~Handmade Holiday Tradition/Esty Greetings Blog Hop: How To Make Danish Christmas Hearts~

Are you like me and have a lot of scrapbooking paper?  I have been looking for different and creative ways to utilize my papers especially the scraps.  Recently my in-laws went to Denmark.  My mother in-law knows how much I love to craft with paper so she brought me back this book: 
Inside there are about 150 Christmas heart patterns.  These paper hearts originated as a Danish Christmas ornament, but, filled with candy, flowers or a love note, it makes a great gift for anyone year round. 
Typically Norwegians don't put as many decorations on their Christmas trees as Americans, and most Norwegian decorations are hand made. Woven heart baskets decorations are typically made from good quality paper in two contrasting colors (often one of the colors is bright red). A good quality gift wrapping paper is a great material to use. Hang the little baskets on the tree either empty or with a few small treats in them. Virtually every school-age child in Denmark learns to make these woven hearts.
Today, with all the design variation, these can be also be used for Valentine's day, gift-tags, invitations, thanks-you cards, etc. It's fun to try all the various types of shapes that are available.
Here is the basic Christmas heart pattern with instructions on how to weave along with the pattern.  Print out the pattern below and use it as your template.  The straight edge needs to be on the fold.  You will need to cut one of each color.  If the pattern is too small you can always enlarge it on a copier.  
Interested in learning more about Christmas traditions in Denmark?  Visit these websites to learn more:
Visit Denmark
Family Christmas Traditions
Holiday Traditions in Denmark
Danish Christmas Dinner Menu & Recipes

Sit back, relax and take a stroll though our Holiday Traditions Blog Hop. You'll find poignant stories, yummy recipes and great holiday printables.  Click the arrows above to go to the next blog in the hop. There's no time limit so feel free to browse our blogs - maybe you'll find a new tradition to start with your family!

 

Interested in more Danish Christmas heart patterns?  Become a fan of the Sno Valley Greetings facebook page and watch for more patterns to try out.

~Six Months Until Christmas!~

Christmas is my favorite holiday and as of today it is six months away.  This makes me excited but also a little anxious.  You may think six months is a long time but really before you know it the holiday season will be here.  Seems like every year the Christmas season starts a little earlier than the last.  I’ve see Christmas items come out as early as Halloween.  Either way it doesn’t matter because this year I will be READY!  Ok, every year I say this but I really want this to be my goal this year.  Typically I shop year round.  I already have more gifts stashed away this year than I have in the previous years so I’m feeling good about having shopping done early.

Me with all my ornaments, yes I have a lot and each year I collect more! For those of you that live in Washington you know so far our spring and summer has been pretty glum...  It’s almost July and we have maybe had a handful of sunny days in the 70’s with no rain and blue skies.  So you might think I’m crazy for talking about winter with our summer being so lacking but I’m looking at the “bright” side.

Our Christmas tree last year.  This year it will be bigger!

My kitty Stamper.  He loves Christmas too!

Let the Christmas Count Down Begin!

~Happy Holidays~

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a fantastic New Year!