Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Hansel and Gretel~And mittens hung up to dry~












 My fave one..


Minis are fun too..


She's sweet isn't she...

I enjoy making gingerbread houses..


Hansel and Gretel were surely responsible:)

I think that is where my love of gingerbread houses came to be..
Last year..I bought Ricardo's gingerbread cookie cutter set.
It is no secret that I love Ricardo and everything Ricardo.
In fact his Christmas magazine is so far the best..Martha Martha Martha..?
The set is great..sturdy..quality..makes indentations etc..I cut out the front and side windows and used gelatin sheets to mimick lead glass windows..hoping to put a small battery operated candle..measure your door..that's all I can say..once you close that baby up..if your door is not big enough..that piano is not getting in;)
For the snowman and the trees I used the cute little set above..
I placed the house on the board my son-in-law made me..and added Lindt Snowmen..
For the house I used Ricardo's Gingerbread house  recipe..and for the royal icing..Bridget's.
And..I used my new Imperial Sugar w/ Bridget's cookies on the box:)
I also did what I said I would not do..but I added to the landscape of The Littles house..lampstandards..an arbor..trees..etc..yep..I did..
it's now got a kitschy edge..cause Littles like that:)

I made a mitten garland for the kitchen window..you can find the pattern at this beautiful blog.. Nana and Co.
I first loved it in 2013!
It's a fun little project..you make 6 mittens..and decorate to your heart's desire.
A friend finds the most beautiful animated gifs for her FB..
I borrowed the above little girl from her..will share more..

And finally..I've signed up for another wonderful Shari Blaukopf art class..online through Craftsy..
 I signed up on her blog..which I follow.. I love her perfect building designs..yet they are loose and fun and interesting..
go have a peak;)
Maybe you will want to take the class along with me..
I want to loosen up:)~
Saturday should do it.. 3 Littles are coming for dinner and a  sleepover~♥


56 comments:

  1. Oh my word! These are the cutest things!
    I love where you wrote "The Littles" over the door...♥️
    You are just so ding dang talented....unbelievable!
    Your home must be a magical place Monique...
    All who enter are very lucky indeed!
    Another grey day here...
    Finishing another crochet project...wish you were on Instagram!
    Have a great evening....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. SO GREY here too!

      Linda..you can do this too..just not w/ Miss V:) With Miss V you need candy canes and jujubes lol:)
      I can't crochet..Diane ..my beach friend fro Pennsylvania showed me quickly one day..in our bathing suits ..so cute she was..
      I need to follow the Youtube videos she mentioned to me..
      My brain doesn't seem to do crochet..it does needlepoint and crewel and basic knitting..and the buck stops there:)
      It gets so dark so fast here now....I have candles lit..electric in all the windows..but real ,indoors..a plus to early dusk♥
      I do have an Instagram account..somewhere..:)
      I just don't do it..I should..just like Twitter and FB etc..
      I am getting ancient me thinks..

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    2. I light candles too...and the tree lights...the mantel...the kitchen even has some lights!
      Anything to try and make it less gloomy!
      I put lights outside on the shrubs under the kitchen and family room...love it!
      Of course you can crochet...I also knit...but need a refresher...think I'll do that after Florida...
      Email me what names you go under on FB and Instagram...you need to do Instagram....for sure!

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  2. Monique, is the Littles gingerbread house going to make it through the sleepover? It is precious. I haven't made one in so long. Mitten wreath is precious. As I said, like the Polar Express, you can still hear the bells.

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    1. If they want to munch on it ..I will say YES:)
      I wrote to my friend about the new book..she has it already:)

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  3. Oh my how wonderful your home must smell at this time of the year with all those ginger bread houses being made. Love them all. I've never been brave enough to make one. I do make ginger bread men & different shapes for the tree. I saw Shari Blaukopf facebook announcing the art class, I think I'll have a look and see if it will suit me. I did try an online class awhile ago and found it expensive for what I did & learnt. But I'll click on your link tomorrow & have a look. It's too late in the day , I'm just off to bed after a long day. Enjoy the boys sleepover, We always enjoyed our grandsons coming to stay over when their Mum & Dad went out. I miss that now. as they are 16 & 18 yrs time goes by so quickly.

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    1. I see the time w/ them flying already:(
      Barbara,if you sign up through Shari's blog..there is a 50% reduction..so it was $20.00 ap...Canadian for me..so 13.52 euros for toi:)
      I took the first class..earlier on..and just the materials list was worth it:)
      The smell of gingerbread DOES linger..you are so right! I love it!
      This class..is different than the first..and just as good..I listened to two segments tody..

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  4. Hello my friend....it's been a long time.
    Your gingerbread house made me smile and reminded me of Christmas when I was a little girl.
    Thank you for sharing.
    **hugs** diane @ thoughts & shots

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    1. Oh Diane..I hope there is a new post from you..I have thought of you...

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  5. Oh my - your gingerbread houses are gorgeous. I am smitten with the mittens and your watercolor kitchen window is absolutely dreamy! Lovely!

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  6. That's a great gingerbread house, Monique! I used to make them years ago when the boys were young and want to do it for our grandson now. The mitten garland is very cute too. It looks like you're all decked out for Christmas!

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  7. We are!
    All done for the decking!
    I stopped making houses for a long time after the girls were grown..and then..Lucas etc came along..you will love doing them again Pam!
    Playtime..all the arts and crafts you want!

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  8. I am not usually a fan of gingerbread houses but these are beautiful! You sure can whip up a storm of Christmas goodies in no time. Everything looks beautiful!

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    1. I love making them:) Takes time..but fun!
      I can see you and Katherine making one..;)

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  9. Oh, Monique, you make every thing look magical. I haven't made a gingerbread house since retiring in 1998. We made them every year in my classroom. So much fun and creativity! Cute idea to add the snowpeople.

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    1. I think you either feel like making one..or not..It's not a 1 hr job..I make the house before..this year I decorated the peices and then stuck the house together.
      I have time..it relxaes me..makes me focus:)
      Thank you Sarah:)

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  10. A D O R A B L E! From start to finish. Love all that you share. I think your simple gingerbread houses with just the white trim are so beautiful. The mittens are lovely also. I got that pattern, but haven't gotten around to doing it yet. I also love your kitchen watercolour. I will have to look up the class, perhaps a Christmas gift for me. Would be nice. Have a lovely day dear friend! xoxo

    PS - If you were on FB I would love to be your friend. xo

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    1. Marie..yay..I mean it's so pro..it cannot hurt..I was lying in bed last night thinking thumbnails LOL and shortbread.
      I hope we both love it.To bits.
      You're already my frined:)
      I chetaed on the mittens..I didn't blanket hand stitch..just machine sewed..and after stitching the ornaments on one..?I glued the rest..shame on me right?
      If I was giving it away...? Stitched..
      This makes a template for future use..what an affordable gift..the felt in the USA was 4 sheets for $1.00
      I would be a craft maniac if I lived there.
      I hope you all know the kitchen watercolor is Watrelogue..I snapped the kitchen and pressed do it on my IPAD:)

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  11. Just so wonderful ! The little things to the window and the cakes...never easy to realize ! Nice day. Christine

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  12. I love gingerbread houses too....haven't made one in years. Yours is adorable, Monique. I was at a party the other night and she had 5...all lined up on a counter, different sizes. So cute.
    Finally going to do my tree today. Brought everything down from the attic and the tree is sitting there soaking up water, waiting for me. Making it my project for the day.
    Just love visiting you!

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    1. Enjoy this special day Barbara..it IS a special day when we do that.
      I bet yours is lovely!

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  13. I want to move into your gingerbread house and eat my way out.
    My favorite cookie and they dont do it right in Paris.
    Only Speculas...
    Love yr Waterlogue room

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    1. That is so funny!You made me laugh:)
      I think I got the Ipad and Waterlogue because of you;)

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  14. you always just find the most amazing kits, supplies, ideas, etc. did you make the mini gingerbread houses, iv'e seen some on pinterest and just love them.
    this is such a pretty wintery post
    happy holidays :)

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    1. The same to you Jenni..I glean from your projects and artwork~

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  15. I just grinned from ear to ear as I scrolled through this post, the gingerbread how is darling, and gave me a kick in the pants to get going on ours!

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  16. I have a stick of butter out to make your chocolate chip shortbread/peanut butter cookies this aft:)

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  17. Quelle superbe maison ! Elle est féerique :)

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  18. These are gingerbread homes (not just houses), Monique! So adorable the way you've decorated them for The Littles :) We had Les Boys again this past Saturday and I had them decorate the Nordic Ware cake houses. They loved decorating and eating them. I just baked my very first Christmas cookies this afternoon. I still have quite a bit to accomplish in two weeks! I expect the Three Little Kittens will be coming for their mittens soon :) I see green grass outside your window too! What weather we're having. My J golfed today!

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    1. I love those houses..I should do that! I made them for Donella last yr..but what a great idea for the boys to decorate! Thanks Nana..

      oh..my gosh..Spring-like today!

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  19. How large is Ricardo's Monique? They will ship to USA but the cost of shipping I s a bit costly. One's I am seeing are small, but his may be also.

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    1. Hi Terry..my finished house is 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches..and is 6 1/2 inches height..to the peak of the roof.
      let me Google for you..
      I bought my house half price last year online through his site..wish I could rememeber which month..after Christmas for certain..
      It is so weird how..some things cause so much to ship..I already have a n Amazon.com list ..the piants are twice the $ here..plus $44.00 shipping LOL..

      so..no;)

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  20. What a charming post. I adored your minis and have always wanted to make those - but there are tons of things I want to make. You always have such charming baked goods. I know the boys will love all of this. Of course adults do too.

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  21. My daughter is having her 2nd annual gingerbread house decorating party this weekend.She would be thrilled to take lessons from you. Though I must say some of the folks she had last year were quite creative. One even had a heliport!

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    1. What a fun thing for her to do!
      Oh so many people create such masterpieces..I have a Pinterest board..of them..so pretty and varied!

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  22. Truly fun and magical. The Gingerbread house is so sweet and I bet so much fun! I used to make many things like this when my children were young. You have a true gift of baking Monique, among many other skills. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

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    1. :) I keep saying it..but it's true..you're very nice.

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  23. I wish I could come and build a gingerbread house with you!
    Bisous xoxoxo

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  24. Me encantan las casitas de galleta. Yo he decorado unas ramas con mini casitas de galleta, quedan preciosas. La tuya ha quedado preciosa.
    Besos

    lagalletarota.blogspot.com

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    1. Gracias Rosa..I am sure the minis you made are beautiful!

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  25. Your gingerbread house, and other creations are so precious!

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  26. Wow, those Gingerbread houses, Wow Wow Wow!!!!!!! And that mitten garland! And the photo! And the season!

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  27. You are so talented my friend-)) We have a display of gingerbread houses near my house, I will make some photographs for you!

    Hugs,

    Yelena

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  28. Hey, all this look so beautiful! Thanks a ton for these pictures. We celebrated Christmas day at some outdoor LA venues and had great fun there. All had invited all my family members to this Christmas holiday bash.

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