh, I hope we get it back by this evening...as I haven't prepared much for my Mr.r and his Birthday tomorrow...so...as promised I would post some pics of Advent Calendars which I have been Pinning on Pinterest. The above image can be found HERE.
I have a goal to make one this year for our girls...we had one growing up when we were small...and I just loved waking up in the morning and getting excited over opening a little gift our mother had wrapped up for us...the gifts were usually small...but thoughtful...they could even be a little chocolate bar...or a pack of hair-bands...

 

 I don't have any pictures of ours...but I think ours had numbers sewn onto the wall hanging and strings attached to each number so the gifts could be hung from them.

This one above with the little stockings is so precious...it can be found  HERE

I love this one...go HERE to see a closer picture

LOVE these painted individual boxes go HERE to see more...

for these little cones go  HERE

 Pottery Barn make this one if you don't have time yourself to make one...go HERE to buy or see a close up of it.

 Pottery Barn also makes this one and has it for sale...HERE

 This has to be the simplist....and very effective...if I don't complete my idea...this is where I will be heading HERE

AND last but not least...one of my faves...as you could use this little cubby as a seasonal display...go HERE

WHAT traditions does your household have in prepparing for the Holiday Season?

I am now off to start and finish a commission for a family portrait...which will be a little like THIS one I made...and tomorrow I can show you the commissioned piece I finished last night...another family portrait in the same style...but I will be delivering the piece...


HUGS...and have a FAB Tuesday...
Char.x

in the MIX...

my Mum's Swedish and my Dad's Danish...

I made a new Flag for them...

Danes and Swedes have a LOVE-HATE relationship...a little like the Brits and the French...

My parents are travellers...always have been...this year has been a hard year for them, as health reasons have haulted either of them being able to just pack up and leave.

My Dad goes today to his specialist to see WHEN and IF his operation will be soon...it's been too long of a wait. I really do feel for him.

Mum, well she needs a new hip...and she's seeing a specialist tomorrow.

They built this house 10 years ago...it's warm and welcoming...I know they love being there...but they need a rest, it's been a long Winter.

So...sending them this Bird of Hope and Travel...praying that their health gets better and that they can use those wings to fly again.

I fell asleep on the Sofa shortly after finishing this last night...so I will continue this evening to visit you all.

Have a great day...we're getting a snow storm today! YAY!!!!

Char,ON.

Scandinavian STYLE...

these are a little bit of me...who I am...raised by 2 incredible people,my Mum...born in Sweden and my Dad who was born in Danemark.

As soon as we could walk...we were in clogs...they were our outdoor shoes...easy to slide on and off...I guess it helped my parents always know where we were too, they're kind of loud.

I went through a period in my Life not really knowing who I was...my parents were Scandinavian...I was brought up in England...with traditions so foreign to all my friends.

I loved our traditions...so by the time I was 16...I was Danish...to anyone who asked. We spent Summers there since we were small...I adored my Grandparents...the food they cooked...the parks they took us too....the neighbourhoods felt SO right in Danemark. The people SO friendly.The language so natural. A proud Scandinavian...

It felt good to have this upbringing...and I hope our daughters will feel SOME of what I learnt from my Scandi roots....the food, the traditions...our values towards many situations. More than ever I find myself explaining things to our 5 year old. Stopping her in her path...battles which I hope she'll appreciate when she's older.

Some days as a Mum, staying at home, can be tough and challenging...but I wouldn't change it for the World and I am SO very blessed to be fortunate enough to raise our kids and be home with them.

When my parents were last in Danemark, I asked them to pick up a pair of Sanita's for me...I love them...they're a little noisy when walking around our quiet naighbourhood...who cares though? Not me ...

So...my 20 minute sketch...which I wanted to try to keep that "free" feel to them...because the years when I wore clogs the most were in my early 20's...and I felt free and travelled like a bird...good memories!

Do you have certain Shoes which bring back memories?

Have a good evening...sleep...day...

It's been a productive one.

Char,On

A reminder: ALL items in both my Esty stores will be shipped FREE of charge, Free Shipping runs for the whole moth of FEB. (fabulous FEB)