Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2022 i Mollie Magazine

EDITOR’S PICK These evergreen honeycomb trees manage to be as nostalgic as they are current – they have a timeless quality we can all embrace in our efforts to shop more sustainably. Find them and lots of other modern classics on page 50. Welcome to our Christmas issue of Mollie, your essential guide to all things festive. Whether you’re looking to make some personal gifts, decorate your home, or to simply get in the yule time mood, we have so much inspiration for you. Our theme this month is Treasure. Christmas is a time to cherish those around us and is full of sparkle. Good fortune comes in so many forms and isn’t measured by the money you spend. With so many of us trying to be more frugal this…

MATERIALS ■ Two wire coat hangers ■ 1mm aluminium craft wire – approximately 25m in total in different colours ■ 2mm aluminium craft wire for the words ■ Pencil ■ Ruler ■ Paper ■ Pliers with a wire-cutter function Nothing says ‘joyful’ like a shiny starburst! Claire Hill’s wire-work firework is more than gorgeous – it’s a mood-booster, too. “Don’t underestimate the power of wire art on your self-esteem,” says Claire. “Building something with substance and structure does wonders for your confidence.” Here’s how. 1 To create the two base stars, remove the hooks from the two hangers with wire cutters. Using pliers, bend one of the hangers into a star shape, measuring 6cm for each side as you go. Leave any remaining wire at the length it is, as…

MATERIAL: Egg carton (or paper cupcake cases) | Wood shavings | Flammable natural materials, such as small pine cones, dry garden trimmings and herbs, dry pine needles, bits of paper | Dry citrus peels or slices | Beeswax, either from a block or repurposed from old beeswax candles 1 Fill the egg-carton compartments halfway with wood shavings. 2 Pack the remaining space with the rest of the materials. 3 Melt the beeswax in a double boiler until no chunks remain. 4 Pour the beeswax into each compartment, leaving some odd bits of flammable material sticking out to act as a wick. The goal is to make everything stick together, including the egg carton. The beeswax will slow combustion (helpful when lighting a wood-fired stove). 5 Allow the beeswax to cool…

Molly Hawkins Visual artist Molly is known for her large-scale and vibrant interventions in public spaces. Bringing joy using the influence of colour and pattern, Molly creates bespoke art internationally across Germany, Mexico, Poland, India and the UK. Her work includes entire building murals, basketball court installations, street art and set design. Make Molly’s painted baubles in a weekend on page 71 @mollymural Louisa Burtonshaw Embroiderer Louisa is a full-time embroidery and textile obsessive and runs Stitch Happy, an online store featuring embroidery, punch needle and macrame kits and other stitching goodies. When she is not stitching, she can be found scouring Pinterest for interior design ideas for her house renovation and doing DIY makes to put in it when it’s finished. Find Lousia’s fruity button mending idea on page…

1 A floral firecracker of a purse. Monogram Crescent Pouch £35, by Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com 2 When your appreciation knows no bounds… Infinity Knot Personalised Bangle £22, by Bloom Boutique. www.bloom-boutique.co.uk 3 Start the day your way. Amelie Ceramic Mug £4, by Oliver Bonas. www.oliverbonas.com 4 Classic meets classic. Personalised Women's Blue Cotton Pyjamas £39, by Mini Lunn. www.notonthehighstreet.com 5 Here to channel Carrie Bradshaw. Bespoke name necklace, £128, by Jewellery Box. www.jewellerybox.co.uk 6 Creative blocks to colour blocks. Modern Photo Notebook, £23, by Papier. www.papier.com 7 A charming gift. Lucky Marble Monogram Serving Board £56, by Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.co.uk 8 Mark your place in style. Leather Corner Bookmark £9.50, by Sbri. www.sbri.co.uk 9 The cutest stocking filler. Daddy Keyring £20, by Sbri. www.sbri.co.uk 10 Zodiac with zest. Star Sign Strawberry Gin…

FINISHING TOUCHES BRAIDED BANDS Add texture to your table decorations with Rose and Grey’s glossy plaited napkin rings, Also available in pink – the coolest of combos. Set of Four Braided Napkin Rings, £35. www.roseandgrey.co.uk CANDY STRIPES Chose delicious shades of patterned, tactile baskets for extra interest in nooks and on open shelves. Hadithi Colorful Sisal Baskets M - Pink Series, £47.49, www.trouva.com Comfort bolstered You can never have too many cushions, right? Especially ones that wish you good night. Add charm and humour to your interiors with a slogan bolster. Oliver Bonas’ Bonne Nuit Frilled White Cotton Bolster Cushion Cover, £35, www.oliverbonas.com VINTAGE WITH A TWIST Update period pieces with bold colour and gold detailing. This painted sideboard would look very much at home in Kristina’s winter wonderland against…

THE EDIT TIMELESS ELEGANCE ✦ Some festive classics will always be in style (Scandi tealight holders, winter greenery, sparkly baubles) and some have made a bit of a comeback (oh hello, Christmas tree skirt!), but the new way to display is by paring it back, whether in quantity or colour theme. Try a single berried bough on the back of a feature door (we love this trompe l’oeil look from Annie Sloan), honeycomb pom poms in a limited, opulent palette or monochrome tree and mantel decorations. STYLING TIP Baubles aren’t just for the tree! Position them around decadent cakes or create vignettes with them on shelves STACKS OF COLOUR ✦ Are you more ‘more is more’ at heart? Get your fill of festooned fireplaces, neon gift wrap and quirky table…

REPAIR MATERIALS ■ Embroidery thread in orange and green. We used DMC 3853 and 371 ■ Embroidery needle 1 Thread up your embroidery needle with the green embroidery thread using all 6 strands. Line up your new button with the buttonhole and hold it in place. Secure the thread using a couple of small securing stitches on the back of the fabric. 2 Pass the needle through to the front and thread the needle through the top right of the four holes in the button. Push your needle back down through the top left-hand hole. Make two more stitches in the same way but from the bottom right to top left and from bottom left to top left, to create a little arrow shape. Secure your thread at the back.…

BRAND FOCUS THE DARTMOOR ARTIST Make your festive styling more sustainable this year with timeless decorations that will last long after the final sprinkling of glitter has been swept away. Artist Sarah Smith designs and makes homeware from her eco-friendly farm studio in Devon. She taught herself to paint after recovering from surgery and is inspired by found natural materials. These beautiful dried flower wreaths will last the whole winter and beyond. From £40, www.thedartmoorartist.co.uk BRAND FOCUS GUDRUN SJÖDÉN It’s party season and, if you’re hosting, you’ll be in need of some amazing tableware to create the ultimate Christmas spread. From tablecloths and matching placemats to fancy runners, Gudrun Sjödén will provide the textiles, you just need to bring some scrumptious food. Add some dried flowers and candles and you’ll…

LOTS OF LITTLE GIFTS Forever associated with the season thanks to The Twelve Days of Christmas, the humble pear is an emblem of gift-giving, often encased in gold. Hide many small treasures inside Sidsel Bockhahn-Tylecote’s crepe paper pass-the-parcel version for a memorable party game the whole family will enjoy. A POP OF POP CULTURE Give the iconic bandana a new lease of life by turning it into a bracelet (or three). The bright colours and delicate paisley patterns of traditional bandanas, which originated in South Asia and the Middle East, make for gorgeous, tactile additions to both understated and more exuberant outfits. Becki Clark’s easy DIY makes an eye-catching finishing touch for anyone interested in fashion history and subculture. CHILD’S PLAY Allie Wasserman’s crocheted snoozy bear bobble buddy is a…

MATERIALS ■ Wax tissue paper, kite paper or rice paper ■ Diluted PVA glue, wood glue or wallpaper paste ■ Cling film ■ An object to paper mache over ■ Flat, wide paintbrush ■ Butter knife ■ Craft knife ■ Pendant lamp socket with a pre-attached cord ■ 14-16 gauge wire for the inner structure ■ Thinner wire (to hold the thicker pieces together) ■ Pliers and wire cutters ■ LED bulb 1 First, choose what kind of shape you’d like to make for your lampshade – a big mixing bowl or a large plastic planter are good options. Simple shapes are best. Cover or line your object with cling film to protect it (and to ease your shape off once dry). 2 Rip your paper into strips. Using a…

WEEKEND PROJECT NEST MATERIALS ■ Baubles ■ Plastic Primer (we used Rust-Oleum Surface Primer Spray Paint) ■ Pencil ■ Acrylic Paint or Posca Pens ■ Sticky tack ■ Universal Clear Lacquer (we used Rust-Oleum Furniture Lacquer) ■ Ribbon (optional) 1 First, gather some old baubles together. It doesn’t matter if they’re patterned or plain, but smooth is better. Molly found hers hidden away in the basement. You could try nearby charity shops, too. When choosing baubles opt for ones unlikely to smash easily. It’s a fiddly project, so expect the odd bounce of a bauble along the way. 2 Prime the baubles with white paint. Use a fast-drying paint if you’re short on time. Hang the painted bauble near a window, in the sunshine if possible, to dry. It’s better…

Create this delicious festive cocktail and mix with stylish stirrers by Robert Welch – a sustainable solution for the party season. DRINK STIRRERS, £19, ROBERT WELCH, WWW.ROBERTWELCH.COM WINTER BRAMBLE INGREDIENTS 50ml sloe gin1 tbsp fresh lemon juice1 tbsp bay & star anise syrup½ tbsp crème de mûre or blackberry liqueur¼ tsp ground cinnamon1 tsp golden granulated sugar3-4 blackberries Crushed ice FOR THE BAY & STAR ANISE SYRUP 250ml water 250ml granulated sugar 2 star anise 5 fresh bay leaves TO SERVE (OPTIONAL) Orange slice 1-2 fresh bay leaves 1-2 blackberries 1 Make the bay and star anise syrup. Place the sugar and water in a pan over a medium heat and stir until dissolved. Add the bay leaves and star anise and bring slowly to the boil. Reduce the heat…

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CHOC-HEAVEN CAKE 450 grams self-raising flour550 grams caster sugar160 grams Dutch cocoa powder1 tsp bicarbonate of soda½ tsp sea salt1 tsp instant coffee375 ml buttermilk, at room temperature170 grams coconut oil, melted3 large eggs, at room temperature2 tsp vanilla extract375 ml boiling water FOR THE DECORATION Cherry brandy (such as Kirsch), to splash between the cake layers (optional)625 ml double cream, whipped165 grams cherry jam (berry jams are also fine!)300 grams cherries, halved with pips removed60 grams block of your favourite chocolate, shaved on the longest edge with a vegetable peeler or grater to create pretty curls15 cherries, some dusted in edible gold powder if you like (available from cake decorating stores) Edible gold leaf (available from cake decorating stores; optional) EQUIPMENT 3 18cm x 5cm tinsMixerBaking…

GOOD BOOKS 1 SCANDI STYLE Take a walk on the wild side with this collection of 27 stunning Scandi projects for the home. From cushions to blankets to wall hangings, Linka Neumann’s designs are inspired by the Norwegian countryside and the animals that live there – each one comes with knitting diagrams and amazing photography to make you want to cosy up with your needle and yarn this season. Wilderness Knits for the Home, Linka Neumann, £20 www.pavilionbooks.com 2 HYBRID YOUR HOME What makes Scandinavian and Japanese design so closely aligned? That’s the question posed in Japandi Style, which delves into each aesthetic to find the point at which they blend. Full of nature-inspired interiors, the focus is on functionality and sustainability. Japandi Style, Agata and Pierre Toromanoff, £25,…