The very last days

Oh, Christmas is celebrated and New Year is just around the corner! This year has been wonderful, and it has brought many new things and experiences with it. I will make a monthly review on 31st, but I still would love to take a little look at 2011 already.

Our winter was fierce; it was long, cold, snowy and miserable. All the pictures taken between January-April have sort of cold blue tone in them, and I am still surprised I didn't break my camera while taking pictures in -30c degrees. Huh. But that said our summer was the best ever: long, hot and beautiful. I practically lived outdoors.



Sun was shining, it didn't rain at all, and it lasted until September or so... A perfect summer! The autumn was great this year too, not that rainy but mild and colorful (and winter hasn't really arrived this year yet, it's about 30degrees less cold than this time last year. I'm not complaining, just wishing that maybe it will not arrive at all this year?).




And the travels on 2011... I have had quite a few this year! The annual wool-expedition of course, but a few trips to Helsinki too, here are the traveling sisters on September:

And then there was the wedding, where bags were handmade, everyone wore their best (just look at those little shiny shoes) and everything was wonderful. We also had a lovely, lovely stay in that pretty castle-like hotel, and we're heading back for a "go-away-dull-January" weekend around 20th, yippee!

And the blogging world - it has been so wonderful to share all this with you this year again. You, my dear friends here&there&everywhere, have celebrated my birthday, summer holidays, wedding and Christmas with me, and made an average Monday/Tuesday/any day 100% brighter and happier. You have supported my business, complimented my creations and made me smile with your comments, e-mails, cards, letters and gifts - thank you so much! I wish I can be there for you (in sickness and in health as they say) in 2012 too - I know it'll be a special year for all. These are for you, dears:

Lovely last days of 2011!

Yours,
Mia

LOVE

Love is...



...self-pimped snowman-cardi...



...making it all happen together...



...having just enough snow to play a bit...



...getting and giving just what was wished for...



...a good book, some chocolate and new pair of socks...

Love is Christmas!

Happy December 25th!

Yours,
Mia

We wish you a...

...Happy December 24th and...









... Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year 2012!

Yours,
Mia

Three trees on twenty three

Today was a great day. I got the very last things of work finished, and within my nearest and dearest there were three Christmas trees to decorate today too.

Today was a very special day also because of the sun. It came out just suddenly, I can't remember last time it would have been this bright and beautiful (and these pictures are for you especially, dear Vivienne, I thought of you immediately), and it made me realize, that we've passed the shortest days of the year already!

Now I have done everything for Christmas, presents beautifully wrapped, house cleaned, pretty and decorated...

...all gorgeous food bought, delicious chocolates chosen (and tasted), gingerbread hearts baked and wonderful books and magazines waiting to be read...

...And this will be my cozy nook for next days. There's our tree, and you'll see it better tomorrow when sun hopefully comes out again. Now I am off to enjoy this special time...

...and I wish you the happiest December 23rd!

Yours,
Mia

White Christmas

I was starting to worry that we didn't get a White Christmas, so I took scissors, white printing paper and made some snowflakes. It took a while, but it was so wonderful to sit down and cut and cut and open and open - and be surprised each time of the different yet always beautiful flakes I created.

And when I went outside to take a picture of my flakes, there were many, many real ones coming from the sky! It'll probably be a White Christmas after all - inside at least if not out.

When was the last time you cut the snowflakes?

Happy December 22nd!

Yours,
Mia

P.S. This is the same window I made the little tweets last year.

Tree

It's almost the time... And the tree has been chosen. A beauty (as always!)! Enjoy these days without rush or stress - sit down, have some mullet wine, a gingerbread man or two, and listen&watch this! It will make you so happy, guaranteed.

Happy December 21st!

Yours,
Mia

Stickety-stick

December-blog wouldn't be complete without a little craft, so here it is! A quick, inexpensive and a bit silly too... But fun!

Around Christmas-time I use a lot of different stickers, I have trees, snowflakes, baubles, those with text "Merry Christmas" and so on. I stick them to my cards, envelopes... And end up many empty sheets when all the stickers have been used. Wait a minute...Empty?

There's actually quite a lot sticker left even the actual images have been used. And I got an idea...

Let's take a glass (or jar), not too wide so the sticker-sheet will cover it all over. I cut the short ends quite close to "flakes" but this is not necessary. You could also cut the long sides of the sheet, I left mine straight.

Then just peel the whole sticker off the sheet and carefully stick it round the glass or jar. Mine didn't go absolutely straight but who cares, handmade, darlings, handmade!

There were still tiny stickers left and I used those too - to "fill" the snowflakes a bit. Took some extra minutes, but result was pretty:



And this is even prettier:



Happy December 20th!

Yours,
Mia

An another snowman-story vol.2

I really really really love snowmen, and it shows around here! There are some new additions (the wonderful little box in first picture, it's a magnet, an another beautiful card...) and then the old ones like the lights...They're my absolute favorites! Here they're on their full glory:

I almost bought a snowman-candle the other day too, but who could burn it? I also have Kerry´s wonderful pillowcase in making (snowmen there of course!), I'll show it to you soon!

Happy December 19th!

Yours,
Mia

4th

Happy December 18th and 4th Advent!

Yours,
Mia

I love shopping

It's a well-known fact, that I love shopping. It's fun to wander around the shops, touch, feel and try on things, but sometimes it can also get too crowded, hot and distressing. And that's why I love online shopping so much, you can see many, many wonderful items from all over the world, and never leave your own, comfy couch. Wonderful! The only minus-side is that if you're shopping for a certain date like Christmas, you need to order well in advance. And that's not a even negative thing really; what would be better than have all the presents ready early?

Where do I shop online? There are wonderful places like Shopaholic where you'll find the lists for gifts for all occasions, links to the great shops and blogs - just clicketi-click away! And then there's my beloved Etsy of course - that is a one wonderful place, full of handmade things. It has many, many shops, and it can be a bit overwhelming even, so I have chosen you a few gems to check out this Saturday:

• Looking for wonderful hand knitted and crocheted bags, scarfs and corsages? Look no further than into GreenRabbitDesigns - you'll love everything in there!
• Are you already a keen crocheter, and always looking new tools? You'll find the most beautiful hooks in Robin's Nest - you may need one in each color!
• Looking for beautiful jewelry and adorable handmade cards? I have just a place for you: Jane' s Gems and Jewels - wonderful pieces ready to shop or you may also ask a custom piece just for you!
• New pillows in mind? Or are you looking just something beautiful for your kitchen? Jump into TEJESARITA - it's a patchwork wonderland!
• Looking for something little but very beautiful and precious for you or as gift? Plumcreek22 is the place to visit - you'll never have a bad hair day again!
• Pretty pouch or purse needed? A fun plush? HandmadebyNovaMelina has them for sure - and maybe some pretty slippers coming too!
  

Oh and there would be many, many, many more too, but these above have great products, absolutely adorable sellers and the most wonderful service behind them so I can recommend them to you too! And no, I didn't get paid or receive free gifts (although not a bad idea...hmm...just kidding, dears!) for these, just a happy customer here hello (and showing why I didn't get into the advertising business after all).



I'll leave you with these tonight, happy browsing and shopping, I am off to wrap my precious finds!

Happy December 17th!

Yours,
Mia