Crochet stars

Another quick and simple decoration idea to fill the tree or decorate cards and gifts.  I used this 

Simple Crochet star pattern  from www.stitching-together.com.  

The pattern uses US stitch terms, for UK readers there's a useful conversion table and abbreviation list here on www.gathered.how.

The site also has a complete guide to crochet for beginners here.

Origami folded paper stars

I've made some paper stars to fill in the gaps on the Christmas tree. 

How to make Christmas woven paper stars...

Materials

Patterned paper
Ribbon
PVA Glue
Red and green ink pads
Geetings stamps
Bakers twine
Adhesive gems
Single hole punch

Instructions

These instructions are for the large star, to make the smaller sized star use paper strips 1.5cm wide and 15cm long.

All wrapped up...

Christmas 12" x 12" scrapbook paper
Christmas Paper Bows
Christmas Label stickers
Decorative Scissors - Pinking Design

1. Take a 12" x 12" sheet of scrapbook paper (preferably double sided) and bring two sides together,        wrong sides facing and stitch a seam along one edge making a tube.

How to make Christmas countdown blocks

Supplies List

Christmas themed red and green patterned paper, like First Edition - The Gift of Christmas
Kraft coloured card
Paper trimmer
Bone folder for scoring
Strong glue


1. For the two number blocks, cut card to measure 25 x 6 cm and score and fold at 6, 12, 18, and 24 cm.  Add glue to the 1cm flap forming 4 sides of the cube.

2. For the top and bottom of the cube, cut 2 squares of card to measure 8 x 8 cm, score at 1 cm on all 4 sides, cut diagonally across each corner, and secure in place by adding glue to all 4 flaps

3. Select a quirky font (I used AR Christy) on your pc and print the numbers for each cube on patterned paper.  You need to have 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on one cube and 0, 1, 2, 7, 8 and either 6 or 9 on the other cube.

4. Trim each number to measure 5.5 x 5.5 cm square, stick to the cubes and ink the edges with a brown coloured ink pad.

5. For the base block cut card to measure 25 x 21 cm, score and fold the long side at 3, 11, 14, and 22 cm, and at 3 and 18 cm at the shortest side.

6. Snip the folds to where they along the long sides and add glue to the flaps to form a box

7. Print ‘Days ‘til Christmas’ on patterned paper, trim to fit the front of the base block and stick in place.

8. Finish by covering the top and sides of the block with patterned paper.

For more Christmas crafting ideas checkout my DIY Xmas board on Pinterest

It's time for some Christmas crafting...

Featured in Quick Cards Issue 172

If you're keen to get crafting for Christmas then you'll be pleased to hear that the special Christmas edition of Quick Cards is in the shops now.  It's packed with over 100 card making ideas, as well as a fancy festive wreath, some gorgeous gift wrapping and a fantastic free gift - a pop-up box card kit.

How to make Tartan baubles...

Bored with last years baubles?  Tree looking bare?  Here's a quick and easy bauble idea.  Cut 2 cm wide strips of fabric.  Preferably cut diagonally across the bias of the fabric to make them stretchy.
Then simply wrap the strips around a polystyrene foam ball until it's completely covered, securing each end of the strip with glue.
Make a hanger with a length of narrow ribbon pinned into the foam ball with a pin.

The tartan I've used is Culloden Ancient Light Weight from Lochcarron of Scotland .   You can visit their website on this link and feast your eyes on their huge range of tartans on their tartan finder page.

Disclaimer:  I was gifted the tartan by Lochcarron of Scotland but wasn't paid to write this post.   Opinions and content are my own.

Chalk Pens offer code...

I've been sent some chalk pens for free from Chalkola.  I've had a quick try of them decorating these chalkboard baubles from Hobbycraft.  I found they work better than traditional dusty chalk, There's much more staying power but the chalk can still be easily erased with a wet cloth.  I haven't tried any other chalk pens so cannot compare or review them properly.
Check them out for yourself on the Chalkola Website http://www.chalkola.com/

They're available to buy from Amazon, both sets include a white pen.

Pack of 10 Neon Colour Markers - 6mm Bullet Tip

Pack of 8 Earth Colour Markers - 6mm Bullet Tip

As well as the free chalkboard markers I was sent an offer code to share with my followers so if you'd like some then feel free to use this offer code (valid at time of writing) that gives you 20% discount on Chalkola products.

20% Off on Amazon - Coupon Code -> 20OFFSTR

For ideas to use chalk pens and chalkboard paint checkout my Chalkboard Art board on Pinterest

Disclaimer:  I was gifted these pens and voucher by Chalkola for free.  I was under no obligation to write this post and didn't or will not receive any payment or commission.  Opinions and images are my own.

Christmas Cardmaking tricks with basic craft supplies...

Featured in  issue 132 of Quick Cards Made Easy

Working against the clock to finish your Christmas cards?  Supplies running low ? Worry no more I've three card designs to share that are all made with just basic supplies that most card makers will have in their craft box.
Two pearl buttons, a piece of bakers twine and paper scraps become a cute little snowman that's dressed to impress.

Featured in issue 118 of Quick Cards Made Easy

Bakers twine, gems and sequins become a sparkling Christmas tree.

Featured in issue 43 of Craftseller 

Ribbon bows and punched paper circles become stylish 3D baubles.

How to make tartan Christmas decorations...

These rustic Christmas tree decorations are so simple to make. Stitch them by hand, with a sewing machine or for the no-sew option, stick them with fabric glue or iron-on hemming tape.

First make a triangular template from card, lay it on your fabric and cut out two triangles.

Place one on top of the other and pin in place trapping a short piece of ribbon at the top for a hanger.

Stitch/stick together leaving a small opening to put in the stuffing and cinnamon stick. Cut back the seam allowance with pinking shears.

Place a small amount of stuffing and a cinnamon stick inside and stitch up the opening.

This beautiful tartan fabric is Culloden Ancient Light Weight from Lochcarron of Scotland .   You can visit their website on this link and feast your eyes on their huge range of tartans on their tartan finder page.

For more tartan craft ideas check out my Tartan Talk Pinterest board

Disclaimer:  I was gifted this fabric by Lochcarron of Scotland but wasn't paid to write this post.   Opinions and content are my own.

Christmas cardmaking colour tricks...

Featured in Quick Cards Issue 146

Bored of the traditional Christmas red and green?  Why not be brave and try something new this year. Basically anything goes, just use a strong Christmas motif in your design and there'll be no mistaking the occasion.

But if you're not quite ready to give up on the red and green palette completely. Then go for an updated take on the classic combo with hot pink and vivid green.

Papercraft Penguins...

Keep the kids entertained with a game of penguin skittles.  See how you can make them in issue 146 of Quick Cards Made Easy, it's in the shops now or you can buy online in paper or digital format.

Free Xmas dies with PaperCrafter...

I made these with the Christmas tree and snowflake die free with 

issue 88 of  PaperCrafter magazine.

Gingerbread House cards...

More inspiration for some Christmas crafting, a little taster of the gingerbread house cards I made for for Quick Cards magazine (issue 145) it's in shops now, or you can buy online in paper or digital format.

Christmas Crafting Product Pick...

The 'Holly Jolly' collection from Kaisercraft is my product pick for Christmas 2015.
I had the pleasure of working with it for a feature in Issue 87 of PaperCrafter magazine, it's in the shops now.  Here are just three of the ten cards I made, check out this link to the PaperCafter magazine website to see two more.

Two Speedy Christmas Cards

Budget Makes with Baker's Twine...

Are you ready for some Christmas crafting?  Here's a little taster of my budget makes with baker's twine for Quick Cards magazine (issue 144) it's in shops now, or you can buy online in paper or digital format.

Christmas Papers from PaperCrafter...

I made these with the fabulous Christmas papers available from PaperCrafter magazine you can download them for free on their blog.  What will you make?

Gift wrapping with scrapbook paper...

The lights are up and the shopping is done, now it's time to wrap the gifts.  Sharing some inspiration I found on Pinterest for wrapping those small awkwardly shaped gifts, each make requires just one sheet of 12 x 12" scrapbook paper.

A gift box - great size for homemade cookies or sweets

A clutch bag - for jewellery or cosmetics

A small square gift pouch - for a gift card or cash

Papers: MME Sleigh Bells Ring

Card making for a #diyxmas...

The Christmas countdown is on, but there's no need to panic, there's still time to have a #diyxmas

There's nothing quite like making your own cards, gifts and decorations at Christmas time.  But it can seem a bit daunting when you're faced with such an array of  products in the craft stores and time is running out.

Just by keeping your design clean and simple you can have a batch of handmade cards in around an hour, less time than it will take you to go to the shops.  Even a card making novice can create a unique and stylish handmade card in no time at all.

First, and most important, gather your supplies

A6 white card blanks.
patterned paper, wrapping paper or last year's Christmas cards
Double sided tape runner
PVA glue
Sequins
Felt hearts

1.  Cut paper into strips about 1.5cm wide and varying lengths.

2.  Assemble a tree by arranging 5 strips of paper on the front of the card.

The trick to this design is that the paper strips are not placed perfectly straight on the card front, giving it a quirky and contemporary feel.

3. When you're happy with the arrangement stick the strips to the card front.

4.  Then stick 3 sequins on the tree and a felt heart on the top.  Use a strong glue like PVA so they don't fall off in post.

In the run up to Christmas Preloved are sharing tips and tutorials so that you can give your Christmas that personal touch.

You can find out more about the Preloved #diyxmas campaign on

Facebook
Twitter
Preloved Blog

Paper folded Christmas stars...

My tree had a few gaps so I've made some origami stars to match these baubles and this wreath. They remind me of iced gingerbread !
Here's the easy to follow tutorial I used.

Papers: Lili of the Valley - Krafty Christmas