DIY : Christmas headband

Last year I made this super simple, eye catching headband for Mima, she was too young to enjoy it but this Christmas it is number one on her outfit list. All you need is:
tinsel
headband
hot glue gun

Glue the tinsel on to the headband.
Voila!

DIY : masking tape christmas tree

Our super simple and virtually free Christmas Tree.

You'll need:
Green painters masking tape / or Washi tape
Washi or Blu-tack to attach decorations.

This year we won't be at home for Christmas so I didn't want to buy a tradition tree and have all the needles fall out all over the carpet while we are away. Also it's really difficult to get rid of a christmas tree when you live in the city. 

Moo decorated with existing decorations plus some cute mini christmas present decorations.
Which we made from empty raisin boxes and some curling ribbon. Moo loved these! 

Click here to see how to make the little paper stars, 3D paper stars and paper butterflies.

DIY : salt dough star decorations

Over the past week Mima and I have made some decorations for the Christmas tree and gifts. One is salt dough stars. I used the recipe in 'Recipes For Play', full of loads of great ideas, but there are recipes for salt dough on the internet.
Basically you make a dough from flour, salt, oil, lemon juice and warm water. Knead it and let it rest then get creating.
I rolled the dough out and we cut shapes with a star cookie cutter. I used a chopstick to put holes in the stars for the twine. I then placed them on a lined baking tray and baked them on low for 4 hours or you can leave it to dry for 48 hours.

Mima painted them and I added bakers twine for hanging to finish.

DIY : peg santa

A few months ago I received a lovely email requesting detailed instructions for the peg Santa I posted an image of last Christmas.

I have tweaked him a little but here are instructions for everyone.
You will need:
the template - print at A4

a wooden peg
paint - red, black for his boots and blue for eyes
paintbrush
felt - red, white, black and grey
a loop of bakers twine for hanging
a hot glue gun
a large glass to sit them on while you work

1. Print template and cut out all the felt pieces.
2. Sit the pegs around the top of your glass. I always make more than one at a time.
3. Paint the red areas - body, legs and top of his head.
4. Paint the boots black.

5. Glue on his red felt cone shaped body. I place a dot of glue at the top front of his body then down one felt edge at the back, then overlay the other edge of the felt. I have noted where to put the glue on the template in red.
6. Add the white felt beard, hat and boot trims. When gluing the hat trim place the two ends of the bakers twine loop under the felt at the back of his head.
7. Glue on the black belt so the ends meet at the front of his belly.

8. Cover this join by gluing on the grey felt rectangle, his buckle.
9. Glue the white arm trim to the short flat edge of his arm, glue front then fold and glue in place to cover the back as well. Then place a dash of glue at the top curved end of the arm and attach to Santa's body.
10. Lastly add to dots of blue for the eyes.