CREATIVE CRAFTING

Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Christmas ornament and tree traditions, according to some historians, began somewhere in the 7th or 8th century by St. Boniface, a monk who is known as the Apostle of the German people. It is said that St. Boniface brought a fir tree for his congregation to decorate during the Christmas holidays, he believed the triangular shape of the fir tree represent the Holy Trinity. The Germans embraced the Christmas tree and began to decorate it with basic, white colored candles. In the 15th century decorations started to be introduced into the German Christmas decorations. Around 1510, in Latavia a fir tree was trimmed with roses which symbolized the Virgin Mary, so began the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments.

But wait, there is more. In 1605 a town along the Rhine close the German border called Strasbourg was where the first tree was brought indoors and decorated with paper roses, white candles, nuts, sweets, and some kind of wafer. This is the first time it is recorded that a Christmas tree was brought inside and then decorated which began what we do today. Of course, over time the decorative ornaments grew more elaborate and imaginative as each family used what they had on hand to decorate their trees. Decorations were made of painted eggshells (still done today in many countries) cookies, and of course the candle. Tinsel for the tree came into existence around 1610 and was originally made with pure silver.

Gift jars are gifts that are not only fun to make but fun to give. They are inexpensive to make but given with a lot of love and care.

So to start the holiday season off right I am offering a free giveaway. All you have to do is click on the link below and download ideas for different gift jars. Over the coming weeks I will be looking for other gift ideas for you to make this holiday season and will be sure to pass them on.

Happy Holidays!

****Holiday Gift Jars****

Straightforward red pillars play into the peppermint scene when decorated with polka-dot ribbon or candy-cane sticks. Heavy-duty double-stick tape adheres the embellishments to the candles.

I love candles at Christmas; who doesn’t? Candles add a warmth to the season like no other decoration. No matter where or how you use them these are a economical addition to any holiday decor.

I did make these, but the picture is not mine. My camera is having trouble taking pictures, so I gave it a holiday.

I made some with holiday ribbon and some holly leaves from the craft store. They turned out beautiful and no one will notice they are handmade, and if someone does then take it as a compliment to your wonderful craftsmenship (is that a word? It should be!)

What You Need

• Pillar candles
• Double-stick carpet tape
• Candy canes
• Holiday Ribbon
• Holly, Small Pinecones, Small Bows (use your imagination)

Ribbon Candy has always been a Holiday staple as far as I am concerned.  So this year when I found a way to make decorations out of polymer to look like ribbon candy, I couldn’t wait to try it.

I am using these on the tree, to decorate packages and a bowl of “fake” ones on the table in a candy dish.  I have no small children coming to my house, so I don’t have to watch for anyone wanting to eat them!

Click on picture for more instructions

So much for my 21 days of Christmas Crafting…my only excuse is shopping.

Design by Marie Redmond

Last year around this time I was just starting my exploration of Polymer Clay. I knew from the start that this was something I would enjoy for years to come. One of my favorite aspects of clay is the miniature scenes, characters, and villages one can make. I like doing things in a small size.

I ran across this on my favorite Polymer Clay site Sculptey.com. The complete instructions for this and other crafts are there for both novices and experienced alike.

Happy Holidays!

Here is a fun and easy craft for the kids to make for either grandparents, teachers, or friends.

The pavers might be hard to find this time of year, but you can use the same principle and use Styrofoam forms and use it as a window decoration instead.

Use your imagination…isn’t that why we craft?

Materials

* Keyhole-shaped paver (available at many home improvement stores) *
* Paintbrush
* White and black acrylic paint
* Orange modeling clay
* Superglue

* Fleece
* Pipe cleaner
* Two 1 1/2-inch pom-poms
* Rubber band
* Felt

Instructions

1.Rinse off the paver to remove any loose bits of dirt or cement. Paint it white and let it dry. If needed, apply a second coat and let it dry completely. (if using Syrofoam cover it with white felt or white cotton)

2.Lay the paver flat and paint on the eyes, mouth, and buttons. Let the face dry, then mold a clay nose and affix it with superglue (a parent’s job).

3.Cut a fleece scarf (ours measures 1 by 22 inches) and tie it in place. For the earmuffs, bend a 5-inch piece of pipe cleaner into an arc. Superglue the ends to either side of the head and the pom-poms over the ends (a parent’s job), then wrap the rubber band around the snowman?s head to hold the earmuffs in place until the glue dries.

4.To protect indoor floors, superglue a small piece of felt to the base of the snowman.

Sorry, I am a little late with my Christmas decorations this year. But it is worth the wait. So many new ideas that I have been busy trying as many as I can possibly manage.

For those who are not regular readers, I am big on handmade gifts. Whether for the Christmas holidays or anytime of the year. Nothing says I care more, than something you made. So in keeping with that thought over the next several weeks I will try and post one craft a day leading up to December 25. Then I am taking a short holiday to get ready for Valentines Day.

So here is my first entry into the 21 days of crafting!

This pretty-as-a-package pincushion is the perfect gift for a crafty friend. Cover a foam square with fabric (wrap it like a gift) and secure along the edges with fabrics glue. Glue on beads and tie on a ribbon bow.

I also thought how great it would be to take this same concept and instead of a pincushion, pin candy or other special treats to the present. You could put it on a side table for when the grandchildren come over (just don’t put chocolate on there..what a mess that would be).

I will be the first to admit I get most of my ideas from online, magazines, Michaels or sometimes one of my friends has made something and I will “steal” the idea.

It is never too early to start preparing for Christmas. One of the more traditional holiday customs is the sending of cards to friends and family.

With the current economic conditions the cost of buying the cards and then the postage to send them can equal the cost of two or three meals for the family. While we all can agree that sending a greeting card is a great way to liven someones holiday, it is not always the most cost effective.

I have had to do a lot of tightening of the belt in the past, and still do, so years ago I came up with the idea of having our children make the Christmas cards for family. The grandparents loved them and the kids had a great time making them.

Of course now they are older and purchase their cards, while I still make them. I enjoy it; and each card I make and send has a lot of love built right in.

This is the one I am making this year. I purchased a package of card stock for my printer for under $5.00, with it I will print out patterns, embellishments, letters all from free scrapbooking sites. I also purchased from my local office supply center a package of plain envelopes and will make the cards to fit the envelope. I have a couple of stamps with the words JOY, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, so I will use them for some of the messages.