Day 201: Christmas Day Holiday

It's Christmas Day!!!

A day for a holiday I think, but just for a little creative input, here's a clip for you to enjoy. It's still about holidays though, so it's ok! Plus the kids are super cute!



Although this is a bit of a Christmasy Chick Flick, it's actually pretty creative too, 'cause it's all about the film industry; one guy write music for movies, one girl makes trailors and another used to write for film.

But for the purpose of today, it's about having fun at Christmas, so make family, eating and opening presents your priority!

Merry Christmas!

Day 200 : Creative Christmas Eve!

As Christmas Day fast approaches, I thought it best to have a little think about what creative things we can do with all the tons of wraping paper that's left at the end of it all. Instead of just chucking it in the bin this year, be creative instead...

Emma's top ten creative ideas to re-use wrapping paper:

Origami - Christmas themed, I guess, but use your creative skills to be original.

Papier Mache - cut it all up, add wall paper paste and start creating whatever you need.

Mummies - turn an annoying younger sibling or cousin into a mummy but covering them in wrapping paper and sticking them in a cupboard. It'll get them out of your hair for a while at least.

Cards - use the beutiful paper to create next years Christmas cards, thank you cards

Advent calender - recycle your left overs into a advent calender. Try and find 24 different peices for each door!

Textbook - cover your school/college books for the new year...how about patchwork?

Collage - make a winter scene or a funky colour chart.

Scrapbook - start and patterns and textile scrap book with all the scraps you love. You never know when they'll come in handy.

Shred it - use it to line gift boxes for the rest of the year.

Wrap it - Use it to cover a shoebox and you've got a new storage box for you room.

So, if you're bored on Boxing Day or need to amuse yourself until school/college starts again, use what you got and make Christmas last a bit longer

Day 199: Crafty Christmas Fun

Christms Eve Eve...No one really knows what to do on this day, so here's a few creative Christmas ideas to fill the day! All you need is a pine cone. Click on the link to find out more...

Try me out

Christmas Wreath

Pine cone girls

...or this one

Enjoy...

Day 198: Home Alone

At work the other day I asked Sophie what her favourite Christmas film is and she said, Home Alone which is totally my favourite Christmas film too. In fact, when we were trying to think of other Christmas films after, not many came to mind. For me Home Alone  kinda takes over!

There are loads thought; A Christmas Carol, not forgetting the Muppet's version (which I love), Miracle on 34th Street, The Santa Clause, Elf...

When I was little my dad used to make us watch White Christmas every year, which, if you ask me, isn't very Christmasy at all. I mean, it's about the war! My Dad loves it anyway.

It seems like every year there's a new one out. Kinda amazing that there's enough ideas to put a 'new' slant on it each time.

What's your favourite Christmas film? Why?

If you were to make a film what would it be about? Family, love, adventure, magic?

Have a think about your ideal Christmas film tonight...who knows what might happen to it...

Day 197: Me and my Christmas baking

So, today I actually did make the cookies I put up yesterday, the ginger ones, and this is what they came out like:

There were a few sacrifices along the way as I attempted to smash some hard boiled sweets to smithereens. Lets just say I got a black finger, okay.

Fingers aside, I had fun, my belly is happy and so is the rest of the family. A winner all round. I think the look pretty cool too. Why not try a bit of Christmas baking yourself? (See Day 196 for some recipes...)

Day 196: Christmas Cookies!

I've decided that tomorrow will be spent making Christmas cookies, yummy. Care to join me? Here's a few recipes I've been looking at...

Festive Gingerbread Biscuits

Sparkling Vanilla Cookies

Jam Cookies

Almond Christmas Tree Biscuits



Let me know how it goes. Christmas is for eating after all!

Day 195: Pom-poms on the Catwalk

Last night I spent the evening making a pom-pom to put on a pair of slippers I’ve made for Christmas. (I won’t say who for, they might be reading!)
They are so easy to make and look pretty cool too. I mean, they're even on the catwalk. So here are instructions to create your own pom-poms:
1. Cut 2 circles out of cardboard (draw round a jar/tin). Then cut a smaller circle in the middle (so it looks like a donut).

2. Put the 2 pieces of card together and start looping wool around them, through the hole and around the outside. Once you’ve finished with one length of wool, start another.

3. Keep going until the hole in the middle is non-existent. Use a needle when you can’t fit your fingers through anymore.

4. Get some sharp scissors and cut in between the 2 bits of cardboard on the outside of your circle.

5. Carefully wrap a piece of wool in between the two pieces of cardboard, and tie it tightly around the wool in the centre of your donut shape.

6. Cut the cardboard off and fluff up your pom-pom. Cut any loose ends off and admire your handy work.

Why not use different coloured wool as you go round? Make big ones, small ones, put them on slippers, hats, make a necklace, earrings...be as inventive as you like!

Merry making!

Day 194: The Little Mermaid

Sometimes you just have to treat yourself. What do you do when you need a rest, a boost of energy before something big's gonna happen?

I tend to revert back to my childhood; I watch The Little Mermaid.

Yep, it's my favourite Disney film and always will be. I pretty much know all the words and I'm not ashamed to admit it. So, the other day, I climbed into bed with some chocolate and my knitting and watched The Little Mermaid, singing along to the songs and laughing at Sebastian and Scuttle. Good times.

It's a wonderfully creative animation. I love the story, the colours, the music, the characters, the songs...Everything about it is gorgeous. And, I get to be creative in my own way by knitting while I watch. (I know it so well, I don't really need to look at the screen anymore. In fact, if I just sat here right now I could probably play the whole thing out in my head, songs and all. Who needs technology, eh!)

So, for your delight, here's a clip. It's my favourite bit (along with the rest of the film!) Sing along...

Day 193: Holidays are comin'

So today is the last day of my term and I have to say, I have never looked forward to going home as much as I do now. Christmas is a time for rest, eating, family...

...but what about creating? Do you guys have any creative plans for this festive season?

Let's decide together to put our hands/ears/eyes/mouths to something creative over the next 3(ish) weeks, people!

I am going to do some knitting, maybe even on Christmas day!
I'm going to read lots of good books...and maybe some writing too(?)
I'm going to do some colouring with my littlest sister, Olivia.
I'm going to do some baking...maybe decorate a gingerbread house in sweets and icing (yummmmm)!

What will  you do this holiday season to keep your creative side full this Christmas. Have a think, make a list and check it twice...

Day 192: What's your duvet like?

I've just put my new double duvet on my bed to keep me warm on these winter nights. It's got a really cool duvet cover which got me thinking about how many millions of duvet cover designs there must be in the world.

When I was a kid I have loads of Disney ones like 101 Dalmatians. I had a Snatch the dog one too, complete with lampshade and bin. (so cool, I know!) I had a panda one too. Everyone has one with their favourite animal on, right? Then as I 'matured,' I had, Lord of the Rings 'cause I was obsessed! When Uni started it was bright pink and now I have a brand new green one with flowers and dots. (it's actually way nicer than it sounds!)

I loved all of them at one stage or another, but I can't help but think it would be infinitely cooler to create my own duvet design...

What design would you create...? Here's some ideas to get you started on your creation!

Day 191: Illusions on the street

Check out these amazing images drawn on pavements:

They are soooo cool and really inspiring. I love illusion art. It makes you question what is there and how it can be made to look like that. Do you recon these artist draw them for fun? Art like this brings the community together and get people interested, even it it's not their thing. everyone can enjoy art out in the street! What would you draw on the street if you could?

I hope these images inspire you're creativity today. How could you bring illusion into your creative work...?

Day 190: Cats

I've been thinking about cats today. Partly because I miss my two cats back home, but also because of all the creative things that have been done with cats. I mean, how many animations have been made about cats? They've even got their own stage show named after them (which is brilliant by the way and mega creative!) And they're presented in so many adverts for cat food it's unreal.

Check this one out (sorry about the bit at the beginning, it was the best I could find):



How sexy is that cat!

How could you use cats in your creative work? (Not an actual cat, please. I am NOT supporting cruelty to animals!) Give a little time to cats today and see how they inspire your creative thinking...

Day 189: Elevator Pitch

What are you doing creatively at the moment? Maybe you're making an album or a series of paintings. Maybe you're writing a book or planning a massive creative festival!

If you were in an elevator/lift and someone asked you what you did (creatively) could you explain it to them in the few minutes you have with that person?

Or, perhaps more realistically, one of your relatives at Christmas asks you what you are doing with your life at the moment, could you confidently tell them about your creative work?

People like a confident, well thought out answer, don't they? Think about it today. How could you put what you do into a few sentences?

Here's my elevator pitch for my project:

I am running a creative writing competition for secondary school pupils, accompanied by workshops and one-to-one session to improve writing and creative thinking. All entries will be made into an anthology with proceeds split between the school and a charity chosen by the winner. An awards ceremony will follow with readings, prizes and anthologies on sale.

What does yours sound like...?

Day 188: Moonpig

Fancy getting creative with your christmas cards this year? Well, check out Moonpig.com. There's literally a Christams card on there for everyone. You can be as creative as you like. Chose your image, add a photo, insert a name...the choice is up to you.

Can't afford to send Chistmas cards? Well, just have a bit of a play anyway. Give your creative side a present with Moonpig!

Happy card making!