CHristmas Music ~ Joseph's Song

Nativity Story Characters ~ Joseph

Joseph gets the raw deal in my opinion.  He was a man betrothed to a woman and then he hears rumours that his wife to be is pregnant, and he knows that there is no way the child is his.  The moral code at the time meant that it was all very embarrassing.  Joseph decided to end the agreement of marriage,

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”

 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Joseph is then shunted into the sidelines.  His part in Jesus upbringing is not heavily featured in the bible.  He is also overlooked by the writers of Christmas Carols.  There are incredibly few references to him in any carol old or new.  

Joseph's role though, was basically that of step father, a role that in modern times is prevalent and given value.

Christmas Music ~ Winter Snow

Christmas Craft Tutorials ~ How to make a CHristingle

Make your own Christingle by following this tutorial

Christingle

Last night was another markerstone in the run up to Christmas, Our Christingle Services.  It is such a beautiful event. 
Every year we hold two services consecutivly for the infants and the juniors from our local school.  Both services are very well attanded by children, parents and Grandparents and lots of members of the congregation who help out with the process ensuring safety and enjoyment for everyone.
It's always the privaledge of the year 2 children to make the Christingles.
The Christingle is a visual prop for the message of Jesus. 
The orange is the world.
The red ribbon is the love that jesus showed us by his death.
The fruits and nuts are the four directions, North South East and West, the seasons and his provisions for us.
The candle signifies the light of Christ coming into the world.

Once the christingles are handed out, the children wait for someone to light their candle and then the light are turned out and you see the wonder and excitement in the childrens eyes as the candle song is sung.  It really is difficult to sing at that poing, I always feel a lump in my throat and tears brimming in my eyes.  It's a really magical moment.
After the song, there is a natural silence.  The children are just awestruck and everyone enjoys the candle light.

Last night was even more magical than usual because of the snow that fell all day leaving huge drifts and a winterland atmosphere for the walk home afterwards.  And then last night, not only did we have the snow, but several of the villagers had put up their christmas lights to twinkle us on our way.

Christmas Crafts ~

Can you believe that this is only a first attempt at a bauble wreath?  I can't, it looks great!  Made by Befacinated, you can read about how it came into being.

Christmas Music ~ O come, O come Emmanuel

Advent Sunday

Today is Advent Sunday (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) it's the time when Christians celebrate the first coming of Christ and look forward to the second coming.

Each Sunday one of the outer candles is lit and then on Christmas Day, the central candle is also lit.

Christmas Music ~ White Christmas

Colours Of Christmas ~ White

White is a symbol of purity.  It's associated with Christmas because of the purity and innocence of Jesus.

It is also considered to be special if snow falls on Christmas day and covers the place in a shroud of white.

Bing crosby's famous White Christmas is one of the most recorded Christmas Songs of all time.

With the modern interior, white is perfect for Christmas colour scheme.  

Christmas weddings often have this sort of Narnia look, with white trees and branches decorating the tables.

Christmas Crafts ~ Wooden Christmas Tree

I am in love with this beautiful wooden tree that is made from Scottish hardwood by Dach Crafts.  The tree is formed by the greeting given by the angels to the Shepherds " Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men"  The intricacy is amazing.

Christmas Music ~ Mary did you know?

Nativity Story Characters ~ Mary

Mary was ayoung girl, probably only around 14 years old.  Imagine her surprise when an angel appeared before her and said
" Good morning!
   You're beautiful with God's beauty,
   Beautiful inside and out!
   God be with you."
 She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.

   He will be great,
      be called 'Son of the Highest.'
   The Lord God will give him
      the throne of his father David;
   He will rule Jacob's house forever—
      no end, ever, to his kingdom."
 Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man."
 The angel answered,

   The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
      the power of the Highest hover over you;
   Therefore, the child you bring to birth
      will be called Holy, Son of God.
 ^"And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."
   And Mary said,

   "Yes, I see it all now:
      I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.
   Let it be with me
      just as you say.
   Then the angel left her."

After going to visit her realtive Elizabeth, Mary said,
"   I'm bursting with God-news;
      I'm dancing the song of my Savior God.
      God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
      I'm the most fortunate woman on earth!
   What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
      the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
   His mercy flows in wave after wave
      on those who are in awe before him.
   He bared his arm and showed his strength,
      scattered the bluffing braggarts.
   He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
      pulled victims out of the mud.
   The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
      the callous rich were left out in the cold.
   He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
      he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
   It's exactly what he promised,
      beginning with Abraham and right up to now. "

Colours Of Christmas ~ Silver

As a child I grew up with a silver tinsel Christmas Tree.  It was beautiful (in the eyes of a small child) Sparkley and shiney.  Of course, it eventually went out of fashion and our family moved on to embrace the "real tree's"
Silver is a colour long associated with Christmas and is probably derived from the sparkiling effect of snow and ice.

Vintage silvered glass decorations

Nativity Story Characters ~ Elizabeth & Zachariah

 

church window from All Saints, Bromsgrove

Luke chapter 1 v 5~
During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old.

It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear.

But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God.

"He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God."

Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."

But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time."

Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.

When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said.

Christmas Music ~ Jesus, O what a wonderful child

Christmas Crafts ~ Copper Christmas Tree

I love this copper brooch created from coppper wire that has been made by Anice Lady 

Christmas Crafts ~ Christmas Pocket Cards

Bprdesigns has created this beautiful array of cards that are designed with pockets for you to insert gift, cards / vouchers and money for Christmas gifts. 

Stories of Christmas ~ The Poinsettia ~Mexico

It was Christmas Eve, all the children in the village were hurrying to attend the crib service in the church.  It was always a beautiful time.  Every one brought gifts to present to the Christ Child.
In one small hut standing on the edge of the village two young children wrapped their scarves around themselves, before they opened the door and went out into the night air.
"Hurry," the boy called to his sister, "we don't want to be late", but still the girl dawdled only, her heart was heavy and her worry was apparent to the boy.
"I am sure that the most humble gift, if given in love will be acceptable" he offered.
In despair, looking around for beautiful flowers to gather and seeing none, she picked some green weeds.  As they approached the church, she hung her head in shame as the other children giggled and parents shared knowing looks.
The people entered the church and one by one went to the front to place their gifts before the nativity, elaborate baskets of fruit and ornaments were given down.  Then the whole congregation watched as the two children left their pew and took their green weeds to the front.
"Even the most humble gift, if given in love" filled her heart as she lay the weeds down. A tear trickled down her cheek and though the tears, she saw the weed burst in to star shaped flowers of the most stunning red.  The gift had been given in love and had also been recieved with  love!

Colours of Christmas ~ Red

Red is a colour long associated with Christmas.  Red is a sacred colour often associated with the Blood of Jesus Christ.  It was felt that holly was a specially blessed with it's bright red berries and this was often brought from the hedgerows and forests to decorate houses.

In 1931 Coca Cola took the figure of Santa (which had developed from Saint Nicholas  A man clad in deep green) and dressed him up in their corporate colours.  This is the figure we now most think of.

Red is a special colour that the human eye actually recognises before it sees the other colours.  So it's striking nature means we are attracted to it.

In Mexico Poinsettia's feature heavily in Christmas decorations and in the next post I'll tell you why!

Card by Shirley who sells the templates needed to create them

Another red we associate with Christmas is the red of the robins breast which is actually an orange toned red) and post boxes.  These red items are often included in designs for cards and decorations.

Card by Shirley who sells the templates needed to create them

Christmas Movies ~ Polar Express

The Colours of Christmas ~ Gold

When we first got married, we bought a new tree, and needing to remain frugal, I saved match boxes, oxo boxes and toothpaste tubes and wrapped them up in paper and then simply sprayed them all gold.  They were the start of my gold obsession and over the years, my cans of gold spray paint have come out every year to make new decorations fit in. Since the early days, a fair bit of white has also crept in and the boxes have been replaced with an assortment of other decorations.

Gold is of course one of the gifts given by the wise men in recognition of the Kingship of the baby Jesus.

Victorian style vintage bauble

Gold 3D star 

Christmas Crafts ~ Felt Decorations

When I saaw this amazing photo of lots of the beautiful felt decorations that have been made by 

Heartfelt Handmade, I just knew I had to share it with you.  Aren't they all wonderful!

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Beaded snowflakes

Christmas Crafts ~ Jolly Holly Brooch

This beatiful holly with beaded edge is fantastic.  It's been created by Buttercup Boutique. The brooch back will allow you to bring that seasonal feeling to any of your outfits.

Christmas Adverts ~ John Lewis

They've done it again, bring out the tissues!!

Operation Christmas Child ~ How to share JOY

Anyone got a tissue?
You can find more out about OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Christmas Crafts Tutorial ~ A Joy Christmas Card

Christmas Music ~ Joy To The World

Words For Christmas ~ JOY

There are several words that get an outing at Christmas.  One of them is JOY.  It's used to decorate cards, desribe Christmas and yet, I wonder whether it gets taken a bit for granted.  It's a lovely word. 
Joy is more then mere happiness.  It is intense and deep.  It can also be used in the context of being a source of happiness.   "you are a Joy to me".

Lukes Gospel tells us the greeting the Angels brought to the Shepherds;

"Do not be afraid.  I bring you news of great Joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David (Bethlehem) a savior has been born to you.  He is Christ The Lord."

Christmas Crafts ~ Hot Water Bottle

How about a festive hot water bottle all dressed in seasonal colours.  It even has a cute little pocket!  It's been created by NOTON. 

Christmas images ~ Winter scenes

Have a look at the amazing photos shown HERE.  Looks like it's gong to be a harsh winter.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Glittery Christmas Card

Sometime simplicity is stylish and this beautiful card is both simplistic and stylish.  you can find out what you need and how to make it HERE

Christmas Crafts ~ ceramic angels

These little ceramic angels are adorable.  The simplicity and detail (that sounds like a contradiction!) are perfectly matched.  They have been created by Dottery Pottery (and it has to be said that she / he/ they are turning out a whole range of wonderful decorations this year!)

Christmas Crafts ~ Gift Tags

These beautiful gift tags have been created by Chloedancer99.  They are a set of four and are made with an embossing technique.

Christmas Movies ~Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Christmas Drama ~ A Baby Changes Everything

Modern setting :

It won’t change me:

Woman:  I’m pregnant.  It’s really exciting isn’t it!  (Strokes bump lovingly)   People keep telling me that life will never be the same.  Personally, I think I’ll be able to do things in the same way as before, just take the baby along with me.  It’ll be fine. 

Ooo  Do you like me new bag?  It’s sooo cute, tiny and just enough room for a purse and keys.  Guess I’ll have to get one a little bit bigger when the baby comes. 

I’ve just finished decorating, I love my home to be tidy,  I like the minimalist look.  Everything tidied away.  I’ve got a great white leather sofa and a beautiful cream shag pile carpet.  

Having a baby?  No it won’t change me!

Man:  My wife’s pregnant.  It’s really exciting isn’t it.   Arrgghhh just look at her.  (strokes bump lovingly)  People keep telling me that life will never be the same.  Personally I think we’ll be able to do things in the same way, just take the baby along with us.  It’ll be fine.

Oooo did you hear that I’ve just bought a new sports car?  0—60 in 2.35 seconds, leather seats … it’s fantastic!

Got another party tonight as well, that’s three in the past week.  I lurve partying.

Having a baby?   No it won’t change me!

Time Passes ........

It has changed me:

Woman:  I love being a mum, look at my beautiful baby!  I didn’t think it would change me, but it has. 

Do you remember I showed you my little tiny handbag?  Well look at this (hold us bulging nappy bag)  Full to the brim it is with nappies, bottle, change of clothes, toys.  No more travelling light for me.  And you know that white sofa and cream carpet, well they won’t stay clean for long with this little one getting into everything, and as for the minimalist look, well it’s gone…  toys all over my house.

Having a baby has changed me, I love being a mum!

Man:  I love being a dad, just look at our beautiful baby!  I didn’t think it would change me, but it has.

Do you remember me telling you about my fab little sports car, well it turned out that a baby, a car seat, a buggy and the rest of the baby paraphernalia just didn’t fit in.  I’ve had to get a family car.  0—60 in 50 seconds but.. Who wants to be a boy racer with this little bundle in the car.

As for the parties, we’re both too tired.  I think we got woken up four times last night.

Having a baby has changed me, I love being a dad!

Biblical setting:

Mary’s story:

A baby certainly changed my life, My name is Mary and I’d like to share my story with you.

I was at home one day, just doing the normal stuff, sweeping, washing and cooking when all of a sudden I felt that I wasn’t quite alone.  I turned around and there he was standing in the room with me.

 “Greetings” he said, just like that… “Greetings you are truly blessed, The lord is with you.”  I was so confused, “what do you mean?, I asked. 

So  he said , "Don't be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was.

Now how strange does that sound?

“but I am not married”, I said to him.  Then he told me "The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God's power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God.  You will call him Jesus” 

If that’s what God want me to do, then I will do it, I said.

But can you imagine what happened next, you see I was engaged to Joseph.  What would my family say?   I went from being a young girl planning my wedding and my whole future to having the shock of my life and travelling miles from home to a small stable where my baby was born.  My baby, so small, so special.  I held him in my arms and wondered how it would be.

Looking back now, I can tell you so many ways in which this baby changed me.

Joseph’s story:   A baby certainly changed my life too.  My name is Joseph and I’d like to share my story with you.

I was engaged to be married to Mary, then I heard the rumours that she was pregnant.  Knowing it wasn’t my baby I began to think of ways to discreetly break up with her.  It caused me a lot of sleepless nights, then one night when I finally stopped tossing and turning, I began to dream.  In the dream an angel came to me.  “Joseph” he said.  He called me by my name “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife.  The baby she has conceived is the son of  God.  The holy Spirit has come upon her.  She will give birth to a son and he will save the people from their sins.”

I thought about the ancient scriptures that had been taught to me as a child  “A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and his name will be called Immanuel which means God is with us”.

When I woke up, everything felt better.  I went to see Mary and we were married.

Shortly afterward we travelled for the census to Bethlehem.  And that’s where our little boy was born.

As Mary held him I gazed at this beautiful baby and wondered how he would save his people from their sins.

Looking back I can tell you so many ways in which this baby changed me.

Christmas Music ~ A Baby Changes Everything

Christmas Trees ~ A Baby Changes Everything

Last Year, I discovered the wonderful Christmas Blog "A Baby Changes Everything"  The blog is written by mum and Grandma Teresa.  Her blog is a wonderful collection of stories and pictures of the houses and trees she decorates as part of her job as a gift hamper creator and house decorator.  I am just in awe at the amazing job she does with all the ribbon, bows and baubles that she puts together in such artistic ways.

I don't think you could possiby squeeze another bauble or bow on to any of these trees.  They are dressed to perfection!

Teresa's blog inspired last years Christmas day Service theme for me and I was able to use the title to write a series of dialogues which were then performed by some of our church's young people.  We also took a tree decorating them and every member of the congregation was able to decorate a bauble on the theme of Thank you for being my "friend, savior, comfort etc ..." the decorations were then carried to the front and placed on the tree.
I really want to thank Teresa for being such an inspirational person and blogging friend.

Christmas Crafts ~ In Memory of ... Ornaments

Earlier this Year, Fiona lost her younger brother.  As a mark of respect and in memory of her brother, Fiona is creating these lovely ornaments.  10% of each sale will go to The British Liver trust.  You can choose from either a Christmas Tree or a star and each ornament can be personalised with upto 4 words on the star and eight on the tree.  You can read more about it and find out how to order yours HERE

Christmas Recipe ~ Peppermint Creams Part 2

Earlier, I published the recipe for peppermint creams.  Since then I have had some additional information that I thought I would share with you:

Just a minor tip but if you replace the egg with water they taste just as nice and the bonus is they keep longer as there is no egg to go off - oh and any pregnant friends can eat them too as there is no raw egg in them.

Equally nice are orange creams, just replace the peppermint with orange flavoring and the green coloring with orange, and lemon creams with lemon flavoring and yellow coloring.

Thank you to Wendy for this information

Christmas Movies ~ The Muppets Christmas Carol

Christmas Crafts ~ Christmas Paper Robbins

I love Lou Peajeux's cute robbins.  They jave been made from assprted papers and would look lovely on a christmas tree.  They are sold as a pack of 4 birds.

Christmas Recipe ~ Peppermint Creams

Thank you to Tracey for this recipe

1 Egg white
450g/1lb Icing sugar
peppermint essence
Green food colouring (Optional)

Beat the egg white until frothy but not stiff.
Add the icing sugar (just enough to form a stiff mixture) add a few drops of peppermint essence and kneed until the colour is even.
Roll onto a lightly icing sugared surface and cut into small shapes or roll into small balls and flatten with a fork.
Place onto greaseproof paper and leave to dry out for 24 hours.

11th of the 11th ~ An act of Rememberence

Christmas Recipe ~ Candy Cane Cookies

For the non Americans among you, you can concert the measurements HERE

Christmas Music ~ Silent Night

Christmas Crafts ~ Ceramic Snowflakes

Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics  has created these beautiful plae pink ceramic snowflake decorations.  They's look great on your tree or displayed around the house.

Christmas Crafts ~ A Feature ~ Cuteable

What a lovely surprise, I have had my nativity decorations featured on the Cuteable Blog.  Thank Lyndsey, it's always a thrill to be featured!!

Christmas Scenery ~ South Cave Snow

Beautiful images from around the village where I live.
Film put together by Justin Lowe from The Enchanted Garden

Christmas Crafts ~ Handmade Christmas Tree

brilliant.  Looks so simple, but the colour matching, decoration etc are perfect.  I want one!  You can see the original post here

Christmas Crafts ~ Stained Glass Snowflake

Talk about drooling, there's a puddle forming.  This is one of the most beautiful decorations I have come across. Created in amazing purpley streaky glass by More than color's. It is also available in other colours.

Oh how I want one!!

Christmas Crafts ~ Little Wishing Star Decorations

This little chap is just one from a whole family. He's really cute and would look fab on anyones christmas tree.  He's been created by Evyy's Studio  And he may even grant your Christmas wishes.

Christmas Crafts ~ Nativity Decorations

Have you ever been so excited about something you are going to make, that you lie in bed thinking about them unable to sleep and desperate to get on with it?

That is exactly what happened to me.  I found the wooden blanks as I was tidying up (a rare occurance, I know!) and I had no idea what to do with them until I went to bed and then of course my head started thinking .... and here they are, a set of eight decorations hand painted with the nativity characters.

Each character has appropriate words from a christmas carol on the reverse.

The ornaments are painted with acrylics and are then coated with glitter varnish.

I am taking orders for them as I plan to make lots more.  Each decoration measures approx 3.5" x 1.5".

Will Google Deliver?

Last Easter I wrote the following on one of my blogs and also sent a copy to Google.  I received no comment from them. 

Dear Google
Having changed my homepage to your search bar last autumn, I watched the wonderful "google arts" as they explored many things I would otherwise have been none the wiser about.
I enjoy looking at the images and guessing what they represent before hovering my mouse over the image to reveal the answer. Occasionally I have even been curious enough to then google the subject and find out more.
As the year drew towards the close I began to look forward to seeing how you would represent the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. Initially I was a little surprised when I was greeted in the days running up to the 25th December by the mounting pile of cards and the greeting "Happy Holidays". I was waiting for Christmas day when you'd finally wish me a "Happy Christmas". After all, the shops all over the Uk, USA, Europe and much of the world were embracing it with decorations, lights, music and a frenzy of purchasing and getting together to be with the important people in their lives. After all they wish each other "Happy Christmas" even if the actuality of the occassion is lost on them.
Before going to lead the service at church on Christmas Day, I turned on the computer only to be greeted by the same "Happy Holiday" sentiment.
Now I do fully appreciate that not everyone who uses Google is a Christian or of the Christian tradition, but I have no problem being told it's Divali, Hanukah, Summer or winter solstice or any other festival of any other religion, faith or life style.
You have celebrated Confuscious and other important figures within world history and yet you can not even represent the birth of the leading figure of Christianity.
So now it is Easter and I wonder whether we can expect you to recognise the celebration of the main festival of the Christian faith. The reason we have Easter eggs, Easter chicks, and all the razzmatazz that the general population of the UK, USA, Europe and many other countries accross the world have embraced so willingly.
Sadly it would seem that you would rather have no google art than to recognise Easter.


I am waiting to see what google come up with this Christmas.  I would love it the folk at Google could wish me a "Happy Christmas" this year

Christmas Crafts ~ Christmas Tree Card

Fantastic christmas tree card created by Grannysmither who looks like she's had lots of fun with the glitter and we all know that Christmas just isn't christmas with out liberal splashing of the sparkly stuff!

Christmas Crafts ~ Embroidery Decoration

Just look at all the work that has gone into this amazing little decoration created by Sweethearts and Roses
It measures 3" and is a one off creation.

Christmas Crafts ~ Snowman Stocking

I bet Santa will enjoy filling this beautifully created stocking made by Pidgeon Stitch.  It's created from beautiful dark blue velvet, felt and features a cotton lining in contrasting cotton fabric.

Christmas Music ~ Wizards in Winter (with lights)

Christmas Crafts ~ Christmas Crochet Doily

Look at the sheer amount of work that must have gone into this lace doily.  Its been crocheted from cotton, measures 15" and can be machine washed.  Looks like the perfect centre piece for a Christmas table.  It has been created by: Doilymania

Christmas Crafts ~ Christmas Pudding cards

Another of Tip Top's fab cards, this one featuring a rather delicious christmas pudding with the most delightful sprig of holly.  You can see more of Tip Top's work HERE