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

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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!

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