Hama bead Christmas kit inspiration for adults

This post contains Amazon affiliate links

I love a festive craft project, even better if it's something that I can display in my home as I celebrate the Christmas season. At this busy time of year sometimes you just want a simple project that you can work on when you have some quiet time, and Hama beads are the perfect craft that's both relaxing and satisfying. Working from a kit means that you have everything you need in one place without having to spend time gathering materials from around the house, and I've hunted down some gorgeous Hama bead Christmas crafting kits which would be fun to work on during those long dark evenings.

You'll notice that they are all official Hama bead branded items. While they can be a little more expensive than the cheaper options, I've learned the hard way that the imitation beads are just not as good!

First up is something that you can get a start on ready for next year! The Hama bead Advent Calendar (affiliate link) is a really fun Advent craft, and then when it's finished it can be re-used year after year. The kit contains 24 festive designs and shaped pegboards which can be kept for future Christmas projects.

If you want to make something simple which you can use to decorate your home then the simple Hama bead ornaments (affiliate link) or simple Hama bead decorations (affiliate link) are perfect. The designs are quick and easy to make, and can also be worked on together with small children for some family crafting fun.

I love these Hama bead Christmas trees (affiliate link) because once you have the included small Christmas tree pegboard you can really get creative with different designs. You could even make the trees in different colours to match your festive decor, for example in red/white or purple/silver. Then the completed trees can be used as Christmas tree decorations or turned into bunting.

Finally this Hama bead Santa Claus pegboard (affiliate link) is really fun, and again could be customised to suit your own decor. You could mount him on a stick to prop up in a flower pot, hang him inside a wreath, or prop him up on the mantlepiece.

Alternatively, you could just treat yourself to a big bucket of coloured Hama beads (affiliate link) or a selection of mini Hama beads (affiliate link) and browse my Hama bead Christmas crafts and projects which is packed with ideas for both simple and more complex Hama bead crafts which are perfect for this time of year!

Hama bead fairy light bunting

Christmas themed bullet journal and journalling supplies

This post contains Amazon affiliate links

I regularly write in both my bullet journal and my everyday journal, and one of the things that makes it enjoyable for me is decorating and accessorising the pages to match the season. With Christmas well on the way, I thought I'd share some journalling supplies which are perfect for brightening up a journal now that the days are feeling gloomy!

Photo credit Alisa Anton via Unsplash

I get through a lot of stickers in my journalling! I use them as accents in the corners of pages, to decorate a themed journal page, and sometimes as image journal prompts.

Sometimes I like to use a large Christmas sticker (affiliate link) for some emphasis, or else I also like to use smaller Christmas stickers (affiliate link) as tiny accents or to create a border around the page.

Another way that I like to decorate my pages is with washi tape. I have quite a collection now since I first bought washi tape back in 2013! I love this colourful Christmas washi tape (affiliate link), or else this simpler vintage Christmas themed washi tape (affiliate link).

Finally another addition to Christmas journalling supplies is a set of Christmas paper punches (affiliate link). You can use them for either the punched pieces themselves or to add interest to the edge of a page by cutting away a line of outlines. You could also look for a larger paper punch like this paper punch Christmas tree (affiliate link) which could be used to decorate a festive journal page.

Try working on entries with some cheerful coloured gel pens (affiliate link) or some glittery highlighters (affiliate link) and bring some festive cheer to your journal pages this season!

Different ways to display completed mini cross stitch designs

Most of my cross stitch projects are large designs that take several years to complete. But sometimes I just want a quick win, and that's when I turn to a mini cross stitch kit for some speedy crafting satisfaction. In particular I'm a sucker for the mini kits that are displayed at the till in Hobbycraft, especially as they are usually part of a tempting multi-buy promotion. 

But what to do with all the finished tiny cross stitched pieces? Here are some ideas!

Frame them in a small embroidery hoop

I bought these mini Christmas embroidery kits a few years ago. They were easy to stitch, and as well as cross stitch they also have some different embroidery stitches to add interest. I framed each one in a painted embroidery hoop with added glitter, and they form part of my Christmas mantlepiece display. 

Use them to make a greetings card

This little cupcake design is really sweet! I used my Cricut to make a simple frame and mounted the cross stitch inside to make a card.

Use them as panels in a quilt

This would work best for a decorative quilt, or maybe one that is used as a wall hanging. Just use the cross stitched fabric to make a panel for the quilt, mixed in with different fabric panels or patchwork. You can find a tutorial for a gorgeous quilt here - Cross Stitch and Paper Piecing. 

Use for a cushion, pillow or lavender bag

You can either use a slightly larger piece or combine several smaller pieces to make a cushion or pillow. This is a great way to display your finished project! You can find a video tutorial here:

You can also use a smaller piece to make a simple lavender bag, either by folding over a larger piece of fabric or using contrasting fabric to back it.

Sew a bookmark

This project works best with very small designs, like my free mini cross stitch Christmas motifs. You can combine several together to form a wide strip, or you can even buy cross stitch fabric cut to bookmark size (affiliate link) which you can sew on directly.

Use for gift tags

It's really easy to make gift tags from tiny cross stitch motifs, and they add a lovely personal touch to a gift. If you put a pretty hanging tag then they could be re-purposed as Christmas tree ornaments!

Combine smaller designs for a larger project

I used some of my mini snowflake cross stitch patterns to make a larger framed embroidery hoop piece. It took a bit of fiddling to produce a design that I was happy with, but I was really pleased with the result which I stitched on dark fabric - you can find the free pattern here Snowflake embroidery hoop design.

Sew together to use as bunting flags

You can use small finished pieces to make some lovely bunting, maybe combined with bunting flags in different fabrics. I love the woodland bunting which you can find in this article along with the free patterns - Children's cross stitch patterns. 

For really tiny pieces

I love these really small wooden frames (affiliate link) which can be used to frame those really miniature cross stitch projects. They can be used for hanging decorations and ornaments, pendants, brooches, keyrings and so on.

I hope that I've given you some ideas for ways to display those tiny cross stitch projects!

Christmas gift ideas for book lovers

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If you have a book lover in your life, then finding a gift for them this Christmas is easy! Just think about what sort of book lover they are (or maybe they are like me, and could fit into every category!)

Gift ideas for book lovers...

...with a large 'To Be Read' pile

I always have a pile of books that I want to read, and I enjoy having a selection that I can choose from depending on my mood. Help your book lover to keep them organised with some pretty bookends (affiliate link),  a decorative shallow basket (affiliate link) or even a large book trolley (affiliate link)!

...who like to be comfortable while they are reading

I love to read in bed, propped up on cushions with a hot water bottle by my feet. Help make your reader more comfortable with a supportive reading pillow (affiliate link), a clip on reading light (affiliate link) or a foldable bed tray (affiliate link) to keep drinks and snacks handy.

Photo credit Micheile Henderson via Unsplash

...who read while away from home

I love my Kindle (affiliate link) for reading while I'm travelling, it means that I can have a book with me for every reading mood and also access to lots of free books to download. A waterproof Kindle case (affiliate link) comes in handy for reading, whether you are the beach, by the pool, or just at home and in the bath!

...who lend out their books

Most readers enjoy sharing their books with others, but sometimes a temporary lending situation can turn into a permanent one - I've replaced books several times that have never made it back to me. I use book plates or stickers (affiliate link) for my favourite books or you could take it one step further and buy a personal library kit (affiliate link) so that no book will ever go missing again!

...who have several books on the go at once

Readers always need bookmarks! I have loads, and yet I never seem to be able to find one when I need one. You could look for a personalised one, make one, or else buy a large pack of pretty bookmarks (affiliate link) so that your reader will always have one to hand. 

Another great idea is a set of sticky index tabs (affiliate link) which can be used to mark favourite chapters or passages. 

Photo credit Kelsy Gagnebin via Unsplash

...who have a particular favourite book or author

World of Books has a dedicated Rare Books section which I love to browse - you might find a first or special edition of a book, and the prices are very reasonable. You could also look for a biography of an author that they like, or a compilation book which includes their favourite author and other similar writers. There are plenty of websites which can suggest new books based on books that you've enjoyed, and you might help them to discover a new favourite.

....who read while they are eating

Maybe it's a bad habit, but if I'm settling down with a book in some peace and quiet I'll often make myself a hot drink and a selection of snacks, or else I will read while I'm eating a meal. Choose food which can be eaten with one hand and doesn't make your fingers messy - think healthy options like nuts or dried fruit, or more indulgent treats like suger coated chocolates, mints and jelly sweets.

An adjustable book stand (affiliate link) or a simple hand book holder (affiliate link) can make reading while eating much more comfortable.

...who enjoy book reading challenges

There are plenty of scratch off posters with top books (affiliate link) which are fun to use and display, and a great way to find some reading inspiration. You can also look for a book filled with book suggestions, like 1000 Books to Read Before you Die (affiliate link) which would certainly keep even an avid reader busy!

...who want to remember what they've read

You can choose a dedicated book journal (affiliate link), or else any pretty notebook and pen can do the job. There is plenty of reading journal inspiration online, so if you are feeling crafty you could even take the time to set up some reading journal pages to get them started. If they are crafty, add some bookish stickers (affiliate link) or a set of pretty washi tapes (affiliate link).

Photo credit Ayako via Unsplash

I hope that this has given you plenty of ideas for the reader in your life this Christmas!

Christmas diamond painting kits inspiration

This post contains Amazon affiliate links

I love diamond painting, I find it a relaxing and mindful craft and I enjoy admiring my finished pieces, like my Starry Night diamond painting which always gets a comment from visitors. Diamond painting is a brilliant craft for Christmas, it's a fun way to get in the festive mood in the run up to Christmas and produces some lovely sparkly Christmas decorations. A larger piece is also something that you can work on over the festive period ready for display next year.

I've hunted out some different Christmas diamond painting kits, both traditional and a some that are a  bit different, for some festive diamond painting inspiration.

Smaller kits for beginners or groups

A set of small diamond painting kits (affiliate link) is a great way to get started with the craft. They work really well for a Christmas crafting party as they are easy to divide up, quick to complete, and everyone gets to go home with at least one finished project. If you are working as a group it's a good idea to buy some extra pens, wax and trays so that everyone can craft at the same time. As well as being turned into ornaments, they can also be used to decorate Christmas cards or you can also make diamond painted Christmas gift tags (affiliate link).  

Large full drill Christmas diamond painting kits

These large diamond painting pieces (affiliate link) can be complicated and take a long time to complete, but they are very satisfying once finished as the entire piece is filled with the sparking diamonds. You need to be very organised when it comes to sorting out the different coloured pieces, I recommend a storage container with small, labelled compartments that you can decant the bags of drills into. It's also best to work on the piece in small sections so that you don't expose any more of sticky background than necessary to avoid it drying out.

Partial drill Christmas diamond painting kits

Partial drill kits are kits with a coloured background that are embellished by the diamond dots. They are often quicker and easier to complete and don't use such a large selection of colours. The background may be sparkly or shaped for extra interest, and allows for finer detail when printed rather than composed with the diamond drills. This partial drill Christmas diamond painting kit (affiliate link) has a painted background with diamond dots for extra sparkles.

Something a bit different

There are also some diamond painting kits that let you make something a bit different than the usual flat piece. For example this Santa diamond painting nightlight (affiliate link) which would make a brilliant Christmas decorations! There are also kits for diamond painting Christmas wreaths and other hanging decorations.

I hope that I've given you some inspiration for your Christmas crafting!

Why Hama beads are a great craft for adults

If you read this blog regularly then you'll know how much I love crafting with Hama beads. I know that they are usually marketed at children, but Hama beads are also a really great craft for adults. It can be a really relaxing and mindful craft, as you take the time to position the beads onto the boards. It's also a chance to get really creative and come up with different designs, and you can find plenty of examples online for different projects that you might like to try.

It's a craft which is suitable for all skill levels, and also one that you can work on alongside your children if you struggle to find the time for crafting! They can use smaller pegboards for simple designs while you work on something more complex. You don't need much to get started and the supplies are easy to store and organise.

The materials aren't that expensive, although I would warn not to be tempted by the cheap imitation beads which are usually misshapen and don't fuse together well. An exception to this is the Hobbycraft branded 'Picture Beads' which I've found to be really good and slightly cheaper than branded Hama beads, they are perfect if you are looking for a lot of beads in one colour.

I recently discovered that Hama have released a brilliant range of products called Hama Art which are aimed at adult crafters. I particularly love this Hama Art Sunflower Bead Kit (affiliate link) and you can find a few more examples at the bottom of this post. The kits seem quite pricey, but they aren't so bad when you compare them to similar craft kits, for example cross stitch or diamond painting.

If you would rather work from scratch then it's best to just buy a large box of mixed beads, a few pegboards, and some squared paper if you want to design your own projects. There is plenty of inspiration online, and you might also like to have a look at my post filled with Hama bead projects for adults. 

As an adult crafter you might also want to try the mini Hama beads, and you can find out more about this size of bead here - Mini Hama bead crafts - A guide. These beads are very tiny and you can product some really intricate designs. You can also use them to make jewellery, for example mini Hama bead earrings or mini Hama bead pin badges. A great way to get started with mini Hama beads is with a kit, and there are lots to choose from. 

You can find all my Hama bead projects and crafts on my Hama bead crafts page.

Journal prompts for bloggers

I love writing in my journal, and even though I don't write every day I find that it's a really good way of putting my thoughts in order. I like to write about what I've been doing, things that I've learned or researched, things that I want to do and just random thoughts about various aspects of my life.

I often find myself writing about things that have interested me or caught my attention that have later made it into a blog post. I thought I'd have a think about how keeping a journal has been helpful for me when it comes to writing my blog.

I've put together some journal prompts for bloggers, both for myself and to share. I think that they fall into two different categories - firstly journal prompts which are for your own private thoughts and secondly journal prompts that help you to explore ideas, spark creativity, and which may become useful when writing future posts.

Journal prompts for private reflection

Why did you start your blog? For me it was to share photographs and updates of the children with the wider family, but it quickly moved on from there.

Why did you continue blogging, what was your motivation? 

How has the look and feel of your blog changed over time?

What have you gained from blogging? Maybe online companionship or paid work.

What has blogging taught you? For example confidence in using social media, writing skills, how to edit HTML, photo taking and editing.

What challenges have you had while blogging?

What are your favourite topics to blog about and why do you enjoy writing about them?

What puts you into a blogging mood?

What gives you ideas for blog posts?

What are your blogging goals? Some ideas - to post more frequently, to update older posts, to improve photography, to improve sharing on social media.

Are you happy with your blog? What would you like to change?

Photo credit Jodie Cook via Unsplash

Journal prompts to inspire blogging

What have been your favourite blog posts to write and why? Are there any that could be updated or rewritten with a new perspective?

What subjects do you most enjoy writing about?

What have you never written about? What would you like to write about?

If you've been blogging for a long time, how has your life changed since you started? What new direction could you take the blog in based on new interests, surroundings or family situation?

What advice do you have for someone that is thinking of starting a blog? What blogging tips and tricks would you share?

What would you like to change about your blog?

How would you love your blog to look? Think about posting frequency, structure, images, design, colour scheme and so on.

If you are looking for inspiration when it comes to writing blog posts then you may find this post useful - an entire year of blog post ideas and inspiration.

A craft to try if you...

...don't have much time - keep a sketchbook, pen and eraser handy and you can always work on a quick sketch. Sometimes it's better to work quickly on a drawing so that you don't overthink it, and get too fixated on trying to make it perfect.

...want to recycle or upcycle something - try some tin can lanterns. All you need is a tin can, a hammer and a nail, and I decorate mine with some beads threaded on wire around the top. They are great for using both indoors and outdoors.

...want to spread some happiness - make some painted rocks and leave them around your area for people to find and take home. There is probably a local Facebook group where people can share rocks that they have found and tell people where to look out for their creations. I've used acrylic paint and paint pens to decorate rocks, and I finish them with a quick coat of varnish.

...want to make some gifts - try making some soap. You can make lots at once and a beautifully packaged bar of homemade soap makes a lovely gift.

...might get interrupted - I've always found cross stitch a good craft to work on a little bit at a time. Whether you are working on an area with lots of stitches that are the same colour, or smaller areas with lots of colours, it's easy to pick up and put down if you need to attend to something else. 

...want to craft while watching television - knitting or crocheting a scarf is a simple project whether you follow a pattern or make it up as you go along with different colours of yarn. It doesn't take up too much space while you are working on it, and because the rows are short you can still concentrate on what you are watching as you don't need to have your eyes down for too long.

...want something mindless to get into flow - a simple striped or wavy crochet blanket. If you are looking for some inspiration I would highly recommend the Attic24 blog - there always seems to be a new blanket or crochet along taking place and you can buy kits containing everything that you need.

This is a photo of the Sky Blanket that I made a few years ago. A simple repeating pattern means that you don't need to concentrate too much and they work up really quickly.

...want to make something useful - try some knitted or crochet dishcloths. There are lots of free and really simple patterns available, all you need is some dishcloth (cotton) yarn which is very cheap. You can also wash them easily rather than having to buy disposable alternatives.

...want to craft alongside children - of course I'm going to recommend Hama beads! I love sitting down with a child and each working on a different Hama bead pegboard. It's a craft which you can easily adapt to the age and skill of the crafter and it's great for developing fine motor skills.

How to conquer the "to be read" pile in 2023

I always like to have a lovely big to be read pile, and I very rarely run out of things to read. But sometimes that big pile of books by the bed and those free downloads lurking on my Kindle can start to feel a bit overwhelming.

Recently I've been making a big effort to tackle my unread book mountain, and I thought I'd share a few tips, in case tackling the tbr pile is one of your New Year's resolutions!

Firstly, start by making a list of all the unread books. I made a page in my bullet journal where I wrote down the title, author, and whether it was a Kindle book or a physical book. I track my reading in Goodreads and so I also added my unread books to a bookshelf there. This was especially helpful for the Kindle books, because it made them seem more real when they were written down where I could see them. Also make sure that all physical books are gathered together in one place.

If even the thought of adding all the unread books to a list seems overwhelming then it might be time to have a cull! Think about whether there are some books in the pile that you are not realistically going to read, maybe ones that were recommended by friends or that you picked up for a good price. Feel free to pass those along, I regularly take bags of books to a local charity shop.

Begin with books that belong to other people. If you don't fancy a book that someone has lent you either be honest and say it wasn't for you, or give it back saying thank you and that you enjoyed it - they probably won't ask for specific details!

Then I like to start with the low hanging fruit. These are short and easy books that I know I can read very quickly in a day or two. It's very satisfying to tick books off quickly!

Photo credit Clay Banks via Unsplash

Mix it up - sometimes I find that some of the books on my tbr pile have similar themes, for example I seem to end up with lots of 'inherited house romance' stories and they can all get a bit samey so I spread them out a bit. I also try to alternate short modern stories with a longer classic. 

Don't persevere if it's not for you. I select my books carefully but I often start reading ones that just don't grab me. I either stop reading when I realise I'm not bothered about what happens next, or I skim them to get a sense of the story.

Put the books away when you've read them - either shelved on the bookshelf or passed on to a friend, family member or charity shop. Then you can enjoy all the new space that you are creating!

And of course probably the most important thing - stopping adding new books to the pile! Avoid bookshops and the library for a few months, don't hunt out those free Kindle books, and politely turn down any books thrust upon you by friends and family. Easier said than done!

My Christmas book haul

What would Christmas be without a big pile of new books to read! I was very lucky this year and I found a lovely pile of books under the tree, so I thought that I'd share them here. 

The first selection of books are all second hand books from Wob, my favourite place to buy pre-loved books. They came from my sister and my husband. Well, the books from my husband are actually books that I chose myself and ordered with a code that I was sent on Black Friday. It's much easier that way, he has no clue what books I like to read!

They are mostly books that I haven't read by my favourite authors. I picked out Beloved after a recent book I enjoyed called The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams. It was a very sweet story about friendship and libraries, linked by a reading list of nine books, all of which were among my favourite reads apart from Beloved which I had never heard of! So based on the fact that I loved all the other books on the list I thought I probably can't go wrong with that one.

There are a few older Margaret Atwood's in there as well as some Lionel Shriver. I enjoyed Sophie's World as a teenager and fancied re-reading it, also I think that my children might like it. I'm also always looking for Booker Prize winning or shortlisted books as I usually seem to get on well with them, so that's why I chose The Sea. Wob even has a Booker Prize section to make them easier to find!

 I'm so looking forward to getting started on these.

I also received two shiny new books. I love Marie Kondo so was pleased to see that she had a new book out - Kurashi at Home. It's a large hardback with plenty of photographs and it's all about creating a home that sparks joy. Kurashi roughly means 'way of life' or 'the ideal way of spending our time' and there are some lovely tips about organising your home and your surroundings, and really making the most of the things that you choose to keep in your life.

Burning Questions is a series of essays by Margaret Atwood, a selection of material from mid-2004 to mid-2021. I've not started it properly yet although I've dipped into a few of the essays and have very much enjoyed what I've read so far!

 

Did you get any books for Christmas? I'd love to hear about them!

My resolutions and goals for 2023

It's that time of year again, Happy New Year!

In December I held a 2023 planning session with Mia. We are both very much into our planning and organisation at the moment. We have both started Bullet Journals, which is something that I've been eyeing up for some time. It's a way of organising yourself using a dotty notebook and lots of pretty accessories like washi tape, stickers and lovely pens. For the last few years I've been doing all my planning digitally (you can read about my Trello organisational system here) but the analogue Bullet Journal method really appeals to me, and I'm intending to continue with the habit through 2023. I'll be sharing some posts on how I've set mine up soon!

During our planning session we each came up with lots of goals, resolutions and tasks for the year ahead. I've given myself five main goals to work on, and for each one I've tried to break it down into manageable steps which I can work on each month. 

My first goal comes up every year - lose weight! I'm not overweight but I'm heavier than I'd like to be and I want to lose a few kilograms by next summer. I've also been a bit worried recently about my processed sugar intake. So I'm going to weigh myself regularly to keep on top of it (I've made a tracker for my Bullet Journal!), keep up with my exercise and find some new running routes, aim to eat a healthier lunch (soups and salads) and avoid snacks between meals. 

Next is to work on crafting through my stash. I'm not going to say that I won't make any craft purchases this year, but I'll try to buy things that I need rather than want - for example things like glue and pens. I've been building up some Pinterest boards filled with inspiration and I'll be making myself a list of projects to work on each month.

It's also time to get on top of the to be read pile. I have lots of books stacked up, both on my Kindle and on the bedside table, and I was lucky enough to receive a generous pile for Christmas. I have a page in my Bullet Journal where they are all listed out, to be ticked off when finished. This helps because the Kindle books have a tendency to be forgotten about as I can't physically see them. Then it's just about making the effort to get on and read!

Photo credit Florencia Viadana via Unsplash

I want to get organised with my blog content, ideally planning three posts a week for the month ahead and getting as many written as I can. Then that leaves gaps for personal update posts or things that I want to write about as they happen.

Finally I have a new idea for a series on my blog that I want to get started. I still need to do some brainstorming but it's something crafty and will hopefully start the first week in February. Just something to stretch my creative muscles!

As well as the goals I also have tasks which are specific one off things that I want to do this year. They include scanning in some of my old photos, sorting out some of our larger toy sets that are no longer played with and a few home improvement jobs. I've also come up with an ambitious list of regular jobs in the home, things like cleaning out the tumble dryer filter and defrosting the freezer that I tend to only do when they can't wait any longer. Hopefully this will be the year that I manage to keep on top of everything!

Photo credit Markus Winkler via Unsplash

Ways to use mini Christmas cross stitch motifs in your crafts

Last year I shared my free mini Christmas cross stitch and pixel art designs and they have been really popular! I definitely want to use them in my Christmas crafting this year and so I've been having a brainstorm of different ways that that they could be used in Christmas crafts. I'm sharing them below in case you are looking for some Christmas cross stitch inspiration!

You can click the link above to download the printable pattern in classic colours and as a blank outline, and I've also designed a red and white Christmas cross stitch colourway. 

This is a smaller picture of the pattern:

And here are some different crafts that you could make with them:

* There are twenty four mini designs which lend themselves perfectly to an Advent Calendar. You could stitch the designs on to small individual drawstring bags.

* You could also use the designs to decorate the boxes of a wooden Advent Calendar. In this case, making the designs using a sturdier craft material like mini Hama beads or diamond painting dots might work better. 

* You could make a sampler style cross stitch design, either using the pattern as it is or changing it around to suit your taste. It would look lovely in a small frame, you could also add some text.

* The individual designs are the perfect size for gift tags when mounted in a cardboard frame. You can see how I made these here - Christmas cross stitch gift tags.

* You could also make bookmarks with a row of four or five.

* The designs would also work well for Christmas cards, either individually or maybe in a block of four.

* Using Hama beads you could make some Christmas magnets, perhaps attached to a gift as a little extra present. You can see some examples of Hama bead magnets here.

* You could also use them with Hama beads to make some Christmas keyrings, again they would make a great gift tag.

* You can buy all sorts of tiny frames for displaying cross stitch. As well as for display they can also be turned into ornaments for the Christmas tree, magnets or a festive pendant.

* The designs would make some lovely mini Christmas bunting. You could stitch them onto felt like my felt Christmas bunting, or mount the stitched cross stitch onto cardboard flags.

The Big Jubilee Read

As part of this year's Jubilee celebrations I was really interested to hear about the Big Jubilee Read. It's a reading for pleasure campaign celebrating seventy great reads. Ten books have been chosen from each of the seven decades, with authors from across a range of Commonwealth countries. As well as recognising great books, the campaign is also intended to highlight lesser-known books and authors that deserve to be recognised.

You can find the full list here, sorted by decade, along with a short summary of each - The Big Jubilee Read booklist.

I've encountered many suggested reading lists over the years, and I always enjoy browsing through them. Firstly to see which books I've read, secondly to remind me of books that I've heard of and want to read, and thirdly to find some new books to add to my reading list. 

Of course I'm always happy to find lots of books that I've read on a 'best books' list - it's always enjoyable to think that you are well read - but this list certainly gives me plenty to look for when it comes to finding future reading! 

From the list I have read just twelve of the books:

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

Small Island by Andrea Levy

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Girl, Woman Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

I loved reading every single one of these books and in fact two of them are in my personal top three books - The Remains of the Day and The Handmaid's Tale (my third is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier). So despite the fact that the list also includes two books that I started but didn't get along with (Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie and Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel) it looks as though there are plenty of books here that would really appeal to me.

I've been through the list and picked three which I liked the sound of. I decided on them because they are fairly recently published, one was a Booker prize winner and one was shortlisted and I find I always enjoy Booker prize winning books, and finally I found them all second hand on my favourite second hand book website Wob, with a 15% discount code when you buy three books in the promotion!

I've ordered The Secret River by Kate Grenville, The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields and The Bone People by Keri Hulme. I'll let you know how I get on with them!

Photo credit Clay Banks via Unsplash

Some of my recent five star reads

I've read some brilliant books lately! I've been very lucky with some of my second hand finds and library picks. So I thought I'd share a few of the books that I've really enjoyed recently and have rated as five stars on Goodreads, in case you are looking for some reading inspiration.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Set in Shaker Heights, a peaceful and orderly community, Elena Richardson's perfect family life is disrupted by the arrival of single mother Mia and her teenage daughter. The book is beautifully written and is a gripping read as more and more secrets are uncovered and disaster approaches. 

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

An incredibly beautiful story about two terminally ill women that meet in hospital. Lenni is 17 and Margot is 83, and they bond during an art therapy class. After realising that between them they have lived for one hundred years, they both complete a painting for each year of their lives representing the joys and tragedies that they have experienced. It's a beautiful story and left me in tears at the end. A wonderful book. 

Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey

This is a very clever book. Two characters experience different lives and relationships to each other in many different circumstances but with a twist at the end which helps the whole thing make sense. One of those books that you want to start reading again as soon as you finish it, because you want to see what you missed!

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

I was a bit late to the game with this one but I snapped it up when I spotted it in the library. In a peaceful retirement village a group of friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved killings, and then they find themselves in the middle of their own unsolved case. I don't usually read crime novels but this one wasn't about solving the crime, for me it was about the wonderful characters and the poignancy of growing old. In fact there was one paragraph in particular which just made me sob and sob. 

A Thousand Paper Birds by Tor Udall

This is a book that I read several years ago and had been thinking about ever since, so I was delighted to find a lovely second hand hardback copy on Wob. It's a beautiful book set in Kew Gardens, following a group of characters that all have a connection to both the gardens and to each other. The writing is wonderful and the story unfolds at the perfect pace, one of those books that you don't want to end.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V E Schwab

About to be forced into an unwelcome marriage, hundreds of years ago Addie LaRue made a pact with the devil and traded her soul for immortality. But the price is that she is forgotten by everyone that she meets as soon as she is out of their sight, and everything that she owns becomes lost or broken. Then one day she meets someone who can remember her. It's a thought provoking story and one that stays with you long after you've finished.

The Lobotomist's Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff

A historical novel based on real life events and following the wife of the doctor who introduced and popularised the lobotomy procedure in the United States. She slowly becomes uncomfortable with the side effects of the practice but her husband refuses to listen and continues his work despite her protestations. It's a fascinating story about this dark side of medical history.

If you've read something recently that you think I'd like, I'd love to hear some recommendations!

Photo credit Benigno Hoyuela via Unsplash

Christmas themed cross stitch kits inspiration

I love having a large cross stitch project to work on. I usually spend several years working on a single kit at a time, picking it up when I'm in the mood. I always seem to increase my crafting productivity over Christmas and the winter, when it's so nice to sit and stitch curled up under a blanket with something festive on the television. I also like Christmas themed cross stitch, as it makes a lovely decoration that can be brought out year after year. Christmas cross stitch is also often embellished with metallic thread and beads for an extra bit of festive sparkle!

A couple of years ago I completed a Christmas cross stitch sampler which I am very proud of and which is on display in our hallway along with other Christmas decorations. 

As always this year I have a longer non-festive cross stitch project on the go, but I also picked up these brilliant value mini Christmas cross stitch kits from Hobbycraft which are always temptingly displayed by the till, usually on a three for two offer. They make a great portable craft project for when we visit family over Christmas.

Even though I'm pretty well sorted with enough cross stitch to keep me going for now I couldn't resist having a browse for another large Christmas themed cross stitch kit to start working on, and I thought that I'd share some of the gorgeous kits that I've found in case you are looking for some Christmas cross stitching inspiration! I've grouped them by theme so there is something to suit everyone from beginners to more advanced stitchers, and whether you are looking for a quick or long term project.

Finally I can't miss the chance to do a quick plug for my very own mini Christmas cross stitch designs which are perfect for an Advent project, Christmas cards or any other craft project which needs a tiny little stitched embellishment. 

Large Christmas themed sampler style kits

When it comes to choosing a cross stitch design I'm always drawn to samplers. I love having separate elements that can be worked on one at a time, and although they can be large they are generally fairly easy to complete without too much colour changing or confetti stitches. 

Large Christmas themed pictures

A large Christmas themed cross stitch picture can be complex but also very satisfying to look at. I'd love to complete something like this that can be displayed over Christmas with the other decorations.

Small Christmas cross stitch kits for card making

Smaller Christmas themed kits, like the Hobbycraft ones that I mentioned above, are great for making personal Christmas cards. I've been lucky enough to receive a couple of handmade cards over the years and I always keep them to bring out year after year! I'm collecting together a few smaller pictures that I've worked on over the years and at some point I'm intending to back them all with some Christmas fabric to create some kind of festive hanging cross stitch decoration.

Beginner Christmas cross stitch kits

Even the simplest cross stitch kits can make lovely decorations and gifts. Beginner kits often have the colours printed on the fabric so you don't need to worry about counting the stitches. This makes them a great project if you are new to cross stitch, or for children to work on.

Christmas journal prompts and ideas

A few years ago I shared how to make a simple Christmas journal and so today I thought I'd share some ideas for journaling prompts that you can use to fill it! There are all kinds of ideas for things to write about, from specific ideas for this year to more general Christmas memories and experiences.

Particular things that you want to remember about Christmas this year

The Christmas activities that you got up to - what part did your children play in the Nativity play? did you visit Father Christmas? was there a school Christmas fair?

A list of the gifts that you and your family received

Which new Christmas decorations did you purchase or make this year?

What Christmas crafts did you do this year?

If you have an Elf on the Shelf, what were his most memorable antics this year?

Did anything new happen this Christmas? any new guests for Christmas dinner, or any activities that you tried for the first time?

What books were you reading this Christmas, and were they festive themed?

Did you stay at home this Christmas or were you visiting family and friends?

What Christmas crafts were you been working on?

Who did you receive Christmas cards from this year and who did you send them to? maybe stick in some of your favourites.

Glue in a page or two from the Christmas television guide so you can see which programmes were popular and which ones come round year after year.

Create a collage with some of your favourite scraps of wrapping paper, gift tags or Christmas cards.

Stick in a page from a toy catalogue (or a print out from the website!) so that you can remember which were the top toys this year and how much they cost.

How do you celebrate Christmas in your family?

What are your Advent calendar traditions? do you have the same one or a new one each year? are they for everyone or just the children? how have Advent calendars changed since you were a child?

What new Christmas traditions have you started as an adult or with your family? for example Elf on the Shelf, Christmas Eve boxes, reindeer food, gingerbread houses.

Your memories of Christmas past

What sort of Christmas tree did you have growing up? was it real or artificial?

What do you remember eating for Christmas dinner growing up? how has it changed?

What Christmas crafts did you do at school or with your parents?

What Christmas films did you watch growing up?

Do you have any heirloom or vintage Christmas decorations from your childhood that you still display today?

What were your family Christmas traditions as a child? have you continued them now that you are an adult?

Ask other family members, for example your parents or grandparents, to contribute their own Christmas memories, both of you as a child and of their own childhoods.

General Christmas topics to write about

What would it not be Christmas without?

Ten (or more!) things that you love about Christmas.

Do you prefer a real or an artificial Christmas tree? why? 

Share some of your favourite seasonal recipes and the memories associated with them.

What are your favourite Christmas songs and carols and what do they remind you of? copy out the lyrics so that you have a record in your journal.

What are your favourite Christmas movies to watch with your family?

What are your favourite Christmas tree ornaments and decorations? are there any with particular special memories?

What are your favourite Christmas decorations around the home and garden?

How would you spend your ideal Christmas Day?

Who would be your fantasy Christmas dinner guests?

Which foods do you only eat at Christmas time?

Ask your children some questions about Christmas that you can repeat each year, for example what time will you get up on Christmas morning, what gifts are you hoping to receive, what gifts do you think that Mum and Dad are hoping for, who do you want to spend Christmas with, what foods are you looking forward to eating? Then you can see how their answers change over time!

If you are writing your Christmas journal in the form of a blog then you might find this post helpful - Blog post ideas for Christmas. 

If your journaling style leans more towards video then I also have lots ideas for Christmas Vlogmas videos and vlogging.

I hope that this post has given you plenty of inspiration when you come to record your memories this Christmas!

Photo credit Joanna Kosinka via Unsplash

Main image credit pure julia via Unsplash.

Some Christmas reading inspiration for adults

 

The nights are now well and truly drawing in and it's definitely the time of year to find yourself snuggled under a blanket with a good book! I read widely but I always enjoy matching my reading to the seasons, and especially at Christmas time when everything is so festive it's nice to get into the spirit with a suitable book. So I thought I'd share some Christmas reading inspiration, most of these are books that I've read myself and enjoyed, along with a few that I'm adding to my wish list!

Christmas classics

I read A Christmas Carol for the first time last Christmas and not being a fan of Dickens was pleasantly surprised. It's a very familiar story which helps of course, and also it's not too long and was a very enjoyable read. Most people also know the story of The Nutcracker, and are familiar with Sherlock Holmes and Poirot, so this selection is a great way to enjoy a classic story that isn't too demanding.

Christmas short stories

Sometimes at Christmas you can be so busy that you don't have time to sit down and read a full novel, so a short story is perfect when you have a few minutes to relax with a book and also great for reading aloud to children. Many of these classic short stories are also available in beautifully illustrated keepsake editions - I recommend keeping them tucked away with the Christmas decorations so that they can be enjoyed over the festive season.

Modern romantic comedy style Christmas novels

Last Christmas before going on holiday I went into the library and loaded up my bag with Christmas books to take with me. Luckily there was a lovely festive display full of suitable books, and it's also easy to find similar displays in book shops and charity shops. There are many, many books in this genre and to be honest they can be pretty predictable, but they are great to get you into the festive spirit!

Just one thing to be aware of, sometimes the author of a series of books will write a Christmas themed book using characters and locations from a series that you might not know. So just make sure that you've picked a standalone book, or one from a series that you've already read.

Christmas coffee table and illustrated books

I love a nice hardback book with plenty of lovely illustrations to browse through when I get a moment. Some of these books are winter rather than purely Christmas themed but they can still make you feel cosy and festive. I've added the The Almanac to my Christmas list - it looks like a wonderful book to refer to all year long.

Christmas poetry

Like short stories, poems are great for dipping in and out of when you only have a few minutes to spare. I particularly love Wendy Cope's Christmas poems, very funny yet with a important message.

Books that aren't purely Christmas themed but have Christmas elements

These books are all classics that I enjoyed as a child. They aren't entirely Christmas themed but they have descriptive and memorable Christmas scenes that have stayed with me, and are also good reminders of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of friends and family rather than gifts.

Happy festive reading!

Main photo credit Diana Polekhina via Unsplash