Sewn-up style

If I say ‘patchwork’ what picture does that paint? Quaint quilts in a cosy bedroom? Cutesy cushions crowding out a small sofa? Tasteless tea cosy on a… well, you know what I mean. But I’m increasingly seeing patchworks in unlikely settings and being used in unexpected ways. I know it’s not cutting-edge stuff but when, for example, you get furniture covered in this style – admittedly with top-notch fabrics in vibrant colours – it looks flipping marvellous. Maybe it’s just the time of year (winter, Christmas and all that) or maybe it’s my time of life, but I’d happily settle back in a big chair like this, in front of a blazing fire, glass of port in one hand and a copy of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in the other…

Definitely not for squares

Father Christmas has style too!

Sure he wears the same outfit every year; his belt doesn’t do his belly any favours; and some might say his beard needs a trim … but that doesn’t mean he won’t appreciate a touch of stylish festive charm. He has just stuffed himself down a chimney for goodness sake.

Leave him an extra special treat this Christmas. I love this idea from Livingetc – it’s so easy that you could even do it amid all that last-minute wrapping panic!

roomenvy - santa, baby ...

Plus, if you’ve got time to spare on Christmas Eve, Martha Stewart has some ideas that are sure to get you to the top of Santa’s list, including fab holiday cookies for him to enjoy.

Let’s hope the renegade Christmas elf doesn’t get to them first ……

Christmas past… doily dining room

I love this quirky dining room idea… not sure I’d do it myself… but it’s certainly memorable. The ghost of Christmas past meets the ghost of Christmas future as the classic Victorian-style doily meets modern red furniture and accessories.

To get the look, stitch doilies together in a delicate tablecloth, or use frills on fairy lights for a dramy, dinner-time garland.

Update your Christmas dining room with doilies!

Ho… Ho… Ho… memade Christmas (sorry!)

Have yourself a homespun little Christmas with Country Homes & Interiors. Another year, another batch of beautiful Christmas decorating ideas from those country-style gurus, and these schemes are no exception. Can I…? fall in…? …love with a room?

Cover a big-and-bold Christmas tree with fabric doves, hearts and stars finished in fabric stitching. Add rustic charm with handmade cushions to match.

Country Christmas craft ideas for a happy holiday

Hang a natural garland trimmed with mini stockings above a guest bed and top with a fun wood-cut reindeer. Layer the bed with cherry red woollens!

Give your Christmas bedroom a touch of homespun style

Lampshades covered in a hand silk screened wallpaper make a stunning focal point above the Christmas table.

Enjoy Christmas lunch the country craft way

Don’t limit a Christmas wreath to the outside of the house – they look so pretty on internal doors, too!

How to create a cosy Christmas look in the hallway

Make berry-red felt curtains with folk art white felt hearts hand cut using a homemade stencil.

Create a magical festive seating area in the hallway with Christmas

Christmas craft idea: make a Christmas stocking

I’m not about to pretend that I’m going to spend the last weekend before Christmas glacially settling down to some wholesome crafting, but I AM going to spend the Friday night doing it… that way, I don’t have the all to familiar ‘you should be buying more ribbon’ floating around in my head.

Here’s a another gorgeous country Christmas craft ideas for the more organised among us – How to make a Christmas stocking. (Click the link for Housetohome‘s easy step-by-step guide!

How to make a Christmas stocking - inject some homespun style over the holidays

Christmas craft ideas: how to make your own crackers

I’m sure you might have guessed that I’m a MASSIVE fan of Christmas, and to add extra bauble to the point I might [fairly shamefully] admit that I had my first faux Christmas lunch of the THREE I’m planning before Christmas day itself (January gym membership, methinks).

Anyway, I’ve discovered this festive craft idea in time for lunch number two. Create your own Christmas crackers and wow your guests with this step-by-step video.

Christmas craft idea: creative gift wrapping

You might not have to think about Christmas gifts for family and friends for another week or so (or simply haven’t had time to anyway), but office Christmas parties are looming, so it’s time to add a little bit extra to your chocolate bra or table ice hockey game… or whatever it is you get for ‘that’ colleague!

Check out this video from Housetohome. It’s packed with ideas on how to give your Christmas presents extra pizazz!

Christmas craft idea: create an elegant toy sack

Well I was going to spare you until 1st December, but with all the Christmas present shopping, Christmas food planning and all that worrying about what your mother-in-law might make of your festive hosting skills, there’s no better time to get Christmas crafting. (NB: aforementioned mother-in-law will be proud)

I love this adult spin on the traditional Christmas toy sack from Country Homes & Interiors – it’s just so elegant… but it needs to be full to the brim to get the full effect, hint hint. Follow Housetohome’s step-by-step guide to making your own Christmas toy sack.

How to make a country-style Christmas toy sack