Countdown to Christmas 2019 Recap

We have had some wonderful ideas and inspiration for our Countdown to Christmas 2019 and featured 9 of our own festive makes which if you haven't managed to make them this year you can look back on these ideas for next Christmas.

If you want some quick links to each Day of our Countdown to Christmas then please see below:-

Day 1: Christmas Movie Marathon

Day 2: Tree Lights

Day 3: Christmas Show

Day 4: Nautical Christmas Cards

Day 5: Hallmark Decorations

Day 6: Pillow Box Treats

Day 7: Personalised Christmas Wrapping

Day 8: LED Christmas Snow Domes

Day 9: Shrink Wrap Baubles

Day 10: DIY Gift Bags

Day 11: Charming Decorations

Day 12: Reindeer Decor

We hope you have all enjoyed reading each post in the lead up to Christmas and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 12 - Reindeer Decor

It's the final day of our Countdown to Christmas and we chose to bring you the project from our last Craft & Coffee morning this year. This beautiful piece of decor was inspired by Pete Hughes who showed a very similar project on Hochanda in the Summer when the Reindeer Bigz die was first released. 

To make this project we used:-

664219 Tim Holtz Reindeer Bigz Die

Chipboard

Stampendous Embossing Powder in Metallic Tones (we used a copper tone)

Wooden Block

Metal Skewers (in 3 different lengths)

CS141 Elizabeth Crafts Reindeer Mail Stamp Set

We die cut our reindeer from chipboard and also some kraft card. The kraft card cut out is used to cover where the skewer is stuck on the back of the chipboard reindeer.

We used a metallic embossing powder to cover the reindeer so that they have a beautiful metallic finish, making them look as though they have been cut from metal. The way the embossing powder sets on the chipboard also gives it a slightly bumpy texture which adds to the metal effect.

We used a small drill to make three holes in the wooden block and then used a very fine tip glue to glue them into position.

Add a stamped design of your choice to the wooden block, we used a Reindeer Mail stamp as we thought it matched in very well.

To finish off the whole project we added some very small LED lights that were on a very fine copper wire and wound these round and in-between our reindeer.

We can't believe we have reached the last day in our Countdown to Christmas already, which means Christmas is almost here. We hope you have enjoyed all of our ideas this year and we will do a quick recap of all our projects tomorrow before we bid you farewell on the blog until 2020!

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 11 - Charming Decorations

On our penultimate day of our Countdown to Christmas we bring you these adorable Glass Jar Charm Decorations. 

These decorations are made using tiny glass jars that we fill with some white glitter and then attach a hook and charm to the bottom of the cork lid. Finish off the decoration by adding some glittery thread or tulle around the top of the jar and then attach some thread to the top of the lid so that you can hang your decoration on the tree.

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 10 - DIY Gift Bags

On Day 10 of our Countdown to Christmas we want to inspire you to make your own gift bags to pop some presents in.

To make these bags we used:-

Simply Made Crafts Flexible Gift bag Die Set

663117 Tim Holtz Snowy Stars Thinlits Die Set

Kraft Card

Thin Twine for handles

The gift bag die set includes 2 sizes of gift bags so select the size you need and die cut it twice from some kraft card. On one side of the gift bag die cut the Snowy Stars design (if you prefer to have the design on both sides of the bag, die cut on both sides). Fold along the crease lines and assemble the bag using the tabs.

Once your bag is assembled punch some holes in the top and thread some twine through for handles. To make the design stand out on the front of the bag I cut some A4 white printer paper to fit the inside of the bag.

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 9 - Shrink Wrap Baubles

On Day 9 we bring you some decoration inspiration for your tree with these Shrink Wrap Baubles. These baubles are so easy to make and have been created using Shrink Wrap Sleeves from La Blanche and Studio Light. (The links I have included direct you to websites where you can buy the supplies you will need to make them).

You simply take one of the shrink wrap sleeves and slide it over the correct size ball ornament. 

Please note the ball ornaments must be made of plastic and not glass as the glass will shatter with the boiling water. 

You then want to get a bowl of boiling water and some long reach tongs. Hold the sleeve and ball tightly in your tongs and dip the ball into the boiling water. Within seconds you will see the sleeve shrink down around the bauble. Once the sleeve looks like it has adhered smoothly, remove the ball from the water and set aside to dry. Then simply add some decorations and twine and your decoration is complete.

I have included a video below of La Blanche on Hochanda, demonstrating this method. You will need to fast forward the video until about the 46 min mark to watch the demonstration.

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 8 - LED Christmas Snow Domes

For Day 8 of our Countdown to Christmas we bring you these LED Christmas Snow Domes. Each glass dome has a beautiful Christmas scene inside which is being lit up with the small LED light at the bottom of the dome.

We used some domes that we had bought in Hobbycraft (unfortunately they are sold out online) and created our scenes using some bottle brush trees, house and church die sets from Nellie Snellen (see below) and a deer and lamp post design from a Marianne die set.

Add some glitz with some glitter on the rooftops and sparkly snow at the bottom.

Die Sets Used:-

HSFD019 Nellie Snellen Hobby Soloution House Die: Church

HSFD006 Nellie Snellen Hobby Solution House 1 Die

COL1330 Marianne Design Village Decoration 1 Die Set

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 7 - Personalised Christmas Wrapping

Add a personalised touch to your gifts this year with our personalised wrapping idea for Day 7 of our Countdown to Christmas.

For some small gift boxes I made this year I wanted to personalise them with the recipient's name and also added a hanging ribbon so that they could be hung from the tree.

I made the boxes using a Sizzix Thinlits die set

I then cut a strip of Kraft card that was long enough to fit round the boxes and then used some alphabet die pieces from the Tim Holtz Gift Card Bag Thinlits Die Set (662687) to spell out each name. I backed the kraft card with some white card to help make the name stand out on the patterned paper.

I think personalisation adds a lot of thought to your gift so make that extra effort this year to make your gift that little bit more special!

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 6 - Pillow Box Treats

We have reached Day 6 of our Countdown to Christmas, which means we are now half way through already!

Today we bring you these cute little Pillow Box Treats. These boxes make great party favours at the table, stocking filler pressies or you could also add some string and hang them on your tree.

I filled mine with some chocolate treats and gave them as little table favours at a recent friends get together.

To make these boxes I used the WRMK Pillow box Punch Board. I grabbed a 6x6 Christmas paper pad and followed the instructions on the board to make the boxes. I used the smallest paper size which is 4" x 6".

I finished the boxes off by adding some twine and a Christmas sentiment. The sentiments I used were from the Tim Holtz Christmas Circle Words Thinlits die set.

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 5 - Hallmark Decorations

On the 5th day of our Countdown to Christmas we bring to you Hallmark decorations. For the past 2 years I have been lucky enough to visit the US at the right time of year to be able to buy these amazing decorations. Looking at the image above you may be thinking.....what's the big deal?? But I have included links below to the decorations I bought this year from the Hallmark stores and once you play the videos you will see what I'm talking about. These decorations are so magical and really capture the wonder of Christmas.

Unfortunately the two decorations I bought last year:

The Polar Express Bell Ornament

Ho Ho Ho Musical House Ornament

These are no longer available from Hallmark so I won't be able to include links but check out the most recent additions to my Hallmark decorations......

Click on the links below and then scroll through the pictures to watch the video and see the decorations come to life!

The Peanuts Gang The Merriest House in Town Musical Ornanent with Light

Disney Cinderella Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Musical Ornament with Light and Motion

I also bought a couple of decorations back for mum which are the following:-

Christmas Carnival Toyland Traveler Musical Ornament with Light and Motion

Glistening Lantern Snowman Ornament with Light

It's worth noting that if you are looking to by these ornaments you will need a Keepsake Power Cord and a US to UK adapter plug. The Cinderella ornament comes with batteries but the other decorations must be plugged in to work.

We have definitely fallen in love with Hallmark decorations and it will be hard to resist a trip to the US each year just so we can pick up some more!

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 4 - Nautical Christmas Cards

For Day 4 of our Countdown to Christmas we have these beautiful nautical inspired Christmas cards. To make these cards we used a mixture of clear stamp sets including:-

HobbyArt Harbour A5

Hero Arts Winter Scene (retired)

Taylored Expressions Let's Talk Occasions Stamp Set (retired)

Ink Pad Colours:-

Memento Summer Sky

Memento Bamboo Leaves

Memento Gray Flannel

To add some Christmas sparkle use some Stickles for the snow and for the Christmas lights in the trees.

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 3 - Christmas Show

Day 3 in our Countdown to Christmas is to go and see a Christmas show. Earlier this month we went up to London to see White Christmas which definitely put us in the Christmas mood. Everything about the show was fantastic, the cast, the music, the staging..... and to top it off it actually snowed during the finale.

Treat yourself this year to a festive show, whether that be a Pantomime or London West End, it's the perfect way to celebrate the festive season with loved ones.

If you are visiting London this Christmas make sure you make a stop at Peggy Porschen Bakery and Cafe.

Peggy Porschen have the most amazing selection of cupcakes, pastries and other sweet treats and are decorated beautifully.

Plus as you may have noticed the outside of the cafe is decorated in lots of Christmas decor, which makes for a perfect selfie!

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 2 - Tree Lights

For Day 2 of our Countdown to Christmas we have these wonderful Tree Light decorations. I recently made these for my colleagues at work and they went down a treat, plus they are so simple to make you could easily whip up a whole sack full ready for friends and family.

To make these decorations we used the Tim Holtz Tree Lights Thinlits die set (663107). Just simply die cut the tree shape and choose which three shape inserts you want to use; I used one of each. Then just fold along the crease lines and stick together using double sided tape. To give them a metallic look, use some of Tim Holtz's Metallic Kraft Paper Stash.

All that's left to do is buy some LED tea lights (Poundland) and you are good to go!

Countdown to Christmas 2019: Day 1 - Christmas Movie Marathon

Our Countdown to Christmas is back for 2019 and we have 12 new Christmas ideas and creative makes to share with you to inspire you for the last 12 days of Christmas.

Our first idea for you today is a Christmas Movie Marathon. To get you in the Christmas spirit why not gather your favourite Christmas films and enjoy one each day on the lead up to Christmas (saving your favourites until the end)!

If you need a few suggestions to get you going, these are our 12 favourite films this Christmas:-

1. The Santa Clause

2. The Christmas Chronicles (Netflix)

3. Christmas with the Kranks

4. Arthur Christmas

5. Disney's The Nutcracker

6. White Christmas

7. Nativity!

8. The Polar Express

9. Muppets Christmas Carol

10. The Klaus (Netflix)

11. Father Christmas (Raymond Briggs)

12. The Snowman (Raymond Briggs)

Craft & Coffee Mornings November Summary

We have now reached the end of our first Craft & Coffee Morning month and the sessions so far have been fantastic. We have had a great turn out each time and everyone's creations have been amazing!

Our first C&C of the month was the Christmas Snow Globe featuring a cute woodland scene with a festive bunny. 

Our second C&C was another decoration made using an acetate box and included a wintery Christmas scene. Everyone also got to make a small card to accompany their decoration.

Our attendees showing off their handmade decorations!

Our final C&C of the month was a beautiful trio of Nordic inspired Christmas cards using the Tim Holtz 'Nordic Winter' Thinlits die set. 

We die cut all the different elements from a variety of different coloured card stock and laid out a variety of stamp sets that included snowflake designs, paint brush marks and Christmas sentiments. All that was left to do was to get creative and make some cards!

Pauline's Cards

Mags Cards

Connie's Cards

Kim's Cards

Everyone made some wonderful cards which they can use as inspiration for more Christmas cards or to use on handmade decorations and table favors.

We have two C&C sessions in December so if you think you will be interested in coming along you can find out all the details here. And of course in the run up to Christmas both sessions will be Christmas themed projects. We hope to see you there!

Decorations Galore at The Sussex Christmas Barn

Fancy restocking your Christmas tree decorations? Then we have the perfect place for you! The Sussex Christmas Barn features a mesmerising variety of Christmas decorations and ornaments that will have you filling up your basket in no time! 

Set in the beautiful Sussex countryside, you will find this barn down a small country road in Barcombe near Lewes. From the outside it may seem like there isn't much going on but once you open the big wooden door, your eyes will be treated to a glittering delight!

No matter what your colour scheme for Christmas is you are sure to find something that will fit. There are several tables stacked with decorations and beautiful Christmas trees that display the ornaments beautifully.

Now if you are thinking it's all well and good having all these decorations but I haven't even bought a tree yet this year. Well look no further as Sussex Christmas Barn also sell a wonderful selection of real Christmas trees in all shapes and sizes! So once you've picked out your tree head inside to pick out your decorations for it.

If all that Christmas tree shopping has got you feeling peckish then have no fear as they also have a cafe on site which has a great selection of food, including cakes, sweet treats and a lunch menu.

Both me and mum visited on separate occasions and from our experiences we would definitely recommend arriving early (especially at weekends) as it can become quite crowded. So if you prefer to relax and mooch around freely, get there for opening time.

Now on to our purchases.......

I only have my items to share with you and I have to admit I was quite restrained as I am already the biggest hoarder of Christmas decorations so I had to be good.

Our first decoration is this beautiful metal wreath which has two birds perched on a leafy branch. This is actually quite big in size so wouldn't necessarily go on the tree so I'll probably hang this one up around the house.

Price: £4.88

The other decorations I bought were these mercury glass ornaments that I am just in love with this year. They look so vintage and catch the light beautifully. These are fairly small in size and I was even thinking of using them as part of a gift by adding it as a decoration on the wrapping of their gift. Depends if I can part with them..... I also got the bag for free with my purchase which was an extra bonus.

Price: £1.60 each

So that concludes our summary of another fantastic Christmas location! Also be sure to look out for this beautiful wreath below which is displayed on the neighbours wall as you exit the barn. So Christmassy!