Cinnamon Starburst Wreath AND Centrepiece!!

<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN0S_CejnrV3MQ9UDfjlvAbA2xICp1Ft9MZcIwXZPxUzE4n65SQOYuG_76GtYKO4N_Kab_G1slC3lfx8j_ULMv8FRML8WN9o7WINdeFAUoX7LMslsBoRNIAkHx1Uo9WXmmCLhvDeR5B9R/s1600/IMG_3886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN0S_CejnrV3MQ9UDfjlvAbA2xICp1Ft9MZcIwXZPxUzE4n65SQOYuG_76GtYKO4N_Kab_G1slC3lfx8j_ULMv8FRML8WN9o7WINdeFAUoX7LMslsBoRNIAkHx1Uo9WXmmCLhvDeR5B9R/s400/IMG_3886.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was almost beside myself with joy when I suddenly had the idea that if the hole in the centre of a wreath was made to be a specific size, I realised I could use my Cinnamon Starburst Wreath as a gorgeous Christmas table centre-piece with a candle burning in the middle. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSymcScWM9w8KCZHEGbUBl10HZc3LZdbMevvtvIl61XdvJxi17oaq372U9bnKseEtImaZqzk-g6gbBEgl75zHnu_wKahnTRhf9o_3-Cc7I9csVhz-LJeW3wHg4ZPYTxUIAwYdQ-EuL4Ply/s1600/131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSymcScWM9w8KCZHEGbUBl10HZc3LZdbMevvtvIl61XdvJxi17oaq372U9bnKseEtImaZqzk-g6gbBEgl75zHnu_wKahnTRhf9o_3-Cc7I9csVhz-LJeW3wHg4ZPYTxUIAwYdQ-EuL4Ply/s640/131.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I've been planning and refining it to make it as perfect as possible for you and now it's ready for its full reveal!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Cinnamon, candles AND Christmas table centre-piece? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>{Excitement overload!!}</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me show you how I unfolded the plan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>This is what I needed:</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWYwehfpf2o8xUCZPSbwDRH_ETPlnW2FQ2VfOQh2mubC5V2BwQTpW1rkZSwL8-P6m6lKw-3FJ9aQGGsQbt-fHikO3LvytdzY_SLbTiPQFahKt8-JF_zyM37UGXyraKY4hc1A9cCh1GFdE/s1600/IMG_3900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWYwehfpf2o8xUCZPSbwDRH_ETPlnW2FQ2VfOQh2mubC5V2BwQTpW1rkZSwL8-P6m6lKw-3FJ9aQGGsQbt-fHikO3LvytdzY_SLbTiPQFahKt8-JF_zyM37UGXyraKY4hc1A9cCh1GFdE/s400/IMG_3900.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A kg of cinnamon sticks;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A piece of thick sturdy cardboard;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some lovely gorgeous material;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Super Glue;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DecoArt So Soft Fabric Paint</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Large paintbrush</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Step 1</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To make the wreath base, I drew around my large pillar candle onto a piece of really thick, strong cardboard. It really does need to be strong to support the weight of the cinnamon sticks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6-PPQCnQQ9uIh0OMVDGFL5bRGgyQpTifXVEEnpJAs91Umnqjswe5aJbi1Cnbjb-Mwp15VCSguLSJqrntYHHQzwr6FyQtTF6JQNXD3CAs5FKO44EY7HaU5W-VqgBFMq7j_elUV9ojBBcf/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6-PPQCnQQ9uIh0OMVDGFL5bRGgyQpTifXVEEnpJAs91Umnqjswe5aJbi1Cnbjb-Mwp15VCSguLSJqrntYHHQzwr6FyQtTF6JQNXD3CAs5FKO44EY7HaU5W-VqgBFMq7j_elUV9ojBBcf/s400/IMG_3828.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Then, using a side plate, I drew a larger circle around it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-gafRPyf-ZDjyNzVQQN7TTpF2WhRsCy5w306Hh9B8gHXMSAu0jjtCOZiHbr8OiGKHNYPewGx8kN9JW42ZHtfdzgidCY-qJfYVzno650Bmk1MeF_1FNysVjwdxgP-ov5XiWV9WxN_iH2M/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-gafRPyf-ZDjyNzVQQN7TTpF2WhRsCy5w306Hh9B8gHXMSAu0jjtCOZiHbr8OiGKHNYPewGx8kN9JW42ZHtfdzgidCY-qJfYVzno650Bmk1MeF_1FNysVjwdxgP-ov5XiWV9WxN_iH2M/s400/IMG_3829.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I cut out the inner circle and around the outer circle so that I had a perfectly-sized wreath base.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx2lDxE_jFAmPmNMFnHyUTqwHl4Q6Jg8bkTUgpSe4z5PvALDIemzUc6aYvZEL4RnCCijtu4SxYB_KLXSaiP9SNLnvjuqxWw4NlLT5A_KtBxVbK_Tp_8YLfkT5Ma6DKzQxF-cydOq2c6ey/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx2lDxE_jFAmPmNMFnHyUTqwHl4Q6Jg8bkTUgpSe4z5PvALDIemzUc6aYvZEL4RnCCijtu4SxYB_KLXSaiP9SNLnvjuqxWw4NlLT5A_KtBxVbK_Tp_8YLfkT5Ma6DKzQxF-cydOq2c6ey/s400/IMG_3830.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Step 2</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I began placing the cinnamon sticks onto the wreath base, spacing them evenly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vr_5NrJnfX2ur8lvnJGNrjGwMLvl8OIFKm4GYYg5GdvExhrqftB-50n2u5IE0glZzcNIFZ73BAH-8XYUNZAhCVgBpEb5B8sSRJ6MWa8IScXxx2Q_NlVh0_0rUlrblwQc5tczz8cdPmnH/s1600/IMG_3832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vr_5NrJnfX2ur8lvnJGNrjGwMLvl8OIFKm4GYYg5GdvExhrqftB-50n2u5IE0glZzcNIFZ73BAH-8XYUNZAhCVgBpEb5B8sSRJ6MWa8IScXxx2Q_NlVh0_0rUlrblwQc5tczz8cdPmnH/s400/IMG_3832.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshDjGdcQWO-CFCvsliF1P48Io-N1ulUi2k2LLapyUuP_QjFijKTx91CHK7XryZLR3FWFMnRwogXcf3Kn7Ueq3E5zQP8Ec6JRuFZy5elORw5t8vol1wYI4aA3maVFiZnI9vzyNWUnt5lGM/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshDjGdcQWO-CFCvsliF1P48Io-N1ulUi2k2LLapyUuP_QjFijKTx91CHK7XryZLR3FWFMnRwogXcf3Kn7Ueq3E5zQP8Ec6JRuFZy5elORw5t8vol1wYI4aA3maVFiZnI9vzyNWUnt5lGM/s400/IMG_3836.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I attached the cinnamon sticks to the base using Super Glue. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh my goodness, that stuff is STRONG!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">{Top tip: don't tap your fingers together to see if you have glue on them. Yup, that was me!!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11NYw77nrARShKEqiHS_XLqQxZg-HBbIPIQGQRXcnZssTBE8zAug9VQsHyV8MawJQckWWcR3IWUnwSvHoEqoMwp71GVVZOVGWotudxiFYbKo4ilokcMnd1b2oEOLfA64Yw_Oljx8bs5UO/s1600/IMG_3837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11NYw77nrARShKEqiHS_XLqQxZg-HBbIPIQGQRXcnZssTBE8zAug9VQsHyV8MawJQckWWcR3IWUnwSvHoEqoMwp71GVVZOVGWotudxiFYbKo4ilokcMnd1b2oEOLfA64Yw_Oljx8bs5UO/s400/IMG_3837.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can either apply the Gorilla Super Glue to the sticks or directly to the base itself. Try to use the thicker pieces first, as the thinner sticks are good for filling in gaps at the end. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHkrBi0OAoQRPOxc0CT2PgarE0JXe84vMYxrUa9lCOFLepy_0CLR5tpCxyyq62nUmeiCER4DLUpArV3kx_Rt3ri8X2wSaSXeTAigjYtMHm2itRiW0VOg8ZVCK7WxBJW4vsYP9njD7amSG/s1600/IMG_3839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-wvKntVl6m1xKKilZDE2QNFCBKzPtbwm3x9Se4tL_AHLx1dRWI77WnPXalH-q9dgDjHFVHt2uOeTiXCJZ28BW8-zgGXD1OUUKq6Jxwffo40du4E8cCj_NR9AxHpRZ43WLuPbO0HJJtYK/s1600/IMG_3840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-wvKntVl6m1xKKilZDE2QNFCBKzPtbwm3x9Se4tL_AHLx1dRWI77WnPXalH-q9dgDjHFVHt2uOeTiXCJZ28BW8-zgGXD1OUUKq6Jxwffo40du4E8cCj_NR9AxHpRZ43WLuPbO0HJJtYK/s400/IMG_3840.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I slowly built up further layers of cinnamon sticks until I had three or four layers around the middle. It needs this many otherwise it looks sparse around the edges.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyidtYMyR_pwkFiRHFSeZMJzakqldg6HYNRoE0pBbTqGsQSX5DHByWOHxvbcWLWV2GEAmjMIH0bOVw1kzg2krajdx_ISliDAXACA-gKBqggt2RJ5wdMCIIc5PcXmsUllA3bkiemQxuSDcc/s1600/IMG_3843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyidtYMyR_pwkFiRHFSeZMJzakqldg6HYNRoE0pBbTqGsQSX5DHByWOHxvbcWLWV2GEAmjMIH0bOVw1kzg2krajdx_ISliDAXACA-gKBqggt2RJ5wdMCIIc5PcXmsUllA3bkiemQxuSDcc/s400/IMG_3843.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_aWQO1GD33Fh52HNZsdchC4CyyOVT5AFpUgJSE2kIwp_dWkZ-Qv5csKxnWgs3wkBds9udvEpIm7LHW9jRPeOsRlp2Ra5ohIFZ7eaetjHUg8IbaddtS5DrQ755ezgUdaSkcmIjwe-CDbQ/s1600/158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_aWQO1GD33Fh52HNZsdchC4CyyOVT5AFpUgJSE2kIwp_dWkZ-Qv5csKxnWgs3wkBds9udvEpIm7LHW9jRPeOsRlp2Ra5ohIFZ7eaetjHUg8IbaddtS5DrQ755ezgUdaSkcmIjwe-CDbQ/s400/158.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used shorter pieces for the final layer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrdX0tjYF2MZ9C2TzIrAvFleuZv_UOYQPDzOI16ZgQC6yQlT6-6tgreytMFbUSgqDEq7BdoQwql_PYG01nzGvr8uK7FItcQ2FGEqTY7ecFgtoI6gZnKWUBUZDoqw-p5FaVIez6yslIND9/s1600/IMG_3847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrdX0tjYF2MZ9C2TzIrAvFleuZv_UOYQPDzOI16ZgQC6yQlT6-6tgreytMFbUSgqDEq7BdoQwql_PYG01nzGvr8uK7FItcQ2FGEqTY7ecFgtoI6gZnKWUBUZDoqw-p5FaVIez6yslIND9/s640/IMG_3847.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Step 3</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted my Cinnamon Starburst to look super-duper Christmassy as both a centre-piece AND a wreath so I wanted to add a snow effect. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used DecoArt So Soft Fabric Paint in White. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I know cinnamon sticks aren't made of fabric, but when I tested various ways of getting the snow effect I was after, this created exactly the look I wanted.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxKUiIyyqMqKORL4wB3Kot1uj2zsEHHB9Ghu-dgXcfeI4b2GRT9GdZ2Zz7pNflmBtaIPdL9IHDQZITyaaSek-qVGOafABY7rcRQmz657abeFJfZ_6a53qohy8_TsErvM_YTEnWfEFDxNn/s1600/IMG_3861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxKUiIyyqMqKORL4wB3Kot1uj2zsEHHB9Ghu-dgXcfeI4b2GRT9GdZ2Zz7pNflmBtaIPdL9IHDQZITyaaSek-qVGOafABY7rcRQmz657abeFJfZ_6a53qohy8_TsErvM_YTEnWfEFDxNn/s400/IMG_3861.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used my paint brush to dry-brush the paint onto the cinnamon sticks. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtlReYcHL0MUKHLdKSuAvSmtZApq4AhAH5DCkZxzTATuo635JLisMqnoPZFQIgauXNojiRrBJtw77psYPEOczVwJAw_Ia4GQg94fYUzS1RH5Iqq3UOMKF29ncu-Xj176MVLqKn987wcsf/s1600/IMG_3881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtlReYcHL0MUKHLdKSuAvSmtZApq4AhAH5DCkZxzTATuo635JLisMqnoPZFQIgauXNojiRrBJtw77psYPEOczVwJAw_Ia4GQg94fYUzS1RH5Iqq3UOMKF29ncu-Xj176MVLqKn987wcsf/s400/IMG_3881.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To dry-brush, you only need a small amount of paint on the brush at any time. So, dip the brush in your paint and dab it repeatedly onto an absorbent cloth. Can you see how dry the paint looks on my brush? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Then you need to almost rub the brush onto the sticks, rather than normal back-and-forth painting. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0p25-msvf-M-H9MhRaIDTdkGZTJdiwq32s2ooWbf4Ii3IMUVVM1bocmUUJvo33fd96DJRp-t4Ay1RaQAQ13OqCw2c2uFK38Pho9gup8eAtWe7HX3uWt2K5TV69NYff8Nr6hgSwj7bpc-/s1600/IMG_3866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0p25-msvf-M-H9MhRaIDTdkGZTJdiwq32s2ooWbf4Ii3IMUVVM1bocmUUJvo33fd96DJRp-t4Ay1RaQAQ13OqCw2c2uFK38Pho9gup8eAtWe7HX3uWt2K5TV69NYff8Nr6hgSwj7bpc-/s400/IMG_3866.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ideally, you only want to cover each section once to avoid a painted look; I wanted more of a 'freshly fallen scattering of snow'. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">That's why I used my 4 inch brush. It's coverage is quick and excellent for dry brushing. It's really worth using a good quality brush like this one. Who wants to be picking out paint hairs afterwards!!?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibPlqom1DBTnyZJaAnt2sBZPn7PsbUEhnrmPED6Y4vEAmOzQm3PcS44n8EnmRpAL6zYGXhv14n_NBoUmQf8GsnD9vn9tUAvvfoli3AKYrgAAZpd3g8l1SjOY9E-j1CbtawPNWRxkplI_m/s1600/IMG_3885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibPlqom1DBTnyZJaAnt2sBZPn7PsbUEhnrmPED6Y4vEAmOzQm3PcS44n8EnmRpAL6zYGXhv14n_NBoUmQf8GsnD9vn9tUAvvfoli3AKYrgAAZpd3g8l1SjOY9E-j1CbtawPNWRxkplI_m/s400/IMG_3885.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now for the fun bit!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you want to use the Cinnamon Starburst Wreath for a table centre-piece, you just slot the large pillar candle into the middle and light up! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfEWYo2neQXXAmeruF4EEN2AyYUcjntWqGfIT_SbVqtiHkOcmTVwhO8kSOavSOYMEW-JDbVgr28xhx6-xRahxjKgNF92n4Vi5EulyLKjVQuEIDbo9ms6zyZnCGCg9HG0kUN-QphDfX_vS/s1600/IMG_3844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfEWYo2neQXXAmeruF4EEN2AyYUcjntWqGfIT_SbVqtiHkOcmTVwhO8kSOavSOYMEW-JDbVgr28xhx6-xRahxjKgNF92n4Vi5EulyLKjVQuEIDbo9ms6zyZnCGCg9HG0kUN-QphDfX_vS/s640/IMG_3844.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It looks SO beautfiul, and as the candle warms the cinnamon sticks, the whole room is filled with the most gorgeous aromatic fragrance.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAo4osMjlvq0xAwBSdTPZF50LBkawj8hX4pJ4iDPEzwPZnNc7QrioxaJCqjseOuLCEj-EAvPPNfhGC2icYJVHPtnSC83m2ifBd2978jQbsHOWVBhLV17NBTIvXnhK9Pv8JQbxZwhUT60g/s1600/116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAo4osMjlvq0xAwBSdTPZF50LBkawj8hX4pJ4iDPEzwPZnNc7QrioxaJCqjseOuLCEj-EAvPPNfhGC2icYJVHPtnSC83m2ifBd2978jQbsHOWVBhLV17NBTIvXnhK9Pv8JQbxZwhUT60g/s640/116.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now for the magic second step!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To use the cinnamon starburst as a wreath, remove the candle, loop a length of gorgeous fabric through the centre of the wreath and hang it up! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGp8wuOg3Ri8k69ZRbV58cXdRReP0yp7tJJu5vaPMTd61iWhdSoOfAADd4p984VykBbDz_53JMeBqJIDyxBMjCV5KLzAPBnNpfDKVbh8Kbi1z7BB30qDC-U8M_GSx1y7Ue-uH5AzcvzQSD/s1600/IMG_3872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGp8wuOg3Ri8k69ZRbV58cXdRReP0yp7tJJu5vaPMTd61iWhdSoOfAADd4p984VykBbDz_53JMeBqJIDyxBMjCV5KLzAPBnNpfDKVbh8Kbi1z7BB30qDC-U8M_GSx1y7Ue-uH5AzcvzQSD/s400/IMG_3872.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used two layers of material, one in snowy white and the other a red gingham to give the Cinnamon Starburst wreath a Christmas-in-the-Country feel!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDuZZF-fuFA2VbD951hBTif-KlE3_RXkV9qdlHjj9rX91BZU_6gB5ZOvss8Iqdc9Js8EXQrGodGPssvutpCU8mLnM_bG6kQB9DbmGGhpQ8i-eyuaVJmS_PoO6T3p3D4DwpKa3NMO_C8km/s1600/IMG_3891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDuZZF-fuFA2VbD951hBTif-KlE3_RXkV9qdlHjj9rX91BZU_6gB5ZOvss8Iqdc9Js8EXQrGodGPssvutpCU8mLnM_bG6kQB9DbmGGhpQ8i-eyuaVJmS_PoO6T3p3D4DwpKa3NMO_C8km/s640/IMG_3891.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the Transformer of the wreath world!! A wreath and table centre-piece two-in-one!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAI3WhMwJdkR8AX4qFnpdMKQ1NghXoCQUCgLfAyloAt3zxNEm9qQK80q4Nh4jqR_uXFgVInlXIDqTyZPQUY1HppOG0orinoausqNnArtTSyk695a1aEAw7WV7Neva9EF8YFRof5BpMziZ/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAI3WhMwJdkR8AX4qFnpdMKQ1NghXoCQUCgLfAyloAt3zxNEm9qQK80q4Nh4jqR_uXFgVInlXIDqTyZPQUY1HppOG0orinoausqNnArtTSyk695a1aEAw7WV7Neva9EF8YFRof5BpMziZ/s640/078.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas to you all, my lovely friends.</span></div>

Cinnamon Starburst Wreath AND Centrepiece!!

I was almost beside myself with joy when I suddenly had the idea that if the hole in the centre of a wreath was made to be a specific size, ...

Read more »

Meet Mister Santa!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT-DIQ-7Hto24EBnMsB9AEA8tJlGnKPbAIadbLFVGhUwpR0BF8CGL407aekuJwr0vuWOQdknFdA5J3f37sihwSz3KK2rp38VIfkr3cqlRz7t8NalO1PZdg5Qui33vhkqafKZFAdewtmxL/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT-DIQ-7Hto24EBnMsB9AEA8tJlGnKPbAIadbLFVGhUwpR0BF8CGL407aekuJwr0vuWOQdknFdA5J3f37sihwSz3KK2rp38VIfkr3cqlRz7t8NalO1PZdg5Qui33vhkqafKZFAdewtmxL/s640/IMG_3782.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you know, I started this sweet little Santa Claus <em>last</em> Christmas? I got a bit stressed with him because it streeeeetched my sewing skills....and fraaaaaaayed my temper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7Ek-xiQKh9ivweqrq5Qq9k4ygLz-AoaHMkVJdwX-PRPoPJPzw-sUW0Lr8sju2L-23S8DBCKRsQma4BUtc_arTPOfLkYGw_VbBP-o6ApPNJDFh55Jvi2RECpUwKWdbL3ubPBiavXsFOEL/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7Ek-xiQKh9ivweqrq5Qq9k4ygLz-AoaHMkVJdwX-PRPoPJPzw-sUW0Lr8sju2L-23S8DBCKRsQma4BUtc_arTPOfLkYGw_VbBP-o6ApPNJDFh55Jvi2RECpUwKWdbL3ubPBiavXsFOEL/s640/IMG_3825.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>{I should probably tell you that 'a bit stressed' is an understatement of the hugest proportions. But I think you probably knew that already....}</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnUaxrLyhL3__pZyiBt9zZEXPJIVGdJPzRtgY3pV_PN2NijB6-rimzGEptI68p5oB7s5TxTOjBECCvGYhNBZii_FnqAoay1D0QsPkezm5Kk93Se0KzF3WzreM529Leh42MSbU2bnGYJTo/s1600/IMG_3814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnUaxrLyhL3__pZyiBt9zZEXPJIVGdJPzRtgY3pV_PN2NijB6-rimzGEptI68p5oB7s5TxTOjBECCvGYhNBZii_FnqAoay1D0QsPkezm5Kk93Se0KzF3WzreM529Leh42MSbU2bnGYJTo/s640/IMG_3814.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I decided that getting so frustrated with a little stuffed toy was a sign that I was doing too much in the run-up to Christmas and so I popped him away in my craft stash until <em>this</em> year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>{And I didn't do the gingerbread stuffing that year either.....I went and read Christmas stories with the children instead.....Yes, I was officially a Christmas slacker....}</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADilP9kworVlS_G1Quh7QAuXzdNLUcIB_FTQpXdvG__jSH_eeQbIHSgLHKjti3OzBEz6KSdmd1TxtMpeuKcMk4S4K_ZPVtikozU-OQN2OngexH8mqC34-4fMfyMlI9OkaxRN05y5QC6o5/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADilP9kworVlS_G1Quh7QAuXzdNLUcIB_FTQpXdvG__jSH_eeQbIHSgLHKjti3OzBEz6KSdmd1TxtMpeuKcMk4S4K_ZPVtikozU-OQN2OngexH8mqC34-4fMfyMlI9OkaxRN05y5QC6o5/s640/IMG_3784.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I got him back out, I found that I was full of renewed vigour for completing the project in time for <em>this</em> Christmas and that it was actually far easier than I'd been stressing about. Yay!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM35LEMtClne2cwcznKw6gGsH0z3FaPqRa0HHew79vzdLZVGeTTTcl82uDX4njFE9KotVkdkwitY4f0yTyoB5zWRoAqe_EyCUpOFzwsLXnzhBKE3BjEdMqsMkYKD6jgmECkhtPJTOJC7E/s1600/10.10.25+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM35LEMtClne2cwcznKw6gGsH0z3FaPqRa0HHew79vzdLZVGeTTTcl82uDX4njFE9KotVkdkwitY4f0yTyoB5zWRoAqe_EyCUpOFzwsLXnzhBKE3BjEdMqsMkYKD6jgmECkhtPJTOJC7E/s400/10.10.25+009.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>{And that is basically the crux of my excuse for keeping so many craft projects on the go at once. Are you listening, Mr Modern Country? It's all about waiting for renewed vigour, you see.....}</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB27TVI5rwWnj05iYq0IzeFPMGaIwoQpMePLr64Vz0zeXYx9NoffK2GziDHCPM9irlLqO-ULqLyKcaw4NEr_c6iw8EUXBwoYxhIMV2aXplj6yBM1EY9jq_E5Fp_ZrqV6JHsOf2nJZzEE2i/s1600/IMG_3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB27TVI5rwWnj05iYq0IzeFPMGaIwoQpMePLr64Vz0zeXYx9NoffK2GziDHCPM9irlLqO-ULqLyKcaw4NEr_c6iw8EUXBwoYxhIMV2aXplj6yBM1EY9jq_E5Fp_ZrqV6JHsOf2nJZzEE2i/s640/IMG_3781.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made Mister Santa following a mix of patterns in the brilliant Christmas books by Tone Finnanger: Crafting Christmas Gifts and Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle. Have you seen these books before? If you haven't, and you like sewing, then I have to warn you that these books will take you to another level of </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">craft-book ecstasy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCBU0QGC4R7oWMwj6Zcn6yRoEF7B5ndJOHtWQffBNBKwl2svMx7XcY4hIbNLmQNGQnvS9veY6HBrrymRaHV54xLeVV3HeTbtdrljWaGGhyphenhypheni8ITUFXvsqyoMjsJ8PN1uTwm-8gLIBA1DPH/s1600/9780715325506-crop-325x325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCBU0QGC4R7oWMwj6Zcn6yRoEF7B5ndJOHtWQffBNBKwl2svMx7XcY4hIbNLmQNGQnvS9veY6HBrrymRaHV54xLeVV3HeTbtdrljWaGGhyphenhypheni8ITUFXvsqyoMjsJ8PN1uTwm-8gLIBA1DPH/s400/9780715325506-crop-325x325.jpg" width="307" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMVSyV5MCTrdemvmbj_ceq-wo9kW0l6K_A82yAIiFzU6p1afvyeHxH5OjHZrRQht9ooJmostnhKykD-fBbWn3igS6enDXdyTROFxsiYwOy6j3SPnsslkaFNV2nzxa-WJwvqRmbSZ84JJ6/s1600/Sew-Pretty-Christmas-Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMVSyV5MCTrdemvmbj_ceq-wo9kW0l6K_A82yAIiFzU6p1afvyeHxH5OjHZrRQht9ooJmostnhKykD-fBbWn3igS6enDXdyTROFxsiYwOy6j3SPnsslkaFNV2nzxa-WJwvqRmbSZ84JJ6/s400/Sew-Pretty-Christmas-Book.jpg" width="308" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They are packed FULL of brilliant and gorgeous Christmas sewing projects, for all skills, and all styled completely beautifully. I've put them over on my Amazon sidebar if you want to link through directly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUTKxG6LBiF02rLCRGLN4W3tnB1JW8ewMYiQBi5PkgDRHvVEHD1gFO3rBTydq6LJQwTSxG41XGdVMCFygimX_YERGDpn7aOxE6T2uSzi-Ci1bmdCjO11VzIl4dGPjNxp1pS_2whFzQBQr/s1600/IMG_3778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUTKxG6LBiF02rLCRGLN4W3tnB1JW8ewMYiQBi5PkgDRHvVEHD1gFO3rBTydq6LJQwTSxG41XGdVMCFygimX_YERGDpn7aOxE6T2uSzi-Ci1bmdCjO11VzIl4dGPjNxp1pS_2whFzQBQr/s400/IMG_3778.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used material that I already had: pinky-beige cotton for his skin, pale cream wool for his hair, thick red velvet for his lovely coat and some bits of my red tea-dyed checked/striped fat quarter for his trousers and hat (the same fabrics that I used for my <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/2010/12/modern-country-christmas-cinnamon-heart.html">Cinnamon Heart Garland</a>). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjXyh6EoUJTcj8Np5RZ4fAhyphenhyphenQ71eMNDc-1tMVemsiuuPJIzeTSyOa_jWJJxq2-eqh1FV5qNCXj730q6Uu5WmAeU4pXunNeO6IXQ3dd36pUrsDppSJvUpNES7AFUeADxnxWsNHLm1yp8cc/s1600/IMG_3790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjXyh6EoUJTcj8Np5RZ4fAhyphenhyphenQ71eMNDc-1tMVemsiuuPJIzeTSyOa_jWJJxq2-eqh1FV5qNCXj730q6Uu5WmAeU4pXunNeO6IXQ3dd36pUrsDppSJvUpNES7AFUeADxnxWsNHLm1yp8cc/s400/IMG_3790.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love his big ole feet! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every time I see Mister Santa perched on his radiator cover throne, I give a little inner squeal to myself. He's just so darn cute, isn't he? It's honestly as though he has taken on a character all of his own!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just before I go, may I just tell you that <a href="http://tigswhitecanvas.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-make-christmas-ornament-tutorial.html.">Cath's gorgeous blog, Tigs White Canvas</a>, has *<em>the</em>* most fantastic tutorial for making Christmas clay ornaments?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfioRE09kuLz-e4as4UbFyF6GryLSxRa-_IB9qbMR-bIJRWsoKA5pMFxX45fAyfex2FY4rWizxgJhGRNmCY0bMJGx-hD_vGBynwQFIapUptH4PjEF5fZwB1aycs_16SJdlrjOXK0O6UgO/s1600/ornament7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfioRE09kuLz-e4as4UbFyF6GryLSxRa-_IB9qbMR-bIJRWsoKA5pMFxX45fAyfex2FY4rWizxgJhGRNmCY0bMJGx-hD_vGBynwQFIapUptH4PjEF5fZwB1aycs_16SJdlrjOXK0O6UgO/s400/ornament7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Really gorgeous ones that totally inspire you to have a go yourself. Have a look and see whether you can resist her charms. Yes, </span><span style="font-size: large;">did I mention that she's LOVELY too?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and I'm just putting the finishing touches to one of my favourite Christmas projects this year. It's a very special two-in-one extravaganza.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EhlbzZB_Q2NRkAhKCqI62sCkYkHPJ7m-UFjvLIqlwp9xit_hsllxCjHLVBwzXxzjHimLPg33xL6NBcqDQPPYGXlOMOt2LqzMCUYwdrHoAga2cN2niSX7ap-kMw5lSDcm9F643v9RoMO7/s1600/158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EhlbzZB_Q2NRkAhKCqI62sCkYkHPJ7m-UFjvLIqlwp9xit_hsllxCjHLVBwzXxzjHimLPg33xL6NBcqDQPPYGXlOMOt2LqzMCUYwdrHoAga2cN2niSX7ap-kMw5lSDcm9F643v9RoMO7/s400/158.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I just can't stay away from the cinnamon, can I?! Come back and see....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm linking up to my favourite linky parties in my sidebar....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/352/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></span></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/352/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>

Meet Mister Santa!

Do you know, I started this sweet little Santa Claus last Christmas? I got a bit stressed with him because it streeeeetched my sewing skill...

Read more »

Children's Crafts and Wreath Party Round-Up

<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzfnqoNivtT3n_hTXf_0HmsPXP9qLJn3M86Eu-hdw7rSt4yIU7FN0xaIt-6KVS_YF7I5Tk60BZ0uDfLJ9_tpLGsWW17cgZO8BDJAAq0aryYDTjDBnfPgpeMO5PFPkKcMxT0WksIpLkOGe/s1600/11.9.10+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzfnqoNivtT3n_hTXf_0HmsPXP9qLJn3M86Eu-hdw7rSt4yIU7FN0xaIt-6KVS_YF7I5Tk60BZ0uDfLJ9_tpLGsWW17cgZO8BDJAAq0aryYDTjDBnfPgpeMO5PFPkKcMxT0WksIpLkOGe/s400/11.9.10+098.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had such a lovely weekend getting everything ready for Christmas. Whenever we have the Decorating Weekend each year, I try and think up crafts for the children beforehand so they can feel involved while we get on with decorating round them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>{There's nothing quite like</em> *<span style="color: black;">another*</span> <em>bauble casualty to put a dampener on my festive cheer...}</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is what my second eldest made. I loved it so much that I thought I'd show you. It's easy-peasy but takes a good chunk of time to do.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>{Perfect for a children's craft in my book.}</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbnLdCBqxNpAWp2orJMi2BPv6d0WlcSJmla2Zd75mpEqsQrslN8N26PT6wu50djNbhP4eRBzc0Dook1syaS_rbAvvKaKZK91zBEbJ1tdCDTuNhAV14B_OQdTZui1OcM1C7qnZMFSxLGXN/s1600/11.9.10+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbnLdCBqxNpAWp2orJMi2BPv6d0WlcSJmla2Zd75mpEqsQrslN8N26PT6wu50djNbhP4eRBzc0Dook1syaS_rbAvvKaKZK91zBEbJ1tdCDTuNhAV14B_OQdTZui1OcM1C7qnZMFSxLGXN/s400/11.9.10+023.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I gave her a bowl and sent her into the winter wilds of our  garden to find some firm red berries. Then she carefully threaded the berries onto some wire.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h5bnVsYNAwuKwFl5gJPhttTddauMH1X6N5n3gSpzXzEgUL2Kx4VbSLA98XtsziNFHKucxJGAgqgkKB6EETngCNcW9Mm3phG6u_b5rsweUFg4Q14fk-ACow_MO4oG3ZWDwku51A3tmKXn/s1600/11.9.10+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h5bnVsYNAwuKwFl5gJPhttTddauMH1X6N5n3gSpzXzEgUL2Kx4VbSLA98XtsziNFHKucxJGAgqgkKB6EETngCNcW9Mm3phG6u_b5rsweUFg4Q14fk-ACow_MO4oG3ZWDwku51A3tmKXn/s400/11.9.10+024.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When enough were threaded, we twisted the ends of the wire together, squeezed it all into a heart shape and added a pretty ribbon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CB_tTXmYy0lV519Bw9uPlpK4TYdOTjACg9MewDrI5gZU57kDleXiYplq2dIcDhkqBgRhsmY4grvCXw_P8P6k5S30Z6pGJqLD4JkWVRtXfZM1N0W0gDYgoYPc7zWprjG_yHd0x0IO0Qro/s1600/11.9.10+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CB_tTXmYy0lV519Bw9uPlpK4TYdOTjACg9MewDrI5gZU57kDleXiYplq2dIcDhkqBgRhsmY4grvCXw_P8P6k5S30Z6pGJqLD4JkWVRtXfZM1N0W0gDYgoYPc7zWprjG_yHd0x0IO0Qro/s400/11.9.10+090.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, the person doing this has to be responsible enough to know not to eat the berries but this was a great craft and only needed very minimal supervision.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzfnqoNivtT3n_hTXf_0HmsPXP9qLJn3M86Eu-hdw7rSt4yIU7FN0xaIt-6KVS_YF7I5Tk60BZ0uDfLJ9_tpLGsWW17cgZO8BDJAAq0aryYDTjDBnfPgpeMO5PFPkKcMxT0WksIpLkOGe/s1600/11.9.10+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzfnqoNivtT3n_hTXf_0HmsPXP9qLJn3M86Eu-hdw7rSt4yIU7FN0xaIt-6KVS_YF7I5Tk60BZ0uDfLJ9_tpLGsWW17cgZO8BDJAAq0aryYDTjDBnfPgpeMO5PFPkKcMxT0WksIpLkOGe/s400/11.9.10+098.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm linking to <a href="http://www.homebodyholly.com/2010/12/thrifty-gifty-2010-5-serving-tray-and.html#comments">Holly at Homebody's Thifty Gifty Party</a>. Thank you all so much for linking up all your gorgeous wreaths at my Wreath Party last Friday.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><em>{Well, it started on Friday but turned into a Weekender Bender...}</em></span><br /><br /> I've picked some out especially for you to feast your eyes on....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://wildacreflowers.blogspot.com/2010/12/i-did-it-i-made-wreath.html" target="_blank">Belinda from Wild Acre</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kVcOvTEzN9G_6io7H_XikTYOcxcIAo4_Ec16ICiPn3cz02AZKksEn7Ia7s3liMMHYddekdi8ItMZwfVn8drlGEX1bPYH6C3Iw4dwHEZ_uE-xVvXMV1XvV4sIpbx_2hfVYbSdza9McQ4a/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kVcOvTEzN9G_6io7H_XikTYOcxcIAo4_Ec16ICiPn3cz02AZKksEn7Ia7s3liMMHYddekdi8ItMZwfVn8drlGEX1bPYH6C3Iw4dwHEZ_uE-xVvXMV1XvV4sIpbx_2hfVYbSdza9McQ4a/s400/IMG_0303.JPG" width="298" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.homebodyholly.com/2010/12/front-door-wreath.html" target="_blank">Holly from Homebody</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaICZ1a2DC6eQrGEZYiQuXDWob9rlBc_BxtAfyd9bwaX8U3Swv8A3xjvIc3KELll4QRaLspsxz0HQxzHNyDmi20g6_LU1O8vmnoqEklG7zn1H9mdAg3cBJ0pa6fTMWNMCKI8AzlETXAudC/s1600/IMG_7143_thumb%255B6%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaICZ1a2DC6eQrGEZYiQuXDWob9rlBc_BxtAfyd9bwaX8U3Swv8A3xjvIc3KELll4QRaLspsxz0HQxzHNyDmi20g6_LU1O8vmnoqEklG7zn1H9mdAg3cBJ0pa6fTMWNMCKI8AzlETXAudC/s640/IMG_7143_thumb%255B6%255D.jpg" width="404" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://signalhillinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/10/pinecone-wreath.html" target="_blank">Courtenay from Signal Hill Interiors</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aDyYbQhgnpb2wDMDhBmwu_aqMcR-folLFmAH_mTvVcm6nz4tTb6EfUIStmuFPenTRr-xKTx6vIlBPxoG_u5H9V0EQx1LwZGlfwxkCrL7jrSi_j9x-erqkYi3IEMXbkxZwd2wcsqKJOEp/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aDyYbQhgnpb2wDMDhBmwu_aqMcR-folLFmAH_mTvVcm6nz4tTb6EfUIStmuFPenTRr-xKTx6vIlBPxoG_u5H9V0EQx1LwZGlfwxkCrL7jrSi_j9x-erqkYi3IEMXbkxZwd2wcsqKJOEp/s400/IMG_3021.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/09/diy-burlap-starfish-wreath.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Roeshel from The DIY Show-Off</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvng9RkqTVl4AjUcZCFst-qAH6qUQU2MdcSX4QxVS0SvUuwjLmT9mF9-cz49i5mZjHSJX1eMKj09cZbA_kve6sVQJmpQKYalz65-_z9z6_Gv3PY_Y7eROMhKTcP-gv67JhJttUnBHQLM5/s1600/wreath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvng9RkqTVl4AjUcZCFst-qAH6qUQU2MdcSX4QxVS0SvUuwjLmT9mF9-cz49i5mZjHSJX1eMKj09cZbA_kve6sVQJmpQKYalz65-_z9z6_Gv3PY_Y7eROMhKTcP-gv67JhJttUnBHQLM5/s400/wreath1.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1zxeLx3bipHvj4Zn0aS2JqsHM6gRSgObh90py78dua2APIJ191l_3SjNJSVDlgHenQonuW43Aufih7mwZsw4Gqu6G5kWqSXErnrcjnUzdB5f7H-uosCZ7DRa2YqllP5Q1Ut527mmX3iV/s1600/IMG_2462.jpg" target="_blank">imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://shellsshabbyshack.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-wreath-and-christmas-corner.html" target="_blank">Michelle from Shell's Shabby Shack</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTR_EDJjv07OvbMFqW9mrxfv4B9nF9mIi1Na0_jliG2PPygcvYsS0b389I9z35I6PI7ukdXjn4AmiMQyzzZvkFE5G75YDqBJx7Gt2Zkn91pNpNJyFsYVJvF5g3YRKbtL8fCGxq7knNH0h/s1600/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTR_EDJjv07OvbMFqW9mrxfv4B9nF9mIi1Na0_jliG2PPygcvYsS0b389I9z35I6PI7ukdXjn4AmiMQyzzZvkFE5G75YDqBJx7Gt2Zkn91pNpNJyFsYVJvF5g3YRKbtL8fCGxq7knNH0h/s400/IMG_3562.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bet1975.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-wreath.html" target="_blank">Brandi from Don't Disturb This Groove</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNME77xIEHw7sF5m2ssnva0m1r5QjcXdav3SP6LnugeZ4b8ZnUjgpZJQSNqzmo8uODr7Lqq1VNlc-4PE0x8tY0DjX-KApICb3FqJ5qlvx8lSIrRIyBPN2U0QMoRRFxPOYFPeCfqpSAbiL8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNME77xIEHw7sF5m2ssnva0m1r5QjcXdav3SP6LnugeZ4b8ZnUjgpZJQSNqzmo8uODr7Lqq1VNlc-4PE0x8tY0DjX-KApICb3FqJ5qlvx8lSIrRIyBPN2U0QMoRRFxPOYFPeCfqpSAbiL8/s640/018.JPG" width="376" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://yearofhomeandhealth.blogspot.com/2010/12/modern-country-style-wreath-party.html" target="_blank">Samantha from Year of Home and Health</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1zxeLx3bipHvj4Zn0aS2JqsHM6gRSgObh90py78dua2APIJ191l_3SjNJSVDlgHenQonuW43Aufih7mwZsw4Gqu6G5kWqSXErnrcjnUzdB5f7H-uosCZ7DRa2YqllP5Q1Ut527mmX3iV/s1600/IMG_2462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="391" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1zxeLx3bipHvj4Zn0aS2JqsHM6gRSgObh90py78dua2APIJ191l_3SjNJSVDlgHenQonuW43Aufih7mwZsw4Gqu6G5kWqSXErnrcjnUzdB5f7H-uosCZ7DRa2YqllP5Q1Ut527mmX3iV/s400/IMG_2462.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gorgeous, eh? Aren't they beautiful? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>{*drool*}</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I just love the versatility of wreaths. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, what's coming next time? Well, I have this to show you:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI4-3k7aACsx66phwy5UT1LeMYelkYPCKzwBVRBX1eigNWJkEe4BtIAlNBhdiu5_qz4kc7jIoCxj5uAbxZk-DPPZygqz0XQ-5e39mjd34PRVzmoWG7QWSv-Jf43gwbQTTNIf7_xrerFMd/s1600/10.10.25+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI4-3k7aACsx66phwy5UT1LeMYelkYPCKzwBVRBX1eigNWJkEe4BtIAlNBhdiu5_qz4kc7jIoCxj5uAbxZk-DPPZygqz0XQ-5e39mjd34PRVzmoWG7QWSv-Jf43gwbQTTNIf7_xrerFMd/s400/10.10.25+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meet Mister Santa, my most ambitious project yet....</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/352/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/352/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>

Children's Crafts and Wreath Party Round-Up

We had such a lovely weekend getting everything ready for Christmas. Whenever we have the Decorating Weekend each year, I try and think up c...

Read more »