Christmas table

Preparing the Christmas dinner table is always fun. I have been playing around with colours and ideas, but I still have not fully decided. Shades of red and green are always festive, but purples and gold or turquoise and silver are also nice. How do you plan to decorate yours?

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Margie

Polka dots and stripes

A festive bundle of tea towels in polka dots and stripes is a must for the holidays. These ones are from Cath Kidston and Green Gate their sites have some exciting and beautiful seasonal ideas.

Don't forget to check out my lifestyle and craft blog here.

Margie

Cookies and Christmas sugars

It is always nice to have cookies ready for any surprise visits over the festive season, From Thanksgiving to St. Nicholas, Winter Solstice, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year. Cinnamon, vanilla and Christmas coloured sugars ready for the festive season.

Are you preparing anything special?

Margie

Hearts

Handmade hearts designed and made by Margie's Crafts using graphics courtesy of Karen at the Graphics Fairy.

If you are curious about the tartan background then pop over to Margie's Crafts.

How are your Christmas plans coming along?

Margie

Christmas Scenes

Hot chocolate from Sacher served in a Christmas scene mug (with matching tea towel) from the Cath Kidston range.
Sugary sweet Candy Cane in beautiful Christmastime red and white.

Really beautiful giveaway on Fraeulein Klein's blog

Visit Margie's Crafts my lifestyle and crafting blog.

Big Hugs,

Margie

Handmade Stocking and filler ideas

Tartan stocking with image from the Graphics Fairy handmade by Margie's Crafts

Alan Ardiff hand crafted jewellery
Cath Kidston clothing and bags
Doll making Workshop place

What would you like to find in your Christmas stocking?

Check out a Wonderful festive Giveaway over at Castle and Cottage Signs.

Big Hugs,

Margie

Cookies in a Jar

Sweetheart Cookies

225 g butter

60 g confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

30 g cornstarch

225 g all purpose flour

150 g strawberry jam

Preheat the oven to 350F/180 C. Line a baking tray with parchment.

Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla, Sift the cornstarch and flour together and add to the mixture. Place dough in piping bag and pipe desired shapes on to baking parchment (remember to leave sweetheart shape in half the cookies). Bake until pale gold (15-20 mins). Cool on baking parchment for 2-3 mins before transferring on to wire rack to cool completely. Put jam on full cookie and cover with the sweetheart cut one. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

You are welcome to drop by Margie's Crafts.

Ribbons are from East of India

Big hugs,

Margie.