Featured Artisan ~ Booties By Dannie ~ Crochet Nativity

This beautiful detailed Crochet Christmas Nativity has been created by Booties By Dannie.

A Sponge Print Christmas Miracle

A couple of years ago, as I was preparing for Christmas, I was making backgrounds using an ordinary rectagular kitchen scrourer sponge dipped into random pools of acrylic paint.  The idea was to create multicoloured rectangular backgrounds onto which I could stamp and emboss images.  As I lifted the sponge, this image of Mary cradling her baby was revealed.  There was no intention, to create this and I treasure it as an image of what Christmas is about.

Christmas Adverts ~ John Lewis

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

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 Crafts ~ Christmas Greeting

These letters have been created using salt dough and acrylic paint.  They are varnished and will last a life time.  They can be purchased HERE

Christmas Crafts ~ Wooden Snowmen

What is the collective noun for a group of Snowmen?  I have no idea, but they certainly look really jolly all dressed up in their winter finery.
The wooden snowmen, will of course not melt.  They have been created by Bodrighy.

Christmas Trivia ~ Xmas?

As a child, I remember being shocked to see the word Xmas representing Christmas.  I don't ever remember being told, but always felt like the use of the X was crossing out Jesus.  It is only in later years that I have been informed as to the reason for this:
The X is representative of the Greek first letter of the name Christ.
 The first letter of the Greek word Christos is transliterated into our alphabet as an X.  That X has come through church history to be a shorthand symbol for the name of Christ.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Victorian Christmas Decoration

This beautiful Victorian decoration adds a beautiful aroma as well as being a stunning decoration.  You can find the tutorial on Mook

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Elaborate bows

Christmas crafts ~ Button Decorations

Sewn Up Stuck Down has found a great way to use up buttons.  Her quirky little decorations are really great.

Christmas Aromas ~ Pine

There are many aromas connected with Christmas.  Together they can evoke emotions and memories.

Pine

I remember the tree, each year a new one, but always the same laughter, exasperation as the tree in pot is carried through the patio door and placed in it's corner.  The comments about the smell as the bruised needles let forth their scent.  Then begins the decorating, each person thinking they know how it should proceed.  The lights, the tinsel, the decorations.  Each one carefully unwrapped from it tissue wrapper and placed on the tree, each one bringing memories of Christmas' past,  of those who are no longer with us.

Then the magic begins.  The lights in the room are turned out and the glow of the fire catches the ornaments, then the tiny lights are turned on and the tree springs to life, twinkling in fairy light.

Christmas Crafts ~ Button Trees

Cute felt trees with button embellishments created by Feltique

Christmas Crafts ~ Gold Chrstmas Cards

This lovely set of Christmas cards has been created by Nithria. They are very Christmasy with all the glittery gold.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Lacey Angel Decoration

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without an angel or two!

HERE is a lovely tutorial for making her.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Jigsaw Puzzle Wreath

I'm sure there will be a lot more wreath ideas on here before Christmas.  This one is made from jigsaw puzzle pieces.  The tutorial can be found HERE.

Christmas Craft Tutorial ~ Pocket advent calandar

This is a lovely advent calendar to create.  it has lots of little pockets that can be filled with goodies of your choice on the run up to christmas.  The tutorial can be found HERE

Christmas Crafts ~ Bright & Breezy Christmas Card

All snuggled up for Christmas.

I love Ruths colourful Character.

Tip Top Toppers

Christmas Crafts ~ Ceramic Gingerbread Characters

Aren't these cute ceramic gingerbread characters fab.  They'd look great on any christmas tree or tied on to a creatively wrapped christmas gift.  They are created by: Dottery Pottery

Christmas Crafts ~ My own Christmas Miracle

A couple of years ago, as I was preparing for chrismas, I was making backgrounds using an ordinary kitchen scrourer sponge dipped into pools of acrylic paint.  The idea was to create multicoloured rectangular backgrounds onto which I could stamp and emboss images.  As I lifted the sponge, this image of Mary cradling her baby was revealed.  There was no intention, to create this and I treasure it as an image of what Christmas is about.