NAPKIN FOLDING FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TABLE.

Now that Christmas is almost here - it is time to concentrate on how we will dress and adorn our tables.

There are some lovely ideas for napkin folding at this link.

http://www.christmasmagazine.com/en/entertaining/napkins.asp

Enjoy all your preparations and the excitement of this special time of the year.

Love and hugs,

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A SIMPLE CRAFT

This simple bird - hung in windows is a lovely Christmas decoration and so easy to make - those of you with little ones may enjoy making some together in these last weeks before Christmas.

The template for the bird can be found at this link.

http://www.christmasmagazine.com/en/mc/calendar.asp?d=11

Christmas Magazine has lovely ideas.

Love and hugs,

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LOVELY CHRISTMAS WREATHS

http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-decorations/christmas-wreaths/

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FELT DECORATION

Dimensional Felt Ornament

This holiday decoration may look complicated, but it's very simple to make.  Plus it's nice and lightweight so it will hang beautifully from trees, wreaths or garland.  A group of them in a range of colours would make a lovely mobile!

Materials Needed:

Cardstock

1 sheet of stiffened felt

Scraps of wool or acrylic felt

Water-soluble fabric marker

Scissors

Sewing machine

Hand-sewing needle and thread

Tacky glue

Scrap of embroidery floss

Cotton swab (optional)

Template (http://cdn.makezine.com/make/craft/felt_ornament_template.pdf)

Directions:

Step 1:  Download the ornament template and print it onto cardstock.  Or, if you prefer, create a shape of your own and draw it on cardstock.  Cut the shape out.  Use a water-soluble marker to trace this shape onto the felt four times.  Cut the four pieces out carefully, so your shapes are as alike as possible.

Step 2:  Stack these shapes up, matching all the edges.  Use the water-soluble marker to draw a line down the centre of the topmost piece.  (I've drawn this line boldly so it shows up in the photo - your line should be more subtle.)

Step 3:  On a sewing machine, sew through all eight layers, following the line you drew in Step 2.  If your ornament shape has points at the top and/or bottom, like this one does, you'll probably find it easiest to begin sewing in the centre, and stitch out toward each point.

Step 4:  Gently fold the pieces along this seam to open them up a little.

Step 5:  Cut some ½-inch-wide strips of wool or acrylic felt.  If you're using the provided template, you'll need eight strips, each 6-inches long.

Step 6:  Thread a hand-sewing needle, and knot the thread.  Roll the first felt strip up tightly with your fingers.  When you've rolled it up completely, sew the end of the strip down with a tiny whipstitch.  Repeat this process with the remaining seven felt strips.

Step 7:  Take the first felt spiral, and apply glue to the back edges as shown.

Step 8:  Carefully place the spiral between two layers of the ornament, making sure the glue comes in contact with the felt.  Repeat this process with the other seven felt spirals, taking care to line them up with each other.  Allow the glue to dry.

Step 9:  Thread a scrap of embroidery floss on a needle.  Pass the needle through the top of the ornament as shown.  Tie a knot in the floss to create a hanger.

Step 10:  If your ornament has any stray marks from the water-soluble marker, clean them up with a moistened cotton swab.

Variation - 2-Color Spiral

If you want to add a little more visual interest to your ornament, try making the spirals with two colours.  Start with 8 (½-inch-wide) felt strips, but cut them about half as long as you'd normally use for this ornament.  (If you're using the provided template, then cut your strips about 3-inches long.)

Step 1:  Place the two strips together so they're a little offset.

Step 2:  Begin rolling the spiral from the topmost strip, catching the bottom one as you roll.

Step 3: Stitch down both ends of the felt strips, using a tiny whipstitch.

Author:  Diane Gilleland

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AND YET ANOTHER LINK FOR CHRISTMAS CRAFT

http://www.kidspot.com.au/subsection+117+Christmas-Christmas-crafts.htm

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ANOTHER CRAFT LINK

http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/homemade-christmas-gifts/

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SHARING A LINK FOR SOME LOVELY CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

http://christmas.xeweb.com/craftindex.htm

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WINE CORK CHRISTMAS TREE

It is a shame that most wines now come with a screw cap - but this is a good use for those who have been "tippling" and collecting corks for years.

It could look lovely sprayed white and sprinkled with glitter.

Love and hugs,

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ANGELS MADE FROM USED CHRISTMAS CARDS

These are fairly easy to make and look lovely.

How to Make Angels out of Recycled Christmas Cards

You can use recycled Christmas cards to make little angel decorations.

With a little creativity and some supplies you probably already have around the house, those old Christmas cards you've saved year after year can make great new Christmas decorations. You can use recycled Christmas cards to make little angel decorations that stand by themselves and can be used as table decorations or Christmas tree ornaments, and can be added to a Christmas wreath or to the top of a Christmas gift. They are also a great classroom activity for students.

Things You'll Need:

• 1 or 2 Christmas cards per angel
• Yarn
• Wooden beads
• Gold or silver pipe cleaners
• Circle template
• Glue
• Decorative accessories

Trace a perfectly round circle onto the front of a Christmas card, using the bottom of a soup can or other circle template. Carefully cut the circle out, and then cut it in half, making two equal half circles.
Fold one of the half circles into a cone shape, and glue it at the back. To make sure the glue holds, staple it or overlap the edges a bit.
Place the other half circle on a flat surface in front of you. Starting at the straight edge, fold it accordion style, as you would a paper fan. Make the pleats as large or small as you wish. Unfold and pinch it in the center. Glue the wings to the angel's back.
Use fine-tipped permanent markers to draw a face on the wooden bead.
Create hair from the yarn, then glue the hair to the top of the wooden bead. Glue the bead to the top of the cone, making sure the face is facing the front of the angel's skirt.
Make a halo from silver or gold pipecleaners and attach it to the angel's head.
Decorate her body with glitter, sequins or other accessories of your choice.
Add a loop of yarn to the back of the angel if you want to hang the angel from a tree.

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A VERY EASY TABLE CENTRE

Sharing a picture of my very easy table centre decoration

just a beautiful big bowl filled with christmas balls and pine cones.

Love and hugs,

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DISPLAYING CHRISTMAS CARDS

I have been displaying my Christmas cards on a metal frame but they kept falling off when the wind blew in through the door or the fan was on - so I have gone back to something I used to use (and had kept too),

I am using a "wall hanging" type thing with just a piece of Christmas Fabric sewn with a channel top and bottom to hold a piece of dowel then with a ribbon added at the top to hang and a decoration I am all set.  

As my cards arrive I pin them on to the fabric with ordinary dressmaking pins - no more falling cards and I am left with a lovely collage of Christmas Pictures.

Here is a photograph for you.

I am happy with the effect of that - and have got rid of the Card frame - so there you go - no hoarding stuff I no longer need.

Love and hugs,

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WELCOME ADVENT

I have just hung my Advent Wreath on my front door and am attaching a photograph for you.

An inset of the detail - there is a star, Santa, angel, gingerbread man, Christmas tree and snowman at different parts of the wreath.

Having had a close look at it this will be it's last year in the current format because the weather has affected the cookie cutters on there and it is time to be revamped.  It has served us well and will be missed.

I doubt that I will get to it for this season - although you never know I may just take it on a whim and get it done.

Have a wonderful day.

Love and hugs,

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A GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Good Morning - today I am sharing a link with you that will take you to a beautiful interactive Gingerbread House -if you have little ones in your life they will love spending time decorating the house.

They are able to put Candy Canes, Jelly Beans etc. on the house - just a click and drag system.

I think it is lovely and have already sent it on to Grace and Henry.

http://www.jennybharris.com/activities/home/sweethome.htm

Love and hugs,

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Paperback Snowman

Copyright © 2007-2008 Jane Lake All Rights Reserved

There are lots of pages to fold in this recycled paperback snowman craft - but the work is easy and goes quickly. 

Supplies:

§                                 paperback book of at least 400 pages

§                                 white spray paint

§                                 styrofoam ball for the head

§                                 three black pom poms or buttons

§                                 cardboard cup cut from an egg carton

§                                 circle of cardboard to glue to the base

§                                 scraps of white, red and black felt

§                                 two chenille stems

§                                 fabric, yarn or fleece to use as a scarf

§                                 small scrap of orange craft foam or felt for nose

§                                 black beads for mouth and eyes

§                                 white craft glue

Paperback Snowman

Body:
1. Choose a paperback book with a strong spine and remove the front and back covers. Cut down the spine with a utility knife, separating about 200 pages (or slightly more, as some may come loose) to make half of the snowman body.

2. Open the 200 page book section at the halfway point. Begin folding as shown in the photo (upper right). On the first page of the right side, bring the upper right hand point down toward the spine, creating a right angle. Bring the lower right hand point up toward the spine, so that it meets the former fold. This will leave a slight angle between the lower section and the spine and therefore a flat line at the base area. Repeat with all pages on the right. 

3. Repeat step 2 on the left hand side, reversing the angles. This will complete one half of the snowman body, as shown in the photo below.

4. Take another 200 pages of the paperback book and repeat steps 2 and 3 to make the second half of the snowman body.

5. Glue together the two halves that you have just made to make a complete circular snowman's body.

6. Turn the body upside down and measure the diameter of the base. Cut a cardboard circle to fit, then glue the circle to the bottom of the base.

7. Paint the snowman body with white spray paint. It will take several coats to paint the body completely.

Head:

1. Cut a small flat piece off the bottom of a styrofoam ball.

2. Push black beads into the styrofoam to form the mouth and eyes. Poke a small hole into the styrofoam for each bead, dip the bead in white glue, then press into the hole. See our photo for details.

3. Cut a small triangle of orange craft foam or felt and glue in place as the nose.

3. Cut a cardboard segment from an egg carton and paint it black. Glue this to a circle of black felt to make the hat. Glue the hat in place on top of the styrofoam head.

4. Glue the flat bottom of the styrofoam ball to the top of the snowman's body.

Arms:

1. Twist two chenille stems together lengthwise to make a frame for the arms.

2. Cut a rectangle of white felt two inches wide and two inches shorter than the chenille stem. Center the chenille stem on top of the felt. Fold the felt in half over the length of the chenille stem. Run a bead of glue along both long inner edges of the felt. Press the glued edges together until the glue holds to form the sleeve.

3. Cut four small mitten shapes from red felt. Glue two mitten pieces together, over one end of the chenille stem. Repeat on the other side to make the snowman's hands.

4. Bend the arms in slight curve. Apply glue to the inside center section and press in place at the top back of the snowman's body, just below the back of the head.

Finishing:

Glue three black pom poms or buttons down the front of the snowman. Tie a scarf around the snowman's neck (this can be made from your choice of ribbon, fabric or yarn).

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PAPERBACK CHRISTMAS TREE

Paperback Christmas Tree

Supplies:

§                                 paperback book

§                                 wooden star

§                                 gold, silver or green spray paint

§                                 utility knife or sharp paring knife

Paperback Christmas Tree

Project Instructions:

Choose a paperback book with a strong spine and remove the covers.

Slice the spine with a sharp knife to separate the first 30 pages. This will make the first half of the tree. 

Begin folding the pages, as shown in the Photo 1, at right. First, fold the top right corner toward the spine to form a right angled triangle.

Fold the triangle toward the spine again, as shown in Photo 2. 

The bottom edge of the page will overhang the bottom of the book.

Fold the overhanging triangle at the bottom of the book back up to form a straight line along the the bottom of page, as shown in Photo 3.

Repeat with all thirty pages and set aside.

Use the knife to slice another 30 pages from the book. Turn this section so the spine is on the right, rather than left. Repeat the steps above to create a mirror image.

Glue the two halves of the Christmas tree together and add a wooden star at the top.

Spray paint the tree all over. You may need two or three coats for complete coverage.

Copyright © 2007-2008 Jane Lake All Rights Reserved

Love and hugs,

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COFFEE MUG BOUQUET

A very easy small gift for someone who likes coffee and coffee mugs.

This project shows you how to make a fun coffee sachet bouquet with a matching coffee mug vase.

To begin with you will need some plastic leaves, you can get these by taking them off plastic flower stems found in most discount stores. If you can not find plastic ones you could make some using green paper.

Arrange your sachets and leaves into the mug and secure with tape if required to hold them in place.

Finish off by tying a bow around your coffee mug and wrapping the whole gift in cellophane.

This could be varied in many ways and would suit either men or women.  Even one could be done with cocoa/hot chocolate for a child.  A simple idea but effective.

Love and hugs,

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A LOLLY CHRISTMAS TREE

This is very simple and yet very effective and could be made using the small polystyrene cones and used as a small gift at the table along side each place setting.

This project is very easy and is a great gift, you can make them large or small depending on the family size.

Using some cardboard cut out a cone shape and stick the cone together using glue,staples or sticky tape. 

If you have a polystyrene cone then your ready to begin.

Take your wrapped lolly/Sweet and start at the bottom.

Either pin the lolly or place a small dab of hot melt onto the cone.

If you are using hot melt then place the bead of hot melt glue only on the wrapper end or the lolly will not pull away later.

Place the first row so that the end of the sweet is flush with the bottom of the cone. This will allow the cone to sit flat on a table.

Start on the next layer resting the bottom of the sweet on the top of the row below as to hide the pins or glue marks. Keep doing this until you get to the top then finish it off with a little decoration.

Love and hugs,

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