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Anyone else making things for Christmas fairs?

(169 Posts)
Witzend Sat 22-Sept-18 19:35:27

And if so, what? I've promised to make some little things for Gdd's preschool Christmas fair. Since I'm also making the time consuming crib set, it'll probably just be some mini snowmen/Father Christmas tree ornaments out of the Jean Greenhowe book.
However I'm open to suggestions for anything else relatively quick and easy to make - which is likely to sell well. (Apart from mince pies!)

Jalima1108 Thu 04-Oct-18 15:00:07

I have just spent a happy hour searching for a shawl pattern for another Gransnetter, however without success.
It was just an exercise in procrastination blush

I think the figures are quite tall, so a shoe box will not be big enough.

Jalima1108 Thu 04-Oct-18 15:01:04

They are excellent, you've done well Witzend
I must get on.

Happysexagenarian Thu 04-Oct-18 15:11:46

Witzend Your nativity set is brilliant! Well done.

Witzend Thu 04-Oct-18 17:07:26

Thank you, Jalima and HappySexagenarian for kind comments.
I finished my first 2 Jean G snowmen earlier, only I hadn't stuffed no. 1 quite fatly enough, so his cap was too big for his head and I had to make a slightly smaller one! I'm quite pleased with them, though.

Billybob4491 Thu 04-Oct-18 17:33:48

The Christmas fairy was the one you mentioned Witzend Christmas Special book page 25, its quite simple really and you might enjoy making it. I am currently knitting Winifreds Wool Shop from Jean Greehowes Little Dumpling Dolls book - its a challenge!

Jalima1108 Thu 04-Oct-18 17:35:23

I've just sewn the edge on to Mary's skirt and it looks rather lumpy (not like the one in the pattern book!) but I hope no-one will notice

Witzend Thu 04-Oct-18 19:35:47

Thank you, Billybob, I will try one of those next!
Jamila, I'm sure nobody will, but you could always place the manger strategically, so to speak.
I won't recommend a pile of the donkey poo a sister of mine thinks I ought to add with the donkey, for authenticity! I might have to knit a few of JG's holly berries in brown, to appease her. It's really a bit much, having a Naughty Little Sister of 60 odd, but there you go.

Jalima1108 Thu 04-Oct-18 23:12:01

I have just taken the bottom edge off the skirt and will make another attempt tomorrow!
The DGC would enjoy seeing some donkey poo!

shubhmah Tue 09-Oct-18 13:01:38

Yes, I am working on some sketches and paintings

Witzend Sun 14-Oct-18 16:55:06

Dilemma! Should I make some multi-ethnic fairies?

I'm making tree-decoration snowmen and fairies out of the Jean Greenhowe book for Gdd's Christmas fair - the fairy pattern is pink face (though I'm actually doing cream since don't have the right pink) and yellow hair.
But since the children are not all white Anglo Saxon by any means, just thought I should probably make some with beige faces and black hair. Any thoughts? Shall have to try one to see how it turns out.

lemongrove Sun 14-Oct-18 17:07:20

Just spent 2 hours making decoupage boxes and door handle hangers for children, always sell well at craft fairs.

Jalima1108 Sun 14-Oct-18 17:24:30

The Jean Greenhowe book suggests pink for the faces of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds etc but I have made Joseph a light beigey-tan and the shepherds, if ever they come down out of their fields, will be the same.

Grannyknot Sun 14-Oct-18 17:39:17

shubhmah those are terrific!

Jalima1108 Sun 14-Oct-18 17:41:49

They are indeed shubhmah

lemongrove Sun 14-Oct-18 17:55:36

Jalima as they were from the Middle East, a beige tan is more correct.wink

Jalima1108 Sun 14-Oct-18 17:56:40

Mary is quite pink-cheeked but that is understandable

lemongrove Sun 14-Oct-18 17:58:21

grin

Witzend Sun 14-Oct-18 19:03:13

Yes, your dogs are brilliant, shubmah!

I've given Mary and baby cream faces, shepherds, Joseph and wise men beige or what they call 'oyster' - which could also be 'heavy night and bad hangover' now I come to think of it.
Have also rebelled with shepherd no. 2 and made him a greybeard.

Having just knitted the piece, I don't think black hair for my ethnic fairy is going to,look right. Will have to look for some very dark brown instead - hope John Lewis will have some that doesn't cost £££.

A lot of stuffing and sewing up tomorrow - Wise Man 3 (the one with the white beard, he looks like Balthazar to me) two snowmen and first two fairies.

lemongrove Sun 14-Oct-18 22:03:35

I love the little Christmas peg dolls, very clever.

I think the reported posts are simply advertising ones.

Jalima1108 Sun 14-Oct-18 22:58:30

If you know anywhere that does Stylecraft yarns, they are very reasonable indeed and would be fine for 'hair' - they do a dark brown which I am going to use for hair and beards.
Also Wilko's is selling off yarn at the moment - I got some acrylic/wool mix for 75p a ball and have made Joseph a stripey cloak just to be a bit different.

Witzend Sun 14-Oct-18 23:04:42

Thanks, Jalima - will look in Wilko's. Otherwise it's just John Lewis for wool locally.

Witzend Mon 22-Oct-18 15:17:25

Billybob, I really have to admire you for making twenty of the JG fairies! I am making the snowmen and elves too - they all look very jolly - but what a fiddle all the little bits are to sew up! The arms in particular, so tiny you have to stuff with tweezers. I think I'm going to stop at a dozen in all.
I found a nice big twig 'tree' in the park - I hope it will look as nice as I imagine once I've sprayed it white and hung them all on it.

Billybob4491 Mon 22-Oct-18 17:03:38

Thank you Witzend, I have sprayed a twig white and display my fairies on it. Just finished a work of art! In JG Dumpling Dollies I have just completed knitting Winnie in the Wool Shop, very challenging, this is for a fellow knitting friend. If you get the chance take a look at it, I am very pleased with the result (blowing my own trumpet again)!

Witzend Mon 22-Oct-18 18:11:01

I don't have that JG book, Billybob, so do please post a pic of your Winnie's Wool Shop here!

Billybob4491 Tue 23-Oct-18 06:42:11

Witzend, tried to post photo on yesterday unsuccessfully. If you go into Google type in Jean Greenhowe Designs, all her knitting books will be shown on the screen. Find the Little Dumpling Dolls and there you will find Winnie in the Woolshop. Let me know how you get on.