Its beginning to look a lot like there's less than 100 days to Christmas

With just over 3 months til Christmas, the time has come to begin making gifts and the mass production of Christmas cards.

I committed to hand-making all my presents this year and have managed it for birthday presents so far. But Christmas might be another story. How am I going to get it all done in less than 100 days!

Here is a sneak preview of supplies for my Christmas cards. At least if all else fails, I'll get the cards done in time!

Do you have any special projects on the go for Christmas this year?

Love Gubby xo

Fathers' Day

My wonderful husband recently traveled for work- he was gone 5 weeks and left me alone with our 3 kids. But he arrived home in time for Fathers' Day... how convenient ;)

We helped my sister move house on the day, so Fathers' Day was pretty low-key, but I wanted to share a couple of ideas that helped make it a special day.

In time for his arrival home from his travels, I framed a gorgeous printable that I found (today's creative blog). I wanted him to know how special he is to us:

I had to prepare a fathers' day related craft for the MOPS group I attend. Cards are a good, simple craft and everyone needs a card at Fathers' Day.

Again, I found an adorable tutorial on The Gold Jelly Bean (seriously, what did we do before Pinterest?) and amended it slightly for a simpler, quicker design. My friend, Janine, used to insist that macaroni is not for grown-up craft, but I think even she would agree that this is an acceptably cute use of uncooked pasta... even for grown-ups!

So its late, but I hope that the ideas are fun, inspiring and useful.

Love Gubby xo

Sharing the love

Last week I held another class. I really enjoy hosting craft classes for a few reasons:
1) I get to share what I know with people I like
2) I have an excuse to do some craft myself
3) I get to talk (and I really love talking)
4) I get to hang out with great people for an evening
5) I get a little pocket money to purchase more craft supplies

See? No good reason NOT to run classes more often!

This class was a 'Mothers' Day' theme, so lots of flowers and swirly things.

My lovely friend Marnie (Our Fields of Gold) took some photos for me to share with you all.

The first card we made was a real surprise. Looks like just a simple mothers' day card on the outside:

But open it up for a bunch of pop-up flowers (thanks to the amazing and talented Martha Stewart for that one)

The 2nd card requires a lot more precise measuring and cutting, but again, the effect is well worth it.

And neatly folds down to fit into a C5 envelope!!

(I will post a detailed tutorial for this one soon)

Marnie considers herself an inexperienced card-maker, but I think she's done an amazing job and there will be some very impressed mothers this weekend (perhaps she just had a really good teacher ;)

What have you been planning for your Mum this mothers' day? Or are you waiting to see what your own kids come up with for you??

Love Gubby xo

Its what's inside that counts

These are the pages for my 'Handmade Holidays' planner.

I have 5 so far:

• Christmas card list- this will allow me to keep track of who I have posted cards to and received cards from
• Gift giving- this will allow me to jot down ideas for gifts for each person, as well as keep track of which gifts are completed
• Craft projects- so I can write down ideas as they come to me, including any special equipment or materials I might need
• Craft register- an index of craft projects
• Recipes- some of the gifts will be baked goods (I always like to give my Mum's famous Vanilla Kipferls at Christmas time) 

You can download your own pages

Craft register (.pdf)
Craft projects (.pdf)
Recipes (.pdf)
Gift list (.pdf)
Christmas cards (.pdf)
(I have not left space for an address in the Christmas card list, as I do all my mailing labels using a spreadsheet)

 Enjoy an organised Christmas :)

Love Gubby xo

With every Christmas card I write....

"May your dreams be merry and bright and may all your Christmas' be white."

Well, Christmas in Australia is not white, but the trees on my pretty Christmas cards are white.
I made these in July with my wonderful friend Adele Khoo from Stampin Bliss.

I have set myself up for the writing of the cards- envelopes (labeled), return address labels (from Vistaprint), handmade cards and notecards- with our 'family newsletter' printed on the back.

I love writing my Christmas cards. And I love sending out cards that I have made myself, with love and creativity!

Everything about Christmas is so lovely and pretty and fun!

Flower power

I have been having fun recently making cards with pretty flowers on them- made from a round scallop punch.

So here are the step by step instructions to make one of your own.

You'll need some paper (preferably double-sided), an emery board or distressing tool, some small scissors, double sided-tape and mounting tape or glue dots, and some buttons or brads for embellishment.

Punch out 2, 3 or 4 scallop circles, using different colours and patterns from the paper. Then distress the edges (the side of the flower that will be facing up).

Using a fine pair of scissors, cut in between the scallops- either single or double width.

Then fold the 'petals' up, pinching them with your fingers- this gives the flower dimension.

Finally, stick the layers together.

And you have a lovely addition to a card... or make a whole garden of flowers for a card or off-the-page project.

Enjoy!

Love Gubby xo