Wednesday 12 December 2012

Very Bluepeter

For all of those that don't know, Bluepeter was (is?) a children's TV show over here and most kids watched it back through the 60's, 70's and 80's and beyond. It specialized, among other things, in making things and mums were pestered for old cereal boxes, toilet roll tubes, coffee jars, washing up liquid bottles, sticky back plastic and double sided sticky tape and countless other things.

This was the famous advent triangle something or other (what the hell do you call it?)
I did give it a go once, but not with any great success.

I was an avid watcher and made pretty much everything on there that it was possibly to make. I remember countless coffee jars with decorated lids, filled with cotton wool balls that my poor grandmother used to get from me every Christmas. The problem for me, was that usually I didn't have all the correct materials and had to make do (nothing's changed then) so nothing ever really worked all that well. Still the fun was in the trying.

So it was with a feeling of deja vu that I set out to the woods today to collect 'green things' to make my frton door Christmas wreath. As usual I didn't have any of the correct materials and reckoned I could use an old wire coat hanger as a base and make it up beyond that. It was quite hazardous up there on the top of the hill in the woods, I did slip once and got a bit turned around in the trees, but managed to come back with a bag full of something or other.

Anyway, long story short, some very pricked hands later, I came up with this. Be kind, it is very very home made looking and I never claimed to be artistic, but it did cost me £0.00 (yeah, go on, you can tell can't you?)





10 minutes in the rain and it will probably be a bedraggled heap, fit for the bin, but the fun was in the trying.

I then used the leftovers to try and make a table candle thing. It is when I realise how hopeless I am when I find myself just shoving things together on a plate and hoping for the best.


So a bit of crafty fun was had, no money was spent and I have something that may last a few days at least - watch this space!

35 comments:

  1. Hi Dan ,well i think your Xmas wreath is fab and like you say it was free .That's the best bit.The candle looks fab and i don't think your hopeless your artistic.
    Lisa x

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  2. I guess the truth of the matter is that you get used to seeing absolutely perfect looking ones in the shops, so you imagine that you have to strive for perfection. Mine is more rustic charm, hehe.

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  3. It looks fab looking and we all like rustic one have thought about wiring pine cones...I made mine and looks good with pine cones.

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  4. Believe it or not, I haven't found any pinecones yet! Usually you can't move for them, but I obviously live in the one place in the country that doesn't have any! I've looked and looked.

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  5. Give me home made every time if it is something I can make myself, either for us or for friends. Couldn't think of what to give this Christmas for a friend so cut up 4 squares of muslin, added a tablespoon of oats, one of dried milk and 1/2 tablespoon of baking powder, Tied them up with a pretty ribbon and wrapped them in cellophane then Christmas paper. Called them Winter Milk Bath Sachets and gave instructions on their use. I'm sure she will love them as she loves anything home made or rustic.

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    1. What a great idea. I'll steal that for next year.

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  6. I think they look great. I love homemade and will be decorating with stuff from the garden and making my wreath this weekend. It was supposed to be done this week but I haven't finished crafted gifts and they'll have to be done first as they are cluttering up the house and my head! I remember the advent thing from Blue Peter - we were never allowed to make one - tinsel and candles = fire hazard!

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    1. I often tried to make it, but my mum never let me use the candles either, so it was basically just a coathanger wrapped in tinsel, haha.

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  7. Its fantastic and rustic is a fabulous look! Those florally perfect plastic ones look fake and naff anyway. I much prefer yours!

    The blue peter advent thing was terrible looking but at the time I thought it the height of crafting sophistication!

    I could never find any non flameanble tinsel so could never try it!

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  8. Rustic charm at its best! Don`t put yourself down. I think it looks great!!

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  9. IRYPT - very festive.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  10. It looks fabulous and has character and charm that you certainly won't get with mass produced plastic ones ! I love the candle too and it will make a lovely centre piece when your friend comes to visit for christmas ! x

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  11. Very fetching Christmas wreath.I loved Blue Peter as a kid, I made a receipe once and as we had no cheese I used coleslaw which clearly made sense to my 8 year old self. Even the dog wouldn't eat it and my Mum wasn't that impressed either. I still have my pet tortoise though which I obviously named George after the studio pet (sensibly hibernating ) 30 years on.

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  12. It looks Fresh and Fun and Festive ... what more could you want to welcome folk to your door. Blue Peter to the core ... well done!

    Vicky x

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  13. Looks fine to me. I like free :o)

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  14. This was a lovely festive post Dan! I think the blue peter thing is called an advent crown and I remember they made them every year didnt they?

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    1. Yep, every single year. Maybe they still do?

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  15. I think it looks lovely. I especially like the candle holder! Did you dry the orange slices yourself? (Apologies if you've mentioned this in a previous post, I've been a bit slow on the blogs lately!)

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    1. Yes I did. It is in a previous post, but just to recap quickly, slice it up, lay it on greaseproof paper on a radiator. It took about a week. You can put it in the oven on very very low for 3 hours if you prefer, but I thought that was a big waste of electricity. Radiator worked fine and it was only on some of the time. Just leave it and turn them now and again.

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  16. I like both your festive wreath too and think you have done a better job than I would ever do. The candle arrangement is terrific and is such a good idea I'm going to pinch it :) Elizabeth

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  17. i love all of them, i prefer simple decorations xx love froogs xxx

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  18. I think your decorations look lovely. There is something very satisfying about creating, isn't there? I'm not particularly gifted in the art department, but I enjoy it nonetheless

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  19. It might not be perfect but then I think that's the appeal of homemade versus mass produced! Well done :) Judy xx

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  20. You've got the knack! I love both items and would enjoy seeing both of them here in my home. I may have to go prowling for pine branches tomorrow...

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  21. It's a whole lot better than the hideous plastic rubbish in the shops that passes for "decorations".

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  22. I bet the wreath and candle greenery smell heavenly! It reminds me that I need to get outside and get some greens for my basket! Thanks, :)

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  23. Well done! Christmas isn't in the buying, is it? I love both!

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  24. I remember the Blue Peter thingy well and had a go at making one - it looked really naff. Well done with your wreath the enjoyment of making it is the whole point.

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  25. Love the homemade ideas...they are always the best. Good job!

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  26. Don't put yourself down, I think your creations came out very pretty. And the price is definitely right!

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  27. I think it looks lovely. Simple and hand-crafted is best x

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  28. I remember Blue Peter making the advent thing with coat hangers, like it was yesterday. As a child it was so so exciting when they lit the candles....children of today would think we were mad getting excited about things like that, as they have so much technology etc now...but I still think life was better when I was a child and if I had a choice to be a child now or in the 60's/70's ...I certainly wouldn't choose now.

    Your xmas wreath is brilliant

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  29. I think your stuff looks lovely and will smell divine - all home made greenery here at Compost Mansions!

    I used to make all the Blue Peter stuff , as a child - sticky backed plastic was an exotic crating material, then...!

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  30. I loved how they used to say 'now send your parents out of the room ' when they were dong a parent gift thingo. I also loved Why don't you? We watch Mister Maker over here in Oz, well my daughter does...ahem!

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