Crafting for Christmas 2009, let's begin again.......

wanna-b-rich

Just like to say a quick thanks to everyone on here, some great ideas and lots of good advice.

Found a post from Sethsgran earlier re glass block lamps (thanks for posting), and was so inspired that I dashed out to get a block, came home drilled the hole and was all set to get creative when........ disaster no lights to be found anywhere around here! I'm hoping hubby will be able to pick me up a set on his travels. Was really looking forward to having one of these made in time for Christmas.

sethsgran

wanna-b-rich wrote: »

Just like to say a quick thanks to everyone on here, some great ideas and lots of good advice.

Found a post from Sethsgran earlier re glass block lamps (thanks for posting), and was so inspired that I dashed out to get a block, came home drilled the hole and was all set to get creative when........ disaster no lights to be found anywhere around here! I'm hoping hubby will be able to pick me up a set on his travels. Was really looking forward to having one of these made in time for Christmas.

Check out Bargain Madness, Home Bargains, Instore, they often sell the lights. I prefer the LED ones simply because of getting them through the small hole in the block. On one of my blocks I had fairy lights already bought so my husband sat with a small pair of "snips" after drilling the hole and he snipped away at the hole very carefully to make the hole bigger. Battery Powered lights are just as good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Fairy-Lights-WHITE-Bulbs/dp/B001D5N1QQ/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&s=lighting&qid=1260830765&sr=1-21
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Fairy-Lights-Aqua-Bulbs/dp/B001QUTZE0/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=lighting&qid=1260830902&sr=1-16

wanna-b-rich

sethsgran wrote: »

Check out Bargain Madness, Home Bargains, Instore, they often sell the lights. I prefer the LED ones simply because of getting them through the small hole in the block. On one of my blocks I had fairy lights already bought so my husband sat with a small pair of "snips" after drilling the hole and he snipped away at the hole very carefully to make the hole bigger. Battery Powered lights are just as good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Fairy-Lights-WHITE-Bulbs/dp/B001D5N1QQ/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&s=lighting&qid=1260830765&sr=1-21
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Fairy-Lights-Aqua-Bulbs/dp/B001QUTZE0/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=lighting&qid=1260830902&sr=1-16

Thanks, I'll have a look to see if there is HB's anywhere near where DH is staying - if so will send him along. I've searched all the DIY stores, supermarkets and little local traders in my town and there are no lights to be found. Is it just my town or is there a national shortage of lights and decorations in general?

If I don't manage to source any locally today, I think I will order some from Amazon and pray that they arrive on time.

RustyFlange

wanna-b-rich wrote: »

Thanks, I'll have a look to see if there is HB's anywhere near where DH is staying - if so will send him along. I've searched all the DIY stores, supermarkets and little local traders in my town and there are no lights to be found. Is it just my town or is there a national shortage of lights and decorations in general?

If I don't manage to source any locally today, I think I will order some from Amazon and pray that they arrive on time.

If you have a wilkos locally then please look in there as we have bought 2 sets of battery powered LED lights this year for a couple of pound! one set is icicles and the other just basic LED's like the link on amazon!

whoopidoo

Windle wrote: »

HELP ME MSE!!!

My parents decided a homemade christmas would be nice this year, but I'm really struggling with things to make!

So far:-

Mum -

Some clay Animals I made from Modelling clay and baked in the over
Jar of Sweeties I put together - going to decorate the jar
Decorated Clay planting pots

Dad -

I've made him an Airfix model and painted it all nice
Jar of sweeties as above

I'm really stuck for what else, needs to be relatively cheap and from items available from places like Focus, B&Q, high street.

HELP ME!!!

Did you watch Kirsties Homemade Christmas? The 4oD player is here if not. I'm going to have a bash at making some of the ribbon roses in episode 2 (around 35 mins in) as brooches for a couple of my friends. The hamper idea and the chutney in that episode are nice too.

Poundland always has lots of bargains you an 'alter' as gifts.

Just thought, my sister said the best present I ever gave her was a photo album that I filled with photos of us all and then wrote little captions and anecdotes about what was happening in each photo underneath.

kemo_2002

just had my attempt at peanut brittle! i hope it works!!! just waiting for it to set, im a bit worried as i only boiled it for 5 mins bacuase it would have burnt otherwise!

wanna-b-rich

RustyFlange wrote: »

If you have a wilkos locally then please look in there as we have bought 2 sets of battery powered LED lights this year for a couple of pound! one set is icicles and the other just basic LED's like the link on amazon!

Thanks, but No Wilko's here either:( we have truly rubbish selection of stores.

Will ask DH if he's near one though (he's so gonna love me today - that'll teach him to go on business trips and leave me on my own:rotfl:).

PepPop

whoopidoo wrote: »

Just thought, my sister said the best present I ever gave her was a photo album that I filled with photos of us all and then wrote little captions and anecdotes about what was happening in each photo underneath.

Snap whoopidoo - I made my OH a photo album for our first Christmas together with snaps from our first year together and he loved it (he's a sentimental wee soul) and every holiday etc we update. I picked the best pic and put it in a picture frame for our wall. He said it was the best pressie he got that year because I had put so much thought into it. Homemade is definately best.

culpepper

Windle wrote: »

HELP ME MSE!!!

My parents decided a homemade christmas would be nice this year, but I'm really struggling with things to make!

So far:-

Mum -

Some clay Animals I made from Modelling clay and baked in the over
Jar of Sweeties I put together - going to decorate the jar
Decorated Clay planting pots

Dad -

I've made him an Airfix model and painted it all nice
Jar of sweeties as above

I'm really stuck for what else, needs to be relatively cheap and from items available from places like Focus, B&Q, high street.

HELP ME!!!

What about a mini bookshelf or book ends? You could use offcuts if you have them? I did this for my mum long ago, the bookends were 2 squares made into an L shape and then I cut out matching shapes for the upright (dancing ladies) and painted it one for each end of a long row of books. The bookshelf was made following a guide in a library book but very simple as it was cut to slot together.

Sian_the_Green

Windle, are you any good at knitting? A scarf always goes down well and isn't too difficult or time consuming. Or if you are any good at sewing I recommend the sock monkeys, they go down very well!

I think for Mums and Dads one of the nicest things is to show that you appreciate them so if you got a photo frame and put some nice scrapbook type paper in it and then put a picture of you all and wrote a lovely message underneath saying what they have taught you in life or thanking them for things they have done...