[ncmc]

I have decided that this is the year I am going to make some of my own Christmas decorations. I am fairly ‘artistically challenged’ so normally crafts are out of my comfort zone, but I was thinking of starting off with something fairly simple like this:

http://inmyownstyle.com/2011/12/tabl...ment-tree.html

I might try and make my own festive log ornament as well, and if I’m feeling brave, maybe a candle holder/decoration.

Maybe someone can suggest easy instructions to follow, or anyone else planning to home make anything this year?

[leahyl]

That looks so cool!! So festive and the colours of the baubles are lovely - the purple and silver :-) you should def make something like that! Fair play to you :-)

[milli milli]

Wow OP that looks brilliant.
It's such a clever idea.
I have a lot of these things -

they're used for holding yarn and they are perfect for making Christmas trees. I just need to find the time to do it.

[Alicat]

Oh God, this is earlier than usual for me. I'm getting the urge... the urge to start creating Christmassy things! I cant even discuss it with anyone because they'll all think I'm mad! I plan on starting early this year as I've found there's no time for this sort of thing in December.

I made a Bauble wreath last year, a bit similar to that tree! A wire hanger, bent into a circle (leaving enough room to 'hook' at the ends) and just pile a load of coloured baubles on.



The year before that I made baubles for the tree, which you can kinda see in this photo. They're the big ones! Made with polystyrene balls, felt, some ribbon and some pearl headed pins.

[desolate sun]

These are great ideas.

I made a wreath last year but it didn't look half as good. I found a green plastic circle thing ( it was a card holder from one of the Euroshops) - it was about 12" diameter and had a hole thru the centre. I wrapped some tinsel around it and then pinned some baubles to it.
But I think I will use ur idea this year, Alicat.

I have loads of tutorials for Christmas stuff so once I get onto a proper computer I will link them here

[ncmc]

Originally Posted by Alicat

Oh God, this is earlier than usual for me. I'm getting the urge... the urge to start creating Christmassy things! I cant even discuss it with anyone because they'll all think I'm mad! I plan on starting early this year as I've found there's no time for this sort of thing in December.

I made a Bauble wreath last year, a bit similar to that tree! A wire hanger, bent into a circle (leaving enough room to 'hook' at the ends) and just pile a load of coloured baubles on.



The year before that I made baubles for the tree, which you can kinda see in this photo. They're the big ones! Made with polystyrene balls, felt, some ribbon and some pearl headed pins.

Don't worry Alicat, you're among friends here, I don't think it's one bit mad to start thinking about Christmas in August .

That wreath is fantastic! That honestly looks as good as anything you'd buy. I need to start picking up some nice baubles for these kind of projects.

[leahyl]

Originally Posted by Alicat

Oh God, this is earlier than usual for me. I'm getting the urge... the urge to start creating Christmassy things! I cant even discuss it with anyone because they'll all think I'm mad! I plan on starting early this year as I've found there's no time for this sort of thing in December.

I made a Bauble wreath last year, a bit similar to that tree! A wire hanger, bent into a circle (leaving enough room to 'hook' at the ends) and just pile a load of coloured baubles on.



The year before that I made baubles for the tree, which you can kinda see in this photo. They're the big ones! Made with polystyrene balls, felt, some ribbon and some pearl headed pins.

Alicat those tree decorations are amazing!! They are like something you'd buy in Brown Thomas!

[Alicat]

Originally Posted by desolate sun

These are great ideas.

I made a wreath last year but it didn't look half as good. I found a green plastic circle thing ( it was a card holder from one of the Euroshops) - it was about 12" diameter and had a hole thru the centre. I wrapped some tinsel around it and then pinned some baubles to it.
But I think I will use ur idea this year, Alicat.

I have loads of tutorials for Christmas stuff so once I get onto a proper computer I will link them here

I had a quick glance on youtube last night so I think there's plenty of inspiration online!

Just one thing to note about the wreath; With so many baubles packed onto the wire, some of the pins can pop out, causing the baubles to fall off. It's recommended to take a bit of extra time beforehand to glue the pins to the bauble to make sure they stay put! Bought my glue gun last year and I love it

Originally Posted by ncmc

Don't worry Alicat, you're among friends here, I don't think it's one bit mad to start thinking about Christmas in August .

That wreath is fantastic! That honestly looks as good as anything you'd buy. I need to start picking up some nice baubles for these kind of projects.

Thanks! I gave that one to my gran last year so I'm going to give it another go this year!

Yeah the boyfriend thinks I'm nuts already... I better make sure I leave all my crafts for when he's out of the house!

Originally Posted by leahyl

Alicat those tree decorations are amazing!! They are like something you'd buy in Brown Thomas!

Haha, maybe not if you saw them up close! But sure who's looking! Some of them didn't turn out as well as others, but you learn as you go along. I got the general idea from the Better Homes website and then just tweaked it depending on what supplies I could get.

[Alicat]

Just had another idea actually! I was going to attempt Découpage this year, and I think I'll try it on some wooden letters I saw in Hickeys last year. Make 'Christmas' or something.

[fishy fishy]

here's a quick idea for those who don't have time to make centerpieces.

If you are hosting dinner and have no centerpiece, simply get a large wineglass, fill with red/green flowers and a little sparkle. Turn the glass upside down on the table so the flowers and sparkle are trapped under the glass. Place a candle onto of the upturned wine glass with a little thread of beads. Light. Voila - a lovely simple inexpensive centerpiece.

[washiskin]

That's one gorgeous tree, Alicat

If you could find some vintage themed wrapping paper it would make lovely Découpage.

[desolate sun]

Originally Posted by Alicat

Just had another idea actually! I was going to attempt Découpage this year, and I think I'll try it on some wooden letters I saw in Hickeys last year. Make 'Christmas' or something.

I love DECOUPAGE. I had a go at it last year. I got the special paper in Hickeys and covered a Celebrations box from Christmas in some cute flowery paper.
The decoupage paper is much easier to use than normal paper. So I would get some of it. Although I havent tried wrapping paper - that might work out too.
The thinner the paper the better.

Do you ever look at Kirstie Allsop? She did a crafty TV programme and she had this girl on who made animals out of rolled up bits of newspaper. She decoupaged over them and they looked fantastic.

How to make Christmas icicles:
http://www.halloween-christmas-craft...s-Icicles.html

How to make 3D snowflakes
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

[Alicat]

I looooove Kirsty Allsopp's craft shows, especially the Christmas ones! They're filming a series at the moment!

I was thinking some cheapy baubles would look lovely with Christmas sheet music découpaged on to them. Just have to find ones thin enough!

[Alicat]

It's nearly time for the Better Homes & Gardens '100 Days of Holidays' email subscription! Every day they send you an email with craft and food ideas! Some are very American and a bit silly but it's a bit of fun

[Alicat]

First attempt at decoupage underway. I'm practising on a plain old bauble with some wrapping paper just to see how it turns out. Fingers crossed!