One Big Sunshine Spritzer: Christmas

Hello Festive Season...

12:05 PM

How absurd does that sound!

Christmas is fast approaching and it feels like only last week I was getting ready for Christmas LAST year! LOL ;-)

With this season upon us, the world is abuzz with activity...gift buying, tree decorating, menu planning, holiday booking. People are online clicking away with online shopping or just getting Christmas ideas for the season.

I thought I would share a few Christmasy links/ideas that I have come across or that I think will be nice to share and useful for helping out as we approach the big day!

** LINK: 4 ways to reduce stress this Christmas **

Stress. It happens. It has the potential to affect us everyday. But it seems to be quite prominent at these times of year when everything seems to be happening at once, people are everywhere, filling the aisles at EVERY shop, pushing and shoving, school concerts and end-of-year wrap-up, the roads are laden with extra traffic...let's face it -- it's jolly darn HECTIC!

One of the tips in this article I have shared, is to Plan Ahead. This has been my friend this year, and last year for that matter but I think I have been even better this year. I have pretty much organised all gifts now which is a huge load off. I really dislike the last minute frenzy in the gift-giving area. I like to have it done and MAN it feels good!

** ELF ON THE SHELF **

Do you 'do' elf on the shelf. I think some of the 'tricks' that many people's Elf's get up to is quite clever :-)

Here are a few links to some Elf-on-the-Shelf ideas...

* Quick and easy - under 5 minute ideas *

* 25 ideas for Christmas fun with your Elf *

* Top 50 Elf-on-the-shelf ideas * (this one even has printables available at the end!)

We don't have the typical Elf but we have a girl doll of the same size that we call Elvira and she makes her way around the house doing different things. One day Elf might join her ;-)

** Gift Ideas **

I like the look of many of the gifts ideas put together by latestbuy.com.au --

FOR HIM

(I want that camera lens travel mug for myself!!)

FOR HER

FOR BOYS

FOR GIRLS

Also Kogan have some great gift idea links for whomever you are looking to buy for.

*** And for that EXTRA SPECIAL gift or if you want some stocking fillers or what-have-you check out THESE e-CATALOGUES! ***

I know these products are all great cos I have them and I've tried most of them (and I sell them of course!!) I am so excited about all the goodies on offer - I couldn't help but sign up!

Great deals, SUPER great rewards, and that little extra cash you need - especially for this time of year ;-)

I have got a couple of things out of the Christmas catalogue to put in my girls stockings which I know they'll think is super awesome! What kid doesn't like to have some blue or pink stripes in there hair!?! hehe ;-)

I've also got some extra bits covered for family gifts - there is something for everyone!!

Check it out!

And you can order straight from me and it will come to your door! Easy peasy!

This is me with Smoky Eyes and Pink Matte Lip Gloss lips! Was so fun to spruce up a bit considering I don't usually wear much lippy. Will do this again though when I feel the need to dress up abit ;-)

And of course, you are exposed to another of my kooky facial expressions ;-) LOL!!!

Well, my dear folks, I will try and get back sometime with some cute little handmade Christmas card ideas that are quick and easy. I just love them!!

Stay safe and don't stress!!

With Sprinkles of Sunshine...

Anna

Christmas

December Daily - days 10-15...

11:34 PM

I'm nearly there!!

I've got all the photos printed and the kit is sitting there ready for me to get the pages done - I've just got to find the precious moments of time to DO it. It comes together rather quickly once I'm in the studio and get started. Lately it has just been TOO HOT to venture out to the studio - it's like a sauna in there!!

Alas...

I do have days 10 through to 15 to show you!

Day 10

This page shows photos of the decorations in the boulevard shopping centre - Miss J was adamant that I take a photo of them, not that she needed to twist my arm or anything ;-)

and the other photo is of two lovely ladies that I met while at the park with my kids. They were rather a blessing actually and I came away feeling lighter and happier!

Creatively, I didn't really do much - some washi tape here and some washi tape there. And I used the stamp set by Kellie Stamps from the Polka Dot Creative kit I am using - yes, you can turn the HO HO HO stamp around and it becomes OH OH OH!

So I've gotta abit of OH OH OH and abit of HO HO HO in celebrating Christmas being everywhere we go ;-) LOL!!

Gotta love versatility hey!?!

Days 11 & 12

These two days were on one page.

Day 11 was a photo of me reading a Christmas book to the girls before bed. I have a small pile (which is slowly growing) of books dedicated to Christmas and I pull them out every year. The girls were very keen to hear them! Love snuggling on the couch with my girls (if its not too hot being summer here in Australia and all) and spending this quality time with them!

Day 12 is a card I made using a 6x4" grid card. I used a gold paint dauber to create the strokes as a background, cut a triangle shape for a tree and stuck that on. Using the polka dot vellum in the kit, I laid that over the top and sewed around the edge. I used some hessian and a printed Christmas saying for a heading banner and stapled it on. The photo was of the big red bow on our front door that greets anyone who comes to our home.

Days 13, 14 & 15

Day 13 we had a bbq tea at hubby's work. And after that, we all hopped in the car after quickly packing it with our stuff, and started our journey over to my man's parents place. The kids slept (those dark little circles at the bottom of the page are them fast asleep in their carseats!) - we arrived there at 4:24am!!

Oh and I used some cherry flair from A Piece of Cake Designs (not the ones in the kit) - I bought from the November new release sale.

We managed a few hours sleep, had some breakfast, and the day was heating up so we headed for the beach!

I just LOVE beach photos - the light is always so great and they come out so fresh and fun!

The rest of the day was about family time and preparing for my mother in law's 60th birthday party!

The banner in the large cake photo was created using a strip of Kraft cardstock and cutting a wedge out of the bottom to create the banner shape. I punched a circle out of the top, stapled onto the page insert over the photo. I popped a birthday themed flair badge from The Greatest View on Etsy in the circle and that was that!

Over the page, I journalled onto the page insert I had used. I stuck on the end of a photo I had trimmed earlier of the beach and stamped the dates on it with Archival ink. I drew a border around it and arrows to each point I outlined for the days.

Day 15 was time to travel home. It was over 40 degrees celsius the whole way home. We stopped half way for a rest. The girls seemed to handle the heat and wanted to play but it was just too HOT - we ate lunch in the car!!.

Can you tell that I like writing onto my photos and creating borders with my AC Precision Pens!?! LOL!

When we rolled into town, we went straight to the beach and headed to the water to cool down - CLOTHES AND ALL!!

The air was starting to cool and it was just a lovely evening.

This time I've used Amy Tangerine stamps on my photos - 'oh YES' from a Studio Calico PL kit and 'so so good' from a roller phrase stamp I bought from my local scrapbook store.

My book is getting rather thick but I think it should all still fit once I'm done. I love bulging books, it just means there's heaps to enjoy!!! hehehe

Bye for now.

Take care.

With Sprinkles of Sunshine...

Anna

Christmas

December Daily - days 6-9 AND a little message...

10:34 PM

Well it's New Years EVE and I managed to get 4 days done in my December Daily album.

I have been plugging away with a couple of other creative deadlines therefore my DD has been sitting there patiently waiting for me to return and complete it.

I'm hoping that I will get it done over the next week.

Anyway, here I am to share days six to nine of our December...

DAY 6

I used one of the page inserts of the album for this day. I didn't have a particular story to tell on this day so I chose to write a list of things that I want my kids to learn and grow up knowing about Christmas and just life really.

Creatively, I decided to go with a folder type thingy on the page. I cut a piece of 12x12" card at the 6 and 1/4" mark. I then scored this piece at the 4 and 1/4" mark and then another score line halfway between that line and the other end of the card. I then cut halfway down the right-hand side score line and cut a diagonal line down to the half way mark of the 'still attached' piece. Folding it in and stapling along the bottom, created the pocket for my little cards which held all the little 'pearls of wisdom' for my kids (and they are good for us adults to remember too!!)

The cover photo for the folder was a piccy from my camera roll on my iphone and I selected it within an app called Phonto and wrote the wording over the image.

Oh! And a few little Heidi Swapp goodies popped on this page too ;-)

Here is some examples of the cards inside...

(excuse the lack of quality - it was taken at night!)

I just kept it simple, using some 3x4 Project Life grid cards and stamping on the numbers, writing the words with black pen and creating a border by roughly outlining the card with a gold gel pen.

Over the page, I had just included a photo of my girls playing and the 'choose joy' print-off I had created using the Rhonna Designs app on my phone.

I also used a 6x4" Project Life grid card to pop a photo in of my Kindy girl with the reindeer mask she had created herself in her last Friday class with Mrs Simson.

DAY 7

I used the other side of the grid card to decorate and pop on the number seven using the Thickers from the Documenting December kit from Polka Dot Creative.

Just a couple of photos of some highlights from that day - pancakes for brekkie (always a hit) and playing with some baby Aussie Cards. Miss J loves collecting these! So glad they came out around Christmas time - it became a nice little December activity. And we have the full set of the red cards now - just in case you were wondering ;-)

DAY 8

(Please excuse the blurriness in some of these photos - they were taken in a bit of a hurry to catch the last dregs of the days light and to get out the door and catch the shops before they shut!!)

Day 8 was my mother in laws birthday. I have included a blown up screen shot of the text message I sent her to wish her Happy Birthday. See - December is not ALL about Christmas! LOL ;-)

I popped a button on the pocket in the left-hand corner of the page and stuck the 8 on it. Using the Thickers again from the kit, I spelt the word YoYo's on the photo of those scrumptious little bikkies that Mr Awesome makes! Some may call them Melting Moments - like me ;-)

I cut down another insert page that comes with the album and stuck a 6x6" photo I had edited on my iphone - again through the Rhonna Designs app (I really do LOVE that app). Mr Awesome had our big square mantle-piece mirror on the floor cleaning it and the kids had gathered around to watch. Me? I thought it was an awesome photo opportunity of course and snapped away ;-)

DAY 9

Flipping over the 6x6" insert, I stuck in a photo of our dinner that night - PICNIC STYLE in front of the TV watching Kung Fu Panda! The girls love spreading out the blanket on the floor and having a picnic so I let them have what they requested this night :-)

The background was ripped up tissue paper from a gift I mention on the next page from Kate Mason of Messy Miss Kate.

The gift was an awesomely handmade cushion from Kate. Made from vintage fabrics/sheets and doily and the word LOVE messily stitched on there in TRUE BRILLIANT Kate Mason style!! I ADORE IT!!

I used the pocket page with the two 4x4" squares and popped some red and green paint swatches from Bunnings in as the background cards.

In the 2x8" strip I cut a piece of white card and again glued on some more of the polka dot tissue paper from Kate's gift. I then cut a length of rustic twine and created the word 'love' along the strip stapling madly with my Tiny Attacher as I went along. I think it's one of my favourite bits of my album now :-)

And that is it for now.

I will try and be back with more as I finish it - bare with me as I would like to have it recorded here on my little bloggy. I hope to not go too much into January with something Christmasy ;-/ Afterall - I've got lots of other things to get under way for the new year.

ANOTHER YEAR OVER - A NEW ONE ABOUT TO BEGIN

Which brings me to the close of 2013 and my looking forward to what 2014 will bring.

In my creative world, I am going to keep a few albums - a random one about me (more on that at a later date!), my 2014 Project Life album about my family's adventures throughout the year, and I will be putting together a Project Life / pocket style wedding album for my little sister who is marrying her 'darling' (as Miss J puts it) in February. Yay!

I am continuing on with Jot throughout 2014 which I am incredibly thankful and excited about! It's been such a wonderful experience and I am looking forward to more great things and fun times creating there again!

I am doing the One Little Word workshop by Ali Edwards again this year. You probably weren't aware that I did it this year cos I kinda kept it quiet really. Not intentionally. It just ended up being something I did for me on the side, in my own little personal world. I didn't finish the album in the full sense that Ali did but it's all in a folder where I used the reflective prompts to really connect with my word. It was a great experience. This coming year, I hope to actively get stuck into creating the album and creatively connecting with my word. I'm excited!

My word for 2014 is GROW! Earlier this month, a call for a creative team over on Polka Dot Creative came up. I had been following Jodie and her little business since I saw her advertise in Jot - issue 1.

With my word in mind, I decided to apply.

And I was accepted! See the announcement over on the PDC blog HERE!

I am soo incredibly honoured and thrilled to be a part of this team. Can't wait to get started!

There is also many decisions to be made and many changes that are looking to be made in this New Year within our little family. I can't share too much yet as it's not set in stone. The beginning of 2014 is starting to look rather interesting I'll say that though ;-) But I am looking forward to it and eager to take part in life and make it One Big Sunshine Spritzer!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Thank you for stopping by here and sharing in my life.

I hope you keep coming back in 2014.

Be happy.

Be safe.

Smile big!

With Sprinkles of Sunshine...

Anna

Christmas

December Daily - Days 4 & 5...

9:41 PM

Well, I am slowly plodding away at my album.

Tonight I would like to show you my days 4 & 5.

Day 4 was the day I wrapped up some goodies for a special friend. I have a lovely group of online friends and most every Christmas (and other chosen times of the year we so desire!) we do a gift swap. This year I organised the gift swapping. I had the lovely Janelle to send a gift too.

I made her a set of four crocheted coasters in some of her fave colours - grey and yellow. I also made her a Christmas hanging decoration which was a heart shaped cookie cutter wrapped in ribbon. So simple to make and cute to hang - I will admit I made a couple for our home here as well ;-)

The other little package was some items I had purchased for Janelle - a floating tea infuser, a cloud sticky note pad, and some cute little polaroid prints from Typo of pretty teacups, teapots etc.

This page was pretty much photos. But for the decorative elements, I used a couple of 3x4 cards to journal on. I punched out a circle from thin cork, wrapped it with some thread and stuck on a number 4 using the gold thickers from the DD kit from Polka Dot Creative. I wrote my journalling on a piece of vellum which I then stuck onto the card with washi tape - also from the kit.

The other journal card on the other page featured a number list so I decided to write the gift items that I had put together for Janelle on it.

I also created another insert to slot in for day 4 as I had a special story I wanted to include for that day. Something that meant a lot to me.

I used a piece of 6x6" patterned paper from the paper pad in the kit. I didn't rip the top section of paper off as I wanted to keep this for the binder holes. I also cut a piece of 'Believe' Christmas Heidi Swapp paper I had spare from making the star insert back on Day 3. This measured 6x4".

I attached the 6x6 photo (yes it is of vegetables and eggs - there is a story to this!!) to the un-patterned side of 6x6" paper. I used washi tape down the binder side of the photo.

The 6x4" card I scored down the edge a width of 1/2 inch. I stapled this to the binder edge, covering the main part of the photo.

I then added a title to the front and the journalling to the inside.

On the patterned back, I used the gold Thickers from the kit to write 'grateful' and attached a black chalkboard-like sticker using a white gel pen for the rest of the writing. A few other embellishments added from the kit and I popped it in my album.

And that was Day Four DONE!!

Day 5 was short and sweet. It involved receiving a Christmas card from our Poppa (on my husbands side). I was touched to get a card from him with an envelope for each of my girls containing some money. Considering he had just laid his wife (our Nan) to rest, a couple of months ago, I thought it was mighty thoughtful and generous of him to sit down and send out a bit of love to his family. I guess it would make him feel more connected in a way. Well, it meant a great deal to me.

The other exciting thing was winning a cute little handmade house from @leoniekiwi on Instagram!

Gotta love THAT!!

The decorative elements to the page involved using the number 5 as a topper for the tree. The photo of Pop's card - I attached a piece of vellum to the card with washi tape and wrote my journalling on it - when placing in the pocket, the vellum part stays out and lays on top of the pocket - like so...

On the other journal card I used one of the stamps from the stamp set in the kit by Kellie Stamps and I just drew a decorative border.

And that concludes day 4 & 5.

I am really loving putting this album together. I enjoy thinking up different creative ways to show my stories.

I'm really happy with what I have documented so far. It is going to be a great little keepsake!!

Well, until next time...

Take care.

I'm off to watch Love Actually on telly - SOOOO love that movie!!!

With Sprinkles of Sunshine...

Anna

Christmas

Quick Christmas Card Idea...

9:47 PM

Just thought I would buzz in quickly and show you an easy and simple Christmas card idea.

If you want the handmade card look and need it NOW then this only takes like 30 seconds to whip up!

All you need is:

-Kraft cardstock

-washi tape

-a button

-journalling pen

I cut a 12x12" piece of Kraft card down the middle to make two 6x12" pieces.

I then scored at the half way mark on those pieces and folded to make a 6x6" card.

Choose whether you want it to open sideways or flip up. I chose the latter for mine.

Using different lengths of washi tape, form a Christmas tree shape on the front of your card and then use another piece of washi as the stump.

Stick a button on the top of the tree.

I then used my journal pen to create a border and insert the words 'happy Christmas' into it as a greeting!

Done!

Too easy!

I used these three pictured cards to go with Miss J's teachers gifts.

For interest's sake, here are the gifts I put together for the teacher and teacher's aides.

We gave the teacher's aides a Christmasy mug each filled with Favourites chocolates!

For the teacher, I filled a DIY glass bauble (purchased from Lincraft last year - thanks to Deb!!) with paper confetti, sequins, and punched vellum stars. I attached a small tag around the top with 'Kindy 2013' on one side and my girls name on the back. I used a piece of ric-rac as the hanging ribbon - popped it in a small bowl with some shredded packaging paper. I used clear cellophane tied up with some string to wrap the gifts.

The teachers loved it all!!

On a side note - I must say it was much more emotional at this end of the year in seeing my girl FINISH Kindy than at the start when she began her year at Kindy. She was ready for school and we were ready to send her so it was rather exciting and there was no tears. But yesterday, seeing all the kids with their end-of-year packages and empty classroom, made the tears well up just a little bit! LOL!

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying this festive season. Are you all prepared and ready for the big day?

I have found that initially I had planned well and was on target but with sickness and a few days of extremely sweltering weather, I have become a tad behind in my to-dos :-/

But I will prevail. I hope to have some more of my December Daily album done soon to share.

Take care. Remember to breathe. Deeply.

Relax and enjoy yourself.

With Sprinkles of Sunshine...

Anna

Christmas

December Daily - Part 2...

4:39 PM

I am back to share days 2 and 3 of my December Daily album...

Day 2 went over a few pages because it was all about the decorating and I took quite a few photos I wanted to include.

I began the Day 2 documentation with a large photo of our little Sparkle decorating the tree. This is special because this year is her first time decorating the tree - she was too young and destructive the other years! I'm sure you know what I mean ;-) The number '2' is from the gold Thickers in the Polka Dot Creative kit and I've just attached it to a punched out circle from a red paint sample swatch - yep again! I love those paint swatches - you'll be seeing them alot. After-all, they are FREE from Bunnings so it's a very cheap embellishment ;-) I've attached the circle to the page by a washi tape adorned paperclip!

It was the girls and I who decorated the tree through the day while Daddy was at work. The next double page focuses on the decorations and the fun we had with it all.

I really enjoy the look of the page with the photo circles showing some of our fave decorations. I clipped a printed hashtag word that I did myself into the paper clip at the top. I also used the Christmas title box from the stamp set by Kellie Stamps from the kit and also one of the APOCD cherry flair.

I didn't use any embellishments on the other page - just added a border with a black AC precision pen around the edge of the photos incorporating some words in the border as well. I LOVE this look and use it A LOT!!!

The last part of the story for day 2 was putting the bright shining star on top of the tree. Little Sparkle got to do the honours this year, assisted by Daddy of course ;-)

I hand wrote 'And on TOP of the TREE...' onto vellum and attached that next to the photo of our little one and Daddy admiring the handiwork - so cute - and attached it with washi tape to the journal card. A couple of wood veneer stars added some more decoration.

I decided to make a star shaped insert from Christmas patterned paper. I used some Heidi Swapp 'Believe' patterned paper and another piece of paper I had in my stash. To cut out the star I used my star shape cutter from Creative Memories.

I used the Rhonna Designs app on my phone to create the word 'bright' for the title and printed it off, used my circle cutter and attached to the star card. The letters are black glitter Thickers and white chipboard letters.

And that is Day 2.

Day 3 was ALL ABOUT THE LIGHTS.

Daddy got home from work and untangled the lights on the floor before twirling them around the tree and swooped up along the top of the curtain rail. There were many 'oohs' and 'aahs' and 'wows' - and not just from the kids ;-)

I love lights!

Again, I created the text 'Bring on the Lights' using the Rhonna Designs app, printed it off, cut around it with my circle cutter and attached it to a small paper doily and then onto the star. Some clear sequins finish off the sparkle.

Hope you have enjoyed the tour of Day 2 and 3 in my December Daily album :-)

Take care!

With Sprinkles of Sunshine...

Anna

Christmas

December Daily 2013 - Part 1...

9:38 PM

Yep! This year I am doing a December Daily album.

After last years attempt (I wouldn't exactly say it was a failed attempt because I did get 18 days documented!!!), I am determined that this year I will get it completed.

In order to help myself along with this goal, I decided to purchase a kit.

I chose to order the Documenting December kit from Jodie of Polka Dot Creative. It came with a SN@P! 6x8" binder album including some extra pages and a whole heap of papers and embellishments to make it all happen!!

My kit arrived mid November and I could NOT wait to get crackin' on some pre-planning and foundation work. To start this process though, I decided to sort through the kit and store it all in a little basket in order to keep it accessible but in the one place.

Ha! I've only just realised that I've got the Polka Dot Creative kit in a polka dot lined basket. How appropriate! LOL!

I was keen to get my coverpage, inside coverlet and a few of the first pages planned ready to insert the photos and journalling when December rolled around.

And I did just that!!!

Here is my front cover!

I created some mini paper pressies using the 6x6 Christmas paper pad in the PDC kit. I tied these up with twine. It was a little fiddly but worth it! I stuck them down onto some background paper I had cut to size that was from my stash, attached a silver frame with foam adhesive to raise it up off the page. I used part of the stamp set from Kellie Winnell of Kellie Stamps which was part of the kit and stamped it onto white card stock, punched it out and backed it with a circle cut from a green paint swatch. I tied ribbon vertically and knotted it close to the top and popped some flair from the A Piece of Cake Designs flair set in the kit.

And that was done.

I didn't want to over-do my front cover and I think I achieved that goal. It's rather simplistic but says CHRISTMAS to me - and that's what I wanted. Job done!!

My inside cover was fun to do!

It's no secret that I LOVE sequins. They just add an easy pop of colour and sparkle to pretty much anything!! I used one of the full 6x8" pocket pages and attached our family title on the front outer layer and stitched across the letters for added security - and it looks rather effective too I think. I used the gold Thickers supplied in the kit.

I stitched down one side, the bottom and the other side of the pocket - poured in a variety of Christmas coloured sequins and the vellum stars from the kit, and secured it all by stitching across the top. And I've got a pretty sparkly shaker-pocket title coverlet!!

I had stamped another circle the same as the front cover from the kit set - only this time I cut the circle dividing the 'December Daily' from '2013'. Popping one of the patterned card inserts behind my shaker title page, I adhered the 'December Daily' part of circle to the top right corner and the '2013' part to the bottom right of the page.

DONE!!

And now that December is here, the documenting has begun!!

I have completed days 1-3 but have only fully photographed Day 1 so will share that now.

December 1, we went to the beach and we took a family photo, which I used as our first photo in the album. I embellished around the larger size photo (5x7") using the washi tape, and offcut papers from the kit paper pad and my stash.

That evening we put up the tree together and I documented that by creating a collage on my phone using Diptic and printing it out as a 6x6" square. I cut the little photos out and attached in a little tag booklet that was in the kit. It sits in a paper pocket I created.

Here it is...

The number one was just a punched out circle from a gold paint swatch, a stamped number '1' (I used an Amy Tangerine stamp set from an SC Project Life kit). I glued a rim around the edge of the circle and sprinkled it with glitter to add some sparkle!

As for the 'hello december' card - I created that myself. It was basically a pile of punched circles from some different green patterned papers and gluing them down on a 6x4" grid card overlapping each other to create the background. I used washi tape, twine, letters and wood veneer stars and arrow to embellish it as is in the photo!