How to: make a tissue pom pom




How to make your own Tissue Pom Pom

These tissue pom poms are perfect for decorating presents and also look great in a table setting on top of napkins to make your Christmas table really have the wow factor.

1. First decide what size you’d like your pom pom to be.
The pom pom will be slightly smaller than the width of the strips you cut.

2. Cut four strips the width you’d like your pom pom
(about 35-40cm long).

3. Next take an edge and fold it over approx 1-2cm.

4. Repeat the folds, back and forwards into a concertina, ending up with a thin strip of folded paper.

5. Take some string and tie around the middle of your strip, tie a double knot one side and then the other.

Cut the excess string, leaving a long piece to tie around presents or for easy hanging etc.

6. Cut the edges into a semi circle, either side of the strip. The corners should be rounded.

7. Starting with one edge, fan out one side. Start with the first layers and separate each of the four layers, bringing them toward the string in the middle. Do this carefully so not to tear the paper.

8. Repeat the other side, separate the layers bringing them outwards to form the pom pom.

9. Shape the pom pom filling the gaps and carefully twist the middle sections to hide the ribbon in the centre.








Top Ten Christmas Gifts

Christmas is only a month away!! That came around quickly. Here's my top ten Christmas Gift's from my Debenhams Collection to help with some ideas for under £25.





Fill with Sweets to add a personal touch


Fill with wrapped Biscuits to add a special touch


Fill with baking ingredients and a recipe


Swallow Feature Wall

DIY


I've just finished my swallow feature wall in my house, I'm really pleased with the result and it was easy peasey to do. Here's how to do it in your home.

You'll need... 

  • Patterned papers, I've used my own signature patterns from my new card collection of course. But you could use vintage wallpaper, thick gift wrap or any patterned paper (the thicker the better)
  • Scissors
  • A pencil
  • Swallow template
  • A camera
  • PVA glue or wallpaper paste
  • Medium sized paint brush
  • An old tea towel

How to...

1. Save the swallow image below and print it (make sure you set the scale to fit an A4 page)

2. Cut out around the line, this is now your template.

3. Gather your collected patterned papers and using the swallow template draw around it on the back of the paper.

4. Cut out your swallow and repeat until you have your required amount of swallows.

5. Lay out your swallows on the floor to get the composition right and take a photo as a guide.

6. Make sure you choosen wall is free from dirt and dust, then take your first swallow.
Paint the back of the swallow with glue or wallpaper paste and position it on the wall.

7. Rub with an old tea towel to help smooth it out

8. Use your photograph as a guide to help position the swallows in the right place.


Tea Towel Collection


Newly added to my website are these wonderfully useful tea towels. For an extra helping hand in the kitchen, keeping the smoke alarm quiet or simply drying up.

Part of a collection of six limited edition designs, my quirky tea towels are digitally printed and handmade in the UK on 100% Cotton.

They come gift wrapped in a cello bag and card wrap.

And they are machine washable at 40 degrees.


Click here for the full collection

Exclusive Event: Oxford Street 21st November

I have some exciting news! Next week I'll be in London celebrating the start of the Christmas season.
Come and see me at on 21st November at the Debenhams Oxford Street store on the 4th floor, from 5pm. I'll be hand painting, some limited edition, handmade Christmas Decorations. These will be pesonalised and given away on a first come first serve basis.
And also I'll be showing you some ideas to re-vamp your gift wrap, with a pom pom making workshop. A beautiful and easy way to add a handmade touch to your presents this year!