I do hope that your Christmas was as enjoyable as mine and that you had a fantastic time. I love to spend the holidays with my family and friends, meals together, relaxing afterwards, playing games, laughing and enjoying the moment.
One thing though is always guaranteed, that you never quite know what is going to happen next. This year has been no different, following our trip to the Harry Potter studios my brother Matt was inspired to put together a party for his friends when he returns to London based on the “Harry Potter” stories. As anyone who knows Matt will tell you when he decides to organise a party with a theme then he goes all out to make it as fun as possible for everyone. He loves games but there is one thing that he loves more, organising games 🙂 So this year as part of the theme he wanted to make wands for everyone who is coming so that they can get into character and enjoy all the other little ideas that he has planned. But I am not saying what as that would spoil the surprise.Back to the wands, Matt searched around craft shops in Glasgow when he came to watch me last weekend and found what he needed for the project. Some dowling for the wand stems; glue, for Mum’s glue gun, to add texture and shape; paint to add a little realism and to all this we added a sprinkle of imagination.
Once we were all back home one of his friends from university, Ali came around and we all got together to set the plan into motion. It took a lot longer than we expected but it was great to see the wands start to take shape.
On day two it was Matt, my Mum and me who got stuck in and finished off the shaping of the wands, applied the first coat of paint and then left them to dry.
Then yesterday we finished off the second coat of paint, added some extra detail and a few embellishments and then we had to take them to the garage to apply the fixative ( too many fumes for the house ).
This morning before we went out for a walk we took photos of the wands which I have added to the post and we love to know which you’d choose.
Maybe you could help with some names for the wands or character names for those who you think would use them.
Well the New Year is approaching fast and I hope that you all have a wonderful time and that 2016 brings you everything that you wish for 🙂
LOVE those wands! Keeps me in mind of when I was a regular attendant to a group of spiritual seekers. We spent a month (4 Mondays) crafting our “magical” wands. Alas, I have handed mine down to an apprentice, it was the right time. Perhaps, it is time to craft a new wand for my journey forward. <3
It was a lot of fun, I’m worried that all his friends will want to keep them so I can’t throw a party with them 😄😄😄. What did you use for the wand sticks, we were going to get sticks from the woods but it’s so wet here at the moment.
Best wishes
Charlotte
We used sticks that a friend collected in the woods. She felt she had come upon a grove of sacred trees, collected many of the fallen branches and held onto them until she felt we were ready to use them. We had to whittle them into sizes that fit us individually, then we attached, crystals, animal fur and feathers. We used sinew to attach the crystals and feathers. It was quite a moving experience. Oh, and we anointed them with essential oils before adorning them.
I didn’t think about feathers, the crystals on a couple of them were my addition. It sounds like a lot of thought went into yours.
Happy Hogworts New Year to you all! My Matt would like this theme very much, actually so would my Dre~
It’s going to be a fun party it’s a shame I won’t be able to go but I’ve enjoyed helping with creating ideas.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So happy you had a lovely Holiday. The wands are beautiful-nice job! Happy New Year to you as well! Cheryl
Thanks Cheryl, Happy New Year to you too are you doing anything nice?
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hello Charlotte, we always stay at home, have family and friends over for some delicious foods, games, some laughter! Cheryl x
I think Harry Potter needs a lightsaber. You guys are very creative.
Yeh we agree, we went to see Star Wars the movie for my Dads birthday treat, I’ve always been a bit disappointed lightsabers are only one colour, mine would have to be rainbow coloured 😄. Hope you have a super New Year.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I walked right into that one. 🙂 You got me, again! “Rainbow” it is.
😃
It seems you had a wonderful Christmas my friend. I hope your Holidays continue to bring you joy.
Thank you very much, hope you’ve had a good holiday too 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I hope you did as well Paul 🙂
Great work ! Bravo very nice ! The N° 5 “The Wand of legend”, N° 10, the broken wand of Ron, N°6 , snake for Severu Snape……Best wishes for you and your familly 🙂
Well recognised, good idea for the snake one. Hope you’re having a lovely Christmas, Matt enjoyed his picture 😀👍🏻.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Looks like it’s time to get out my light saber.
Now that would make a good story – when the Hogwart’s wizards met the Jedi. Hope you’re having a lovely time Don.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fabulous wands! Such a lot of work involved in making them. I am glad you have had a lovely Christmas so far – we have had a very nice but quiet time this year.
Sometimes it’s nice to have a quiet peaceful time 😊.
At least they’re finished and dry ready for him to take home. Hope you have a lovely New Year.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank-you very much Charlotte! I hope you have a wonderful and successful New Year!
Best Wishes,
Clare
I want a wand too.
I know what you mean he might lose one hehe.
Best wishes to you Gerard,
Charlotte 😊
Looks magical
He’s been looking up how to make ‘magic shots’ tonight, changing drinks from blue to pink, so this party sounds like it’s going to be fun hehe.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a fun project, Charlotte! And the wands are works of art! You should raffle them off afterward – bet you’d find a lot of buyers for charity. Your brother may have found a calling, as long as he can keep you and your Mom working for him!
I’ll suggest that to Matt what a great idea raffling them off for Charity.
Best wishes Noelle,
Charlotte
The wands are enchanting and look truly authentic. What fun you will all have at the party!
They were great fun to make, I’d love to go to the party but I’ll be back in Glasgow, I might have to plan my own party 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a fun party that will be! I think the last wand looks like something Hermione, my favorite character, would use! You are all so creative! Have a fabulous time and all the best to you in the new year.
That was the wand my Mum designed she’ll love it that you said that 😊.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
That’s great! 😀
You can’t make SO MANY pretty ones, and ask us to pick just one wand 😛 So, I like 1, 5, 8, 12 and 19. Sounds like you’re having fun. Happy New Year!
I can recommend it Cheryl as a real fun activity, we raided the potpourri bowl and Matt wants his own hot glue gun now hehe
Best wishes
Charlotte
I think Number 8 is my favorite. Great designs!
Good choice, it’s lovely to hear from you Mary Ann, I hope your family are all doing well, how old is you little grandchild now? I enjoyed your short story and advice for carers.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Ava is 18 months old! She loves books and playing with her new toy kitchen.
Time is flying by, Ava is a lovely age now you must be having great fun.
Wow, these are quite well done and creative, Charlotte. Looks like you put a lot of time and effort into creating them. They will make for successful party. Have fun! Happy New Year to you and your family! Hugs!
It was a great activity Janice, we’re looking forward to New Year hope you have a fabulous time too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Those are some seriously cool wands! You’re all so crafty. 🙂
We’ve always made stuff together everything from assault courses for Action men and Action Barbie hehe to Chinese kites. Hope you’re having a happy holiday 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very cool! 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
Thanks Karen, Happy New Year 🎉😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow! That was nothing like what I expected! So detailed. I think #8 is pretty cool by the way…
Enjoy your holidays!!
Thanks Steve good choice, I hope you’re having a fun time too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Seriously nerdy – you have gained extra points for that.
Very creative and talented bunch 🙂
Good to see you relaxing too.
😆😀 you should do this with Cousin Spikes if he reads the books he’ll love it, with real sticks. It’s lovely being able to wind completely down for a week 😀.
Best wishes to all the Spikey clan
Charlotte
They look fabulous ! Happy New Year! X
Ah Amanda thank you, hope you’ve had a super year, it’s nice to have a bit of time to catch up, Happy New Year.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That was a really cool idea. The wands look like they turned out fantastic. 🙂
It was cool, we even finished the old paint box off today that used to have old paints in, just need to figure out how to hold them in place.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wand 5 for me! Looks like dumbledore’s most powerful wand in the world 👏👍😱
You’re right Gilly that’s the one I designed and Matt put the spots on. You’d have loved making these with us reminded us of old times 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great post and it looks like you all had fun. Wand number 13 does it for me. Happy new year.
Good choice, it looks even better in real life. Happy New Year ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great to see that you had a Merry Christmas Charlotte with your family, and had fun with your brothers. Christ our Lord was born to teach us how to love one another. Thank God for family, for it is the best way for us to show our love for one another as Jesus taught us to do. May the Lord bless you to have a Happy New Year.
Thank you Rev Tim May you and your nearest and dearest have all gods blessings for a fabulous 2016.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow! You guys did a great job. So hard to choose one from the wands but i think I’d like # 17. 🙂
Thank you Glaiza I like that one too. Happy New Year 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
Happy New Year too! 😊
Reblogged this on minimarj and commented:
Brilliant blog as always Charlotte, love the wands I think my favourite would be no 16..
Have a fabulous new year. 😘
Good luck with everything you do. X
Thank you, no16 was one of Mums designs, she nearly kept it 😆. Hope you both have a lovely New Year too x
Best wishes
Charlotte
OK, I don’t like choosing one. I liking choosing 2, 5, 9, and 16. If I had to choose one of those, I’d go with 16 because I like the “flair” of it. I also loved all the photos of the process. Crafting should be part of every Christmas celebration. 😀
It’s lovely to hear from you Deborah I hope you’ve had a fabulous year, must catch up.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Great holiday activity. No 5 and no14 appeal to me. Slightly to my amazement we are going to see Star Wars on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy your party!
Happy New Year, I hope you enjoyed it, we went to see Matthew Bournes’ Sleeping Beauty you’d love it 🎉🎶
Great post. Entertaining and informative. I love the idea of making the wands. Creative parties are the best. This year we bought gingerbread kits for each family and the kids had a great time putting together a gingerbread house to bring home.
Gingerbread kits sound like a great idea, Happy New Year 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
So creative & crafty! Love them all!
Excellent, Matts been trying to figure out how to allocate them I suggested a knock out challenge with the winner of each round choosing their own wand 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I have always wondered what Classical Singers do in their spare time – now I know – they make magic wands :o) I like No. 5 and No. 19
Hehe I like those wands too. Happy New Year John.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That last photo is wonderful. I went to the Studios and it’s one of my most popular posts i’ve put up. Hope you had a super nice end to 2015.
We did thanks Alex, hope you had a fun time too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I think I did three posts on it haha. I’d love to go back again in Winter time.
Oh! This is real creativity and it needs eye for detail and the craft comes with more practice and good amount of involvement…indeed fascinating.
Wishing you a wonderful New Year and lots of joy and happiness.
😀
Thanks Nihar you should have a go it was great fun 😊. Happy New Year.
My best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks so much and my pleasure…:D
Lovely pictures 😉
Thank you 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
What fun! Do they work?
It was! I wouldn’t like to risk it 😄.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is too much fun Charlotte! Ha, just a great way to expand the mind and enjoy the day with friends and family… Wand #5 appealed to me the most, natural and a bit masculine in an Elvish type of way – your creativity never ceases to amaze.
It’s my take on the Elder Wand that Professor Dumbledore used, good choice for you 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hey now, I do like that! With that wand, the world would be mine 😊
Wishing you the very best in this very important year/time in your life. Flow with all that comes your way Charlotte ~
Good advice, I hate making life changing decisions.
Awesome!
A Harry Potter party sounds fun 🙂
The wands are incredible!! 😀