Presents

I hope you all got what you wanted for Christmas this year. And if you didn't...re-gift it to someone in need, or donate it to a charity.

"The joy of Christmas is not in the presents, but in His presence" - anonymous

It's coming...Christmas

I love this idea for re-useable valcro 'paper' chain, and can imagine baby boy wanting to spend time putting it together all by himself.  Will I make it in time for this Christmas though??

 (Picture from 'nap time crafts'). 

Merry Christmas!

So much rain

It has been one of the wettest spings in decades here, and summer has started off promising the same.  So in search of making my home feel drier I have decided to try out this solution.

Using regular chalk to keep mildew out of the closets and draws (I have started putting a few sticks in a few of our shoes as well).  I first heard this idea on a radio program with Shannon Lush, and have now found it again on Martha Stewart.  I am not sure my chalk bundles will look this stylish, but I will give it a try.

At this rate of rainfall I will be hanging them on the Christmas tree as decorations.

I apologise for not using you...public transport

I have not caught a bus for a very long time (like it could be 5+ years).  After years of catching the bus to uni and a few short trips to a course a year after I graduated I have avoided public transport like the plague.  Basically, these days I like things to go by 'my' time, I don't want to be scheduled to 'leaving right now', and I don't like the thought of being stuck on a bus in the middle of traffic...anyways all my dumb reasons aside this week I needed to catch a bus into the city and back in peak hour for three days (as I did a course  for work).  And...I was pleasently suprised ,and here is the amazing thing, I think I might catch the bus again, just because I want to.  

In the city I live in we have this fantastic thing called the 'busway' and it is basically an extra set of separated lanes that runs the entire length of the freeway to the city (basically guaranteeing you won't have to sit through peak hour mayhem).  This has been around for years, but this week I appreciated that it is easier to use, more frequent and quicker than I ever remembered it to be.

So, even though I am glad I don't have to catch it every day (as I am lucky enough to live 5 minutes from my work), I am glad I gave it another go...and was pleasently suprised.

Or I could just be still on a high from enjoying full buffet lunches from a fancy pants hotel for the last 3 days ;0)

Green decorating

With Christmas literally round the corner, and me coming off my recent Halloween binge I though I would post about some ideas for 'green' decorating.  It really isn't too hard to think of some reusable and green decorations which also have the bonus of saving money too.

So here are my top 5 green decorating ideas:  ( I don't think I have made a list on my blog before...this could be a first ;0)

1. Use e-invitations or make your own from stuff at home.  

I love making handmade invitations and who doesn't love getting real mail, but if you are going to send in the mail, try and use paper and craft products from around the home.  I also always end up with leftover Christmas cards every year and it was only recently that I realised I can use them the next year...because even though they won't all match, none of the recipients will be comparing there cards so they won't know that they don't match...I have a bit of a matching fetish.

When I do go down the e-invite/card route my absolute first stop is pingg.   This site has such cute invites and is so easy to use.  You set up your event and all the invites, reminders and thankyou cards will be sent out automatically for you...and it's free!

2. Use classic plain coloured table pieces that will suit all themes. 

Examples of this includes, glass jars, white platters and cake stands.  I have a few plain classic pieces and with a few ribbons and handmade labels I can colour code these to suit a birthday, baby shower or Christmas.  

 

3. Choose a colour or theme.  

It is so much easier to decorate with a colour theme, and it means that simple household items can then be pulled in to be 'pseudo' decorations.  For example, for a recent going away shower I used a red theme and was able to decorate with red flowers, apples, table runners, ribbons and lollies that I had in my house at the time. I pulled it all together with some cute handmade labels and it looked like I was decorating all day...but literally took me 15 minutes.  I love this site for party decorating themes...although I don't have anything like the talent you will see on this site.

4.  Try to use washable table wear insted of throw away.  

Now I must admit I do struggle with this one...but it does depend on the size of the party as well.  If it is a small gathering I try to wash and reuse, as the alternative is just so wasteful and should only be used when necessary...or when I just can't cope with more dishes.  If you really have the budget for it you can get some great biodegradable throw aways.  I think I might look into these further for Christmas.

5.  Don't buy useless one-use cheap items.  

In the spirit of using less stuff, I have really tried to cut down on a lot of 'made in china' type decorations that are designed for one-off use and don't serve a real purpose..this includes glow sticks, party poppers,  streamers, balloons and literally anything else that you usually throw away at the end of the event. (sorry, I have a hatred of glow sticks).  I now only buy decorations that I value enough to store away to use the next year, and will suit multiple occasions if possible.  It also helps if you have a designated decorations box that you can always find easily each time you need to use it.

So there's my first list...now I need to start thinking about Christmas and how I can practice 'green' decorating this year...Has anyone seen a solar powered Christmas tree (My brother will love that one ;0)

And what about fairtrade Christmas gifts, now there is another topic altogether..

Smelling Sweet

I entered a blog giveaway here at "Make it Perfect" and won a sweet smelling candle from here: at Salt City Candle Australia !

I am sure my new vanilla cinnamon candle will help me get in the mood for Christmas...but as man of the house said " mmm, and I was just thinking the other day we don't have enough smelly candles in the house"

You are exactly right hubby ;0)  (I will ignore your sarcasm and bask in my winning glory).

Halloween Table Runner

I am having serious Halloween envy this year and wish that I could do all my shopping here.  But unfortuantely shipping costs aren't too friendly at the moment so I decided to try and make my own "Halloween/Fall" themed table runner to try and get in the spirit of things this year.  I am a sucker for beautiful table runners but have never attempted to sew one myself.  It was pretty easy and I managed to finish this one in an evening, once baby boy finally went to sleep.

I tried to keep the runner fairly basic so I can use it for other times of the year, but am tempted to add some applique bats or pumpkins.  The material is really bright, and hopefully keeping in my theme of a 'fun' Halloween, not scary.  I basically just sewed three material panels together of 21 inches x 15 inches, did the same for the back (so it can be double sided) and turned up all the sides to make the border. 

Now to get ready for our Halloween party on the weekend!!