Thursday 12 October 2017

Winter Wonderland

These are beautiful autumn last few weeks! So beautiful, some of the days were warmer than the summer days were. We still have the birds around. The scream of the Blue jay through the open windows was interrupting my thoughts constantly and I couldn't resist the temptation of playing 'Hide-And-Seek' with him. My sight was chasing after his blue shadow, only catching the glowing white of the feathers for a second and than loose it again into the green leaf clouds of the hairdo of the twelve-year old maple across the fence. This little bird is not only sassy, he is smart enough to always hide in the biggest trees. My eyes were not getting tired - I was satisfying their thirst for green to the maximum. The leaves on the maple were giving all the signs of getting tired and ready to burn in red very soon. While I was looking for this little devil with widely spread blue shadow, I noticed that the tip of the maple is changing - as if the sun was resting there longer and burnt the first few leaves... And again the loud scream of the Blue jay woke me up from my day dreaming to take my sight with him to the burr oak on the other side of the street, where the bird was already completely lost into the curly leaves, that protect the fruits of the fall. Few squirrels jumped over the branches and hid into the distance. My eyes couldn't catch any further - the images became too distant and the loud arguing of the Blue jay suddenly soften with the wind. I stayed longer in my garden - the day was absolutely beautiful. The crisp chilly mornings are so beautiful - best light of the year. The sunbeams, filtered through the thick layer of dew create warmness. And the tiny crystal drops on my roses make the flowers feel royal and extremely beautiful. 


Mornings like this one inspire me to create something delicate and elegant. And despite the perfect autumn mood that I was set on, I was thinking of one design from Daily Like Canada, that grabbed my attention and did not let go, until I cut into this unique fabric to create a winter decoration for the upcoming holly days. 


I saw the roses from my garden in the navy blue print, and decided that this will be the main fabric for my 'Winter Wonderland' decoration this year. 

When I think of delicate creations, one designer invades my mind with her presence. Tone Finnanger's winter designs are present very often in my home - almost every season. I have made all of this decorations: in my Blue And Silver Christmas (wow, was it really four years ago???), and in Red and White Christmas  

This year, the collection is more complete than ever. I love how the Snow Flower fabric suits the Nordic style of Ms Finnanger's designs. The Forest Lodge represents beautifully the small houses in the villages in this beautiful Scandinavian country. 


I had everything to start early on my winter project. And for the first time, I had a feeling, I won't be stressed around Christmas and my home will look elegant and beautiful for the season, just on time.

Winter Wonderland bundle (from bottom to top): 

1.5 yards Daily Like Canada Snow Flower oxford cotton 
0.5 yards Daily Like Canada Gleam linen
0.5 yards Daily Like Canada Pink Dot quilting cotton
1.0 yard  Daily Like Canada Forest Lodge quilting cotton
0.5 yards Daily Like Canada Love Things quilting cotton

I had experienced one downside to the early winter making. The golden season of autumn doesn't help me much with setting the winter scene I would have loved to create. For the purpose of displaying the items I made, I had to improvise and work with what the Nature serves me for this moment. That is why, I ended with the fallen branch, I found in the nearest forest. My girls claimed, it was a bit  too spooky for a winter scene, but this is all I could work with for the moment. My love for Nature doesn't allow me to cut living trees, unless it is for pruning, and, unfortunately, my pine and spruce are not for pruning at this time. 



Long Christmas stocking are a thoughtful creation for the holidays - they could be filled with so much deliciousness and little surprises. You will be amazed to watch little hands, digging into these long-legged boots to check if there is nothing extra into the toe-area :). The thrill is all into seeking the surprise and there is no greater joy to me, but to watch loved ones opening their presents. The look on their faces is the warmest Christmas feeling of all.


The signature angel of Ms Finnanger...

I adapted a little bit the recipe for this elegant creature - gave her a winter coat:


... and changed her boots a little bit.


Isn't she the queen of the roses????


She loves birds and flowers


I made few short stockings. They could be gifted, filled with chocolates to little friends, or numbered as a countdown to Christmas.


Winter birds can not be forgotten in this scene.


Christmas is about love and joy.


When I first saw the elegant feminine boots and skates from Tone Finnanger, I couldn't take my eyes off them. Every time I make her designs, I add few boots to the collection. This year, I did not make the skates, I just left them as short boots. If you can not find the skate edges (the ones that the designer used herself) for creating the skate boot, make your own. I made them out of staples in my Red and White Christmas. Just open the staple and straiten it well, than form it into a skate edge and cut to size. It is not perfect, but quite good enough.


I had enough fabric to make Ms Finnanger's beautiful pouches.


To play with the contrast of this fabric collection was a great pleasure. I am happy with every single item I have made. It will be such a beautiful winter season! 


Thank you for stopping by, dear friends! I hope you enjoyed the wonderland story behind my creations!

 Ivelina