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Bake Cake: King’s Cake
We’ve begun the day with our traditional King’s Cake (or Gâteau des Rois), a French tradition we carry out every year (more here). We are celebrating my first year of willowday, too! Hip Hip Hurrah! I haven’t decided how to thank...
The Nutcracker in Sweden
THE NUTCRACKER, SWEDISH-STYLE: I am on the other side of the Atlantic now, but wanted to share this Swedish holiday tradition. Like many, I grew up with the tradition of attending Nutcracker performances and was eager to see the Nutcracker...
Christmas Moss
(Taken at Zeta’s)I love moss details in Swedish Christmas decorations (and French, too). It’s used beyond traditional topiaries, here and can be found in abundance. Is moss traditional in your area of the world? Here are a few more shots I’ve snapped on...
Holiday Table Settings
“Are you making a list, checking it twice…?” With Santa almost on his way, I wanted to share these tables settings with you before we head off on our holiday travels and celebrations. By preparing these supplies ahead of time,...
Gift Wrap #23: Reindeer Packages
Christmas CountdownI like to have little gifts on hand, this time of the year. These are perfect to make up in advance and have ready whenever you’d like to spread a little cheer. We wrapped chocolates in rudolf-red tissue for...
Gingerbread House Exhibit
If you’re in Stockholm between now and January 6 or just looking for a little Gingerbread inspiration, we’ve just been to the “Pepperkakshus” Exhibit at the Architecture Museum in Stockholm. This is a juried Gingerbread house competition that is open to the public. A winner...
Lucia Dreams
Our Lucia, Star boy and house Elf, are all now sleeping soundly after one last “Luciekatt,” before bedtime.* Today, was the Swedish holiday of Lucia which meant that before the sun rose, parents, too, were invited for morning coffee and...
“The House That Lars Built”
Happy Wednesday! I’m over at Brittany’s Scandinavian 24 Days of Christmas at her lovely blog, The House that Lars Built, today. I’m happy to bridge the distance between Copenhagen and Stockholm with these Ice Lanterns that have connected so many of us, as well, during these 11...
Finger Knit Letter Ornaments
Supplies Length of Finger Knitting in white White Pipe cleaner Scissors   How-to:Choose a length of complete finger knitting (how to finger know, here). Thread pipe cleaner through the piece of finger knitting. Twist the pipe cleaners around the ends to secure. Twist finger knitting...
DIY Lego Advent Calender
DIY Lego Advent Calender Happy December 1st. I have a special post today. Do your kids love legos? Surprise them with this Christmas Tree in a 24 day Advent Calender. Instructions, supply list and printable daily tutorials, below. Click here for Printable...
WINTER WONDERLAND CALENDAR TEMPLATE
GET THEM WHILE THEY LAST | FLORA + FAUNA CARDS | HERE  MADE IN SWEDEN | FLYING WORLD WIDE | HERE Have you made an Advent Calender, yet? This year, I envisioned a different kind of Advent Calender. I wanted to create a winter...
Finger Knit Head bands
If you’re a regular reader, did finger knitting strike your house, like it did ours? If you’re new to willowday, do you or your kids finger knit? The kids were on their way to the Guinness World Book of Records after their ceaseless knitting...
Thanksgiving and Black (+white) Friday, too
Happy Thanksgiving Day. Even if you aren’t American,  may you, too, count all that you are thankful for today — may your list be bountiful. When I found these black and white Thanksgiving photos, I thought they would be perfect...
Thanksgiving Planning
Happy Saturday. With Thanksgiving and other holidays ahead, it’s time to polish the silver, press the linen and start on the grocery list.  Have you started? Living in Sweden, nothing will be closed for this non-Swedish holiday: good planning and good friends...
How to Finger knit
Do your kids finger knit? I somehow missed finger knitting, as a kid, but, Francesca taught us all this summer. Since then, we’ve accumulated yards + yards + yards and come up with more + more + more finger knitting projects. Today, I wanted to just...
Sock wear for Stuffed Animals
Liony sets sail. Baby Blacky has a picnic in his new bloomers. Petunia is party pretty. It’s friend, Mooey’s birthday today. Happy Birthday, Mooey. Nice scarf. Top Right: Cut holes for the arms, legs and slit bottom for the stuffed...
Thanksgiving Handprint Mayflower Cards
Do you remember making paper cornucopias and other paper, art, pieces for Thanksgiving? The word cornucopia is one of those Thanksgiving words that goes on the list, along with cranberries, colony and corn.  Since I’m on my own, as an...
Mustache Stencil Cards (2 -in-1 Cards)
Happy Father’s Day, Sweden! These Mustache Stencil Cards (2 -in-1 Cards) can be used for anyone and can embellish everything from lattes,  hot chocolates and even cupcakes. Don’t you love personalized presents that will bring smiles. Several “kid-ccinos” were consumed today, as the...
Something I learned in Sweden: “Fars Dag”
“Hej, Sverige” Living in Sweden, there are two things I have difficulty getting to stick: 1) No turning “right on red,” while driving. 2) Father’s Day is celebrated in November.  Yes, November. This holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday in November. (More,...
Gift Wrap Series #22: Tracing Paper + Leaves
Make Personal Wrapping Paper with Tracing Paper Leaf Wrappings: Use tracing paper (or sandwich wrapping paper in a pinch, I did!) to create your own. Grayson used a round, green leaf to make this turtle wrapping paper. I like the...
Lollipop Ghosts
  Ladies and Gentleman: Happy Halloween! If you’re in need of a last minute Halloween Giveaway, these are so sweet and easy! Oldies but goodies. Add a feather for an elegant lady or leave plain for a classic, ghost, lollipop. These...