WOYWW 548

TUA BETHLEHEM DREF
(English: On to Bethlehem Town)

To hear a beautiful version, click here

This is one of my all time favourite Welsh carols - I'm a sucker for a good minor key and mournful sound, that's my Welsh blood coming through!

Anyway, the festive season has well and truly begun here at LLJ HQ....I've already been out playing five times since last week, two of which were covered by the television cameras. It's going to be interesting to see the final programme.

No desk as such today, but yesterday saw me at the WI Craft Club where we made willow stars. Janet demonstrated what to do:


You've never felt such concentration from us girls, lol!

Then we set to - it was really good fun, we all enjoyed though there was the occasional bit of swearing as a bit of willow pinged across the room!!

My mate Helen and her star - Da Iawn, Helen (Very good!)

My attempt!  I enjoyed the weaving part very much - Janet had found wire covered tape which was much easier than using thin willow and more forgiving on the hands. I shall put that in pride of place amidst my Christmas decorations!

All shapes and sizes and all beautiful :-)

I've been practising making Christmas trees out of paper for recycled Table centres for the WI Christmas party. They're improving slowly!
So my desk was the dining room table this time - I was ploughing away and G came in and said Aha! His 52 week challenge topic was Rock Paper Scissors and so we did this:

Fun eh? The little stones with holes in came from the beach near Craster in Northumberland years ago when we lived up there. We have a little bowl of them and they've been with us for 3 decades!

An alternative version:
I don't know which one G used for the challenge in the end but  Gail, if you're reading this, then you might recognise some of the papers you passed onto me!!

On the table is also this:
I've been joining squares the girls in the WI have made to make a baby blanket for a Salvation Army Food Bank appeal that Cindy mentioned on FB. 

And lastly, a fun little project that I've been doing for my own satisfaction and which will end up hanging in the house somewhere - only a little detail of the fabrics though:

Fun huh?!

Right that's it, I'm off playing carols with a small group in an old folks' home this afternoon so my comments may very well be later or tomorrow.

Have a lovely crafty week everyone!



32 comments:

Helen said...

the willow stars look fantastic, and your paper skills are improving so much!
go pucker up those lips and have fun with the old folks!! Helen #?

Sarah Brennan said...

What a brilliant array of crafts you are sharing this week Jan. 6pm 24/12 S4C? I am trying not to forget to look out for the TV programme. Happy WOYWW. Sarah #2

craftyani said...

Love the stars and the trees. Don't you find when you're involved with Christmas things elsewhere you're Christmas is put on hold. Ani #4

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

What a beautiful activity to do with fellow friends, I've never tried willow weaving but I feel I need to now. Stunning star wreaths. Those paper trees will make a smashing table decoration another fabulous idea.
Good to see you have been dong a little something for you too.. lovely fabrics. Happy WoywW Tracey #8

Mrs.D said...

Diolch y ti am fywiogi fy niwrnod gyda cherddoriaeth hyfryd. That version of the Carol is beautiful.
Wish our WI had a craft group, would be lovely to enjoy playing with like minded people, your stars are beautiful.
Chtis

Crafting Queen said...

You are a very busy and creative lady. Have a wonderful week. Hugs ANesha

Sue said...

Hi Jan, Love the willow star, your trees, the fabric hanger and colourful crochet.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Sue said...

Forgot to wish you a happy WOYWW and also my number which is #7. Sue

shazsilverwolf said...

Hiya Jan, wow, love the willow stars!Maybe a sale item in the shop for next year? Sure they'd go down a storm. The table decorations are great, and how perfect for G's project were they? I have some hag stones picked up on beaches-down Lyme Regis way if my memory serves me.I like the black starry fabric- I have some felt from Hobbycraft exactly the same. Love & hugs to you all, Shaz XxXxXxXx

Twiglet said...

So much crafty loveliness again Jan - your willow stars are truly beautiful - what a clever bunch you are! AND - what patience you have to make those little trees - fab photos by the way! xx Jo

Little Dorrit does... said...

Ha! Love the festive rock-paper-scissors photo! And the willow stars are indeed beautiful.
Amelia #17

Lillianb said...

Love the stars, what a great idea, the tree's look great, as does the blanket,

Lilian B #14

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Those willow stars look wonderful - and the little paper Christmas trees as well! So many festive projects everywhere - makes me wish it was Christmas already! I'm sure the residents in the care home appreciated your visit very much. Happy preparations and thanks for your visit earlier! zsuzsa #18

Annie said...

I'm doing a whistle stop tour of all my fav blogs before starting to sew the 3 Memory bears I've got lined up ready so please excuse it being a speedy visit.
So busy busy busy...so much in common at this time of year too [except i'm not in a band]. Really love the wicker stars...you clever lot.
Hugs,
Annie x #11

Christine said...

Thanks for your visit earlier. My heart is still under investigation and I am trying to take things easier - honestly!!!
Love those stars!!! Everyone should be very proud of themselves. What a super way to spend a day.
Enjoy all your concerts.
Christine #22

Elizabeth said...

Hi Jan, so now you can add star of TV and stage to your CV. Where will your trusty instrument take you next, I wonder! Hopefully, we'll get to see the finished programme up here too. Love the willow stars - yours is lovely. And the paper trees are fabulous - I've already made a search on YouTube for the instructions. G's photos are prize-winners. The blanket is cosy and will be very welcome at the Food Bank, I'm sure. Look forward to seeing the wall-hanging when it's done. Listened to the recording - beautifully performed but I hope the message is more uplifting than it sounds. Have a wonderful week. Hugs, Elizabeth x #19

Ali Wade Designs said...

Happy WOYWW, and I hope you get to put your feet up occasionally at this very full time of year for you! Lots of lovely willow stars. One craft I have never done, but would like to try. Clever idea for the Rock Paper Scissors. Ali x #24

Caro said...

Those willow stars are stunning and I love your little paper trees... another one for my list of fun things to try (when I get time LOL!). Enjoy your playing - my go to is singing at this time of year, but annoyingly I am already losing my voice. Happy WOYWW. Take care, With Love & God Bless Caro xx (#5)

Crafting With Jack said...

Happy WOYWW x Those willow stars look good, as do the Christmas trees, are they origami? Angela #24

Kathryn Frantz said...

Such a busy lady you are! Continue to enjoy but don’t “overdo” I always enjoy your sewing projects, whatever they are. I have good ideas but my follow through is lacking!

Happy Wednesday

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I'm loving your Christmas trees but I have to say the starts are wonderful! Bet you all had fun including the odd expletive. Have a lovely WOYWW, Angela x12x

Catriona said...

Love the wicker stars but my favourite is the wee origami trees from upcycled paper. Happy crafting.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Hi Jan back again just to let you know my map box was purchased from Hobbycraft back in October but i've just checked online and they appear to still have them @ 2 for £5.. couldn't make your own for that price. Just thought i'd let you know, i'll forget by next week otherwise :D x

Julia Dunnit said...

The stars are wonderful, as usual, I love how they all look so different but are recognisably the same! What a lovely way to spend a morning, I’m not sure that Janet’s kitchen island is big enough!!! This time last year I was with you according to FB, and you’re already far busier musically this year! Love the Rock Paper Scissors interpretation, you’re going gangbusters with those trees.

Anne said...

Those willow stars are beautiful Jan. Also love the table decorations! Looking forward to seeing your make for the house! I will message re the snowmen and Santa's. Anne X 21

Anne said...

Those willow stars are beautiful Jan. Also love the table decorations! Looking forward to seeing your make for the house! I will message re the snowmen and Santa's. Anne X 21

Neet said...

How lucky you are to have learnt how to make those stars - they look fabulous all grouped together and I do like the one you made - I'm a sucker for tartan ribbon!
There's so much on your desk this week and I love the little trees you have been making - what a fabulous idea using those rocks and a pair of scissors - hope the photo does well - you must tell us which he used - my choice is the first one if I have to choose.
Have another good week
Hugs, Neet 9 xx

Lindart said...

Everything looks like so much fun! The stars are gorgeous, the rock-paper-scissors is brilliant, the throw/blanket is beautiful, and I'm looking forward to your finished project! Glad you are still having fun with your music as well! Have a great week, thanks for your visit to mine, Lindart #26

Belinda said...

Miss you always have good stuff to see. I think all the stars came out beautiful and so much fun to make them with friends. Your brain and mine must be crossing because I just sat down today to cut out trees on my silhouette that look very similar to your beauties. Well what do they say, Great minds think alike!
The sun is shining today so bright that I can't help smile. Thanks for the visit yesterday.

Hugs,
Belinda #20

Stacy Sheldon said...

Oh WOW Jan, I love how festive your forest of trees look all gathered together like that, and those willow stars turned out amazing too :) ~Stacy #27

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Thanks for your visit....Things have gotten more stable, dealing with laryengitis and sinus so resting. Oh your helping my enthusiasm. Loving the Star wreaths, I've a few plain I use for my Nativities, but I LIKE the decorated ones a lot. And your fun little paper trees are perfect. Something my grands would love to do so maybe. Great oolors in your blanket. But I really love the black/white/grey and it's stitching. Have fun caroling Enjoy a great weekend I am hoping by all you've shared I can get with it.

Chloe's Nan said...

Those willow stars are wonderful! Willow weaving is always quite fascinating to me, I love to stand and watch when I see it being done. The papers are looking good too ;)
Gail x

WOYWW 769

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