12 Days of Christmas Gifts

I would love to increase the trickle of traffic through my blog, so would like to encourage as many users as possible to pop by. And hopefully say hello! I had a think and for me, a tutorial would be great encouragement. Oh, and a giveaway. So firstly... twelve, yes twelve, Christmas craft tutorials. Perhaps you could make something for your family?

The first I will also post onto http://folksy.com/ for that lovely community to make use of as well.

Starting off, will be a beautiful scrappy yo yo brooch. Please let me know how you go.

halloween

This is Harry being a scary monster, clutching his ghosty lollipop. I found the idea here http://sycamorestirrings.blogspot.com/2009/10/lollipop-ghosts.html

Okay, I didn't get a chance for too many photos... but we had a brilliant time. 20 children plus parents in the house, lots of food and mulled wine. Then a quick walk throught the underpass and the spooky church and 2 doors to knock on for Trick or Treating.

Everyone bought stuff along, the kids successfully sat down to eat on the lounge floor and we were all happy! Thanks to everyone for the food and bits and expecially Dawn for the fantastic soup and help clearing at the end.

It was a great fun evening, and not spoilt by the muppets who lobbed an egg at our group of toddlers as we walked along. mmmm. They were reported quickly my our friendly local police officer (also in the group!)

gruffalo walk... more pics

beef madras

Inspired by the trip into Luton's Bury Park and a HUGE bunch of coriander, we had Beef Madras for a couple of meals.

I always get a bit carried away and add too much curry paste which makes it too salty and therefore... I throw a few chopped potatoes in. And lots of chopped spinach - which is more substantial than English spinach and a bit like silverbeet. I found that and the beautiful vine tomatoes in one of the many Asian grocery stores too.

This is the recipe I nearly followed. (If you use this amount of surry paste, the amount of salt won't be an issue).

MADRAS BEEF CURRY

Fry 1 sliced onion in vegetable oil for 8 mins. Lower the heat and add 4 cloves, 4 green cardamons, 2 whole star anise, 4 fresh grn choppped chillies, 2 fresh or dried chopped red chillies, 3 tbspn madras paste, 1 tsp tumeric.

Fry for a further 3 mins. Add 450 g lean diced beef , cover and cook until the beef is tender, approx 1hr. (I added around 200ml of water here).

Then, due to the saltiness of my curry, I added 3 chopped potatoes and 3 large chopped vine tomatoes. Cook for approx 40mins on a low heat until all ingredients are tender.

Finish with 1 bunch cooked and drained spinach and 3 tbsp tamarind paste.

And sprinkle a lot of coriander over the top.

I served ours with low fat creme fraiche (we didn't have any natural yoghurt) and mango chutney as it packs quite a heat punch.

slime monsters

We are getting closer to Halloween... the skeleton is hanging on the door, (and the window.) The 'boo' bunting is out, the treats are bought... All ready for 22 children popping over tomorrow. All involved are bringing something, so I am hoping it will run as clockwork. I think a quick tea on blankets in the lounge, then some sort of treasure trail out the back, through the underpass and by the church. A piece of cake! Well, I always think that beforehand...


You may recognise the style of these goggle eyed monsters - we took the craft from this Usbourne book. The boys are loving anything slimy, spooky or ghosty. This book is perfect!

It involved splashing about some watered down green paint onto green thick paper and cutting it into a simple slime monster shape. Then making separate bloodshot eyes (just a dab of red paint in the middle of circles and then blown out with a straw), cutting them out and pasting all onto a one of the many cereal box cards I have accumulated. Freddie has added lots of spooky drawings inside his monster... have the ghosts been eaten??? Who knows?

(I have no idea why this pic has rotated itself, but can't seem to get it back!mmm)

gruffalo walk 2009

Back by popular demand, the NCT Harpenden and District event was a great success. This time almost 20 families headed off into the deep, dark wood for a leisurely stroll.

This year, we had TWO gruffalos (Freddie and Harry) courtesy of some adapted furry waistcoats (I stitched paper-stuffed horns onto the hoods and stapled purple prickles to the back).

The craft was really simple and suited the slightly younger age of this year's children.

I had made some 'G' clay pendants (left from another NCT event!) and they were threaded with paper leaves and real leaves onto a stretchy plastic cord.

I found these cords for a pound at the 'lifestyle' shop in Bury Park, Luton. Bury Park is a real treasure trove of the unexpected. There are Asian fabric shops with wonderful embroidered pieces, and unusual grocery stores, plus every plastic storage item you'll ever need. Park up and have a wander, we had an outing with Mum yesterday before she headed back to London.

christmas stockings

o, I'm sure it's not too early!!

Certainly it's not to early to stock up ready for fairs and craft shows. Here is the beginning. I have 10 ready to go but am so pleased with the design, I will do lots more.

It's a chance to use some of the lovely fabric from fabricworm as posted earlier.

These ones are listed on folksy.