holiday

  • paperwhites on solistice.

    Three hours and four minutes until sunset and in this minute the sunlight is flooding the back room of our apartment, at least as much as the Christmas tree in the window will allow…

    December 21, 2022 27 Comments
  • tiny gifts for grown-up people.

    Five of my favorite tiny gifts made by other folks, wrapped up in a simple project made by you! Yes? Yes! In case you have the itch to offer a little something handmade this…

    December 1, 2022 6 Comments
  • holiday magic, simply?

    I love making so-called holiday magic. I love stringing up popcorn and cutting out cinnamon stars and lighting candles. Give me all the fir clippings! If it’s cold enough I’ll make ice lanterns and…

    November 30, 2022 32 Comments
  • an advent book calendar.

    An advent book calendar—or perhaps, a book advent calendar—is a festive idea for passing the time on long December nights when the kids get home past dark and we could all use a bit…

    November 28, 2022 8 Comments
  • make your own: accordion photo album.

    This post includes affiliate links from Artifact Uprising which means Reading My Tea Leaves might earn a small commission on the goods purchased through those links.  It’s getting to be that time of year when…

    November 17, 2022 1 Comments
  • ’tis the season.

    For consumerist dread? I like to fill this space with ideas for merry making and simple festivities, especially in this time of year. To me, conjuring a bit of reverence and a bit of…

    December 15, 2021 17 Comments
  • paperwhite season.

    It’s paperwhite season, which means it’s time for setting bulbs in jam jars or bowls or any small vessel you happen to have, and sticking them on a windowsill so you have something to…

    December 8, 2021 19 Comments
  • make-believe: parties after dark.

    Someone saw a picture of me yesterday and said it reminded of them of their mom in the 70s, so I’m leaning into the vintage mom look with a make-believe holiday party get-up, complete…

    November 29, 2021 6 Comments
  • make your own: canvas advent calendar.

    When Rose first made these simple canvas wall caddies, I knew we were going to have do a little advent calendar variation. Sure enough, as soon as we first shared the project, readers wrote…

    November 23, 2021 14 Comments
  • giving: a kumihimo cord.

    In today’s handmade gift guide, a few favorite ideas for making Japanese kumihimo cords from a variety of materials and offering them as a handmade gift during the holidays, or anytime… A little kit for making:…

    November 19, 2021 7 Comments