Christmas art crafts at school.

[Piglet]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Not forgetting the oranges tied with ribbons and covered in cloves with shelled peanuts attached with cocktail sticks.

Pomanders made from oranges and cloves were to hang in wardrobes, so we didn't stick on peanuts or anything other than some ribbon or string to hang them up! If you forgot, you ended up with a "drawer" version to help keep moths away from your socks and other woolies. We strung peanuts in shells to use as garlands on the Christmas tree first, then after 12th night (or whenever the tree was taken down) they were hung outside for the birds. It still do this with the children! The pomanders last for years and years! We have them in all suitcases, bedding storage, attic boxes and under bed drawers as well as the usual wardrobes and clothes presses. I add lavender and rose petals to "feminine" zones like my out of season clothes cupboard, to save everything smelling quite macho!

[battyrat]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Just remembered we all took part in gluing together strips of paper to make the paper chains as well.

Not forgetting the oranges tied with ribbons and covered in cloves with shelled peanuts attached with cocktail sticks.

[battyrat]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Only in primary school did I do any Christmas crafts. Lanterns, cards, crackers, not forgetting the Christmas party hat. Even one year making snow men out of toilet rolls and cotton wool. Good times we had in primary. But we also done craft items for other times of the year like Halloween and Easter being two I fondly remember.

[80sChav]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

We had this but not to a great degree!

I still have all 9most of the stuff) I made for my Mum. Great memories indeed - pasting things and making Cards and Xmas stuff and Crackers (from recycled Toilet Rolls was great). I'd be tempoted to say it would not be allowed now on Hygene and H&S Grounds - but I have it on fairly good authority it still is though!

I am so glad this kind of thing, can still happen for Kids these days, as doing such stuff with pastre was probably me at my hapiest - Blue Peter/Tony Hatre sytle!

80sChav

[amethyst]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Yes I think we had those in primary shool

[Piglet]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

@80sChav Yes, it was less hectic and much more gentle. We are doing ourselves no favours with all the consumerism IMHO. I was going to add the string lampshade I remembered when talking about pasta shapes earlier, but then got tied up with the day's events. However I was astonished to see the very same idea popping up on the TV this p.m! How's that for coincidence? The designer's attempt failed (she used fabric stiffener with synthetics string) and so she ended up using wire over an exercise ball (pilates?) but I remember making a great if somewhat smaller one as a child using "seize" which I think was basically sugar dissolved and water, but do not know for sure. My Mum mixed it up, hence the memory gap (my excuse!) It was string over a large balloon, but see that others online use anything from wood glue to pva and flour! I think I may well have a go myself, with mini balloons. It would be a great "messy" for the children would really enjoy!

@amethyst Yes, the cards you can buy are amazing value for money. I have a packet of "window" cards I bought about 20 years ago which cost five times as much as they do these days. Sadly I feel the drop in price has to do with us chopping down the world's forests more than simple economics, but it certainly helps boost access to "affordable art" for everyone.

Another blast from the past "technique" is those gummed papers. I am trying to remember whether they were also supplied in pre-cut shapes, but am not sure. You know the same as the silver and gold stars we got for good and very good work? I am sure that we made cards and pictures using red, green, blue, black, brown and yellow squares, oblongs, circles which we licked and stuck to sugar paper. On the other hand I could be dreaming! I have such vivid dreams, I sometimes think what I have dreamt is reality! Ha! Did a quick search because I thought I was confusing them with felt shapes, but here are the very shapes!! Even the same packaging! Wow! Anyone else remember them?

[amethyst]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Yes, I make Christmas as well as other cards, @amethyst, but I do not buy the bits and bobs available for "crafting". I prefer "real" home-made using various papers, old cards, used wrapping papers, magazines, paints, scissors, fancy pinking shears, glitter, ribbons, rollers, pens & inks, etc. I depend heavily on calligraphy too. I also collect Christmas cards for reuse. I have a box full for crafting with the children. Some papers and cards I hoard, because they are far too beautiful to use! LOL!

There are some lovely crafting stuff about the range store has a good selection.

I mean by making your own cards you choose the design you can get packs of 50 cards & envelopes for £4.50 which is cheap as chips

[80sChav]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Wow Puglet - what memories seeing the picture brings back!! We did loads of Xmas things with these like Crackers etc

It sure returns my memory and thoughts to a much less hectic and more easy going/simple time in life!

80sChav

[Piglet]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Yes, I make Christmas as well as other cards, @amethyst, but I do not buy the bits and bobs available for "crafting". I prefer "real" home-made using various papers, old cards, used wrapping papers, magazines, paints, scissors, fancy pinking shears, glitter, ribbons, rollers, pens & inks, etc. I depend heavily on calligraphy too. I also collect Christmas cards for reuse. I have a box full for crafting with the children. Some papers and cards I hoard, because they are far too beautiful to use! LOL!

[Piglet]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

I have been giving thought to what we made in the 70s & 80s seeing my calendars and spills were more from the 60s. Nobody has mentioned them, but I do remember making patterned pictures out of pasta shapes. Very new on the UK scene Fusilli, Penne & Co. were too... Before that all we had was macaroni. Even spaghetti was an exotic wrapped in dark blue paper and only available from posh shops as far as I recall! Can only find this solitary example online to jog memories:

[amethyst]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Because we are on the subject

Does anybody make their own greeting cards.I have seen all the nice things in some shops and would love to have a go

[Heather74]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

No problem, I bought some myself a few years back for my kids.

[Piglet]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Oh, Heather, you doll, you! You have sourced exactly what I am looking for, you clever old thing you! MANY THANKS!! Off to battle with eBay and PayPal, but with a spring in my step!

[amethyst]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

Thanks Heather for reminding me we also made a snowman in primary class as you described

[Heather74]

Re: Christmas art crafts at school.

We also made lanterns,cards and calendars, but the thing i remember most was making my Mum a fairy for the top of the tree.
It was made with a white plastic cup for the skirt which I painted bright shiny blue and i think he head and body was a wooden dolly peg.
I was very proud of her lol

Oh a a snowman sweet holder made of a cardboard roll and white cotton wool balls, we made coal eyes, carrot nose and scarf from that coloured gum? paper.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Calen...item27ef207fe5