My Christmas Revival

I am here to fully admit that my Christmas planning and crafting does actually begin after Halloween.  I know this goes against some of you and frankly I hate that the stores are putting up Christmas decorations even before, however I need to start then.  The reason....cross stitching.

Before I discovered beadweaving I was a quilter.  Before I was a quilter I was very heavy into cross stitch and even though the quilting and beading had me setting my cross stitch aside and all but forgotten, Christmas revives my love and need for it again.

When I first got married we had a real tree and used the easily replaceable ornaments with just a few exceptions.  I was always intrigued by the ornaments my Mother in Law would make.  I do love all things handmade so it goes without saying I wanted to try.  I started simple with bead kits similar to these

As you know sometimes tree sap can ruin an ornament so some are long gone.  After my daughter was born we discovered we could no longer get a live tree due to her allergies.  That is when I started cross stitching ornaments.  I knew I wanted to have a Santa themed tree so at first I did what ever kit I could get my hands on.

That is when I first discovered Mill Hill bead kits and I knew I needed them for my tree.  I think that is really where my love of seed beads started. .  I love stitching those tiny beads onto the paper and bringing each one to life.  I love how the beads sparkle in the lights of the tree.    Here is what I have made over the last couple of (dare I say it ) decades.

This year my husband gave me a new kit and it was a challenge but WOW it is pretty.

Of course since most of the time the only place I could get the bead kits was at my local cross stitch shop I would always look for new stuff.  That is when I found these little tartlet kits the shop put together by an artist named Pat Thode.

I think I have acquired the whole set as I have completed one or two a year.  I still have about three left to complete.

Here is the two I completed this year.

Last year I also discovered designs by Foxwood Crossings that were attached to mini sleds.  I really had fun with them and cant wait to get another set.

Also last year I discovered that one of my all time favorite designers Just Nan had come out with these amazing little mice and I had to have it.

Isnt it amazing? My friend Maria gave me another Just Nan kit that I was able to get done before the tree went up.

Adding all of these to the handmade ornaments I have made with my friend Maria, been gifted by other friends and of course the ones my mother and my kids have made remind me of all the memories over the years and how happy it was to stitch and collect each one.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

Beaded Wreath - Christmas Ornament Tutorial

Today I'm sharing with you a tutorial for a beaded wreath Christmas ornament that I devised by adapting my design for a silk macrame bangle - please excuse the fact that it's displayed on a laurel bush but my Christmas tree is not up yet. For this ornament I've used 15mm organza ribbon and 10mm glass pearls but you can literally use anything you like to create an ornament that suits your own decor...ribbons, cord and even fancy knitting yarn can all be combined with fun and funky results...just let your imagination run wild.

Materials
To make the ornament as I have you will need:

1  1/4 coils of memory wire

48" length of 15mm organza ribbon

12" length of 15mm organza ribbon

16 10mm glass pearls

1 10mm jump ring

1 charm or beaded dangle - I used ceramic birds from Blueberribeads

Round nosed pliers

Memory wire cutters

Scissors

This design is worked with a simple macrame square knot but the nature of the ribbon I used makes it a little tricky to see the technique so if you need clarification you can find a diagram here.

Step 1
With the round nosed pliers turn a loop at one end of the memory wire.

Step 2
Take the 48" length of ribbon, find the centre and tie it around the memory wire adjacent to the loop.

Step 3
Thread a bead onto the wire.

Step 4
Create the first part of a simple macrame square knot by taking the right hand ribbon and passing it over the memory wire which acts as your core. Then pass the left hand ribbon over the right hand ribbon and under the core wire and pull though to secure the bead. Don't pull the ribbon too tight - you want to aim for it to drape nicely around the bead.

Step 5
Add another bead. Create the second part of the macrame square knot by taking the left hand ribbon and passing it over the memory wire then pass the right hand ribbon over the left hand ribbon and under the core wire and pull though to secure the bead ( the reverse of the process in step 4).

Note
Because memory wire is springy this process can feel a little awkward at first but once you have a few beads in situ it becomes easier. I found I got more control by tucking the free end of the wire under my little finger.

Step 6
Repeat steps 3 - 5 until all the beads are threaded and the circle is completed. Tie an overhand knot to secure the ribbon.

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Step 7
Make sure the beads are snug up to the first loop then trim the spare end of the memory wire and turn a second loop.

Step 8
Thread one of the ribbons tails through each of the loops pull together gently to close the wreathe then knot to secure.

Step 9
Wrap the tails around the loops a couple of times to hide them and then tie in a bow.

Step 10
Attach your charm to the large jump ring then take the shorter length of ribbon and pass it through the jump ring.

Step 11
Place the ribbon and charm under the bow and bring it up around the front and back of the bow making sure to centre it carefully. Knot the ribbon so that it creates a neat finish (not too tightly) to the bow and knot again to secure.

Step 12
Tie the shorter ribbon at the ends to create a hanging loop.

Step 13
Trim the tail ends of the bow and there you have your finished ornament.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and are inspired to have a go at creating some ornaments of your own.

Happy holidays.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Christmas is just around the corner, so today I thought I'd share an idea I came up with last year for some cute Christmas tree charms.

Porcelain Trees

These are made in porcelain, but they also work in polymer for a quick festive make.

Depending on what you prefer, you will need some ceramic or polymer clay. Paints, inks, glazes, whatever you like to use to create with. For the tutorial I chose to use green polymer clay. You will also need a ball ended stylus and a little bit of wire.

Gather Supplies

Start off by conditioning your clay and rolling to form a tree shape.

Ready to start creating

Using the stylus, poke a short groove in the clay beginning at the top and pulling the tool out at the bottom to flare it out. (This doesn't work quite as well with polymer clay as it does with ceramic, you will end up with a slightly smoother design). To get a nice finish, lift the tool out before it tears through the clay. Do this all the way round the bottom of the tree shape.

The first row of branches

Once you have your first line repeat just above to make a second line. Try and finish the groove of the second line just above the top go the first so there are no gaps.

Building the design.

Continue adding lines around the shape until you get to the top.

Branches finished

Take some wire and create a loop. Fix this in the top of the tree, then cure the clay following the instructions on your clay packet.

Adding a copper wire loop

Once cooled it's time to decorate. I decided I liked the green colour of the clay so opted for a snowy effect using white alcohol ink, but you can paint, use inks, metallic wax or whatever takes your fancy!

To make it look as though the snow has fallen on the branches, I took a dab of ink on my finger and gently patted it around the tree so that just the tips of the branches were coloured.

Adding the snow

While the ink was still wet, I sprinkled on some microfine glitter for an extra bit of sparkle (Well it is Christmas!)

And a bit of sparkle

And here are the finished trees. They would be great as some last minute earrings, a pendant or make a bigger version and turn them into a Christmas decoration, a tree for your tree!

The finished decorated trees.