Little House.

There is one tradition that we have establishes in our little family. As Christmas draws closer, a parcel arrives from a dear friend. The box is quickly placed in prime position in the kitchen, the troops are gathered, and the contents of said box are spread across the counter. Biscuit, check. Lollies, check. Icing, check. And it’s time to get bulding.

Yum yum, gimgerbread house! I’m always hesitant to start eating it, but it never seems to take more than a week for a house to disappear… we must have gingerbread-loving mice, because it’s not me, I swear!

As I type, I have a semi-conscious toddler on my lap. I’m hoping he drifts back off to sleep, as the short rest he has had doesn’t qualify for a nap. Not liking my chances, but hopeful nonetheless. After a productive day yesterday, I have a mile-high mountain of washing to fold. I have big plans of a coffee, a movie, and daydreaming my way through it. Maybe a break or two for some blog surfing. Or some craft. I think my big plans are about to come crashing down around me. He stirs, I rock, we snuggle. Ahhh…let’s do this!

Farewell 2009

A small voice tickles me elbow as it begs “We make muffins, mummy?”. So out comes the recipe books. “Honey ones, mummy!” “Honey?” “Yes pweese, I like honey. Honey is my FAVOURITE!” Flick, flick, flick. Hmm. “Sweetie, there’s no honey ones. What else would you like?” “Ooo, those ones, pweese. I like chocolate. Chocolate is my FAVOURITE!”

The bench is rapidly covered in various tupperware containers, as the flour, sugar, & cocoa are evicted from the pantry. The chair scrapes as Bear pushes it over to stand on. Chubba Bubba clings to my legs, and whines to have a turn too. Anoterh chair appears. Into the bowl goes the dry ingredients. A little hand on my left sneaks in and *thwack* in goes the wooden spoon, and soon enough both the smaller boy child and I are covered in flour. Maybe the wooden spoon wasn’t such a good idea.

Slowly but surely, the other ingredients make their way into the bowl, a quick mix, a spoon or three, and the muffins are in the oven. The bowl becomes a tug-o’-war. And with a deft little diversion, mummy emerges victorious! The bowl, it’s mine, all mine! My preh-shus…

And with the taste of muffin batter lingering, I confess that this is likely my last entry for 2009. And what a ride it has been. The next few days are absolutely frantic, as I throw myself headlong into Christmas preparations. Cards are written and just require posting. Presents to post. And wrap. And it would probably be a *huge* help if I actually bought some. Time with family, both immediate & extended. Eating way to much. Regretting the size 6 shorts I bought just yesterday. The way my family does Christmas, size 10 would have been much smarter. Cuddles, carols & Christmas lights. Cleaning. Savouring the little moments. The glow of children’s eye, wide with enchantment at the magic of Santa. Life is short, so I’m holding my special ones very close this holiday season. And always keeping my eye on the Reason for the Season. Giving thanks. Wow. Christmas, you are finally here. 2010 is a blank canvas, and I intend on painting my story with bright colours. Merry Christmas everyone. Travel safely, eat muchly, and I’ll catch you on the flip side. Festive Season 2009 is HERE! LET’S DO THIS!

Oh Christmas Tree

Take a toilet roll. Some crepe paper. A couple of bells and pompoms. Add some craft glue and a hyperactive toddler. Mix well, and bake at 37C/85% humidity.

Ok, so maybe the craft glue wasn’t my smartest idea ever. And I may have spent more time ensuring Chubba Bubba’s hands stayed *out* of the craft glue than I did using said glue to “make a Chrimits tree, pweese, mummy?”, but it was fun anyway. And surprisingly not too messy.

Yesterday involved a ninja raid on the $2 shop for more mini canvases. And they’d sold out of the 4″ versions. Of course. So I grabbed a four pack of 6″ ones. And a two pack of something else smallish. And a 4×8″ for me. Then a brainwave hit. What if I made bunting, and replaced some flags with toddler canvases? Maybe vintage opshop fabrics. We taking this little project and making it awesome.

Today, I really need to get my “Chrimits” cards written. I need to start shopping at some point too. I have one gift. Total. Maybe tomorrow when I’m child-free. I’ve got a pile of washing to fold. A painting I’m itching to start, that has been swirling round my mind for weeks. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to give the studio a tickle up. Friday. Last day of work. D-day. Please be kind, Friday. Let’s do this!

Advent Blogalong

I’m on tha bandwagon! Inspired by Car, I’ll be joining in the 2009 advent blogalong – one post a day, everyday (weekday minimum, promise!), between now and Christmas. Lots of creating, probably a fair amount of rambling. Follow along if you dare!

Gift tags…

So I finished my gift tags, and now I can start wrapping the mountain of presents sitting in my office. I also knocked out a huge whack yesterday, all I have left to buy is a few scratchies, and something for my 3 BIL’s – I hate shopping for men!

The gift tags:

And I decided to scrap my previous card design, I wasn’t happy with it, so now my cards will be similar to the tags, in a Christmas tree shape. I’ve done a mock-up version, now I just need to paint the real thing, scan & print, and get those cards out!

Eeek! 10 days until Christmas!

And someone who shall remain nameless is a tad unorganised! So please forgive my lack of blogging this past week (’cause I know you all have nothing more to do than hang breathlessly of my every post, right? Huh? what? You have a life? Oh. How embarrassing…), but I’ve been a tad busy. I was working, I was Christmas-partying my way ’round the morning tea circuit, and attempting to be reasonably prepared for Christmas.

 

Shopping – started yesterday. Most of my family done, except BIL (no idea) & grandmothers (choccies). Slightly started DH’s family, except for the gifts that have to be mailed (do I dare mention one needs to be posted overseas? Oops!). Oh, yeah, and the boys. Big boy have two stocking stuffers, small boy nothing as yet, poor dear!

Cards – stamped. Being painted as we speak. Ribbons to be attached. Greetings to be written.

Gift-wrapping – wrap purchased, gift tags under construction. Some gifts wrapped at purchase.

Christmas crafts #1 – Mini decorations to go in advent calendar - started *blush*

These are charms made from beer bottle caps (very neo-bogan if I do say so myself! They’re noice, different, unewesual!), based on a tute I found over here. I’ve been procrastinating on these, because I can’t get the painted bit to look right.

Christmas craft #2 – gingerbread house – done!

Now just to wait until Christmas Eve so we can eat it!

Christmas Craft #3 – a toddler’s Christmas Tree. We were a bit late putting up our tree, and DS kept asking for one, so we made one!

 

Christmas baking – I want to make some more (non-evil) Santa’s for my DH’s workplace, if I get time. Sigh.

 

Lots to blog this week coming – another Christmas collage, the Christmas cards & tags I am working on at the minute, the cookies if I bake them, a small watercolour in the works, hopefully a couple of pastel drawings.

 

Please tell me I’m not the only disorganised one?

Santa’s Army

How else is the big man going to get the whole world done? He has an army of clones, of course!

And one Santa had a bit of an issue as I was icing his eyes, which I thought made hom look a bit evil, so I just gave him a goatee instead of a full Santa beard – he’s the one that keeps them all in line!

Santa knew it would be a long night…

…when he had only visited one timezone, and he already needed some balloons to help him back up the chimney!

For last week’s Illustration Friday (and yes, i knew that it’s Thursday already!).

 

I’m actually thinking of making this one into a series, so keep an eye out for some more Christmas collages!