Inked Christmas Cards

Getting creative this year I've made my own hand drawn cards. Here's some more of my designs...the stocking is my favourite especially once personalised.

Vintage finds...

Today is about packing up Vintage cups, saucers, plates and tea pots.
My mum had a coffee morning earlier this year raising an impressive £904.89 for Claire House children's hospice. With the event now out of the way and the house taking shape for Christmas they are being stored away safely until they are needed again.
I am planning on moving into a new home come the New Year and I have bagsied some precious finds to take with me. Some mix and match pieces should go down a treat!

Denby Posies

Duchess Bramble Rose

Myott Staffordshire England

Queen Anne Bone China

Candy Cane Cakepops

These simple Christmas delights are easy peasy to make and are a fun edition to the traditional food offering at Christmas.

How to make candy cane cake pops

1. Make a plain sponge cake and let cool OR if you are like me and can't face the idea of making a cake to then blitz it into crumbs you can always cheat and buy one.
2. Blitz the cake into a bread crumb texture
3. Melt milk chocolate (I do this in a bowl over a pan of boiling water)
4. Remove the chocolate from the heat and mix the cake and chocolate together until all the cake is covered and has absorbed the chocolate
5. Then divide the mixture into small balls
6. Set them on grease proof paper so they are easy to remove once set
7. Before they set poke mini candy canes into the centre of the balls
8. Put aside in the fridge to set for approx 1h
9. Once the cakes are cooled remove from the fridge - you should be able to hold the candy cane with the cake ball still in place.
10. Melt some more chocolate white this time (creating the effect of snowballs)
11. Once melted dip the candy cake ball into the chocolate giving an even white coating all over
12. Allow the excess to drip off so not to create a chocolate puddle!
13. Before the chocolate sets dip or sprinkle with a topping of your choice.
14. Set aside on grease proof paper to set.
15. Once this has been done for all balls pop in the fridge again to have a final set.
16. Finally - eat and enjoy!!

I took my Candy Cane Cakepops to my work Christmas fuddle. Lots of smiles all round and lots of money made for charity too!!

Felt Snowman

A winters afternoon being creative and moments later there are some frosty felt snowmen. Super cute and easy to make, these felt friends are going to be perfect winter warmers as card gifts this year.

Frosty the Snowman made by @GlitteredPink

Jazzy Felt Gingerbread Men

Earlier this year I set about making some felt gingerbread men to give as gifts this Christmas (Don't mind me I'm a Gingerbread man) . To jazz these up a little (and partly because I have run out of red ribbon) these gingerbread men look ready to P A R T Y!!

Felt Gingerbread Men made by @GlitteredPink

Felt Reindeer - hands off he's mine!

I am a massive fan of making things from felt, and getting a head start this Christmas I was searching for new characters to make and create. Browsing the web I came across http://gnathalie2.wordpress.com/category/attempted-sewing/ the super cute blog with a fab reindeer felt template. 

Felt reindeer made by @GlitteredPink

This template was more complex than my normal 2 piece but I thought I would give it a go....I love love love this felt reindeer and I think he is too nice to part with so will be taking pride of place on my tree instead. 

Christmas Cat Cross Stitch

Another little cross stitch pattern completed...one more down in the run up to Christmas. I've done something I have always wanted to do but never been brave enough and plucked up courage this week to do this cross stitch on the tram on the way to work. Yes I got some funny, inquisitive looks but I don't care! I am embracing my skill as it is something to be proud of. I'm surprised you don't see more people doing it.

Christmas Cat Cross Stitch b @GlitteredPink

Christmassy Cat Cross Stitch

Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern

My plan is to make this into a Christmas ornament which can be hung on the tree. I am going to give to my fiances mum with her Christmas card in honor of the new member of the family her new kitten Legolas. I'm not a massive fan of cats but this pic does make me go arrr...don't you agree.

Legolas

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In other news I have stumbled across a couple of new blogs today which I have been inspired by. Another craft item to add to the Christmas list is this Christmas pudding pinata, found on http://peasandneedles.blogspot.co.uk/ I think it will be great fun to do with friends and family this Christmas, as long as no one gets injured!