After officially falling off the photography wagon (or maybe just a nut with a camera wagon would be more fitting) I finally have started snapping random pictures again. Which is good – because Ive missed it. I dont know why every once and a while I just dont…pick the camera up for long periods of time.
Earlier this week I was outside with Yoshi (per her demands and constant whining – dog REALLY wanted to go play in the snow and I reluctantly agreed) I realized there was some nice lighting and that maybe just maybe I could get some good “Light” pictures.
Then of course I had to take pictures of the “Lights” inside.
Here at “Tangled Thoughts” we are trying to sort out…well, our tangled thoughts. And with Christmas sneaking up on us, we’re trying to make it work over and across the sea, in both Alaska and England. Wow. What a task! This must be how Santa feels, going all international. Since Christina is busy in Alaska with making gumdrop candies, I decided to do a post from England.
I’ve been obsessed with details this year…probably not a good thing and certainly not a smart thing, but I’ve found that details can be fun too. Details like folding paper into shapes -so much fun. You can make your own bows out of leftover paper, make your own ornaments…and make bows for topping the Christmas gifts. You could….do just about anything. 😀 I want to do a lot of DIY Christmas gifts and decorations this year, but will I have time? That is the question.
My lil helper, helping distract me with the ornaments
Anyways, here are a few of the designs that I liked, and am attempting to do. The pictures are property of the original posts, and I have linked to them.
image and idea property of wholeliving.com
Magazine Bows http://www.wholeliving.com/133668/read-wrap-recycle-make-bows-magazines
These bows can be made out of old magazines I don’t actually have any magazines hanging around, so I will have to see if I can find a bundle for cheap at a charity shop. I made these from scrapbook paper, just to see if they’d work though, and sure enough they turned out great. The magazines would look better though because magazine pages are printed on both sides.
The flowers are made out of maps, which looks like a very nice idea. I used a paper shopping bag that had a blue butterfly on it. The first one is a bit tricky, but after that I found they came together very fast. I’d love to see these as ornaments, or taped onto some painted silver sticks -pretty arrangement!
Image and idea property of urbancomfort.typad.com
Stars Stars Stars http://urbancomfort.typepad.com/urban_nest/2012/06/4th-of-july-cake-topper.html
The original post is for fourth of July stars, but I think this can be adapted to Christmas as well. These stars even come with a diagram that can be printed and traced, or you could traced it right on the screen. Then simply cut, fold, and you have a star that can be used as an ornaments, or glue cardboard to the back and put a bunch of them together on a wreath form to make a star wreath. I imagine you could cut one of these out of cardboard possibly, especially if you are planning to keep it indoors. I made stars out of pretty scrap book card-stock paper, and cut an assortment of two different sizes.
These projects are best done with a cup of hot chocolate, or better yet, hot coffee -with whipped cream on top! My latest favorite drink. Just be sure not to have too much, you don’t really want the shakes while attempting to cut straight paper. And don’t forget your favorite Christmas tunes on- most anything Christmas by the London Symphony Orchestra is perfect!
I think this time of year might be my favorite. And not because of the cold and snow. I could do without that. Probably not even for the reasons you would think. This time of year the Christmas Cactus blooms – and if theres one thing I like love to take pictures of, its flowers.
There is a funny story behind how this cactus came to be.
A few years ago we had this customer who was always…attempting to pay her bill in weird random ways. One afternoon we came back to discover a rug in our office with a note – alternating every letter with a different color. The only problem was the door was locked – and she said no one let her in.
Another time she offered her car as payment. And finally…this plant.
I believe it was the last straw – this funny cactus in a weird planter. Since her character was questionable already, mom worried that there was more than a cactus growing in the planter – and the frustration of not being paid in REAL money – the cactus was thrown in the garbage.
Until a few days later – we took pity on the plant. It wasnt the PLANTS fault after all, and decided to see what would come of this weird looking cactus. It wasnt much longer – did it first bloom. And ever since it has held its own on the counter of important things – the coffee pot, espresso maker, coffee beans…and Christmas cactus.
A few days before mom left to see Amanda she pointed out the little tiny buds popping out on the leaves. I smiled, nodded, and moved about my business. And then last week – these little buds started turning into bright red blossoms.
Mom joked I was taking good care of it, and I confessed the only caring I was doing was forgetting to water it. Which is apparently just the way it likes it.
Tangled Thoughts 