Scarf Bandit Update

The Prime Suspect
Back in December 2020, I posted the true story of a squirrel stealing a scarf from an outdoor Christmas elf.  (To read the full story, please click here.)

I am truly amazed by the accomplishments of this squirrel.  It must have taken a lot of tugging to remove the scarf.  I wish I had pictures of him dragging it across the lawn and jumping up onto a tree trunk with it bunched up in his mouth.  From time to time, he stopped to readjust the scarf with his paws.  I was sure he would drop it, but he hung onto it.  At one point, the scarf was caught on bark and branches, but the squirrel kept tugging with his whole body until he pulled it free and took his hard-won prize into his nest.  Such determination and skill!
Shredded Scarf & Straw
I did not expect to ever see that scarf again.  We recently had several snowstorms.  The mounds of snow on our lawn resemble icebergs and are very slow to melt.  Much to my surprise, I discovered shredded pieces of the stolen scarf mixed with pieces of straw, as shown in the photo above.  I assumed the scarf would remain in one piece to be used as a blanket.  Instead, this creative little squirrel invented outdoor insulation!  What will this clever home improvement specialist do next?  Stay tuned!

Happy Crafting!

The Christmas Bandit

A dramatic retelling of an actual event…

The Scene of the Crime
Scene of the Crime
This cute little elf proudly stands in the front yard, bringing Christmas cheer to passersby. Then one day, without warning, he was robbed! What kind of creature would steal a scarf from one of Santa’s helpers?

Surveillance Video:
Evidence
Eyewitnesses only saw limited glimpses of the perpetrator but security cameras captured scenes of the crime in progress.

Evidence
Unfortunately, the thief seemed to know where the security cameras were positioned and successfully avoided showing his face.

Evidence
Amazingly, the thief gathered up the scarf in his mouth and leapt from a maple tree to an adjacent pine.

Evidence
After diligent work, he dragged his ill-gotten property through the pine branches. Eventually the scarf disappeared from sight, presumably lining his adjacent abode.

Police Line Up:
The Police Line Up
The police detectives rounded up potential suspects for a line up. It wasn’t hard to spot the guilty party.

The Prime Suspect:
The Prime Suspect
In a recent television interview, the suspect maintained his innocence. As to how he came to have a similar scarf in his possession, he claimed it was a cherished gift knitted by his dear mother.

Prior Records:
Prior Mugshots
A few old mugshots surfaced, trending across social media. Undeterred, the suspect claimed to be a new man, having put indiscretions of his youth behind him.

Dining at Home
Dining at Home Tree
In the absence of any hard evidence, the suspect was released with a stern warning to mind his step in accordance with the law. In the spirit of Christmas, I decided it was best to forgive and forget. After all, he probably has a family that needs to stay warm during the cold dark winter…

Rubbing It In:
Rubbing It In
Until one morning, I spotted the “alleged” thief and a group of accomplices on my front lawn bragging about their latest escapades and brazenly feasting upon a cup of hot cocoa!

New Security System:
New Security System
Having no other recourse, a new security system, utilizing bait (scarves) and trap (teeth) technology, has been installed and appears very promising indeed.

The Christmas Bandit
Christmas Bandit
Don’t become a victim! If you see this unsavory character on your property, secure your outerwear! The thief is still on the loose!

May your holidays be filled with laughter & joy! Happy Crafting!

Scarf Bandit Update:
Shredded Scarf & Straw
Back in December 2020, I posted this true story about a squirrel stealing a scarf from the neck of an outdoor Christmas elf.  Once that scarf was dragged into his nest, I didn’t expect to have a follow-up story.  We recently have had a lot of snow and the mounds are finally starting to melt.  Much to my surprise, I discovered shredded pieces of that scarf mixed with pieces of straw, as shown in the photo above.  I assumed the scarf would remain in one piece to be used as a blanket.  Instead, this creative little squirrel invented outdoor insulation.  What will this clever home improvement specialist do next?  Stay tuned!

Happy Crafting!

Decorating for the Holidays

Hand Painted Glass Ornaments
It’s that time again when we deck the halls, shop ‘til we drop, and dream of snowflakes and gingerbread fresh from the oven. Decorating your home can be stressful. There are so many styles and colors to choose. Where to begin? Let’s review several options to pique your interest.

Mood Lighting
Dining Room Ambiance
The festive contemporary vibe in this dining room is created solely through the clever use of lighting. Round white lights adorn the table and trendy letters upon the back wall, which is bathed in soft lavender light and soft blue accent lights.

Traditional Candle Wreath Centerpiece
Candle Centerpiece
The traditional red and green Christmas color scheme is accented with nuts and pinecones in this evergreen centerpiece. The aromatic scents of the great outdoors will last for weeks. To convert this to an Advent wreath, replace the red candles with three purple and one pink.

Contemporary Candle Un-Wreath Centerpiece
UnWreath
Create a contemporary candle centerpiece, without the wreath, by using a gold or silver tray covered with pinecones, artificial fruit, and assorted small decorations.

Contemporary Candle & Glass Ornament Centerpiece
Contemporary Candle & Glass Ornament Centerpiece
Christmas balls can be glued together to form a wreath, which is great as a centerpiece, or you can hang it on the wall for a colorful, reflective focal point.

Sophisticated Gold & Brown Centerpiece
Sophisticated Gold & Brown Centerpiece
This unusual gold and brown combo brings to mind boxes of Godiva chocolate. The rich colors and just the right amount of glitter make this an elegant, eye-catching choice.

Traditional Style Meets Contemporary Flair
Traditional Style Meets Contemporary Flair
Red & green are traditional, but here we have a glass bowl filled with natural elements, such as moss, apples, and pinecones, mixed with glass and carved wood ornaments, and metal spheres. The candlelight is supplemented with flower shaped mini lights tucked among the greens like little blooms.

Red & Green Glowing Glass Centerpiece
Red & Green Glowing Glass Centerpiece
What sets this display apart is the lighting hidden inside the fluted glass bowl. This inner glow reflects off the tabletop and twinkles upon the glass ornaments.

Fresh Cut Flowers Centerpiece
Fresh Cut Flowers Centerpiece
Floral centerpieces can be quite expensive. As an alternative, make your own with evergreens, pinecones, and berries from your yard, and add a few exotic looking fresh cut flowers for maximum impact.

Colorful Foil Garlands
Colorful Foil Garlands
Many trees are decorated with silver or gold garland, but there are many other colors and styles available.

Beaded Garlands
Beaded Garlands
If you look at historical photos of decorated trees, you may notice beautiful beaded garlands. Originally they were made from glass, but today plastic beads provide the same old-fashioned look without the added expense and fragility of glass.

Floral Garlands
Floral Garland
Those fortunate enough to be living in warmer climates may choose genuine flower garlands for natural tropical flair.

Popcorn Garland
Popcorn Garland
Another old-fashioned choice is popcorn garland, which is easy and inexpensive to make. For a dash of color, alternate popcorn with cranberries.

Semi-Homemade Ornaments
Semi-Homemade Ornaments
Transform store-bought ornaments with a little personalization. This crafter started with purple glass ornaments. A glitter paint pen was used to draw vertical line, and then gold rhinestones were randomly glued along the stripes for a regal appearance.

Christmas Ornament Kits
Christmas Ornament Kits
Due to the small sequin size and intricate sewing, the two ornaments shown above would be for the more advanced crafters, but there are plenty of options for beginners and kids.

Festive décor varies based upon the holiday being celebrated and your personal style. Below are several different theme ideas to inspire and consider for your next holiday.

Festive Bells
Christmas Bells
Bells make pretty Christmas ornaments. Collectors adorn their trees with bells of all kinds, typically from around the world. If you have a prized collection, whether it’s snow globes, porcelain figurines, dolls, etc., consider displaying it this festive time of year using your own creative style.

Blue & Gold
Blue & Gold Tree
For some, it’s all about the lights. Here we have blue lights and fancy gold ribbon taking center stage.

Blue, Silver, & Gold with Purple Accents
Blue, Silver, & Gold with Purple Accents
On this tree, ornaments are the main focus, accented by silver snowflakes and gold poinsettias.

Red & Silver
Red & Silver Tree
Glitz and glamour are achieved with mirror-finished ornaments, pinpoint white lights, and last but certainly not least, a sparkling reindeer.

Red, Purple & Gold
Red, Purple & Gold
Colorful ornaments and two shades of garland vie for your attention in this beautifully coordinated tree.

Turquoise & Silver
Turquoise & Silver
This tree is exotic in so many ways. The combination of turquoise and silver is as rare as the color of the tree, which is brown! The silver ornaments vary in textures, shapes and materials. It is truly a one of a kind.

Mother Nature’s Tree
Mother Nature’s Tree
For nature lovers, decorate with pinecones, berries and cute little birds. Animal themed trees have been very popular for the last few years. Whatever strikes your fancy – owls, birds, sea horses, etc. – decorations can be found or made to make your vision a reality.

Nature’s Fragrance
Natural Scents
Perfume the air with pinecones and cinnamon sticks.

Wintry Forecast
Snow & Ice on a Window
Christmas is typically associated with winter, but not everyone has a white Christmas. To create the look of ice and snow, use blankets or bags of artificial snow and aerosol cans of spray snow, which cleans up after the holidays with window cleaner.

Our Furry Companions
Our Furry Companions
Let’s not forget an ornament or two for those lovable family pets. In case you didn’t know, tree skirts are very popular places for afternoon naps.

A Room with a Fabulous View
A Room with a Fabulous View
Curl up with a good book by the fire, or find a cozy spot overlooking a winter wonderland. The holidays are a wonderful time to decorate our homes and celebrate the season with family and friends. May your holiday dreams be happy, filled with peace and love.

Happy Holidays & Happy Crafting!