My Christmas Crackers

I love Christmas crackers, from the traditional crossed arm way of pulling them, the "pop" sound they make when pulled, the cheesy joke that lightens the mood, to the clatter of the gift falling to the table!
So this year I made my own in gold card wrapped in some pretty Tilda wrapping paper that official Tilda retailer, Musha Makes sent me. I filled my hand made Christmas crackers with some home made gifts, Here's how...

My Christmas Crackers

What you will need

• Wrapping paper cut into strips 19cm x 30cm
• Gold card 19cm x36cm
• Small gifts
• Paper hats - instructions below
• Jokes,(print of free artwork below and cut out)
• Cracker snaps
• Skinny tinsel or ribbon
• Craft knife & cutting mat
• Simplicity pattern punch - Daisy border
• Rotary scorer
• Double sided sticky tape
• Glue stick

Instructions

1. Print off cracker pattern and cut out
2. Trace pattern onto the underside of the gold card
3. Cut out gold card and score along edges as indicated on pattern
4. Using paper punch, punch pattern along the end edges of the gold cut out crackers and attach double sided tape
5. Using paper punch, punch pattern along the end edges of the wrapping paper strips
6. Take your gold card cut out and roll into a cylinder shape, folding along scored lines to create your cracker shape, remove double sided tape and adhere cracker together
7. Wrap punched strip of wrapping paper around cracker so that is is in the centre and using glue stick adhere to card cracker
8. Place cracker snap, gift, joke and hat in centre of cracker
9. Fold cracker ends inwards and tie tinsel round smallest section to pinch sections together

Christmas Cracker paper hats

What you will need

• 2 sheets of star tissue paper
• Tonic studio edger paper punch
• Glue stick

Instructions

1. Keeping the tissue paper folded as it comes, unfold once lengthwise
2. Cut strips 10 cm deep
3. Using the paper punch, cut decorative line along one edge
4. Unfold strip and make into a circular shape overlapping edges by 5cm, glue ends down to secure
5. Fold paper hat back up using the pre folded lines then fold into quaters so hat fits into crackers

Hand made sparkly strawberry lip balm tutorial & Hand made cool mint lip balm tutorial

Snow globe inspired table setting

Have a sweet day!

A faded vintage Christmas

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you these gorgeous dreamy Christmas pics.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites:

• The beautiful shimmer baubles in a Merry Christmas... by .Ira
• The quirky Christmas tree in wood & wool x-mas tree aileen by Wood and wool stool
• The pretty vignette in christmas snow by Secrets of a butterfly
• The glittery baubles in Untitled by kiyomisu •

Have a sweet day!

Beaded snowflakes

To match my Vintage Christmas theme in a colour palette of snowy white, pale rose, vintage pink, icy mint, faded aqua, mushroom and lots of glamorous gold. I have made a cluster of glamorous, shimmery, sparkly beaded snowflakes.
Here's how...


Beaded snowflakes

Tools and Materials

• Snowflake bead frame
• Jump rings
• Beads
• Ribbon
• Roundnose Pliers

Beaded snowflake, How-to step by step

• Simply thread beads on to the wire frame
• Using a pair of small roundnose pliers, loop the wire end towards the last bead
• Attach a jump loop to one of the wire looped ends

• Thread jump loop with ribbon, knot ends and trim

Have a sweet day!

Loretoidas Vintage Christmas

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you the gorgeous Vintage Christmas decoartions from Loretoidas. To see more of Loreta's gorgeous work check out her blog, All the Beautiful things by Loreta.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites:

• The beautiful coloured Vintage baubles in Vintage ♥
• The glitter topped pinecone in Vintage Christmas
• The ornate silver bauble in Merry Christmas!
• The delicate bauble in Silver Christmas

Have a sweet day!

My Vintage Christmas inspiration

Todays Christmas inspiration comes from me! After much deliberation I have finally decided on my colour palette and theme for this Christmas.

I am going for a Vintage Christmas theme inspired by my Tilda paper pad "Winter Memories" in a colour palette of snowy white, pale rose, vintage pink, icy mint, faded aqua, mushroom and lots of glamorous gold. I want it to have a vintage rustic feel with lots of pretty colour and to add a handful or two of 1920's glamour with shimmery sequins, glistening gold and sparkly pearlescent finishes.

Here are my initial thoughts...

An abundance of pom pom trim and pearlised baubles...

Sequins galore...

Lots & lots of glitter...

Plenty of sequins and beads...

A smattering of lace doilies, floral prints and of course a whole lot of shimmer...

Gifts tied in rich velvet ribbons, and crafts with shiny gold thread and hand embroidery...

Bouquets of beaded flowers and hand made beaded snowflakes to adorn my white tree...

Garlands garlore, from pretty printed paper chains to snowy white pom poms to hang in my windows...

Rustic touches of bark and vintage inspired baubles...

Lots of interior accents to sew with pretty fabrics in an array of prints from vintage inspired florals to stars, spots and fans...

Decorations adorned with needle felted roses and feathers...

Have a sweet day!

Winter Wonderland felt ideas

Continuing my Winter Wonderland Christmas theme, today I am sharing with you the gorgeous Christmas felt ideas I have found that would look great in my Wonderland! I have already downloaded the pattern for the pine cones from Family Circle and have started making some pretty pink and aqua pine cones to decorate with. My snowflake felt place mats have been revamped this year with some pretty embroidery in pink and aqua and I have started making some felt birds for my tree, coming soon.....

• Wooden deer decoration by Torie Jayne
• Soft hearts - felt mounted deer head by Planet Fur
• Felt birds from A little gift giving
• Pine Art via Twig and Whistle
• Snowflake felt table mats by Torie Jayne
• Forest woodland trees stocking by Rik Rak
• Woodland stuffings by Ginger Melon

Have a sweet day!

Glittered Toadstools

When I saw these wooden mushrooms I just knew I had to have them as I thought they would be perfect for my Winter Wonderland theme. I decided to make them pastel coloured to fit in with my colour palette, and sparkly because they are for Christmas!

Glittered toadstools
What you will need:

• Wooden mushrooms
• White undercoat paint
• Pink Clematis tester pot of paint
• Proud Peacock tester pot of paint
• Water tester pot of paint
• White spot stickers
• PVA glue, tacky glue
• Pink, teal, mint and white glitter

Equipment

• Paint brush
• Pot and spoon

Instructions

• Paint wooden mushroom in white, leave to dry
• Paint top of mushroom in a colour, leave to dry
• Stick white spots to painted top of mushroom

• Paint PVA glue on mushroom top leaving spots free of glue
• Sprinkle coloured glitter onto mushroom top
• Tap gently to remove any excess glitter, leave to dry
• Carefully paint PVA glue onto white spots

• Sprinkle white glitter onto glued spots on mushroom top
• Tap gently to remove any excess glitter, leave to dry

They are now neatly stored in a box ready to decorate my home with at Christmas.

Have a sweet day!

Pretty wooden birds

Over the past couple of weeks I have been working on some hand made Christmas decorations to fit in with my Winter Wonderland colour palette and theme. First up is the pretty wooden bird I will decorate my home with at Christmas.

When I spied the wooden birds in Panduro Hobby I knew I had to buy a couple. At the time I had know idea how I would decorate them but knew I wanted them to be part of my Christmas decor. After much deliberation I decided to decorate them with a pretty floral pattern and a sprinkling of glitter. Now I just have to decide where they will sit at Christmas!?!

Christmas decoration : Pretty Wooden Bird< Tools and Materials

• Wooden bird
• Pink Clematis tester pot of paint
• Proud Peacock tester pot of paint
• Tilda design card - Winter Bird
• PVA glue
• Pink glitter
• Teal glitter
• Scissors
• Small paint brush
• Pencil

Pretty wooden bird, How-to step by step

Start by carefully painting the sides of the wooden bird in pink paint using a small paint brush and leave to dry. Then, carefully paint the entire branch section of the wooden bird in peacock colour, turn upside down and leave paint to dry. To get a perfect fit on the printed card, place the dry wooden bird on the underside of the printed card and carefully trace around the edge of the bird with a sharp pencil, flip bird over and place next to previously drawn bird shape to avoid wastage and trace around the other side of the bird.



With a sharp pair of scissors, carefully cut out the bird shapes from the card and place to one side. Brush PVA glue onto front of the bird and firmly press the corresponding card shape onto glued front then leave to dry. Once dry, repeat with the shape for the back of the bird. With your bird in an upright position, coat the front and back in PVA glue to give it a protective coating and leave to dry.



Brush PVA glue onto teal-painted branch and immediately sprinkle with teal glitter before the glue starts to dry. Tap bird lightly to remove excess glitter and rest bird on its head to dry. Once dry, brush PVA glue onto pink-painted sides of bird and immediately sprinkle with pink glitter, tap lightly to remove excess glitter and leave to dry.

Tip
I hold my bird over a clean small plastic pot when sprinkling with glitter to catch any excess glitter so it can be reused

Have a sweet day!

My Winter Wonderland craft supplies

Small pots of glitter, bird buttons

Winter bird decals

Folklore bird ribbon, wooden spool, pink pom pom ribbon

Plywood deer, pale aqua mini pom pom trim

Antique pink, teal, off-white, pale jade, moss green wool for felting

Yesterday I shared with you my Christmas theme, "Winter Wonderland", and today I am showing you some of the craft supplies I have collected so far. I am thinking hand glittered bird cages to hang on my tree, pom pom trimmed stockings, ribbon tied treat bags, hanging deers and needle felted toadstools and roses. For where to buy just click the links below the photos.

Have a sweet day!

My Winter Wonderland Christmas

Today I am kicking off my Winter Wonderland Christmas. I love Christmas and it is my favourite holiday to decorate for. There are just so many options with colour and style and don't get me started on all the home-made decorations and treats I want to make. So this year I have started early. I have been working on my colour and theme ideas over the past few weeks and have decide to go with a woodland nature theme in a colour palette of snowy white, pale pink, vintage bubblegum pink, icy aqua, teal, fresh green and olive.

I love the idea of using last year's Winter Woodland decorations of shimmery toadstools, pearly owls and smooth white deer and doe, but giving them a fresh new look by adding pretty colours and lots of bird motifs. So come join my journey to what I hope will be a Winter Wonderland Christmas full of pretty crafts and sweet treats!

• Wooden deer decoration by Torie Jayne
• Fashionable tree
• Button tree by Post Road Vintage
• Bird buttons by Torie Jayne
• Porcelain stag, doe and fawn
• Pastel woodland Washi tape
• Way of the birds
• Branches with birds and butterflies by Such Pretty Things

Have a sweet day!

Top Drawer - Winter 2011 trends

Winter White A/W 2011

A layered story of textures in milky whites, luscious creams, oyster and powdery grey. Ethereal wings, birds, and barely there leafy florals. Bird cages and houses. Juxtaposed materials of shiny porcelain and matt ceramics. Rustic cotton and wool against slick shiny leather and plastic. A perfect Wintry White Christmas story!

Have a sweet day!

Christmas at Next

So here is the sneak peak at what you can expect from Next this Christmas! At the press event they showed us four stories for Christmas; a contemporary red and white themed story that included applique deer head cushions and red berry topiary trees, a rich decadent purple theme, a glitzy gold story with glittered birds and bird cages, and my favourite, the ice palace with contemporary snowflake motifs and twinkly twiggy trees.

In a colour palette of opal, pearlescent and frosty tones of white mixed with the brilliance of silver, soft focus floral and leaf motifs with cute polar animals sit alongside shiny silver deer heads and snowy white pinecones. Etched heart and twinkly snowflake decorations were hung and feathered birds perched from snowy paper mache trees.

All of this got me thinking about Christmas and how I can update last years theme of a "Winter Woodand" Christmas. To kick start my ideas I have created a new Pinterest board, Christmas 2011. I just love Christmas and can't wait to start crafting and making some new decorations.

What are you thinking for Christmas, or am I just a tad too early!?!

Have a sweet day!