CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS - How to make a Ribbon Rose.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

With weeks to go until I can adorn our home with Christmas decorations, my hubby Mr C has requested for the first time ever, a Traditional Christmas.  He fancies holly and ivy and the colours of red's gold and green.  I am not sure why this has come about, as for years we had had silvers, purples and clear lights but who am I to argue with him!  So I am now on a mission to make as many decorations as I can.  I shall be spending many a winter evening (work permitting) looking through the internet for ideas that are cheap and cheerful (and free).  Mr C has also agreed that he will help me make some and started to this evening by making a ribbon rose of tartan that will go on the tree.  I had purchased three reels of the wired ribbon earlier in the year, put it in a bottom draw and had forgotten all about it but an hour after finding it, he said he was just testing some other ideas I have my first tartan rose.  (These are so easy it takes seconds to make one).  Pictures will follow but these instructions may help in the mean time.

I will post more and more Christmas decorations as and when I find or make them.

Can't tell you how excited I feel!




HOW TO MAKE A RIBBON ROSE

HALLOWEEN - THE STORY OF SPRING HEELED JACK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/myths_legends/england/black_country/article_1.shtml

My mother use to tell me the story of Spring Heeled Jack.  I remember hiding under the cover and keeping the red little light on as not to have nightmares.  It didn't work.  Jack was going to come and find me.......

HALLOWEEN - THE WITCHING HOUR

HALLOWEEN - THE WITCHING HOUR

Looking through the big web for ideas for Halloween I have chanced upon the following fellow bloggers.  Please have a look at their pages as their ideas are very witching.

 

Spooky Hollow Lane



And for those little simple ideas that will make those adult ghouls go 'ahhhhhh' Nana and Me Creations has a few scary ideas but I love these baby shoes.

http://nanaandmecreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/baby-shoes-for-halloween.html

THE EDMUND BOUTIQUE HOTEL BED AND BREAKFAST HASTINGS PART 2

THE EDMUND BOUTIQUE HOTEL BED AND BREAKFAST HASTINGS EAST SUSSEX

Again we are still awaiting news of the progress of the Change of Use.  Still in the meantime I have found some inspiration of the look we are after for the hotel.  We are after something classic but with an added something that people wouldn't have at home. 

PART 2


Just to keep you all up to date.

We are still awaiting on a decision from the local council to find out whether we can change the 'use' of our building from a C2 to a C1. (care home to hotel).  It's taking forever and in a way I kind of feel cheated that the local council are charging for this piece of info even though they can change their mind at a later date.

On a positive I have had some great ideas for the design.  I want to keep it posh but on trend.  I have seen some ideas for the bedrooms and wondered what you think.

Idea number 1 is rather like my room at home - Black and cream with hints of dark pink. Thinking Licorice Allsorts!

Idea number 2 - Hasting Rock...Lots of bright colours with a hint of fresh mint to stir the pallett!

Idea number 3:  Is Ice Ice Cool, for those lazy hot Hastings Days (or for our winter snow days).

Let me know what you think.  What would you really like to see in a hotel room?

HOW TO MAKE A PAPER BIRD

HOW TO MAKE A PAPER BIRD

With thanks to Kirstie Allsop on Chanel 4.

My Granddaughter has been at home with my daughter making these this morning.  I missed these on Kirstie's show but GD says hers are going to look fab.  They're going to send photos later, so I'll add them when I get them.  In the mean time - enjoy!



Want to make these cute paper birds as seen in Kirstie’s Handmade Britain? Here’s how.

By Kirstie Allsopp

• Scrunched up newspaper
• Sellotape on a dispenser
• Wire for the legs
• Wire cutter
• Card for the beak
• White acrylic paint
• Coloured paint
• Paint brush
• Glue gun
• PVA/decoupage glue
• Decoupage paper
• Hairdryer
• Cardboard
• Paper Varnish

• Print friendly version

Skill

Easy, but children should not be allowed to use the glue gun, as the glue gets very hot. Even adults should be careful.

Budget

Most keen gardeners or craftspeople will have the majority of these items already, so it will just cost you a couple of pounds for the wire. Otherwise, a basic glue gun costs under £10 from craft suppliers.

Time

Up to two hours

Step One: Making The Form

Take a piece of scrunched up newspaper and begin to make the shape of the bird. Add other pieces of scrunched/ folded up newspaper and tape this to the initial piece. Add balls/wads of scrunched up paper over and over and over again until you are happy with the rough form of the bird. Tape it very tightly, to make the bird form very compact. You can play with the form quite a bit; making a big belly or a big bottom, and playing with different tails. With every piece of tape added, you smooth the paper down and make it more sculpted

Step Two: Shape The Legs

Make the bird's legs and feet out of wire. Prick a small hole into the base of the bird, where the legs will go. Use a glue gun to stick the legs onto/ into the bird.

Step Three: Cut Out The Beak

Cut out a cardboard beak and stick it on to the bird with glue

Step Four: Paint The Bird

It is very difficult to glue onto tape, so paint the bird first with acrylic white. Allow to dry.

Step Five: Add The Decoupage Decoration

Add layers of paper to decoupage the bird, using glue and selected cut out pieces of paper. See our decoupage how to for more tips. Allow to dry, then varnish.

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