' Sweet little tree

Hello sweet readers!!!

Welcome to a new month with a new theme - "Scandinavia"!

Jamie and I developed a deep love to everything from the Nordic countries. We like their fairy tales, kids stories (just think of Astrid Lindgren!), crafts, food...you get it - we are addicted! So this month is going to be dedicated to this special love for Scandinavia. Today we are decorating a little tree with sweet Scandinavian inspired odds and ends.

We simply arranged some branches that we picked up on one of our winter walks in a big pot and then made cute little ornaments to decorate them with.

I discovered that a lot of people from Scandinavia do the most amazing things with Hama beads. I remember I used them when I was a kid and there have been times in our house when everyone had a set of at least ten different coasters made from Hama beads for their mugs. I bet people got really bored of them eventually but didn´t want to say anything as I was avidly crafting them for everyone I knew!

If I had known back then what awesome things you can make with these beads I wouldn´t have made so many coasters! Here are some owls and here are the cupcakes along with the cutest deer!

Another fun way to use Hama beads is to melt them in the oven at around 225°C for a few minutes (ours took about five minutes to get nice and flat!) and make little wreaths out of them.

We also put little bells on strings.

The pompoms are made using this tutorial.

And we couldn´t resist using some real candy as well. We simply took some candy necklaces and strung the candy beads on some bakers twine along with a cute little button.

Last but not least - the crocheted tiny blossoms! I can´t help it - I just really connect Scandinavia to crocheting and knitting and as I kind of caught the "crochet bug" again lately (this always happens in winter!) I had to put something crocheted on the branches as well. The blossoms are perfect for those of you who miss spring and summer as much as we do!

The tiny blossoms are fairly easy to make. 

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

(I am using American crochet terms).

You need to chain 5 and close them to a ring with a slip stitch. Now you will start working into your ring. Simply do this 5 times: *sc, dc, 3 chains, dc*. Finish off your work with a slip stitch into the first single crochet you made. Cut the thread, weave it in with a big needle and you are done!

Now have fun making your very own Scandinavian sweet tree, have a wonderful weekend and see you on Monday!