How to make my Christmas Gift Pockets

Hi anyone

weather is difficult to describe today - its been both sunny and bright as well as grey and damp - changed every time I moved around today - bit dark now !! Still, I have my Christmas Carols going in an attempt to get festive. Also been Christmas shopping - not my favourite activity ! Not sure what I have or need to get anymore !!

mini gift pockets

Also thought I would give a little DIY blog today. I've sold lots of these Gift Pockets this year and tend to use them for my own friends and family. Everyone comments on the gift packaging. They are so easy to make and they can lift a very modest gift, making it impressive. The size of the pocket is determined by the gift you need to put in it, so check first what you are going to put in it. The pocket is made from light card or strong paper, so only light gifts are suitable.
The first thing to do is get your stuff together :

materials needed to make the pockets

1) the card or paper you are using - here I've got a print of my Russian Christmas picture -approximately 14x17cms (I'm making a small pocket for some earrings which will be wrapped in tissue)

2)metal ruler
3)craft knife
4)glue
5)paper string (you could use ribbon or any other string)
6) mini plastic stars (optional to match my artwork)
Having assembled your material/tools trim the card/paper to your chosen size (if you are not sure at this stage cut out a template from old newspaper and make a quck version for size).

 join the edge of the card with glue

Next glue the edge of the card/paper to make a circle - allow to bond.You can see the join in picture 1. The card is now in a circle shape

glue half the bottom edge of circle shape

When dry and secure - glue the bottom edge of the circle shape and glue together by flattening (keeping the join in the centre) - glue the botton edge of the paper/card.

 glue bottom edge and press securely together

another view of the glued bottom of the pocket (now at the top)

Press the edges together and again bond securely.

punch 2 sets of holes at the top (go through both edges - you have 4 holes)

 Using a paper punch (I use a fiskars hand punch) make two sets of holes at the other end.

open out the pocket after glueing and make this shape

Open out to make the triangle shape and use the string/ribbon to tie.

string is doubled back through the holes to make tight closure

tied and tagged pocket plus a star

I added a small star and a gift tag before threading into the gift pocket to make a firm closure

finished pockets

I also added one of my stars and a co ordinating tag from the Russian Christmas theme. There you are finished. Have a go - its very simple and does look effective. You can personalise with names and/or gift specific images. The options are endless.
Bye for now.

Russian Christmas and Christmas Food Matters

Hi anyone
weather is lovely today - very cold and frosty but beautiful. Crisp with bright sunshine. Love this kind of cold weather (if I'm warm !).

Russian Christmas List It Tool - almost finished !

Been busy with the Russian Christmas (for my own decorations/wrap stuff) - its been on hold for about a week with other shop orders but now its had a little time, its coming on. Almost finished my List It Tool - this will replace the one which was on offer for a comment - still time anyone out there. Just leave a comment on this blog - the little box at the bottom - look for comment and click. Getting back to the Russian Christmas theme - also got the art sorted out for tags and gift cards etc. -they are 'under construction'  will get them sorted over the next few days.

materials for the gift pockets/tags

I may surprise myself and get organised !! Richard has also made me a range of little wooden buildings - I'm going to paint them (over Christmas hols) as a bit of a treat - am considering this as a portion of my Christmas painting gift (see yesterdays blog). Here is a snap shot of the little church building - I'm hoping for a street of individual blanks to make pretty - hint, hint (he does read this blog.) Thank you anyway for the three I have already.

see the little wooden church building here

Still much more to do for Christmas. However, I've done my christmas pudding - and am soaking the fruit for the cake - just need to get the Sweet Mince done - this makes me feel really organised when all ready. The kids like to ice the cake - bit of a messy affair but no problem. The boys like to eat little silver balls (meant to be on the cake)- they tend to drop them on the floor and then eat them because I, apparantly, say they are not safe to put on the cake. May try and get a few more little things for the top of the cake - we have some little figures and trees - had them for about 12 years and looking a bit tired - perhaps I can find something to add for this year.

Bye for now

'The Angel' in the sunshine

Hi anyone
at last the snow has arrived here - not too much but enough to cover everywhere white this morning. Its very, very cold at the moment. Quite a leap from last week !!

I managed to be so busy with extra orders over the weekend that I did'nt get to post anything. As usual lots of family stuff too over most weekends. We did manage to go and see The Angel of The North (close up) its an amazing thing. I've seen it from the A1 for years but never up close - the boys have been asking to go for ages. You can see the scale of the thing when you see the boys at the bottom - its huge. Anyway, I took some pictures and am inspired to do something - I think a painting - from the visit.

There is a strange 'ethereal' feel from standing at the bottom of the site and the light around is wonderful. Its an experience I will remember. We only stayed a short time but it was a good idea to go. I took loads of pictures and the weather looks fantastic. The sun was so bright.
Big thank you again, to all the folks who have bought my stuff recently - I'm almost sold out of everything - there are a few items in the Folksy shop but thats probably it - for Christmas sales. Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest too.
Am trying quite hard to get my own house decorations ready for the weekend when we will formally dress the house. Need to clean it a bit before putting up the stuff - not a good thought !!!
Am also going to indulge myself with painting over Christmas - I've put painting time on my Wish List and am asking for time as my present ! - new approach - lets see how it goes !
Bye for now

Garland inspiration !

Hi anyone
I'm very late today getting my posting up - been busy doing volunteer work at school - prep for a christmas fair (happening next week) and christmas prep for myself - made some progress but 'a way to go' !!!!
The weather has been great today - cold (frosty this morning) but clear and bright.

 I was also hoping to get some more items in my Folksy Shop to sell - free listing today. However, the site was so busy and at the point I could spend time doing it - it was impossible to get anything in. Seems the server had a few issues. So, I only have one extra thing in there - will try and get a few more in this evening. As I was waiting, I noticed a few lovely items - the Folksy store is so much better than it used to be and looks fantastic.

'must buy' keys

  I particularly liked some little keys I found - been looking for similar keys for ages - to add to a particular picture I'm painting - am going to buy them.












Was also drawn to this broach - bit like the ring in a previous posting (from Kirsy Allsop TV programme)

Kirsty's rings

broach

garland inspiration

Love the garland below - am so inspired to make a version of my own for Christmas - perhaps with music script ?


Bye for now.

Little boxes

Hi anyone
its a lovely day today - bit colder than of late but sunny and bright.
I have 'sort of ' dressed my Advent table - needs a bit more work but I remembered the chocolates and the boys were pleased with my choice. Day started OK - always a huge relief.

 Here are a few pics of the whole thing - showing the development. Very minor in the scheme of things but there you are -

just the advent tree and a few christmas things

Father Christmas has been in storage all year but he's back to introduce the Christmas Advent table.

the boys have these little boxes as their advent activity

 The tree and the little boxes - I painted these boxes about 5 years ago and they are still going strong, they have green tops and the boys names are on each box (in an attempt to stop any fighting about who has which box).
Each box double's up as a storage thing and a display shelf. Inside the box, I have a lego themed mini display (just about fits ontop of the box when complete). I can't quite remember exactly what the actual model turns into. Fortunately, the boys can't remember either. Up until the last day ie Christmas Day they build something from the bricks - they usually make much better (imagination - wise) models than the intended. On the last day they get to see/use the sheet showing how to make the model - so build it all again ! Such is the way of 'lego' - its brilliant.

I do like the simple, low key box. Of course, the boys would really like one of those cardboard/ chocolate/ themed things but I won't budge on this one. So they put up with my choice (only a few moans) and the chocolate sweets are much better quality - sometimes they get two or three chcocolates when I need to bribe.

 

little day counters

This is the view from last night - pre 1st day - with the first chocolate  intact.

Well must go and do some Christmas shopping - I'm almost in full panic - I've got lots of work going on and very little of my own Christmas done

Day 1 and counting

Bye for now