Crafts Forum Secret Santa

I was involved in three swaps this Christmas. One of them was through the UK Crafts Forum.
I was very lucky to receive this beautiful Tea cosy (She knows me so well) and egg cosy's.  They are made by Roslet.

The words featured on them are very special and meaningful words for the Christmas season.  In fact those of you who read my blog regularly will know that the word JOY is especially dear to me.

Thank you Ros, they are incredibly special and will be enjoyed and treasured for years to come.
If you want to see more of Ros's work, you can visit her Etsy store

Christmas Movies ~ Elf

Frerrero Rocher Rose

Who needs an excuse to eat chocolate?

Well here is the perfect excuse.  Susan has spent Christmas making these amazing roses.

I think they are beautiful.  You can see more details on her blog HERE

Putting down the Christmas Tree

A New Page

The Christmas day service from South Cave Church

Storing your Christmas Tree

A little bit of Christmas Decorating

 my Christmas Decorations

The Scrappy Bauble Challenge

 What a lovely surprise I got in the post this morning.  I received a beautifully wrapped gift of this gingerbread house which is amazingly created with so much to look at.

 It was part of the Scrappy bauble challenge and was made for me by Jenny Kearney of The Gingerbread House

 Thank you Jenny, It now has pride of place on my mantle shelf with my Nativity.

Christmas Music ~ In the Bleak Midwinter

Make A Snowflake

We've been having loads of fun this afternoon making snowflakes

You can do it too using this fantastic site

Christmas Music ~ Glorious Impossible

Another Knitted Tree

After my post about a knitted tree, I have now discovered another one.  This one is also in a church.
Knitters have been producing the 1200 squares that have made up the tree.  Like the previous one, after christmas these squares will be knotted into blankets.
You can see this tree at St Aldherms church, Poole 

Beatrix Potter Christmas

Christmas Shortbread tutorial

<iframe width="400" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8gMB5q53mVA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

3D snowflakes ~ step by step

I have been asked how you make the snowflakes and stars like these ones. There is a video in the post below showing the actual making of them or you can follow these step by step instructions http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

3D Snowflakes

Are You A Chef?

This morning I found this plea from Crisis We REALLY need a chef to cook Xmas dinner for 500 people at our Rough Sleepers' centre! 3-11pm - email ccvolunteering@crisis.org.uk 
You can read more about the work that Crisis  do over the year, not just over Christmas time by clicking HERE

Christmas Music ~ O Little Town of Bethlehem

It's today

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!
4, Nunnery Walk, South Cave, HU15 2JA

The Nativity Part 4

You can see part 1
You can see Part 2
 You can see part 3

The Nativity Part 3

 You can see part 1
You can see Part 2

A Facebook Nativity

Happy Christmas Open House

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!

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

O Christmas Tree~ How knitted are your branches

This tree has been knitted by a group of knitters from Poulton le Fyde.  Members of the methodist church, a library knitting group and a retirement home all knitted  to produce this 18 foot tree.
After Christmas the tree will be disassembled and stitched together to form blankets for needy nations.
More details HERE

It came without ribbons

It came with out ribbons, it came without tags

It came with out packging, boxes or bags

A Nativity Set

This Nativity set is available HERE

The Nativity Part 2

You can watch the other parts in this series  too
 Part 1

Nadolig Llawen ~ Wish Your Welsh Friends A Marry Christmas

This is the perfect way to wish your welsh friends a merry Christmas.  The beautiful pastel toned card has been created by Ello Design and it could be your lucky day as  she is having a one day sale on this item TODAY!
More details HERE

Christmas Cakes ~ Red Velvet Cake

This recipe has been shared by Muffinella.  You can see more of her amazing cakes and biscuits on her blog

Red Velvet Cake
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish


Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.


In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.


Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.


For the Cream Cheese Frosting:


In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.


Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.


Cook's Note: Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.

Felted Nativity

Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the donkey

Shepherds with their sheep

Wise men with their camel

Handfelted Nativity by Jewell Felt.  Find out further details HERE

The Nativity Part 1

For the next ten days I plan to show a segment of the 2006 film The Nativity directed by Catherine Hardwicke.

Colouring Crayons

Colour Me Fun makes some amazing colouring crayons that would be great for stocking fillers,for Christmas party bags,  The range includes these christmas crayons, lego men crayons and animals as well as a host of other styles.  You can see more details HERE

A Beach Hut Advent Calender in Bridlington

A fantastic approach to the advent calender

Have fun!