Christmas Countdown Week 7 - Christmas Decorations

This week I thought I would look at some handmade Christmas decorations. I love a good handmade decoration and we would get one from my mum every year. It was hard to find decorations which weren't just for the tree. I hope I have found a good selection though.

This first one I thought was cute. I love a simple cross stitch design. It also combines it with something else I like which is hoop frames. Sadly this isn't a tutorial but you can buy the pattern from the designer Sewing Seed on her etsy page.  I am all for supporting independent crafters and designers and this one has some lovely patterns in her shop.

This next pattern is one of my favourites. I have seen these crochet baubles around for a while now and I have always meant to try them. The pattern is by Patchwork Heart who also happens to be one of my favourite people to follow on Instagram.  She is always making lovely things with her crochet and they are so beautiful to see. She also has a blog which I have followed for a while now.

I have seen a few of these clear baubles around too. It has become a popular thing in craft shops over the last few years. All you need to do is unscrew the top and fill it with whatever you want (ensuring that it isn't too heavy). This one is by Downtime Upcycle and I liked it because the blogger did this as part of a Christmas decoration exchange organised by her grandmother.  The blogger hasn't posted in over a year so I have only linked the tutorial to my Craft Tutorial page.

I love this idea. Mainly because it involves bells. This is actually simple to make as shown by Kerri Bradford Studio.  The tutorial doesn't go completely in depth but I am sure most people will be able to follow it. I think you could easily play around with this idea to come up with your own creation. I have actually seen a similar version on pinterest which uses mini baubles rather than bells. This lady is primarily a scrapbooker and has a whole host of tutorials and ideas on her blog.

Okay, I am cheating a little bit here. This last one is very similar to last weeks clay garland. However, I really love this idea and there are a few tutorials out there. This one is by Gathering Beauty and she uses air drying clay which I have never used before.  Interestingly one of the stamps she uses to emboss the clay was a knitted hat. Which means you don't have to go out and by the stamps to emboss your decorations. You could also play with various shapes and cutters. I'm thinking gingerbread men. As for the author of this one, Gathering Beauty is a blog worth checking out. She has lots of different craft ideas. Particularly for Christmas.

Normally I would leave my list at five. However, I had to have a knitted item on here in honour of my wee mum. Who would knit us something Christmassy every year without fail. So here is a little owl that I am sure I would have managed to talk her into knitting for me. This is a pattern found on ravelry which you can download for free so long as you are a member (worth signing up to). The pattern is by Knit a Zoo who suggest putting him on your tree. I probably would want him more out on display. Like with all of these links you could change the colours to suit yourself. You could even go bright.

Guest Blogger - Norma from Wee Crafty House!

Introducing my lovely friend Norma who agreed to do a guest blog for me because of my lack of crafting progress. Plus she is one very talented lady (she made the tea cup candles).

Well hello, my name is Norma Anderson and I've been kindly asked by my lovely friend Karen to do a guest blog. Now please bear with me because this is my first ever attempt at blogging! Eeeek! I hope I don't chase you all away. Anyway I'm a nurse, mother, wife, sister, fidget, a do'er, impatient, enthusiastic and a crazy crafter. I see a craft and want to try it.

 
   I've always crafted from a little girl I enjoyed making things and I've never lost this passion. It really got a grip of me when I had my children and worked part time. I knitted for the kids and myself. My friends and I had a knitting Bee that met once a week. We knitted, ate cake and drank wine! Hmmm maybe not the best combination but provided a bit of light hearted me time for a bunch of mothers.

Card making took a hold of me around 10 years ago. In fact there's not much I haven't tried! I still make the odd card but have moved onto other things now. For anyone who makes cards you will understand that those little squares of paper from the sticky pads drove you mad by getting everywhere. Even turning up in Greece one year from my case. Lol. Over the years I have turned my hands to many things. I have baked but this hobby is very stressful unless you are baking for just family and friends.

Since joining the fabulously talented ladies at Glasgow Fort Stitch n Bitch my creativity has increased ten fold. These bunch of women are so talented and there's always someone willing to share new ideas and even teach new skills that your appetite for trying new things is always heightened. Indeed it was there I learned to crochet around a year ago. Since then I have crocheted many things and I think I actually prefer to crochet than knit now. It's so much quicker and results are instant. Also if you are going out or travelling you can just take it along with you!

 

Last year I was unfortunate enough to turn 50! My husband wanted to get me a gift that I would truly appreciate and use so he built me a summerhouse in the garden. The Wee Crafty House was born! This is now my little haven and of course a place for my crafty stash!  Most of my crafts are now done in here and it's the place where I am most industrious. I am so lucky to have this special little space.

I have began dabbling in craft fairs. What I realise about these is that some you win, some you lose. It can be difficult depending on where you are and what the shoppers are looking for that day. However I do enjoy them. I love to meet people and chat and it's fabulous to go out there and see what other people are crafting too. I hope you have enjoyed a wee insight into my world.