How have you been doing in recent months?

First off, please allow me to extend my deepest and most appreciative heartfelt thanks to all those who reached out to me in the months spanning my post about the sudden end of my nearly 18-year marriage and the present day.

Your soul-touching support, compassion, kindness, empathy, relaying of personal stories involving your own very difficult relationship issues and breakups over the years, and so much more have bolstered + helped me a good deal (and still continue to, for that matter).

Secondly, in the midst of everything that has been transpiring in my life lately, I completely forgot that back in the late spring/early summer, I penned and scheduled some blog posts which were originally intended to go live in either July or August.

In the midst of contending with the unforeseen events of July 2022, I ended up bumping them ahead all the way to December and then promptly (and, I think you will agree, rather understandably!) 110% forgetting that I had done so.

It wasn’t until I saw a flurry of new blog comments suddenly come in recently that I realized these long auto-scheduled posts had unintentionally gone live this month.

My bad all the way!

Not that there is anything wrong with sharing these posts now (or at any point in time). There certainly is not.

It is just that I fully intended for my first post since this past July to be a brief life update, not a project share or other type of entry.

Therefore, I sincerely apologize that things played out how they did. Just as I do to all those readers who I know were wondering why a life update post had not happened before I launched back into more of my usual type of blogging content.

With those points said, please allow me to now give you a little overview of how some things have unfolded for me in recent months.

In the time since the post about the sudden breakdown of my marriage, I was very fortunate to find housing for myself and (my dog) Annie.

After a ton of searching and applying to various rental properties across much of the Okanagan and Lower Shuswap Valleys, I was extremely fortunate to ultimately sign a lease on a lovely little townhouse all to ourselves.

It is located in a larger town roughly 25 minutes away from the small, rural community of Armstrong, BC, where Tony and I had been residing since moving there together in early 2018.

Working largely at the same breakneck speed I had undertaken throughout July and early August to get our entire house packed up, spic-and-span clean, staged for viewings, listed for sale, and so forth, from mid-August to mid-September, I quickly unpacked and set up my new home.

It was – and still is – tremendously strange, sad, and foreign feeling for me to assemble the trappings of each room of a house that is simply for myself (and Annie). Every home from the second half of 2004 onward until this summer was one that Tony and I shared as husband and wife.

As the summer wore on, the initial state of mind-blowing shock, the gargantuan sudden upsets to my life, and the intense feelings of unprecedented blindsidedness began to decrease.

Naturally, though, a vast amount of internal pain, grief, longing, trauma processing, and life rebuilding remain part of my daily world and will no doubt continue to for quite some time still to come.

One does not have the proverbial rug of a marriage they cherished and believed would be eternal – coupled, moreover, with the loss of the person they love/loved, valued, cared about, respected, desired, would have done almost anything for, and trusted more than anybody else in the world – pulled out from under them and magically bounce back with the dexterity of a rubber band.

Far from it.

The thought occurred to me recently that my initial unfathomably brutal heartache and emotional/mental/physical/spiritual pain was/is akin to a very serious acute injury. And, you know, in many ways it is.

However, as time leaps ever forward and the disbelief, marathon cries that often spanned or totaled anywhere from 5 – 14+ hours per day in the initial months (I still continue to cry frequently, though especially long periods of weeping are not, at present, as common for me as they were in the summer and early fall), and the bigger picture of the reality that is my current life all came to be, that pain has gradually morphed into a state that could be looked upon more as a chronic illness of sorts.

(As someone who has been a fighter of over 15 different serious chronic illnesses for more than two decades now, I know from which I speak.)

That does not automatically mean this state of internal health and, likewise, that of my life, in general, will remain entrenched in the deepest, darkest bowels of heartache, grief, longing, and endless reflections on the past for all of time.

And yet, that said, one never fully gets over trauma of this magnitude. A loss this hard-hitting, devastating, and brutally painful.

The experience of witnessing the person I would have gladly taken a bullet for walk out of my/our life in the blink of a tear-filled eye.

The dissipation of a future I firmly believed would be shared and treasured together and the overall pain of an ordeal this earth-shattering will remain with me – at least in part – always.

As, personally, I believe these things (and many others related to this year’s events) should.

In surviving the most hellacious, stressful, hurtful, and challenging periods of our lives, we (hopefully!) learn, grow, and come to see life through wider eyes and with an even more tender heart.

In a ton of different ways, I am a radically different person today than I was before the events of this past July.

Many positive changes have happened organically, others were a conscious decision to approach things in a better, healthier/healing light. And plenty more still were a blend of both organic and conscious efforts.

For, never have I hurt more.

Never have I grown more in the span of just a few brief months.

Never have I longed for anyone (Tony) or anything (our marriage) more in my entire life. Not by the length of the universe.

Never have I so bravely taken hold of the reigns of a profoundly difficult situation and been able to re-establish my basic needs (i.e., safe housing) again as quickly.

Never have I yearned to turn back the hands of time and with the crystal-clear clarity of hindsight alter the past (for the better) more than in the wake of this summer’s crushing events.

Never have I been stronger.

Never have I wished more that an event (the – from my perspective at least – incredibly abrupt end of our beloved, sacred, one-of-kind marriage) in my/our life had not occurred (and that it would never have occurred, in an ideal world).

Never, for months on end, have I consciously had to choose quite as hard to some-inexplicable-how keep going when I was certain that death would hurt (me) infinitely less than what I was enduring in that excruciatingly difficult moment.

Never have I pined for someone even 1/1,000,000,000 as much as I do for Tony.

I wake up every day and continue to expect him to be right there beside me (or at least under the same roof). I experience something comparable to a phantom limb-like sensation of his hand in mind, feel his strong, protective arms around my body and his tender lips upon my own.

I hear his gorgeous Italian voice and his wonderfully infectious laugh. Feel the warmth of his soul reverting joyfully in synch with mine, see the wise and witty twinkle in his deep chocolate-hued eyes, listen to him pull into the driveway, snuggle together as we watch our favourite movies and TV series, face each of life’s challenges and positives alike as a mighty, love fuelled couple.

These things and countless others echo throughout my every breath and heartbeat.

With a few exceptions, though (for example, thankfully the two of us have remained on amicable terms and do interact periodically for various reasons, so I still get to see and hear Tony in person from time to time), I am phenomenally, soul-crushingly aware of the fact that they are no more.

And that, in turn, somehow I must – and already am – find(ing) the ability to exist without them. Without Tony as my darling husband, my lover, my best friend, my rock, my soulmate. Just as I must go on without our shared existence.

Both despite and, I firmly believe, because of the highly challenging difficulties of this year, I’ve actually made massive positive strides on the mental health front.

(I have experienced major depression, various types of anxiety, and some PTSD for much of my entire life. Though, mercifully, at this point in time, I’ve almost entirely healed from the latter. )

As a result, ironically, it could be said, I am currently in a healthier, more stable place on the mental health front than I have been in longer than I can precisely recall (think 10+ years – if not more like 20+ years).

From late September (2022) onward, I have begun to experience days of zero depression (often coupled with a huge reduction in anxiety as well).

Zip, zilch, nil, nada. Not a single iota.

I had all but completely forgotten what a state of being completely free of depression felt like.

It is, in some respects, akin to breathing pure air of the cleanest and freshest variety after decades of existing on bottled oxygen.

Not every day is completely depression free (yet?). However, even when that all-too-familiar state of mental being resurfaces, it almost always does so at a drastically lower level than what had become long become my norm for many years.

Whereas countless periods throughout my life were spent somewhere between 7 – 10 on the depression scale (with ten being the highest possible level), these days when it pops up here and there, it does so in the 1 – 2.5, maybe 3, max, range.  

In fact, it is so drastically reduced that I am finding these sorts of vastly lower levels of depression/melancholy have little to no impact whatsoever as far as I can perceive on my internal state, my day-to-day life, my interactions and relationships with others, and plenty of other things both big and small alike.

I routinely stop and marvel at this previously unimaginable change (sometimes it brings me to the point of shedding tears of happiness and gratitude). This current mental health miracle and the renewed zest for life (relative to everything that has been going on as of late) that it has firmly instilled in me once more.

That said, I am very aware that mental health challenges rarely follow a linear path. Be it in terms of their development or, when possible, their treatment/lessening/remission/healing.

Therefore, I fully accept that there may be (and feel that I am now considerably better prepared to face) potential future spikes in my depression, should they occur going forward from this year.

It is safe to say that there are usually myriad factors that contribute to a person experiencing serious ongoing depression (for me, most of my depression has always been situationally caused). And likely there are just as many – if not more – that must go into its reduction for those who experience this very real, very life-impacting mental health battle.

While, OF COURSE!!!, depression is obviously not something one can turn on or off like a light switch (far from it), I do think that in a fair number of instances there are steps that can be undertaken to help lessen its severity.

Personally, I knew that if I had a snowball’s chance of not only somehow surviving, but in time (I hope and pray with every ounce of my being) thriving again, it would be borderline impossible for me to do so while living on my own if my depression + anxiety were raging out of control.

Without the aid of any harmful substances, risky or self-destructive behaviours, or various other negative choices one could opt for, as I started to gradually piece my world back together again, I reexamined not only my life + myself in general but also my mental state.

In doing so, I began to realize there were quite a few mindsets, approaches to life, thought processes, elements of my daily existence, and so forth that were contributing undesirably to my mental health that I could either part ways with entirely or reduce/alter significantly enough for them to further help improve the innermost workings of my ol’ grey matter.

Recently, I wrote something to my dear sister, which I feel fits perfectly in the course of this post as well. Thus, I am going to share it essentially verbatim with all of you as well.

Every now and then, YouTube suggests a clip from the TV show Hoarders to me and I will sometimes watch it when that occurs.

In one of them I saw somewhat recently, a clinical psychologist they have featured many times over the years (Dr. Robin Zasio) said a line that resonated with me immediately: “I don’t know why people have to get so broken to heal, but that’s what happened with you.”

She spoke these words in relation to the hoarder they were trying to help, but I feel like that statement applies immensely to me as well. 

In what surely stands as the most painfully ironic series of events in my entire life, it would take being shattered into billions upon billions of infinitesimally small pieces and experiencing pain so searing it would make swimming in molten lava feel like doing a polar bear dip by comparison to start healing/improving some of the most challenging aspects of my existence. 

The past 5.5 months have been the absolute worst, most difficult, painful, stressful, and heartbreaking of my entire existence by an enormous mile. Virtually nothing of any importance about them has felt right, familiar, normal, comforting, easy, or complete. 

Sometime around late August, however, a thought occurred to me that I had never really had before. 

Just about every time prior in my entire life when something massive had come along that shattered my/our world (or a shattered a solid chunk of it at least), my gut instinct was to immediately scramble to put the pieces back together as close to the way they had been arranged before that event occurred. 

(One example of this is how in the immediate aftermath of the 2016 arson fire, without even stopping to give it conscious consideration, I instinctually thought that I needed to start building up a vintage/repro wardrobe again without pausing to ask myself if that was actually what my heart most wanted to do at that point in time.)

Objectively, I think that this reaction and approach are innate to most humans and that they are not necessarily bad/negative things in many instances.

The thought that struck me like a million tsunami waves crashing into my mind at the same time was, “What if instead of trying to piece back together everything that is shattered, you held onto the best/most important parts and strove to rearrange, remove, or replace, as applicable, the rest?”.

It was – and is – a concept both plainly simple and extraordinarily challenging. And yet, that is precisely what I have attempted – and will continue to actively do – to the best of my abilities.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I could easily fill a book the size of which would give War and Peace a run for its money discussing elements of this year’s life-altering events.

Sometimes though, it is best to know when to put the breaks on for the present moment and I feel like the above paragraphs are a solid place to do just that.

Now, those two (again) completely unintentionally published project share posts + this one itself aside, you may be wondering about my long-term plans for this blog.

I have not reached a point yet in my healing/trauma processing/life-rebuilding journey that would even begin to facilitate engaging in our wonderful blogging community + posting at my pre-July 2022 level again (which averaged 4 – 6 entries per month).

And though my new dedicated craft space has been set up since this September, I have not created a single paper crafting project since before this summer’s devastating events.

I will not make any promises at the moment regarding my blogging plans/schedule in the near to quasi-near future. That would not be fair to either of us.

However, what I will say is that, if possible, I would like to *try* to post at least one new entry here roughly every 4 – 10ish weeks throughout the initial (and possibly longer than that) months of 2023.

So whether I one day return to a similar pre-marriage-breakdown blog posting level or opt to share entries here somewhat less frequently, in the long run, I do intend to put more new content up on this site. Yay!

That is a welcome thought which makes me smile on a great many levels (as does thinking about the day when my MIA paper crafting mojo returns).

Thank you all again beyond words for your kind, extremely caring support and understanding in recent months.

I am certain that this year would have been notably more challenging for me were it not for your thoughtfulness.

Let me wrap up this post (hey, wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a small life update? Evidently, in true Autumn form, I couldn’t stop at just a tiny handful of paragraphs ) by wishing all of you the sweetest, safest, happiest, healthiest, and most magic(k)al of holiday seasons.

Whatever you celebrate, whatever you hold dear, whatever brings you inner joy this month, may these things and many other positives number more for you than all of the snowflakes that will tumble to the ground across the world this chilly season.

Merriest festive season and nothing but the best and brightest to each of you for 2023!

The post A Big Apology to All of my Readers and a Small Life Update appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

In endless dwellings around the globe, preparations for tomorrow’s feast are being planned or started. Stockings, if not already hung (by the chimney with care) will go up before midnight.

Young and old alike turn their eyes skyward, still believing that maybe, just maybe, they’ll catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and his team of reindeer.

Twinkling lights provide a warm ambiance to the cups of eggnog, cut-out sugar cookies, thick slices of classic desserts such as panettone and stollen, festive appetizers, and mugs of hot cocoa that are often heartily consumed throughout the final days of December.

Christmas is upon us and for those who celebrate this holiday – be it religiously or secularly – there is often much to delight in and be thankful for come the return of jolly old St. Nicolas.

I adore the classic elements of Christmas, including its telltale colour palette. The darker, deeper and more old-fashioned the hues involved, the merrier I am.

It was to this timeless holiday season colour scheme that I turned when making the delightful Christmas card and matching Christmas rosette wand featured in today’s post.

Year after year, I never tire of crafting (or decorating our home) with the colours – deep red, dark green, cream, and gold – that these projects feature.

They, along with a few other colours, epitomize the colour scheme of December and never fail to get my creative juices (err, wassail? ) flowing.

Timelessly elegant Christmas Card with Matching Rosette Wand

By the standards of many of the cards I make throughout the year, this festive Christmas greeting is on the smaller side.

Not tiny by any means, but not particularly large either. The reason for that is that I cut the card base with a shaped die and as my Sizzix Big Shot can (like most manual die cutting machines) only accommodate dies up to a certain width.

I have an unceasing dream that one day I will be able to add an electronic die cutting machine that works with larger/wider dies to my craft supply arsenal (say, for example, the magnificent Crafter’s Companion Gemini Machine that cuts up to 9 inches x 12.5 inches – swoon!).

For now, though, my trusty workhorse of a Sizzix Big Shot does the trick for most sizes of dies and I am sincerely grateful that it’s still going strong after nearly five years of frequent use.

Anyhoo, all that to say, given the smaller small size of this card base, I had to scale down the other cardmaking elements involved here accordingly.

Ultimately, I was still able to work with various die cuts, layers, trims, and embellishments, so I didn’t feel like my usual crafting style was comprised or altered.

It was actually the matching Christmas rosette wand that I envisioned in my mind before the card itself took shape. And while I created the card first, I did so thinking about how I wanted the wand to look when all was said and done.

Happily, the two came together splendidly and were scarcely sooner completed than gifted to a very dear friend.

The “love” sentiment on this handmade wand could certainly be used romantically. However, in this case, it is meant instead to capture both the love that many of us have for Christmastime as well as the feelings of platonic love and appreciation shared between good friends the whole year through.

This particular wand – the general style of which is also known as a lollipop wand – does not house an actual paper/cardstock rosette or one made from a cupcake liner, as wands (including the Darkly Romantic Valoween Wand I shared here last February) of this nature frequently do.

Instead, the ruffled “rosette” element comes from the pleated lace that encircles the largest layer of this charming Christmas rosette wand.

I adore making wands. Each time I do so, I am reminded of this fact and find myself feeling tempted to whip one up to accompany most of the cards I create throughout the year.

That doesn’t always happen of course, but I hope to make at least a few fresh new rosette wands in 2022 and to share them, in the process, with all of you.

Naturally, it is too close to Christmas to make many holiday season 2021 craft projects right here and now.

That said, should you wish to get a jump start on next December, alter the sentiments used here to New Year’s appropriate ones, or adapt these general designs for other occasions, read on for a complete list of products used and detailed step-by-step instruction on how to create both of these Christmas papercrafts.

Products used to make both the sophisticated red, green and cream Christmas card and its matching Christmas rosette wand

(Note: When a product has the letters RW – for rosette wand – in brackets after it, that means it is only used on the rosette wand. Where this is not indicated, the product is used either on the card alone or on both projects.)

-Thin chipboard (that can be successfully run through your die cutting machine; RW)

-Smooth or lightly textured cream or ivory cardstock

-Light/pale red cardstock

-Pine, forest, or hunter green cardstock

-Red mirror/metallic cardstock – Scarlet Organza Mirror Cardstock from Tonic Studio

-Gold glitter cardstock – Premium Glittersilk Cardstock from Darice

-Christmas themed cut apart tags – Christmas Gift Tags from Carta Bella

-“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” sentiment piece – Christmas 3”x4” (cut apart) journaling tags from Carta Bella

-Ornate square (or rectangle) shaped frame die set (ideally the largest-sized die in this set should measure at least four inches in both width and height)

-Set of at least two double-layered poinsettia dies (or use two sizes single-layered poinsettia dies, if you don’t have a similar-looking poinsettia die to the one that I used here)

-Decorative (or plain) edged oval die set (RW)

-Ornate spiral (multi-arm, so to speak) die (RW)

-Layered poinsettia die (or a single layer poinsettia die – either works great here)

-Die cut “Love” sentiment piece – Jolie Collection Titles, Tags, and Quotes from Anna Griffin (RW)

-“Merry Christmas” sticker – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Volume I stickers from Echo Park (RW)

-Pine, forest, or hunter green seam binding (ivory or cream could look really nice here as well)

-Cream or ivory seam binding (RW)

-Gold tinsel trim – Old School Vintage Tinsel Trim from Pink Paislee (RW)

-Cream or ivory ruffled or pleated lace (RW)

-Small cream coloured heart-shaped “pearl” flatback embellishments

-Small gold coloured gems (these ones don’t have a specific product name on them, but are from the Michael’s line, Studio G; RW)

-Kraft (or similar shade) paper drinking straw (RW)

-Glue gun and glue sticks

-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers

-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)

How to make a timelessly elegant Christmas card

Begin by die cutting your card base with cream or ivory cardstock and the largest size of ornate frame die in your die set.

To cut out a card base with a die, fold your card in half and place the die so that the top of it juts out just slightly past the folded area (this helps to ensure that there is an actual fold at the top, not just that you’ve cut out two matching individual die cut shapes).

Leave the card folded, use low-tack washi or drafting tape (or similar) to hold your die in place and run the card base through your machine with both layers remaining folded so that the die will simultaneously cut through the front and back sides of the card.

If you have never cut out a shaped card this way before, practice a time or two with scrap paper to get the hang of it. Once you have done mastered this technique, cutting out shaped cards (and tags, too) this way is usually a breeze.

Cut a piece of dark green cardstock slightly smaller than your card base. Adhere.

Cut a piece of gold glitter cardstock ever-so-slightly smaller than the dark green cardstock layer. Adhere.

Use the second largest die in your nested frame die set to cut a frame from red metallic/mirror cardstock. Adhere to the gold cardstock layer.

From the Carta Bella Christmas Gift Tags paper, cut out two tags that each have a small house illustration on them.

Back each Christmas tag on dark green cardstock and fussy cut around them to leave the slenderest of dark green cardstock borders on all sides.

Using a handheld hole punch, an anywhere hole punch, or an eyelet setting tool that makes holes, punch a hole through the “grommet” section of both cardstock-backed tags.

Thread dark green seam binding (or dark green ribbon, if you don’t have any suitable seam binding) through the holes that you just punched. Tie a single layer bow in each piece of seam binding.

Angle tags so that the top of each one extends out past the edges of the cream card base just a wee bit. Adhere to card base layers.

Next, take the Carta Bella Journaling Tags paper and cut out the “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” sentiment square.

Cut a piece of dark green cardstock ever-so-slightly larger than the sentiment square. Adhere sentiment square to dark green cardstock.

Cut a piece of gold glitter cardstock a touch bigger than the dark green cardstock piece. Adhere dark green cardstock to gold glitter cardstock then attach that gold cardstock to the previous base layers of this handmade Christmas card.

Place two sizes of gold gems around the left side, right side, and top of the circle in which the sentiment itself is written (as shown).

Use light red cardstock and die cut enough shapes so that you have three small and one large six-petaled poinsettia flower bases.

Then use the red metallic/mirror cardstock to cut enough shapes so that you have three small and one large six-petaled poinsettia top layers (these are the open design top piece layers of the poinsettias).

Adhere top layers to bottom layers then assemble poinsettias into six-petaled flowers. Adhere them two small and one large poinsettia to the bottom left-hand side of the central sentiment panel, and one small poinsettia on the upper right-hand side of the central sentiment panel.

Top the two small poinsettias on the bottom left-hand side with gold coloured gems.

Top the large poinsettia and the small poinsettia on the upper right-hand side with cream coloured heart shape pearl flatback charms.

And just like that, you have a sophisticatedly beautiful holiday greeting to share with someone special in your life.

Read on to find out how to make the coordinating Christmas rosette wand.

How to make a timelessly elegant Christmas rosette wand

Start by cutting out one oval-shaped piece of thin chipboard with the largest size of nested oval dies.

Cut two identical pieces of red metallic/mirror cardstock with that exact same die.

Position the kraft coloured paper drinking straw in the bottom center of what will now become the backside of your rosette wand. Adhere it in place with hot glue or another type of very sturdy adhesive.

Once the adhesive for the straw is dry, adhere one of the red ovals you just cut out before the last step to the front and one to the back of the chipboard oval rosette base.

Measure out a length of ruffled cream/ivory lace that will fit around the outer edges of your wand head base.

Adhere lace around the edge of the wand head base, attaching it on the BACK (not the front) of this piece. I used – and recommend using – hot glue here, though a sturdy liquid adhesive would likely work as well.

Measure out a length of gold tinsel trim that will fit flush with the cream/ivory lace that goes around the wand base.

Adhere gold tinsel trim around the entire perimeter edge of the wand head, on the front side of the wand.

Die cut an intricate spiral shape from dark green cardstock (a similar-sized doily die cut would look great here, too). Adhere to red metallic/mirror layer on the front of the wand.

Die cut two identical smaller-sized oval pieces (from the same nested oval die set) from gold glitter cardstock.

Adhere one of these oval pieces to the back of the wand and one to the front.

When giving my paper crafts as gifts, I usually like to include a small tag with a handwritten sentiment such as “Handmade with by Autumn Zenith” on it.

If you wish to do something similar, cut out or use a premade small tag or banner-shaped piece of cardstock. Adhere this tag to the back of the wand (As this is an optional step, I did not include a small tag or banner-shaped die in the supplies list above.)

The back of the wand is now complete. On to the rest of the front!

Take the Anna Griffin “love” sentiment die cut piece and adhere it in the centre of the gold glitter oval.

Next, die cut enough base layers from pale red cardstock, and enough top layers from red metallic/mirror cardstock, to make two small six-petaled poinsettias.

Adhere top and bottom poinsettia layers together and then adhere these flowers to so that one appears on each side of the sentiment piece, as shown.

Top each handmade poinsettia with a cream/ivory coloured “pearl” heart-shaped flatback embellishment.

Adhere the Echo Park “Merry Christmas” banner-shaped sticker near the bottom of the sentiment piece, allowing the edges of this sticker to overlap both poinsettias a little bit.

To determine how much gold tinsel trim you will need to wrap the paper drinking straw, do a test run and arrange the angled placement of the tinsel as desired. Once this has been determined, cut tinsel to that length.

Use a little bit of hot glue (or very strong liquid adhere) to start looping the gold tinsel around the drinking straw. Once you reach the top of the straw (where it meets the head of the wand) hot glue gun the tinsel in place in place beneath the ruffles/folds of the lace.

Use the dark green seam binding to make a single-layer bow with somewhat long tails.

Cut one piece of cream/ivory seam binding and one piece of (the same) dark green seam binding. You can either make the same size as each other, or have one be longer and the other shorter, as you wish.

Fold them in half and attach to the wand base beneath the lace in the center of the wand, as shown.

Lastly, adhere the green seam binding bow you just made to the center of these seam binding “streamers” and top it with a single gold coloured gem embellishment.

I know that it might seem like there is fair number of steps involved with making this elegant Christmas lollipop wand, but I assure you that it came together both easily and fairly quickly for me (under two hours, even with die cutting and assembling the poinsettia factored in).

This wand is filled with the enchanting spirit of the holiday season and can be given as a solo gift on its own or combined with either the matching card or another Christmas card of your choosing.

This rosette wand is a gorgeous (if I may say so myself ) piece that works splendidly as seasonal home décor, too, should you wish to keep it for yourself or make multiples. Retaining and giving them away as you please.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year (or at least one of them )

Not everyone celebrates Christmas and not everybody who does so loves it with all their might.

It should go without saying, but both of those things are 100% okay.

For some, this month houses the observance of a single holiday or sabbat. For others, it may hold multiple special events depending on a person’s beliefs and culture.

Personally, December is home to Yule, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve and I really enjoy celebrating each of these special events annually.

For me, fall and Halloween + Samhain is the most wonderful time of the year. That said, I adore and appreciated December’s many special occasions, too (including those, such as Hanukkah and Kwanza, that I do not observe).

They help to make Christmas and Yule time one of the best and most special periods of the whole calendar.

A ton of people who observe Christmas rank it as their favourite holiday – my mom and sister both included.

It is easy to see why. We’re flush not only with the happiness and excitement that can often accompany Christmas itself, but also the anticipation and wide-eyed optimism that January 1^st has a natural ability to instill in a fair number of us.

This really is a magical point in the year and one which never fails to spark happiness, merriment, and nostalgia for both myself and countless others.

To all those celebrating Christmas – or any other December special event – this year, may you have an incredibly safe, cozy, happy, and meaningful holiday season full of all kinds of festive happenings that bring your heart contentment.

The post Timelessly Elegant Christmas Card with Matching Rosette Wand appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

Perhaps, not strange so much, but a bit like said projects have arrived so late to a party that the whole event is already over.

And yet, as us paper crafters know, there are rarely hard and fast rules regarding when we can share the projects we make.

Easter cards in September? Have at ‘er! Halloween layouts in April? Why not! New Year’s cards in July? Go for it!

In some instances, we may not have time in the moment to share a given project. Or doing so may simply slip our mind – especially in the midst of the holiday season hustle and bustle.

At others, there may be pragmatic reasons why we refrain from posting a particular project at its most logical point on the calendar.

For me, a big one is that sometimes I do not want to share a project that’s being sent to someone that I know follows my blog and/or Instagram, until after I’m sure they’ve received that card (or tag, etc).

After all, unintentionally spoiling the surprise of a handmade greeting winging its way across the world to a dear friend or family member is not high up on my list of reasons to post a project.

Thankfully, I usually have the option of holding on posting. And in the case of today’s project share, that was precisely why I waited until mid-January to blog about this festive make.

Elegant gold and black peace, love, and joy holiday season card

This particular card was made for a dear, sweet and special online friend of mine. We’ve grown close over the past couple of years and share many similar interests in common – from an undying love for fall time to a passion for fashion.

Indeed, my friend is one of the most stylish women I know and I the moment I set about creating a Christmas card for her, I knew that I wanted it to reflect the elegance, glamour, and sophistication that her sartorial choices exude.

Care of some of the photos she posts online, I’ve been treated to glimpses of what my friend’s seasonal décor looks like, too. It echoes the chicness of her wardrobe and is nothing short of gorgeous.

Indeed, some of the fall and winter décor snaps she’s shared a were big inspiration catalyst in terms of the design of this wintertime greeting.

(Plus, as touched on in my Festive Red, Black and Green Merry Christmas Card post last month, I leaned heavily on the use of black in my holiday season cards this year.)

While this project was created and sent out as a Christmas card, there is nothing so inherently Christmassy, IMO, to its design that one couldn’t give it as a New Year’s or general wintertime card.

Honestly, it could even work as a winter wedding, anniversary, birthday, or thinking of you card – to name but four other possible uses.

And, you know, come to think of it, if a hit or two of, say, red or pink were to be injected – such as a red bloom in place of the dark cream coloured and perhaps some hearts instead of, or along with, the snowflakes here – you could even use this card for Valentine’s Day.

Putting this chic handmade wintertime greeting card together

This elegant Christmas card began with a base of dark charcoal grey paper. One could easily have used black here instead, and I debated it, but ultimately went with dark charcoal, as I wanted a subtle tonal contrast in a design that centred around a limited colour palette.

Next came a layer of classic sheet music print paper (I feel like I say this often about various products, and I do, but I am a huge fan of music print paper and am always looking to up my stash of it). This was topped with a tall rectangular piece of gold glitter cardstock which I trimmed on all four sides with a pair of Fiskars decorative edge scissors.

I then backed a piece of the same sheet music print paper with cardstock and adhered it to the bottom half of the glittery gold cardstock. A cream and black print journaling card went above it, with a layer of white ruffle trim and a skinny band of gold sequins trim covering the join between those two sections.

Next, I die cut an ornate decorative frame from shinny black cardstock (another absolute favourite paper crafting supply of mine, which I’d happily buy stock in, if I could ). This was topped by the “Peace, Love, Joy” sentiment, which I popped a layer of charcoal grey cardstock and a layer of the same glittery gold cardstock behind for extra shimmer and pizzazz.

After that, I attached the lovely shabby chic dark cream coloured Prima Marketing tulle flower and two cream coloured velvet 7 Gypsies leaves to the lower left side of the design.

For additional embellishments, I die cut some snowflakes from both basic white and (again, the same) glittery gold card stock, which I paired with a gorgeous wire and plastic embellishment branch, which is also from Prima Marketing.

As this card was being mailed outside of the country, I had to keep Canada Post’s weight and (laughly small) height limits for letter mail in mind, but still wanted this card to have a deliver an impact to its recipient.

I hope that between the classy gold, cream and black colour palette and the embellishments that I used here, my intentions rang true for my friend when she opened this festive greeting.

Card making tips and ideas from this project

-Winter holiday time cards or other craft projects do not need to include traditional shades of red, green, or blue to abound with the spirit of the season.

You can go monochromic or create a palette of colours that sparkles with festive cheer, while not necessarily being the first ones that spring to mind when someone says “Christmas”, “Yule”, or “New Year’s”.

I’m more than a little bit enamoured with the colour scheme here and can easily see myself utilizing it again for future holiday season projects.

A few other holiday season card colour palette options you could reach for, if you want to shake things up a bit, include the following:

-Purple, silver (or grey) and white

-Pale pink, champaign, and chocolate brown

-Aqua, lilac, silver, and white

-Maroon, aged gold, and pine green

-Orange, peach, silver, and white

-Sage, puce, beige (or cream), and brown

-Magenta, silver, black and/or white

-Yellow, gold, and white

-Pumpkin orange, olive green, gold, and brown or burgundy

-Hot pink, lime green, and silver (I should mention that, objectively, splashes of red can look fab with this palette)

-White vellum, solid white, silver or grey

-Teal, cream, and brown

-Pastel pink, white, silver, and baby blue

-Gold, burgundy, and black

-Brick, navy blue, and dusty rose

-Use multiple versions of the same metallic colour throughout your project. In this instance, gold was the sole metallic colour used on this card and it appears in three different forms: the gold glitter cardstock, the gold sequins trim, and a wee bit also shows up in the gold toned metal of the Prima wire spring embellishment.

Depending on your project, you can aim for each of the metallic items used to have a very similar tone to them, or vary things up for more of a mixed metal look. The fact that they’re all shades of the same metallic colour will generally still telegraph a sense of cohesiveness, even if each tone varies a bit.

By the same token, have fun and utilize different textures and materials. From paint to glitter, embossing powder to metal charms and buttons – not mention cardstocks and ribbons – the sky is the limit when it comes to the metallic products you can use on your papercrafting projects.

-Bust out your decorative edge scissors. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: old school as they may be, I adore decorative edge scissors. They’re no less versatile and appealing as when they were highly in vogue during the 1990s and on into the early 2000s.

I keep a small pencil holder with several of my most frequently used pairs of decorative edge scissors on my work desk and reach for them often for cards, scrapbook pages, and other paper crafting projects alike.

If it has been a hot minute since you last used your decorative edge scissors, why not bring them out of retirement this year and have fun playing with one of the OGs of the paper crafting world?

-Though not a hard and fast rule, oftentimes, if you’re trying to create a more refined card (or LO) design, sticking with neutrals and perhaps one or two small accent colours can be a really effective approach.

While there are various textures and prints involved here, for example, each colour (black, charcoal grey, white, cream, and gold) is a neutral. This reads as elegant and well-coordinated, but far from stuffy or drab – quite the opposite, I’d venture to say.

Products used to make this glamorous gold and black holiday season card

-Charcoal grey and white cardstock

-Gold glitter cardstock

-Glossy black cardstock – Glossy Black Mirror Card from Tonic Studios

-Sheet music print paper – Christmas Edition Collection Christmas Melody Paper from Kaisercraft

-Rectangle shaped ornate frame die

-Small(ish) sized snowflake die

-Decorative edge scissors – Paper Edgers Heartbeat Scissors from Fiskars

-Sentiment piece – Glisten Collection Incandescent from Kaisercraft

-Black and cream journaling spot – Sepia Journaling Frames from Creative Imaginations

-Metallic gold sequins trim (I purchased this one at a Dollarama store in our area)

-White ruffled trim – Parisian Anthology Ruffled Darlings Ribbon Strips from Pink Paislee

-Dark cream tulle flower – The Gatsby Collection Reception Flowers from Prima Marketing

-Cream velvet leaves – Brown Velvet Leaf from 7 Gypsies

-Wire and plastic branch embellishment – Candy Gems Blue Berry from Prima Marketing

-Glue gun and glue sticks (to adhere the larger/heavier embellishments)

-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers

-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)

The festive season doesn’t have to end in early January

Granted the heyday of the winter holidays might wrap up in many (though certainly not all) parts of the world after the first week or two of January.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t keep the festive spirit going strong well beyond that stage in the calendar (a point that I touched on recently in my previous project share post as well).

If you have holiday season projects that you haven’t shared yet, why not post them in January or February?

Longing for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Yule again already? Whip up some projects that celebrate your favourite (or the most infamous, as the case may be! ) memories from the latest holiday season.

And if you’re feeling extra ambitious, you could even get a major head start on your festive greetings for the next holiday season by creating a few cards almost a year in advance.

As much as I wish I was that on the ball when it comes to making my Yule, Christmas, and New Year’s cards, the realist in me knows that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon.

A layout or two devoted to this meaningful and joy-filled time of the year? Now that might just be realistic.

In the wake of the immense surge of energy, merriment, seasonal cheer and festive happenings that call December and early January home, our daily lives can seem a little lackluster or at least lacking for holiday cheer after the lights, ornaments and trees have come down.

Rest assured that this is a natural feeling and something many of us experience. I’ve learned over the years that we can help counterbalance it though via various means, one of which is crafting winter holiday projects weeks or even months after Santa has returned to the North Pole.

This January, keep the winter holidays that you observe going a little longer by creating a project that celebrates the festive season and reminds you all the more of why this time of the year holds such a special place in our hearts and craft rooms alike.

Project share

Pin the image below – or any other in this post – to Pinterest, pop it into your Instagram Stories, post it on Twitter or Facebook, or share it anywhere else you wish to help yourself find it again and to inspire others at the same time.

If you make a project based on or inspired by this card – or want to share any of your other handmade crafts with me – please use the hashtags #WitchcraftedLife and #WitchcraftedLifeMakes on social media so that I see can your beautiful creations.

The post Elegant Gold and Black Peace, Love, and Joy Holiday Season Card appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

I admire these folks greatly. Marvel at how they seem to have found the secret to cramming a hundred hours more into each day (lol!), and accept that I’m unlikely to ever belong to their ranks.

My projects and posts happen if and when they can, and I see no issue with continuing to share holiday-themed makes in January. Or at any other point in the year, for that matter.

It can be fantastic to focus on topical content during a given season or holiday, and I am certainly in favour of doing so when possible.

However, that doesn’t mean that one has to hold rigidly to only posting Christmas content, for example, before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.

As most of our holiday décor is still up at this early stage in January (I adore festive decorations and tend to let them linger well after a particular holiday or sabbat has officially transpired), I feel even more at peace with sharing the lovely handmade card in today’s post.

The colour palette that has called to me most this holiday season – red, green, and black – was at its festive zenith in the card highlighted here, which we gave to my mom as her Christmas greeting from us this year.

Elegant snow frosted pine branch Christmas card

I could easily and happily work with this dark, sophisticated, and subtly yesteryear-esque colour scheme not only come each winter holiday season, but the whole year through as well.

Swap the green for grey and you have three of my most frequently worn colours as well. (I adore wearing certain shades of green, especially those on the darker end of the spectrum, but don’t own a lot of clothing in such hues at the moment.)

Then turn to the red to burgundy, swirl some dusty rose and aged metallics into the equation, and you have the main colours in our current home décor.

I knew that I wanted to lean heavily on red, green, and black for my mom’s Christmas card. Yet, at the same time, didn’t want it to run the risk of having it read as dreary or overly sombre.

To that end, I made sure to include plenty of splashes of red, as well as some white, and to use a classic pattern (holly leaves and berries) on the sole printed paper that appears on this card.

While there are various snow texture products on the market (such as Aleene’s Glitter Snow and True Snow, respectively, and Snow-Tex from DecoArt), I don’t have any in my stash at present.

Instead, I created the look of white snow adorned pine branches by turning to a bottle of trusty, inexpensive white acrylic craft paint.

In my opinion, white paint is one of the most versatile, handy, and helpful products any paper crafter can have in their arsenal.

I reach for white acrylic paint all through the year and after frosting these faux pine branches, might need to add a new bottle of it to my crafting shopping list for 2021.

Thankfully, this product doesn’t break the bank and can be found everywhere from dollar stores to Michael’s, Walmart to art supply shops here in Canada. (I usually opt for Plaid brand white acrylic paint, which currently retails for less than $4.00 at Walmart.)

The dark green little plastic pine branches are likewise usually not very tricky to find. If your local craft, hobby, dollar, or big box stores don’t sell them, check out spots such as eBay, AliExpress, and Etsy, where you should be able to find similar products.

Alternatively, if you have some festive décor that might be on its last legs but which contains usable faux pine/evergreen, you could pluck off said branches and put them to work on holiday season papercrafts.

I love this card. It’s one of my favourite makes of any kind from 2020, and was, come to think of it, my last project of that year.

As is often the case when I create a card (or tag, etc) that is destined for someone else, but which I utterly adore, I did debate keeping this festive make to use in our seasonal décor.

However, that thought was short-lived, as I had created this card from my sweet mama and was adamant that it zip off to her house.

After all, as I like to tell myself, I could always make something similar looking for our holiday décor. Especially since I highly doubt my passion for the pairing of red, green, and black is going to wane anytime soon.

Putting this elegant shabby chic Christmas card together

A good sized card base of basic black cardstock got the ball rolling here. It was topped with small triangular pieces of red metallic cardstock in each of the four corners, a piece of holly leaf and berry print paper (which I lightly distressed the edges of and gave punched photo corners made from textured white cardstock to as well), and two die cut pieces of cardstock. One black, the other metallic red. 

My sentiment greeting was next up to bat, landing in the middle of this design. I purposely went with die cut layers below it that echoed the notched corners included in this festive illustration.

Sandwiched between some of the layers of paper and cardstock, I put a black die cut lattice design piece, as well as a piece of vibrant red satin ribbon.

That same Christmas season perfect red ribbon then appeared in the form of a bow (to mirror that in the sentiment illustration itself) near the top of the card.

As well, right below the sentiment, I place a piece of black eyelash trim lace and also ran a strip of white tulle rose trim for a subtle pop of white between the layers of this design

Next, I arranged some springs of red foam faux berries, red fabric roses, and green plastic pine branches. Using a cotton bud (a small paintbrush would work well, too), I lightly applied white acrylic craft paint to the edges of the pine branches.

I debated topping the roses and berries with “snow” as well, but decided I preferred the look of leaving them au naturel.

As the last and final touch on this project, I placed four small white pearlescent star flatback embellishments near each of the four red roses. Opting for this particular embellishment because of the stars present in the illustration of the sentiment.

(You may have guessed this by now, but I love to include repeating motifs, colours, designs, etc in plenty of my papercrafting projects.)

Cardmaking tips and ideas from this project

-Let a little (or a lot!) of the elements on your card extend past the edges of the card base itself. This is amongst my favourite card making techniques, as I find it helps to elevate a project and create more visual interest.

In this case, the distressed piece of printed paper, as well as the snow dusted pine branches, inch slightly over the edges.

–Don’t hesitate to double (or triple, etc) up on photo corners or other corner elements. Here, white photo corners sit happily atop triangles of metallic red cardstock, each belonging to a separate layer of this design.

-If you do not have premade red roses (be they fabric, paper, foam, etc), you could crate some from punched or die cut red paper or cardstock. Conversely, you could sub in a different flower or type of embellishment entirely.

Small bow, bell (including jingle bells), other types of greenery, or even (representations of) birds such as cardinals, owls, or partridges, for example, would all be at home on a festive project like this.

-While the “snow” is a charming and wonderfully eye-catching addition here, it isn’t strictly required. You could easily skip it or, alternatively, adorn the branches with glitter or flocking instead.

Or, make cardstock branches and emboss them with white, cream, or pale silver coloured embossing powder to get a similar snowy effect.

-Look to the illustrated/patterned elements – including premade sentiments – of your card when deciding on the elements to use for a given project.

The charming sentiment piece – taken from a cut-apart sheet of paper – here inspired no less than four components of this design. The notched corner die cut layers, the red bow, the arrangement of the pine branches, and the sweet little pearlescent white star embellishments.  

Products used to make this festive red, black, and green Christmas card

-Notched corner nesting die set

-Lattice border strip die (or similar style of border punch)

-Photo corner punch – Photo Corner punch from Martha Stewart Crafts

-Black and white cardstock

-Metallic red cardstock

-Holly leaf and berry print paper – Here Come Santa Claus Holly Berries paper from Echo Park

-Sentiment paper – My Favourite Christmas – Christmas Squares paper from Echo Park

-Black eyelash fringe lace

-Red satin ribbon (you could use organza, twill, seam binding, etc here as well)

-White tulle rose trim

-Red fabric roses

-White pearlescent plastic star embellishments

-White acrylic craft paint – 2894 White Wicker Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint from Plaid’s Folk Art line

-Glue gun and glue sticks, or another type of sturdy adhesive to hold the larger embellishments in place

-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers

-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)

A huge thank you!

Before wrapping up today’s entry, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who wished Witchcrafted Life a happy 1^st birthday on my previous blog post, as well as via email and DM.

Your support of my wee corner of the web, the work that I share here, and the inclusive community that I strive to create around this space means an immeasurable amount to me.

I am grateful to my core for each of you. Your kindness and encouragement all through WCL’s first year of life and now as we embrace its second is like rocket fuel for my blogging soul, powering me onward with vim and vigour, and helping me to reach new creative heights along the way.

I have one more Christmas 2020 card project to share here in the not-too-distant future (it’s another of my fave makes from last year, which wound its way to a treasured friend in the US), a more broadly themed winter project or two, and hopefully, at least one Valentine’s Day project.

If it is able to appear here in February itself, that’s great, but if it ends up being posted closer to the Ostara/Easter season, you know what? That’s a-okay, too.

After all, the “freely share a project after a given event has transpired” approach is not limited to winter holiday season makes by any means.

What’s on the crafting agenda for you as we embrace the start of 2021? Do you strive to post all of your makes for a given holiday before/right the big day or are you happy to share them anytime you please?

Project share

Pin the image below – or any other in this post – to Pinterest, pop it into your Instagram Stories, post it on Twitter or Facebook, or share it anywhere else you wish to help yourself find it again and to inspire others at the same time.

If you make a project based on or inspired by this card – or want to share any of your other handmade crafts with me – please use the hashtags #WitchcraftedLife and #WitchcraftedLifeMakes on social media so that I see can your beautiful creations.

The post Elegant Snow Frosted Pine Branch Christmas Card appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

This is a wonderful and deeply cherished component of December for many. However, it is by no means the only form of giving that we can engage in – either as the giver or the receiver.

Sometimes the most touching gifts are the ones we didn’t see coming and which were given with love and care from the heart of those who bestow them upon us.

They need not be new or fancy, nor cost much, for their impact on our lives to be great.

This year, as autumn wound down, a very sweet neighbour of ours – who had recently learned of the arson fire that we experienced four years prior – gifted us with some of her gently used outdoor Christmas lights.

They are the first lights we’ve had since before the fire and we are touched to our cores by her generosity and sweetness.

To thank her for this awesome present, I recently made the card that stars in today’s post to give our neighbour and her children. I hope that it will bring them even just a fraction of the joy and festive cheer that their kindness instilled in our holiday season.

Fun and elegant “Twinkle & Shine” Christmas tree card

If you’ve been a part of the paper crafting scene for a while now, you’re likely familiar with the crazes for certain supplies and tools that come and go.

Several years ago now, when Martha Stewart’s paper crafting products (which were, by and large, excellently made and amongst my favourites ever offered in the crafting sphere) were all the rage, some of her punches were especially popular.

In terms of the shape punches (as opposed to things like border and corner punches) some of her best sellers were those featuring leaves and branches.

I can remember times when they were almost sold out across the web. That’s how big a demand for these punches there was at the time.

Most of Martha’s punches are no longer produced or easily found for sale (new) online these days. I truly wish they were, as I always adored – and often used – those that I had before the fire.

Thankfully though, between eBay, Etsy, and the few Martha Stewart punches that can still be purchased from sites such as Amazon, it’s not impossible to track down at least some of the vast catalogue of punches that this brand once offered.

One of the most popular shape punches Martha ever released was called simply “branch”. Its versatility and appeal struck a chord with crafter and a good many of us added this lovely punch to our collections.

I was fortunate to find one new in 2017, I believe it was, and in doing so, to replace the one I lost in the fire (yay!!!).

It was to this particular paper punch that I turned when creating the festive card in this post, as the shape it produces works awesomely as boughs or branches on a Christmas tree – or most any evergreen tree for that matter.

As our lovely neighbour gifted us with some Christmas lights, I knew that I wanted to feature lights on this card as well.

I don’t presently have anything suitable in my stash that could actually light up for real.

Thankfully though, I did have a package of Jolee’s delightful Christmas light strings. They fit the bill to a tee and helped to create exactly the card design I was aiming for with this project.

Putting this fun dimensional Christmas tree and lights card together

In some respects, this card is not as elaborate as many of my makes. This was intentional, as I wanted to create a classic, eye-catching design for which the Christmas tree with its dimensional branches and strings of holiday lightbulbs would take center stage.

This card began with a base of earthy brown cardstock, which I topped with panels of green cardstock (the edges were inked with dark green ink), green and white gingham print paper, and metallic gold cardstock.

A fun wavy oval shape was die cut from subtly textured white cardstock and used as the background for the Christmas tree.

To build my tree, I first die cut a Christmas tree shape, which I used as the base for the branches that you see here.

If you do not have a suitable die in your stash, fear not! You could easily draw a tree by hand, freeform cut one out, or use a stencil or template.

The tree die that I used comes with the cute Christmas tree stand and star elements, as well as the trunk of the tree, so I made sure to put those to good use here.

Again, you could easily draw and cut out similar shapes by hand, use other suitable punches, or utilize things like star shaped stickers or rhinestones here instead, if you’d like.

I cut the tree trunk from brown woodgrain print paper (inking the sides with brown ink), and both the star and Christmas tree stand from gold metallic cardstock.

Then I set to work punching out a whole bunch of evergreen branches using my Martha Stewart Branch Punch.

Though it’s a bit hard to see in these photos, I used a mix of both plain green and metallic green cardstock in similar shades to give my tree even more visual interest and festive shimmer.

I didn’t count the precise number of branches that I punched out, but I’d easily say that a few dozen were utilized on this project.

I began building up the branches of my tree by layering from the bottom of the top, sticking closely to the general shape of a Christmas tree.

I used more of the plain green cardstock branches than the metallic green ones, as I wanted the hits of sheen to be nice additions, not all one saw when looking at this tree.

After I had all my branches adhered to the die cut Christmas tree card base, I played around with the arrangement for the string of Jolee’s Christmas lights.

Once I was happy with how it looked, I cut the string to the length I needed (happily, I’ve still got some of it leftover for future uses), added adhesive to the back, and gently tucked it between the branches.

Much as with many a real Christmas tree, the star at the top went as the final touch.

Little else was added to this card, as again, I really wanted to tree to steal the limelight.

That said, I did include a piece of cranberry/burgundy seam binding near the bottom of the card.

I topped this with a green cardstock wavy banner die cut that I stamped with the festive sentiment “Twinkle & Shine”, to reinforce both the theme of the Christmas tree here and the gift of Christmas lights that we received.

Card making tips and ideas from this project

-While no shortage of Christmas tree dies, stickers, stencils and the like exist on the market, sometimes it is really fun to create your own tree.

If you don’t have a similar branch shaped punch in your stash, plenty of branch shaped dies could work here as well – as could some feather-shaped ones (though that might give your tree more of a fluffy branched look).

-We often think of tartan and plaid as the main checkered patterns for holiday season makes, but gingham works awesomely on this front as well – especially when it features classic festive colours such as red, green, white, and/or black.

-Surprisingly, mini Christmas lights for paper crafting are not that common as a general rule.

These ones from Jolee’s can sometimes be had on eBay and Etsy, as well as various online and offline craft supply shops. However, if you cannot find them, some handy alternatives include:

• Die cut Christmas lights
• Christmas light stickers
• Christmas light shaped brads
• Christmas light shaped beads
• Oval, marquise, or teardrop-shaped sequins or rhinestones
• Nuvo Drops (solid colours or glittery)
• Mini-sized Dew Drops embellishments or similar transparent plastic embellishments
• Strings of dollhouse Christmas lights (which often look quite similar to the ones from Jolee’s Boutique that were used on this project)
• Other miniature Christmas lights sold at places such as some craft, hobby, and dollar stores (check near the Christmas village and/or bottle brush tree sections of the store)
• Stamped and inked/coloured Christmas lights that you either cut with a coordinating die or fussy cut by hand
• Strings of Christmas lights fussy cut from patterned paper that includes this festive design. Such as those found on Reminisce’s Magical Lights paper from their Magical Christmas collection, and Sparke and Shine paper from Photo Play Paper’s Kringle & Co. collection.

-Alternatively, if you didn’t want to go the Christmas light route, you could embellish your tree with things such as ornament shaped die cuts or stickers, rhinestone embellishments, enamel shapes, skinny tinsel trim, candy cane shaped stickers, die cuts, buttons or brads; or adorn some of the branches with white paint or dimensional craft snow paint (e.g., Aleene’s Glitter Snow) for more of an outdoorsy look.

-In addition to “Twinkle and Shine”, there are plenty of charming lighting-related sentiments that you can use for a holiday season card like this. For example, “May your holidays be merry and bright”, “You light up my Christmas”, “Have a dazzling holiday season”, or “Shining our love your way at Christmas”.

-If you are unable to locate this exact Martha Stewart Branch punch, various other brands have released similar punches over the years.

These include, but are not limited to the Large Branch Punch from EK Success, the Rock Fern Punch from Bira Crafts (which is available in both 1 inch and 2 inch sizes), the Large Fern Punch from Punch Bunch, and, while a bit more “bare-branched” looking, the Tim Holtz Branch Punch from Sizzix.

Products used to make this festive Christmas tree card

-White, green, and brown cardstock

-Metallic gold cardstock

-Metallic green cardstock

-Brown woodgrain print paper – Mademoiselle Collection Mahogany from Kaisercraft

-Green and white gingham print paper – (backside of) Country Kitchen Multi Journaling Cards from Carta Bella

-Wavy oval shaped die (or another oval or circle shaped die of your choosing)

-Christmas tree shaped die (optional, see note above)

-Wavy banner die

-Branch punch – Branch Punch from Martha Stewart

-String of mini 3D Christmas light embellishments – Holiday Lights from Jolee’s Boutique

-Black ink – Jet Black Archival Ink from Ranger

-Dark brown ink – Rich Cocoa Ink from Memento

-Green ink – Cottage Ivy Dew Drop Ink from Memento

-“Twinkle & Glow” sentiment stamp (or another holiday sentiment of your choosing)

-Cranberry/burgundy coloured seam binding – from Snug Hug

-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers

-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)

May your holidays twinkle and shine

There is no beating around the bush, this year has been a tremendously challenging one for a lot of us.

Even those who have been fortunate enough to pull through relatively unscathed, have, of course, still been impacted in myriad ways by the rapid and radical changes, worries, and crises that have swept across the globe in 2020.

Today, and in the final days of a year of loss and difficulty, stress and uncertainty, it is my unwavering hope that you are safe and happy.

May this festive season bless you and keep you well, and in the process bring plenty of heart-touching surprises your way as well.

Happiest holidays and much to you each and every one of you, my dear friends!

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The post Twinkle & Shine Christmas Card and The Happiest of Holiday Season Wishes to Each of You! appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

I was not raised in a house with Paganism or witchery, and neither my parents nor anyone else in my family took much note of the Winter Solstice. Nor – especially beyond the very earliest grades – do I remember it being focused on in a classroom setting.

Yet, I knew that in the Western Hemisphere Yule meant the very gradual return of precious minutes of daylight each day. And that, as snow-heavy as this chapter of the year is, at its heart, one of the key elements of the Winter Solstice is the sun.

Then, as now, it was not that I disliked winter. Quite the opposite! As challenging a season as winter can be for many of us at times, I experience a powerful kinship to the darkest, coldest chapter of the year.

Winter feels in a sense like the oldest of the seasons. Its existence helps to bring the other three segments of the annual calendar into being. For, as in so much in the universe, light and life can only exist when they do in tandem with darkness and death.

Growing up in Canada, I can well recall days in which we both entered and existed school in the inky, not-quite-black, not-quite-grey sky of winter. Our only glimpses of daylight visible during recess and the lunch hour.

Later, as is the case for many people the world over, the first working years of my life saw me indoors for even longer hours. In those instances, I often went for months at time with my only daytime exposure to the sun being on the weekends or other days that I had off from my job.

These days, I am fortunate to be able to spend considerably more time outdoors during the winter and to lap up what little light manages to squeeze its way in between the snowflakes.

I still look forward to Yule’s return with the same gusto though. Indeed, even more so, because as a Pagan witch who embraces the Wheel of the Yule, I delight greatly in the traditions, meanings, lessons, joys, and blessings of the Winter Solstice.

And while I do celebrate Christmas as well in a secular sense, Yule (which I observe both on the Winter Solstice – as many Pagans/witches do – and throughout the days surrounding it) is the main holiday in December for me personally.

Just as it is for many a fellow Pagan, witch, and Wiccan around the world. Yet one need not adhere to any of these paths to enjoy and honour the Winter Solstice.

As with the Summer Solstice and both the Fall and Spring Equinoxes, these seasonal shifts occur regardless of one’s beliefs or spirituality.

Much like the rising and the setting of the sun, the ebb and flow of the tides, and the natural cycle of life and death inherent to all living things, the changing of one season to the next was here long before we arrived on the scene. And, chances are, it will most likely be here for eons after we’re gone.

At Yule, we celebrate the fact that, little by little, the days will grow longer and that, in a few weeks or months’ time (depending on where you live in the world) the earliest signs and stirrings of spring will grace our world again.

In the dark heart of the year, it is natural that we want to adorn our homes festively. Winter’s landscape is not without its charms – and a vista blanketed in pristine snow can be nothing short of gorgeous – but it is almost as though many of us crave and need reminders that greenery and warmth will return once again.

We bring heavenly scented evergreen trees and boughs into our homes, hang mistletoe, adorn doors with leave and pine cone filled wreaths, sing songs that venerate such wintertime plants and holly and ivy, and create foods in the shapes of various plants and trees (i.e., Yule log cakes and holly shaped sugar cookies).

For even in the high tech, mile a minute world of the 21^st century, we are still made of ancient star stuff and it is hardwired in us to seek out nature.

This year, the winter holiday season – whatever that entails for you personally – is apt to be different in at least some respects. The collective soul of the world has taken one mighty blow after another and we have all endured a great deal to make it this far into 2020.

Assuming that doing so is realistically feasible and you feel in the mood to do celebrate, I see the challenges of this year not as a reason to shy away from being festive this December, but embrace the joys, traditions, and meanings of this season all the more.

One of the loveliest ways to connect with the winter holidays is to create some of our own decorations or to make festive crafts that we can either keep for our own joys or bestow on others in the hopes of elevating theirs.

Many of us are watching our pocketbooks more than ever due to the impact of the pandemic on our lives. We may be forgoing giving presents or scaling back if we do opt to give out presents this year.

The virtues and heart-touching importance of handmade presents cannot be overstated. Nor, if you ask me, can the benefits of decking one’s halls – boughs of holly optional.

With each passing year, I strive for a simpler and less commercial Yuletide season.

The sights of a family of deer traversing the new-fallen snow in our backyard, the intoxicating aroma of warm winter spices, and the blessing of knowing my loved ones are well each matter a great deal more to me than anything that could ever fit into a stocking or be bought at the mall.

We don’t have, nor to we need, throngs of decorations. Those that we call our own are treasured though, and I greatly enjoy creating handmade Yule and Christmas ornaments and decorations to help inject even more festive cheer into our December.

I know that many of you feel much the same way, too, and with that in mind, I wanted to share with you 50 winter holiday season craft projects created by talented, resourceful individuals around the world.

Each of these DIY projects includes instructions, meaning that if you want to give any of them a go, doing so should be a lot easier than trying to reverse engineer how something was made from a photograph alone.

Most of these Yule craft projects can easily be used for Christmastime as well – just as a lot of them can be enjoyed all winter long.

The majority are relatively low cost or perhaps even free, depending on what supplies you have on hand or can easily source from nature.

I should note that while not every one of these craft projects was shared by their original creators as being intended for Yule specifically (many are geared towards Christmas), they all share in common the fact that they are wonderfully suited to the Winter Solstice.

Indeed, the fact that these lovely, resourceful projects work so well for Yule is what landed them on this list in the first place.

And so, with that said, let’s jump with both (winter boot clad) feet forward into exploring…

50 Awesome Yule Decorations and Craft Ideas

You Can Make for the Winter Solstice

1. Clear Quartz Winter Solstice Ornaments: Stunning to look at and packed with the energy of both clear quartz and the Yule season itself, these beautiful decorations are equally at home on a tree, hanging from a mantle, or dangling from various doorknobs around your home.

2. Embroidered Felt Holiday Trees: The winter holiday season and needlework are natural partners in my mind, and I’ve long enjoyed creating both handmade stitched presents for others as well as some of our own décor over the years.

Few things symbolize the Yuletide period quite like pine trees. If you’d like to whip up a forest (or just a single tree) of your own that is apt to last even longer than real evergreens, than this splendid embroidered felt project has you covered. 

3. DIY Clay Moon Ornaments: Understatedly gorgeous and easier than sugar cookies to whip up, these charming DIY clay moon ornaments can be left au naturel, painted, dipped in glitter – whatever your creative heart desires. And, either during or after the December holiday season, they would be fantastic as part of an altar or other sacred space setting.

4. Scrap Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornaments: If you are a fellow crafter, fan of decorative gift wrapping, or simply enjoy a good sewing notion, chances are you have some ribbon scraps on hand. If so, why not put them to good use in this sweet, wonderfully easy to make Christmas tree decoration that is bursting with timeless appeal?

And, should you want to make this project but not have any suitable ribbon to hand, thankfully, ribbon can often be purchased very inexpensively from places such dollar stores and thrift/second hand/charity shops – or simply ask a crafty friend for some, it’s quite likely that they have plenty to spare and share.

(Melissa also has a similar project post that will help you make beautiful Primitive Scrap Fabric Tree Ornaments, too or instead of the ribbon iteration above. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention her cute meets timelessly classic Beaded Candy Cane Ornaments as well.)

5. Painted or Burned Wooden Round Yule Ornaments: Endlessly versatile, this lovely Yule ornament idea can be customized to your heart’s content.

Why not try painting to burning a set of ornaments with the witches runes on them? Or what about a handful showing some of the local flora and fauna that are common in your area during the winter months?

Celestial bodies such as the (very apt) sun, moon, stars, and planets would be fabulous as well.

6. Spun Cotton Mushroom Ornaments: A little more advanced in terms of the technique involved than some of the other entries on this list, but not necessarily difficult, the end results of this spun cotton craft is nothing short of breathtaking.

The humblest of materials are transformed into a fairyland-worthy sea of sweet, shimmery toadstools that can be used on the tree, mantle, in centrepieces, as part of your holiday season gift wrapping, gathering into a decorative bowl – the ideas go on and go.

7. Salt Dough Spiral Countdown Calendar for Yule: Growing up as a child, my family used the same adorable Avon Christmas mouse Advent calendar each year (see an example of this darling 1980s fabric advent calendar here).

All throughout the lead up to December 25^th, my two siblings and I would take turns moving the wee little grey mouse from one date to the next. This tradition was amongst my favourite of the festive season and it helped to spark a lifelong love of calendars – be they advents or otherwise – in me at an early age.

Advent or countdown calendars, as they are also known, can be used to mark the progress of days leading up to any event you desire. They have a natural affinity with December, and while many are associated with Christmas, they are just as open to Yule as well.

If you’re looking for a wonderfully easy to make, visually and spiritually impactful Winter Solstice countdown calendar, this charming Salt Dough Spiral may be just the ticket.

8. DIY Mini Cranberry Wreath Place Cards: For centuries now, people have decorated for December by stringing various natural or manmade edibles (popcorn, nuts, candy, etc) into lengths both short and long.

This particular project is equally parts darling and elegant, and sees plump garnet red cranberries strung together to create simple wreaths that can be used for place card holders, as well as dangled from the branches of your Yule or Christmas tree, if you should fancy.

9. Adorable 3D Painted Woodland Ornaments: Whether you’re wild about all things forest-inspired, swoon over darling décor, or have a wildlife lover in your life who would enjoy these super cute ornaments, chances are, you’re going to want to make a whole forest’s worth of them!

10. DIY Pinecone Kissing Ball: Mistletoe is a perennial favourite. However, if you’re looking for a fun and festive alternative to adorn your ceiling with come December, may I suggest this thoroughly beautiful DIY Pinecone Kissing Ball instead?

11. Felt Poinsettia Decorations: Whether you favour red, pink, or white (or, in craft form, any other colour your heart desires), one thing is for certain, poinsettias are widely adored mainstay of the winter holiday season.

If you’re keen to create some of your own this year from commonplace crafting supplies, this wonderful tutorial from Katie at Made to Be a Momma will have you churning out a hothouse’s worth of felt poinsettias in no time. (And while there, check out Katie’s super cute DIY Pinecone Christmas Trees post as well.)

12. Rustic Twig Star Ornaments: As timeless as the stars in the night sky themselves, this beautiful project celebrates the earthy blessings of nature and is a cinch to put together.

And, for those of a Pagan/witchy persuasion, the finished projects have a distinctly pentagram look to them that is right at home in the spiritual paths many of us follow.

13. Mason Jar Oil Candle Lamps: The flickering of a candle flame, soft, comforting, and familiar is one of the most endearing elements of the holiday season.

This year, why not branch out and try your hand at creating a classic oil lamp candle in a mason jar? Not only can these festive candles help illuminate your own holiday season, but they make for absolutely wonderful gifts, too.

14. Let It Snow Scrabble Tile Ornaments: Whereas once, pretty much the only way to acquire Scrabble tiles was to buy a complete Scrabble game, these days various sources for Scrabble letter tiles abound online, as well as at many craft and dollar stores. Plus, bags of second hand Scrabble tiles can sometimes be found at sources such as thrift/secondhand/charity shops and yard sales.

This clever and wonderfully festive DIY Scrabble tile ornament spells out a popular Christmas song line and is all kinds of adorable!

You can easily take this idea and run with it if you’d like. Instead of “Let It Snow”, why not spell out words such as “Yule”, “Winter Solstice”, “Blessed Be”, or any other message(s) that resonate with you?

15. Double-Sided Winter Solstice Wooden Tree Ornament: With a glowing yellow sun on one side and a frosty blue snowflake on the other, this festive handmade wooden tree ornament is a meaningful way to honour the returning sunlight that the Winter Solstice ushers back into our lives. As well as the abundance of snow that calls this chapter of the year home in many corners of the world.

16. Embroidery Hoop Buffalo Plaid Mini Wreath: As this recent Christmas card project share post of mine discussed, I’m head-over-heels for black, red and green as a holiday season palette.

If you’re feeling it too, then this terrific little buffalo plaid + embroidery hoop wreath might beckon to you every bit as much as it called my own name.

17. Cinnamon Stick Tree Ornaments: Crafters – paper and otherwise – rejoice! Here is a fun and festive way to put some of our abundant button stashes to good use.

Cinnamon sticks and some faux greenery, partnered with those aforementioned buttons, are at the heart of this cute, cheery, and wonderfully scented holiday season decoration.

18. Glittered Clothespin Snowflakes: It never ceases to delight and inspire me when I see the humblest of everyday items turned into a gorgeous piece of holiday season décor.

These glistening snowflakes are made with nothing more than two different sizes of clothespins (aka, clothes pegs), white paint, two types of glue, and coarse crystal glitter.

The end result is enchanting, and would be stunning on any festive season tree, hanging in a window, or on a Yule altar.

19. Cinnamon Stick Candles: Candles and Yule (much like Candles and Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza, respectively) have been BFFs for ages at this point time, their flickering flames a comforting and poignant reminder that the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of longer periods of daylight between now and the Summer Solstice/Litha.

Likewise, cinnamon and the winter holidays go waaayyyy back as well. Pair these two beloved elements of the festive season together in this easy, elegant, and scrumptiously scented DIY cinnamon stick candle holder from none other than well-known fashion blogger Louise Roe.

20. Yule Season Witch Balls: Much beloved the whole year through by many a magickally inclined soul, witch balls – which can be created for many purposes, protection being one of the most common – can easily double as (or be made specifically for the purpose of) Yule tree ornaments or Winter Solstice season décor elsewhere in your house.

21. DIY Rustic Acorn Marble Ornaments: If, like me, you adore it when some of your fall time home décor items can easily transition into ones that suit winter every bit as nicely, then you may be a big fan of this sweet, beautiful way to craft colourful acorns that might just prove so popular, you’ll leave them out all year round!

22. Winter Cardinal Shadow Box: For those who enjoy making 3D crafts, this darling winter cardinal shadow box is a beautiful way to celebrate one of winter’s most iconic and beloved birds, while also adding additional festive cheer to your home décor.

Cardinals have long been linked to winter. Their fiery hues a welcome splash of colour in an often pale and snow-covered landscape.

These gorgeous birds are associated with serenity, passion, creativity, balance, commitment, prosperity, goodness, hope, strength, and happiness – all themes that most of us gladly welcome into our lives with open arms at the Winter Solstice. 

23. Cute Pinecone Winter Gnome Ornaments: Gnomes are anything but new on the winter décor scene. It’s fair to say however that they’ve been having a rightly deserved moment in the spotlight in recent years.

If you’re keen to add a few felt versions of these mythological beings to your festive décor, then this handy DIY tutorial from Better Homes and has you covered

24. DIY Paper Bag Stars: If you enjoy the art of cutting out snowflakes from folded paper, then this beautiful spin on that classic practice is likely to appeal to you as well.

These stars are chic and charming, festive and fun – and can definitely do double duty as part of both your New Year’s and Imbolc décor, too.

(Plus, I was instantly struck by the thought that stars cut from yellow paper would look a good deal like the sun, and thus be an especially apt version of this project for Yule/the Winter Solstice).

25. Pipe Cleaner Pentacle Wreath Ornaments: Witchy meets mid-century kitschy in this super easy, wallet-friend decoration that is big on both Pagan symbolism and festive cheer. (Be sure to check out the other terrific Pagan Yule decoration ideas on this page as well.)

26. Mason Jar Lid Mini Christmas Wreaths: This is another awesome example of a few everyday items combining to create one seriously eye-catching and fabulously fun holiday season decoration.

Mason jar lids, twine, and a smattering of festive embellishments are all it takes to make these adorable little decorations, which can just as easily be made into Yule wreaths, Hanukkah wreaths, or simply all-season wintertime wreaths, if you prefer.

27. Simple Bell Noisemakers for New Year’s Eve: But wait, Autumn, I hear you saying, isn’t this a post about Yule appropriate decorations and crafts?

That it, is my dear reader, but allow me to put forth the suggestion that this cute meets chic holiday season noisemaker could easily be incorporated into one’s Yule celebrations and magickal workings as well.

How about ringing/shaking it rhythmically while chanting, in prayer, or as soft background noise at a coven ritual? Simply letting its bells ring loud and clear as way of proclaiming the rebirth of the sun, the return of the Oak King (who triumphs over the Holly King, until they swap places again come the Summer Solstice)?

Or why not use it as a means to set the energy tone before beginning your Yuletide workings?

28. Farmhouse White Berry Felt Ornaments: Classic and sweet, these pretty felt decorations have a timeless appeal that lends them staying power not only at Yule, but straight onto the final days of winter.

Indeed, I cannot help thinking how beautiful they would be as part of one’s Imbolc décor or altar.

29. DIY Mini Wreath Garland: Glitz and glamour undoubtedly have their rightful place in the canon of holiday décor, but sometimes you just want simple, understated, rustic, and sweet. This elegant mini wreath garland delivers big time on all those fronts and is perfect to leave up well into the coming winter months.

30. Wishing Ornament or Mini Yule Log: That beloved winter jack-of-all-trades, the humble pinecone stars in this festive craft which can be used as both a wish/intention spell and/or a mini yule log. (Amanda also shares five other wonderful DIY Yule projects in this same post, which you’ll certainly want to check out as well.)

31. Rustic Twine Wrapped Candy Cane Ornaments: Much as with Christmas, those who celebrate Yule usually have certain décor and/or altar item styles that we’re particularly drawn to.

Personally, I tend to favour those of either a woodland, vintage/antique/Victorian, primitive, or rustic nature. So when I recently spied this dreamy rustic take on candy canes, it was love at first sight.

If you’re a fan as well or know someone who is and might enjoy a set of these easy to make twine wrapped candy canes as a gift, hop on over to Natasha’s photo rich post for all crafty details.

(Candy canes themselves are not generally thought to have distinctly Pagan roots, though their sweetness can represent the hopes, dreams, goals, and positive things we hope for at Yule and in the coming year, while their colours can easily be a part of seasonal colour magick.)

32. Simple Greenery Filled Ornaments: This is perfect Yule season ornament project for anyone who enjoys incorporating nature-based/woodland elements into their seasonal décor.

These timelessly pretty decorations can be customized to your heart’s content and left out, if you wish, all winter long (you can place them in a bowl or vase after the tree comes down).

33. DIY Forged Triangle Christmas Tree Wreath: Round wreaths are a beloved favourite the world over, but sometimes one wants to shake things up and go beyond the traditional Christmas (or Yule, etc) wreath shape.

If you’re in the mood for a chic, modern and very attractive holiday season wreath, this forged triangle-shaped version is a fantastic option.

34. Victorian Gilded Walnuts: A once highly popular Christmas season decoration that has largely fallen out of fashion over the past several decades, gold-hued gilded walnuts were quite the in-thing during the Victorian era.

Aside from their historical connections and inherent beauty, I adore how the gleaming gold hue is a wonderful representation of both the sun’s gradual return and of the warmth of spirit we strive for during the Yule season.

This splendid tutorial – complete with numerous historical quotes that reference gilded walnuts – from Lina at Sew Historically will have your Yule or Christmas tree (or a bowl on your favourite table) filled gilded walnuts in no time. 

(Her recent post on how to make gilded leaves is another fab project to check out if you enjoy using metallics in your holiday décor.)

35. 12 Nights of Yule Salt Dough Ornaments: This is a deeply meaningful winter craft project that is great to involve little ones with, if applicable.

It entails creating a set of twelve different salt dough ornaments to honour the Twelve Nights of Yule, and is bound to become a treasured part of your annual Winter Solstice season celebration.

Note: If, like myself, you have Celiac disease, a gluten allergy, gluten intolerance, or otherwise need to avoid gluten, you can easily make gluten-free salt dough ornaments instead.

36. DIY (Faux) Deer Antler Wreath: If ever there was a Yule season wreath that is apt to appeal to may a nature adoring/worshiping Pagan and witch, this awesome DIY project might just be it!

Starring pinecones, feathers, and resin faux deer antlers, this eye-catching wreath is so stunning you’ll want to leave it out all year round.

37. Sweet Little Almond Bird Ornaments: It’s hard to look at these precious little felt birdies in their cozy winter toques and not say “aww” out loud – especially since their bodies are based on unshelled almonds.

Why not create a few for your own winter décor? They’re apt to have all those who see them chirping with festive cheer.

38. Felt Yule Goat Ornament Tutorial: The Yule Goat has been a part of various Northern European and Scandinavian traditions since early Pagan times, later being adopted as part of Christmas celebrations as well.

Traditionally, Yule Goats were often made from the last sheafs of wheat that were harvested during the fall and saved specifically for various Yule season purposes including this one.

The connection between Yule and goats may stem from the Norse god named Thor, who traversed the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats named Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr.

Those who are of Scandinavian, Germanic, or Northern European ancestry and/or who follow a Heathenistic spiritual path, may find that the inclusion of a Yule Goat in their Winter Solstice décor is an especially apt one.

This festive barnyard friend can be a part of anyone’s holiday celebration though, and remains as one of the most popular Christmas decorations in various Central and Northern European countries to this day.

Modern Yule Goats are often made of straw. This adorable DIY iteration sees them spring to life via felt and thread, and makes for both a terrific holiday season ornament and handmade present.

39. Easy DIY Finger Crochet Garland: Love the look of chunky knits? Adore crocheted crafted, but have never given crocheting a go yourself?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, then this fun, beginner-friendly tutorial is here to help guide you through making a beautiful finger crochet garland of your own this holiday season.

40. Fragrant Herb Chairback Decorations: Aromatically and visually pleasing in equal measures, these elegant bundles of fresh herbs can just as easily adorn chairs as they can the mantle, tied to open railings on stairways, or as part of your festive Yule season altar/sacred space.

(Warning: Please ensure that any herbs you use are safe and non-toxic for children and/or pets, if you will be placing these bundles anywhere where either could potentially reach, and potentially injest, them.)

41. Handmade Family Tree Ornaments: Decorate a tree, line a mantle, or place a few of these heartwarmingly beautiful photograph-filled decorations down a runner on your dining room table.

They are a sweet, meaningful way to honour both your ancestors and living loved ones throughout the winter holiday season.

42. Pine Needles Keepsake Ornaments: Preserve some of the needles from your holiday tree, gathered from a wintertime woodland walk, or collected from your own backyard, team them with air dry clay + Mod Podge and you’ve got these gorgeous handmade keepsake ornaments.

(I also really like Tara’s tutorial post on how to make Pinecone Nature Confetti Shakers for New Year’s Eve.)

43. Rustic Cinnamon Stick Ornaments: Cinnamon sticks are truly one of the multi-purpose wunderkinds of the winter holidays.

From jazzing up delicious beverages to appearing in seasonal potpourri blends, and being a popular mainstay in many a festive craft, there’s seemingly no limit to what this wonderful spice can do!

Case in point, these darling glitter adorned cinnamon stick ornaments which can easily work on trees, mantles, hang in various spots around the house, or used as embellishments of holiday season gifts.

44. DIY Glitter Dipped Deer Silhouette Decorations: Whether of the more everyday kind or those who call the North Pole home, deer are amongst the animals most closely associated in many parts of the world with wintertime, Yule, and the Christmas season.

This timelessly pretty craft project requires but a few products to whip up a glitter-adorned deer (or two… or ten!) that is thoroughly festive now, but not so on-the-nose wintry that it couldn’t easily be left out all year through.

45. Holiday Magick Yule Pomander: At Three Pagans and Cat, Pathos blogger Gwen has put together a meaningful and endearingly lovely witchy iteration of the classic holiday season Pomander which is the kind of spellwork that’s perfect for the often all-too-busy days of December. These sophisticated pomanders also have the added bonus of smelling sublime!

46. Rosemary Mini Wreaths: Quick and clever, this fun holiday project sees a beloved herb turned into beautifully scented little wreaths that you can hang on the tree, use as napkin rings or placeholders, or tuck atop of a prettily wrapped gift for someone special.

47. Winter Solstice Outdoor Ice Ornaments: While lights are strung, wreaths hung, and various lawn decorations are placed outside come December, we don’t generally think to decorate our properties with ice itself during the chilliest season of the year.

As this creative and rather delightful project demonstrates, it’s high time we gave doing just that a spin – especially if you live in a climate where the temperature will ensure your handmade ice ornament creations are not apt to melt anytime soon.

48. Barnwood Ribbon Star Wall Hanging: Sometimes simple really is best and this strikingly pretty winter home décor project drives that point home in spades.

Ribbon, screws, and a suitable wooden backdrop (though, you could use small finishing nails or sewing/craft pins and an artist’s canvas instead) are all it takes to whip up your own eye-catching beautiful ribbon star wall hanging.

49. Yule Countdown Log: Another deeply lovely Pagan take on a Yule season countdown calendar, this 21-day long version includes the use of a handmade candle (though a store-bought one could just as easily be utilized as well), plenty of tea lights, and a suitable surface to place them on.

50. Cinnamon Dough Ornaments: Way back in time when I was just a few years old, my mom, siblings and I made a slew of cinnamon dough ornaments shaped like gingerbread people one Christmas season.

Each was decorated with glitter glue and included a narrow strip of ribbon tied to its top so that it could be hung from the tree. Incredibly, after more than twenty-five years, not only do some of these darling handmade Christmas ornaments still exist, but they have retained their beautiful cinnamon scent to this day. #truestory

Cinnamon dough ornaments are a beloved holiday season craft and one that is every bit as open to Pagans as it is to non-Pagans.

Indeed, for my fellow witchy and Pagan folks, culinary magick can be imbued via the ingredients used in this ornament dough recipe. As can things such as etching/shaping your ornaments into spiritually meaningful shapes, involving sigils, press leaves/branches/flower petals into them (as in this specific project), or creating a set of cinnamon dough runes.

This lovely blog post from (fellow British Columbia blogger) Stephanie Rose gives you all the dets to make your own cinnamon dough ornaments, which, with any luck, will also last – and retain their enchanting aroma – for decades to come.

(Note: All 50 images used above are copyright of their respective creators. Please follow the coordinating link in each list entry to be taken to the craft project shown and described therein.)

The importance of creating our own light

One of the most important things that Yule reminds of us of is that even the darkest chapters end at some point. Light will return one more. It may be gradual and hard to see at first, but over time things will get brighter, life will spring anew.

As we lean into another lengthy stretch of ice and snow, chattering teeth, and warm woollen mittens, it can be beneficial to remember that we often have within us the ability to brighten our own lives and days in a myriad of ways.

Gratitude and kindness are two of the greatest means by which to do just that, but they are from the only ones.

By making our homes cozy and festive, ensuring our spiritual journey is an ongoing focal point of our lives, doing our best to support and help one another, and holding tight to the hope of a pandemic-free future, the winter days are apt to feel considerably easier to get through.

It has been many a year since I was last a little girl, yet my heart gets no less giddy as Yule returns.

I welcome the light, while also embracing the darkness of winter. Both provide stability and comfort, and each is vital to life on this planet.

The craft projects highlighted above are wonderful ways to help make your home and your holiday season a little brighter and, hopefully, all the merrier as well.

Plus, amidst the hustle and bustle of December, sometimes a few quite minutes or hours of peaceful time spent focused on creating something – whether it is a Yule decoration, Christmas wreath, batch of delicious Hanukkah sufganiyot, or festive centrepiece for New Year’s – can often be a meaningful and comforting gift unto itself.

Do you enjoy creating your own winter holiday decorations or gifts? Which of these Yule craft projects appeals to you the most?

PS: Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, where I frequently pin a wide range of witchy and Pagan crafts, as well as tons of posts pertaining to each of the eight sabbats – including Yule. Along with many other interesting Pagan and witchcraft related topics.

The post 50 Awesome DIY Yule Decorations and Craft Ideas You Can Make for the Winter Solstice appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

This kind of deep, strong-as-steel connection is one of life’s great joys.

I’m fortunate to have multiple people with whom I share this kind of bond. One of them is my beautiful sister. She’s six years my junior and is a person I love more than words could ever fully convey.

It’s always a delight when I learn something new about her, as we’re very close and I have a good sense of her interests, passions, talents, hobbies, and dreams.

Earlier this fall, my mom mentioned in passing that my sister really, really likes moose.

Wait, what? How on earth did I not know that already?

Far from minding that I didn’t know as much, I was thrilled to discover something else that my sister is a big fan of.

And before that conversation with my mama had even wrapped up, I was already sketching out my sister’s Christmas card for this year in my head.

Rustic Woodland Inspired Merry Christmoose Card

A while back, I picked up some of the papers from Photo Play’s ridiculously cute O Canada Christmas by Becky Fleck collection, and distinctly remembered one cut apart sentiment square with a darling moose couple on it.

As this card is for both my sister and her boyfriend, it seemed like an even more perfect image to use as the jumping-off point for this festive greeting.

The presence of moose instantly lent my card a woodland vibe – which I was more than happy to lean into.

At the same time though, I wanted the overall design to have some holiday season glitz and pizzazz to it.

With that in mind, I use a large sparkly gold bow coupled with some remarkably similar looking glitter washi tape from 3M, and laid out my background cardstock and paper pieces to resemble a wrapped present.

Hopping back to the woodland inspired them, the lovely dark brown paper layers are both cut from the same piece of woodgrain print paper.

I wanted to repeat the heart that appears behind the charming mouse couple, so I used both a heart border design die set and a classic Fiskars heart shaped border punch.

Some fun and festive printed papers, two matching green plastic buttons, and some holiday season perfect red stick-on rhinestones helped this Christmas card come together.

It’s a sweet, cheerful design that is teems with holiday spirit – and, extra importantly, includes not one, but two moose care of the central panel.

This was such an enjoyable card to whip up. It’s not OTT fancy or intricate, nor does it need to be.

Rustic woodland style often emphasises a few key elements, letting each both speak for itself and compliment the others to a tee (or would that be to an “M” in this case? ).

Putting this fun woodland inspired Christmas card together

To begin with, I created a good sized card base from dark red cardstock. This was topped with a large piece of brown woodgrain paper, to which I added a heart design punched border made from blue cardstock to both the top and bottom of the woodgrain piece.

Next, I backed a piece of cute and colourful Christmas word themed paper from the same Photo Play collection with more of that blue cardstock.

Beneath that piece of word themed paper, I placed vertical pieces lengths of solid green and red cardstock, as well as a long strip of sparkly gold washi tape.

After that, I die cut a piece of the same brown woodgrain paper and a piece of lovely fair isle sweater inspired print paper with a heart edged border set of dies. I then lightly inked the edges of my central moose design panel, backed it on green cardstock, and placed a few red rhinestone embellishments around the main panel.

For the finishing touches on this sweet Christmas card, I added the large pre-made glittery gold bow (it was sold in the gift wrapping section of a nearby home décor store a few years back), as well as the green buttons and the red rhinestones that flank them.

And just like that, faster than you can say “Which way to the North Pole, eh?”, this wonderfully Canadian Christmas greeting card was complete.

Card making tips and ideas from this project

-We often tend to focus on neutral coloured cardstock and/or printed papers, which is fabulous at times, of course, but there is much to be said in favour of solid coloured cardstock as well.

It’s classic and versatile, while also (often) being relatively easy on the ol’ pocketbook.

On this card, I used three shades of rich, Christmas season perfect cardstock (dark red, green, and blue, respectively), with the brown woodgrain print paper almost serving as a fourth swath of solid colour.

Not only can using coloured cardstock add visual interest and weight to your designs, but it can be a super way to put some of those scads of scraps a lot of us have kicking around to good use.

-Bust out the border punches! I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll happily say it again: border punches are awesome!

Sure, manual and digital die cutting machines can be the cat’s meow (err, moose’s throaty bellow in this case? ), but that doesn’t mean that our border punches should be relegated to the back of our craft rooms, never to be seen again.

They’re no less versatile and enjoyable as when they were all the rage (gosh, do I miss those days sometimes!), can be used on pieces of paper and cardstock of many sizes, and just look terrific, if you ask me.

-Keep an eye out for possible paper crafting supplies in other areas of the store while out shopping. As mentioned above, this sparkly gold bow hailed from the holiday season wrapping section.

Gift wrapping items, certain baking and cooking supplies (from printed muffin liners/wrappers to cupcake toppers, mini metal tartlet pans to printed paper drinking straws are just a few of the wonderful kitchen supplies that can be put to use in your papercraft projects), party decorations, seasonal décor, and even some kids toys are all possible spots to find items to use on in your card making, scrapbooking, and other forms of paper crafting.

–Create the look of a wrapped gift on your card – complete with a bow or two, to really drive home the look of a wrapped present. This easy design approach telegraphs oodles of celebratory cheer and can be used for a wide array of occasions.

Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the winter holiday season are just a few of the possible times when this fun idea can suit the event splendidly.

Products use to make this cute moose themed Christmas card

-Dark red, green, and blue cardstock

-Dark brown woodgrain print paper – Mademoiselle Collection Mahogany from Kaisercraft

-Fair Isle sweater print paper – O Canada Christmas Home for Christmas paper – from Photo Play

-Christmas word print paper – O Canada Christmas Polar Games paper – from Photo Play

-Moose sentiment paper – O Canada Christmas Merry Christmas paper – from Photo Play

-Set of rectangular shaped heart border nesting dies

-Heart design border punch – Hearts border punch from Fiskars

-Yellow ink – Street Light Surface Ink from Pink & Main

-Dark brown ink – Dewdrop Rich Cocoa Ink from Memento

-Big glittery gold bow (fabric, cardstock or paper, as desired)

-Green plastic buttons – GOR 356102 Charm Pack from Santoro London

-Red rhinestone embellishments

-Glittery gold washi tape – from 3M

-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers

-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)

Wishing you a very merry Christmoose season

Finding out that my sister is keen on moose made my heart smile. Naturally, I don’t plan on incorporating moose into every card I create for her from here on out.

However, knowing that this generously sized member of the deer family is an animal she likes, expands the “theme pool”, if you will, of inspiration to draw from when making cards for her.

Hard as it is to believe, at this point in December there’s only half a month left to go until Christmas.

With snowy weather having begun here back in mid-October, it seems like the led up to Yule and Christmas has been longer than usual.

It’s all perception, of course (extra days didn’t magically sneak on to the calendar ), but nevertheless, it definitely feels like high time to usher in the winter holiday season once more.

If you celebrate any holiday(s) this month, chances are your festive season may differ in certain ways from years past.

There is little that this brutal pandemic hasn’t touched in one way or another. The impact it has left on society will be felt long after it has (finally) abated from our world.

Yet, thankfully, even in the darkest of hours, the holidays themselves continue to stand tall. Comforting, familiar beckons reminding us of both happier times past and those that may, hopefully, still lie ahead of us.

As for many folks, mine and my family’s holiday season won’t be quite the same as usual this time around.

Gratefully though, it will still house cherished traditions, celebratory meals, curling up with beloved Christmas movies, and wondering if maybe, just maybe, we really can hear the prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof overhead come the night of December 24^th.

Another tradition that we’re holding strong to this year is the sending out of holiday season cards, both handmade and store bought.

This meaningful form of communication is a timeless way to convey our love and best wishes to those near and far, just as it is for countless others around the globe.

While it isn’t possible for me to send each of you a festive greeting (I would love it if I could, though – just think of how many cards that would give me the opportunity to create! ), I can wish you the absolute safest, happiest, and sweetest of holiday seasons.

Not to mention, a very merry Christmoose!

Project share

Pin the image below – or any other in this post – to Pinterest, pop it into your Instagram Stories, post in on Twitter or Facebook, or share it anywhere else you wish to help yourself find it again and to inspire others at the same time.

If you make a project based on or inspired by this card – or want to share any of your other handmade crafts with me – please use the hashtags #WitchcraftedLife and #WitchcraftedLifeMakes on social media so that I see can your beautiful creations.

The post Cute and Festive Merry Christmoose Card appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

Now, I am by no means the first person to create lists akin to this one, but just because something has been done before, doesn’t mean that one can’t create their own iteration of it as well.

I’ve always loved greeting cards. As a child, I went through a period of collecting inexpensive greeting cards from local shops. I was especially drawn to those with heartfelt, witty, or otherwise interesting sentiments and beautiful images (florals were a particular fave).

In time, I gave away most of those cards to friends and relatives. Yet my love of cards and both the literal messages they house and the messages we can convey by bestowing a card on someone else never left me.

In the ten years and counting now since I began paper crafting, I’ve created many cards, tags, scrapbook pages, and other projects that I’ve given away as gifts.

A good many of them contained some form of greeting or sentiment. From the ultra simple (i.e., “Happy Birthday” or “Congratulations”) to pieces of original poetry and everything in between.

As a writer and a logophile (aka, a lover of words), I enjoy putting thought into the messages and sentiments in my cards – be they handmade or store-bought greetings.

I began mailing out my own Christmas cards in my teens and have done so almost every year since.

I often custom tailor the sentiment in my cards to their respective recipients, but for things like Christmas, Yule, and New Year’s cards, it’s not uncommon for me to write a special greeting each holiday season that I use on a number of peoples’ cards.

Plenty of us do the same thing. It’s fun, speeds up the card writing process, and can be a lovely way to share our heartfelt wishes to multiple people we care about.

Sometimes there’s no beating a true classic. For those who observe such holidays, being wished a hearty “Merry Christmas”, “Blessed Yule,  or “Happy Hanukkah”, for example, in the context of a festive greeting can often say everything we wish to convey.

At other times though, you may want to expand on these timeless classics, put your own original spin on things, or express a message that holds particular meaning for you and your recipient.

In this post, you will find 101 different sentiments, messages, sayings, and wishes to use in your holiday season cards.

With the exception of the quotes included in this list, all of the entries here are ringal ones that I’ve written myself.

It’s virtually a given though that some of them will have been said verbatim or nearly so by other people throughout the course of history.

That is totally okay! You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when penning your holiday card sentiments.

Whether you are a fellow card maker or not, this list is equally open and accessible to anyone who gives or mails out holiday season cards.

(Note: In the phrasing below, I have primarily used plural pronouns such as “our”. By all means, use singular pronouns if they apply to you instead.)

General holiday season greetings

1. From our hearts and home to yours, may your holiday season abound with wellness, joy and good cheer.

2. Love and warmth, peace and happiness to you and yours during the holiday season.

3. You make the holidays extra merry and bright!

4. Hope that your Christmas/Yule/holidays/etc is marvellous in every way!

5. Peace and warmth, happiness, and festive cheer to you all through the holidays.

6. Blessings of the holiday season to you and yours.

7. Wishing you all the cheer and happiness of this wonderful time of the year.

8. Warmest greetings and happiest wishes for a fantastic festive season.

9. Though far away in distance, you are always close to our hearts and wished the very merriest of Christmases/holidays.

10. Wishing you a bright, beautiful, and thoroughly enjoyable festive season.

11. Know that you are in our thoughts and heart, and wished every joy imaginable this holiday season.

12. May the spirit of the season touch your heart, brighten your days, and bring you abundant happiness.

13. Love and the merriest of wishes coming your way!

14. The holiday season is sweeter, happier and more meaningful because you’re in our lives.

15. Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a truly wonderful New Year.

16. May your holidays twinkle and shine.

17. Here’s to a very merry Christmas, a fabulous New Year, and the prospect of a great 2021 (or whatever year will be the next) ahead.

18. Wishing you a holiday season that overflows with sweetness, serenity, and reasons to smile.

19. Love, peace, and joy to you all holiday season long.

20. No matter the miles between us, you are always close in our hearts and wished a joyful holiday season.

21. Wishing you a safe, peaceful, happy, and blessed holiday season.

22. You are loved beyond measure and wished a holiday season that makes your heart overflow with festive happiness.

23. Love and thanks, cheer and joy to you this holiday season.

24. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one of the best people/families I’ve ever known.

25. More love than there are snowflakes, cheer than there are candy canes, and blessings than there are pine trees the world over coming your way this festive season.

26. Happiness to you and yours during this blessed and beautiful time of the year.

27. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and prayers/blessings for a safe, healthy, prosperous, and joy-filled 2021!  

28. Hope your holidays are chocked full of reasons to smile (thinking of you is definitely one of mine!).

29. May the magic of the holiday season fill your heart and home with oodles of cheer.

30. The holidays simply would not be the same without you! Thank you for being in my/our lives the whole year through. Merry Christmas and much love.

Holiday season greetings from, and inspired by, Christmas song lyrics

31. Have a holly, jolly Christmas. It’s the best time of the year!

32. All is calm, all is bright. Merry Christmas/happy holidays and a joyful New Year.

33. I’ll be home for Christmas. You can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents by the tree. Can’t wait to spend the holidays with you this year!

34. May your holiday days be merry and bright.

35. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know. Here’s wishing you a white Christmas and all the joys of this beautiful time of the year.

36. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! May the joy and spirit of the holidays ring out for you all season long.

37. Santa Claus is coming to town and I hope he brings someone as nice as you everything your heart desires this holiday season.

38. You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but did you know that I’m thinking of you and wishing you a holiday season that shines with more happiness than Rudolph’s nose?

39. Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light. From now on (let’s hope that in 2021/next year) our troubles will be out of sight.

40. And so I’m offering this simple phrase to kids from one to ninety-two, although it’s been said many times, many ways… Merry Christmas to you!

Holiday season messages for family members

41. No matter how old I get, you’ll always be Santa Claus in my eyes. Merry Christmas, Dad/grandpa.

42. Thank you for all the ways in which you have helped to make the holidays extra special throughout my life. Merry Christmas/happy holidays and all my love.

43. Having a mom/dad/sister/brother/daughter/son/etc like you is the best Christmas/holiday present I could ever ask for.

44. Thank you for always making the holiday season extra wonderful. May yours be every bit as fabulous!

45. No matter how old I get, I never stop feeling like a kid at heart because of how wonderful you always made the holidays. I love you very much and hope you have an awesome festive season.

46. Christmas is what it is to me today because of you. Thank you, much love, and happiest of festive wishes.

47. You are so important to me/us. May you stay safe, well, and happy this holiday season and always.

48. Thank you for the traditions and the memories, the smiles, the laughs, the delicious cookies, and for every meaningful way you’ve always made the holiday season so special. Love and best wishes to you, mom/dad/grandma/grandpa/etc. 

49. The holidays are all about celebrating those we hold most dear. No one means more to me than you do, and I am sending you my very happiest wishes for an incredible festive season.

50. I am very thankful to have an amazing [type of relative] like you. Thank you for bringing cheer and joy my way not only during the holiday season, but all year through.

51. My heart overflows with gratitude because you’re in my life. Thank you today, tomorrow and always for being the awesome person that you are. Happy holidays and tons of love!

52. You are a blessing beyond measure. Thank you for all that you are and do, and for making my life better because you are in it.

53. So grateful for you, that we are a family, and that we have each other. Happiest holiday wishes!

54. Happiest holiday season wishes to the world’s best mom/dad/grandma/son/niece/etc!

55. Missing and loving you very much. Here’s to hoping we’ll be able to see each other again in the coming year.

Romantic holiday season messages

56. There’s snow-one for me but you. Happiest holiday season wishes, my love.

57. The holiday season would not be the same without your love and presence in my life. Thank you, darling, for all that we share and all that we are together. I love you beyond measure.

58. Santa brought me exactly what I wanted this year: getting to spend Christmas/the holidays with you, sweetheart.

59. I love you more than Santa loves milk and cookies. (Trust me, that’s a lot!)

60. Thank you for spending not only Christmas Day, but every day with me. I’m truly blessed to share my life with you.

61. You are my reason for the season.

62. Christmas is merrier and brighter because we’re together.

63. You light up my life, make me merry everyday, and are such a joy to be with. Thank you and happiest holiday season wishes!

64. You’re all I want at Christmas – and the whole year through.

65. My love, my life, my everything, merriest Christmas wishes!

Holiday season sentiments for pet owners

66. Santa Paws is coming to town. Hope he brings you everything you heart desires this Christmas.

67. Purry Christmas and a very meow-y New Year!

68. Happy howl-iday wishes from our dog house to yours!

69. May your holidays be as joyful as a dog with a bone/cat with a ball of yarn.

70. Nothing warms the heart quite like the love of a treasured pet. May you and yours have a blessed and beautiful festive season.

Holiday season messages across the miles

71. No matter the distance, no matter the years, at Christmas, we are together in spirit and heart.

72. Though we cannot celebrate together this year, please know that you are thought of and missed dearly, and wished a safe, wonderful holiday season.

73. Love, joy, serenity, wellness, and the very sweetest of holiday season wishes coming your way.

74. As you look at the twinkling lights of the season, know that I am doing the same, and thinking of all the ways you brighten and enrich my life the whole year through.

75. It has been too long. Let’s make sure the New Year is extra happy by getting together soon.

76. Near or far, you are always in our hearts and wished the very happiest, loveliest and sweetest of festive seasons.

77. There is no distance so far as to keep you from my heart. Happiest holidays to a truly wonderful friend/person.

78. Until I hitch a ride with Santa, know that I’ll be missing you something fierce and wishing you an awesome holiday season from start to finish.

79. Tree? Check! Lights? Check? Candy canes? Check? You? Missing! Oh no!!! The holidays just aren’t the same when we’re apart, but I hope they are still fantastic for you this year.

80. My Christmas wish, sent out across the miles, this year is that you have a safe, peaceful, and very merry holiday season.

Holiday season sentiments for difficult times

81. Sharing in your hope, praying in unison with you, and holding strong to the belief that better days will soon return.

82. My thoughts and heart, support and understanding are with you this holiday season.

83. Please know that you are thought of often and wished the best and merriest Christmas possible during these challenging times.

84. This Christmas/holiday season is not easy or low stress for you. I see and understand that, and want you to know that I am always here for you in any way I possibly can be.

85. Amongst the challenges and sorrow, may serenity and warmth be yours this holiday season.

Christmas and holiday season quotes to use on greeting cards

86. “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

87. “Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” ~ Edna Ferber

88. “I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” ~ Harlan Miller

89. “Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.” ~ Dr. Suess

90. “The best of all gifts around my Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” ~ Burton Hills

91. “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it there all the year.” ~ Charles Dickens

92. “Christmas waves a magic wand over the world, and behold everything is softer and more beautiful.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

93. “From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other.” ~ Emily Matthews

94. “Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts into your mouth, sweetening very taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” ~ Richelle E. Goodrich

95. “It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” ~ W.T. Ellis

96. “Christmas is not a day. It is a state of mind”. ~ Mary Ellen Chase

97. “Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance – a day in which we think of everything we have ever lover.” ~ Augusta E. Randel

98. “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

99. “Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.” ~ Margaret Thatcher

100. “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

101. “What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” ~ Agnes M. Pahro

Naturally, you can reword or otherwise tweak the holiday greeting card sentiments in this post to suit your own desired messages.

Whether you use them as is or give them your own unique spin, these greetings are here to help ensure that year after year, you’re able to find just the right message of festive cheer to send out in your holiday cards.

Which reminds me, be sure to pin this post to Pinterest or otherwise bookmark it, share it on social media, or print if off so that you can refer to it again in subsequent winter holiday seasons.

What else can you include in your holiday season cards?

Factoring in things like weight and envelope dimensions, there are various lightweight items that one can include with their Christmas or other holiday season cards.

These include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Letters

-Photos

-Recipes (handwritten or printed)

-Original pieces of art or prints

-Artwork drawn by your child(ren)

-Stickers, stamps, or seals

-Lyrics to a Christmas song you and your recipient both enjoy

-Tasteful holiday season jokes, puns, comics, or other humorous anecdotes

-A written holiday season song or movie playlist

-Your own creative take on the lyrics to an existing holiday season song

-Anything from a few lines to multiple pages recounting some of your favourite holiday season memories and/or traditions

-Flat (or at least relatively thin) holiday decorations or ornaments that are apt to hold up well in the mail without protective padding. Those made from paper, cardstock, very thin wood, and metal often do best in this regard

Tips for writing Christmas cards and other holiday season cards

-Set aside a solid chunk of time or allocate a bit of time over multiple days (for example, an hour per evening) to focus solely on writing out and addressing your holiday cards. Naturally, the more cards you’re mailing or otherwise giving, the more time stands to be needed.

-If there are others, including kids, in the house who would be able to lend a hand, feel free to recruit them. I grew up helping my mom stamp and address our family’s Christmas cards and look back on those memories with great fondness.

-I personally prefer to stamp all my envelops and mail them off myself at home instead of getting postage for each card at the post office during the busiest mail time of the year.

You’re the same way, consider buying enough stamps (national and international alike, if applicable) for all of your cards, plus a few extra – you just never know when the need for mailing out additional cards may arise.

-Use a good quality pen or very fine tipped marker (felt pen) with exceedingly little bleed. Classic colours like black and blue never go out of style, but for extra festive fun ink colours such as green, red, gold or silver can be very charming, too. Just insure that your ink doesn’t smudge (test in out before writing your card sentiments) and that the ink colour is easily legible.

-If writing is physically challenging for you, consider employing the help of a friend or family member, printing personalized sentiments off the computer and pasting them in your cards, or opting from store-bought cards with a beautiful, funny or otherwise meaningful sentiment inside of them already.

-Make sure that before you start the card writing process that you have current mailing addresses for everyone on your holiday card list.

-You may find it easier to write out the sentiments in all your cards, then address and apply postage to each after you’re penned your greetings. Or you may prefer to write out, address, seal, and stamp each card on a card by card basis.

I personally veer towards the later, even though it can sometimes take a smidge more time. I tend to favour this approach as it really helps to cut down on the risk of accidentally misaddressing a given card and having the one I intended, say, for my family physician go to my ninety year old grandma.

-Many postal systems around the world have cut off dates that holiday mail needs to be sent by in order to arrive before Christmas.

If such is applicable to you, check with your local post office in November or early December and try to get all of your holiday season cards in the mail prior to this cut off date (ideally, I try to create a buffer zone of at least a week or more before the cut off date just to be extra safe).

-Before you seal the envelope, have you included any extras such as a family Christmas letter, photos, or a small ornament inside?

-Enjoy the holiday card filling out process. Put on festive tunes or a Christmas movie you enjoy, light a lovely candle in a wintry scent (say, pine, cinnamon spice, or cranberry), and make a generous mug of your favourite tummy warming cold weather drink, then settle in and start the fun of this classic holiday season tradition.

Tidings of comfort and joy

These days it is not uncommon for holiday greetings to be exchanged via email, text message, WhatsApp, DMs or similar digital avenues.

Almost all of the 101 holiday season sentiments and messages in this post can be put to good use in those capacities as well.

However, if you have the time, resources and ability to do so, there is much to be said in favour of sending (or hand-delivering) paper Christmas or other holiday season cards.

With more and more mail going digital these days and far fewer people writing letters than even just a few short decades ago, receiving a handwritten holiday greeting in the mail (or in-person) holds more meaning than ever for some of us.

In the wake of a year that has been extraordinarily challenging for many and different in myriad ways for most of us, the time-honoured act of sending and receiving holiday season cards becomes all the more meaningful.

A festive greeting, written by hand, stamped and sent across the miles lets others knows we’re thinking of them, conveys the spirit of the season, and is a way of bestowing joy on those we hold dear.

Happy holiday season wishes, one and all!  

The post 101 Messages, Sentiments, and Wishes to Include in Your Christmas and Holiday Season Cards appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

There are several Yuletide season colour schemes that I especially adore. One of my absolute favourite is red and black, often with green, burgundy, grey, silver, white, or even gold swirled into the mix.

This partnering of colours is anything but new. However, it has been enjoying something of a moment in recent years due in large part to the rise in popularity of rustic and cabin chic holiday décor.

I’m delighted about this fact and adore walking into stores and seeing an array of winter holiday decorations in this bold, beautiful palette.

For the first Christmas card that I made this year (just a couple of weeks ago – like many paper crafters around the world, it often seems that my holiday card making begins in late autumn ), I turned to this eye-catching colour palette.

Festive red, black, and green Merry Christmas card

Naturally, I couldn’t help but give it a bit of a shabby chic spin in the process.

Not excessively so in this case. Just a touch of distressing to some of the edges, plenty of layers, a lovely piece of forest seam binding, and some charming pearl flourishes to give an air of both chic and shabby.

I wanted to introduce some elegance as well, coupled with materials that were reminiscent of glowing Christmas lights.

Metallic cardstock did just the trick. I had been tucking a few sheets of gorgeous red and green metallic cardstock away for the holidays and put some of it to work on this Christmas season greeting.

I shalln’t bemoan the subpar overhead lighting situation that I currently photograph my projects under again (my frequent readers might, quite justifiably, start pelting snowballs at me if I do). Suffice it to say though, it did not do the sheen of said metallic cardstock justice.

In real life, it glistens and catches the light far more – and I can easily imagine how dazzling it might look illuminated by Christmas lights themselves or perhaps the gentle flickering glow of a holiday season candle.

This card is being mailed off to a close family member, so (again, broken record and all that jazz ) I kept the bulkiness at play here to a relative minimum.

Interestingly, I rarely – save for times when I’m using a card map/sketch or another form of direct inspiration – plan my cards out in advance.

Sure, some are conceived of ahead of time (and I do usually go into a project with a colour palette and a general idea in mind), but plenty of them come together when I sit down to craft.

This fun, festive make was no exception and I let the background holly berry print paper help to inspire much of the rest of the design.

One detail that I’m especially fond of here is the skinny calendar date border strips.

They began life as one longer sized piece of paper that I cut into two, attaching one half to the top of the card and the other (which houses the date of December 25^th highlighted in red) on the bottom.

I really like calendar, advents and other similar items that focus on the days of the year, so this lovely border strip was right up my alley.

Putting this shabby chic Christmas card together

This dark coloured, yet lively and upbeat Christmas card began with a card base made from plain black cardstock. Two small triangle shaped pieces of red metallic cardstock were added to diagonally opposite corners, then came a layer of metallic green cardstock followed by a piece of holly berry print paper, which I distressed the edges of with my Tim Holtz Distressing Tool.

I then die cut three different circles with decorative edges. One each from both of the metallic papers and a third from a fun holiday season word print paper from Photo Play.

On to these went the “December” die cut frame, the two tags (the larger of which I backed with green metallic cardstock), a cute little circle die cut shape with an illustration of gifts on it, a piece of forest green seam binding, and two floral design pearl flourishes.

Along the way, I added the calendar date strips to the top and bottom of the card.

And just like that, my first festive greeting card of 2020 was complete.

This Christmas card came together so quickly that I was able to produce a second (different) one in the same day, which is very uncommon for me. Stay tuned, dear friends, to see that make in my next project share post.

Card making tips and ideas from this project

-Christmas and holiday season cards – much like our party attire for this time of the year – is a perfect excuse to pull out all the glitz and glam.

Have fun with metallics, sparkly materials, sequins, metal embellishments, even small decorative glass tiles (mirror squares) can work fabulously in a festive context. Likewise, so can flocking, felt and other fabrics. Anything that looks and feels lux is bound to fit in with decorative spirit of the holidays.

–Don’t shy away from black in your holiday season makes. While black can certainly read as anything from somber to spooky in some settings, it is also as classic as classic can be and makes for an excellent accompaniment to many different holiday season hues.

If red and/or green aren’t your jam, why not give it a spin with silver and white, aqua and coral (very 1950s!), rose gold and cream, grey and purple, or champaign and burgundy?

-Bows and Christmastime go together like Santa and the North Pole. Reach for, or create, one – be it made from ribbon, twine, burlap, fabric, paper, or any other material you’d like – to use on your next holiday season project?

-Cut apart pre-made embellishment pearl or gem flourishes. I do this frequently myself (including on this project) and find it’s a fantastic way to stretch this handy paper crafting product further.

Make sure to put any unused portions of the flourish back onto the acetate or other plastic packaging that it came on, so that it holds up well until you’re ready to use the remaining portion.

–Border strips aren’t just for scrapbook pages and mini albums. They often feature smaller sized designs and prints which can lend themselves surprisingly well to cards and tags, too.

They are also a great way to add an extra layer or two with minimum bulk, which is extra handy if you plan on mailing your finished greetings.

-If you want to layer a die-cut (or other shaped piece) but don’t have a die that creates a larger image, simply trace your die cut onto a piece of paper or cardstock with the add of a ruler.

Be sure to leave a small allowance around the sides as a border, that way your newly designed base layer is visible once you adhere the two layers together.

That is precisely what I did here with the metallic green cardstock that I put behind the “Merry Christmas & Happy New Year” tag shaped die cut piece.

Products used to make this elegant Christmas card

-Red and green metallic cardstock

-Black cardstock

-Set of nested circle dies or three different sizes of circle dies that coordinate nicely

-Black, red and green holly berry print paper – Holly Berries paper from Echo Park

-Festive word print paper – Mad 4 Plaid Christmas Cheer paper from Photo Play

-Calendar number print border strip – Tis the Season Peace and Joy paper from Echo Park

-Grey plaid “December” die cut frame, sentiments tags, and small circular shaped die cut piece – Mad 4 Plaid Christmas Ephemera Die Cuts from Photo Play

-Pine, forest or other shade of dark green seam binding (or ribbon)

-Off-white coloured decorative pearl embellishment flourish

-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers

-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)

Let your holiday season colours shine!

Some years, I’ve often to keep the same general colour theme running throughout most, if not all, of the cards I make for the holiday season.

At other times a single colour or two might appear consistently across each of them. And at others still, each card has its own distinct palette, though themes or sentiments may remain similar.

I like to craft intuitively and follow my creative muse wherever it leads me in the moment. This year, Ms. Muse is beckoning me strongly towards the colour black in the context of my winter, Yule, and Christmastime makes and I’m delighted to comply.

Black is a very befitting colour for the darkest, chilliest months. It can symbolize, with reverence, the passing away of the year that just was, while also representing the vast expanse of yet-to-be-experienced future that lies ahead of us in the coming year.

Of course, if black isn’t your cup of tea, that is totally okay. Focus on the colour(s) that light your proverbial fires or which you know are firm favourites of those you’re sending holiday greetings out to this year.

Playing and experimenting with colour combinations can be one of the most enjoyable and creatively expressive ways aspects of paper crafting.

In a season where almost any colour combination can take on a festive spirit with the right flourishes, there’s no limit to the limit of December appropriate colour combinations you can dream up.

Right here and now though, my trusty stack of black cardstock is whispering my name again and as there’s less than a month to go now until Christmas, I best heed it’s call and getting cracking – or should I say, crafting!

Joyful countdown to the winter holiday season and the happiest of festive crafting sessions, everyone!

Project share

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If you make a project based on or inspired by this card – or want to share any of your other handmade crafts with me – please use the hashtags #WitchcraftedLife and #WitchcraftedLifeMakes on social media so that I see can your beautiful creations.

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