A merry little Christmas
December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you’re all having a wonderful day filled with love, laughter and lots of pressies.
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My mod gingerbread house was a success – not that it was all smooth sailing. I completely forgot to bake the back wall so had to do an extra batch of gingerbread at the last minute and I was not at all confident that the lifesaver besser block wall would hold, but it did! Hooray! That royal icing is amazing stuff. I was very restrained on the lollies and adornments this year. For some reason I just wanted to keep it simple and putting all the extra marshmallows and lollies all over the house just seemed to go against the whole mid-century modern theme. But the rocky road chimney was very well received and I’ve made a little habit of using the star anise over the door of my houses. So without further ado here is the making of and the finished Mod Gingerbread house.
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One ornament tells a thousand words
December 19, 2009
So I pulled out the box of Xmas decorations last night and realised that none of them match and that, of course, I’ll need a whole new set this year. Ummm, yes, I’ve left it all a bit late. I don’t have many ornaments but most of them represent a moment in time. This year’s owl angel being very representative of my crafty life right now.
This angel I bought while backpacking in Europe. I found her in a little shop filled with crafted things on a cobbled laneway winding down from Prague castle. I was 23 and seeing the world for the first time. I loved that the angel was created from wood shavings just tied together.
The glitter ball I bought for Christmas in London. It was the first Christmas Mr Schmaft and I spent together which sounds very cosy and lovely but was actually a blur of clubbing and glitter. I had a little pot of dusty glitter that I used to wear when I went out clubbing – Mr Schmaft hated it because he’d end up covered in it and could never get those last little specks off!
The last one, the Santa, I bought when I was in labour with Oscar. I’d been told that walking around helps the labour progress and was bored with being at home so we decided to go shopping. It seems ridiculous now but at the time it made sense – a bit of retail therapy? Anyway, I distinctly remember standing in front of the Xmas decorations in Myer and picking out this but then having to wait for a contraction to pass before picking out the others. I guess the tummy on him reflected my state at the time although I did have thankles rather than Santa’s slender ankles (that’s like cankles but when you’re ankles are the size of your thighs).
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Ahhhh the memories. What do your Xmas decorations say about you?
I only get the rolling pin out once a year.
December 21, 2008
It’s gingerbread house time! I’m having to flat pack the gingerbread house this year as we’re off to Victoria. I’ve baked all the individual pieces, wrapped them up ready for transport and decoration on xmas eve in Woodend. I like to think of it as gingerbread pre-fab! This is bound to have it’s difficulties but I’m up for the challenge. Last year’s gingerbread house was all about red and pink lollies with white chocolate drops covering the roof, not sure about this year, maybe we’ll go for blue…
Little Monster Keds
December 2, 2008
I was mucking around with customising a pair of Keds for my little monster, Oscar, today. I wasn’t intending on buying them, just wanted to see what the application could do. They turned out so much better than I expected that I’m almost tempted to spend the $75 on them…. I wonder if I could slip that one past the ministry of finance that is my husband…christmas pressie? Little Monster Keds.
The gingerbread house.
December 25, 2007
I got all inspired by the craftypod gingerbread house post and took on the task this year. I have to say the construction phase was quite tricky and a couple of the pieces were a little overdone in the oven (OK… they were quite burnt). It was great fun though!
I used white chocolate drops for roof tiles, an ice cream cone decorated with musk life savers and rasberries to make the tree, pineapple lumps for the door, star anise for the window, cinnamon for the logs and sugar crystals for the path. The gingerbread recipe came from the ABC and I got lots of inspiration from Martha Stewart.
Ready for Santa
December 19, 2007
The gnomes fabric arrived and I’ve finished Oscar’s Xmas stocking. It was an incredibly quick project actually, but it looks very cute hanging on the wall waiting for Santa. These pics aren’t fantastic, I have a new phone with camera that I thought I’d try out. Will put some better ones up tomorrow with daylight but I just couldn’t wait to share. I lined the”O” up with one of the little gnomes.
Smiles for mum
December 9, 2007
The christmas tree is up and Bubba Waring is learning how to smile. Family festive cheer is here.
New family, Old traditions
December 6, 2007
Now that we’re a family I feel compelled to start new traditions for xmas. In reality Oscar will have no memory and probably no participation in these traditions this year, so I guess they’re more for me than anything. So along with making my little man’s xmas stocking we’re going to be buying our first real Xmas tree and I’m thinking of making a gingerbread house. Inspired by craftypod gingerbread house podcast, I love the idea of baking one every year with my little ones. As a bonus… and if I start this year, by the time Oscar can talk I might have mastered the recipe.
What are you making?
December 3, 2007
Sew, Mama, Sew! which I have to say has become one of my favourite blogs since their November tutorials series, have started a Blog Meme (list of questions) asking what everyone is making for gifts this xmas. Here are my answers…
Gifts
- Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?
Books are a big favourite of mine, such an opportunity to get personal. - If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making?
I’m not making huge amounts but I will be making my hand blended Chai Tea (see below for recipe) and a print of my little bubs feet (dipped in non toxic paint) framed for his grand parents. I’m also making an xmas stocking for the bubba. - Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received?
I’ve never had handcrafted gifts for xmas, but I did receive the most beautiful hand crocheted blanket and knitted vest when the bub was born last month. - Name one thing on your personal wish list.
Pinking Shears! - Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts? (Link)
Oh if only I had the time!
Traditions
- What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
Volleyball in the pool after lunch (yep… I’m in Australia) My favourite childhood ritual was picking the xmas tree and my dad reading “the night before xmas” to us every christmas eve. I was always beside myself with excitement at the prospect of Santa coming.
- Have you started any new traditions with your family that you didn’t practice growing up?
Not yet but I’m looking for inspiration! - What do you love most about the holiday season?
Family
- What do you like least about the holiday season?
The commercial aspect.
- Anyone close to your heart that you’ll be missing this year?
I’m lucky enough to have an extra someone with me this year.
- What is your favorite holiday food?
Plum pudding with my mum’s evil Brandy Sauce!
- Do you have a great recipe to share?
Here’s my Chai, it’s quite a zingy one if you’re into that.
Zingy Xmas Chai
December 3, 2007
I had quite an obsession with Tea earlier in the year. I even considered setting up a business on the side for boutique tea. I don’t know what I was thinking… I don’t have enough time for my current job let alone another business. I did develop a lovely Chai recipe though. Lots of experimenting to get to this one, the better quality Assam tea you use the better it tastes…
ZINGY XMAS CHAI
Ingredients:
3 Tsp Cinnamon (scrolls, not ground)
2 Tsp dried ginger
3 Cardamon Pods
15 Black Peppercorns
28 Cloves
1.5 Star Anise
5 Tbsp Assam Tea
Method:
Place all spices in a mortar & pestle and bash up into small pieces. Add to a bag with the tea and shake it up. You can also add some grated nutmeg int there if you want to make it xtra xmasy. I like to sew up little muslin bags to put it in for gifts, but don’t think I’ll have the time this year.
Hello. My name is Claire. I have a sock toy addiction. It began two years ago when I was pregnant and nesting. At first I dismissed it. I hadn't sewn in years. "Craft Schmaft" I said. Well it seems this crafty thing is here to stay. This blog brings you the delights of making sock softies, fabric finds and crafty inspiration from round the interweb.
