a bit of holiday cheer...

whilst i was out and about last week i couldn't help but notice that 'christmas' was in the shops...and so i thought i would share with you, dear readers, a couple of ideas for 'handmade' door decorations...i'm not so good at the 'glitter and tinsel' side of decorating and have found that i prefer the more scandinavian style of things when it comes to my home, plus i love to see 'handmade' decorations, which add a personal touch to whatever 'holiday' you celebrate...

both of these ideas are pretty simple and require a few items along with some yarn.

first up is 'the wreath'...i got this idea when out and about christmas shopping with my mum last year. one of the shops had as part of it's window display, balls of yarn to represent snowballs. "how clever" i said to myself and then on my return home the little cogs in my brain started to turn. i decided to opt for a silver/blue/cream theme as that is what my yarn stash had to offer. all you will require is some yarn in your color choice, a wire coat hanger and a pair of knitting needles. get to work making different sized balls of yarn (kids are very good at this bit) and just secure the yarn with a few stitches into the ball.

next, open up the wire hanger and make a rough circle shape. then start to thread the balls onto the wire...(not suitable for kids as it takes a bit of 'wellie' to get the wire through the balls, so hands could get hurt). once you have filled the circle, then close the hanger up, (you will probably need the help of some handy pliers) and fold the hanger top over to make a loop. cover wire loop with a bit of yarn, stick in your needles and hey presto, you have a 'crafty' yarn wreath that lasts through winter, especially if your colors aren't too christmasy.

okay next up, is my 'door hanger' that i have made for this year, i was inspired to make it when i found these lovely door bells in our local World Market...i then proceeded to take the same idea of 'balls of yarn' and mix it with scraps of lace, buttons, some 'die cut' felt snowflakes and a garland of felt hearts from Ikea that i cut up...

you are going to make strands of different lengths and layer them in front of the bells. it is simply a case of mixing and threading items on to yarn...i chose quite a traditional color this time, but i think it is possible to have a load of fun with this one...i'm thinking you could attach baubles, knitted mittens, little toys, popcorn, dried oranges, cookies...the list goes on, just use items from around the house and your sewing corner...

at the top, to disguise the knot of yarn, i just sewed a simple bit of old lace...you can see the bells hanging out just below and i can't wait nearer Christmas to hang it on the door, be it my one here or the one at Mossy Shed and hear the bells jingle when the door is opened...

hope my instructions are clear, i'm not sure the 'tutorial' bit is my forte,

the pictures are pretty clear so you can get the idea from them without all my 'waffling'...

the sun is shining today so she's off to get tea towel pictures done for tomorrow ~ Tif