loving these december buys!

Admittedly, I have done far too much shopping this month! There were the Christmas gifts, the baby gifts, the gifts for all of the parties in December and January, the Boxing Day sales and of course, a few buys for yours truly. Now I'd love to share them all, but some of my favourite buys have yet to be gifted, so they'll stay under wraps for now! But take a look at some of my other favourite buys and gifts I received over Christmas:

Decorative berry branches - These wooden branches don't look like much now, but wait until you see what I have in store for these (check the blog later this month!). I bought these from Supply and Demand - my new favourite store! They stock excess homewares and decorator items from stores such as Adairs, Bed Bath and Table, Freedom, etc., and I just can't get enough of it! And best of all, they're cheap!

Sunbeam SmartBake - I finally got a bread maker!! I made my first organic wholegrain loaf over a year ago in protest against the $9 loaves I was buying from my health food store. Even though my loaves tasted so much better (and cheaper!), I hated the mess and the time it took kneading and repeatedly checking the dough as it rose. But this lil' baby means no more kneading, no more rise checks and no more mess! And it makes pasta dough and jam too! With all of this yummy bread I'll be baking, I secretly wonder whether my man bought this to benefit me or him?? hehe

Ceramic pie weights - If you enjoy baking like me, do yourself and the earth a favor and buy yourself some ceramic pie weights. They'll last forever and eliminate the waste involved in using new rice or beans each time you need to blind bake your pastry. My lovely sister must have read my letter to Santa because she added these and the Donna Hay Christmas magazine to my Christmas gift... Now I can't wait to start baking!

Glasshouse candle - I received this Christmas edition but I have loved the Glasshouse range of candles for years now... especially the caramel scented candle! These candles are made from non-toxic wax and all natural lead-free cotton wicks, so they're good for you and the environment. I've seen these at Bibelo and Peter Alexander, or check your local stockist on the Glasshouse website.

T2 Relax - Such a gorgeous mix of chamomile, juniper berries, flowers (hibiscus, lavender, rose petals), vervain leaves and lemongrass... I'm already addicted! Get some for yourself at T2.  

The Big Bang Theory Season 4 - I'm not a big TV fan but I absolutely love finding a great series and snuggling up for a few solid hours. My newest TV crush is the Big Bang Theory - An American sitcom based on the contrast between geeky and socially awkward friends Leonard, Sheldon, Raj and Howard and their beautiful neighbour Penny. If you haven't watched it before, grab yourself a copy or borrow mine... it'll have you in stitches!

Leather Journal - Last, but certainly not least, my new gratitude journal. Yes, 2011 was beautiful in many ways but it also brought many challenging moments and decisions. And although I am deeply grateful for all of the blessings in my life, it can be difficult remembering all I am grateful for during the difficult times. So as a constant (grounding) reminder, I really hope I take the time to jot down all of the small things I am grateful for each day. Why not do the same for yourself?

Michelle xx 

saying goodbye to 2011

2011 has been an extremely busy year - I could say I blinked and it was practically over, but the long work days, late nights, nonstop weekends, fluctuating health and sad goodbyes would tell a very different story. Yes, it was certainly a difficult year for many reasons but it also brought so many beautiful moments I will treasure for a lifetime. No frills family time when we needed it the most. Time away for no other reason than to rest and rejuvenate. My first adventure overseas. New friends. New hobbies and challenges. The birth of many precious lil' ones. Baring witness to humbling joy in the lives of my dearest family and friends. Greater self awareness. Deeper love. Indeed, I have been so very blessed in so many ways.

But now 2012 is upon us. So what do I wish for in this new year? If you know me well, you may say I need to slow down in 2012. Take time out for me. Learn to say "no" more often. But really, what sort of a life would that be? Sure I could go back to a more conventional way of living, but that would mean time meant more than quality of life. I could cut back at work, but that would mean one less person whose life I have made a difference and one fewer lesson I have learned in the process. I could entertain and be entertained less, but that would mean I'd miss out on the laughter, the tears, the deep and meaningfuls and the potential for many new beautiful memories. I could reduce the time I put into handmade gifts and cards and the events that come along with them, but that would mean I wouldn't be sharing in those precious moments that can only be had with wonderful family and friends. 

No, I certainly will not be slowing down in 2012 (5 parties/functions in the first weekend of January definitely proves that!). My wish for 2012 - for there to be many more of these beautiful moments. For my dear family and friends to be blessed with gratitude, love, happiness, contentment, wonderful new experiences, good health and God's grace. For us to learn from 2011 and thrive in 2012. For life to be just as it is meant to be.

Michelle xx

christmas eve lil' feet style

Christmas Eve dinner at my house... It was so lovely having everyone together, eating and being merry! And I survived - albeit with a few heart palpitation's, a chocolate stained sofa and so much food it'll take a whole year to work off!

Now with the last of the family gone, I thought I'd share some pics of Christmas Eve at my place... lil' feet style!

  

 

  
The table is almost done and I realise we need another table to fit everyone else! Oh my, of all the Christmas lists, I not once stopped to think whether I had enough room or enough tableware for everyone! To my dismay, I had to set up in both the dining and lounge rooms AND shock horror... another (not matching) dinner set!

In between setting up the dinner buffet and carving the roasts, the heat got to me a little so I retreated under the cooling vent... therefore no photo's of the dinner but, take a look at the sweets!

Some lavender cupcakes and Croatian walnut crescents from my lovely mum...

And as I mentioned in my earlier post today, a mountain of yummy sweets from the Queen of Sweets - my beautiful and talented sister Kat...

And her mouth watering Nutella tiramisu...

And when Kat asked what sweet I wanted this Christmas, and I replied 'scones!', I never thought she'd bake them immediately after dinner! Oh my goodness, hot scones with fresh jam and cream... my sis, she is just amazing!

So there's a glimpse of Christmas Eve dinner at my place! Now, I'd love to stay and chat but I think I may need to roll into bed before doing it all again tomorrow!

PS. Don't leave any milk and cookies out for Santa because he's got all of my leftovers to get through! 

Michelle xx

and the christmas baking continues!

It's Christmas Eve and I'm thrilled to have all of my family over for dinner tonight. The house is finally clean, the decorations are glistening, the sides are almost done and the roasts are about to hit the oven. Now for the sweets... Thankfully my lovely sister (the queen of sweets) will be making the majority of the sweets but I thought I'd add my signature Oreo Pops... but with a twist!

Oreo Pop puddings! And since my family aren't pudding fans, I think these will go down a treat!

Michelle xx

christmas crafts with the lil' ones

I had the joy of babysitting today and the lil' man had such a fun time I thought I'd post our creations for you to try with your lil' ones.

You will need:

white paper plates

crayons or pencils

red pom poms

brown card

googly eyes

brown pipe cleaners

scraps of ribbon

This reindeer head was made using a paper plate which the lil' man drew on to create the illusion of fur. We then glued on googly eyes and a red pom pom for the nose. Lastly, we traced the lil' man's hands onto brown card and we used these as the reindeer's antlers. Use a ribbon if you want this reindeer as a cute hanging decoration or glue on an ice-cream stick to the bottom and use it as a mask!

This next little reindeer was made using the lil' mans hand print, and with a Christmas message, it makes a great gift for mum and dad or the grandparents!

I hope you have a fun time with your lil' one's this Christmas, and remember, it's not about all the 'stuff' you buy them, but about the quality time you spend with them this holiday season!

Michelle xx

more handmade christmas cards

I made some more Christmas cards for the Rudolph haters (yes, they exist!!), and although they're not in keeping with my theme, I still think they're pretty cute! I also made a handful to sell and to my delight, they've sold in a snap! I'm thinking I should use up the rest of my felt embellishments and sell a few more because I hear the Christmas sales are just around the corner!

Michelle xx

reindeer cookies

With only 7 days until Christmas, it's full steam ahead with the planning, shopping, cleaning, decorating and baking. But amidst the festivities, we're also in the thick of renovating and landscaping (crazy, I know!). So with a hoard of hungry helpers, I decided to whip up a quick batch of cookies to have at tea break, but I couldn't help myself... they had to be in keeping with this years theme!!

I used my own sugar cookie recipe but got the idea to decorate them from this lovely blog. I think they're pretty cute...

Happy Christmas baking to you all!

Michelle xx

simple handmade cards anyone can try!

I'm straying from the Christmas theme just for today to respond to some of your card making questions. It seems many of you have been inspired by the cards you've bought from me recently and want some tips for making some simple handmade cards of your own.

When I'm stretched for time or lacking the inspiration needed to create a more detailed card, I look to my stash of scrap booking paper for inspiration. In fact, any patterned paper, card or even magazine clippings can be cut up and used to embellish your plain card stock. For these cute lil' boy's cards I used the gloss specialty paper, 'chuckle', from Kaisercraft's 12x12 Party Animals Collection. Cut a piece of plain or patterned paper and glue it to your card stock, then cut out your favourite images and mount them on the card using adhesive foam squares/dots. And hey presto, you have a simple yet effective handmade card! It's quick and easy and best of all, it's cheaper than any card you'll buy from the shop!

So that's my #1 tip for making simple, handmade cards! Now it's your turn... and be sure to email me pics of your cards - I'd love to see them!

Michelle xx

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

I love this time of year! Aside from spending time with all of my loved ones and having a few days off work, I love scouring the shops to find bits and pieces to go with the years Christmas theme and then decorating the house with all of my new finds. Here's a sneak peak at some of this years Christmas decorations... and of course, it's in keeping with the 'Hey, Rudolph!' theme!

 

These cute little reindeer's were black board decorations but I glued a magnet on the back and am using them on my fridge to count down the days to Christmas!

  

And now for the tree, which is still a work in progress. Last years tree (in my opinion) was stunning - I had pearl glass baubles, pearl icicles and gold butterflies. But as stunning as it was, it just didn't suit this years theme (and those closest to me know that I just couldn't deal with uncoordinated Christmas decorations!). I finally found some baubles that I loved but I'm still in two minds about the rest of the decorations so I'll have to keep looking. But for now, this is my tree with a handful of wrapped gifts and another mountain high pile in the spare room waiting to be wrapped!

So there you go, a sneak peak of Christmas at my house! I can't wait until some of you visit to see the rest of it!

Michelle xx

handmade christmas cards and favors

It's been a busy few weeks and although I've done an insane amount of Christmas crafting, I've barely had a moment to even think about posting some of it! But after hand making over 65 Christmas cards and 60 favor bags (in the 'Hey, Rudolph!' theme of course!), I think I owe it to myself to show some of it off! Here's what my close family, friends and colleagues will be receiving this Christmas...

The handmade Christmas cards:

And the favor bags, each with 2 handmade Oreo pops and a cute reindeer peg:

I've had such a fun time making these and I really hope everyone likes them! 

See you all very, very soon... 

Michelle xx

a theme for christmas 2011

Christmas is fast approaching but I'm breathing a sigh of relief because I've finally settled on this years theme! Have a sneak peak and try to guess the theme...

Hey, Rudolph! Yes, Rudolph is his name and he and his entourage of reindeer will be my inspiration in 2011. 

Do you have a theme this Christmas? I'd love to hear about what you have planned! But in the meantime, be sure to check my blog throughout December for sneak peaks on how I'm celebrating Christmas in my home.


Michelle xx

handmade engagement cards

I'm extremely excited about celebrating the engagement of a great couple next weekend - so much so that I made their card, and a few others, a week early! What do you think?

 
Michelle xx