When most people see a feather they think ‘moulting pigeon’. I see a feather as a communication from an angel; more specifically my late and lovely mum. A more angelic woman you could not imagine and – if there is such a thing – Angel Shirley Amelia will currently be polishing the Pearly Gates.
Which sort of explains how I was seduced into a new Christmas craft project.
After last year’s mason jar/snow globe debacle – the cost of which would have crippled a small country – I had promised hubby to put my glitter, glue and globes away. But then I saw Country Living (from December 2016) which outlined the Christmas craft project; namely Elizabeth Harbour’s hand-made peg-doll angel.
Looking haughty and magical like a prima ballerina with wings and I knew I not only wanted one; I wanted a whole host.
Could I, should I bring my glitter stick out of retirement?
According to Elizabeth, this silk and satin lovely would prove ‘Simple and easy to make and would add festive character to a traditionally decorated tree’. In other words, if you own a minimalist black LED-lit Christmas twig, rustic angels might not be your thing.
But they would look so good on my shabby chic shelf (like other shelves but much more dusty) – and I have Christmas vacancy. Last year, some of my Happy Christmas letter blocks (which usually sit upon it) went missing. I may be fussy but ‘Appy Hismas’ just doesn’t have the same ring.
Scarcely stopping to wonder about the costs and consequences, I was off to Hobbycraft with a list. My shopping basket must have looked impressive – glue, ribbons , florist wire and paint – because the assistant offered me a loyalty card on the spot. I refused saying I do only one craft project per year; after which I crawl back into my hole slightly poorer and stickier but – thanks to my guardian angel – with a full set of fingers. The loyalty card offer was swiftly withdrawn but she did give me a sympathetic smile.
My list included;
Paintbrush – small head
Acrylic paints; white, red, black and yellow (and others if you want different hair colours)
Wooden pegs
Paper coloured florist’s wire (I couldn’t find any so had all sorts of troubles)
Wire cutters or pliers (I used scissors)
Craft glue (I used glittery Mod Podge)
Sewing needle and thread
Ribbon to hang
1cm (12cm per angel) ribbon for the bodice
8cm sheer ribbon for the skirt (40cm per angel)
And here goes….
Mix together white and red for a pink base for your angel’s face/neck. Wait to dry. Paint red lips and black eyes. Then paint your hair in black or yellow. Mix a stronger pink and give your angel a healthy glow.
For the wings take 36cms of wire and bend the end into a loop (one third of the wire). Repeat with the other side then wrap the rest of the wire around the middle of wings and use the ‘tail’ to wrap around the angel’s body.
Cut some wing shapes out of your sheer ribbon and glue to the front of the wire (I could not find paper-covered wire so my fabric would not stick so I had to thread my wire through the wings).
Secure the wings around the angel’s middle.
(At this stage Elizabeth uses more wire to make some arms but I have to omit this addition as far too difficult)
For the skirt cut a 30cm length of the sheer ribbon and sew together the ends using a running stitch. Turn it inside out so the seam is on the inside.
Sew the skirt along one edge with more running stitch then gather the skirt by pulling the ends of the thread. Tie a knot and glue into place at the back. (I could not get the skirt to stay on so stitched my angel into her skirt).
Cut a 12cm piece of the 1cm ribbon, drape it around the neck like a scarf and cross it over the chest and glue the ends in place at the back. Cut away any excess.
At this stage Elizabeth makes a little crown from paper but – again – it was beyond my skills.
Tie your ribbon (I used more of the wire) behind the wings for a hanging loop.
I hooked my angels onto some decorative string (thank you TK Maxx) and added some place cards from a little stationery ’boutique’ called Little Paperie in Ashbourne (decorated with some of their cute Christmas stickers). And this year my hubby seems quite impressed….apart from my attempt to make an angel resemble my sister (I was thinking pressie). His withering observation on this dolly being ‘But why does one look like Ruth Maddox?’
