Posted by I usually get banned to the bedroom to watch anything remotely crafty and Christmassy.
I don’t mind. It means I can indulge in the spirit of Christmas without interruption of Mr Scrooge and his Bah Humbug comments on programs I love.
The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special was a little lame. I wasn’t really inspired to go out and re create any of the makes. But it was a pleasant program to watch and it was a lovely reminder of the surprise hit of a show.
The Kirstie Allsop’s Crafty Christmas was the expected fun seasonal mixture of things I wouldn’t dream of gifting (tie dye knickers anyone?) and items beyond my skill set and equipment ( a beautiful neon star).
BUT, I did come away with one thing I simply had to go out and buy, immediately. A POM POM maker! Those of you in America, far in advance of us in the UK in the craft world, will have probably been making pom poms with these for decades but it was a complete revelation to me.
This little gadget allows you to create a Pom Pom in less than 5 minutues instead of the ardous threading of wool continuously through a cardboard disc.
Whilst I was in Hobbycraft five other ladies purchased the same item!
I’m on the look out for a larger sized one, but they seem pretty rare on the ground, most of them being sent over from America which doesn’t suit my ‘I want it now!’ frame of mind.
Last night I set to work.
I’ve lots of ideas including a pom pom garland and a pom pom wreath but I started with these.
What do you think?
Love, Lucie xx
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Love, Lucie 
I didn’t realise a pompom maker made them quickly! I thought it was just an excuse to sell you a fancy version of what you could make out of cardboard. Must investigate.
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Of course there are other ways, like using forks, or fingers, or table legs. But this is incredibly convenient. I rattled off 6 in less than half an hour
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Twitter yesterday was going mad with talk of these pom pom makers! Your presents look great though. Like you, I also get banished into the beyond to watch all these tv shows – my partner’s actually out this evening so I’ve got Kirstie’s Christmas, the last Liberty London and the Christmas Sewing Bee to watch back to back whilst he’s gone!
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LOL! My partner swims 2 evenings a week so I usually store up my programs to watch on those evenings but I wasn’t prepared to wait for these two.
Strangely enough he has watched the Liberty shows. I just have to ignore his comments for it is the greatest store in the world to me, having visited for the first time this summer.
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I think they look great!
I agree with you about the makes on the Sewing Bee Christmas Special – although Anne made making a mohair teddy bear look soooo easy and I know it’s not – but I just love all the enthusiasm and spirit on the programme with even Patrick, the Saville Row tailor grinning away as he added a stag’s head to a knitted jumper. I do go to a mini sewing bee once a week and I must admit that, although I do enjoy working on my own too, there is something about sewing/knitting/crafting with others that makes it more ‘joyful’ for want of a better word (must have thought of that one ‘cos it’s Christmas).
I’ll keep my eye out for that pompom maker over here as Kirsty hasn’t appeared on French T.V. yet.
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I’d love to join a sewing/knitting group. There are quite a few around here but then, what with work, I would never get to see my family! So I’ll just have to wait until I retire, in a couple of decades(!), or win the lottery. It would be lovely to share the joy of crafting with other like minded people. One day…….
Meanwhile I have my crafty blogging buddies.;)
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Oh the memories of making pop-poms – The cutting out of the circles from cereal boxes and not getting them the same size; the endless winding the wool through the hole (watching paint dry comes a close second to how monotonous it is), not tying the knot tight enough so when you come to cut the cardboard, the whole thing falls apart…..
Yes, I think a five minute pom-pom maker is up there with sliced bread !!!!!!!!!
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A woman after my own heart! I saw these and immediately wanted one. I just need a really BIG one now to make me completely content.
No need for diamonds or designer handbags (although I wouldn’t say no), just a pom pom maker to keep me happy.
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I was so excited when I saw this!! I did not think hobbycraft would have them off to go get one!!!
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I’m glad I’m not the only one to get excited over a pom pom maker. I just knew I had to have one. Apparently they had come into the shop only the weekend before. Even some of the staff didn’t know of them. I googled it yesterday morning and was amazed that Hobbycraft already had a Kirstie Allsop page detailing all the equipment from the show. Now that is marketing!
I hope you managed to get one before they all went.
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well I normally just order to collect in store 🙂 As if you go through quidco you get your cashback too! Well worth doing it especially when they have a good rate 🙂 So I think I will just do that to avoid disappointment 😀
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I should use quidco. My Dad keeps telling me about it. Do you find it worth while?
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yes, we did some hobby craft click and collect and got £5 back on a £30 order, its definately worth it even the odd £1’s here and there add up especially if you are already ordering offline
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OK, we have pom pom makers (more than one version, in fact!) but we DON’T have good crafting shows. I wish we could watch your TV….
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How strange! I thought you would have. You have far better craft supplies over there. Mind you I heard that our Great British Bake off USA spin-off bombed in the US. I love a craft show. Especially the ones that are not trying to sell you the equipment/materials.
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It is strange, but no, I have not seen one! There used to be some on public TV, but if they are still out there, I have not found them.
If you ever want craft supplies, though, just let me know, I will be MORE than happy to go shopping for you. 🙂
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Love the pom poms’
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Thank you. They make me smile. Just a little bit of madness!
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Lol, I watched Kirstie too (and Paul and Mary) and pom pom makers went straight to the top of my want list to :). Didn’t think the ‘ Christmas Party’ looked Christmassy though – more birthday party!
Love the look of your pom pom adorned gifts though 🙂
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I agree. Not what I imagine as a Christmas party. And far too many leaves left on the trees outside!!!!
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Lol 😊
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I bought these in ALL the sizes and I’m completely addicted to making pompoms now. I got mine from Amazon and they arrived pretty quickly. I’m just waiting for the tiniest size to arrive (which will probably be in the new year now). The extra large one is really worth getting – I love mine!
I’m wrapping all my presents in brown paper and using pompoms instead of bows, so it’s definitely going to be a pompom Christmas!
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Yes, my pom poms will be covering most of my gifts too!
Just been across to your blog; it’s lovely.
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Thanks 🙂
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I love what you have done with your pom poms. They are very sophisticated with a twist of fun. 🙂
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Ha, ha! Sophisticated? Well they should raise a smile. I’m going to have to add them to everyone’s presents now.
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In their own way. Definitely different anyway.
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OMG I saw it too and immediately got on ebay! I have four in various sizes on the way and two that make heart shaped pom-poms! I don’t know how those ones work but I am looking forward to their arrival so I can find out!!!
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There seem to be many similarly mad people out there! Glad I’m not the only one! I saw the heart shaped ones too. I was VERY strong and have held back for now……..
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Haha I ordered mine online and its not due to arrive until January but I will certainly be posting about the outcomes!
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I wasn’t exactly inspired by GBSB either, especially as they has me traveling all over London earlier this year, all for nothing. And really, tie dye knickers? The presents are looking lush!
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How far did you get in the process?
I had an interview for GBBO a few years ago. That was exciting enough but the culinry talent has gone sky high since then.
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I had phone interviews, then took some sewing down for scrutiny, and had a screen test. Think I was either too gobby or too ugly 😔
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I doubt it! I don’t think they were looking for the best 8 sewists. Just 8 who could sew well enough to fit all their preconceived stereotypes.
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True. And I was expected to pay for all the travel/cancel holidays etc, which I wasn’t mad keen on. The Christmas special was a bit disappointing too – I think they’re limiting their potential…
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I love your pompom trim! I also wanted one – but before I had seem KA’s show – and I’d ordered some for Damon to give me for Christmas! OF COURSE I want them now but apparently I have to wait. 😃
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So you were ahead of the rest of us in the Pom Pom knowledge then?
Looking forward to seeing lots of Pom Pom posts in the New Year from you.
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Completely coincidentally YES! But you can expect some pompom action indeed!
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Ha ha, yes, it was all tie–dye knickers (no thanks) or an amazing gorgeous neon star (erm, yes please, but not really practical to make…) But I too am yearning for a pom pom maker!
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I think I’ll have to run a pom pom challenge with all the pom pom appreciation I’ve received on here and instagram.
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Hmmmm, I am in the minority but I am not a Pom Pom lover, however I can see the benefit of that little gadget. Soooo much easier than a couple of cardboard rings! Kirsties show was definitely more interesting than the Sewing Bee, although she does drive me mad!
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Agreed, but i suppose you have to be a little different to stand out on the telly. Did you watch the Alex Polizzi Christmas show? That was definitely the best one for easy effective cheap Christmas craft and ideas out of the three.
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Love your ideas. Xx
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Thank you Jillie. There are always too many ideas to fit in though!
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