Christmas Crafts

What stars, Noel and gingerbread have in common? Three easy activities that I have done in the last days to get ready for the festive season. The Christmas tree is up and decorated; the table centerpiece from a dear friend is on display and the presents are bought and half wrapped. We still have the mantel to finish decorating and that's it (I think...).

We have a couple of firsts this Christmas - the first year to have a mantel to decorate and the first year when I tried making gingerbread. The mantel is not done yet (although I quite like it half bare) and the gingerbread came out mainly in the shape of stars. The latter was just a try-on before the festive days, but also for the #12daysofFolksy challenge over on Instagram where one of the prompts was gingerbread.

But enough with introductions, let's see the photos.

1. Star

I bought this willow star from a local independent gift shop and while I loved it as it was, after putting it up in its designated space, I pictured it whiter. With a dry-brushing technique of one coat of acrylic paints, I achieved the snowed-on effect I was after. Result!

2. Gingerbread stars

I made the first batch as a preparation for day 4 of #12DaysofFolksy Instagram challenge. I really wanted to make some gingerbread men, but the shape I had was way too big so the men lost their legs after baking so I only had stars. Then I decided that I quite liked stars after all so I made a second batch this weekend to have some biscuits for coffee in the morning. Half of the dough is in the freezer to be used later - I hope that's OK.  

3. NOEL sign

I wanted to have a NOEL sign or bunting but I couldn't decide where to place it and how big do I want it to be. A trip to the local craft shop later, I came home with those wooden slices determined to do something with them. I had some leftover letters from last year which I painted in black, I glued them onto the slices then I glued the slices together. I simply placed them onto one of the windows of the wooden frame, but they are not properly secured. I might need to add a string at the back, but for now, they are OK as they are. 

I am not sure yet if I am going to leave the mantel as it is or add some more bits and pieces - maybe some cards on the remaining windows on the frame and some candlestick holders for the two candles that are just leaning against the wall at the moment. But I quite like the simplicity of it. The round hanging decoration is by yours truly and the ceramic tree is from a local gift shop. 

These three uncomplicated things just reminded me how easy it is to create your own Christmas decor and I am quite happy that I managed to keep it simple while supporting local independent shops as well. 

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Later entry: 13.12.2018 - the mantel is now complete with mini Christma carols music sheets and dried flowers: