Crochet Bauble

In December 2014 I dug out a polystyrene ball, a small crochet hook and my embroidery threads, and started making this crochet bauble, making the pattern and stitches up as I went along. Come January, I hadn't finished it, and was in a bit of a grump with it as the sizing wasn't quite right. It then sat on the coffee table until last month, with the threads in this lovely state. I knew I just needed to get it out of the way, even if it wasn't perfect! Here it is, finished. It's certainly colourful!

Felt Rabbit Ornaments

As I have shared before, I have two beautiful bunnies, Flopsy and Toffee. I wanted to include their presence on our Christmas tree, with a bit of Christmas spirit too! I first considered making 3D polystyrene baubles, but settled on felt - I think it will last well and make nice keepsakes. Flopsy is the black rabbit, Toffee is white and brown. Their features are all hand stitches, although their whiskers are held on behind the scenes with my glue gun! Flopsy features a pair of reindeer antlers, and Toffee a little Christmas bow. I added their unique colourings to their faces using some wool roving and my needle felting kit - I think it was really effective for their subtle changes in fur.

Christmas 2015 - Treat Cones for the Tree

Like many of us, my husband likes some chocolate coins around this time of year. The thing is, I never quite know what to do with them...

Whilst reading Handmade Christmas, I saw this idea mentioned. Making little cones out of paper and hanging them from the branches of the tree - for us, it is the perfect solution!

I decorated ours a few different ways, one with glitter, one with holographic sequins, and a couple with a punched pattern, using my parchment embossing tools. I think they'll be empty fairly quickly!!

Paper Baubles

These paper baubles are quick and easy to make - especially if you have a large circle punch! A sound investment, in my opinion. I used some paper from an old book, and some metallic gold paper.

I may have been a bit lazy with the gluing on this one - I should probably touch that up! If you want a tutorial to make your own, head over to the Guardian (though I'm not sure I could cut in to a gorgeous children's picture book!)

Christmas 2015 - Pinecone Gnome

This is another little project that I am so pleased to have completed. I think most family trees have a little gnome made from a pinecone and some felt! I used a small pinecone, a felt ball, some scraps of purple felt and a little silver bell. The hat, bell and eyes are handstitched, though for the most part I went the lazy glue gun route! I also made the cord I used to hang him from - I'm hoping to show you how in a Tried & Tested Tip next year...! I think this little fella sits right at home on our tree :)

Christmas Decoration Planning!

Oh gosh, I have so many half finished or secret projects to share with you. I will get round to it! In previous years I have enjoyed making lists of plans for Christmas decorations, even if there are always some I don't get round to! I'm feeling very festive and also quite organised this year, so hopefully I have lots of time for some more Christmassy projects!!

If you've been following me on Facebook, you will have seen my Nativity coming together at last! I still need to attach all the eyes, and I have a box ready to turn into a barn!

I am also making an... alternative nativity?! Basically a little Christmassy scene! I already have 2 reindeer, and I want to add snowmen, Mr and Mrs Claus, fairies, penguins...

these... Crochet Christmas Trees

From Annaboo's House

  

and these... Crochet Christmas Trees

From Little Woollie

  

 and erm, these... Crochet Christmas Trees

From YarnFreak

  

 Some crochet elves, maybe based on Berg the Christmas Elf

From Kim Lapsley

Still on my list from previous years...

Beaded Snowflakes

 From Christmas Projects [also, 3D ones]

  

 I have had a couple of fiddles with these during the year, and have yet to work out if I can make them 3D... I will keep trying!

Paper Baubles

From The Guardian

  

 Crochet Star

 From ATERGcrochet

Crochet Bauble

From ATERGcrochet

Kusudama

From Folding Trees

3D Crochet Stars

From Little Woollie

  

Other Decorations
This collection of origami stars!
A crochet christmas pudding?
Paper chains.
Dried oranges - I like doing this every year with cinnamon.
Wrap wool round shapes, e.g. stars and hearts, use several different colours at once.
Wrap strands of thread and beads round shapes.
Instead of tinsel, have strands of beads and sparkly stars.
 A death star ornament I designed last year, but never made...
Felt gingerbread men, maybe as a garland?

I think I need to go digging through my wool collection!

3D Snowflakes

So, err, I got a bit behind on blogging again, woops! I have been sharing lots of sneak peeks over on my Facebook page though, so do pop over there for more!

 [For those wondering, I have a vast (read: hundreds) collection of cuddly toys. Included in this picture are a Pudsey bear and a dinosaur made by my Mum, a teddy made by my sister, and a cuddly bee and a little artist made by me in my knitting days!]

On my previous Christmas Craft Wish List, you may have noticed these 3D Snowflakes by IngThings. Well... I got round to making some! And may have slightly fallen in love...

For now, I just have a few brightening up our bedroom, but one day... Oh, one day I can imagine a year round feature wall of these in all different sizes, it would be so stunning. The husband and I have wildly different styles, but now and again they meet in the middle, and this is something we can both agree on! :)

Christmas Banner

You may remember earlier this year I made a series of Happy Birthday banners? Well while I was at it, I also made this Christmas banner! It was lovely to pick out an assortment of wintery colours and textures of paper and card - some shimmery, shiny, sparkley, mottled and textured...  Basically what my winter wonderland is filled with :) I was tempted to do another in red and green, and I still might, but not quite yet...

Christmas Decorations - Looking to 2013

As I mentioned in my Christmas Decorations 2012 round up, there were a lot of projects left on my to do list that I simply wasn't able to tackle, some even being left from previous years! Let's have a look...

3D Snowflakes

From Ing-Things

Crochet Christmas Trees

From Annaboo's House

Beaded Snowflakes

 From Christmas Projects [also, 3D ones]

Paper Baubles

From The Guardian

Crochet Christmas Trees

 From little woollie (which also make me think of piles of granny circles stacked into a tree...)

Crochet Star

 From ATERGcrochet

Crochet Bauble

From ATERGcrochet

Kusudama

From Folding Trees

Other Decorations
This collection of origami stars!
Crocheted robins, Christmas puddings, snowmen heads and Father Christmas heads.
A nativity scene! I think I've changed my mind from this one to this one :)
Paper chains.
Dried apple as well as oranges.
Spray snow on the windows over snowflake shapes.
Wrap wool round shapes, e.g. stars and hearts, use several different colours at once.
Wrap strands of thread and beads round shapes.
Instead of tinsel, have strands of beads, strands of sparkly stars, strands of felt balls, and lengths of ribbon.

Christmas Decorations - 2012 Round Up!

All the way back in November I shared the list of decorations I hoped to make for Christmas. I knew I wouldn't complete them all, and it certainly wasn't helped by my constant additions! But I will focus on the things I haven't done in another post. For now? Here's a summary of what I have accomplished :D [Click on the pictures to view the original post. If you're having any issues viewing the images - it seems to be playing up today - try hard refreshing the page :) ]

R2D2 Christmas Stocking

My husband loved it, thankfully! Though amusingly he didn't realise I'd made it until I told him later... I think that's a compliment! :)

Simple Christmas Invites

Letterpress Christmas Cards

Felt Heart Ornaments

Clay Ornaments

Origami Star Garland

Stick Trees

Crochet Granny Stars

Crochet Owl Decorations

Felt Christmas Tree Decorations

 Crochet Granny Tree Garland

I also made a gingerbread biscuit garland, but didn't have a chance to photograph it!

And if you want to see even more, why not have a look at my Christmas section, filled with everything I made the previous year, too!

Christmas Tree VIII: Next Year!

Happy Boxing Day!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas day. I had a great time with my family and in laws, but have now been put on bed rest to recover - not so great for my always-wanting-to-be-doing-something self!

It does however give me time to share with you the things that didn't make it onto our tree/into our home this year. Various projects I spied, but just wasn't able to make in time. Hopefully next year!

3D Snowflakes

From Ing-Things

These are made with simple paper folding and cutting - I love that they are 3D though!

Crochet Christmas Trees

From Annaboo's House

I love these little trees, and the possibilites are endless!


Beaded Snowflakes

 From Christmas Projects

I actually first saw these on a friend's Facebook, but various designs are all over the internet! I love how simple and sparkly they are, and I can't wait to make some :) These 3D ones are also simply stunning!

Crocheted robins, and Christmas puddings, Snowmen heads and Father Christmas heads also float round in my brain - oh, the possibilities! It's also time to start planning a potential nativity scene for next year...

What projects have you seen this year that you'd love to make? I'd love to see :)

See what else is on my Christmas Tree!

Christmas Tree I: Crochet Snowman

Christmas Tree II: Orange and Grapefruit Slices

Christmas Tree III: Crochet Snowflakes

Christmas Tree IV: Star Wars Snowflakes

Christmas Tree V: Glittery Felt Balls

Christmas Tree VI: Angel Bunny 

Christmas Tree VII: The Finished Tree
Christmas Tree VIII: Next Year!