13 December 2021

Christmas in the Woods: Fox & Raccoon

 

Welcome to my 8th annual Christmas Open House! This year's theme is Christmas in the Woods. Snuggle in for a week of adorable critters and favorite recipes... the sewing room and the kitchen are open!

Today we have a little cookie waving bandit and the most joyful wee fox ever. These two just overflow with Christmas cheer. They look like partners in crime!




This year had to be easy, y'all! Quick stitches, simple finishing, maximum cuteness. I usually wait til the end of my Open House to post all my sources, but just in case your year has been like mine, and you need a little helping hand for a fast homemade gift, I'm listing my supplies today.

The most adorable animal designs in the world are by LaSelva Design and are available in his Etsy shop.

I stitched them on Mill Hill Perforated Paper in the color Wheat, but you can use any color, or even fabric.

I Christmassed 'em up with buttons from JABCO.

The wood disks are from this Etsy shop, but you can find wood disks at most craft stores. However, you won't find this same quality. His stock varies quite a bit, and shipping can take a bit as the order is prepared, but they're worth the wait. Uniform size and a beautiful finish. I'll be talking more about these at the end of the week. If you can't spare the time, craft stores usually have lots of blank or unfinished ornament bases. 

I finished them off with various snippets of Christmas picks and greenery.

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It's Soup Week, y'all. To go along with my quick and easy Christmas finishes, I'm sharing my favorite soup recipes. They're all easy. Some are for the soup pot and some are for the slow cooker, but either way, is there anything nicer than having a big batch of soup simmering away on a cold winter's day? So cozy and comforting.

We're starting off with the old stand by, Vegetable Beef Soup. Nothing fancy about it, but boy does it hit the spot when you just need soup. And the older I get, the more I just need soup.

Vegetable Beef Soup

1 lb. ground beef, browned & drained

16 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables

1 c. frozen seasoning blend (onions, peppers, celery) or fresh in the amount you prefer

1 can diced tomatoes

1 8oz. can tomato sauce

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 Tbsp. dried basil

1/2 Tbsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

4 c. beef broth

1 c. water

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low 5 or 6 hours.

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Come on back tomorrow and see who else in the woods is getting ready for Santa!

11 comments:

  1. What a sweet theme for your Christmas Open House! These are both really adorable stitches, and thank you for the links, too. Your soup recipe sounds delicious, and I agree about needing soup- such a perfect comfort food! Thank you so much for doing this again, I'm looking forward to tomorrow!
    Mary

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  2. Honeybee: They both are adorable, thank-you for the links.
    The soup sounds yummy and so comforting.

    Merry Christmas
    Catherine

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  3. Loved your post today .
    What cute decorations , I will make some of these next year , thanks for sharing .
    Great soup , I love making soups in the winter .
    Have a great week hugs .

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  4. These are so cute!
    Thanks for the soup recipe.
    Marilyn

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  5. Oh my goodness - your woodland animal ornaments are ADORABLE!!!!!!! I love the way you finished them. Always enjoy reading your blog and your Christmas Open House. Can't wait to see more. Merry Christmas! Beth

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  6. What precious woodland critters you have stitched and finished, Honeybee! I also appreciate the time you give in providing your sources. Thank you!

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  7. Love your little wildlife animals--those chocolate chip cookies that the raccoon is devouring are too cute! Love, love, love vegetable beef soup--will definitely be making this. Thank you!

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  8. I love these - wondering what size wood slices did you purchase?
    Thanks, Barbara

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    1. These are stitched on perforated paper, which is 14 ct., and mounted on 3.5" wood disks.

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    2. Thank you so much - i really appreciate and look forward to your Open House every December - i also absolutely love seeing the pictures of Tiger Lily, Thanks for all your hard work in keeping up with this blog, Barbara

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  9. Those little animals are so cute! The wood discs are a great idea to display them.

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