What a crazy way to finish the the year...

Well the last few days have been interesting, busy, surreal, etc. Poor Craig was sick for 2 days after Christmas - so we had a couple of quiet days at home. We used his new popcorn maker - he put too much in the first time and we had popcorn shooting out everywhere! LOL I had some gift cards from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket, so we did some shopping. I got a new camera card and a dress (for the cruise) on sale, so I still have some money left to spend later :)

The hot topic at the moment is that Bundaberg has been declared a natural disaster area. Fortunately we live in a suburb outside of town, so we haven't had concerns about flooding. Blackwater is still flooded in - so Mum's still stuck out there and going crazy from cabin fever! It looks like the roads might be opened on Sunday.... Kylie is still stuck out Baffle Creek with her family as well. I also talked to Bec and she was thinking about staying in town (Rockhampton) with her sister before the roads close and she's stuck out at Gracemere. Bec's baby is due next week, so she definately doesn't want to get stuck! It's crazy to think how this flood is affecting so many friends and family across Queensland :(

Apparently it's been 30 years since the last floods. So like the rest of Bundy, Donna & I went for a drive yesterday to check out the different flooded areas and take some photos. I feel sorry for everyone affected by the floods and those that are still waiting to see it their homes / business are going to be affected.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 11 & 12

Sandie extended the challenge deadline, so I managed to finish the last 2 cards :)

Day 11 - Use 2 stamps on your project.


A great chance to use a new set of free stamps - UK magazines have the best freebies!!

Day 12 - Your creation needs to reflect "what Christmas means to you".


This one had me stumped for awhile...Christmas means so many things - family, love, presents, parties, homemade goodies, decorations, cards, etc. I procrastinated over this one, then decided to go with the first thing that popped into my head...Christmas trees! Putting up and decorating the Christmas tree means the start of Christmas to me :) I found the folded tree idea (and instructions) HERE.

Think it might be time to build an Ark...

Craig and I went for a drive today to check out some of the flooded areas around town. It seems like everyone in Bundy had the same idea - there were cars and people everywhere taking pics! I didn't realise just how much rain had fallen - this really put it into perspective! Mum went out to Blackwater for Christmas and has been flooded in - she's not sure when the roads will open.






Craig has been sick all afternoon, so I have had a quiet day just watching TV, reading my new books and playing games on my iPhone.

Christmas Day 2010

We had a lovely, relaxing Christmas. We started off with a yummy hot breakfast, then opened our presents. I got a new PINK camera (a point & shoot one- perfect to pop into my handbag which is exactly what I wanted!) and a digital frame from Craig - so spoilt :) Craig loved his presents too - footy team membership, popcorn maker, etc. We also got lots of other lovely presents from friends and family :) Then we spent a few hours just relaxing in the air-con watching TV and I even made some cards. In the afternoon Craig cooked the roast pork for dinner. We packed up the rest of the presents, drinks and food, then off to have dinner with Craig's family. After a delicious dinner of roast pork, turkey and vegetables we went to the lounge room and swapped gifts. It was like a shark feeding frenzy - there was paper, presents and kids flying everywhere! LOL Then back out to the garage for dessert, a few more drinks and lots of talking and laughing :)








In all the rush leading up to Christmas I did forget to make my Cookie Christmas Tree - oops! I was really looking forward to it too, I guess I will have to remember for next year.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas day celebrating with friends and family!

Ready for Christmas...

The last few days have been busy. Craig and I went to see the latest "Harry Potter" movie. Gotta love date nights - thanks to hubby for taking me, even though he's not a Harry Potter fan :) I picked up some books to read from the book exchange (and got rid of a stack of books while I was there). I have organised some DVDs to watch over the next few days. We are still hoping for a few rain-free days so we can do some fishing and put the crab pots in (fingers crossed).

The last of the presents have been wrapped, the handmade gifts are finished and I've made a Choc Ripple log for dessert tomorrow night - I think I'm ready for Christmas :) In between all the Christmas plans I managed to make this card for my niece's birthday next week.

New decorations....

I meant to share these pics of some new decorations earlier, but better late than never I guess. I hadn't planned on getting any this year - but found these 1/2 price at various shops and couldn't resist :)

Homemade gifts

I've been busy making these cute "cookies in a jar" - how cute are they?!?! I think these are a great stocking filler :)


I also made a double batch of rum & raisin fudge. Unfortunately it didn't completely set :( I'm now sure what happened. The only thing I can think of that I did differently is that I made a double batch in the same bowl, instead of a single batch. They still taste great though :)

Pre-Christmas lunch

Sunday was our traditional lunch with "the girls" - both Kylie and Cathie's mum joined us (my Mum had a work party at the same time, so she couldn't make it). We had a scrumptious lunch - I made quiche, Cathie made a delicious salad (which I will get the recipe for) and Kylie made an amazing pavlova (from scratch)!


Mitchell was Santa's helper - doesn't look too impressed does he?!?! LOL


I did find a happier Santa's helper though.... LOL


After lunch we swapped gifts - everyone was pleased with their pressies :) Cathie gave Kylie & I a gorgeous LED light snow globe - how cute is that?!?!


Kylie gave me a set of 3 sweet little owls :) They look great with all my other owls.


To top off a lovely Christmassy afternoon, Craig & I went for a drive to look at the Christmas lights.

Cards

Last night Cathie, Kylie and Elena came over to do some card making. We grabbed some pizzas, had a few drinks and lots of chatting :) I finished the last 3 cards for Mum's Christmas present. So that's 10 cards in total to add to her stash - that will keep her happy






:)

Afternoon at the beach

Thursday afternoon I packed up a bag and headed off to the beach to chill out with Cassie, Donna, Joan and the kids. It was just what I needed - sitting on the beach chatting with the the girls, eating watermelon and watching the kids play. After a few hours, we brought fish & chips for dinner and sat in the park watching a storm roll in.






Cassie made these cute chocolate Christmas trees - aren't they sweet!?!?

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6-10

Day 6 - Blings-can be anything as long as it's blingy and shiny.


I used glittery paper and red gems.

Day 7 - You must include brads and/or eyelets somewhere on your masterpiece.

Day 8 - a doily and/or music - this could be sheet music, a music stamp.


Day 9 - Recycle-use old Christmas cards if you like - it doesn't matter as long as it's something recycled.


Day 10 - Stickers - go for it in any shape, form and number.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 4 & 5

Day 4 - Make square cards - you will also need to include squares on the actual card itself.


Day 5 - create a card, layout or OTP with "25th December" on it somewhere


Make sure you pop back to see what I used these tags on :)

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1-3

Sandie is doing another challenge - 12 Days of Christmas. I always enjoy Sandie's challenges, so I signed up for this one even though I didn't need anymore Xmas cards. At least I will have a start on the cards for next Christmas LOL

Day 1 - The colour PURPLE and you will also need to include the word "BELIEVE" on your project


I normally don't scrap with purple + it's not really what I class as a Christmas colour - so I procrastinated while making this one. Eventually I thought I would make an OTP - I just used an old Ferrero Roche box and made a band to go around it. I will fill this with some yummy homemade goodies :)

Day 2 - Buttons - at least 2 and also include the word "to" on the front of your card.


Day 3 - Make a quick set of 3 cards. You can make them all the same or you can make them slightly different.

Kaszazz workshop and STB Games swap

Last night I joined the girls for a fun night at Pauline's for a Kaszazz workshop. Pauline decided to do things a little differently - she gave us challenge packs to make cards. it was nice to chat and scrap for a few hours, plus I have added another 3 cards to Mum's Christmas present (see this post for more details).


I used silver embossing glitter on the seahorse stamp and it is so sparkly - unfortunately it doesn't show up in this pic :(




Another male card - I'm starting to find these easier to make. I love this card and will be making one for my own stash :)

At the end of the night Pauline gave us our workshop kits - a photo wallet - I'll work on that over the Christmas holidays.

I received my Scrap the Boys Games swap a few weeks ago - as usual lots of cute embellishments that I'm looking forward to using :)

Cooking and a party

Saturday I spent the day Christmas cooking with Mum - we made a triple batch of passionfruit kisses and a double batch of gingerbread men & trees. Mum has already made the jam drops, rum balls and sugar-coated peanuts. All I have left to make is the rum and raisin fudge!

Saturday night we had Craig's work Christmas party. It was great to catch up with everyone again - there were a lot of new faces too. it was a "school's out" theme - Craig went as a PE teacher and I went as a Home Ec teacher (but left my apron in the car - oops! LOL) As usual it was a great night - lots of socialising, dancing till my feet hurt, and even getting a bit tipsy LOL Pity it was soooo humid though :( It was a special night with Craig receiving his 5 years of service award.


Sunday afternoon Mum and I decorated the gingerbread men / trees. I did get a bit bored towards the end and a few got decorated with red and yellow polka dot bikinis! LOL And I may or may not have decorated some rude ones too! He he he After the icing set, we packaged them up into cello bags.

Getting organised for the Christmas cooking...

I have been going through my recipes and looking at new ideas online. I picked up a new issue of Woolworth's free magazine - definitely worthwhile getting your own copy. Both mum and I used the magazine for a lot of our Christmas cooking last year and I have also used the magazine throughout the year. This magazine is where I got my jam drop biscuit recipe from that I am always using.


I have stocked up on packaging - cello wrap, cello bags, cupcake papers, etc ready to go :)


This year I'm going to have a go at making a Cookie Tree! Kmart had the kits on sale last month for $5. I'm still trying to work out what flavour cookies I want to make - gingerbread or chocolate?!?!?

Simply Crafty Christmas

Sunday was the last Simply Crafty session for 2010. We had our usual scrapping. then all shared lots of delicious goodies and exchanged Secret Santa presents. I got this cute planner - just what I have been looking for!!


In between all my usual socialising I did manage to do some scrapping LOL This is the LO I started last week - finally finished :)


And even more exciting...another LO started and completed on the same day! Woo hoo! He he

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