Craft Tutorial ~ How to make Papier Mache

Easy to follow, step by step instructions to make strong, long lasting papier mache

Here

Christmas Music ~ Angels Singing

Sing Choirs Of Angels

 
Today I would like to introduce you to a whole host of Christmas angels.  They are all one of a kind and have been lovingly handmade.  Their personalities shine through.  They can be clicked on to take you to where they are for sale.  More to come in the next few weeks.

 

 

 

 

Tell Me Your story

I love to hear your stories and I have decided that for my latest giveaway, I'd like you to submit an account (only needs to be short ~ unless you want to wax lyrical!).  You can submit yours through the comments box on This post and read the details here.  There are gifts for a randomly selected winner

Christmas Music ~ Thorns In The Straw

This is a modern Carol written by Graham Kendrick, The lyrics are beautiful and yet poignant.
Since the day the angel came
It seemed that everything had changed
The only certain thing
Was the child that moved within
On the road that would not end
Winding down to Bethlehem
So far away from home

Just a blanket on the floor
Of a vacant cattle-stall
But there the child was born
She held him in her arms
And as she laid him down to sleep
She wondered - will it always be
So bitter and so sweet

And did she see there
In the straw by his head a thorn
And did she smell myrrh
In the air on that starry night
And did she hear angels sing
Not so far away
Till at last the sun rose blood-red
In the morning sky 

Then the words of ancient seers
Tumbled down the centuries ...
A virgin shall conceive...
God with us... Prince of Peace
Man of Sorrows - strangest name
Oh Joseph there it comes again
So bitter yet so sweet

And as she watched him through the years
Her joy was mingled with her tears
And she'd feel it all again
The glory, and the shame
And when the miracles began
She wondered, who is this man
And where will this all end

'Til against a darkening sky
The son she loved was lifted high
And with his dying breath
She heard him say 'Father forgive'
And to the criminal beside
"Today-with me in Paradise"
So bitter yet so sweet

Christmas Decoration ~ Embroidered Nativity

Nativity Decoration available from Ra Ra Bazaar

Christmas Decoration ~ Quilted Bauble

This quilted bauble has been made by Abbigale.  I love the blue and gold together.

Christmas Decorations ~ Button Bauble

How cute is this button encrusted bauble created by Button Up Boutique.

Christmas Decorations ~ Hand Blown Baubles

These baubles are hand made by Corrina Field.  They can be made in colours of your choice.  they look amazing and as many people of the folksy forums have pointed out, they'd look great displayed all year round.

Look how beautiful they look displayed on an Ikea stand.

Giveaway

Don't forget to tell me your favourite Christmas Memory to be in with a chance of winning some wonderful handmade christmas goodies

Christmas Star ~ The Star Carol

Christmas Star ~ Glass and Wood

Perfect for Christmas evenings, these tea light holders are made from oak with glass star inserts.

They have been made by AllenCrafts

Christmas Star ~ Ceramic

I love this cute little ceramic star decoration created by Cat's Ceramics Handmade.  it has a frosty blue glaze.

Christmas Star ~ Stained Glass Star

Beautiful Glass Stars to hang on your tree or in your window created by Reflections In Glass

The Christmas Star

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod's kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him."

When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"

 ^5-6They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: 

   It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land, 
      no longer bringing up the rear. 
   From you will come the leader 
      who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel."

Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship."

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

Joy To World

Don't forget The Giveaway

I am having a giveaway.  Don't forget to tell me your Christmas Story to be in with a chance to win

Christmas Joy ~ Card

I chose this card as an item for "What do you like most on the shop" on folksy. it's been made by Art With a Heart.

Christmas Joy ~ Stained Glass

This beautiful Joy suncatcher has been created by Joy Of Glass.  I love the jewell tones that have been used.

Christmas JOY ~ Bunting

This lovely Christmas bunting has been created by Tamara Jayne using card and paper

Christmas Joy

One of my favourite words associated with Christmas Time is the word JOY.  It's a word that was used by the Angels as they brought the news to the shepherds

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people"

Scent Your Home For Christmas

Here are some lovely ideas to Scent your home with out using manufactured fragrances.  They are on Re-Nest

300th Post Giveaway

To celebrate my 300th post on Christmas Creative I am announcing a giveaway.
The winner will receive a selection of Christmas decorations and goodies from my Christmas shop
To be entered, all you have to do is follow this blog leave a comment on this post about your best Christmas memories.  The draw will be made on 30th October at 5pm.
Open to All the world!

The Holly and The Ivy

Stained Glass Holly Wreath

This amazing glass holly wreath has been created by Raven's stained glass

It would look wonderful as the feature piece in any Christmas display.

Beaded Poinsettia Votive Candle Sleeve

Whilst browsing some amazing crafts on Folksy this morning, I came across this lovely beaded votive sleeve.  It's been created by Creative Treasures and features beaded Poinsettias.

The Poinsettia Story

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!

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Poinsettia

The instructions and step by step photos for this stunning poinsettia design can be found on Craft Fairy Design Blog

Lego Nativity Story

Decorate Your Tree ~ Recycle it!

This is a post in the series Decorate Your Tree

Fill milk carton tops with glitter or sequins.  Make a small hole and thread string through.

Use Roslets tutorial for recyling fizzy drink cans to make a great garland

Wrap oxo boxes, toothpste tubes and match boxes up with wrapping paper to hang on the tree.

Use twigs and wool or string to make God's Eyes.  You can make tiny ones using cocktail sticks or cotton buds. (see tutorial HERE)

Christmas Music ~ O Come Let Us Adore Him

Decorate Your Tree ~ Jesus Is ...

Part of the Decorate Your Tree series.

 

At the top of your tree place a wooden cross

 

Cut out red felt hears and make a small hole at the top thread through ribbon.

Create some cardboard or wooden signs.  Add wire hanger and add words that describe Jesus

Use Jaci Valesquez song Jesus Is for inspiration.

You're my best friend
In spite of flaws
I can't believe You're always there
You hear my prayers

You are my rock
You harbor truth
I can see Your light shine everywhere
It's all around me

You never judge me for my faults
Your love is unconditional
Without You I don't know where I'd be

Jesus is
The sweet, sweet love of my soul
Jesus is
The only thing making me whole
He's everything to me
All I desire to be
That's what Jesus is
That's what Jesus is

Sweet comforter
You ease my mind
Always beside me constantly
You never leave me

And You know me, oh, so well
Better than I know myself
And Your word is all that I believe

Jesus is...

You're the spark of heaven's light
The stars that shine at night
Here with You it feels like home

Jesus is
Jesus is
The healer of my heart when it breaks
Jesus is
Forgiveness when I make a mistake
He's all that I believe
He's everything I need
That's what Jesus is

Jesus is ...

He's all that I believe
He's every breath I breathe
That's what Jesus is
That's what my Jesus is 

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Embroidered decorations

These cute little emroidered Christmas decorations are easy to create with basic sewing skills

 You will need

Wooden curtain rings with screw eye top

Aida Favric

Embroidery needle and threads

Bostik or other clear fabric to wood glue

Pencil

Scissors

Place ring onto Aida. Use a pencil to draw lightly around the inside of the ring

Remove the ring and lightly draw design into the circle.( you could do christmas tree, robin, candle etc)

 Sew the design

 Cut around the circle leaving a border around the edge of about 0.5cm

 Apply glue as shown by the yellow dots.  (Please note the glue used is clear and the yellow is purely for demonstration)

Hold the design and place into the ring.  make surre the design is vertical.

 Push the fabric into the ring from the back.  do this evenly so that the deisn stands slightly proud (see below)

 Allow the glue to dry and then add ribbon.

you can make these yourself or purchase  them from the Christmas store at Beads By Design

Christmas Music ~ Angels We Have Heard On High

Decorate Your Tree ~ All Angels

Another post in the series Decorating Your Tree

Angels played an important role in the Nativity story.  They were God's messengers who brought the news to Mary and Joseph and they were the ones to bring "Glad Tidings" to the shepherds

Angels tree is heavily into the colour scheme, white, gold and silver.

Template for angel from CBeebies

I love these cute little angles ~ Tutorial HERE

Use paper plates to make these

Beautiful Coffee Filter Angels ~ Tutorial HERE

A great excuse to open the wine!

see more HERE

You could also add plaques with sentiments such as 

"Do Not Be Afraid"

"I bring you tiding of Great Joy"

"The Lord Has Found Favour With You"

"Take Mary To Be Your Wife"

"A Saviour Has Been Born"

"You Will Find Him Lying In A Manger"