Christmas... Let the countdown begin

The fire is on and so are the lounge lights.

It's miserable outside.

I think it's officially time to countdown to Christmas!

And I've already started doing Christmas crafts. Today I attempted some tree decorations; faux christmas cookie style.

I stirred 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda, 1/2 cup of cornflour and 3/4 cup of water over a low heat until it resembled mashed potato.

Once it cooled, I started to create using cookie cutters and rubber stamps.

After an hour in the oven (roughly 160 degrees) they were rock hard and ready to be hung with twine (it's back!)

I just hope my husband doesn't try to eat these at Christmastime... he'll be in for a shock.


****Linking up at these sites

More jar upcycling (and no twine in sight!)

After the success of my napkin covered pickle jar tea light holder, I decided to use the same idea to recycle what was left from a Christmas candle... the glass jar ... to create a faux stained glass effect.

I simply punched out different sized circles of red and purple tissue paper (sandwiched in between normal paper, so it wouldn't tear when punched). 

Then using a brush, I randomly applied the circles to the glass with PVA, covering all four sides.

It took a couple of hours to dry (I got a little brush-happy with the PVA!), but it was worth the wait.

And not only can it be used as a vase, it also works well as a tealight holder...

****Linking up at these sites

My next crochet project...

... I may need some time off work!

Memory Jar

Last week we spent a few amazing days staying in a decommissioned lighthouse.

Belle Tout Lighthouse lies on the cliffs of Beachy Head in East Sussex.

We stayed in the Beach Hut themed room and enjoyed daily walks along the cliffs. On the evenings we relaxed sipping wine in the Lamp Room at the top of the lighthouse.

When we came home, I realised we hadn't bought a keepsake to remind us of our time down there. So using some bits I collected from the beach below the cliffs, I made a Memory Jar.

I used PicMonkey to add effect to a photograph I took of the working lighthouse at Beachy Head (our room overlooked it).

By adapting a paper clip, I came up with a stand for my picture to attach to.

I then put some sand, pebbles and shells into the jar along with the photo stand. I also put some sand into the lid of the coffee jar.

Finally I designed and printed a date tag, attached it to the jar with twine - I love (t)wine! - and added a shell with some thin craft wire.

A decorative keepsake to remind us of our fab break at Belle Tout Lighthouse, Beachy Head.

****Linking up at these sites

**UPDATE: Memory Jar featured in Flow Magazine**

Coasting along

I love taking photos and here's some of my favourites from my trips to the coast...

Coryton Bay, Devon, UK

Cadgwith Cove, Cornwall, UK

Dawlish, Devon, UK

Weston-super-mare, UK

Old Town Beach, Benidorm, Spain

Watergate Bay, Cornwall, UK

Brighton Beach, UK

The Seven Sisters, East Sussex, UK

Plymouth, UK

Beachy Head, East Sussex, UK

Good wreath! I'm crocheting again

I haven't crocheted much of late, so as I have had a few days off I thought I'd attempt a bright summer wreath...

I came across polystyrene rings at my local Hobbycraft and as it was to be my first attempt, I purchased a relatively small ring.

Before I started to crochet I measured the ring's circumference using some wool. This would guide me on how much I needed to do in order to cover the ring.

I used 3 different types of DK wool, a 4.5 size hook and double crochet stitches, alternating the wool colour every three rows.

After joining up the ends of my work, I wrapped it around the ring and stitched it together (not being too particular about neatness as it would be hidden when hung).

Finally I added a few crochet flowers and a couple of random stitch leaves.

I am really happy with it and I love how bright and loud the colours are. For a first attempt, I am extremely pleased.

I am already planning on trying it out on a much larger polystyrene ring with Christmas colours, after all, the festive season will be with us before we know it.........

*** Linking up at these sites