Miss Haberdash Christmas.... tinsel

Being creative with a christmas decorating classic like tinsel is great fun. This plain green wreath is first covered with gold tinsel and lit by fairy lights, which effectively diffuses the colour and adds extra sparkle. An easy look to achieve with impressive results.

Miss Haberdash Christmas, Gold Wreath, 2014

Love it or loathe it tinsel is here to stay, it also has a fascinating history. Originating in Germany tinsel was first made from silver and the name is said to originate from an old French word meaning sparkle. Who can forget those glorious trees from the 50s and 60s bedecked with lametta (a form of tinsel).

Photos, Liane Hoffman, Ray Gibson

Back to the present and our current pvc version (with metallic finish) can look a little tacky. But, recently tinsel has had a modern makeover appearing in those tasseled garlands that are oh so popular! My rule, don't be shy sometimes the more tinsel the better especially if you're decorating for an event. A ceiling or backdrop garlanded with tinsel can look amazing.

creaturecomforts, paperpolaroid, EvelynLaneDesign

For more Miss Haberdash Christmas check out my pinterest page.

Miss Haberdash Christmas....clear baubles

Can't find the perfect bauble for your tree? Why not personalise your own clear baubles. They come in glass or perspex varieties and it's so easy!

left to right: justagirlfromcanada, countryliving.com, indulgy.com, Miss Haberdash

For beginners, simply fill each bauble with tinsel, beads or feathers, try to use the same colour palette throughout if you want to display these baubles together.

They look just as good clear, grouped together and suspended from the ceiling, like they are floating on air. If you're crafty the surface itself can be treated with glitter or dipped in paint. Transfers can also be applied to the surface. It's a great Christmas project, have fun!

For more Miss Haberdash Christmas check out my pinterest page.

Miss Haberdash day tripper 3....

If you need another reason to visit Healesville aside from the cute koalas, (currently showing at the famous Healesville Sanctuary) travel north east of town to the spectacular Maroondah Reservoir Park.

Photo: Miss Haberdash 2014

Constructed in the late 1920s, a footpath spans the top of the dam. A short walk will take you to  Henderson's lookout where you can survey the impressive Yarra Ranges.

Photo: Miss Haberdash 2014

Photo: Miss Haberdash 2014

As you'd expect Healesville is also a great place for food & wine. There's also fine op-shop shopping along Nicholson street and some very trendy boutiques.

Miss Haberdash Christmas....chandeliers

Chandelier, Miss Haberdash Christmas, 2014

If you're hosting a special event over Christmas or just want to wow! family and friends try making a christmas chandelier.

Photo: Miss Haberdash 2014

Photo: Miss Haberdash 2014

It can be as easy as suspending fairy lights and beaded garland from a light fitting, or for more drama a tiered chandelier made from Christmas wreaths looks amazing. If you can add lights to your wreath the glass ornaments will really sparkle, battery lights can easily be secured to the inside of your wreath. We've created one at Christmas Elves and it's become a focal point in the store.

Three tiered wreath chandelier by Miss Haberdash Christmas, 2014

For something more wintry start with a frosted wreath (already covered in fake snow) or use spray snow to cover a traditional green wreath. This gives you a starting base and you won't feel the need to cover the whole wreath with decorations.

Photo: Miss Haberdash, 2014

Photo: Miss Haberdash, 2014

Chandelier by Miss Haberdash Christmas, 2014

There are so many options, try suspending baubles around the base, even plastic baubles work well or go au naturel with twigs and pine cones (more of this to follow in a later post).

For more Miss Haberdash Christmas check out my pinterest page.

Miss Haberdash Christmas....burlap

It may be a little early for most but my Christmas countdown is well and truly underway, so welcome to the first of my Miss Haberdash Christmas decorating posts, and I'm starting with burlap!

One of the big trends for Christmas this year is Scandinavian style and nothing says it better than burlap. With it's rough texture and natural colouring it's a perfect fit with a rustic Christmas theme.

Miss Haberdash Christmas Wreath, 2014

I'm sure you're all familiar with burlap or hessian, it's a woven fabric usually made from the skin of the jute plant and comes in many guises such as fabric, string or ribbon.This year it's taken a more sophisticated turn with geometric patterns printed on to natural ribbon in metallics like copper and gold. Burlap ribbon has long been popular overseas but you can also find it locally, Riot Art & Craft even have it in shocking pink. But a word of advice, a little goes a long way, keep it simple.

Top: maycrafts.com
L-R: tkCo etsy.com, cottagecraftsonline.com

Plus points - it won't break the bank and it's incredibly versatile. With a little imagination it can be used for gift wrapping, tree decoration or even bunting.

Photo: Miss Haberdash 2014

For more Miss Haberdash Christmas check out my pinterest page.

Miss Haberdash at the Pop Up ....

The Craft Pop Up Shop is open for business at Melbourne Town Hall. On a cloudy Melbourne day step inside and the colours sing.

Swanston streetscape, ceramics by Ingrid Tufts, Photo Miss Haberdash 2014

 An amazing mobile steals the show even office workers taking a quick lunch break stop to look. Made by Dear Plastic (a Sydney duo) the colours and shapes move in the breeze. Dear Plastic have been featured in all my favourite magazines. They've designed shop window displays and conduct workshops where collaborative making is key and sustainability their goal.

Dear Plastic mobile. Photo Miss Haberdash 2014.

A theme also explored by Andy Walker and Gabriela Holland of Pop Plant whose concrete planters are partly made from recycled PET bottles. The work of Emma Davis is also very familiar her woven vessels are made from polypropylene, unique and beautiful. There is so much to love here, as the tag line exclaims independent, Australian and handmade!

Emma Davies, net vessels. Photo Miss Haberdash 2014.

The shop is currently open till 11 October 2014. You can't miss the creative yarn bombing outside.

Yarn bombing Swanston Steet, Photo MissHaberdash 2014.

Miss Haberdash day tripper 2 ....

An escape to spectacular countryside is less than 30 minutes away when you're lucky enough to live in Melbourne.

The Organ Pipes National Park is just off the Calder Freeway and butts up against the McMansions on the very edge of Melbourne's suburban sprawl. A habitat for native flora and fauna, the perfect time to visit is now. Jacksons Creek is full to bursting and the Wattle trees are in bloom, just beautiful.

Organ Pipes National Park, Miss Haberdash 2014

Organ Pipes National Park, Miss Haberdash 2014

Organ Pipes National Park, Miss Haberdash 2014