Christmas Recipes & Crafts (2015)
Christmas Crafts
Handmade Stocking
Decorative Jars
Angel Card Tree Decoration
Christmas Snowflake Card
Christmas Wreath
Gift Tags & Gift Decorations
Christmas Card Tree Decorations
Decorative Centrepiece
Country-style Garland
Advent Calendar
Handmade Stocking
Fill this cute little Christmas stocking with gifts and it will look perfect hanging from the mantelpiece. It requires very simple sewing skills.
two 25 x 30 cm/10 x 12 inches pressed, 100% wool felt sheets, 4 mm/⅛ inch thick
contrasting cotton fabric offcuts
matching or co-ordinating embroidery thread
you will also need
a large piece of paper, scissors, pins, sharp fabric scissors, pinking shears, darning needle
1.Enlarge the Christmas Stocking and Christmas Tree for Stocking templates available at http://www.parragon.com/christmasebooktemplates.pdf on a photocopier to the required size. The finished stocking for this project is 28 cm/11 inches in height, but you can vary this size. Copy and cut out the following templates: two stocking shapes and one Christmas tree.
2.Make the following templates using a large piece of paper: two rectangular cuff shapes, measuring 23 cm/9 inches long by 10 cm/4 inches wide and one rectangular loop shape, measuring 30 cm/12 inches long by 6cm/2½ inches wide.
3.Pin the stocking template to the felt fabric and cut out using the fabric scissors. As the felt fabric is the same on both sides, there is no need to worry about turning the template over.
4.Pin the cuff templates, tree and loop to the contrasting cotton fabric and cut out using the pinking shears.
5.Thread the darning needle with a length of embroidery thread and tie a knot in the end. Use the same embroidery thread for all of the sewing.
6.Place the Christmas tree shape on top of one of the felt stocking shapes, so that the foot of the stocking is facing left and the pattern of the Christmas tree is the right way around. Secure the thread to the back of the stocking shape and sew the Christmas tree on top of the felt, using a very simple running stitch.
7.The cuff template is much bigger than the width of the stocking to allow the edges of the cuff to be folded around the top of the stocking. Place the felt stocking shape, Christmas tree showing, on top of the inside of the cuff shape. Fold half of the fabric over the top of the stocking, making sure that the material is the right way around if there is a pattern. Fold the edges of the cuff to the inside of the stocking and, using a simple running stitch, sew each edge of the cuff to the stocking along the sides. Leave the pinking shear edge unattached at the front.
8.Place both pieces of the stocking together. Use a simple running stitch to sew around the edges of the stocking, leaving the top cuffed edge open.
9.Fold the loop shape in half lengthways, making sure that the pattern is on the outside, and sew along the length using running stitch. Leave the pinked edge showing. Form a loop and place each end inside the stocking at the top right-hand side of the cuff. Sew each end of the loop to the inside of the stocking using running stitch. Check all pins have been removed before hanging up for Christmas.
Decorative Jars
These tealight holders cast a festive shadow of snowflakes. Vary the size of the jars and the colour of the snowflakes to create a magical atmosphere.
assorted glass jars in various shapes and sizes
small snowflake-shaped paper punch
white tissue paper
craft glue
crochet snowflakes
assorted festive ribbons, cut into 50-cm/20-inch lengths
battery-operated tealights
you will also need
glue spreader or stiff paintbrush
1.Wash the glass jars in mild soapy water to make sure they are free of grease.
2.Using a snowflake-shaped paper punch, stamp out a selection of tissue paper snowflakes. Use a glue spreader or stiff paintbrush to apply glue to the entire surface of one of the jars. Place the tissue paper snowflakes on the layer of glue in a random pattern. Apply a layer of glue over the top of them. Set the covered jar to one side to dry. Don’t worry if the jar looks white, craft glue will dry clear.
3.Cover one side of a crochet snowflake with a generous coating of glue and attach it to another jar. Choose either two larger crochet snowflakes or a selection of smaller crochet snowflakes to attach to more jars in a random pattern.
4.Leave the finished jars to dry for about 3 hours.
5.When the jars are completely dry, tie a selection of ribbons around the neck of the jar, switch on the tealights and place inside.
Tip
Save jam jars and pickle jars to make up a selection of different sized jars. Use paper lace doilies to glue to the jars instead of the paper snowflakes and experiment with several colours of tissue paper to vary the light cast from the jars.
Angel Card Tree Decoration
This delightful card design incorporates a balsa wood angel that can be removed from the card to hang on the Christmas tree.
300-gsm white card
gold paper
small and large-weave hessian
scrap card
board 2 mm/1/16 inch thick
balsa wood 3 mm/⅛ inch thick
white and cadmium yellow acrylic paints
gold enamel paint
thin craft wire
you will also need
craft knife, steel-edged ruler, cutting mat, pencil, scoring tool, double-sided tape, black felt-tip pen, paintbrush, long-nosed pliers, superglue, pin
1.Using a craft knife and steel-edged ruler on a cutting mat, cut a piece of the white card 15.5 x 19 cm/6⅛ x 7½ inches. Score down the centre with a scoring tool and fold in half. Attach the gold paper to the front of the folded card with double-sided tape. Trim with the craft knife and steel-edged ruler. Cut a 15.5 x 9.5-cm/6⅛ x 3¾-inch piece of small-weave hessian. Use an existing frayed edge for the right-hand edge or fray by pulling a few vertical strands away. Attach the hessian with double-sided tape so that it fits exactly over the gold paper.
2.Enlarge the templates available at http://www.parragon.com/christmasebooktemplates.pdf on a photocopier as directed and cut out. Draw around the templates on scrap card and cut out with a craft knife and steel-edged ruler on a cutting mat.
3.Draw around the angel silhouette onto the large-weave hessian with the black felt-tip pen and cut out. Attach to the card with double-sided tape.
4.Using the template, cut a large heart from gold paper and attach it to a piece of board with double-sided tape, then attach to the hessian angel. Open the card and lay flat, then cut a small upside-down ‘V’ in the top edge of the card front. This will serve as a hook for the balsa wood angel.
5.Using the templates and craft knife, cut the wings, angel body and a small heart from balsa wood. Paint the head and wings with white acrylic paint. Add a tiny amount of yellow to the white to make a cream for the dress. While drying, paint the heart with gold enamel paint. Cut a 13-cm/ 5-inch length of wire with the pliers and twist the ends together for a length of 1 cm/½ inch, forming a hoop for the halo.
6.Paint white polka dots on the dress. When dry, superglue the angel body to the wings, and the heart to the body. Use the pin to make a hole at the top of the wings behind the angel’s back. Superglue the twisted wire of the halo into the hole.
Christmas Snowflake Card
Just one template can be used to create four classy card designs that will look stunning on display in the home.
3-mm/⅛-inch thick card
300-gsm Bockingford (slightly textured) paper
300-gsm white card
silver and/or gold spray paint
silver and/or gold card
you will also need
scissors, pencil, craft knife, steel-edged ruler, cutting mat, masking tape, bone folder, double-sided tape, old newspaper, face mask and protective gloves
1.Enlarge the template available at http://www.parragon.com/christmasebooktemplates.pdf on a photocopier as directed and cut out with scissors. Draw around the template onto the 3-mm/⅛-inch thick card and cut out with a craft knife and steel-edged ruler on a cutting mat.
2.Place the template on the Bockingford paper and secure with masking tape. Ensure there is enough space to create a 15-cm/6-inch square. Turn the paper over and rub firmly all over the template area with a bone folder to create an impression.
3.Remove the template. Ensure that the embossed snowflake is in the centre of the paper, then trim to 15 cm/6 inches square.
4.Cut a 15 x 30-cm/6 x 12-inch piece of white card. Score down the centre with a bone folder and fold in half. Use double-sided tape around the edges of the embossed snowflake panel to attach it to the card.
5.Repeat steps 2-4 to create a second card, but attach the Bockingford paper to the opposite side of the white card to create a reversed impression.
6.To make a third card, place the template on the front of folded white card (see step 4). Protect your work surface with old newspaper. Wearing a face mask and protective gloves, spray silver and/or gold paint over the card. When dry, remove the template to reveal the snowflake.
7.To make a fourth card, cut a 15 x 30-cm/6 x 12-inch piece of silver or gold card. Score down the centre with a bone folder and fold in half. Respray the snowflake template so that it contrasts with the card, if needed, and attach it to the card front with double-sided tape.
Christmas Wreath
You won’t need special floristry skills to create this simple indoor decoration. Vary the patterns, colours and ribbons for different occasions.
20 metres/65 feet assorted ribbons of various widths with a Christmas theme
10 metres/32 feet natural jute hessian ribbon, 2.5 cm/1 inch wide
25-cm/10-inch round flat wire wreath frame
you will also need
fabric scissors, ruler or tape measure
1.Cut various lengths between 25-35 cm/10-14 inches from the assorted and jute hessian ribbons, using a ruler or tape measure as a guide. Don’t worry about being too precise, this design looks more effective with materials of various lengths.
2.Tie the first piece of ribbon in a bow around the wire frame. The aim is to fill the entire frame with ribbon bows, so start anywhere with the first one. Again, don’t worry about being too neat, the aim is for a rustic, shabby-chic look.
3.Use different lengths, colours and patterns of ribbon and continue to tie bows all the way around the frame, alternating between the jute hessian and other ribbons as you progress. Gently push each bow towards the previous bow to make sure there isn’t any of the wire frame visible.
4.Once you have filled the entire frame, tie a final length of ribbon around the frame to create a loop for hanging the wreath. The wreath works both ways when you hang it, so turn it around for two styles in one.
Tip
The size of the wreath is adaptable. Simply buy a smaller or larger flat wire wreath frame and adjust the quantity of ribbon or fabric. Purchase frames from a local florist or online.
Gift Tags & Gift Decorations
Add a touch of vintage chic to your Christmas presents with these elegant gift tags. You can vary the lacy design with a variety of paper doilies.
medium-weight brown kraft card
paper doilies with a scalloped edge
hole punch reinforcers (optional)
thin silver ribbon or twine, cut into 15-20-cm/6-8-inch lengths
you will also need
paper, scissors, pencil, hole punch, glue stick
1.Create templates on paper to your chosen size and cut out. Rectangles approximately 9cm/3½ inches long by 6 cm/2½ inches wide, and circles 6cm/2½ inches in diameter work well for this.
2.Draw around the template onto the brown kraft card and cut out with a pair of scissors.
3.Punch a hole in the top of the gift tag. Apply a layer of glue to the bottom half of the tag with the glue stick.
4.Place one of the lace edges of a paper doily onto the layer of glue on the bottom half of the tag. Choose a symmetrical section of the doily so the scalloped edge becomes a feature of the tag. Trim the doily around the edges of the gift tag.
5.Apply the hole reinforcers, if using. Thread a length of ribbon or twine through the hole and knot it to create a tie for your tag.
Tip
Vary the colour of the card to create a variety of gift tags to complement your wrapping paper.
Christmas Card Tree Decorations
If you’d like to give something more than a card, but you are not sure of what to buy, this clever card doubles up as a stylish tree decoration.
300-gsm brown card
pale-green plain paper
brown glitter card
brown corrugated card
8-cm/3¼-inch length of 5-mm/¼-inch wide red ribbon
pale-green handmade paper
12-cm/4¼-inch length of 2-mm/1/16-inch wide green ribbon
small deep-red glass bead
you will also need
pencil, craft knife, steel-edged ruler, cutting mat, scoring tool, hole punch, glue stick, double-sided tape
1.Enlarge the template available at http://www.parragon.com/christmasebooktemplates.pdf on a photocopier to the required size and cut out. Draw around the template on the brown card and cut out with a craft knife and steel-edged ruler on a cutting mat. Score down the centre with a scoring tool and fold. Punch a hole near the top.
2.Cover the inside of the tree with glue stick. Stick the plain green paper on one half of the inside, placing it down the centre fold and making sure it adheres well. Trim with the craft knife. Repeat on the opposite side. Cut out the punched hole with the craft knife.
3.Cut a trunk from brown glitter card and attach in two pieces to the front and back of the card with double-sided tape. Cut the container from brown corrugated card and attach in the same way.
4.Attach the red ribbon with double-sided tape, running it over the card spine.
5.Use a glue stick to adhere the green handmade-quality paper in one piece to the front and back of the outside of the card. Cut out the punched hole. Create a loop for hanging from the green ribbon, threading the deep-red glass bead on to it before tying off.
Decorative Centrepiece
Bring some sparkle to your festive feast with this special table centrepiece. Have fun collecting old buttons and vintage ribbon for this project.
old newspaper
fir cones in a variety of shapes and sizes
snow spray
glass cookie jar
mini LED battery-operated lights
20-30 gold sequins
1 metre/39 inches jute burlap ribbon, at least 1 cm/½ inch thick
you will also need
protective mask and gloves, craft glue
1.In a well-ventilated room, lay the newspaper on a flat surface and spread out the fir cones. Using a protective mask and gloves, spray the fir cones with the snow spray, turning the cones around to make sure that all parts are covered with a light coating. Leave to dry for about 30 minutes.
2.Once the cones are dry, place an initial selection of cones in the base of the glass cookie jar. Twist the first section of the LED mini lights around the fir cones and start adding more cones to the jar, twisting the lights around them as you fill the jar up. When you get to the top of the jar, carefully disguise the battery section of the LED lights in the middle of the fir cones, making sure you can still get access to switch them on.
3.Stick sequins to the ends of the jute burlap ribbon in a random pattern, using blobs of craft glue. Once the glue has completely dried and the sequins are securely attached, place the ribbon around the top of the jar and tie in a bow.
4.Turn the lights on and replace the lid of the cookie jar.
Country-style Garland
Perfect for creating a country cottage feel, this will bring traditional festive cheer to your home. Make short ones or a few longer ones.
small-weave hessian fabric 30 cm/12 inches square
large-weave hessian fabric 30 cm/12 inches square
scraps of pale-green and deep-red felt
scraps of deep-red gingham and plain red cotton fabric
natural string
decorative gold fine thread
5 red buttons, diameter 2 cm/¾ inch
embroidery needle
deep-red embroidery thread
thin craft wire
6 tiny wooden pegs
2 tiny felt hearts
you will also need
scissors, tailor’s chalk, craft knife, cutting mat, tape measure, fabric glue, long-nosed pliers, strong double-sided tape
1.Enlarge the templates available at http://www.parragon.com/christmasebooktemplates.pdf on a photocopier as directed and cut out using scissors. Using tailor’s chalk and either scissors or a craft knife on a cutting mat, cut out the following: 2 circles from small-weave hessian, 2 from large-weave hessian; 2 large stars from each hessian, 1 small star from green felt; 4 angel bodies from large-weave hessian; 4 angel wings from small-weave hessian; 2 large hearts from red gingham, 2 from red felt; 2 small hearts from red gingham, 2 from red felt, 2 from green felt.
2.Lay a 1.5-m/59-inch length of string on a work surface and twist the gold thread around. Tie a loop at either end and fray the ends.
3.Cover one side of the buttons with fabric glue and attach the red felt. Cut around the buttons with a craft knife. Pass the needle and thread through the buttonholes once so the thread ends dangle from the back of the button by about 1.5 cm/⅝ inch. Ensure that two of the buttons have extra thread hanging.
4.Arrange the embellishments on the string, working out from the centre. Run a length of thin wire around the top of the red and gingham large hearts with pliers and use double-sided tape to sandwich between the fabrics. Glue a small green heart to the plain red side and add one of the buttons. Use two pegs to attach the string
5.Construct the angels in the same way, but simply sandwich the string in between the head and tops of the wings. Sandwich the wings (two sets per angel) in between the bodies. Glue the tiny felt hearts in place.
6.Construct the remaining embellishments in the same way, using wire to strengthen them, then attach them to the string.
Advent Calendar
Every child knows that the Advent calendar means Christmas isn’t too far away. Choose your own treats to fill this delightful calendar.
beige thick cotton fabric 1 metre/39 inches square
red and dark-green felt
roll of matt laminate
2 pieces of bamboo cane 36 cm/14½ inches in length
bright-red soft thick fabric 62 x 93 cm/25 x 37 inches
sewing needle and deep-red strong cotton thread
extra-strong iron-on hemming tape
6 pairs of deep-red baby socks, age 0-3 months
6 pairs of deep-green baby socks, age 0-3 months
25 Christmas-tree embellishments in red, green and gold
24 tiny wooden pegs
1.5-metres/59 inches of 1-cm/½-inch wide green ribbon
large silver bell
36-cm/14¼-inch length of 5-mm/¼-inch wide red ribbon
you will also need
scissors, craft knife, steel-edged ruler, cutting mat, pinking shears, tacking pins, tacking thread, strong double-sided tape, steam iron, fabric glue
1.Enlarge the box templates available at http://www.parragon.com/christmasebooktemplates.pdf on a photocopier as directed and cut out using scissors. Cut 24 large rectangles from the beige fabric using a craft knife and a steel-edged ruler on a cutting mat. Cut 24 small squares from red felt with pinking shears.
2.Use the template to cut the tree from green felt, place on the beige fabric and cut out a slightly larger tree for a border. Laminate the sheet of numbers, then cut out with the craft knife and ruler.
3.Place one length of bamboo at the top of the large piece of red fabric and fold the top edge of the fabric over. Pin, then tack the hem. Hand sew with red thread, then remove the tacking stitches. Repeat at the bottom of the fabric.
4.Temporarily position all the beige squares and the beige tree on the red fabric with double-sided tape, ensuring that they are evenly positioned. Using the iron-on hemming tape around the edges and following the manufacturer’s instructions, attach them to the red fabric one row at a time.
5.Using fabric glue, adhere the red felt squares about halfway up and 5 mm/¼ inch in from the right-hand side. Use double-sided tape to attach the numbers centrally to each red square. Attach the green felt tree to the beige tree with fabric glue. Sew the socks to the tops of corners of the beige squares. Open them fully to add your treats, then stick the heels down with fabric glue. Use fabric glue to attach the tree embellishments, ensuring sock number 24 has 2 slightly overlapping trees. Add the pegs to look like they are holding the socks up. Tie bows in the green ribbon, attach the bell and sew to the tree in the bottom right-hand corner.
6.To create hanging loops, use the craft knife to make two horizontal incisions just below the bamboo, wide enough to thread the red ribbon through and under the bamboo. Slightly overlap the ribbon and sew together. Move the ribbon around to hide the sewn part behind the bamboo. Check all pins have been removed before hanging up for Christmas.
