Merry Christmas One and All

Merry Christmas to my dear readers!

I hope the day is magical for everyone...even if you do not celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful day anyway!

My day will be spent with my family, a pancake breakfast, a nice lunch, happy present openings, long lazy langushings and general fun.

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. ~Agnes M. Pahro

Some more free Christmas printables

For anyone that has run out of steam, time or money...here are some great Christmas things to print for you and yours. All you need is some paper, maybe even some cardstock or photo paper.You could even get these printed as photos.


Photo: Little Paper Dog

There's also printable art...


Asja Boro at Feed Your Soul




From: Make It Perfect



Rachael Smith at Feed Your Soul

...more gift tags...


Photo: Monita at Mushy



...printable notecards...



Photo: Eat Drink Chic

  

...and some printable gift wrap and bags!



From http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/gift-bag-template.html

From Creature Comforts

And of course, there's even some cuteness for little ones...



From http://42ndblackwatch1881.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/vintage-valley-of-the-dolls-best-dressed/



From VOL.25



Christmas cards

It's that time of year again...time to get my Christmas cards ready to send. Actually, it's a tradition that I actually really love and enjoy.

The last three years, at least, we have been sending photo Christmas cards...some may consider it cheesy; I think it's a beautiful reminder of what is important at this time of year. Looking at other people's cards reminds me with a pang how kids just grow like weeds! Especially when they are not nearby to look at throughout the year. I love receiving them. More and more people seem to be avoiding posting pictures of their kids online, so for some families it may be the first picture you've seen all year. Even people without children can have a photo card that says something about what they have been getting up to in the past year; perhaps a holiday snap or a wedding picture for example.Yup, photo cards really are my favourite kind.

One of my favourite photo cards that we have received over the years would have to be from my husband's mother and grandmother. They had some lovely portraits done that year and one of the pictures was the star of the card. It looked really lovely and is a nice keepsake for our family.

We're planning on sending some memories and maybe a keepsake of our own this year again; hopefully people will enjoy receiving it as much as I enjoy picking out a Christmas card to personalise. This year we'll be going through Shutterfly as I hear their product is amazing. So far I have had a ball perusing the options and even digressed beyond the realm of Christmas cheer and started looking at the gorgeous birthday cards and also the photo calendars, which would make great gifts too! I like the fact that you can also choose religious designs or generic depending on your preference.

In addition to simply having great stuff (which is my honest opinion), Shutterfly is also offering free cards to people just to let others know about their great stuff. It was a no brainer for me. I am really looking forward to getting my cards in the mail as I have had so much fun deciding.

It's beginning to look a lot like Chistmas

I had plans for this year when it came to Christmas. Plans that included crafting many a Christmas decoration and gift. Unfortunately, life has not allowed me the time this year so far...maybe next year?

Here's a little something that anyone can do...all you need is a printer and an empty frame!



Image: eighteen25 via it'sthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome

 Head over to eighteen25 for the short and sweet tutorial.

My new glue gun

I had to buy a new glue gun last night; mine has gone AWOL. I bought this one in the hardware store instead of the craft store. Much heftier, and for the same price ($16). You can even choose to use it with or without a cord. It has a stand! And a tray that catches hot glue drips. I'll never but one of those rickety pink glue guns again! At this stage it can absolutely handle my glue gun needs :)

Just thought I would share in case you are heading to a craft store to buy one. STOP! Check our your local hardware store and see what they have first, it could be better.

*Not a paid OR unpaid review; just my honest opinion!

Pink, Green, Zip!

I've been sewing some of these little zip cases; this is today's effort.

I love the bright, happy colours of the fabric used in this one.

I've tried different patterns etc, but I have learnt that with zippered things, it takes practice and you really need to adapt ideas to your own way of doing things. You develop a 'zip groove'. Wow, that was bad ;) So this is a practice one.

Such a cute size, perfect for some make up or a few gadgets like your phone, sat nav or some cards and cash.

Buttons and elastics!

As some of you that are 'likers' on facebook may already know, I have been creating some cute fabric covered button hair elastics today, and I am in looooooove.

Love pretty polkadots!

Sweet florals :)

And other fun uses!