Christmas is drawing near and it makes me warm and fuzzy

Any one know how many days until Christmas? I do...41! That's right 41 days to go! So are you ready? Because I'll admit I'm not, so far I have no presents and am really struggling for ideas. I can't decide if I should do individual gifts or a joint gift for each family, let alone what those gifts should be! One thing I know is that all my gifts this year (like last year) will be handmade, which means I really need to pull my finger out.  As a large family (4 kids, 3 with their own families now) it can be a lot of gifts! We often talk of doing a Secret Santa gift giving instead, we never have though! This year I stumbled across a slightly different version that I thought would be a great laugh and I think I will suggest next year.
Stealing Santa

Stealing Santa Rules:
1. Everyone brings in two great presents, wrapped in Christmas paper, each valued at around $30, and places them under the tree.
2. Each person draws two numbers from a hat (there will be one number per present).
3. The rules are simple -
· Following the order drawn from the hat, each person will chose a new present from the middle, or steal any present already opened.
· If your present is stolen from you, you also have the choice to steal or chose a new present, but you are not allowed to steal back a present that has just been stolen from you (you can during another go if you like).
· During each go, there are a maximum of three steals and one new present allowed. Once the new present is opened, the next go will start.
· Continue in turn until all presents are opened.
4. Alliances and bargaining are allowed - use your cunning to nab the present you like the best!

Confused? Here is an example:
Person Number 1 will need to chose a present from the middle and unwrap in front of everyone.
Person Number 2 has two choices: steal that opened present, or unwrap a new present. If the present is stolen, the first person will need to choose a new present from the middle.
Person Number 3 can steal any of the opened presents or chose a new present. This time, if a present is stolen, that person has the option of stealing the other present or choosing a new present from the middle.
Person Number 4 has the pick of the three presents already unwrapped or can chose a new present. Again, if a present is stolen away, that person can steal from someone else or chose a new present. Once three steals in a row have been made, the next person must choose from the middle because only three steals are allowed per go. Play then passes to the next number to start a new go.
Etc Etc Etc... until all presents are opened.

I can just imagine the laughs that would happen in our house!

Now that we are all adults with our own lives and families we don't have many big family Christmas traditions. When I was little I remember the anticipation of having to wait until my parents were awake to open our Santa Sacks. The joy that I got from a bag full of popcorn, lollies and cheap, cheap toys was amazing. We would then head off to church for the Christmas morning service. I always remember being jealous of my friends who had already opened all their presents, where we had to wait until we got home. I now know that our parents were putting in the effort to make our day last. 

Then came (and still does!) the delicious big lunch around a big table with family. Laughing, talking, eating until we can't eat any more. Followed by the lull. That quiet time in the afternoon when everyone is tired, full and ready to relax. People drift off into different parts of the house, some reading new books, others sleeping, playing with new toys or watching new dvds. But the house is still full, full of content people simply enjoying each others company and the fun of a day spent together. Seriously it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. 

A new tradition that has sprung up, thanks to the fact that Mum & Dad now live 30 mins away from some of the family, meaning that most of us spend the night and our love of board games, takes place on Christmas night. Everyone seems to come out of the afternoon lull, raid the kitchen for leftovers, anything from roast to salad, Christmas ham to trifle. Bowls of left overs in hand the board games start. Usually it starts with a new game, which with most of us loving board games there is bound to be at least one, and moves on to our old favourites such as Scattegories, Boggle, Pictionary and even Uno. Seriously I love Christmas and the special time I get to spend with my family!

So tell me, are you ready for the Christmas season? Have you got the presents sorted? Does you family have any special traditions? I would seriously love to hear about them!

Xxx

C

The countdown has started!

Hey lovelies!
We've been a bit quiet again but I promise we have lots of things in the works. I am working on a new crochet hat pattern/tutorial but I'm lacking the commitment to finish typing up and proofing the pattern to make sure it makes sense to people other than myself! We also have a few food blog posts lined up including Kristy's awesome Carbonara recipe. I have eaten this dish again and again at her house and it seriously delish so look out for that one. But more on that at a later date I am sure.
I'm just back from a wonderful week away at the Valla Rod Run. It was a week of rest, relaxation, rods, rockabilly and just plain fun. And lucky me I get to stay in holiday mode until next week when school goes back, even if I am back home and working my way back into reality. And part of that reality is the countdown the Christmas! Yep it has started already. Just so you know it is only 83 days!! This means it's time for me to get my thinking cap on and my mind into the crafty mindset, as I will be carrying on my tradition started last year of giving handmade gifts. That means that I first have to decide what I am going to make for my family and friends, and this is where Pinterest comes in! I seriously don't remember how I found inspiration, tutorials and patterns before Pinterest but this year I already have an ever expanding board of Christmas gift ideas. Have you started thinking about Christmas yet? I must admit that all this thought about Christmas has gotten me a little excited. I love Christmas, I love the family time we have, I love having everyone gathered around tables for the huge lunch, I love the post lunch lull in the afternoon where everyone is relaxing and I love the games and leftovers of the evening. Tell me what are your favourite parts of Christmas?
But before I start on the Christmas gifts I have a gift swap gift to make and 2 birthday presents for my Mum and Sister in law next week. I still have no idea what I am going to make for 2 of those 3 gifts so I guess I had best get back to searching for ideas!
Oh we also have a new Pinterest account devoted to Sweet Blossoms Handmade, so pop over and follow us.
Xxx
Corinne

Christmas Wreath FTW!

Just FYI it's only 44 days until Christmas *cue jaw drops & scared facial expressions*
So what better time to move house? With only one weeks notice no less! (Yes we are slightly crazy). So what does one do when the house is a right off, we have a week to pack (lucky we are only moving 5 doors up the road! lol) & you have a list of jobs as long as your arm?? You do some Christmas craft of course!

Ok so it wasn't really a spur of the moment decision. I have been planning this creation (and tutorial) for just over a week now, I spent a few days collecting supplies and a few days looking at my supplies and mulling it all over. But here is the finished product. My very own Christmas Wreath :)

So here it is just for you!

Christmas Wreath Tutorial

Ok for your Christmas wreath you will need:
Pool noodle (you can use a foam ring or wreath form but the pool noodles are so much cheaper and work just as well! I got mine for $5 from our local discount shop)
Duct tape
Wool (I chose green but you can use any colour that takes your fancy!)
Scissors
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Materials for you flowers, ie, ribbon, lace, fabric, buttons, needle & thread. You can find the tutorials (& lists of materials) for the flowers I made here :)
Ribbon

The first thing you have to do is turn you pool noodle into a ring, so it looks more wreath like & less like a kids toy! Simply duct tape both ends of you noodle together as neatly as you can.

Ok here is the time consuming part, seriously I had no idea it would take me as long as it did. So be prepared, maybe have a good movie on & some snacks & drinks to keep your energy up...just kidding!! Kind of ;)
Using your wool, neatly wind it around your wreath form until you have covered the entire form.

When you get toward the end, you'll notice that it won't line up perfectly. That's ok, it'll all work out & I just made sure to add my embellishments over that section to cover any imperfections.

When you get to the end you can finish it off any way you like. I used a wool needle to tie the wool off (joining it with the beginning) & then weave the end in, but you might like to simply use your glue to secure then end. This seriously took me about 3 hrs (with several breaks) but if you aren't as ridiculously pedantic as me it probably won't take anywhere near as ling!

Now you have to make you flowers for the wreath. You can make as many or as few as you like, they can be any size or styles. I made a selection of different sized flowers like in our tutorial.
When you have finished making your flowers, simply lay them on your wreath until you are happy with the way it looks. Then simply use you hot glue gun or craft glue to secure the flowers to the wreath.

When I had finished that I looked at my wreath & felt that it was missing something. So using some thin ribbon & my hot glue gun I added some 'writing' to add a little something extra to the wreath.

Lastly I braided a length of wool and tied it around to top of the wreath to use as when hanging it.

And you are done! Hang it on your front door, in your house or anywhere that takes your fancy & admire your great work :)

Christmas Cards & Chaos

After my post about the days left until Christmas (only 59 by the way!!) I got rather inspired! I've been pinning up a storm on Pinterest. There are so many gorgeous Christmas craft ideas out there & my mind is full to the brim with ideas & plans. So I spent Monday morning cruising the second hand & discounts shops (my crafting bread & butter) & arrived home much lighter in the pocket but with a range of ribbons, paper, glues & a million other goodies including a tiny little Christmas tree which I can't wait to decorate. I wonder if since it's only a mini Christmas tree if I can decorate it early? Like in a week? lol
So Tuesday was delegated as CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY! In a matter of about 1 hour I had a total state of chaos overtaking my lounge room & 4 absolutely gorgeous Christmas cards all finished & ready to be sent at the beginning of December. Over eager you say? I prefer to say I am overly organised. Most people who know me may laugh heartily at that comment & then disagree but I maintain they are wrong! 

These cards are everything I love about handmade! They have ribbons & buttons, glitter & pretty paper, all artfully smooshed together into lovingly made cards.
Unfortunately four is all I have so far, as just as I was putting the finishing touches on the last card I received a phone call from my Mum. My Pa had been taken to hospital & we had been told to come. Nan & Pa live over 1000km away so this meant a mad rush to get ready & a 12 hr trip, hoping we would get there in time. I've never packed a suitcase so fast in my life! Nothing was folded & I still have no idea what I actually threw in there. But I was packed & about as ready to go as I would ever be, but I was still calm & in control, as I raced out the front door, leaving behind a confused puppy & the utter chaos that was my Christmas cards. I don't think the enormity of the situation really hit me until I sat in the car on my way to tell hubby at work. Then the tears came as I realised that I may not make it in time, what if he died before we could get there. I really thought I was more prepared for this news, after all he has been living with Motor Neurone Disease for 3 years now (Check the link on the side if you want to know more about it). We knew that this would happen most likely sooner rather than later, but nothing prepares you for that phone call. I really don't think Samuel knew what to do when I arrived at his work & promptly burst into hysterical tears. But he coped amazingly.
After explaining the situation to his boss, we headed up to Mum & Dad's who would be taking me with them to see Pa. Then the waiting began. We couldn't leave straight away as Dad had repairs to do at work, we had to pack & my other Pa had to be taken into the nursing home for respite, so Mum could come. So eventually at nearly 4pm (about 6 hrs after I was told to pack) we were on the road, with a 12 hr journey ahead of us. Boy was it a long trip, with lots of food & coffee breaks, including my first ever Red Bull at about 11pm (tasted like Nerds made into a drink, which I have to say I found rather disgusting!), but we made it, with Dad having driven the entire, at about 3:30am. We'd made it!
In the morning (well a reasonable hour of the morning anyway), we were filled in. It was a heart attack but things weren't looking quite as dire now. He's alive & recovering, still so worn down & with even less mobility from when I last saw him 9 weeks ago. But he was here & so was I, as hard as it was & is to watch him & Nan struggle, with not only this but all the other implications which have arisen, I am so thankful that we made it in time. Now we are here to help them through not only the recovery but also the almost certain reality that he won't be coming home but rather moving into full time care. It's hard, goodness knows it's hard, but I'm here, in this chaos (which is so different to the chaos I left behind) & I thank God for that every second of every day.

Xxx

Only 62 days left!!

Christmas is almost upon us!! It's only 62 days away! Which means it is only 38 days until we can put our Christmas tree up! Can you tell I'm getting excited? So much so that I started a Christmas board on Pinterest (oh what an utterly addictive site!) last night. 

That also means I only have 38 days left to make all the wonderful new ornaments I had in mind for our tree & only 62 days to organise all the presents. Now that's a scary thought! Hubby & I have decided to do all handmade presents this year, which I'm so excited about but means I'm making all the presents. Eeeek!! I have a million ideas floating around in my head but not a single present started. I'm thinking slippers, aprons, tote bags, pajama bags, headbands, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, softies & ribbon tutus, just to name a few. 
I think I need to sit down & write a list, so I know who I am making what for! 

I'm currently working on a pair of super cute slippers (for myself) based of this gorgeous tutorial here! There are so many gorgeous tutorials out there my bookmarks folder is almost overflowing! Later this week I am hoping to have my own tutorial up for you so fingers crossed!

In the mean time tell me: What's on your handmade Christmas wishlist this year?

Xxx