crafty for christmas 2008

shaz_mum_of__2

Hi everyone i am thinking of making paper mache moneyboxes for my younger rellies not done paper mache since school is wallpaper paste ok to use??

Shaz

kbl

Hi everyone, just mindlessly surfing the web (as you do, while the housework piles up around you!) and came across the Santa's Postbag website. It's got loads of things you could do with your weans, but there's also stuff that could quite easily be put into hampers/bump up pressies. I particularly liked the project where you can make skittles out of mini yazoo bottles, with the bowling ball made of newspaper. They suggest the skittles are decorated like santa and his reindeers, while the ball is a mince pie. I think they could be absolutely adorable, what do you think? For anyone who wants to check it out, the address is http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/homemade-christmas-skittles-gift.shtml

sarahf191979

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Hi everyone i am thinking of making paper mache moneyboxes for my younger rellies not done paper mache since school is wallpaper paste ok to use??

Shaz

If you want it really strong, I use the PVA White glue or Multi purpose white glue mixed with a bit of warm water mixed up.

It dries clear and makes it really strong, also acts as a varnish coat on your top layer.

HTH

sarahf191979

kbl wrote: »

Hi everyone, just mindlessly surfing the web (as you do, while the housework piles up around you!) and came across the Santa's Postbag website. It's got loads of things you could do with your weans, but there's also stuff that could quite easily be put into hampers/bump up pressies. I particularly liked the project where you can make skittles out of mini yazoo bottles, with the bowling ball made of newspaper. They suggest the skittles are decorated like santa and his reindeers, while the ball is a mince pie. I think they could be absolutely adorable, what do you think? For anyone who wants to check it out, the address is http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/homemade-christmas-skittles-gift.shtml

Great Site. Thanks will have a look and see what i can find for ideas.

kbl

just found an absolutely gorgeous present to make (a xmas bauble with photo put inside), have a feeling I will make a hames of it, but someone who is good at crafts (not a beginner like me) could really make something special. Will have a go at one, and try to put a pic of my newest baby niece, she's an only child and it'll be her first christmas so hopefully it works out!! The link for anyone who is interested is http://genealogy.about.com/cs/holidays/p/ornament.htm
wondered if anyone could help, found this (I really don't want to do any housework today!!) and would love to make some for my spa baskets, but don't know whether you can get gelatin or liquid potpourri here handy enough. what do you think? is there a way of making this cheaply?
Scented Jelly Jars
Scented jelly jars like those at Bath & Body Works are very popular, but pricey. They scent the room without having to light a wick. You can make your own for just a fraction of the cost.

You will need 8 ounces of liquid potpourri, two envelopes of Knox gelatin, and containers like canning jars, pretty bottles or other containers with a fairly large opening.

Boil the liquid, then add the gelatin. Stir until dissolved. Pour into containers and cool. You can add embellishments such as flowers or shells to the jelly while it is cooling. You may change the color of the jelly with a little food coloring as well. Once cool, decorate the containers with ribbons, lace, or whatever you desire.

SugarSpun

You can get gelatin in sachets in the baking aisle of the supermarket, and I think it's fairly cheap.

Don't give those to people who are vegetarian though - gelatin is made from animal leftovers and they might not be too impressed.

kbl

SugarSpun wrote: »

You can get gelatin in sachets in the baking aisle of the supermarket, and I think it's fairly cheap.

Don't give those to people who are vegetarian though - gelatin is made from animal leftovers and they might not be too impressed.

Shows how little I know think I'll forget about it

Sian_the_Green

You can buy vege-gel too, slightly more expensive but vegetarian friendly

rainmac

Wow, this is the 150th post on this Xmas thread. BIG thanks to Sammy for starting the thread, there are a lot of us MSE bods looking to be crafty this Xmas :rotfl: . Keep all the great ideas coming everyone

kbl

Sian_the_Green wrote: »

You can buy vege-gel too, slightly more expensive but vegetarian friendly

might look into it, not sure how I can get it fragranced tho, never heard of liquid pot pourri before . have bid on some bids and jewellery tools on ebay, so hopefully will be able to get a few pressies done with those, and my spa baskets are coming on, am mixing homemade stuff with shop bought spa stuff got in the clearance sales after xmas, might make it look more polished as I'm new to the crafty side of things.