Hanging Star- Christmas Decoration

You need :

6 squares of any sort of paper size to make this very nice decoration. You can also use magazines or photocopy paper with print on it! Practically anything works. Avoid hanging near a window which tends to get condensation.

It is simple to make but produces a great decoration. Children above 7 can manage it easily.

Video to follow on 18th Dec

Walnuts shell candle/present holder

How to open and what to make with the shell

  • Prise open carefully with a knife and scrap out the nut pieces
  • stick down onto card with a strong glue, eg uhu into a clover shape with the points on the outside
  • when dry cut around shape of nuts or make a circle and decorate with maybe glitter -a natural candle holder. A perfect present with a matchbox house and a candle –see other posts
  • Can fill the walnut with a little surprise eg ballon, coin ,sweet
  • Hold shell together with two pieces of blue tac or tie a ribbon around , can even hang on a Christmas tree or can make twelve for the days of Christmas !

Unbridled Joy

composed and performed by Christopher Poffley

Isaiah 35

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 

Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy

For waters will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert

ACTS 3:9

He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God they recognised him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.…

Born to Run

A piece written for our new granddaughter whose parents both love running, in fact Mummy was running 3 days before she was born ! This text was also a backdrop.

…those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength:

they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength:they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint

Isaiah 40:31

Written for PGAC

Advent/Christmas in my Sister Lissy’s home

My sister Lissy is always SO productive. One of her specialties is making gingerbread men …we get the joy of guessing how many are made and a prize of a bag if we win ! She is also famous for her gingerbread house and wonderful preserves of jams and chutneys …we are all so grateful for her immerse generosity in sharing them with each family member and their families…that’s a lot of harvesting ,making  and sending …thank you SO much dear sister Lissy!

Goldilocks and the three bears and how to make their houses!

Introducing Goldilocks  and the three bears and suggestions on how to make their houses .
Materials you will need:

  • A little cardboard box eg little cereal ones or a match box ( empty or with the matches heads cut off !) This activity will need adult supervision if using matchboxes. little raisin boxes are an alternative.
  • Card for the roof. Cut it slightly bigger than the house. It will overlap the box to look like rafters.
  • UHU or PVA glue,
  • Scissors
  • Coloured Card , paper, felt or material to decorate the roof and box, as well as make windows and a door
  • lace, sequins etc.

Use little coloured sticks to practice the 3 bear rhythm patterns ,

  • Mummy bear she walks like this- ta ta ta ta
  • Baby bear he runs like this – te te te te te te te te
  • Daddy bear he plods like this ta-a, ta-a, ta-a, ta-a

You can also make r

You can also make up rhythms with the sticks as well as rhythm cards as shown here.

Knitted oblong turned into a Ball !

This activity is very rewarding to make and play with once finished! 

You will need

  • size 3-4 mm knitting needles 
  • One colour or two or more eg rainbow colours of wool or cotton 
  • 12–20 stitches 
  • A balloon and red lentils to fill it 
  • Sewing needles to bring it altogether into a ball from an oblong . 

The finished ball can be used in numerous ways ,throwing ,rolling ,fidgeting  etc but also for juggling if you make three. If thread is attached they hang and turn like a mobile. They can be simply for swinging around or can become a Christmas tree decoration or eccentric ear rings !!