A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS

Crafty magic

Set the scene

Place under a bright lamp to light up the snowy setting

Deck your halls with DIY delights this year – and make them all in just one quiet afternoon

CRAFT IDEAS HEATHER NUGENT/LORNA SLESSOR PHOTOGRAPHS DAVE CAUDERY

Make a… snow globe

Expect minimum effort but maximum impact with this easy-to-shake snow scene.

You will need:

• empty glass jar with lid • fake snow • small Christmas figurines – trees, snowmen, gingerbread houses (these can be made from polymer clay if you wish) • extra strong glue

Step one

Gather everything you need to make the snow globe. You could make two at the same time if you have plenty of materials – and jars.

Step two

Arrange the figurines on the inside of the lid until you find an arrangement that you’re happy with – they must all fit neatly inside the jar. Use a strong glue to attach all to the inside of the jar lid. Leave to fully dry.

Step three

Pour fake snow into the jar, secure the lid and turn upside down. Paint the lid if you wish to add some more colour.

You will need:

• fabric • general sewing supplies: needle, thread, sequins • sewing machine • toy stuffing • string • cinnamon sticks

Make… tree decorations

These spicily scented Scandi decorations are bright and cheery – make a set as a gift or hang them along the mantlepiece.

Step one

Cut two fabric triangles – 12cm wide and 12cm tall. If you wish, sew sequins on to the fabric now. Cut a 12cm length of string; fold in half. Put the triangles right sides facing, sandwiching the string loop between them, with the ends of string at the top. Pin in place.

Step two

Sew ½cm in from the edges, leaving a 5cm gap along the bottom, and sewing the string loop firmly in place. Trim the corners close to the stitching (as shown) to make pointed corners. Turn right side out through the gap; use scissors to poke out the corners.

Step three

Stuff the tree. Turn the open edges inside and insert a cinnamon stick into the stuffing. Use a pin or clip to hold the edges in place. Hand sew the gap closed with small stitches. If you want to glue sequins on to your ornaments, add these to finish.

Make a… salt dough garland

Get the kids involved in making these fun crafty creations. Playing with dough, painting, threading and hanging – that’ll keep them busy.

Star gazing

Make these stars really worth looking at with pics of your fave furballs for a fun festive flourish

You will need:

• star cookie cutters • craft paints, various • small paintbrush • string • cute images to frame

Step one

Mix a cup of flour with half a cup of salt and half a cup of water to make a smooth ball of salt dough. Roll out to 1cm thick. Cut out star shapes with cookie cutter, using a smaller one to cut stars out of the centre of each. Carefully use a wooden skewer to poke a hole in the top of each star. Lay on baking parchment and bake on your oven’s lowest setting for 3 hrs. Step two

Once cool, paint your stars. Go for a mix of candy cane stripes, polka dots and plain – be creative! Select photos and place the stars on top, framing the objects of the photos. Draw around the edge and cut out inside your drawn lines. Cut a piece of card to the same size and shape as the photo. Glue to the backs of the photos, then glue to the backs of the stars. Step three

Paint over the back of the stars to secure the photos further and blend in with the rest of the decoration. Cut a length of yarn to your desired garland length and thread through the holes on top of your stars – apply some glue to the end of the yarn, to stiffen, and feed through the holes. Tie a knot at the top of each star and add to your yarn at intervals until completed.