Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Handmade Cracker tutorial by Rachel Jakes

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Handmade Cracker tutorial…

What is a Christmas Cracker?

A Christmas Cracker is a decorated paper tube, twisted at both ends. A person pulls on each end of the cracker and when the cracker breaks, a cracker strip “pops” and the contents of the cracker falls out..in the U.K Crackers are usually placed at each persons place at the dinner table. They are pulled with the person next to them at the table before eating.. there is usually a paper hat and a quote or joke inside the cracker along with a small gift/token.. the dearer the cracker cost the better the token is..

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these are the things that i used to create my cracker.. you will also need glue/tape and your filling ..

the pattered paper ..(7.5” x 12”) i have used dp but you could use Christmas wrapping paper, (the thinner the paper the easier it is to break when pulled.)

stiffener ends (2” x7”) plain white card

toilet roll tube.

A Cracker Snap… for the pop (bought from my local craft shop)

some ribbon for tying the ends..

small gift, paper hat and joke..(not shown above) you can usually purchase these things from your local craft shop.

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place toilet roll tube on the reverse side of the paper you are using.. making sure that the tube is centred across the length of the paper. Add some sticky tape or glue, to the centre at the front edge of the paper, stick the toilet roll to the sticky strip…

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stick the cracker snap as shown in picture above.. making sure it is in the centre of the paper.. only stick the centre leaving the rest of the snap free… else it isn’t going to pop…

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stick some tape to the top edge of the dp… as shown above…

and roll the paper around the toilet roll and securing with the tape at the top edge.

so you should have the same as the picture shown below

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take one of the stiffeners and add tape as shown above…

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roll the stiffener so that it is smaller than the diameter of the cracker end and insert it into the end (being carful not to stick the edges where the tape is together..tricky bit) be careful not to trap the snap when doing this.

spread the stiffener out to the outer edges of the cracker wall and secure with the tape.. making sure the edges all line up.

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you should end up with something like the picture above…

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next with your fore finger and thumb squish the paper together between the toilet roll and the stiffener..(this is where if you used thinner paper it is easier..be careful if using thicker paper like me as it may tear)

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tie some ribbon round the squished (gathered) end, to hold the opening closed.

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add your goodies to the cracker through the still opened end….

(paper hat, joke, small gift)

close the end up with ribbon the same way as before once you have added your gifts…

I don’t have a hat.. or a written joke.. but hopefully you will get the idea…

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Decorate your Christmas Cracker how you wish.. i used the mini quiet Santa that i got in my dt kit…. from


to decorate mine.. this smaller image is perfect for this project…

the dp i used is alpine frost by S.e.i

hope you enjoyed this little tutorial.

Hugs Rach

xxx

Image : mini Quite Santa

here is a link to the regular quiet Santa

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illustrated by Elisabeth Bell

31 comments :

  1. What a clever idea Rach. I'll have to try this one for sure. Great tutorial!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
    "Hugs" Granny

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  2. Thanks Rach, for sharing this lovely project! Can't wait to make mine, I love christmas crackers.
    Scraphugs, Floortje

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  3. What a cracker of a project tutorial Rach, I will be having a go at this for sure.
    x
    Vicky

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  4. Absolutely adorable Rach, I'm gonna try this cracker for sure!!!

    Thanks for sharing:-D

    Hugs, Inge xOx

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  5. Great tutorial Rach, thank you.
    Clare x

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  6. Thanks Rach I am off to get all the necessaries and am going to make all mine now, you have made it look easy. I love the colours you have used on here dear
    Hugs Jacqui x

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  7. Great tutorial, Rach. I think I'll be making some, too. Thanks!

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  8. Fab tutorial Rach and such beautiful crackers
    I hate shop crackers they are so tacky and a waste of money, but yours are easy and fun to make and look like a million dollars
    Thanks for sharing
    Hugs Susie xx

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  9. Great tutorial Rach!

    I'm thinking these would make the most beautiful presents with Jewellery or money inside thanks for the great inspiration hun!

    Emma xxx

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  10. Fabulous tutorial Rach! I love doing these but have never had the snaps or such gorgeous images to decorate them with before so hopefully mine will have an extra wow factor this year! hugs, Jane x

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  11. fab tutorial Rach, think I might have to make some for our xmas lunch as I'm so fed up with the crappy gifts in shop-bought crackers
    Hobbycraft here I come lol
    Debz
    xx

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  12. Fab tutorial Rach. I am defo going to make my own crackers this year after seeing this. These look so much better thah the ones in the shops!

    Lora x

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  13. These are beautiful. I can't wait to try them out!

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  14. Great tutorial Rach, I have been wanting to have ago at these now I will for definite.
    Kim xXx

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  15. Fantastic project! Thanks for sharing. I wonder if they sell those cracker thinging in the US craft store?
    ~Lacey

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  16. Fab tutorial Rach ... I always use wrapping paper for my crackers it not as thick as other papers so makes pulling the crackers that much easier! Love yours! Jillix

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  17. TEE! What a fab tutorial Rach!! I'll have to save my paper rolls now!! :)

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  18. What a fabulous idea Rach, it's wonderful!

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  19. Thanks for that,it was really easy to follow,will defo be making some as the shop ones are silly prices as a rule.x

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  20. Great tutorial Rach!! love the santa coloured in the browns fab xx

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  21. Brilliant tutorial Rach - you make it look so easy! Very easy-to-follow steps too - thanks so much! I may just be decorating the christmas table this year!!
    Hugs, Danielle

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  22. Absolutley brilliant tutorial Rach xx

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  23. oooh thanks for sharing this project with us....its beautifull!

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  24. Great tutorial, Rach! Easy to follow, I think I'll give it a go :).
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs, Yolanda

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  25. You make it look so easy. I can never get the ends to squish neatly!
    Gorgeous cracker, very elegant.
    Sam x

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  26. This is lovely Rach, Thanks for the idea. Jo x

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  27. Amazing tutorial Rach! I am going to tree and find the snaps!
    Hugs Jeanette

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  28. What a fantastic tutorial Rach and they look so good. Much better than the shop versions and you can add anything inside you want, so all the cost goes pretty much into the inside rather than all the packaging the shops charge for!

    Also they can be personalised and they just look so gorgeous!

    I will be making these this year!
    Bug Hugs
    Julie

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  29. Another fab tutorial. Thank you Rachel. Your cracker is beautiful (it appears to contain a chocolate and a diamond ring!!!) and I love how you have coloured the lovely Santa image. Hope your Christmas goes with a bang! Warm wishes, Lesley

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