"The Craft Group" plus...

This Christmas I have been doing some decorating using recycled books , so to continue the theme, here is a great Christmas tree made from an old magazine. You may have seen it before but it's good to have a step by step 'how to' for yourself or the kids! I snapped Bronwyn making one so that we could share with you a full visual tutorial. Find a magazine that has a glued spine (not staples). "Perfect bound" is the proper name for this (because I just asked my magazine publishing husband!) Rip the covers off and fold the first top right hand corner down like this... Fold the diagonal edge to meet up with the spine of the magazine. You have to really score the folded edge well with your fingernail. Now make a straight fold along the pointy bit by folding a line along the bottom of the magazine. Open the page and fold the point under. Like this... Or, you can fold it under before opening the page. W...

One of my favourite days of the year is The Craft Group's Christmas Brunch. This was my "Christmas Tree" table centre piece this year. A gorgeous hydrangea in full bloom. It was a gift from a lovely relative from New Zealand who came to stay at our house during their Aussie holiday. I decorated everything to match it. Pink and silver. Everyone brings a little plate of something yummy to share  and we always end up with a lovely feast! The morning was full of lovely food, lovely people, we sum up our years ups and downs and collect money for a worthwhile charity. This year from the sale of a lovely bullseye quilt (made by Bev I) and donations, we were able to provide 5 sewing machines to women in the Solomon Islands! Anne came and gave a really lovely talk about Mary. Mary the mother of Jesus that is. Anne put us in the shoes of Mary and we travelled through her life to the death of her Son on the cross. It was profound to think beyond the usual C...