Creative Craft World mini challenge

The new mini kit is now available at Creative Craft World and there is a mini challenge over on CCW blog with a chance to win it.

Why don't you check it out here.

Mince pies

Having seen my friend Sue's mincemeat stars on her blog looking so delicious, I thought I'd have a go:)

While I was at it, I made some ordinary mince pies 

and some topped with a cinnamon crumble mix.

They are the ones in the middle.

A bit of a catch up

I know it's a busy time of year for everyone and other people manage perfectly well to keep up with their blog but unfortunately, I am not one of them!

So here goes, a few pics of cards etc.

Kaitlyn, our nephew's daughter was two at the weekend and this is the card I made for her from her Nannie.

She likes Minnie Mouse:)

A card I made for Debbie

another pic

Tonight I've made some Christmas morning muffins as a bit of a trial run and I'm waiting for them to cool before I indulge:)

Time to walk the dogs.

I'm going to try and update my blog more often...watch this space.

It's reining deer!

This is the name of the craft stall we are having on Friday night at Cranfield Christmas market and Chris is busy preparing his reindeer for the event lol!

Holly took these two pictures on her phone - we have to provide our own lighting (no electricity) so we are going to rely mainly on fairy lights.

This is Arthur, a rather large reindeer.  He's not finished yet, I have to do his eyes and he needs antlers but he will be standing at the front of our stall, hopefully enticing people in to look at our wares:)

and another one taken at Chris's Mum's where he was made.

Day 30 - the final day of Countdown to Christmas

Well, November went by in a flash didn't it?  I hope by now that you're all well under way with your Christmas preparations and our little projects here at Creative Craft World have helped a bit.

Our final project is from Melissa and is a very pretty hanging decoration.

You can find out how to make it here on her blog.

Countdown to Christmas may be over but don't forget that Creative Craft World have a monthly sketch map on the first Saturday of each month and a mini challenge on the 20th of each month, both with prizes and at the moment we are looking for a new design team member so if you fancy joining us here, pop over to the blog and check out the details.

Day 29 of Countdown to Christmas

Today is the penultimate project of our month long countdown to Christmas and Sue has made us some rather cute gift boxes made from one sheet of A4 card.  Pop over to Sue's blog, Me and Mine for all the info.

Day 28 of Countdown to Christmas

We have a gift tag for a bottle and gift box today from Lou.

If you pop along to her blog Loopy Lou's Crafty Mess you'll find all the details.

See you tomorrow for a selection of boxes.

Day 27 of Countdown to Christmas

A quick and easy project from me today - I call them pocket warmers:)

Pop them in to the microwave for a few seconds and they will keep your hands nice and warm while you are taking the children to school or walking the dog.

You can also pop them in the freezer for when you have headache.

You will need:

scraps of pretty cotton fabric
scraps of lining fabric (I cut up an old flanelette sheet)
rice or pearl barley

Cut two pieces of the outer fabric in to 4" squares

Do the same with the lining.

Place the lining fabric on to the wrong side of the patterned fabric then put the right sides together.

Pin together and stitch, remembering to leave about an 1" gap.

Clip the corners and turn to the right side.

Poke out the corners using something like a crochet hook.
Using a funnel, fill with rice to about two thirds full.
Stitch the opening closed - I just oversew by hand but you could use your machine and there you have it.

Heat for about 20 - 30 seconds in the microwave.

You can make these bigger to use for different purposes and you could add a few drops of lavender essential oil if you make one for your neck and shoulders.

Day 26 of Countdown to Christmas

Wow!  Look at this fab envelope book from Sarah!

You'll find full instructions on how to make this at her blog: 

http://sarahslittlesnippets.blogspot.co.uk/

Tomorrow it's my turn to show you how to make some handy pocket warmers so I hope you'll pop back then.

Day 25 of Countdown to Christmas

How can it possibly be the 25th of November?  There are only five more projects for you in our month long countdown - I hope you've enjoyed what we've had so far and will stay with us just a bit longer:)

Today we have another project from Sarah (weren't her tags fab yesterday?) and this time it's a layout.
Here's a sneaky peek

and you'll find it in all its glory at her blog.

Pop back tomorrow for a tutorial for a mini envelope book - this one I am really looking forward to:)

Reindeer jumper

I saw this jumper at a garden centre I visited with my friend Pam, earlier in the week and thought it would be perfect for Chris to wear when we do one of our Christmas fairs.  I wasn't sure whether he'd wear it or not, but he says he will:)

And here is one of the reindeer we will be selling!

Day 24 of Countdown to Christmas

A very pretty tag from Sarah today and if you fancy making one,  pop over to her blog you'll find further info.

Check back tomorrow for a lovely layout from Sarah again!

Day 23 of Countdown to Christmas

Ali's made some Christmas trees for us today,

Check out her blog http://alipeeps-art.blogspot.co.uk/ for more details and please pop back tomorrow when Sarah will be showing us some tags.

Day 22 of Countdown to Christmas

It's my turn today and I'm going to show you how to make chocolate truffles and a little gift box to pop them in.

I hope my instructions aren't too long winded!

Ingredients:

200g bar of Bournville chocolate or other good quality dark chocolate chopped in to small pieces

100 ml of double cream

if you want to add some alcohol then you will need a tablespoon of that too.

Decoration

desiccated  coconut

chopped nuts

melted white or milk chocolate

1.  Pour the cream into a pan and heat until almost boiling.  It will bubble around the edges.  Turn off and remove from the heat.

2.  Add the chopped chocolate to the cream and leave for a minute or so.

3.  Stir the chocolate into the cream.  Add your alcohol here if you want it.

4.  Transfer to a bowl and leave to cool then cover with clingfilm and pop in to the fridge for at least a couple of hours until it is set.

5. Take a sheet of baking parchment and place it under a wire cooling rack to catch any drips of chocolate.

6.  Take the mixture out of the fridge and scoop out a teaspoon of the mixture and form into a ball  about the size of a marble and place on the wire rack.  This is a very messy business and you will need to keep washing your hands and probably have to pop the mixture back into the fridge to set again.  They don't have to be perfectly round.

7.  Pop back in the fridge and get your toppings ready.

8. Take out of the fridge and re-roll the balls which will soften them and enable the coconut or the nuts to stick.

If you want to cover them in melted chocolate,leave the chocolate to cool slightly otherwise it will melt your truffle.  

9.  Take a spoon of the melted chocolate and pour over the truffle.  I lost the plot with this and gave up and only managed to do 4 coated in chocolate.  However  I much prefer the ones coated in nuts anyway lol!

10.  Place the finished truffles back in to the fridge until you have made your gift boxes.

These truffles will keep about 3 days and really need to be kept in the fridge.

Gift Box

My finished box measured 4" square.

Most of you will know how to make a box but for those of you who don't, I'll quickly run through the instructions.

Start with 2 pieces of double sided card 8" square.

Trim the piece you want to use for the bottom of the box just a fraction on 2 sides.  This will enable your lid to fit nicely.

Score at 2" on all four sides of both pieces of card.

Cut out a slither as shown above.

Shape into a box and glue the

2 outer squares and fold up the other piece to meet it and hold in place with a couple of pegs.

Do the same for the other side.

Repeat for the lid.

Take a circle punch and punch out a half circle on two opposite sides of the lid to make the box easier to open.

That's it, you're done.  I fit 6 truffles into my box.

See you tomorrow for another great idea from Ali.

Day 21 of Countdown to Christmas

A sneaky peak of Sue's fab-u-lous Advent calender.

To find out more, visit her blog:  http://miniowner.blogspot.co.uk/.  If you pop back tomorrow it's my turn to show you how to make some delicious chocolate truffles.

Day 20 of Countdown to Christmas

Another project today from Lou, this time it's a layout.

Such a gorgeous page and if you'd like to see how this was made, check out Lou's blog, All things crafty.

I hope you are enjoying our Countdown to Christmas and if so, please pop by tomorrow for an Advent wreath from Sue.

Don't forget, the new mini kit is out at Creative Craft World today and if you head over to the blog you will find a new challenge:)

Day 19 of Countdown to Christmas

Today we have a lovely card from Sarah and if you pop over to her blog you will find more details:)

Craft Fair

Today was my second craft fair at Hounslow Hall Estate.  It was a great venue with 60 stalls and lots of people enjoying themselves.

Bev took these pictures, mine are still in my camera so I took these off Facebook.                        

Some of the reindeer which proved very popular.

This is baby Rio, Bev's grandson:)
Here he is again with Chris.

Day 18 of Countdown to Christmas

Look at these cuties from our guest design team member, Tamsyn.  If you'd like to know how to make Mr and Mrs Gingerbread tree decoration, head over here.

I hope to see you tomorrow when Sarah will be showing us how to make a Christmas envelope book.  I love making books so I can't wait!

Day 17 of Countdown to Christmas

It's Lou's turn again today and she's going to show us a lovely gift tag.

Full details on how to make this can be found over on her blog.

Day 16 of Countdown to Christmas

Today we have a Christmas card for you from Ali.

 If you're like me and way behind with your Christmas card making, perhaps you might give this one a go over the weekend!  Pop over to Ali's blog http://alipeeps-art.blogspot.co.uk/ for further details.
See you tomorrow for another crafty project.

Day 15 of Countdown to Christmas

A different sort of planner is on offer today from Trish.  It looks like there are places for lists and I love to have a list or two on the go so this could be perfect for all my Christmas planning!!

Check out her blog for all the details;

www.doodlesandswirls.co.uk

Pop back tomorrow for more craftiness:)

Day 14 of Countdown to Christmas

A fun activity for all the family to make between courses at dinner on Christmas Day is what Sue has on offer for us today:)

Check out her blog for full details on how to make a cute origami Father Christmas.

Tomorrow there will be another crafty project for you so I hope to see you then.