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Showing posts with label calendar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calendar. Show all posts

calendar // mel the mouse wallpaper



December already? For me that usually means making decorations, buying or crafting gifts, and lots of baking! Kawaii Crossing resident Mel the Mouse is just the same...at least when it comes to baking. And the kitchen fun is starting with gingerbread cookies!

Now, Mel has an electric mixer, but for some reason prefers stirring the cookie dough by hand.

It works though, because all of the residents of Kawaii Crossing rave about Mel's sweet treats all season long. I mean, we're talking soft and chewy gingerbread that you don't want to stop eating. Yum!

Like Mel, I plan on making some tasty soft gingerbread cookies this year. I usually make them with a smaller cookie cutter, but I may go for some bigger ones this time around. We'll see. I like to use distinctive shapes that don't require a lot of decorating because that's my least favorite part. Maybe Mel will help though?

But before we start baking, how about some wallpapers to fit all your favorite screens?



Gingerbread Handwarmers

Speaking of gingerbread, a few years back I made these gingerbread handwarmers. Aren't they fun? I think Mel the Mouse would approve. I also designed some posable gingerbread people that are fun to play with.

Sweet Gingerbread Scene Playset Pattern // Wild Olive

And because apparently I really like felt gingerbread, you may also like this felt playset that lets your little one decorate a gingerbread house again and again! You can find it in my Etsy shop.

calendar // bea the badger wallpaper



It's November! That means it's my favorite month of the year and Bea the Badger is here to help celebrate! Do you know how to best celebrate November? With a cup of coffee and a good book. Because in the Northern Hemisphere, this is cozy time.

Bea is all about that cozy life. She reads more books in a month that some people read in five years! And it's always with a nice cup of coffee to sip on while reading. Okay, so sometimes she goes for tea and that's perfectly fine. No need to limit your hot beverage choices.

Okay, let's get this new friend up on some wallpapers. Because Bea also wants you to always have a quick calendar reference for your month. Grab whatever size you need for your screen!



I can't believe that there is just one more month of these Kawaii Crossing residents! It's gonna be a good one too. (Think holiday fun!)

Have a wonderful November filled with good books and alllllll the coffee!

calendar // pia the pig wallpaper



It's a new month and a new Kawaii Crossing resident downloadable wallpaper! Meet Pia the Pig. Pia is a fashion designer and she's always creating amazing things to wear, from grand ensembles to fun everyday looks. If you've seen someone from town walking around looking fabulous, Pia was probably involved.

Now, I can't say for sure about Pia, but I can say that my sister and I both LOVE watching Project Runway (and Making the Cut). There's something about the mix of creativity, stress, beautiful clothing, personalities, and possible dissaster that makes these shows so exciting to watch. We confess to rolling our eyes and yelling "what are they thinking?!?" at the screen.

I think Pia would be one of the good designers though.

But now, let's get to these wallpapers! Download what you need for your computer, phone, or tablet below.



October snuck up on me, but I'm ready to enjoy this month and make some fun things...though I probably won't be designing any clothes any time soon!

calendar // sam the sloth wallpaper



In the hopes that September passes a little slower than August, this month's Kawaii Crossing calendar features Sam the Sloth! If you haven't already guessed, Sam likes knitting, but Sam is also sleepy and slow and the knitting doesn't happen quickly. Sam and I are very much the same in this way.

One difference, however, is that Sam liks things so slow that Sam winds the yarn by hand...er...paw? I prefer using a winder and swift, but obviously, Sam isn't doing anything that includes the word "swift" (and that includes listening to Taylor...another thing Sam and I have in common).

Speaking of slow knitting, I don't think I've done any knitting in a year! That's hard to believe, but it's what happens when you write a book and maintain all the other things that you are maintaining. But I did finally wear my most recent finished knitting project and that felt like an accomplishment in itself.

And now before I go on and on, How about some wallpapers? Download what you need for your computer, phone, or tablet below!



Speaking of slow things like sloths and stitching, if you'd like to pause and relax for a little while, you can watch me cross stitch a sloth on YouTube!

calendar // meg the monkey wallpaper



It's August! It's time for new Kawaii Crossing Wallpaper!

This month, we're welcoming Meg the Monkey to the crew. Meg happens to really enjoy ice cream. So much so that she runs the local gourmet ice cream cart. Everyday she has different flavors to offer with all kinds of toppings, but sprinkles are her favorite. Again, we're not just talking your basic jimmies. These are the fancy kind that look like magic on a dessert.

Speaking of ice cream, I absolutely love making my own varieties of ice cream. They are all always no-churn ice cream, which is so easy and so delicious. There are tons of recipes out there for no-churn ice cream, but I've also had a lot of fun mixing in things like brownie bit and toasted coconut, crushed malted milk balls, and maraschino cherries with almond extract. Highly recommended!

But now, let's get to these wallpapers. Grab the size you need for your screen below!



Before I go, yes, I know that as I post this it's August 2. And that in July I was also posting the wallpaper late. I'm not going to let this actually be a trend. But I am going to boldly go into August with few expectations on myself. It's okay for you to do the same.

In fact, back in the heyday of blogging, there was a thing that many bloggers did called The August Break. This was back in the post on your blog almost every day era, when social media was not the place for primary content. During The August Break folks would either post nothing or they would post minimal things like photos with a brief caption (like old-school Instagram!). I love this idea as much now as I did then. And while I'm not entirely pressing pause this month, I'm trying to mentally give myself room to breathe.

And maybe enjoy a scoop of ice cream from Meg!

calendar // pam the panda wallpaper



Better late than never, the latest Kawaii Crossing wallpaper is here for July! If you've known many artists, you probably know that they can get a little caught up in their work (or distracted from it!) and that's exactly what happened with Pam the Panda and yours truly. Pam has been painting all kinds of new pieces of artwork and I've been working behind the scenes on secret projects. That's caused a few things (like all things blog related!) to take a pause.

This is pretty typical for Pam the Panda. Kawaii Crossing residents often see her lights on late at night as she works on new pieces of art. And—no surprise—her walls are covered with beautifully painted canvases!

Now, since it's already after July 1, we had better hurry to get these wallpapers added to our screens. Grab the size you need!



By the way, have you ever seen folks on Instagram who add a "month marker"? It's basically a post that shows the name of the month on it. It's a way to easily spot the passing of time as you scroll through your grid. I use these wallpapers for those, and you're welcome to as well!

Oh, and if you're wondering if you missed the June Cam the Corgi cross stitch pattern, it's one of the things that paused for me in June. But it will be coming your way at the same time as the Pam cross stitch this month. Now, July is set to be a full month...I'm off to work on more behind the scenes!

calendar // cam the corgi wallpaper



Awooooooo! Get your screens ready for a new June wallpaper! Cam the Corgi is Kawaii Crossing's resident musician and he likes to play the guitar and sing. The other animal friends really enjoy the playing and singing, except when he starts awooooo-ing in the middle of the night. Of course, they're all too kind to start yelling!

With that little introduction done, I do have to say that I cannot believe that June is here already. I say that a lot, but I feel it more and more lately. My days are not super rushed (something I've intentionally taken steps toward!), and I regularly have rich, full moments with the people I love. But I still could use an evening of sitting and listening to Cam play the guitar and sing some awooos. How about you?

Since we can't pause time, I suppose it's best to embrace it. Starting with adding this new wallpaper to your desktop, phone, or tablet. Grab what you need below!



So many of the Kawaii Crossing residents have some sort of "real life" inspiration and Cam is a combination of my musician brother and his pet Corgi. I still haven't heard Murphee properly awooo (they live across the country), but I at least like to think that the two of them have some super cute jam sessions!

calendar // kay the kitty wallpaper



Do you love sushi? I'm more of a vegetarian sushi sort of person, but this month's Kawaii Crossing resident is Kay the Kitty and she prefers the fishiest sushi she can get. She loves making it. She loves eating it. She even loves sushi-themed art, accessories, and games. I suppose we shouldn't be suprised!

Speaking of games, I recently played Sushi Roll, the dice game version of the now-classic game Sushi Go, and it was so much fun! That maaaaaayyyy be why I added a dumpling into this month's calendar. When I see cute things, I'm inspired. But my playing this game was NOT what inspired Kay the Kitty. Nope...she was all planned as a sushi lover and the game timing just worked out!

I love when things happen that way.

Now I just have to think about the idea of one Kawaii Crossing resident eating formerly living things. I suppose fish aren't walking around in this town, so it's okay? Maybe it's best not to think about it. For now, grab the wallpaper size you need below.



calendar // bob the bunny wallpaper



It is April 1st and I don't have any tricks up my sleeve...just a rabbit. But not a magic rabbit (who would do tricks...get it?). No, no. This is the resident of Kawaii Crossing who loves gardening. Say hello to Bob the Bunny!

Now, I know that a bunny who likes to garden and grow carrots is a little cliche (see Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh), but I'm going for it because it's spring and Easter is coming and I just had to go there. Plus I can't want to make more Bob-related projects!

For now, grab the wallpaper size you need below.



calendar // cal the chicken wallpaper



It's time to welcome March with a new calendar wallpaper!

March is a month filled with ever-changing weather and this month's Kawaii Crossing resident, Cal the Chicken loves it. He's actually a bit of a weather watcher! In fact, while many people have weather vanes with chickens on top, Cal has his own weather vane that is just cute.

Grab the wallpaper size you need below.



Keeping this post short and sweet because, I'll be honest...the state of the world has me short on words at the moment. Can you relate? I'm doing what I can in the background and hope to have more good things to share with you soon. More than just a drawing of a chicken!

calendar // les the lion wallpaper



I don't know about you, but one of the things I love about starting a new month is that it means a new wallpaper design. And February is always one of my favorites to create!

Living in the Midwest, February is pretty much as cold and gray as January. But that's just outside. Inside, I'm all about red and pink hearts. I sometimes find myself humming La Vie En Rose, and while I don't think that I see the world through rose-colored glasses, I do like the rosiness of Valentine's Day.

And it would seem that this month's Kawaii Crossing resident does too! Les the Lion is fond of papercrafts, so they regularly make hand-cut Valentine's for their friends. Now listen, these paper hearts aren't always perfect, but Les has learned to embrace the joy of making and sharing without getting hung up on perfection.

I think we could all learn from Les.

A good way to start is to add this friend to your favorite device as wallpaper! Grab the size you need below.



Cross Stitch Celebrations: Bundle of Joy! Heart Balloon Border Bonus Pattern

Speaking of hearts and cute things, I have a new bonus pattern for everyone who pre-orders my book Cross Stitch Celebrations: Bundle of Joy! Head over to the Walter Foster website to learn more. But hurry, because it's only available until February 14!

calendar // sig the sheep wallpaper



I'm a few hours early, but Happy New Year! As December ends, and January begins, we're not just flipping the calendar page, but starting a whole new fresh calendar with so many blank squares ready to fill in with good things! You know what they say...New Year, New Ewe!

Okay, so that's not really what they say, but I may have included a sheep on my January 2022 calendar just so I could make that joke. In fact, I'm not really all that into the whole resolutions and transforming oneself in the new year kind of thing. I love goals and self-improvement, but I prefer to do that day by day, week by week, and month by month.

What I do like to do each year is choose a theme for my blog art and downloads, and that means this year is another 365 days of Kawaii Crossing! But this time it's all about the residents of the town and the things they like to do. We've had shops and houses, but we really need to see who all lives here and keeps this town running!

Sig the Sheep is our first resident of the year, and she likes to sew and quilt. She doesn't own the sewing shop that was the very first Kawaii Crossing design, but she does frequent that store to buy more fabric than she knows what to do with. In fact, she's probably planning a whole bunch of new projects for the new year.

Sig would love to hang out on your favorite device all month long, so grab the file you need below.



I'm also especially excited about the stitching I have planned for this year. There's going to be embroidery and cross stitch, just like the last two years, and it's going to be something you can do as a sampler of sorts. I just have a little more to work on before I can share that. But it's coming!

Listen, I know that that last two years have been hard. We've all felt it in different ways. But there have also been good things. Some you have to look for harder than others, but they are there. And that's going to be true for 2022 as well, no matter what comes our way. For me, I know that one of those things will be drawing cute animals, stitching sweet stuff, and sharing it with you all. It's truly a joy to create.

calendar // festive fruitcake house wallpapers



Well. December is here and that makes this the last set of Kawaii Crossing wallpapers for the year 2021! I can hardly believe how fast time has gone by and all of the amazing things this year has held. Lots of hard things too. But it has certainly been a fruitful year for me. So it's pretty perfect to have a fruitcake house for December, right?

Listen, I know that not everyone likes fruitcake, but I really do. My dad really does too, which is probably how I ended up being a fan. I've made it myself and I've also enjoyed the little loaves you find at convenience stores as well as the fancy kind that really is a gift. Again, I know that this might make me unusual.

Knowing how people feel about fruitcake might make this house one that lots of folks stay away from, so maybe its resident likes to be alone?

Now, as I start thinking about the fruitcake I want to bake, let's get you some new wallpaper for all your screen sizes!



By the way, I find it hilarious that if you search for the word "doorstop" on my blog, every single post from my archives is related to fruitcake. For someone who loves this festive treat, I seem to consistently refer to it this way...

calendar // sturdy tree house wallpapers



Designing a new wallpaper each month, especially these Kawaii Crossing ones, is always fun. But sometimes I put pressure on myself and November is regularly that month. You see, this is my birthday month, so it feels like I should have the absolute perfect design for November. The perfect design for me.

The pressure was real this time and deciding what to add to my little town was too much. I kept trying to think of the childhood inspirations that would be ideal for who I was as a kid and who I am as an adult. And what did I end up with?

A tree.

That feels so no exciting, but it's a beautiful color like the trees in my part of the world are right now. And while this doesn't connect with one specific childhood moment, character, or toy, there were many tree memories that formed as I grew up. Is that silly? Even if it is, I'm going with it.

I'll try to share more of those memories through the month, but we'll start with some wallpapers for all your screen sizes.



calendar // gourdeous corn shock house wallpapers



Welcome October with a new Kawaii Crossing calendar wallpaper! For October I went full on fall fun with a corn shock A-frame, complete with friendly scarecrow.

Normally when a new month rolls up I'm all "how is it already the end of the month!", but this time I've been thinking that it was already October for nearly a week. You'd think that would mean that I would have had this calendar posted earlier, but me thinking it was October was related to also feeling really behind. Please tell me I'm not alone in this happening sometimes?

Okay, so let me just say a few things about this month's house. First, when I was little, some good friends of ours had an A-frame house in a wooded area and I adored it. There's something special about these. But I also LOVED going to the pumpkin farm each year. I was homeschooled and it meant we got to go on not busy days/times and that made it even better.

But if that wasn't enough, I had this toy that reinforced how amazing pumpkin farms were. It was called, shockingly, Pumpkin Farm. You can see it right here. I played with that thing for hours and hours, and I think there's a possibility that it's still in our garage rafters.

Can I just say how much I love pulling inspiration from my life? It's true. And with that, how about some wallpaper for all your screen sizes?



calendar // shiny apple caravan wallpapers



Do you remember the Busy World of Richard Scary? This month's Kawaii Crossing house (and matching free wallpapers) is an ode to this delightful town that certainly influenced my style. We all remember Lowly Worm and his apple car, but since I'm making little houses, I went for an apple caravan!

Last year when I made the Kawaii Crossing shops, I thought it would be so cute to have a food truck for one of the designs, but it never worked out. Having a house on wheels is the next best thing...or maybe even better!

I do love apple things and I've been thinking about what apple projects I might try. At one point I thought I might crochet an apple caravan using my pumpkin pattern as the basis, but I think it's safe to say that won't happen for me. Sigh. Also, why don't stores carry Bernat Blanket yarn in red? Okay, okay...I have other things to work on.

While I get to work on those other things, go ahead and download some wallpaper for all your screen sizes!



calendar // fancy cabbage house wallpapers



August is here! And so are the latest free wallpapers for your desktop, tablet, and phone. This time with a fancy cabbage house. But first, I really try not to say things like "where has the time gone" each and every month. But seriously? I'm in shock that it's August already. In my mind it feels like June still.

Okay, so back to the new Kawaii Crossing house. In August, I especially think about my grandpa whom we called Papa. August was his birthday month, but he was also a big gardener, so there were plenty of plants and produce in full bloom or harvest around this time. One of my favorite photos of him is Papa on his front stoop with a whole bunch of ornamental cabbages around him. They were huge and he looked so proud.

Thus, a fancy cabbage house in honor of Papa.

Now, grab a free wallpaper and I'll be back soon with patterns to match...as well as some stitching fun!



calendar // big burger house wallpapers



Just a quick little post today to drop some links for you. Because it's a new month tomorrow and we're celebrating July with a big burger house on some calendar wallpapers!

Things are bustling over here in Wild Olive Land, so I'm not going to talk about this month's design just yet, but grab a free wallpaper for now:



What I will say is that I get to participate in two fun blog hops this month, so check back for plenty of July goodness!

Also, even though it's July, it's also a good time to think about a holiday that will be here before we know it...

Not So Spooky Stitching Club

HALLOWEEN! If you haven't already, be sure to take a look at the Not So Spooky Stitching Club. It starts July 6 so you have plenty of time to make something fun for October. Sign up in my Etsy Shop.

calendar // charming hot air balloon house wallpaper



For June we're going up, up, and away in a Kawaii Crossing hot air balloon house! Naturally, we're starting with some calendar wallpapers sized for all your digital devices.

This house is basically like a tree house without the tree. You step up a ladder to reach the door that's the balloon part. Now, I didn't give this any windows, other than the one in the door, but I'd like to think that there's a skylight up top that you just can't see.

There's a very special reason why I went with this house, but before I tell you the connection, grab a free wallpaper:



Just like the last few houses, this was inspired by one of my childhood memories: Charmkins. I loved those little toys and if you're a child of the 80s, you may remember them. You may NOT necessarily remember a hot air balloon, and that's exactly why I chose it for this.

To make this fun, I'd love to hear from you. First, do you know what Charmkins are? Did you play with them as a kid? And Next, do you know the significance of the hot air balloon? I'll share more when I post the matching pattern!

calendar // sweet strawberry house wallpaper



It's officially May and that means a new Kawaii Crossing calendar, this time with a sweet strawberry house! And that means a month of strawberry fun (plus a few other things, of course). I'm so ready for it!

When I started this set of little homes for my little town, I didn't expect to go on a nostalgia spree, but once I started, I couldn't stop. March's house reminded of the Smurfs, April was Care Bears, and obviously this time we have Strawberry Shortcake. Have I already started adjusting my plans for the month's ahead so things fit with childhood favorites? Yes. Yes, I have.

But let's get this month going with a new wallpaper for the device of your choice!



Strawberry Basket Beanbag Game

To lead us into some strawberry goodness, I would like to draw your attention to this sweet little beanbag toss game that I designed for Hello Bee. These are like the classic strawberry pincushions, but bigger and filled with beans. I still love them!