Carolyn’s Journal a Warm Heart Bears magazine
Joyful Noel Issue 3 - 2017
Cover photography by Carolyn Robbins Graphics by Raspberry Road and Calico Collage
From the Editor. . .
The Christmas season is something that brings magic into our lives for just a little while each year. There are so many beautiful decorations that create a wonderland of Christmas past and present.
The Joyful Noel Collection was created to celebrate a happy and joyful Christmas. It was important to design this collection in pastel colors, so each bear would bring a bit of happiness into your home.
It was so much fun finding and creating the tiny accessories that go with each bear. Giving the bears their own unique character brings lots of joy to myself and I hope you might see something familiar in the little bear that speaks to your heart.
I wish you a Joyful Noel this Christmas season. Hugs, Carolyn
You can connect with me at Website - http://www.warmheartbears.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/WarmHeartBears Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/WarmHeartBears
Joyful Noel Collection
Contents Bears Arthur Ava Janet Peggy Lawrence Kathie Geneva Natalie
Recipes Cookies from Country Living http://www.countryliving.com/fooddrinks/recipes/a40523/christmas-light-sugar-cookiesrecipe/
Cookie photo from Glorious Treats http://www.glorioustreats.com/2010/12/vintagepastel-christmas.html
Christmas Fudge Food Network - Paula Deen
Craft Projects Orange Pomander From The Old Farmers Almanac https://www.almanac.com/content/howmake-pomander-balls
Cocoa Christmas Ornament Good Housekeeping http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays /christmas-ideas/a41408/hot-chocolate-ornaments/
Book Page Wreath Tammy at Deja Vue Designs http://www.dejavuedesigns.com/well-readbook-page-wreath/
Inspiration Pier One Imports https://www.pier1.com/
Home DĂŠcor Table Settings Philippe de Stefano Stylist Fabiana at Ciao Newport Beach
Arthur Arthur, who is named after a well-known tap dancer from the past, is a child at heart. Every Christmas season he enjoys looking at the latest toys. Arthur told me, “I was so excited to find a page from an old Sears Christmas Book”. It would have been fun to see the whole book, and create my own list”. This pink wreath kind of reminds him of a 1950’s Christmas decoration. The origin of the name Arthur is Teutonic, meaning bold or brave.
The History of Christmas Cards. The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in the UK in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. ... Sir Henry had the idea of Christmas Cards with his friend John Horsley, who was an artist. They designed the first card and sold them for 1 shilling each.
Ava
Ava has a passion for wildlife. She said, “I was so honored to have my photo made with these two deer”! She loves to take long walks in nature to watch the birds and wildlife. Ava will keep warm this season with her new hat and furry shawl that she found in a “lovely little shoppe” last week. The origin of the name Ava is Latin, meaning filled with grace.
Book Paper Wreath
Materials Ribbon for wreath Book pages 12” Grapevine wreath Large diameter dowel rod approximately ¾ inch in diameter NOTE: Tammy used a mascara tube when she created her wreath Glue gun
Make a bow for your wreath using a wire around the center to attach to the wreath. You might want to attach the bow first. so you will not crush the papers.
Cut the pages of a book so that they are square. When you have a decent amount of pages, place the dowel rod in the center of the paper and “wrap” the paper around the rod. Place a dab of hot glue on the wrapped end of the paper and press the paper into the grapevine wreath. Depending on how fluffy you want your wreath, place the papers 1/4” to 1/2” apart. The corners of the paper will fill in some of the space.
Continue to add papers until you are happy with the fullness of your wreath.
Paper suggestions If you wanted a more primitive (darker) wreath, you could age them if you want to by using ink to edge each sheet. You could also tea or coffee dye the paper. To make a more colorful wreath, use colored typing paper or scrapbook paper.
To create a different look, you could also cut the edges of the paper with decorative scissors or tear the edges.
Remember these trees?
Janet
Janet enjoys making the traditional Orange Pomanders. The wonderful fragrance they make in your home are just heavenly. Along with her pomanders, Janet has found this sign to display with them. She told me that “the word believe has many meanings at Christmas�. But to her it means believing in the baby whose birth we celebrate. The origin of the name Janet is Hebrew, meaning beloved.
Believe
The words from the song “Believe� can have many meanings. They help you focus on what you are really celebrating during the Christmas season. Believe in what your heart is saying Hear the melody that's playing There's no time to waste There's so much to celebrate Believe in what you feel inside And give your dreams the wings to fly You have everything you need If you just believe
Orange Pomander WHAT IS A POMANDER? Medieval herbalists used pomanders—mixtures of fragrant, dried herbs in cloth bags or perforated boxes—to ward off illness or bring strength and good fortune. The word “pomander” derives from the French pomme d’ambre, meaning “apple of amber”. Today, pomander balls consist of an orange or other citrus fruit studded with cloves and dusted with other spices. HOW TO MAKE POMANDER BALLS Take firm oranges and stud them with whole cloves. Be creative and arrange the cloves in diamond, circular, or other patterns. As the orange dries, it will release a delicate, spicy fragrance. For a stronger aroma, cover the entire orange with cloves, and then roll in a mixture of spices: 1 teaspoon ground\ cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon allspice, ¼ cup powdered orrisroot. Leave the orange in the mix for a week, turning once a day. To hang your pomander, thread a large needle with string and run it through the orange; make a knot at the bottom and a loop at the top. Or, you can tie red ribbon around your pomander for a festive look!
Peggy
Peggy brings back lots of memories of childhood, as she is named after one of the Lennon Sisters. Peggy does not sing, but she mentioned her “love of a beautiful table at Christmastime”. She enjoys looking at beautiful china and centerpieces, then decorating her own table for her guests. Peggy is enjoying her new sweater with “fur” collar, and will wear it a lot during the winter season. The origin of the name Peggy is Greek, meaning pearl.
A Christmas Table From 1950
Isn’t it amazing how times have changed? Through time homemakers have always wanted a beautiful Christmas table. Today, we might use china from the Royal Albert Old Country Rose collection or beautiful Transferware?
They both make a beautiful setting. Maybe a centerpiece of ornaments and flowers.
The power of an ornament is incredible:
Make your own napkins by cutting or tearing fabric into 20-inch squares and leaving the edges unfinished (or frayed for that shabby-chic summer look). Alternate colors and patterns while sticking to your overall palette to maintain a whimsical vibe.
Add a beautiful centerpiece to your table and your guest would feel very special at your Christmas dinner.
Place Settings This beautiful setting is shared from Fabiana at Ciao Newport Beach. Her beautiful table is so sweet and dainty!
You could add a pop of aqua to the table by making mason jar votive candle holders for each person. Fill the bottom of the jar with sugar and set the votive in the center.
Add a beautiful plaid ribbon! Your guests would enjoy the additional light on your table.
Lawrence Lawrence was named after Lawrence Welk. Many nights were spent watching this lovely man’s weekly show. Christmas shows were the best. Lawrence told me the other day that “I am happy to have Mr. Welk’s name”. Each year they would decorate trees in different ways and that is Lawrence enjoys too. He said, “the silver aluminum trees are the most unusual things!” There was a time that they were all the rage, but I am with him, they are quite different. The origin of the name Lawrence is Latin, meaning honored one.
Beautiful Tree and Wreath Decorations
Kathie
Kathie loves to bake cookies. She enjoys decorating sugar cookies for her friends at Christmas. She told me , “I found the lovely snowflake cutter and cannot wait to try it out”. Kathie recently learned about the Putz houses and found this lovely pastel one for her holiday decorating. “I think I will put it on my cookie table at this year’s cookie exchange”, she said. The origin of the name Kathie is Teutonic, meaning bold or brave.
In American Moravian homes, the construction of a nativity scene, or putz, at the base of a Christmas tree was a very common holiday activity. The term was derived from the German verb putzen, which means "to clean" or "to decorate."
Vintage Pastel Christmas from Gloria at Glorious Treats
Ingredients
3 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for surface 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature 1 c. sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp. pure almond extract 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/2 recipe White Vanilla Frosting Candy: silver and white dragĂŠes; white sanding sugar;
Directions
Whisk together flour and salt. Beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in egg and extracts. Gradually beat in flour mixture until combined. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill at least 1 hour.
Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll one disk of dough to 1/4" thick. Cut cookies with snowflake, tree and star shaped cookie cutters. Bake until edges are golden brown, 11 to 12 minutes. Cool on pan for 5 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. Re-roll and cut scraps once.
Spread a thin layer of frosting on each cookie. Decorate with icing and candy.
Geneva Each Christmas season Geneva looks forward to going to the Nutcracker Ballet. “It is so much fun to watch the magic happen on the stage”, she said. Geneva”s middle name is Eva, as she was named after a famous ballerina named Eva Evdokimova, who just happens to be from Geneva! She will treasure this beautiful Nutcracker slipper ornament for many years to come. The origin of the name Geneva is Germanic, meaning juniper tree.
Folded Christmas Tree I remember as a child folding so many “Readers Digest” magazines to make these trees. We would fold them and spray them with gold spray paint.
Then, do you remember the “Snow in a Can”? We would lightly spray the snow on the trees to give them a more wintry effect!
MATERIALS Book Spray Paint (Optional) Decorations
“Snow in a Can! Spray Snow
Natalie When Natalie mentioned a Santa mug she saw, it reminded me of the one I had as a child. She said, “wouldn’t it be fun to have your hot cocoa in that mug”? Natalie especially enjoys drinking hot cocoa and tea during the Christmas season with her delicious cookies and sweets. She enjoys baking but making Christmas fudge brings her joy! The origin of the name Natalie is Latin, meaning gift of joy.
Christmas Fudge Ingredients 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup butterscotch chips 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup pecans (any type of nut will work) Directions Butter a 9 by 9-inch baking dish Melt chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and condensed milk in double boiler on medium heat. Once smooth remove from heat. Add vanilla and nuts. Scoop into baking dish and chill in refrigerator until set for approximately 10 minutes.
Cocoa Christmas Ornaments
Just fill a plastic ornament with hot chocolate mix like Godiva Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa half full. Add sprinkles, chocolate chips and marshmallows. To change the flavor, add cinnamon and cayenne pepper to make Mexican hot chocolate, or try malted milk powder and crushed Whoppers for an old-school version.
Decorate the ornament any way you wish. Tie a bow to the top, use glitter glue to decorate or add a name.
Tiny Decorations for a Christmas Tea
If you have not read this wonderful book, you should pick it up this Christmas season.
This heartwarming poem brings the true meaning of Christmas joyously to life. Reluctantly, in the midst of the Christmas rush, a man decides to go visit his ailing Great Aunt, but while there, peace and love and wonderful Christmas spirit surround the two of them as they share a cup of Christmas tea.
Merry Christmas to all of you
Carolyn’s Journal a magazine by Warm Heart Bears
Editor and Creative Director: Carolyn Robbins Email: carolyn@warmheartbears.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.come/WarmHeartBears Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/WarmHeartBears Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/warmheartbears
Copyright: All images and content contained in Carolyn’s Journal magazine are covered by International Copyright Law.
Reproduction of any part of this magazine without prior written permission is prohibited.
warmheartbears.com carolyn@warmheartbears.com 2017