From a candle making workshop I have decorations ready to go.
Candle light advent
Use What You Have
Advent day 3 Christmas cards
The card list is shrinking as people choose not to send and receive cards… but I keep making for those we don’t see and who aren’t into electronic messages.
Most are upcycled from last year’s received cards with the rest made with long held supplies. In this case cross stitch fabric. The goal is to use what I have!
Now to face up to the postage costs and get them off in the mail…
Scandinavian Christmas
Simple to make and will hold a little gift whether made from felt as here or sturdy paper
On folded material (with fold at the bottom) cut two of the pattern below. I usually do two contrasting colours
And just inter weave the ‘fingers’ or lengths to create the pocket. Surprisingly solid when you finish.
I add a simple handle, glued or stitched depending on the intended use.
Advent day 1
Instead of opening a calendar I am doing/ making something festive for Advent.
Today I start with a clove studded orange. It scents the room with a gentle festive aroma.
I also used some brads to bling it up. Many more left in the box!
I usually hang these but this giant orange (from an Olio collection) would be too heavy so it now sits on the mantelpiece.
Wardrobe scenter or car freshener?
These bracelet size loops will be paired with essential oils and gifted as little gestures this Christmas.
Simply made (can’t remember when or why I got the mini felt balls) by threading a handful on to some ancient stretch magic beading cord.
I will use invisible thread when I run out of stretch magic as the felt balls seem to be unending and I am determined to use up some of my forgotten embellishments.
I use one in my car, hung from the rear view mirror, as I don’t like the smell of commercial scenters but will suggest recipients can keep them on clothes hangers as an alternative to a lavender bag.
Reuse, recycle…
I am determined not to add to my fabric stash so am using up bits and pieces in small projects.
Scraps of fabric have been waxed to provide clingfilm alternative waxed wraps, these live on the fridge ready for use. I used beeswax pellets as solid bees wax needs messy grating before it is ironed on the fabric.
Then when reducing the size of a king size duvet cover to fit a double bed I ended up with surplus strips of fabric.
As the overlock machine was out I decided to fold the strips in four and overlock them into squares for use as reusable cotton face wipes. Enough extra bundles were made to go in the present drawer with suggested ‘recipes’ for diy facial cleanser.
Celebration cards
I found a pack of brass stencils during a tidy up and decided to mount them on cards rather than put them in the donation pile.
My ‘use it or lose it’ campaign has reduced the boxes of bits a little and reduced the amount I spend on my crafting hobby but at this rate I am going to need decades to declutter significantly!
Never too early!?
I made some uv resin tree decorations using embellishment hearts I found during a tidy up. These will be mounted on Christmas cards and sent to people who ‘need’ a little sparkle at the festive time.
Washi tape bunting
Just a little tweak to a plain paper bag to try and use some of my washi tapes. Unfortunately it only takes a little snip to cover each side of the bag. Will try and remember for plain paper wrapping in the future.
Tip: draw the line you want to follow first.
Less, inspired
Inspired by Patrick Grant’s book Less, I repaired stuff today.
Sewing the holes in this ancient sun hat was a two minute job once I decided to do it and the result makes me happy!
janecrafts 