Christmas Challenge - Day 23

Christmas Lights

Ok - so I didnt make these. But I did help put them up - lol.

I LOVE houses with Christmas Lights - and while we are very basic in what we have - it is a work in progress - each year we will purchase one or two nice items to add to the collection. The two santa lights we have relate to Bailey - last year he got a surf board for christmas and this year he wants a motorbike (but he's not getting one - lol). I also love the santa surfing as that represents Christmas to us - we often go to the beach Christmas afternoon so the boys can surf while us girls work on our tan.

But what I am most excited about...my husband has promised to take me and Bailey to the USA next year for a "White" Christmas and New Years at New York - I cant wait!! And what am looking forward to most is seeing the Christmas Lights on the houses in the US, the decorations around malls etc - and snow at Christmas time!!

Christmas Challenge - Day 22

Button Christmas Tree

I am making 12 of these little Button Christmas Trees and I will be putting a name near the star and a table setting. Quick, simple and easy - so making 12 didnt take too long.

Christmas Challenge - Day 21

Advent Calendar

Ok - so I admit this isnt new this year - but it is a work in progress each year - and we often use it as the background in our Santa Photos.

This year I put bells on the reindeer and some beads here and there. Normally I skitch lollies &/or chocolates on each number in the picture but I didnt this year as I am limiting Bailey's sugar intake and he has his new draw advent calendar.

Christmas Challenge - Day 20

Christmas Wreath

I love this. Made from pipe cleaners & beads - supa cute - supa easy. I made them in mini size and I am going to make some with the kids tomorrow afternoon - simple but effective (well I think they are).

Christmas Challenge - Day 19

Beaded Christmas Bells

The body of these Christmas Bells is similar to the angels I make - I just included a jingle bell & ribbon bow.

Christmas Challenge - Day 18

Christmas Wreath

I like how this turned out. Made from pipe cleaners and beads - made in a mini size - supa cute.

Christmas Challenge - Day 17

Rainbow Button Braclet

Ok so this isnt Christmassy - but I did check with the Challenge Police (aka Paula) and she said it counted as I was making it for my niece as a added present.

Krysten loves colour and loves the current "bright" colour fashions at the moment. I think she will love this -she loves to have something a little different.

Christmas Challenge - Day 16

Button Wreath
Firstly I would like to apologies for the VERY LATE posts to the Christmas Challenge. It is still my goal to put 24 posts/projects completed by tomorrow to make the 24 in 24 days - however life has been supa busy the past week in our house and creating time has been non existant. But I did manage to get a few small (very small) projects completed today - and I will be working on the last of them tomorrow been Christmas Eve preparation.

This was inspired (and craft lifted) from Paula's wreath posted on her blog a couple of days ago- although mine is ugly - lol - and hers in cute! I have so many buttons in my trash - so I have made alot of button projects for the next couple of posts.

Christmas Challenge - Day 15

Bailey's Christmas Decorations

Ok - so I didnt make them. But I did "supervise" so thats got to count for something. And this I know am a few days behind and the weekend is here and I am not my usual day ahead of myself - its been a busy and emotional week in our house and time for crafting his almost been non existant. BUT I have a plan - Bailey and I are going to have a christmas craft day on Monday

So anyway back to Day 15 - Bailey has loved making Christmas Decorations at school this year, his class had a whole day of decoration making and he are a few of the items he made (and is very proud of). We went out and brought him a small christmas tree from the 2 Cheap Shop today and he is proudly displaying these decorations and a couple of the angels I make in his bedroom.

I am so proud of he and his willingness to get involved with Christmas - I didnt know how he was going to take Christmas this year as its his first year of "officially" not believing - I have my doubts he did "actually" believe last year. He still asks some Santa questions and how did I manage to do this and that over the years if Santa REALLY doesnt exist. (Isnt it amazing what us parents can do on behalf of Santa)

Anyway - here are Bailey's little creations:

Christmas Challenge - Day 14

Mellowpuff Christmas Puddings
Bailey and I made these this afternoon for his end of year classroom shared lunch.

He was allocated to bring "something sweet" and he wanted to do something Christmas Themed - so this is what we made. He melted the white chocolate and covered the Mellowpuffs - I dont think he did too bad a job myself, and I did the holly (I think I need more practice - and a new piping bag).

Ingredients: Mellowpuffs, White Chocolate buttons (melted), and lollies or icing to make the holly. A simple and quick thing to make.

Christmas Challenge - Day 13

Candy Cane Reindeer

Ok, firstly I would like to apologies for being a day late - as I said before weekends are really way to busy to include some creative time at the moment :o( - so we doubled up this afternoon and bring us up to date.

These supa cute reindeers are a candy-lifted from Nieuan Princesses Blog (Glenna). Thanks for the inspiriation and idea Glenna. http://niueanprincess.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-challenge-1.html

When I showed Bailey (my 10 year old son) he loved them and wanted to make some for his school friends. It seems these days that when you give out Christmas Cards at school a lollipop must be included - or in Baileys case Candy Cane Reindeer. And of course, we are friends with EVERYONE in the class (32 of them) and we have about 20 more people to give them too (oh to be so popular - he wishes) - but anyway he was so keen, who was I do say no!

Needless to say we spent the afternoon making about 60 of them - I must admit they dont take to long and it was good Mother - Son time. I think I will make some more tomorrow to give to my Softball Team on Saturday (we always give them a lolli or chocolate).

Harry Potter Charm Swap

I got HAPPY MAIL today.

I great package filled with Harry Potter Charms arrived today :o). I participated in a Charm Swap with some very creative and talented ladies from the 2peas forum. We had to make 40 of the same charm and swap getting 40 different charms back. I took to of the 40 spots and made the Scarf & Broom. I have to admit I really enjoyed making the scarfs BUT the brooms did MY HEAD in - I just couldnt put what I was imagine down on cray (so to speak).

But at the end of the day - I love all the charms that I have received, and I love the mixture of mediums and materials - very inspirational.

All the charms on a chain

Closer View

These are close ups of my favourite charms

Twilight Charm Swap

I was part of a Twilight Charm Swap with some fantastic ladies in the US for the 2peas forum and this is the end result. I love it - I have to admit am not a big twilight fan - I havent reed the books nor seen a movie but I couldnt resist joining this group and creating. But now I have the charms back and I have made put them all on a chain I think I may have a desire to both read the books (with Bailey) and see the first two movies.

All the charms

These are a few of my FAVOURITE from the selection of great handmade charms

Christmas Challenge - Day 12

Bailey's Christmas Cards

Ok so it isnt Day 12 yet, but Saturdays and Sundays are extremely busy days in our house with sports, sports and did I mention sports (lol). This weekend is extra busy with Christmas in the Park, my nieces 3rd Birthday Party and if we can fit it in - a little Christmas Shopping to buy a few minor things.

Anyway back to the Challenge, I wanted to include Bailey in with a few of the creations and even my 3 year old niece will make an appearance before Christmas day - I love the excitement and creative freedom of children. Bailey wanted to make a couple of cards to give to his girlfriend, teacher and his Deputy Principal (they spend alot of time together - lol). He remembered a selection of cards I had make about 4 years ago and wanted to use the reindeer stamp and the left over card I had from all that time ago. The first picture is Baileys creation and I have included a couple of cards I made with the same stamp 4 years ago

BAILEY'S CREATION

MY CREATIONS (4 years ago)

Christmas Challenge - Day 11

Ceramic Christmas Wreath

Ok so I confuss - this is not totally a 2009 creation. I made this about 10 years ago and decided it needed a little updating this year before bring hang. So whilst it isnt totally a 2009 creation it is a 2009 revived creation (so I reckon that counts) - lol.

Ceramics was once my hobby (lol) but now its scrapbooking OCD, well actually its probably a number of creates - I just love to create and be creative, I get withdrawals if I havent had crafting time. But anyway getting back to the wreath - I love it even after all these years and I still get compliments from guests and visitors to this day - it is a true test of time this little creation.