Christmas Music ~ The first Nowell

Joy

The perfect word for Christmas.  JOY.  The feeling over overwhelming pleasure.  A feeling that happens in the Nativity story when the shepherds and wise men gaze at the new born King.
You can find out more about this Funky Mosaics creation by clicking HERE

The Nativity Story

Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus

Angels brought the message to the shepherds that a saviour had been born

Wise men from the East came seeking the newborn king

They came to Bethlehem and found the baby lying in a manger and they worshipped him.

These nativity figures have been individually painted ad you can find more about them HERE

See The Shepherds Hurry Down To Bethlehem

I love this Shepherd Christmas card created by Diane Burton.  It's a 2D card made with a selection of card and images. The tile in the bottom corner is embossed with the "Christmas Greetings".
You can see more details HERE

Christmas Colouring Book

This fabulous image is just one of the lovely images drawn by Ghost Goose and featured in her Christmas colouring book.  This book has proved extremely popular with one client purchasing 100!

you can get your copy HERE

Open House ~ South Cave , East Yorkshire

The First Wednesday in December has become the date I always hold my open house.  This year it is Wednesday 7th December.  Hopefully the weather will be a bit kinder this year and the two foot snow drifts won't shut the world out of the village.
I'm really enjoying making Christmas decorations and this year will have loads of new styles for you to see.
it will be running from 9am until 2.45pm and then in the evening from 7pm until 9pm.
All are welcome to come and browse whilst enjoying free Christmas refreshments!

Advent Song ~ Longing For Light

A Beautiful Advent Calender Keepsake

In our house, every year we get out our beautiful advent calender book.  It is a stunning collection of tiny stories and poem books held in a beautiful advent calender book.

Inside are 25 little books all with a different story, tradition or poem about Christmas, The stopry of the poinsettia, Good King Wenseslas, snippets from Childrens classics like little women.  It's a beautiful and amazing way to spend in the build up to Christmas.  When the children are little you can read to them and as they get older, they can read with you and finally to you.

I really love the fact that unlike many advent calenders, the set also includes a special book for Christmas day with the nativity story.  It's a great culmination to the calender.  

The bnooks can all be taken out and hung on the tree with the little satin tags that are attached to each book.

If you would like to purchase one in time for your advent celebrations (there is still time) click HERE

Advent Calender ~ Cathy Sews

Here is another stunning advent calender.  This one is by Cathy Sews and features an eclectic mix of Christmas fabric pockets on a demin  background.

Advent thoughts ~ Week 1

Advent ~ A time of anticipation and Preparation

The fourth Sunday before Chrismas is the start of Advent.  This is the Churches New Year. It's a time when Christians prepare to celebrate the first coming of Jesus as a baby in a manger and also anticipate the time when he will come again.
Advent tradition in Churches includes candles which symbolise the Light of Christ coming into a dark world.
The purple candles symbolise: Prayer, Penance and Preparatory sacrifice (good works)  and the purple is also the colour of kingship whilst the rose candle lit on the third Sunday is a celebration of Gaudette day, a day of rejoicing because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of advent.
The White central candle represents Jesus Christ, Light in our darkness and this is lit on Christmas day.
The evergreens used to decorate the base are also representative.
Laurel ~ Victory over persecution and suffering
Pine, holly and yew ~ Immortality
Holly ~ reminds us of the crown of thorns that symbolise Christs death, the red berries are representative of Christs blood.

Christmas Stamps 2011

How wonderful that not only do these stamps feature images of the Christmas Story, but tthe biblical references as well.  A chance to spread the Christmas Message with your post.

Madonna and Child
Inspired by Matthew 1:23, ‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us’
The wider format of the Large stamp reveals the stable in the background.

 Baby Jesus in the Manger
Inspired by Luke 2:7, ‘And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn’.

 Shepherds visited by the Angel
Inspired by Luke 2:10, ‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people’.

Wise Men and Star
Inspired by Matthew 2:10: ‘When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy’.

Christmas Story Time ~ How The Grinch stole Christmas by Dr Seuss

My favourite Christmas Story of all.

Make A Peg Advent Calender

Handmade Advent Calenders ~ Quilted

I love this snowman advent calendar created by Lilac elephant.  it contains pockets to put small gifts sweets, or messages in. 50 71 cms.
You can find more details HERE 

The Lego Tree At St Pancras

St Pancras station in London has today unveiled it's lego christmas tree.

It has been created with over 600000 lego bricks abd had 100 lego baubles

Mary And Joseph

 My Mary and Joseph's are selling fast. They are a rustic style decoration. Available HERE

Mini Christmas Envelopes

Imaging all the things you could do with these fabulous mini envelopes created with a Christmas Theme.  They have been created by Swirlyarts (creator of the original cheeky chickens!) and you can find more details HERE

Amazing way to cook your Turkey this Christmas

The Nutcracker

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Victorian sugar plums

Angels with dirty faces wreath

What a fantastic Christmas wreath featuring angels.  It's been made with a fresh green fleece interspaced  with "angels with dirty faces" jingle bells and gingham ribbon.  I think it is fantastic.  It has been created by Sharon Mcleod and you can find more pout about Sharon and the wreath HERE

Wooden Angel

A beautiful English hardwoods angel made by Work In Wood.  A really beautiful composition that looks beautiful and satin smooth.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Victorian Ivy Ribbons

Bethlehem Stable

String art Card by Pop Up Zoo Greetings cards showing the manger and stable in gold thread.


But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
      are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
   Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you,
      one whose origins are from the distant past

Sing Noel

An Event for Everyone

meercat shepherds By Nifty knitts

There were shepherds camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

   Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
   Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Match box advent calander

The tutorial to make this advent calander is here

Christmas Music ~ Hallelujah Chorus

Traditional Glass Christmas Decorations

More Beautiful Glass Decorations from The Grimm Exhibition.

This set contains 6 decorations and other sets are available too.

Great for your traditional christmas

What Will You Be Doing This Christmas?

Victorian Tree Decorations

Inspirational Victorian Christmas Style

Floral Christmas Trees

Aren't these unusual, but incredibly striking and perfect for the contemporary Christmas Home.  They have been made by Dolly What Not.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Orange Votive Holders

How beautiful and fragrant these orange and clove votive light holders must be.  Perfect for the winter table decorations.

You can find the tutorial on Beekman1802

Christmas Cards ~ Silver Charm Cards

I've just found these lovely cards on Adien Crafts Shop on Folksy.  They copme as a set of two and you can personalise the greeting inside the card.  they are handpainted and embossed and feature adorable little silver coloured metal charms.

We Three Kings

Love the uniqueness and modern styling of these three kings made by Hearts of Dough.  They can be used as Christmas cards or as decorations.

South Cave Victorian Christmas Market

Sock Monkey

I would like to introduce you to the latest monkeys I have made.  These cheeky monkeys were made just last week and after an outing to the farmers market where some of their friends went to new homes, these ones have now been added to my online store.  Ra Ra Bazaar

 

 Penny

 

 Rufus

 

Lola

Thinking Of Others

Christmas Card ~ Encaustic Art Winter Scene

What a beautiful winter wonderland scene made by Polly Crafts This is an amazing piece of art that has been created with polished wax and a hot iron tool.  You can find further details about the process and how to purchase this original artwork HERE.

An Act Of Rememberence

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, 

We will remember them.

I've been busy making Christmas spiders and retelling the two legends that will accompany the spiders on a gift card. You can click on the photo of each spider to be taken to the shop page

Beaded Christmas Tree

Isn't this little beaded christmas tree.  There must be hundreds of beads on it.  it has been created by Beaded Magic Gallery and more details can be found HERE

Gifts From The East

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?"

They 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.

In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

CHristmas Pot Pourri ~ Treasures from the East

I have finally bagged up my Christmas Pot pourri and put it in the shop.  I'm really pleased with the look and scent.
Bring an aromatic ambience to your Christmas celebrations with this handmade Pot Pourri. 
Treasures from the flora and hedge rows of the East Riding of Yorkshire have been gathered, dried and combined with the warm spices from the Far East to make this Winter Pot Pourri. 
The pot pourri is presented in a clear cellophance bag with a beautiful header tag. 
The bag of pot pourri measures: 9" x 6" x 2.5 " 
23c, x 15cm x 6cm (The header Tag is not included in these measurements) 
It is available HERE

Christmas Star

The wise men went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

Christmas Wall Hanging

I love the colours and styling of this beautiful wall hanging.  Blues, greens and golds look stunning together.
The star motif is perfect for Christmas.
This can also be used as a table runner.  It's been made by Sew Flair.

Christmas Cake Recipe ~ My Mums Christmas Cake

Cake decorated By Cake Journal

My Mums Christmas Cake 

Makes a moist, fruity cake

Grease and double line a 9” square or 10 “ round tin with greaseproof

SOAK THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS TOGETHER OVERNIGHT (or longer)

12oz sultanas                                     

12oz raisins

12oz glace pineapple

12oz candied peel.

grated zest  of 2 lemons and 2 limes

juice of 1 lemon and 1 lime

6 fl oz rum or any spirit

SEIVE TOGETHER

12oz plain flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon nutmeg

0.5 teaspoon ground cloves

0.5 teaspoon allspice

CREAM TOGETHER

10 oz butter

10 oz dark soft brown sugar

OTHER INGREDIENTS

5 size 3 eggs

4oz chopped nuts

2oz ground almonds

4 tablespoons pineapple jam

1 tablespoon treacle

2 tablespoons milk

Method

Beat the eggs and flour into the creamed butter and sugar 1 at a time with one table spoon of flour.

Fold the rest of the flour into the mixture.

Add the fruit and nuts, jam and treacle and finally the milk.  Mix well.

Spoon into the lined and greased tin.

Level the surface and push a wooden spoon handle into the cake mixture a few times.

Wrap the tin with several layers of folded newspaper and tie into place with string.

Cover the cake mix with two layers of greaseproof paper

Cook at 140C gas mark 1 for approx 5 3/4  Hours

Cool for 15 mins before removing from a tin and placing on the cooling rack

 If you would like your cake recipe published on my blog then email it to me at info(@)beadsbydesign.co.uk  (remobed the brackets)

Christmas craft Tutorial ~ Paper Plate Christmas Tree's

Have a look at this great tutorial for paper Plate Christmas trees at Being Grown Up Blog.  I'll definately be having a go soon.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Magazine Christmas tree

Ribbon Christmas Tree's

This ribbon Christmas decoration design was something my Grandma showed me how to make using sweets and paper when I was little. Since then, I have developed the idea. The trees are made from satin ribbon and can be made in any colour you'd like.

 An ivory and gold tree

 

Green tree

   

 pink tree

 

Click the photos for more details