Christmas Craftiness

What makes something 'hand crafted'? It sure has to be something which requires thought and the 'personal touch'. I have no problem with use of machines - lathes, sewing machines, food mixers etc - because they require a degree of skill to be operated well. But I am uncomfortable with items which are just an 'assemblage'. 

To go online and buy little red trucks, mini Xmas trees and a ball of silver thread, then sticking them together to make a hanging decoration is not craft imho. Neither is polishing a load of pennies with Brasso, sticking them individually on cardboard tags, and selling each for £5 as a 'lucky penny'

I am not selling at any craft fairs this year. For one thing, the only craft I have done recently has been churning out shed aprons. Thanks to Nancy's good marketing efforts, we have just about raised enough to cover the Shed Insurance premium for the coming year! 
Last week I made a dozen aprons, and the striped fabric is almost all used up. Bob will try to sell the remaining aprons at the Shed AGM later this month. I recently borrowed some crafting books from the Library

Margaret Bloom's book was brilliant! A section for each season, and appropriate dolls - covering folklore, fairytales, seasonal and religious celebrations. Good illustrations, clear instructions, well drawn templates...*****  WEBSITE HERE Check out the little video [even more fun at 2x speed!]

Supercraft Christmas is by two German women. Lots of interesting ideas, ranging from simple [put sprigs of greenery in an assortment of wine bottles] to crazily complex [embroider white snowflakes all over a white tablecloth "depending on the size of cloth and your level of diligence, this will take between 5 hours and 50 years"]
I think this one gives you the starting point and you can develop the ideas to suit. Sewing, painting, cooking, many skills - for decorating, wrapping, and giving. There's even a pattern for an apron! ****

55 Christmas balls by Arne and Carlos I know many of you follow these two crazy Scandi guys
The book is such fun, and there are indeed 55 balls, with variations, to try out. The patterns are clear, with only 2 colours per row and short 'floats'. But they are all using the same basic 41 row pattern worked on dpns. [if you didn't know that means double pointed needles, 

then abandon plans to make all fifty five any before Christmas!] But I am still awarding this one **** because it is so joyful, with little quotes, and bits of folklore, and a whole section on 'religious' motifs. Jesus is the Reason for the Season, after all

We called in briefly at the Festive Fair in Dereham on Saturday. I bought myself a pair of ear-rings from Bitzy, in support of the Norfolk Blood Bikes,. She works in the blood unit at the hospital in Norwich. Her stall was all eco friendly, zerowaste and the diverse range of stock was created by her work colleagues. Bob got a collecting box from Abbie, whose organisation recycles ink cartridges He is hoping to raise some more funds for the Shed. We were not tempted to buy anything else!