Showing posts with label paper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paper. Show all posts

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Homemade and recycled Christmas tree decorations

Christmas trees and their decorations are one of my favourite parts of the Christmas period. In my family home we added more decorations, often homemade, each year. Now, decorating the tree becomes a reminder of all the Christmases and years past. Each decoration is familiar and friendly, all too easily forgotten until you unwrap it from its newspaper or get it out of its box. And everything looks great on a Christmas tree, whether an intricate and delicate bauble, a fir cone covered in glitter or a santa claus made with cotton wool and red cardboard in playgroup.

I've been very aware of what I post about Christmas after writing this blog post on Christmas, making comparisons and mental health. However, I couldn't help but share my own collection of decorations as it starts to grow. My favourite are these Christmas mice. They are made from the inside of an eggbox (a six pack of eggs can make two mice), sprayed gold or silver and then decorated with glitter, beads and wire. A pipe cleaner tail attached to the back can help hold them on to the tree.


I also really like these butterflies. I made these with craft paper from Cowling and Wilcox from a tutorial in the Guardian family section last year. Cut a circle and a square and fold in half to make an oval and a triangle. Fold the paper like a fan into the central folds of each and then squash together at the centre. Wrap wire or thread around to hold them together. I added beads and ribbons too.


The wire can be used to hold them in the tree.




And of course, your spraypainted and glittery fircone. I made one last year while volunteering at Radio Lollipop for Great Ormond St hospital.In fact, you can spray any twigs, fircones or leaves silver or gold, add some glitter and attach them to the tree!


This holly decoration has lasted three years now - the silver spray must preserve it!
This owl is made from half a strip of cut and folded old book with mince pie cases for eyes.


And here is the tree in all it's homemade glory.





Thursday, 1 March 2012

Homemade cards

I mainly use pastels, with some acrylic and the odd bit of paper folding and cutting. Recently I have been experimenting with cards which include material and patchwork. They're good evening projects to get lost in.
Ape card for Alex on our anniversary (going to Go Ape) - using acrylics.

Peas in a pod for Alex's birthday, using pastels

Snowdrops for Jess birthday, with pastels.
Autumn leaves for Dad, with pastels.
Eric Carle style card for Claire's birthday, newspaper, pipecleaners and glass beads.

Settlers card for Dallas, using pastels
Picture for card for Rhiannon - in pastels


Horse card for Liz Pickup's 60th - acrylics

Mothers day card for mum, material sewed together with a button.

Thank you card for Liz and Mike, in pastels with folded butterfly.

Red oak tree for Liz and Mike's Ruby wedding, paper and acrylics.