Farewell to 2011

Last Day of the Month

Last Day of the Year

Last Day of 2011

Looking forward to....

the First Day of 2012

Winter Walks in cold, crisp conditions

Winter stews

Completing my December Daily 2011

the remainder of the boys school holidays

Family Time together.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and indeed every other day.  I really appreciate your visits/comments and encouragement.

Wishing you and yours a truly happy and blessed New Year 

and continued health and happiness throughout 2012.

Gift Ideas - cookie mix in a jar

I am always looking for fun Christmas gifts instead of the usual chocolates and tins of biscuits.  Came across Cowgirl Cookies on Bakerella's site and knew I would have to go in search of jars and ingredients to make my own.

The photo above I took just after packing!.

Here are jars packed with M&M Peanut candies and smarties.  Pink Smarties are available in most large supermarkets in tubes at this time of the year.  Grab them while you can!  I bought pink and white gingham and suede cord for wrapping around the tops but it is difficult on these type of jars as you are not working with a screw on lid!.  Some of the ingredients shifted/moved on packing - but I think they still look great and are a fun/novel idea.

I picked up the Kilner Jars in Brennans Cook Shop.  They are approx a quart, 2 pints/1litre jars.

Full instructions are available on Bakerella as to how to pack/cooking temps etc.  I cooked two batches to test!  I have a fan oven so put them in at 170C (instead of 350F).

Yum, yum!! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Shortest Day of the Year! - Christmas baubles and subway art

My stars were made using sheets of A4 plain paper printed with music (or you could stamp with background music) then I inked with tea dye using my blending tool.

Last year I saw adorable paper stars on Purple Onion Designs (made by Michele) created to look just like the Pottery Barn Paper Music Star Vase fillers (below)

 I made a stash in various sizes and never got around to posting about them. 

This year I decided to change out my mantle arrangement and went away from the traditional (photo - 2009)

 and used the wonderful subway art on Eighteen25 to create this mantle.

I filled my vases with gold and red baubles and used the stars to fill in the spaces.  Would you like to know how to make them?  Check out the easy step by step instructions here or here.

3 days and counting!  Hope you have a wonderful day.

December Daily - Day 17

My December Daily for 2011 is not as complete as I would like - I am doing a digital version!.

I wanted to share a photo from Day Seventeen - Santa arriving by water - delivered by the local RNLI.

We had such a fun day - lots of excitement.

 My 2009 December Daily arrived on Day Six - I decided to convert it to digital and print it with My Publisher.  Love the packaging - TA-DA!  Got two books for the price of one.  One for each of my boys.

Thanks for peeking.  Hope you are having a great day.

Hello Monday

Hello Monday!

Hello Christmas Week!

Hello to the list making, present wrapping, cookie making and school concerts.

Hello to the not "so-fun" stuff of groceries, cleaning, tidying and chores!

Hello to the running around for "last minute" stuff even when you are totally organised!

Hello to putting up the Nativity figures, lighting the Christmas candle and aroma of christmas cooking.

Hello to preparing for Santa's visit - so exciting!

Hello to time spent with family and friends- can't wait.

Crafting Ireland - issue 6

Open publication - Free publishing - More 2012 calendar

Issue six of Crafting Ireland has just been released.  I was thrilled when Nicole contacted me a while ago and asked if I would like to be featured in the publication - see page 66!.  

Of course I said "yes" - thanks to the Crafting Ireland Team - check out their blog here.

Enjoy the issue - I hope your week is going well.  I am working my way through my to do list!  

Looking for cute December Subway art? Check out Eighteen25 -  I got this printed at my local photo developers today and have it on my mantle.  Will post a photo!

Thanks for stopping by.

Christmas stocking stuffers and gift ideas

I just have to share some of the wonderful things I have found around blogland.

First up are these wonderful crayons (above) made by Amber on Sew Totally Smitten.  You can find out how to make them right here.  She is using them as stocking stuffers.

Another fave is the Five Finger Snowman Ornament by Full of Great Ideas.

This is so fun and so easy - going to make them today with my two little fellas.

Frozen reindeer treats - aren't these amazing?

Step by step instructions are available over on howdoesshe?

Finally - check out Bakerella

Cowgirl Cookies anyone?  

Step by step instructions together with packing instructions can be found here.

Hope some of these tickle your fancy!  Hope you have a blessed Sunday.  Thanks for stopping by.