It is hard for me to believe that we are now the third day into 2012. My how these past few weeks have flown! I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday. I had wanted to share some of my handmade gifts with you before the season past us by but I was swept up in so much of its frenzy that I never found myself able to do so.

I thought I would at least share one of the gifts I made for Ariella- even if it is a little bit over due!

A little while back I came across some tutorials for bendy dolls- cute little dolls made from pipe cleaners. When I saw these I just knew they would be perfect for Ariella as she loves little toys that she can manipulate and carry around. I set about gathering up my supplies in early December to make her some as well as a little wooden box (which I painted pink with white polka dots) to keep them in.

I cannot tell you how happy I am with how they turned out! I used silk flowers for their clothes and my naturally dyed yarns for their hair. To me they look like sweet little flower fairies. After some flip-flopping decision-making I decided to go without painting their faces on. I really liked the idea of her imagining them for herself.

I am very pleased to say that she seems to love them and has named each one. (With rather unusual names I might add, like Izzia, but that is my Ariella for you- always coming up with interesting things.)

Below you will find links to the tutorials I used as guides. I know I will definitely be making her more of these in the future. Not to mention, my thirteen year old wants me to make him some that resemble zombies. I think I like the idea of the flower fairies better though.

• The Enchanted Tree
• On Flickr
• Juise

So much snow fell today and when it stopped briefly this afternoon we had a treat just outside our back window as the view was simply breathtaking.

I cannot believe Christmas is only 5 days away. I am not as ready for it this year as I normally like to be. All the issues with the kids’ health and whatnot have taken a toll on me. I am trying to get over a particularly nasty cold as I type this. I had wanted to post a few things about some of my handmade gifts that I will be giving this year but as I look at the calendar I am realizing I have all but run out of time. Instead I think I might pay a visit to some posts I have previously written that are appropriate for this time of year and weather.

Some recipes worth revisiting:

• Spicy-Herb Roasted Nuts
• Mulling Mix for Apple Cider
• Hot Buttered Rum
• Ginger, Lemon, and Honey Tea

I do believe this will probably be my last post this week (maybe even for this year) seeing that the big holiday is so close to being here. I want to wish all my readers a wonderful Christmas and a safe and merry New Year.

gifts for a 4 year old girl

I had so much fun yesterday posting some of the gifts I found for my kids on Etsy. I decided to do another post but this time on gift ideas for a four year old girl. I could go crazy buying things for my daughter on Etsy! The items below are just a few I found that I know she would love and so I am sure other little girls will too.  (Oh, and in case you are wondering, no I am not affiliated with these sellers or Etsy in anyway. I am just having fun!)

Top, left to right: Maggie Doll; Star Wand; Felt Tea Party

Bottom, left to right: Wooden String Beads; Fairy Felt Playmat; Modeling Beeswax

Happy Etsy Shopping!