Christmas decorations and tomato puree?

 

I figured it was about time that I came out of retirement to share something with you. Who would have thought that the woman who hasn't threaded a needle for eight months would be inspired by a tube of tomato puree?

You see I was cooking dinner the other day and as I squeezed the last bits out of the tube a hint of gold caught my eye. So whilst the pot boiled I chopped off the ends of the tube and had a peep and lo and behold there was gold.

So I cut up the side and unfolded it:

washed it of course and then smoothed out the wrinkles as best I could:

Then with the timer ticking away (for the dinner, remember) I thought I'd make a folk-art-type tree decoration what with Christmas coming up and all that. And this is what I'd like to share with you - so here is a little tutorial coming up for making some gold/copper tree decorations:

 

If you want to give this a go you'll need the tube of tomato puree of course (you can always squirt the stuff out into a jar if you can't wait to finish it). Some biscuit cutters, a pair of sharp scissors, a pen with a point and needle and thread and possibly glue. These are the scissors I used:

As already mentioned you need to cut the top and bottom off the tube and then cut up the side. Open out and wash - mind your fingers as it can be very sharp. Smooth out with your fingers or the back of a wooden spoon (but go softly if using a spoon).

Now you have a sheet of gold metal(?) to use. Take a cutter and draw around it or draw a freehand shape with the pen - press hard:

Cut the shape out with the scissors:

and then decide how you want to decorate it. Turn the shape over and working from the back draw a pattern or with the pointy pen press into the shape as if making holes (but don't push so hard that you do make holes):

What you'll get is a raised pattern on the front:

 

Then decide if you want gold on both sides or the outer tube showing on the other side. If you go for the gold option make an identical shape and glue both together. Either way pierce a hole in the top of the shape and thread some cotton through it. Voila a folk art tree decoration:

I'm not sure if this is one to do with children as the cut ends of the tube can be sharp so please be careful. Also please excuse the pics as most of them were taken in the evening. Good Luck and enjoy as they say ...............

------------------------------------------------------------

I can't go without saying Hi to everyone who has sent emails and left comments wondering if I'm ever coming back. The fact is that my inspiration and creativity had dried up completely and consequently I felt that I had nothing to offer on my blog anymore. And it was really good that I just went with the flow. Then last month some Mums asked me to run a doll making workshop before Christmas and I found myself saying Yes (whilst thinking can I be bothered).

And that's what I'm doing at the moment. I have four ladies on Wednesday morning and five on Thursday and we've allowed ourselves four weeks. Last week was our first and both mornings were great. In fact I was so inspired that I sat down one night and finished a doll whose head I'd made last year (it's different to the ones I usually make):

And do you know what (I hand stitched it this time) - it was so nice sitting at the table and meditatively sewing after so long. It even inspired Amber to pick up the knitting needles (after about two years) and start a pair of handwarmers from Kristin's book.

So what now? I don't think I'm back to crafting to the extent I was before we moved here. Again I'm just going to see how it goes and not put any pressure on myself. This time last year I was making like mad for the Christmas fair - this year I might get around to making a few angels. I just do not have the energy and enthusiasm I had before.

So with regard to the blog I think I'll post sporadically if I have anything creative to share. I'm not going to bore you with the minutiae of my life just so's I can post each week. You're a great community of supportive ladies and I know you'll understand (I do miss you though).

 

Comments

[Sarah]

HI! What a surprise to see you turn up in my reader. I've had a bit of a dry run on the crafting as well, but am becoming more inspired as the holidays (and winter) approaches. Crafting, I'm finding, is somewhat of a seasonal activity for me.

What I'd give to be able to spend a morning a week with a group of women crafting. Maybe I must start something up. Thanks for the inspiration.

[dottycookie]

It's lovely to see you back, however infrequently! Pretty recycling, and I think your doll looks gorgeously cuddly.

[dottyspots]

What a lovely surprise!

The doll looks wonderful and I love the tree decorations - I must post a link to your blog on the zerowaste site!

[Stacy]

Yay! What a great surprise. I'm so glad I kept you on my reader.

[Lydia]

So fun to see you posting again I kept you in my bloglines list of reads... and hoped. :) Great idea for decorations! Jul (Christmas) is a big creative time here in Sweden - almost everyone I know gets into making some little thing. Even my 'non-Waldorf' friends!
Delighted you are back,
Lydia

[Donna]

I knew there was a reason to leave your blog on my reader! I wonder if there is anything in the states similar to the tube of tomato puree? I usually buy it in a tin.

What an adorable doll! Her body has such a nice soft squishy shape.

[stephanie s]

it's nice to see you simmy!

[Ramona]

yay! what a pleasant surprise to see you back! and what a lovely doll you made. having a little one here, i am head over heels into waldorf dolls (and toys) again. Yay!

[Julie]

Hi Simmy, it's good to see you again and thank you for the tutorial. I've got a couple of these puree tubes waiting to be repurposed. You are on my bloglines too so whenever you feel like posting I'll be popping in. I'm pleased that you're getting some enjoyment from your doll making with the ladies. Your doll looks very cuddly as dottycookie said.

[Dogdaisy]

Hi there Simmy its great to have you back even if it is sporadically. The doll is lovely and well done with puree tube.( By the way I hope you don't mind me saying, if you heat the metal tube briefly and very carefully in a gas flame it changes colour and becomes almost iridescent.}

[trish]

I kept you on my reader on the slim chance you might get inspired to post again. It's good to see you back and I just wanted to add my enthusiasm to the rest of your fans out there. No pressure. Just wanted you to know I'm glad to see you!

[martha]

so lovely to see you are back, even if infrequently.

the doll is so sweet.

[Sue]

I'm glad you are well and happy. The doll is beautiful!

[Wylie]

Hurrah! So glad you're back!!! See how missed you've been? Please, please do bore us with the minutiae of your life! Just kidding!

Miss you and hope everyone is well. Will write more soon.
Wylie

[Carolyn]

lovely, lovely, lovely to have you back.
Made a cold windy November day brighter.

[Vonnie]

It's lovely to hear from you, Simmy!

I do wish I lived closer to you, I'd love to be able to make a doll for my daughter but I just don't have the confidence to try it myself. Your doll is lovely :)

[Jenni]

Hi...just found your blog via "little Cotton Rabbits"...really looking forward to reading the archive and enjoying your crafts....after I've emptied the tomato paste tube into the casserole for tonight..GOT to have a gold star on the tree this year.......!!

Jenni

[Natalie]

What an unusual place to strike Gold! It's good to see you back. I used to feel a bit like that about my blog in that if I wasn't creating anything I didn't feel I had anything to report! My atittude to mine has changed now and in the last few months I've realised that I'm being creative all the time in one way or another and that all the aspects of life that I enjoy are worth blogging about! That in itself has led to a sort of nourishment of my creative side. I look forward to your sporadic posting!
X

[Denise]

oh such great joy to find you posting.
huge love
xxx

[Liz]

What a lovely surprise to see your post!

[Thimbleina]

Good to see you back and I'm glad you posted that photo of the doll as that is one of my projects for my children for Christmas

[melody]

So nice to hear from you again... you are always inspiring and creative!

[mbutterfudge]

I'm not feeling very well, and stumbled onto your blog...and what a joy, I've spent much of the afternoon trying to read as much as I could between juggling my mummy jobs. Huge thanks for writting such a wonderful blog XX

[Natalie]

I've just tagged you! Details are on my blog. It's just a bit of fun so don't feel you have to respond!
Blessings,
X

[AnnaMarie]

On a lark I checked your site tonight and yippee! You are blogging again. You have such good ideas. I hope you and your family are well. Share as you feel able. Your inspirations are contagious! from Minneapolis, Minnesota

[Joanie]

Simmy, you're back! I am soooo glad. I, too, just thought I'd double-check your blog tonight and see if there was any activity yet from my "Akenfield" lady and I'm so happy I did. Hope all is well with you and yours and warm, heartfelt greetings from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

[Joanie]

Simmy, you're back! I am soooo glad. I, too, just thought I'd double-check your blog tonight and see if there was any activity yet from my "Akenfield" lady and I'm so happy I did. Hope all is well with you and yours and warm, heartfelt greetings from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

[Mary Ann/Ca]

Hi Simmy,
A lovely treat to see your tutorial today. Glad to read a post anytime the muse strikes you!

[Marie]

Hi Simmy! I just thought I'd check in on you on the off chance that you had something to say and was pleasantly surprised to find you here. I'm happy to find your words whenever. Leave it to you to make a beautiful ornament out of something so ordinary!! I am way impressed! Love the doll as well! XXOO

[simone]

Oh my goodness!!! I just thought I would search for Echoes of a Dream and saw you had posted! How lovely to hear from you! I really do hope that you continue to blog even if it is once a year! Thank you for the tutorial. You were always good at tutorials. I really miss your posts. The doll is delightful.

[shelle]

nice to see a new post. i hope all is well. happy holidays :)

[georgia]

YAY! So good to have you back!