Happy New Year

Well Christmas is all over red rover.  I'm kinda glad that it is, kinda sad too.  Journalling and taking photos for my December Daily helped savour every moment leading up to the big day.  It was a good thing to do this year- it sure as eggs won't be happening next year LOL with a new little one on our hands.

 

So first up is the village I built, which I can show now as it's been gifted.  The base design is from 'Collections Elements' which was purchased through Lyn at The Scrapbook Store.

 

I can't take credit for the next wee treasure.  It was purchased from Felt and here is the link to the seller  http://felt.co.nz/search/all/cupcake+cutie

I have a tradition of sending an angel each Christmas to my host 'mom' in Canada.  Isn't she gorgeous.

Christmas wouldn't be the same without our beautiful New Zealand summer berry fruit!
Mum did very well to accomodate my kids, my vegan brother and pregnant me in terms of Chrissie dinner.

Last of all my beautiful wee man who is growing up before our eyes.  I still call him 'baby James' at times.  I wonder if this will change?!

Blessings!  Here's to a happy, healthy and safe 2013.  Have one (or two) for me.

2 more sleeps!!

 

Hope that this finds you chilled out and organised.  Today is a good day.  Our coffee machine is back and is finally making a good cuppa, unlike the watery blah stuff it was spitting out.  Also a good thing that it's not just about exploding when we turn it on. LOL  Gav went out to Mapua to pick it up, as the thought of no good coffee for two weeks did not thrill us. 

 

So first up, the preschool teacher gifts inspired by Pinterest.  Basically a small jar half filled with hot chocolate, half filled with marshmallows and a small bottle of baileys on the side.  Num num.  The tag is made with the PTI friendship jar.  I have also used PTI button twine.  This is a staple in my stash AND IT'S JUST RUN OUT. 

 ****Does anyone know where I can buy this thin button twine in NZ?****  Otherwise I may have have to put another PTI order through in the New Year (wink wink).

 

So after these were gifted I told the engineer that they were well received and he goes "Of course they were, they contained booze" LOL. 

Have been using old sewing patterns to wrap some of my presents- girlie ones that is!!

 
Here's the cake.  Not my best effort, but hey the kids didn't mind.  Didn't realise until viewing the photos later that the Chipmunks people had put my whole pack of candles on (not just 6!!!!) and that one of the spiders had been knocked off it's perch- or his legs as the case may be.   Oh well, noone seemed to notice. 

I branched out and instead of doing my standard kid's birthday butter cake, I used Annabel Langbein's chocolate cake, which really is divine.  I usually make the ganache to go with it but for the party just did a butter cream icing.  Here is the link for the chocolate cake  http://annabel-langbein.com/cooking/recipes/recipe/?id=279

 

And finally the fellas eating their pud on Ol's new skateboard, on our NEW CONCRETE PATH whoop whoop.  Yes it's the little things.

 

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours. xoxoxo

Christmas Blessings

How are you doing?  Surviving the crazy season?  I am quite enjoying all the festivities.  I think being organised helps.  It sure is busy though.  Master five has 3 birthday parties this week (including his own).  Have a few Christmasy things to share today.....

 

So firstly some of my tags.  You may have seen them posted already on the Scrapbox NZ blog.  I love using shipping tags.  So fun to distress and embellish. 

 

A few Chrissy cards. Most of them have PTI stamps.  Yum yum.

One of my wee owlies made using the silhouette cameo.  This must be my fav 3D item.  This wee guy was made for Ol's teacher.  I refrained from writing "thanks for making me wise" LOL.

 

Big smiles from Mstr almost 6!  Out for lunch in Mapua.

 Last but not least, some crafting with the wee fellas.