When I was at Liberty London a few weeks ago I saw these crackers and fell instantly in love. Although I can spend my money on crazy stuff, I thought £45 for a box full of pretty crackers with unpersonalised gifts was a bit too crazy for me.
So I decided in the whole "waste not want not" theme, that I’d make my own using wallpaper leftovers.
Here’s how to make your own, it’s really simple and actually quite quick to make.
1. Buy cheap DIY crackers 2 & 3. use white glue and roll out evenly with a felt paint roller, use a piece of plastic that doesn’t hurt to get dirty 4. stick the wallpaper on top, cut around using scissors and cut out the rest using a Stanley knife. Be careful of not cutting the fireworks. Don’t forget to deep cut all the inserts.
5. This is what the cracker looks like after cutting 6. and this when you turn it around.
Now insert to make it round. Only tie the top of cracker so that you can add a paper crown and a gift. Then tie the bottom bit of the cracker and you are done.
I stuck a name tag on the back of each cracker as I didn’t want to ruin the pattern of the wallpaper. Now I know which one is which as I placed a personalized gift in each cracker. Let me tell you that it’s quite hard finding a gift so small that fits a cracker , I did it in the end.
Behind all the bits of wallpaper is a story. I bought the top one at a local shop selling vintage wallpaper. The second one is the first wallpaper I used for the downstairs loo. The third is a leftover piece from a friend’s hall I wallpapered for her years ago. The fourth is from the same local shop. The fifth is the wallpaper I have in my kitchen and the sixth is a roll I bought in a sale as I thought it was so pretty.
I’m pleased and ready for Anki and her family on the 25th.
***
I also know that I’m way behind on all my posts as I have another tutorial, a kitchen to show you and two fabulous giveaways. The reason for my absence is that I’m working on something new I will tell you about after Christmas but also because I stumbled upon a really mean and awful website (which I’m not going to credit as they don’t deserve readers) discussing my blog and being really mean about it. This puts me down and it takes a few days, a few "Yvonne ignore them’s" from my dear husband and some deep breathing. It’s for all of you who do like this blog who are not mean and who have grown up to be heartfelt and loving people that I’m still here.
I LOVE YOU XOX
Forget about mean people! They must be green with envy.
You rock, girl!
The crackers are beautiful! And don’t let the haters get to you. You have so many fans, and I’m sure you have many more than you could ever realize. I’m sure, like me, many do not leave comments. I love your blog, and your decorating. It is totally my style, and I love looking for ideas in my own home. Here in the US it is hard to find books and magazines with this kind of decorating since so many are into country and primitive, I am so thankful I have your refreshing blog to look to for inspiration. Hold your head up high because you are loved and inspiring world wide!
Who is the world could have something nasty to say about your website/blog? I say pure envy. I dig your blog Yvonne, for some years now. You inspire me big time. Aloha from Limmen, Holland Jacqueline
We love love love you too!
So please don’t let them stop you posting…
nasty people are unhappy people!
and you make us happy with your bright fresh and pretty posts….
Keep on Yvonne
daisy J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Quality is always worth waiting for
Happy Christmas and a creative New Year, Yvonne x
There are people who make their own life (and others’ lives too) happy and nice by offering a bit of sunshine – that’s you. Then there are those, like the mean website people, who don’t have enough brain cells to know how to do that, so instead they use ugly and hurtful words to put the first kind of people down. Lots of hugs to you Yvonne!!!
These are amazing. Love that you included a Personalised gift. What did you buy? Will you show us? Would love to know!
i am so sorry to hear that! i don´t know why people that don´t like what you do have to say anything about it. cheer up, you blog its yours and people read it mostly because they like what you do. Its really an awful thing that you generously open you house and yourself and someone says negative commentaries about it. but some people are very negative and destructive and we have to live with it. so, forget about it and be merry!
saludos desde uruguay y feliz navidad!
I beg your pardon??? Speaking mean things about this heavenly place? Are you serious, Yvonne? Please tell me this is a joke! Your blog is my favourite place, it really is. And I really like your personality – the part that I get to know through here, of course.
So let me tell you (I think I’ve already told you this): “What other people think of you is none of your business”.
I heart you!
xo
Susana
I do love your crackers and I sure love your beautiful fresh and gorgeous blog. I hope the meanies choke on their mince pies
I love your blog and home!
It is really one of my favorite ones.
Go ahead! You do it good!
xx
what more can i add? what you have is a thousand times better and bigger than what the ugly mean people do have and do.
big hugs and happy christmas!!!!!!!!!! (and thanks for making everybody else’s a little happier too.)
your blog is truly one of the best out there and i look forward to every time you post, how silly and juvenile that anyone would personally attack you or the great work you do. and let me just say, i kept thinking you literally meant crackers as in the wafer snacks, and kept scrolling down to see where they came in, haha. such a sweet packaging idea–i wonder if scrapbook paper might also work well for this project?
much love to you, yvonne!
Please keep doing what you are doing.
I love ‘dropping by’ and catching up. Your home is beautiful and you are very inspiring.
Those meanies obviously have nothing better to do. I was brought up that if you didn’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything…they should take note
Merry Christmas & all that you wish for 2013 x
Yvonne, I found this quote from Scott Stratton a few days ago and it came at a perfect time for me. So I am passing it on to you in hopes that it will make you laugh and know it’s true!
“Don’t try to win over the haters. You’re not the Jackass Whisperer!”
I never comment but I come here very often! I don’t need to tell you but I love your taste, house and sometimes I even envy you with a tidy house all pristine. Impossible for me with four kids and living an expat life in a rented house! Keep doing what you are doing. In the end the “mean ones” are just a mean minority. I’m glad and happy to belong to the other group. beijos portugueses from Rome!
my mom is among the sweetest, kindest people on the planet.
she always told me (as others here have echoed) that kind words are the only ones worth uttering.
however, even my mother gets a kick out of this old “steel magnolias” gem:
http://youtu.be/SHCBSZxwAag
hope it gives you a giggle.
peace-love
Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring blog Yvonne! I have been following for about a year and it brings so much joy
Those negative people must be jealous for sure and I hope that you can ignore them.
Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!
How much time do people have to run down and hurt others?
Why wouldn’t they spend their time being positive about things that they like?
You bring so much good into this world…my world and I appreciate you so much!
Happy holidays and keep on being you!
Love your pretty crackers and your lovely blog – all the way from New Zealand. So glad you continue to post , hope you have a Merry Xmas .
Getver.
Ten eerste om ‘narrow minded bashing people who should not bother posting ANYTHING’ en natuurlijk ten tweede omdat er niet 2,5 extra party crackers bij zitten. CRAPPERDIECRAPCRAPCRAP!
Who would say mean things about Yvestown?! Your blog is amazing, Yvonne! So beautiful and inspirational. Please know how much we appreciate it.
Kendra in Canada
Yvonne, I get lots of pleasure following your blog and have not commented before, I love to see your wonderful creations and see your ideas for decorating your home – like loads of other followers I would like to thank you for sharing your plans with us! LOVE the crackers – beautiful! Have a lovely christmas and all good wishes for 2013. Take care love Corrina xxx
i can’t imagine what mean things anyone could say about this blog!
i love this little corner of the internet. please know that there are more people who love what you do & show/share on this blog than those who don’t.
have a great christmas & the very best wishes for 2013.
love jo xo
I love your world…blog, home, crochet, shop…you give me so much ideas!!!Thank you and have a very Merry x-mas!!!
I’m sorry you’ve been hurt Yvonne. that’s so shrivelled and mean of those people. Please take heart that there are so many many many more of us who love visiting your blog and being inspired by your wonderful aesthetic and your generosity in sharing your life. I’ve followed your blog for a long time now but this is the first time I’ve commented. I’m sorry about that now. I’m beginning to think that anonymous viewing of a favourite blog is not really fair. The internet has made it easy for small hearted people to do mean things, but also enabled happy appreciative visitors to get lazy in their consumption. Maybe that’s one real thing we can do as an online community, make it a fairer exchange by leaving a comment- a nod, a smile , a wave. Thanks Yvonne. I hope your holiday is wonderful.
Klinkt helaas bekend. Wat zijn er toch veel gemene, nare mensen. Zodra je je kop boven het maaiveld uitsteekt, zijn er altijd mensen die reageren vanuit jaloezie, ergernis of een combinatie van die twee. Vriendelijkheid is een groot goed, dat zou iedereen ter harte moeten nemen. Laat je niet gek maken Yvonne, of zoals mijn opa zei ‘Iedereen is gek, behalve ik!’ Heel veel liefs en tot tweede kerstdag, we kunnen niet wachten! xxx
Ik weet niet waar het over gaat, maar laat ze in de stront zakken Yvonne.
Wat een ontzettend lief gebaar om zo’n moeite te doen om je gasten zoiets kleins maar moois voor te schotelen!
En die afzeikblogs: ik sluit me aan bij Iris’ heerlijke zinsnede. Het zullen onwetende domme mensen zijn die niet door hebben dat er achter blogs echte mensen zitten met echte gevoelens…
I shall have to join in with your husband here and yell ‘Yvonne, ignore them!’ all the way from Australia!
Your crackers are beautifully made and just lovely, the personal gift idea is great. They will be a real treat on Christmas day.
Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a joyful and peaceful New Year!
Please don’t stop blogging …where else am I going to find all the prettiness?
I have just discovered your blog..and it’s lovely
Full of inspiring images, your home, ideas, things to make….please keep blogging…Merry Xmas
The comment at no. 26 says it better than I ever could. Your blog is a feast for the eyes and soul, Yvonne and it is my favourite place to visit. I hope you will continue to give us the privilege of seeing more loveliness in 2013.
Those crackers are so pretty – adding a personalised gift is a wonderful touch! Don’t worry about the mean people – they have small brains and ugly hearts. Do what you love and keep doing it. Only that matters. And remember, there are many people out there including me who find your blog very inspiring! ((hugs))
Oh! dit is zo’n mooi idee, je bent geniaal wist je dat al?
Daarom hoop ik dat je gemene mensen/blogs links laat liggen en doorgaat
met wat je zó goed doet!
Ik wens jullie hele mooie dagen! geniet! xx
you are awesome ! don’t take any notice, your blog makes me smile on a regular basis, thank you x
Er zijn altijd mensen die een ander afkraken, maar denk aan alle mensen die met zo veel plezier je blog lezen. Voor mij is een nieuwe blog van jou altijd een feestje om te lezen, ik kijk er steeds naar uit en het inspireert me en ik wordt er blij van. Fijne dagen.
People always talk whether good or bad, it means you are doing something right otherwise they wouldn’t be talking in the first place. The things you make and share in your blog are beautiful. And I’m happy every time I come to take a look!
Merry Christmas!!
Love you too <3
Happy Christmas!
First of all, those crackers look awesome! And secondly, your blog and your style are AMAZING! I really wouldn’t let that other blogger bother you – I’m sure that person is just a bit green with envy. Honestly, if they don’t like your blog why do they bother reading it.
Hope you have a fabulous Christmas! x
We love you! You’re the best!
Yvonne, I too am a huge fan of your decorating and of your blog. I do understand completely how you feel about meanness – why??? Do people have nothing better to do than be so cruel about others? Where are their morals? You are a wonderful, creative, honest, and sincere soul Yvonne. Your blog is one of my favourites and it has been for years. Please don’t ever stop sharing here. Merry Christmas to you – I hope you have a fantastic day! xx
New reader here, like many others I don’t usually comment but had to today. Having just found your lovely, peaceful and refreshing blog I would be so sad to see a few people’s spiteful comments deter you from continuing. The internet gives people room to indulge in spreading their venom without repercussion, but ignoring it and carrying on is brave and we readers are grateful. Thank you.
I am once again baffled by the negative attention your blog receives. Yvonne, you have worked hard to create a beautiful thing here, and the loyalty of your readers is a testament to that.
Ignore the awful website (they are jealous!). By the way, the crackers are simply beautiful and very you.
Bah. Over de nare mensen dus, niet over de kerstcadeautjes, die zijn prachtig. Ik kan er helaas over meepraten. Jaloezie uit zich in allerlei vormen, niet de meest fraaie doorgaans. Succes, jij wint, jij kan mensen aan je binden door positiviteit, zij blijkbaar niet.
Some people just stink! Have a Merry Christmas and tank you for all the lovely posts this year:)
I love love your blog! Have been following it formyears and years. Please ignore those meanies! Love the cracker ideas! Have some wallpaper samples left so will probably make them. Thank you so much for sharing! X
tell the nasty people to GO AWAY, take NO notice, your blog is FABULOUS, their problem not yours, DON’T Waste your time thinking of them. x
Stupid bullies. Don’t worry about them, Yvonne. We are all crackers for your blog xoxox
Your website is beautiful and authentic, just like you! I’ve loved your blog for a long time, and haters gonna hate no matter what. Merry Christmas!
I adore your blog . It is my number one favorite in a long list of blogs that I read. Please don’t let anyone’s negativity bring you down! Thank you for sharing pictures of your home. I always find inspiration here <3
dag, altijd fijn even te gast bij je te zijn. keep-going-girl! hgr, mieke
Thank you for sharing. These crackers are gorgeous and so much nicer than the ones we usually buy from the supermarket. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for sharing all your lovely photos, recipes and ideas during the year I really appreciate it !!
I’m new to your site, have quite different taste AND tend to take unkindness personally for way too long. Here in the US, I am fortunately/unfortunately reminded that one action, whether momentarily unkind or deeply tragic, can be followed by thousands if not hundreds of thousands of kind, loving, and beautiful acts. While I don’t believe unkindness can be balanced by kindness, necessarily, I take heart and move on as best I can. Don’t mean to preach. Just to encourage you to continue to bring beauty, creativity and your own perspective to this world in the way you do. It helps me for one! And, you do it in TWO languages if not more!
Foolishness! Go straight for your way dear Yvonne and all the best for all the future adventures
Don’t let the haters get you down. What they’re saying is “don’t shine so bright so you don’t show us up to be slackers. Be mediocre so you fit right in with us.” I’ve come up against people like this all of my life and the more they spit and snarl, the more I know I’m doing everything well and to the best of my ability.
Most nasty comments are born out of jealousy and fear, fear that if they try their best they may fail or it won’t be as good as someone else’s effort, so they don’t try too hard or don’t try at all and then slap down others who don’t have such fears and insecurities and make them feel guilty.
Boo to the mean people! I just realised that you inspired me to make a crochet sunburst blanket in bright pastels and white and i never said thank you. Its so pretty and i love it… So thank you for the inspiration and happy Christmas!
je hebt een prachtig blog en niemand kan je dat afnemen! Ik lees t met veel plezier!
Liefs Stephanie
I wanted to let you know how very much I enjoy your beautiful blog. Thanks to you, I learned how to crochet pretty flower coasters (your instructions were excellent!). I made them as gifts for my close friends and they loved them!
It makes me sad to think that anyone would write unkind words that hurt you. Remember this – hurt people “hurt” people. We can’t change that, but we can hold our heads up and continue making the world a better place because we’re in it. Bless you.
I only found your blog two weeks ago and love your dining room so beautiful. Its unbelievable that anyone could come up with something nasty to say.
It will always backfire what goes around comes back around
I’m always surprised that it will take just one negative comment to erase all the hundred of positive comments.
Your blog is BEAUTIFUL!
Your blog is BEAUTIFUL!
Your blog is BEAUTIFUL!
Oh My Stars!! How anyone could ever say an unkind word about you is beyond me. Love from Saskatchewan, Canada. You are a favourite blog read. Thanks!!!!!
I just discovered your blog and your style is right up my alley. I have to ask where you found the darling wallpaper in your kitchen- I love its cheery print!
I just want you to know that I think your blog is lovely. Please keep sharing your beautiful ideas and posts!