Christmas

The
ÌCRAFT WITH KIDS Ì FESTIVE BANNER Ì TREE DECORATIONS
magazine

MAKE
MEMORIES
WITH OUR
CHRISTMAS
PROJECTS

Create
A GORGEOUS
POM-POM
WREATH

PICTURE A SCENE
Make a festive
village scene

this season
Magical makes to brighten up your Christmas
 perfect gift

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 WELCOME

WELCOME
Christmas is a craft lovers heaven – there’s
inspiration everywhere and so many
Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, opportunities to get making.
Downs Court, Yalding Hill,
Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL

EDITORIAL Whether you want to create pretty decorations, make

Editor Heather Grimes
Art Editor Helen Harper-Collins
Contributors Emma Baker,
your gift wrapping stand out from crowd, or are looking
Sarah Beaman, Kate Smith
for ideas to entertain the kids, we’ve got you covered.
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AD PRODUCTION
Talk Media Sales
My favourite feature this year is Sarah Beaman’s tree
MANAGEMENT ornaments, created using last year’s Christmas cards. I
Chief Executive Steve Wright
Subscription Marketing Director love the way she has used material that would otherwise
Gill Lambert
Retail Director Steve Brown
Print Production Controllers Hayley Brown
be wasted and turned it into something really beautiful
and lovely to make. Turn to page 14 to try it for yourself.
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All that’s left for you to do is dust off your craft stash –
1-888-777-0275
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For customer service support, please visit
[email protected] get crafting!
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postal address
The Christmas Magazine Customer Service
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The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill,
Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL

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Kelsey Media 2022 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a
trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in
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writing from the publishers. Note to contributors: articles
CONTENTS
submitted for consideration by the editor must be the
original work of the author and not previously published.
Where photographs are included, which are not the
property of the contributor, permission to reproduce them
must have been obtained from the owner of the copyright.
04 Crafty wrapping
Spruce up your gifts with
these pretty ideas
14 Flights of festive fancy
Turn last year‘s cards into
lovely tree ornaments
The editor cannot guarantee a personal response to all
letters and emails received. The views expressed in the
magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or the
Publisher. Kelsey Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for
products and services offered by third parties.
Kelsey Media takes your personal data very seriously. For
06 Christmas flower wreath
This weaving kit contains
everything you need
18 Make a festive banner
This simple decoration is fun to
make and looks really effective too
more information of our privacy policy, please visit Kelsey
Media takes your personal data very seriously. For more
information of our privacy policy, please visit https://www.
kelsey.co.uk/privacy-policy/ . If at any point you have any
queries regarding Kelsey’s data policy you can email our
10 Winter village scene
This pretty project can be
made simple or intricate
20 Craft with kids
You‘ll love this great project,
and so will your little ones!
Data Protection Officer at [email protected].

www.kelsey.co.uk The Christmas Magazine 2022 3

4
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

GET CRAFTY WITH

CHRISTMAS WRAPPING
Spruce up your gifts with these pretty ideas

C hristmas wrapping is one of our

favourite ways to get crafty as
there are so many ways to level
up your gifting in a fun and inexpensive
way. Here are a few ideas of how you can
spruce up your presents so that they look
gorgeous under the tree.

GO FORAGING
Sprigs of holly and fir tucked into ribbon
can really make your presents pop, and
the best part is, it’s free! If you have a
garden, look for evergreens that you can
snip, or head out for a walk in the woods
to forage for small sprigs that you can
use. Just remember not to take too much.
Berries add a lovely pop of colour, but we
recommend searching for faux ones to
protect children and pets from accidently
swallowing something poisonous.

STRINGS AND THINGS

We love using bakers (or butchers) twine
for Christmas crafts; it’s perfect for
hanging decorations for an added festive
feel. You can buy it in a variety of colours,
although red and green are the most
traditional choice for the season. Use
twine instead of ribbon to wrap around
your gifts, finishing with a bow.

CHECK YOUR STASH

Most of us have a craft stash full of bits, BROWN PAPER STAMP IT
pieces, and off cuts that are simply too Instead of using patterned wrapping Opting for brown paper allows you to
beautiful to part with. Having a look paper, opt for recycled brown paper customise it really easily, and we love
through what you already have is a great instead. This is a less expensive and more stamps for doing this. Choose simple
place to start as this could potentially sustainable option that you can patterns such as trees, snowflakes, or
save you some money. Check for nice customise yourself really easily to fit your even circles, and opt for metallics or
items to work with, or that can be used as chosen theme. You can decorate with whites for a subtle but beautiful result.
a base to build from. Ribbons and metallic glitter, create patterns with stamps, or You can even stamp kraft tags to create
threads are great choices, but soft chunky leave it as it is and level up with ribbons, matching gift tags for a seamless feel.
wools and strings can also be lovely to bows, and other pretty embellishments. Check out Hobbycraft, Etsy, Not On The
use as they add a different texture that You can use brown paper year after year High Street, and Amazon for some
will add interest under your tree. by simply updating your theme. gorgeous stamps.

The Christmas Magazine 2022 5

 CHRISTMAS
FLOWER
WEAVING
WREATH
We love a crafty kit, especially a festive
one! This contains everything you need
to make a beautiful wreath. Great for
gifting, or just for yourself!

6
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

STEP 1
YOU WILL NEED...
Unpack your kit and lay it out.
A TabbyandTweed Christmas flower
weaving wreath kit available from STEP 2
tabbyandtweed.co.uk, £35 To make a large flower you will need the
large flower loom and between 4-5m of
Each kit contains the following: yarn depending on how full you would
† An unmade rattan wreath, 25cm in like your flower. Take the loom and,
diameter holding an approximately 5cm tail, take
† British Appleton tapestry wool the rest of the yarn from the back of the
† Tapestry and sewing needle loom up through the first top slot. Take
† Buttons for decoration the yarn straight down the loom to the
† Two sizes of flower weaving loom opposite slot.
† Ribbon
† Gold baubles and coloured minibells STEP 3
† Decorative yarn braid Take the thread around the back of the
loom around the prong and up through
the next slot. Take the thread back up the
loom to the directly opposite slot. Repeat
this process working your way around

The Christmas Magazine 2022 7

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

STEP 3 STEP 5 STEP 7

STEP 9 STEP 10 STEP 11

STEP 12 STEP 13 STEP 14

the loom. The threads will be on one side difficult but once this is removed the
of the loom, step 5 shows what the back others will be easier.
of the flower loom should look like.
STEP 8
STEP 4 You now have a finished large flower. This
Use all the yarn except the last 30cm. flower can be used directly on the wreath
Thread this end onto a needle. if you wish, with or without a button or
you may wish to carry on and make a
STEP 5 double flower as detailed below.
Sew up and around each group of
threads to secure them to the centre. STEP 9
Using the smaller flower loom make a
STEP 6 smaller flower. You can use a contrasting
You will sew around the flower until all yarn is you wish and will need
the thread groups are secured. You approximately 2m of yarn.
should have some remaining thread on
your needle which should be taken to the STEP 10
back. This thread can be used later to When you have a small and large flower
secure the flower to the loom, another sew them together and add a button or
flower or to secure a button. the small bells as a decoration.

STEP 7 STEP 11
With the back of the loom facing you, Make a mini pompom. Start by wrapping
push each thread group up and over 4-5m of yarn around a fork until you have
each prong. The first one will be most a ball sized wrap.

8 The Christmas Magazine 2022

 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

STEP 15

STEP 12
Using another piece of yarn
about 15cm in length thread it
between the 2nd and 3rd
prongs of the fork over and
around the yarn wrap. Pull both
ends of the yarn and tie a knot
as tightly as you can.

STEP 13
Remove the yarn wrap from the
fork and using scissors cut the
loops on either side of the
secured knot.

STEP 14
Trim the yarn into a ball shape for your
finished pompom.

STEP 15
Use the yarn flowers, bells, pompoms
and braid to make the wreath. Use the
needle and spare yarn to secure the
items around the rattan wreath. Secure
buttons onto the flower centres and add
the baubles and ribbon artistically.

The Christmas Magazine 2022 9

 MAKE A
WINTER VILLAGE
SHELF SCENE
Kate Smith shows you how you can create a beautiful village scene

FEATURE: KATE SMITH from The Makery IG: @themakerykate

T his Scandi-inspired village scene is a

quick project that makes an effective
festive shelf display. You can add
glitter if you fancy some sparkle, and pop
some fairy lights or battery tealights behind in
the evening for a warm glow. A CricutTM
We love this project because it is a blank
canvas that can be made as simple or as
pretty as you like. You can create an easy
version with younger kids, or keep your older
ones entertained by asking them to spend
time sketching pretty designs on the front of
machine will speed up the process of making the buildings to add character and realism.
this project, but it’s also a simple project to Alternatively, make the project even more
complete by hand. intricate with a sharp paper knife to create
Once created, you can arrange on a complex cuts to add further interest.
windowsill, mantle piece, or anywhere in the How will you add an extra dash of
home that needs an extra festive touch. personality to yours?

10
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

YOU WILL NEED...

† White card
† Pencil
† Eraser
† Ruler
† Scissors or a craft knife
† Dinner knife
† Or a Cricut machine with fine
point blade and scoring stylus/
wheel

OPTIONAL:
† Glitter
† Glue
† Fairy lights or battery tealights

11
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

12
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

STEP 1 Using the ruler and pencil, draw a

series of house and building shapes
along the bottom edge of the card,
making sure the houses all join up. Or if
you have a Cricut machine, type ‘building’
or ‘house’ into Images’; arrange the
images next to each so they touch, lining
up the bottom edges, then highlight all
the houses and click ‘weld’.

STEP 2 Using the ruler and the blunt

edge of the dinner knife, mark score lines
in between every house or so. If you have
a Cricut machine, add score lines in
between every house or so. Select all and
click ‘Attach’.

STEP 3 Cut all the way around the

outside of the buildings, making one long
‘village’. If you have a Cricut machine,
click ‘Make it’ to cut and score your
buildings.

STEP 4 Fold along the score lines. If

you’d like to add glitter, dab a little glue
along the top of the buildings and
sprinkle with glitter. Arrange your
finished village on a shelf, and place
battery tealights or fairy lights behind for
an extra glow.

CricutTM smart cutting machines

allow you to cut, draw, score and
more. Available from cricut.com,
Hobbycraft, Very, Ryman, Currys and
John Lewis. Check cricut.com for
details, offers and inspiration.

The Christmas Magazine 2022 13

 FLIGHTS
OF FESTIVE
FANCY...
Turn last year’s cards
into pretty hanging
ornaments… a project
that will delight all ages!
FEATURE: SARAH BEAMAN

14
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

DOVE ORNAMENT

T his charming set of hanging

ornaments have been made from
easily obtainable everyday
materials – some otherwise destined for
recycling. The printed colours and
patterns of used greetings cards add a
Top Tip
To establish
the balance
point, hold a
pencil
vertically in STEP 1 Use the compass to draw 2 x
higher degree of visual interest than plain
the crease and 10cm circles on patterned card and cut
coloured papers would. Used thoughtfully, carefully them out. You will also need 2 x 8.5cm
the images can represent details and move the
textures such as hair and feathers
doilies; 1 x 15mm heart punched from
ornament
resulting in a refined and sophisticated patterned paper; 1 x fern punched from
along either
green card; 25cm green twine; 2 x 5mm
look, which can become even more way until it
personal if the senders’ writing is balances stick on eyes.
incorporated. Nevertheless, a child should perfectly on
be able to reproduce these decorations the tip of the
and the outcome will be just as special. pencil.
Except for the robin, all the circles have
been drawn with a compass and cut out
freehand – if you don’t have a compass
use mugs or dishes as templates to draw
around. Craft punches have been used for
the robin to create identical circles for a
neat finish when they are glued together.
STEP 2 To make the dove’s body, score
With care even these could be cut
and fold one of the card circles in half.
freehand. Remember to save your
For the wings, cut the second card circle
Christmas cards to provide next year’s
crafting material!
in half. Cut the doily in half and use a glue
stick to adhere one section of doily onto
each semi-circle of card, positioning the
doily towards one end and ensuring you
YOU WILL NEED... make a pair of wings. To make a beak,
† A selection of plain and patterned card score and fold the punched heart down
– used Christmas cards, cereal boxes the centre. Use the scissors to cut a slit
and other decorative materials saved from the tip of the heart up to the centre.
from the recycling bin are ideal. Good
for the environment and for the
pocket!
† Paper doilies, 21cm diameter and
8.5cm
† Fine green twine
† Natural jute garden string
† Stick on eyes, 15mm, 7mm, 5mm and
3mm
† Compass STEP 3 Score and fold the forward tip of
† Sticky tape and foam adhesive pads each wing. Position the wings on each
† White craft glue with fine tip and glue side of the dove’s body then apply craft
stick glue to the small sections and glue in
† Pencil and eraser place. Glue the fern in the slit cut in the
† Scissors heart then glue the folded heart over the
† Craft punches: tip of the folded circle to create a beak.
Circle - 75mm, 37mm & 25mm
Heart - 30mm & 15mm STEP 4 Fold the length of green twine in
Fern - 15mm half and tie the ends in a knot. Thread the
† Needle with large eye loop through the needle and having
† Bulldog clip or peg established the balance point for the
dove, push the needle through the fold to
create the hanging loop. Glue on the eyes
to complete the dove.

The Christmas Magazine 2022 15

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

STEP 1

STEP 2 STEP 3

ANGEL ORNAMENT

STEP 1 You will need 2 x 10cm circles cut you make a pair of wings, not two the
from patterned card; 2 x 8.5cm doilies; same. Glue the two punched circles for
2 x 37mm circles punched from metallic the halo back to back. Cut a section out
card for the halo; 1 x 25mm circles of the circle punched for the hair as
punched from skin-toned card for the shown, the glue the hair on top of the
face; 1 x 25mm circle punched from circle punched for the face. Use a foam
patterned card to represent hair; 25cm pad to adhere the face to the halo. Glue
green twine; 2 x 3mm stick on eyes. on the eyes.

STEP 2 To make the angel’s body, score STEP 3 Glue the tip of the front wing to
and fold one of the largest circles in half. the front of the body section, positioning
For the wings, cut the other large circle in it as shown. Glue the tip of the rear wing
half. Cut each doily in half and use a glue behind the body to represent
stick to adhere a section of doily onto the outstretched wings. Use a foam pad to
front and rear of each semi-circle of card adhere the head in-between the wings.
(see tip box), positioning the doily Attach the hanging loop at the balance
towards the tip of the card and ensuring point for the dove.

16 The Christmas Magazine 2022

 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

ROBIN ORNAMENT

STEP 1 You will need; for the body 2 x STEP 2 To form a hanging loop fold the STEP 3 Glue a red circle to one side of
7.5cm circles punched from plain brown green twine in half and secure it to the the body allowing it to extend slightly
card; for the wings 2 x 7.5cm circles back of one of the plain brown circles beyond the edge of the brown circle as
punched from patterned card; 2 x 5cm with a piece of adhesive tape. Tie a shown. Glue the remaining red circle to
circles punched from red patterned card; double knot close to each end of the the other side, matching the overlapped
1 x 15mm heart punched from dark length of garden string and fray the ends edge. To make the beak, score and fold
patterned card; 20cm natural jute garden to represent the feet. Fold the string in the punched heart in half and use the tips
string; 25cm green twine; 2 x 7mm stick half and use adhesive tape to attach it of the scissors to cut a short slit from the
on eyes. opposite the hanging loop, as shown. Use top of the heart down towards the
craft glue to stick the two plain circles centre. Glue the folded heart in position
together right sides out to make the where the top of the red circle overlaps
robin‘s body. the edge of the brown circle, pushing the
body into the slit so that the beak sits
comfortably.

STEP 4 To make the wings score and

fold each of the patterned circles in half.
As described for the dove, score and fold
the forward tip of each wing, as seen,
gluing the small sections together
patterned sides out. Plan the position for
the wings on each side of the robin’s
body then apply craft glue to the small
sections and glue in place. Glue on the
eyes to complete the robin.

The Christmas Magazine 2022 17

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

MAKE A
FESTIVE BANNER
Kate Smith shows how you can create this simple but effective
decoration to adorn your walls and more this Christmas

FEATURE: KATE SMITH from The Makery IG: @themakerykate

W hether you choose

monochrome, brights or
traditional, this banner is a
sure way to add some magic to your
home. If you have a CricutTM machine, you
can whiz through this project in no time
colours that reflect your festive theme, or
create different banners for various areas
of your house.
Children will love using this project to
make name signs for their bedroom
doors to ensure Santa knows where to
YOU WILL NEED...
†
†
†
†
†
Card
Scissors
ruler
pencil
hole punch
at all. If not, you’ll enjoy the process of deliver their presents. Or, create a lovely † twine or ribbon
drawing and cutting by hand instead. backdrop for your Christmas 2022 family † pen
We love the sleek colour palette of this photo, re-use year after year or update it † Or a Cricut machine with pen and fine
finished project, but you can choose each time! point blade

18
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

STEP 1 Start by choosing the shape for

your flags, then draw a template. Trace
around the template onto your card,
making sure you include enough for
whatever message you’d like on your
banner. If you have a Cricut machine,
choose a pennant shape in ‘Images’ and
add to your canvas.

STEP 2 If you choose to add another

layer to your pennants, trace more
shapes onto a different coloured card.
(Or for Cricut owners, add more
pennants to your canvas).

STEP 3 If you have a Cricut machine, you

can add your wording at this stage:
Choose a font you like and add a letter to
each pennant. Make sure the letters are
‘Draw’ function, then ‘Attach’ each letter
to the pennant.

STEP 4 Cut out all the pennants (or click

‘Make it’ on your Cricut machine).

STEP 5 Line up each pair of pennants,

aligning the tops. Punch 2 x holes along
the top edge, through both layers, using
your hole punch.

STEP 6 If you’re writing your letters by

hand, do that now. You may want to use
a pencil first – to avoid mistakes!

STEP 7 Thread twine or ribbon through

each pair of pennants to join them
together. Then hang on your wall, stand
back, and admire!

CricutTM smart cutting machines

allow you to cut, draw, score and
more. Available from cricut.com,
Hobbycraft, Very, Ryman, Currys and
John Lewis. Check cricut.com for
details, offers and inspiration.

The Christmas Magazine 2022 19

20
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

KIDS ACTIVITY:
MAKE TREE
DECORATIONS
We absolutely love this great project for little ones

FEATURE: KATE SMITH from The Makery IG: @themakerykate

K ate Smith shows you how to

make these decorations using
craft items you’ll probably
already have hanging around at home or
in your craft stash. Plus it makes for an
excellent activity to keep the little ones
will create a rustic effect, or opt for bright
and bold for a bit of fun. If you have a
CricutTM machine, you’ll find it easy to cut
intricate shapes in no time. Otherwise,
you might find it easier to stick to more
simple outlines that you can draw by
occupied when you really need to get on hand or download from the internet.
with your Christmas preparations! You Once finished, these make lovely tree
could cut out letters instead of shapes, if decorations for your own home, or
you prefer. And use whatever yarn you perfect little handmade gifts for family
have at home, or choose colours to members... grandparents will simply
match a theme. Brown card templates adore them!

YOU WILL NEED...

† Thick cardboard
† Yarn
† Tape
† Scissors
† Pencil

OPTIONAL:
† Cricut machine
† Green mat
† Ribbon or twine

The Christmas Magazine 2022 21

22
 CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

STEP 1 Start by deciding on the shapes

you’d like. You can draw them freehand
onto the card, download templates
online to trace, or if you have a Cricut
machine you can select images on
Design Space.

STEP 2 When your images are drawn

onto the card, carefully cut them out
with scissors (or your Cricut machine).
Make sure you cut a hanging hole at
the top.

STEP 3 Secure an end of yarn to the

cardboard shape, then hand it to your
little one to start winding the yarn
around. You can change colours if you
like, to add more interest. When they’ve
finished, cut the yarn, and secure the
other end with tape; gently pushing it
under the strands to conceal the tape.

CricutTM smart cutting machines

allow you to cut, draw, score and
more. Available from cricut.com,
Hobbycraft, Very, Ryman, Currys and
John Lewis. Check cricut.com for
details, offers and inspiration.

The Christmas Magazine 2022 23