Christmas Garland with Crochet Words! How to

This was relatively quick. There's still time.Do you have an odd ball of cream/white wool and one of red? A crochet hook?

I crocheted the stars from this pattern - I found them to be wonderfully quick easy and a bit addictive once i had the knack.

The letters are from a Handy Kitty free pattern HOWEVER - with 8 ply wool and a 3.5mm hook I found them to be a little too eensy weensy small so I changed the pattern ever so slightly.

"J" 
1. chain 14 
2. turn and work one slip stitch in each of the next 6 chains (7 slip stitches in all.
3. insert hook in next chain and pull through loop, insert in next chain and pull through loop (3 stitches on hook) then wool around the hook and pull through all three stitches on the hook (this makes the bend in the J)
4. slip stitch in the remaining 4 chains and slip stitch into the start chain and fasten off.

"0" 
1. chain 15 and join with a slip stitch in the 1st chain
2. work 1 slip st in the next chain, 2 slip stitches in the next chain and repeat this pattern. 
Join with a slip stitch into 1st chain. Fasten off

"y" 
1.chain 5, turn and work 1 slip stitch into second chain from the hook, 1 slip stitch  in each of the next 3 chain
2. chain 6, turn and work into the 2nd chain from the hook, 1 slip stitch in each of the next 4 chain

3 chain 5, turn and work 1 slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, 1 slip stitch in each of the next 3 chains. join with a slip stitch in 1st stitch of step 1. Fasten off.

The worst bit is sewing in the ends.

I then made some little fork pom poms.To make a loop for attaching to the garland I tied the ends in a knot over the hook making a little elevated loop.

Next: Plan out your garland.

Then grab your wool and hook: 

1.
To make up the string, chain 12 and join with a slip stitch in the first chain,  creating a loop for hanging the garland

2.
chain 14 (or less of you want you dangly bits closer) and join your first dangle piece (star or pom pom) with a slip stitch through the top of the star or the loop of the pom pom.

3.
continue with 14 chains between stars and pom poms.

4.
when it comes to the word I found it easier to work the whole garland backwards - 

with the "Y" first. 
slip stitch into the top of the y, chain across the gap (around 4 chain)then a slip stitch into the top of the next arm of the "y" 

5.
chain across 6 chain and join with a slip stitch across three slip stitches at the top of the "O"

6.
chain 6 then slip stitch into the top of the "J" 

7.
continue with the 14 chain gap between dangly bits alternating stars and pom poms.

8.
finish with 14 chain then create the loop - 

9.
12 chain and back into the 11th chain from the end to create another loop.

Fasten off

Sew in pom pom ends and string ends.

Stretch the garland chain or press with an iron if you like.

Hang it up! Gift it! 

Or make the letters and stick to a card. Crochet alphabet garlands are pretty exciting! It opens a world of possibilities for funny quotes and song lyrics. I'm possibly a bit too excited.

The last of the coffee sack decorations: STARS!

I've settled on the phrase "coffee sack". Hessian/burlap - got too confusing. Coffee sack is what I used and it covers it best, I reckon!
 The last of the decorations I tried with the coffee sack were stars. Made the same way as teh birds with recycled wall paper backing....

I prefer the birds.
Stars were very prone to the fraying factor.

But still. Recycled coffee sack stars...here they are...still quite lovely...with recycled doily and embroidery details.

vintage kaftan birds - still keeping it eco...

I thought you might be sick of seeing Christmas decorations photographed on my kitchen table. So here are the ones I finished today hanging appropriately enough on the apricot tree. (Don't say I never do nothing for youse. I do care, dear reader.)

The fabric is from a vintage kaftan - but panic not! It was stained and unwearable - obviously! Or I'd be wearing it! I love turquoise blue and silver.

The template is on this previous post.

The stuffing was recycled pure cotton stuffing from a friend's futon. The wings are coffee packets and doilies. The feet are pom pom trim.

A flock of them sewn on the machine one sunny morning and finished today in readiness for gifts for teachers and neighbours.I'm sure you could make them sweeter than me!

blingtastic glamtastic disco wreath - keeping it eco

This was recycling on top of recycling - recycling to the power or recycling??? Way back in 2011 I made a wreath from an old kids bike tyre . Over the years, hanging it on the west facing front door it has got a bit shabby. In fact something very strange happened to the polystyrene. So this year I scraped it clean and with the help of my crafty seven year old twins we did some mosaic work with old c.d.'s.

I used scissors to cut the c.d.'s and the twins glued with craft glue. Good job girls!

We recycled the see-through bow from the old wreath, added some disco balls and bunches of silver flowers from the craft shop. I stuck the stalks of the flowers into ploystyrene pushed into the tyre cavity. Now get down and boogie Santa!

Christmas Crochet Round up!

It's not too late to whip some of these up.

Here's some free patterns and tutorials for lovely hand crocheted ornaments.

My sister made me some of these last year and I love them. Here's a free tutorial on craft stylish

Miniature delicate hearts from craft penguin

And it's worth having a squiz at slugs on the refrigerator website - for ALL THINGS CROCHET.
But for now - the ornaments. 

Mini Christmas wreath

Teeny weeny stars

Bobble stitch snowflake

 And from whiskers and wool blog we have:

this lovely scallop wreath

 And this snowflake wreath

0

 and this candy cane

Get hooking....

More Bird Decorations - Keeping it Eco

Similar ingredients to the last bird decorations - just in different measure. And no sewing.

The main bird bodies are recycled wallpaper - one side of the wallpaper is the height of seventies fashion - BROWN contrasted with BROWN, highlighted with A TOUCH OF GOLDY BROWN on a BROWN base. Mmm. Where's my crochet hostess gown, fibre optic lamp and shgpile carpet to match? Yes -but it's not so festive. However, the other side is a wholesome embossed natural off white. Goes well with recycled coffee sack, no?

Simple - cut, glue, bit of ric rac, pom pom trim feet, hessian scrap for a wing and a button eye...or not. I like mine eye free I must admit.

 Here's the template I made - (you will have to play around with the size because I haven't sussed out attaching pdf's yet.)

And here's another template to try...get crafting!

 

Enjoy! 

Hessian Bird Decorations - Keeping it Eco

 

Do you say "heshen" or "hess-ee-an"? Karen, resident sewing expert, who is from New Zealand, is rather adamant that I say the latter, but being the slacker country talker that I am, I do say the former. So shall we just agree to disagree and say burlap?

These basic burlap birdy decorations are for a kindergarten Christmas market. I've made so many that I am now covered in a haze of hessian! I've been dusted with a blush of burlap! In fact, it got right up my nose.

However, they are lovely - and eco. Because I made them from a coffee sack that my friendly inner city hipster cafe was happy to give to me even though I'm not very cool and don't have a beard. I'm sure if you go to your local hipster cafe (they are everywhere!!) they would give you a coffee sack too. Beard disguise is optional.

My coffee bag was conveniently Brazilian and therefore printed in festive colours of green red and yellow. 

The thing about hessian/burlap is that it lacks structural integrity (beware of the loose wefts that warp your weave!) so I have a few tips for working with hessian.

1.If you have hayfever - then wear a mask and goggles. Seriously.

2. Back each shape with a strong card. I recycled some vintage embossed wallpaper for the backs.

3. Don't cut the shapes too far in advance of sewing/gluing as they will fray away into nothingness and all your work will disappear and you may feel as though you might be going a special sort of  crafty Christmas crazy.


Which bird do you like the best? I'm partial to the crazy fringe tailed turtle dove above.

But the chevron ribbon tailed partridge is okay too. 

As are the silver tailed sparrows with their racing numbers.

The simple bird shape is fun to play with - you can add all sorts of trims, wings, buttons,and tails as you see fit.

The feet are made from a pom pom trim I bought for $5.50 a metre at Rathdowne Remnants and that's pretty economical when each bird only uses a tiny two pom poms!

Here's the LINK to some Keeping it Eco Christmas Craft from last year. Remember  - recycling rocks. Especially true at Christmas time...

collection of eco Christmas craft ideas....

I "pinned" all of the "keeping it eco" Christmas craft ideas to a pinterest board - it seemed like I was doing something. I guess it's shuffling deackchairs....I should be doing eco Christmas craft....except I did so much last year that it, well....just doesn't seem environmental to make many more Christmas things! 

I'm not "feeling" the Christmas inspiration....yet....you'll all know when (and if!) I do.......but in the mean time, if you want to revisit some ideas then check out the pinterest page.

How about everyone else? In the Christmas flurry yet? Feeling the inspiration? Where do you go to seek ideas?

Have you asked yourself this question....

 With Christmas just around the corner, it's time you asked yourself this question. Are you a Christmas style tyrant?

If you are unsure then take this quick survey.

1. Do you limit the colour palette of decorations?
a) yes. Every year I colour theme Christmas
b) I do like traditional red and white but happy to have whatever is around
c) It's an all in together mish mash of colour.


2. When your small children bring home a wonkey and rather crazy decorations  they have made do you...
a) Smile sweetly and when they are not looking throw it in the bin?
b) fix it up, re paint and re-make and hang on the tree?
c) give it to a grandparent.
d) Hang it proudly on the tree and keep it forever?

3.Do you let other people in your family decorate the tree?
a) only if they follow your instructions.
b) only if they are taller than you and do what they are told.
c) happy to let anyone do the decorating - it's one less job to do.

4. Do you keep decorations given to you by other people?
a) never unless they are to your taste
b) sometimes but you re-gift them
c) always, you love being reminded of that friend when you hang the decoration on the tree

5. Do you gift wrap in...
a) a matching colour theme with trimmings?
b) using double sided sticky tape?
c) a haphazard doesn't matter because it will get ripped off anyway way?

6.Your husband/partner has a penchant for gaudy outside lights and displays. Do you..
a) threaten divorce and not let him put any up
b) he can put them up but only if you choose them
c) only in the back yard
d) let him go for it. The kids love it too. You're looking forward to being the crazy Christmas house.

So. How did you go?

If you answered:
all  a's - It's official. You are a Christmas style tyrant.

mostly a's and b's - you are on the way to becoming a Christmas style tyrant.

mostly c's and d's - relax! Oh you are relaxing anyway.  


I know. You are asking yourself, "How does Julianne know so much about being a Christmas style tyrant?" Well...I have a confession to make. I know these things because once, almost twenty years ago, for one Christmas, I was a Christmas style tyrant.

The two children I had were too young to argue or participate with Christmas. My partner too busy. I dressed the children in home made matching dresses made from Christmas fabric. Yes! I really did! And I decorated the tree all in just brown paper  decorations and gold. Really.
And you know what? It was a hollow style victory. It was boring. And empty. And the kids wrecked the dresses. And I got over myself. 

Our Christmases shouldn't be a shop window display! Our Christmases are not for sale! My children are not Christmas accessories!

The other day I read a blog post from someone who was admitting openly to being a control freak about Christmas. She hadn't let her children participate in the tree decorating or hung up anything they had made. Her tree was more sterile art installation than a central focus of Christmas cheer. It made me sad.

I wondered if it was because she was a blogger and wanted to show her style in everything? (I'm still working on a post entitled "is blogging just bragging?") Or if it is a sign of the times -  that somehow these days everything is posted, flaunted tweeted and on display and has therefore bleached of it's honesty and realness. Or does she just need to express herself in everything and it's all about her?

The kids and I made these salt dough decorations. We coloured them madly with sharpie textas. These are mine....

 And these are what the kids made.........

Baby Joe's (at the top) are scribbled on with such intent and frenzy  - the lines and marks perfectly capture his 3year old self and each year when I get these decorations out of the box, something of little Joe will be there still, present in his handiwork. Pepper's (next row down) are detailed and thoughtful - she has just started thinking about her art and craft in this way, thinking about colour combinations and exploring patterns. Wanda's are practical and industrious. Each surface is completely coloured in, from edge to edge. She didn't do as many as Pepper. She wanted to climb a tree instead.

Christmas is about family, the marking of time, the passing of years, growing and changing and mostly it's about togetherness. It only happens once a year. How can being controlling and exclusive in the activities be any fun?

So beware of the inner Christmas style tyrant and make sure there's some wonkiness and tackiness and reality in your Christmas and celebrate with style but mostly with love for one another.

Keeping Christmas Eco - recycled sushi packet garland and bracelet

Save the little soy sauce fish from take away sushi! They make a lovely window garland or would look great hung individually on the tree. We filled them with water coloured with food colouring and painted the tops with different coloured nail polish.

 And save the packet too. Why? Well, sushi containers are perfect for shrinky dinking. My daughter Mattie made this (Kesha themed) charm bracelet for her sister. The diamond charms are sushi packets (the rest is shrinky dink frosted plastic that you can buy from a craft store.) Mattie drew on the plastic with a sharpie pen and used a hole punch to make the hole. Then into a very slow oven and watch it shrink and thicken. You can place something flat on top when it comes out of the oven to ensure it doesn't curl.

And while we were shrinky dinking, we made these snowflake bauble necklaces for the twins. Blue pencil on frosted shrinky dink.

my creative space- eco ornaments for market

 This week I have been a making machine. After last week at the Kris Kringle market where all the recycled jumper ornaments sold out, I thought I should make some more....and then went a bit overboard. And in the fickle world of market stalls, who knows if they will sell? Here's a selection...

Recycled jumper birds and hearts.....I made heaps of these!

Recycled jumper felt with machine stitching....but now I've run out of red thread....maybe some red with white stitching next?

Only one lucky reindeer....he was a bit fiddly....

And some Mexicana style....
I should note that I have made all of these from thrifted or recycled everything.

In the fickle world of markets, this week I may not sell any. But I'll happily deck my tree out with these Mexican ones.

see what's happening in other creative spaces.