Bee Creative Stocking Swap: What Lily Received

My partner, Julie, for the Bee Creative Stocking Swap, Emily and I hosted, was really on her game. She was the first to ship her stocking swap package from all the gals that signed up. Lily received her package in early October. I signed up for one stocking meant for Lily. It felt like Christmas had arrived early at our doorstop the day we received the package.

This is what Lily received. I really enjoyed watching Lily open her stocking. It felt wonderful watching Lily open a gift from a complete stranger who put so much love and creativity into making a stocking and the stuffings just for her. Obviously, crocheting is Julie's thing and she's damn good at it! She crochet the stocking, the fox headband, and the purple teddy bear or what Lily calls, "Baby Bear."

Lily loved everything, absolutely everything, she received. She kept kissing her Baby Bear, which was crochet in her favorite color and her squirrel. The fox headband was a huge hit with my husband and I because foxes and woodland critters are our thing for Lily. 

Julie really outdid herself! I was so happy I got paired up with her and was looking forward to finishing up my family's themed Halloween costumes so I could continue to work on her son's stocking and stuffings and spoil him like she did Lily. 

If you're interested in seeing the other awesome stocking swap packages received, check out the Stocking Swap Album on the Bee Creative Facebook page here!

Sunday Stocking Special: DIY Non-traditional Stockings

Welcome to another serving of Sunday Stocking Special. Last Sunday, I shared some great no sew and traditional (sew) do it yourself tutorials. Today, I’m going to spice things up and share five fun non-traditional stocking tutorials.

Alright, let's get cooking!

These fruity stockings make me think of the saying, "Christmas in July". The pineapple stocking would be perfect for the fashionista in your life. Pineapples were very trendy in fashion this summer. 

The grinch that hates Christmas and misses the summer, this is the stocking for them!
DIY Fruity Christmas Stockings With Free Pattern by My Poppet 

What little girl wouldn’t love one of these cute Frozen inspired stockings.

DIY Frozen Christmas Stocking by My Sister’s Suitcase

This cactus, yes I said cactus, tutorial is brought to you by the same maker of the fruity stockings. This stocking would be hilarious for any garden lover! 

Cintia, the author of this tutorial, almost makes me want to ditch the traditional Christmas decor and spice things up with her festive Christmas summer decorations. But I don’t think my husband would go for it. 
DIY Cactus Christmas Stocking With Free Pattern by My Poppet 

You know we all have that favorite old shirt that doesn’t fit anymore and we’re not sure what to do with it. Well, here’s a solution and there’s no sewing involved. For those doing the Bee Creative Stocking Swap, you can always hit the local thrift store for gently used band shirts or printed tees. 
T-Shirt Christmas Stocking by Crafty Chica

Of course I wouldn't forget to included a stocking tutorial for man’s best friend. Woof! Woof! 
Paw-some Stocking by Hallmark 

I hope you guys enjoyed these fun and some fruity stocking tutorials. Some are really outside the box when it comes to non-traditional stockings. 

If you’re a visual learner like myself and do better with detailed tutorials with lots of pictures, head over to The Morose Bee. Emily has the perfect dish, I mean stocking tutorial, to satisfy your creative itch. Don’t forget to sign up for Bee Creative Stocking Swap HERE, before it's gone!

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Sunday Stocking Special: DIY No Sew and Traditional Stockings

For Sunday Stocking Special I will be serving (ha, ha, I crack myself up) stocking tutorials for crafters of different levels and for those who work with specific art mediums. I found no sewing stockings tutorials, sewing tutorials, a crochet tutorial, and a quilted tutorial. I hope you will find something on here that will work for you. 

Let’s dig in!

DIY No Sew Stocking

Bye bye sewing machine. Hello glue gun! 

DIY No-Sew Christmas Stocking Tutorial by Salty Canary

Keep your glue gun out, you'll need it for this one too. This tutorial includes a printable stocking template. 
How to Make a No-Sew Felt Stocking by HGTV

Making this stocking is so easy that even a kid can do it! 
No Sew Christmas Stocking Patterns from Fleece Fun


Traditional Stockings (Regular Sew Stockings)



This is a tricky tutorial but if you get creative with the grid provided the results are beautiful. These stockings are a perfect example of different stockings with a common theme. 
Jingle Bell Stocking by Martha Stewart




For visual learners like myself, you’ll like this tutorial. It includes step by step instructions with photos for beginning level sewers. 
A Christmas Stocking Tutorial for Beginners by Lindsey Blogs




Here’s one for crocheters. It has great reviews from people that have crochet this stocking. The tutorial considers this an easy level crochet project. The stocking is a classic stocking design. Whether you use traditional colored yarn or not, it is up to you. 
Quick & Easy Stocking (Crochet) from Red Heart

I love the festive Christmas fabric used in this tutorial and how both fabrics are different inside and out. It’s also another great tutorial for visual learners. 
Simple Stocking Tutorial by Diary of a Quilter 



Imagine all the fun Christmas prints you can use on a quilted stocking. Or, you can always use fabric that has objects of your partner's favorite things. 
Easy Quilted Stocking Tutorial from Diary of a Quilter


For my thrift store lovers, skip Joann’s and let warm sweaters be your fabric. 
From Sweater to Christmas Stocking in 12 Easy Steps by An Extraordinary Day






Another great step by step tutorial with pictures. It is a simple neutral colored stocking with pom pom decorations that add a little fun. The round wooden tags with the names are a nice touch too. 
DIY Pom Pom Trim Stocking Tutorial from Just the Bees Knees

I know these stocking tutorials have done a good job at feeding my creative juices. I hope it did the same for you. I would love to know which one is your favorite and why. 

If you haven’t signed up for Bee Creative Stocking Swaps, CLICK HERE, and sign up!

Bee Creative Stocking Swap

Now, that Viva La Frida Craft Swap has come to an end, Emily and I, from Bee Creative Swaps are at it again. This time we are bringing the holiday spirit out a little early with  “Bee Creative Stocking Swap!” You don’t sew? No worries! You can buy an already pre-made stocking and decorate it based on your partner’s likes. For full details and to sign up CLICK HERE!

I will be posting inspirational do it yourself stocking ideas on my blog each Sunday, until July 28. The Sunday posts will be called, “Sunday Stocking Special.” Scheduled posts themes are as follows: 

August 14: DIY No Sew and Tradition Stockings 
August 21: DIY Non Traditional Stockings
August 28: Decorating Stocking Ideas

The Sunday Stocking Special posts are meant to get your creative juices flowing and give you some out of the box ideas on how you might like your own stocking made. And, maybe be the little push to motivate those who are still unsure if they want to participate to sign up.

Sign ups are open until August 31st and shipping deadline is November 1st.

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Viva La Frida Craft Swap: The Exchange

I was thrilled when I got paired up with Jessica, from Jess My Shop, for Bee Creative Swaps' first Viva La Frida Craft Swap. Why? Because she a pro-crocheter and well... I'm not. Secretly, I was hoping for a crochet doll. And, my wish came true! The day my package from Jessica arrived I had no idea it was waiting on my front porch. Lily and I had gone to a birthday party that evening and we weren't home when the package arrived. Jessica sent me a message on Instagram asking me if I had received it, since it said on the tracking records that it arrived at its destination. When I opened my front door, the package was waiting for me. I opened it right away.

This is what I responded to Jessica when I opened it:
"OMG! I love her!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hopefully, my daughter won't steal it from me. Yes, you should be proud. You did an awesome job making her!"

What made the crochet doll even more special is that she looks like Lily's Frida handprint with the pink flowers in her hair and the blue earrings. Currently, my Frida doll or "Fiya" as Lily calls her is displayed on my fireplace.

This is what I sent Jessica a few days later after I received my package. I decorated her package.

This is what I included inside.
1. The Frida Kahlo shadow box inspired by Frida and La Casa Azul. You can see my progress pictures on how I made the box here.
2. A Frida Kahlo enamel pin by Mexiconsart
3. A flower made out of tissue paper, made to match the flowers on the enamel pin.

This is what Jessica wrote on Instagram about what she received:
"Yay! I received a lovely swap item from my #vivalafrida craft swap!! I can't wait to rock my pin and put up my lovely shadow box!! Truly all of these items are wonderful!! She painted everything by land! Thank you @creativitylizette for a great swap!!"

This was an awesome swap exchange! It has been wonderful seeing what the other swappers have received. Artists working with different art mediums and inspired by one artists! To see what Emily made for her swap partner, check out her blog here!

Frida Kahlo Shadow Box Progress Pictures

Today is a very special day; it's Frida Kahlo's birthday!! Happy Happy 109th Birthday Frida Kahlo! Today, we celebrate your birthday the way Emily and I intended to, with artwork and purchased goods currently being transported to your fans by mail and people opening gifts that you inspired. Viva La Frida Craft Swap was our birthday gift to you! You hold a very special place in our hearts and hope to make Viva La Frida Craft Swap a tradition. Today, I will have a trago/drink in your honor and I will toast and say loudly, "Viva La Frida!"

This craft swap is by far one of my favorites because it has to do with Frida Kahlo. Also because I learned so much more about Frida and made a new friend through this swap, my swap partner Jessica. I had many ideas on what to make for Jessica but I settled on the shadow box idea because she didn't have a favorite Frida Kahlo quote. I wanted to incorporate as much of Frida Kahlo into the shadow box, included a quote that describe Frida perfectly, and use Jessica's favorite colors - teal and yellow. The shadow box became a small yet simple replica of Frida's Casa Azul.

I first sketched out my idea.

I painted the shadow box to match the colors of La Casa Azul. I actually painted two shadow boxes, one for Jessica and one for myself. The difference between the boxes is that Jessica's box is teal. I kept the red trim on both boxes. Both boxes were then sealed. The shadow box shown above is mine.

I went on Pinterest and found some Frida Kahlo coloring pages. I copied them and sized them in Photoshop. I printed them out and hand painted each portrait to match Frida's original paintings. This part was the most time consuming. After I was done, I didn't want to paint another leaf for a very long time. 

I've always wanted to paint a Frida peg doll. The peg doll's outfit is inspired by one of Frida's actual Mexican outfits displayed in a museum. I used embroidery thread for the braided hair and flower. Since, I didn't add the paint palette to the shadow box, I painted the Frida peg doll holding a paint brush and a paint palette. Painting the peg doll was my favorite part. Lily even played with her for a bit and kept calling her "Fida." Those are Lily's crayons in the picture. 

I glued the Frida peg doll inside the frame. I painted a piece of card stock yellow for the background. Not only is yellow one of Jessica's favorite colors but there is some brivant yellows and blues in Frida's kitchen in La Casa Azul. I cut three little frames, using shiny gold scrapbooking paper and an exacto-knife, for each hand painted portrait. I glued the frames on top of the portraits and used dimensional tape to tape them onto the yellow paper. I freehanded the quote on the paper using an oil base paint pen. I thought the quote written fit the feel of the shadow box perfectly since the subjects in the paintings are Frida and she is alone in the shadow box. 

I inserted the paper in the back of the shadow box and it was complete!

I absolutely love the way the shadow box turned out and look forward to one day finishing mine.  

A few Viva La Frida Craft Swap swapper have already received their swap gifts and I am thrilled to see all the wonderful work that has been created for this swap. And, that's not even all of it. It makes my heart happy (Frida, I hope it makes your heart happy too). To keep the Frida party going, head over to The Morose Bee for some more Frida Kahlo celebration! 

Friday Frida Favs: Frida Book Review & GIVEAWAY

“Frida” by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Ana Juan was the first Frida Kahlo book I purchased. I got it to use it as a guest book for my Frida themed birthday party when I turned 31. When it arrived in the mail, I decided not to use it as a guest book. I couldn’t bare having the beautiful illustrations ruined by people’s writing. This book is not in Lily’s growing library. She does good with paperback books but sometimes she accidentally rips the pages. “Sorry, Sweetie! Not this one.”

Reading time after our morning walk/run. Lily loves Frida too!

My copy of “Frida” is in Spanish but also comes in English. The book begins with the birth of Frida. It mentions factual aspects of Frida’s life, her blue house, Coyoacan, Mexico (her birth place), the trolley accident, and much more. But most importantly it tells the reader how painting played a major role in her life. Diego is not mentioned in the story until the end, where a biography of Frida is included. 

The illustrations are handpainted with a mixture of color pencil, from what I can see. In the illustrations you’ll find very playful almost whimsical “imaginary” characters - a little red devil, a tiger like character, and one with an almost ghost like face, to describe a few. These characters interact with Frida’s real life environment and express the different emotions based on what is happening in Frida’s life. 

Lily counting how many Fridas she sees. 

Some of the illustrations are influenced by Frida’s actual work. There is one illustration of two little girls holding hands in the sky and they are both Frida. The illustration reminds me of Frida’s painting, “The Two Fridas.” In another, Frida, this time older after the trolley accident, is depicted wrapped in the branches of a tree. That one reminds me of her painting “The Dream” and “Roots/Raices.” The book’s text is placed in the open spaces among the illustrations or on banners, which is often seen in Frida’s paintings. On one page, a bird holds the banner in its mouth. 

What makes this book one of my favorites, other than the beautiful, sometimes very vibrant illustrations, is that it emphasizes on how art shaved Frida’s life. It helped her deal with all the pain and loneliness she so often felt. One of my favorite lines in the book is 

“Dibujar es como tener una amiga imaginaria. Esta presente cada vez que ella quiere. Le hace compania y le da fuerzas para no perder la esperanza.” 

Let me translate:
“Painting is like having an imaginary friend. She is present every time she needs her. She gives her company and the strength to not lose hope.”

I love this quote! What makes me realize how important it is is two reasons: One, in the beginning of the book before the quote above it given it says, “Frida has an imaginary friend named Frida” in Spanish of course. I have no idea if it is actually true. Two, my brain recalls one of Frida’s quotes: 

“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to know better.”

That’s when I had an aha moment. When Frida was lonely she painted herself, the subject she knew best. She painted her imaginary friend, Frida. A friend whom could related to her, someone who knew her pain and suffering, and she could bring her to life just with a stroke of a brush. 

It is difficult not to love Frida. In a situation were many would give up and lose hope, she found a way to fight through it, to make something positive out of it and share it with the world. On that note, I would like to share/give a copy of this amazing book, “Frida” to one lucky winner. It will be a Spanish version, like my own.

Giveaway Rules
Leave a comment below about this book review or anything about Frida Kahlo.
For extra entries share this giveaway on your social media accounts and leave the link/s in the comments below. 
Contest ends next Friday, June 17. 
Winner will be announced Saturday, June 18. 
Good Luck!

Also, don't forget to check out The Morose Bee to see what she has going on for Friday Frida Favs.

Friday Frida Favs: Free Frida Kahlo Printables & Patterns

Everyone that signed up for the Viva La Frida Craft Swap has been paired up and many have already started creating their Frida Kahlo inspired craft gift. While searching for some items for my swap project, I came upon many free Frida printable & patterns. These free downloads  are a great way to add a little extra something to your swap gift without going over budget. 

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My favorite freebie is this Frida Kahlo paper doll. Use crayons/colored pencils or any type of medium to add some vibrant festive hues to Frida. I would personally get it laminated before assembling it together. Cut out the pieces, punch in the holes, and assemble. Add a string and attach to a long wooden stick if desired, to make Frida move.

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These are free Frida Kahlo planner printables. They have multiple uses. You can use them as gift tags or even print them on sticker paper and give them to your swap partner as stickers. You can purchase sticker paper and your local office supply store like Staples.

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Free printable bottle cap images make great magnets using bottle caps. You can also make pins if you have a pin-back making machine or even into  Frida Kahlo earrings if you make jewelry. 

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Write a letter to your Viva La Frida Craft Swap partner on this free Frida Kahlo stationary. “Hola Swap Partner, Como estas?"

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Did you purchase or make a small Frida inspired nicknack? You got a printer, glue, scissors, and a toilet paper roll? I thought so! When done wrap your gift in tissue paper or in a small plastic bag with a ribbon tying it shut and insert it inside.


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For my cross stitchers out there, this one is for you. 


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Embroiderers, I didn't forget about you. Here, you go!

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We're almost half way through this year. Need a refresher on what your goals for this year are? Maybe, your swap partner does too. Send her this free motivational Frida printable.  Not your goals; their goals silly. 

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Another awesome Frida Kahlo doll made out of paper, but this one is three dimensional.
I wonder if you could use this one as a box too?

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 Make a coloring book for your swap partner (adult coloring is the new fad right now) or for their little one, starting with this coloring page. You can find more Frida Kahlo coloring pages on Pinterest for free. Don't forget to include crayons, markers, or color pencils. Better yet, if you sew make a color pencil pouch holder using some symbolic Frida Kahlo fabric.

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These free Frida Kahlo quote tickets are perfect for the swap partner that loves all of Frida's quotes. Make stickers to go with the free printable stationary above.

I'm looking forward to including one of these Frida freebies for my Viva La Frida Craft Swap gift.
Let me know if you will too.

Head over to The Morose Bee and see what Emily has featured for Friday Frida Favs for some more Frida Kahlo inspiration.

Have a happy FRIDay everyone.

Friday Frida Favs: Frida Kahlo Blythe Dolls

I’m obsessed with these stunning Frida Kahlo Blythe dolls. I think what makes them special is that they are one of a kind and hand manipulated by a talented artist. You can’t purchase them in a store, making them a rare find. 

Here are some of my favorite:

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The top four are from the same artist, known as Dr. Blythenstein. He calls his Frida Kahlo creations Frida Khalostein. Isn't she beautiful.

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I love how these Blythe dolls are all different, but they are all Frida depicted in various ways. They remind me of Frida Kahlo's self portraits. The same women with different expressions and in different attire. 

The top ones are my favorite. Which ones are yours?

I would love to start a small collection of handmade Frida Kahlo dolls; handcrafted dolls are the best.