Upcycled Gift Wrapping

Happy Holidays my crafty friends! Check out my latest tutorial that I wrote for Craftzine: Upcycled Gift Wrapping. Happy upcycled wrapping!



Add your Upcycled Gift Wrapping photos to the Designs by Vanessa Tutorial Flickr Group.

Holiday Recipe Roundup

There is nothing better than the smell of gingerbread or sugar cookies baking in the oven around this time of year. What will you be baking this year?

Reindeer Pops - Bakerella
Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies - Two Peas and Their Pod
Gingerbread Snowflakes - Martha Stewart
Handmade Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows - Craftzine

Christmas Tutorial Roundup

Check out these fabulous holiday tutorials I found on some of my favorite blogs. Are you doing anything crafty this Christmas?

Denim Christmas Tree Tutorial - Day to Day
Partridge Ornament Tutorial - Retro Mama
Bauble Ornament Tutorial - Lupin
Paper Christmas Wreath Tutorial - The Red Thread

Christmas Loves

My Christmas Loves:

being with family
24/7 christmas music
decorating our tree
the lights
luminarias
baking cookies
going home for the holidays
seeing old friends
wrapping presents
angel trees
old traditions
starting new traditions
santa clause
christmas movies
a charlie brown christmas
finding the perfect gift
cinnamon pine cones
ginger bread houses
the food
zoolights
hot chocolate
remembering loved ones
the cheery atmosphere
candy canes
holiday crafting
christmas morning in pj's

What are your Christmas loves?

She's Making a List

Here is my handmade Christmas wishlist, just in case someone (Mr. Designs by Vanessa) wanted to get me a present (hint hint):

Nestling Necklace by Figs & Ginger

Hand Knit Scarf by Green Couch

Little Dandelion Wish Necklace by Lulu Bug Jewelry

Owl Sisters Address Rubber Stamp by Modern Art Stamps

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

Santa spoiled me!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas/Happy Kwanzaa/Happy Hanukkah! Santa totally spoiled me with these lovely birdies...

Birdie Locket by GreaterYesterday

Birdie Soap by Anniepoo

Santa also brought me a cricut cutter and it is by far the coolest invention ever!

Fabulous Friday Finds - Christmas Birdies!

Check out these fabulous Christmas birdies I found on Etsy...add these to my Christmas List!

Decorative Fabric Wreath by HollandFabricHouse

Christmas Carol Birdy in Pink by misseskwittys

Little Birdy Christmas Stocking by vintagetown

Mmmmm Cookies!

Traditionally my mom and I bake lots of yummy cookies every year around Christmas time. This year is the first year that I'm not traveling home for the holidays because not only does my hubby have to work but this is also our first Christmas in our new home so our families are coming to us. I couldn't let our cookie tradition die so I spent the morning baking. I made yummy oatmeal raisin cookies, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, chocolate chunk cookies & caramel turtle cookies. Ok I feel like I need to hit the gym after typing all of that lol! Don't worry, I'm giving most of my cookies out as gifts this year.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA NUT COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
7 ounces macadamia nuts, chopped

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
Beat butter and shortening until soft and creamy. Gradually add the sugars and beat well.
Add egg and vanilla and beat well.
Combine flour, soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture beating well after each addition. Stir in chips and nuts.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until done. Remove to wire racks to cool.

My Etsy Christmas Wish List

My hubby has been asking for my Christmas list so I figured I would share my wish list with you as well. It's safe to say that I would be happy with just about anything birdie related!

Birdie Soap by anniepoo

Custom Stamp (with our new address of course) by babyjewels

Nestling Necklace by FigsAndGinger

Little Birdie Locket by GreaterYesterday