Am I too early to wish you a Merry Christmas? I do hope not dear reader because this is my last post until 2019 and I didn’t want this year to end without thanking you for all your support. You see every week I hit that ‘publish’ button, I wonder if you will enjoy the story. Seemingly you do as I meet you here often. This week before we enjoy our Christmas break, I wanted to share with you how I shall be presenting a selection of those handmade gifts you have watched me craft in the past few weeks…
This gift for a dear friend starts with a splendid basket, not a new one in my case, you know me too well. This very large rustic affair could be used for so much after all it’s Christmas goodies have been removed. If it were mine perhaps I would fill it with pine cones or firestarters or maybe even kindling. Perhaps if entertaining at a huge table, it would contain artisan breads or maybe it would make a perfect rustic centre piece full of candles and greenery straight from my garden. For today I have lined it with simple white shredded paper upon which I will place my gifts. You may prefer a more festive or shiny paper.
In the old basket I’ve placed a few homemade pretties. The first you saw here when I painted a plain wooden coat hanger and added a mini lavender heart.
The pretty lavender heart matches the fabric I selected for the notebook cover you can read about here to which I added an inexpensive pen bought from a local independent shop.
And would any Christmas basket be complete without a handmade decoration? One which I hope my friend will enjoy for many more years to come.
There’s a simple and festive paper star and heart garland too which I made from an old book you may recall Mr M salvaged from a skip for me a while back.
And I thought a linen fabric covered matchbox would pair up quite nicely with this beautiful festive candle from @simplygorgeouscandles_uk aptly named Cosy Christmas since that is exactly what it smells like. Alison’s wonderful creations come in all manner of beautiful jars and bowls, gorgeous cups and mugs. I hope this pretty vintage crystal dish will be reused by my dear friend long after the the wonderful candle has disappeared.
And for a final touch, a beautifully crafted seasonal calligraphy label from @painted_olive which I won along with lots of other labels in an Instagram competition (now there’s a first) and really should be shared with my friends.
Soon when I’ve stopped fiddling with the basket and it’s pretty contents, I shall wrap it all up in simple tissue paper and use my wonderful raggy ribbons (read here how to make these) to tie it closed. And I shall add a festive clay tag to a luggage label and faff with more wonderful wrappings and tiny festive bits and then call it good.
And eventually when everyones gifts are wrapped and safely under the tree, I shall sit back and reflect with a glass of something festive no doubt. I shall recall not for the first time just how lucky I am that you join Belle and I here each week to read my stories, try crafty ideas and join in with my up-cycle adventures. Thank you, so very much.
For now though lovely reader, we each have a Christmas to create. I hope very much, to be lucky enough to meet you here once again in 2019 and in the meantime I shall wish for you, a truly magical Christmas with your friends and loved ones. Merry Christmas x
Thank you so much Cathy. I have really enjoyed creating and writing this series and loved that many of you have tried the crafts! Have a wonderful festive break yourself and here is to a healthy, happy New Year for you and yours x
What a beautiful basket of gifts – who wouldn’t be happy to receive it!! Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas , and looking forward to reconnecting next year. Cxx
Ha Ha as they will be forever known now!x
Dear Molly I too count myself lucky to have you as a true insta mate! Your support this year as I’ve grown my blog has been truly wonderful and I am so happy to see your messages each week. I think it’s funny that The Moore’s know ‘Molly’!! Thank you and have the very best fun at Christmas with your lovely family and here’s to a healthy and successful 2019 for us allx
Dear Christine what lovely kind words, thank you! I too am looking forward to catching up and sampling your hospitality again! I’m so glad you have enjoyed the series. All I really hope to do is encourage others to have the confidence to look at their ‘bits and stuff’ in another light and have a go!x
Another enjoyable read Hels and can I say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your fantastic mini series. You have created all those amazing gifts which proves just how incredibly talented, creative and what a true artist you really are. I’m already looking forward to seeing what you have in store for 2019!
Here’s wishing you and your lovely family a fun-filled, happy Christmas and I can’t wait to catch up with you over the festive season. xxxx
Happy Happy Christmas Lovely Helen xx
It truly made my heart sing to see all your beautiful creations gathered together. Such special gifts made with such love thought and creativity
I have loved following your blogs (And Mr M’s comments and contributions!) I feel very privledged to be part of your journey and to be able to call you a true insta, (such supportive) friend x
Here’s to another fabulous year my lovely and I look forward to seeing all your projects flourish in 2019
Enjoy your Christmas and making those special memories Xxx
Firefighter!!! 😂 oh no 🤦🏼♀️ Xx
Thank you so much darling and for your lovely words and for reading too. I am truly happy others enjoy my new post each week, it makes the time spent on it so worthwhile, love you x
Dear Sally how lovely to hear from you. I am so glad you have enjoyed the stories this year and I look forward to bringing you more next year. Have a wonderful Christmas with your lovely family and thank you for reading each weekx
Dear Karen, thank you for your unfailing support. I am soooo happy a few of these ideas have inspired you. With your beautiful eye pom-poms in The Pink One’s nursery will be fabulous! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas together x
So that made me cry…really must toughen up a bit! Thank you for supporting me sooooo much with my blog Little Miss, love you x
And Merry Christmas to you!! As the year draws to an end you must be so proud of how far your blog as come! bringing a smile to every ones face each week! What a brilliant way to package all your lovley little hand made gifts!
Just lovely Helen, I’ve so enjoyed your creations and stories this year. I wish you and all your family a very happy Christmas , and prosperous New Year. With my love. Xx
Ahh another cheerful post Helen. It’s been so lovely to have followed all of your projects throughout each season, and finish here today as we head into the festive season. Next year I will hopefully find the time to try one or two, if not all of your projects – especially my favourite firefighter one!! You have given me inspiration to get my rusty fingers out and start creating again. I’ve attempted my first floral ring, which I would like to add a dyed ribbon you have featured, and Pom poms for the nursery I’m doing for the pink one. Watch this space! Thank you for the fun stories and beautiful photos. Merry Christmas to you all. Xx
Oh I’ve so loved all of the posts this year and especially this mini series! Although it will be sad to see no post arriving for the next few Thursdays…I remind myself that I’m the lucky one who gets to spend this Christmas season with the most thoughtful and talented of all! (YOU)
Xxxxx
How lovely to hear from you again Miriam. I am sure this time of year is manic in the retail sector and I am flattered that in the couple of days off you have, my blog features with the cuppa, thank you! I hope you enjoy the read and have a wonderful festive and relaxing time over the coming weeks x
Festive yuletide greetings to you too Helen. I have just caught up with your ultimate blog post of 2018. There are some posts that I have missed recently so will catch up with those over coffee later. Working in retail is so hectic this time of year so I haven’t had much free time. I have two days off now and have lots of Christmas preparations to make. Hope your Christmas is magical and love for 2019.