Christmas prep

The magic number is 108°. That's the inside angle of a pentagon. You need 12 pentagons - all the same size. I sew them together by hand. I did think of including a little loop in one seam to hang it up in the pram (this would be useful for the next one as the recipient is only due to enter this world next month.)

I have since washed the ball and the pinholes have now also disappeared.

I bought the stuffing on line. It was annoying that it was sold by weight and not by volume - I've now got a huge sackful - enough for 3 cushions!

Witzend your advent calendar is really lovely.
I just finished making two quilts (first quilts I've ever made), a Bucilla stocking and a Nutcracker Soldier doll (photo attached).
I hope that's the end of my Christmas crafting this year, but no doubt I'll find something else to make!

Aww! JackyB … How lovely! What a brilliant idea. Practical and pretty.

Was this more difficult to make than a flat patchwork throw?

It can be kept as an heirloom (if it out lasts being nibbled!!) and treasured by gd.

Well done

I have just finished a soft patchwork ball for a DGD born this year.

It's been so long since I made Christmas puds I'd forgotten about the stir and wish bit !

I remember the 6 penny bits stirred into it by my Nan though!

Also it used to be possible to buy silver charms to put in if you wanted a change.

Hope her wish comes true!

Oh! BTW hope you stood back from the steam, I remember my Mother had a really bad perm which was made even worse by the re steaming of the puds on Christmas day!! Poor thing.

I'm sure it'll be delish, Namsnanny!

I made my Christmas puds yesterday, two big ones. Earlier than usual but had a young relative of dh staying so chance for her to have a stir and make a wish - new for her since from a different culture on her mother's side.
At least I mixed them up. Old-favourite recipe says 'if liked, leave overnight' and I usually do. Must now get on and steam them.

Just re read that, I've quite a lot of sides don't you think!!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201911/medium-835963-d2313b19-046e-4545-b7f6-85fd6bd8b1b4.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201911/medium-830221-12286d95-9128-43ac-8191-c419ce4c4aeb.jpeg

Well I’m back on the Christmas wagon after a dry spell!!
This is my chilli jelly/jam. It’s supposed to be given as gifts.

I’m a hit and miss type of cook (well everything really), and I can never guarantee what the end result will be.
When the jelly had boiled for its allotted time I poured out the first jar but it was very runny, so I decided to boil the rest for a few minutes more...to be on the safe side, you understand
Which I have to say worked in so much as it is set, if a little on the brown side.
Whereas the other one is a really nice red colour but a little on the runny side!

Never mind, when I come to label it I’ll call it chilli sauce....they don’t know it was meant to set do they?!
And the brown ones I’ll just have to eat myself ?

Oh, Lord, the dreaded mattress stitch was specified for all those fiddly little inserts in my Advent calendar. I find it hard enough with big pieces. So I just did the good old 'oversew row ends together' as instructed for the Jean Greenhowe things - I did substitute a few of hers for some of the 'official' items, as maybe more appealing to little Gdcs - elf, clown, soldier, fairy and Mrs Claus.
But I did also make the penguin from another Alan Dart pattern - how on earth anyone could manage mattress stitch for his fiddling little beak, wings and feet I can't imagine!

Not my favourite job either!
I may not be doing invisible mattress stitch.

Callistemon … wow! that's some sewing up to do!
My least favourite job, I'd rather just knit.

I have three bagfuls of little pieces and wish I'd sewn each one together as I finished it.

bingo sorry, no
I know how to make angels in the snow but they don't last

Apropos of 'stuffing the holy family', dh phoned earlier - he's been away for the weekend and was phoning from the airport.
Since it took me a while to find the phone he asked if I'd been having a zizz.
'No, I'm stuffing a donkey!' (For Nativity set no. 2.)

I thought someone on here would know how to make angels using chicken wire and rags dipped in plaster of Paris? They were in the America magazine - Good Housekeeping (?) many years ago (1970s?). Does anyone know how to make them - they are exceptionally beautiful?

Where has the year gone?

Oh my goodness Boody^M^um sorry not giggling of course !!

Calistemon ...’I’ve got to stuff the Holy family’ made me laugh ?

Just as an aside I called it prep because I thought anyone can post anything to do with Christmas including cooking present buying craft or anything To do with the day!
I didn’t want anyone to feel excluded - they could post a photo of the crosses on their sprouts if they wanted
B
Boodybum .. I can do photos on my phone but not my lap top.
I select a photo library on my phone then select one with a ✔️
Go to gn on the internet select relevant thread (this one)
Press paper clip (attachment) icon
Then up comes photo! Voila!

Your gonna say you’ve done that and it doesn’t work aren’t you?
I don’t know ? anything more I’m afraid.

I knitted the same nativity set Witzend. It took a while to make and lots of pieces, like you said, but the dgc love it. Baby Jesus does seem to go missing frequently though, and other small toys appear in his place!

I don't do a spreadsheet - I just have an old exercise book with lists of what to do and buy, and by when.

Thanks for the clarification that this thread is about crafting for Christmas Urmstongran!

I was beginning to feel stressed.

I made a Christmas tree decoration this week (not my best effort at craft) and need to stuff the Holy Family.

That's it!
Spreadsheet?
I thought it was supposed to be fun!

Finally finished my Advent Calendar - well, except for the loops for hanging on the Christmas tree.

If anyone else is mad enough to be tempted, I'd advise starting it in about May!! Still, it's been a brilliant excuse for not doing any housework!

I`ve been asked to put pics on of the Christmas gifts I`ve made. How do I do that please?

Hey Gransnet, don't delete I haven't had the pleasure of reading the message yet!!