Homemade Christmas and Festive Decorations: 25 Home Craft Projects

Homemade Christmas and Festive Decorations: 25 Home Craft Projects Ros Badger Thompson Thompson Add a touch of personality and creativity to your home with projects for Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s and birthdays.Complete with step-by-step instructions and beautiful photography, learn to make extra special festive decorations – such as a birthday pinata, knitted angels, fragrant rose petal stuffed hearts or an Easter tree. Shop-bought decorations just can’t compare!25 fun and simple projects to make, perfect for beginners.Complete with patterns, and knitting, sewing and craft basics.Includes a directory of suppliers and resourcesThe content of this book is adapted from Homemade by Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson, first published by Collins in 2009. Copyright (#u4e2c860c-97da-567b-8b91-775fdb79e139) This ebook edition published in 2012 by Collins includes some material first published in Homemade, first published in 2009. HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk) First published by HarperCollinsPublishers 2012 FIRST EDITION Text © Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson 2009, Ros Badger 2012 Photography © Benjamin J Murphy 2009, 2012 Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson assert their moral right to be identified as the authors of this work. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Photography Benjamin J Murphy Editors Emma Callery and Sarah Tomley Packager Tracy Killick Art Direction and Design Source ISBN: 9780007489558 Ebook edition © October 2012 ISBN: 9780007489565 Version 2016-11-29 Contents Title Page (#ub1d90e48-9607-5c27-a61c-96fb196d7663) Copyright Introduction Christmas Dressing the Christmas tree Felt decorations Knitted angel Floating baubles Festive mantelpiece Christmas wreath Cranberry Christmas decorations Christmas card garland Hand-painted Christmas plate Advent calendar Christmas stocking Valentine’s day Rose-scented Valentine heart Valentine paper cut-out Valentine bed garland Easter Easter tree Easter egg bunting Easter bird decorations Pin the egg on the chicken Halloween Pumpkin lanterns Halloween goodie bags Spooky silhouettes Birthdays Vintage birthday banner Pretty pi?ata Paper pompoms Party bags Cards, gift wrap and labels Homemade basics Craft basics Sewing basics Knitting basics Patterns and templates Directory List of Projects Acknowledgements Also available About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo) Introduction (#u4e2c860c-97da-567b-8b91-775fdb79e139) A homemade Christmas, or indeed any festivity, must be the most rewarding way to celebrate. Making something for someone else with love – whether it is a cake, a Christmas wreath or a simple greetings card – feels good, and in a world often said to be divided between those who spend money in order to save time and those who spend time in order to save money, our time is still seen as the ultimate luxury. It is not a clich? that Christmas is about giving and there are plenty of ideas in this book that would make wonderful gifts. Mostly, however, this is a book about how to dress your home to create a beautiful, warm and inspiring environment in which to welcome friends and family to celebrate events throughout the year. All of the projects have been chosen because they can be imbued with meaning, in a way that’s simply not possible for mass-made products – you can incorporate favourite old items that have seen better days or have long been outgrown but retain fond memories. These decorations can also be made without too much expense and uniquely tailored to suit a loved one or friend. There is nothing more rewarding and nurturing for the soul than spending time making something that is genuinely appreciated and admired by others. This book is filled with ideas, many of them very simple and quick to make. We hope they will not only enhance your celebrations and save you money, but also help you recycle – and upcycle – materials that you may already have lying around. I am forever encouraging people to get into the habit of keeping old wrapping paper, cards, ribbons, fabric scraps, buttons and yarn, not in a post–war ‘make do and mend’ way, but because much of today’s wasted material can be made into very stylish new objects. There has never been so much ‘stuff’ around – so don’t waste it, grab it with both hands! Look out for interesting items that other people don’t spot. Once you have got used to noticing pretty old buttons on flea-market jackets and the beautiful paper someone used for your own birthday presents, you’ll begin to see just how much wonderful stuff is there for the taking. Save what you can and it will give you an endless source of materials to turn into beautiful creations of your own. We have created a wide range of projects, which will allow readers to use even the most basic of craft skills in new and unusual ways. There are plenty of ideas and alternatives for the skilled maker as well as the reader who feels more at home with a glue stick than a sewing needle. I have always been proud to be seen as a creative person, but now we are firmly back to a time where craft is not the preserve of an envied talented few, but widespread across the globe. ‘Homemade’ (including ‘homegrown’) has become a way of life for a huge number of people. So many can now be heard saying with pride, ‘I made it myself!’ People are no longer happy with doing an occasional piece of knitting on their commuter train or taking a homemade gift to a party – they want to ‘live the life’, embracing the authenticity and love behind everything homemade. This book is for anyone seeking respite from impersonal commercialism and all things disposable, and who would like to spend half an hour or so now and then making things – either alone, or with friends or family. Enjoy the process and reap the rewards. Ros Badger (#u4e2c860c-97da-567b-8b91-775fdb79e139) (#u4e2c860c-97da-567b-8b91-775fdb79e139) Dressing the Christmas tree Dressing the Christmas tree is a lovely ritual in which all the family can participate. Choose a time when you can work in an unhurried way – ideally towards the end of the afternoon or early evening so that the lights can be switched on with a degree of ceremony when it gets dark. The idea of the ‘styled’ tree, with all the objects newly bought to fit in with an agreed colour scheme, is anathema to the homemade approach. Instead, bring out vintage decorations that have become family heirlooms since your own childhood and beyond, plus newer ones made by hand, perhaps some of them by the children in your life. Homemade items bring an energy all of their own to the tree, adding to its significance as a family talisman, loaded with memories and associations, from year to year. Like the eggs on the Easter tree (#litres_trial_promo), your collection of homemade tree decorations will become a treasured possession that you can add to year by year. As well as making pieces, such as the embroidered felt shapes on the next page, we also buy a few new or second-hand items every so often – from vintage finds on eBay to those picked up on trips around the country or travels abroad. Less is most definitely less when it comes to tree decoration. In our book, you can’t have enough decorations and we load our trees with this eclectic mix of old and new until there is very little greenery showing in between. (#u4e2c860c-97da-567b-8b91-775fdb79e139) Felt decorations Bursting with cheerful colour and homespun charm, these felt decorations couldn’t be simpler, and they are a great way of involving children in pre-Christmas preparations. You will need Felt, which is generally much cheaper when sold by the metre than in smaller squares Ribbon (ideally recycled lengths from your stash of ribbons) Stewing threads in contrasting colours to felt sequins (optinal) To make a felt decoration • Using a paper pattern only where really necessary (there are templates (#litres_trial_promo) for the decorations shown here), cut out the decorations, using two layers of felt for each one. For the heart, you could cut out some of the pieces of felt using pinking shears to add a pretty, zig-zag edging. • Sew the pieces together by stitching around the edge in tiny running stitches. Use a contrasting colour to add some basic but attractive decoration. Secure a loop of pretty ribbon at the top edge as you are sewing. Star, heart and stocking decorations • These three lovely decorations (#litres_trial_promo) are shown. We used chain stitch to decorate the star, heart and stocking with words. • For the stocking (#litres_trial_promo), use the template. Start by attaching some white felt (the cuff) to each piece of red by working a row of chain stitch across the bottom edge of the white cuff. Then stitch the red pieces together by sewing around the outer edges in running stitch, but leave the top open. Attach the ribbon loop to the corner of the top back edge. Work a row of running stitches across the top of each side of the stocking to secure the white cuff. There should be plenty of space for a chocolate! Bauble decoration • Cut out two circles freehand or use the template (#litres_trial_promo). Join the circles by sewing around the outside with running stitch, leaving a space about 2cm (?in) wide to add stuffing. • After stuffing with kapok (toy stuffing) or a clean pair of tights, continue sewing up the gap with running stitch, adding the ribbon loop for hanging. Holly decoration • Use the templates (#litres_trial_promo). Cut out two pieces of green felt using the leaf template, and sew veins onto them using small back stitches. Cut out two or three red berries using the berry template, and stitch to the top near the ribbon. Sew the leaves together, sewing in a loop at the top. Adding sequins • We sewed sequins to the bauble and Christmas tree. Using a continuous thread, and the sequins randomly all over the decoration. Or you could add the sequins before stitching the felt pieces together. (#u4e2c860c-97da-567b-8b91-775fdb79e139) Knitted angel Placing the angel at the top of the Christmas tree is traditionally the final task in the annual ritual of decorating the branches. And what could be more charming than this little knitted angel? You will need 4-ply wool in the following colours (use up ends to make this angel as it takes tiny amounts): cream, tan or skin tone, pink, yellow (or other colour, for hair) 3.25mm (UK size 10; US size 12) knitting needles Stuffing or cotton wool Tension over stocking stitch 14sts and 18 rows = 5cm (2in) Abbreviations (#litres_trial_promo) Arms (make 2) Cast on 10sts in cream, 2sts in tan. Work 6 rows in stocking st (knit one row, purl one row). Cast off 12sts. The arms and legs naturally roll so that the reverse side of st st is on the outside. Catch together cast-on edge to cast-off edge in the direction that they have rolled. Sew in any loose ends. Legs (make 2) Cast on 12sts in tan, 2sts in pink or a contrast colour. Work 6 rows stocking st. Cast off 14sts. Catch and sew edges as for the arms. Body Cast on 20sts in cream. Work 17 rows in st st. Then knit 6 rows more. Cast off. Head Cast on 4sts in tan or skin tone. Row 1: Knit. Row 2: Purl. Row 3: Knit, inc 1st at either end of row (6sts). Row 4: Purl. Repeat rows 3 and 4 (8sts). Work 4 rows more in stocking st. Row 11: Knit, dec 1st at either end of row (6sts). Row 12: Purl. Rows 13 & 14: As rows 10 and 11 (4sts). Row 15: Purl. Row 16: Knit. Cast off. Wings (make 2) Wings are all garter st (knit every row). Cast on 6sts in cream. Rows 1 & 2: Knit. Row 3: Knit, inc 1st at either end of row (10sts). Row 4: Cast on 4sts at beginning of row, knit to end (14sts). Rows 5–7: Work 3 rows in garter st. Rows 8–11: Rep last 4 rows (18sts). Row 12: Cast on 4sts at beginning of row, knit to end (22sts). Row 13: Knit, dec 1st at beg of row. Row 14: Knit, dec 1st at end of row. Row 15: Knit, dec 1st at beginning of row (19sts). Cast off (this is the outside edge of your wing). Skirt Cast on 44sts in cream and knit 2 rows. Row 3: Knit. Row 4: Purl. Rows 5–18: Rep rows 3 and 4, ending on a purl row. Row 19: K4, k2tog, * k3, k2tog, rep from * 6 times more, k3 (36sts). Row 20: Purl. Row 21: K3, k2tog, * k2, k2tog, rep from * 6 times more, k3 (28sts). Row 22: Purl. Row 23: K2, k2tog, * k l , k2tog, rep from * 6 times more, k3 (20sts). Row 24: Purl. Cast off. Fold in half and sew the side seam of the skirt. To make up • For the head, sew the side seams, then stuff from base. Embroider (#litres_trial_promo) eyes with two small over stitches for each. • To make hair, thread a darning needle with yellow (or any preferred colour) yarn and stitch around the head with random running stitch (#litres_trial_promo) but leaving loops instead of pulling the yarn flat. • For the body, fold in half and catch the legs at each corner of the cast-on edge and sew across with running stitch, securing the legs in position as you sew. Sew the side seam of the body, then stuff the body and sew approximately 5mm (?in) either side on cast-off edge for shoulders. • Attach the base of the head to the ‘neck’ space, using over stitch or any neat stitch as preferred. • Place the skirt over the doll’s body and use over stitch to catch the cast-off edge around the body approximately 1 cm (?in) below the garter st detail of the body. • Sew in any loose ends. • To attach the wings, sew the cast-on edge of each wing to the centre back of the angel’s body. Tips This pattern can also be adapted to make little dolls for children – just leave out the wings and change the colours of the dress. Small items such as this are great for using up any scraps of wool left from other creative projects. (#ulink_71f2386f-0753-5a76-8710-f88b973ec356) Floating baubles Silver and crystal baubles are amazing at reflecting light. Hang a group of them above candles on the kitchen table for a decoration that’s a blaze of light glittering on surfaces. You will need Clear fishing line or invisible thread 2 small carpet tacks or short nails Hammer Selection of silver or crystal Christmas decorations To make • Attach the two tacks to walls either side of your table, then stretch a piece of fishing line or invisible thread between the tacks, so it reaches from one wall to another. Make sure the line is tight and well secured at either end as the weight of the baubles may stretch the line and cause it to sag. • Hang the decorations above the table by tying a length of fishing line or invisible thread to each bauble and hanging them at different heights from the stretched length of fishing line. • Place small candles or nightlights below the baubles and light them. Enjoy the view! Tips This idea can be adapted to use any groups of coordinated decorations, even paper baubles (#litres_trial_promo) or small pompoms, but make sure they hang well away from the candles. Ask your children to make some little trinkets to hang over the candles, and hang them alone or among glittering baubles. Children really enjoy seeing their work go centre-stage, especially at Christmas. Groups of items on wire, line or thread make great decorations all round the house. A natural selection – using items such as fir cones, leaves, dried orange segments, cinnamon sticks and thistles – looks wonderful hanging across a window, especially if you lightly spray the elements with glitter and hang them from the line using festive ribbons. (#ulink_50a4f066-6694-5dd9-afc3-94791cff1928) Festive mantelpiece There are all sorts of fancy Christmas decorations for sale in the shops, but to our mind, nothing can beat the traditional favourites, especially a holly and ivy garland over a roaring fire. You will need Trailing ivy (can be freshly pruned from the garden or bought from a florist) Sprigs of holly Fir cones, berries and other woodland items, perhaps gathered on a winter’s walk Set of fairy lights Baubles and other favourite decorations To decorate the mantelpiece • Clear and dust your shelf or mantelpiece, then drape the ivy in swags, anchoring the pieces with the heavier sprigs of holly and punctuating with fir cones, bright berries and other natural objects. • Weave a set of fairy lights in among the foliage – plain white or red chilli pepper lights look wonderful at Christmas. • Add a few baubles, other special decorations or cards as you like. It can be nice to give homemade cards some recognition by displaying them in a prominent place, as shown below. • A real fire in the grate is the true finishing touch. If you have one, stack plenty of wood alongside it for a feeling of warmth and security, whatever the weather. For Christmas, you might like to track down some apple or pear wood, both of which burn with a gloriously atmospheric scent. Tips The garland doesn’t have to be made of ivy – pine, holly leaves or any evergreen will do. To decorate stairs, tie the evergreen and baubles to some thin rope using twine or wire. (#ulink_cbf63a68-4554-54d3-8526-f0dfde7640c2) Christmas wreath This naturally beautiful festive wreath is a far cry from the tinselly versions available in shops and markets. It is also surprisingly fun and easy to make, and will be much admired on your front door. You will need Whippy willow branches Trailing ivy Roll of florists’ wire Holly leaves Holly or other red berries Fir cones Mossy twigs Hydrangea flowerhead – the redder the better Strong ribbon or string for hanging To make • Lay out the whippy willow branches in a circle to the desired circumference for your wreath. Lay long strands of ivy on top of it and lash all layers tightly together with the florists’ wire to make a long ‘sausage’ of foliage. This gives your wreath a good solid base and will help keep a strong round shape. (It’s possible to use holly and ivy alone as a base, but you may find that the weight of larger wreaths will cause them to stretch into an oval when hanging.) • Form the sausage into a wreath shape and secure the ends together with wire. This makes the base of the wreath. • Working around the wreath, evenly attach your decorations – holly leaves, berries, cones, twigs, sections from the hydrangea head and any other Christmassy foliage – around the circumference, securing each one with the florists’ wire. • When you have worked once around, hang the wreath to view from a distance, and continue to add more leaves and berries if any section looks sparse. • Attach a length of strong ribbon or string at the top rear of the wreath where it will not show, for tying around a nail or hook on your door. • The wreath should last around three weeks if hanging outside and may even dry out sufficiently to carry on as an indoor decoration, to be supplemented with seasonal flowers and foliage throughout the rest of the year. Tips For the cheapest, greenest and most natural effect, forage your own foliage from your garden or a hedgerow. Or take an early-morning trip to a flower market where the foliage will be fresh, and buy enough to supply a few like-minded friends too. (#ulink_5ef716e6-e84c-583c-ab32-f2633bac4cd3) Cranberry Christmas decorations Cranberries have a rich wine colour and lovely plump shape that makes them a wonderful alternative to shop-bought decorations. They traditionally symbolise peace and the earth’s abundance. You will need Cranberries Darning needle String and/or florists’ wire Cranberry hearts, circles and stars • Use florists’ wire or a malleable alternative that will hold its shape to thread together a short length of cranberries. Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию (https://www.litres.ru/ros-badger/homemade-christmas-and-festive-decorations-25-home-craft-projec/?lfrom=688855901) на ЛитРес. 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