my very first christmas advent calendar!

In the Christmas spirit I have to share this divine matchbox advent calendar from Draw Pilgrim.  She's done all the hard work, all you have to do is print and put it together.

I have cheated a little and bought ready made craft matchboxes (so that i could just glue the images straight onto the boxes) but Pilgrim's kit allows you to make your own matchboxes; an awesome idea, I just worried for time and the boys catching me make them!

What I like about the design for this calendar is that it's miniature. perfect for 3 and 5 years olds. I can fill each box with only little treats and notes (4x jellybeans, a mini chocolate bar, m+m's, cute shape rubbers, lego figurine in a couple, an extra book at bedtime etc) so that it's more about the excitement of the countdown and being excited when its their turn.... or so im hoping! 

I have really enjoyed making them, the colours and designs are so retro and fun.... mmmm maybe they are more for me than the kids! xx

Chistmas light in Ashbury!

I'm not sure about you but I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year. December is in a few days and then it's 4 weeks to holiday time.

With Hudson starting school next year and Harvey moving into pre-school (and also that little bit older), I want this christmas to have more meaning, not just food and presents!

So to kickstart the festive spirit, the tree was put up yesterday (looking simple but lovely in vintage glass and white), i'm installing the Christmas window instore tonight and for the first time ever! i'm making an advent calendar for the little h's..... (goodness knows how it will turn out and more about that later).

What better way then to end last night stopping in Ashbury to enjoy the Christmas lights in Second Street.

They have done a beautiful job this year and the boys absolutely LOVED it. We enjoyed watching them and yes, it did make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

The locals told us that the street was filmed for a Christmas Special on lifestyle next Sunday night 7.30pm.

If you have street lights around you, take the time to enjoy them. It's Christmas!!

xxx

Little H's Christmas craft morning

This year I'm keen to give little handmade presents (that are not too daggy) to family and friends from the boys. This month's Home Beautiful magazine has a great section on christmas crafting and from that, I decided to make with Little H Christmas tree ornaments using the Crayola Air-Dry Clay.

Its a fairly easy crafting project and the key is to keep it simple. We followed the very simple instructions from the magazine and the end results were so sweet!

In a nutshell you need: 

Christmas cookie cutters 

Crayola Air-Dry Clay in white (Spotlight, Kmart) 

Alphabet stamps, Christmas stamps (I bought mine from etsy)

Kebab skewer stick

twine, ribbon or wool to complete and hang

The clay is fairly hard to begin with so I helped roll it followed by Little H pressing the cutters down into the clay. 

Once we removed the cutter I then asked Little H what he would like to write (giving him examples like 'love, joy, xmas, hudson, xoxo, dad, mum, etc) and once he chose, we looked for the letters together and then he stamped. 

Once they are done, using a kebab stick I punched a hole at the top for the ribbon. They need to dry for at least 24 hours so we left them outside. The following morning they were dry.

They are imperfect, a little smudgy, but still very sweet.... and most importantly he loves them! 

xx

Christmas window is a starting.....

With all the Christmas edition's of magazines out and the excitement of holidays and food and presents, we have started to work on our Christmas window.

There will be twine, branches, lots of beautiful ribbon and these divine eco decorations from Polli.  Aren't they are bit special!

The decorations are made out of 100% recycled card and are available in 3 colourways (red, yellow and blue) with 3 designs. The designs (above) are lovely without being too over the top Christmas, don't you think? I love that they are Australian made too.

Initially I was only going to use the yellow colourway but after seeing all of them, I've decided to play with all 3 colourways - they look so good!

... And if your looking for some decorations or ways to create the christmas cheer at home, look at this eco deco kit. You get 30 decorations and 6 metres of red twine per pack for Rrp$20 - a good amount to make a striking impact. With that you can make a hanging decoration for a couple of windows or door frames, use them on a christmas tree, as gift tags or even as napkin rings at the Christmas table... divine.

Instore and online now xx

Christmas card delight

We are selling these cards instore and there are so sweet!
It may just be me, but this year i feel like Christmas wants to be celebrated and for all the right reasons. I am already starting to wrap presents, the Christmas tree is up, handmade garlands are around the house and shop, customers are happy about upcoming holidays, weather is warm..... It just feels like we all want to enjoy it this year.
Its going to be a lovely December! x

Fig Season in less than 2 weeks

Yummeee, Figs are ready to pick in only 2 weeks and we can't wait!

If your in the area, pop in and say 'hello' as the farm is open to the public to 'pick your own'.

3631 Nelson Bay Rd, Bobs Farm... 5km up from Wonganella Winery, towards Nelson Bay x