Clothespin nutcracker

Legend has it that having a nutcracker in the house brings good luck and protects your home from evil spirits – especially from any intruding mice! With a new Disney film telling the famous story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King due to hit cinemas next month, these brightly coloured characters are sure to become a firm favourite this Christmas. Start crafting your own nutcracker companions with these magical makes.

I learned to make these ornaments from my husband's grandmother. They're so simple to put together, and they're one of those things that always makes me think of the winter holidays.

When I was a child my favorite part at Christmas besides opening presents, was trimming the tree. Every year the best part was unwrapping the clothes pin people from storage. It was such a treat to unveil each handmade pin doll from its packaging to discover what wonderful character was inside and place them on the tree.

Just finished a platoon (No, wait, that’s 26 – 64. I only made a dozen.)–a squad–of clothespin soldier ornaments. My goal was one dozen ornaments per month until November. I…

Nutcracker and Mouse King DIY Kit | Timothy Haugen | Flickr

’Tis the season for DIYs.

Inspired by The Nutcracker ballet, I’ve been making festive peg doll deocrations to hang on our tree. Requiring little more than a steady hand and an array of paints, it’s a lovely thing to have a go at on a darky and rainy night – or around the kitchen table with restless children who are […]

Yes, you can go to Macy's or Neiman Marcus for some beautiful Christmas ornaments, but in my view nothing beats a handmade Christmas. T...

Christmas began to arrive in our home yesterday, as I staggered back from the garden centre with armfuls of pine, eucalyptus and berries. Now the house is filled with resiny scent, as is my hair, my clothes, my hands… it’s intoxicating. And the fir lady has once again come in from the cold and taken(...)