Merry Christmas

From our family to yours,

Love and Best Wishes,
Chris, Mel, Kayla, Zac, Kloe and Jarred xxxxxx

Building Gingerbread Houses

This afternoon it was time to build and decorate Gingerbread Houses. This year, I made three smaller houses, so the kids could decorate one each. After school we went shopping and they each picked out 2 bags of lollies. We came home and started building and then decorating. Oh yes, I do have 4 children, Zac has no interest what so ever in the actually making of things. He does appear, when it's time for the eating part!!!!

Jarred hard at work

Eating as you go, adds to the fun

Kayla making bows out of Sour Straps

Adding Snow

Kayla's Friend Demi, was thrilled she was here to help

The house that Kloe built

The house that Jarred built

The house that Demi and Kayla built

They did a great job and had lots of fun!!

Cards

Now don't fall off your chair, I actually made some cards last night. At one stage I had so many cards, I was giving away bundles of them. The other day I went to my card container and there wasn't much in there to choose from. I actually went and looked at cards in the shop. Kayla was disgusted with me LOL!! She said "Mum there is no way you are going to buy any cards. It's just not the same" So last night, with a spare few minutes, I pulled out some bits and pieces and had a little play.............

Christmas Baking

Kloe had her friend Emmah over today and the girls did some baking. They made Stained Glass Cookies

Lots of dough and lollies were eaten in the process

We also made these Santa Hats. I used the Cupcake mix from the other day, I subsituted 40g of flour for 40g of cocoa. Baked them in mini muffin pans. Cut the top of your mini cakes flat. Cut the end off small strawberries and place on top of your cupcake. Add some piped cream.

Making Shortbread

A few weeks ago, I asked the kids what they would like to bake for Christmas. Shortbread was something they all wanted to make eat. Yesterday afternoon was Shortbread baking time. Jarred and Kloe has a lovely time making it and then eating it warm out of the oven, with a glass of milk. I love standing back and watching them..........................

It's looking a bit like Christmas

The decorating of the tree

Zac made this rocky road at school. He didn't like it,  so it actually made it's way home. It's White Chocolate, Cranberry and macadamia. It was so yummy. You can find the recipe here

We made these gifts for Jarred and Kloe to take to school for their friends. I used Treat Tubes that I purchased from Michelle Winson of Treat Tubes on Facebook. They are the perfect size to hold M & M's. I downloaded a free Christmas Topper to staple on the top. Easy and Fun!! $0.55 each

Easy Cupcakes

I made the easiest cupcakes ever this afternoon. Mix 310mls cream, 200g caster sugar, dash of vanilla and 2 eggs together with a wooden spoon. Add 320g sifted SR Flour, mix well. Place into a lined 12 x muffin tray. Bake at 180 for 20-25mins. They have a great texture and are perfectly shaped.

Christmas party food

Quick, cute and easy - my kind of party food.

Mini Milky Ways, mini Candy Canes, Tiny Teddies and a little bit of melted chocolate.

Use the melted chocolate to glue the Candy Canes to the bottom of the Milky Ways, allow to set. Turn over and gently squish the tiny teddy in the top.

My kids loved them. I surprised them with these on Thursday afternoon, to celebrate the countdown to Christmas.

Christmas Reindeer Softie

I used a Melly & Me pattern for this special gift

Handmade

This year I really wanted to give handmade gifts whenever possible. I started making gifts early January and have been doing so, ever since. It's December and I've still bee making presents!!!

Handstitched for someone special

A quilt for my niece

A pillow for a new bubba and a cushion for my nephew

A mug rug and journal cover

A gift for Jarred's teacher

I've also decided to participate in RACK. Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. I've made lots of fabric journal covers (none of which I took photos of!!) and some fabric baskets. I've been busy having fun leaving some Christmas cheer for some special people. I have another stack which the kids are going to help me with. We are going to go around the neighbourhood and randomly spread some love. They are really excited about it.

One very happy boy

Ready and waiting for the game to begin. He was nervous

I'm sure all the family around Australia, could hear the screams 

The victory dance and song

One very happy boy

19 Years of Marriage

Christmas Tablerunners

Over the weekend I made a start on some Christmas sewing. It's never too early. That time of the year seems to come around faster and faster each year. Especially when you want to make lots of handmade gifts. I made three table runners using Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater by Moda Layer Cake from The Sproutz Etsy Store