Signed, sealed, Delivered and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So last week I shared with you all some of the tutorials I was using to make Christmas presents for teachers and day care educators. Well we have now delivered the presents and here are the final pictures. I am thrilled how everything turned out. Myself and the girls each made the presents and it was a lovely thing for us to do together. Probably a bit more work than I originally anticipated but fun nonetheless.

School teacher gifts ended up being Journal covers, coffee cozy's made by me, and reindeer noses made by the girls. For 2 of the teachers, my mother also made lovely knitted coat hanger covers. Unfortunately I forgot to photograph those.

Fabrics left: Golden Garden by Alexander Henry. Fabrics right: Circa by Sis Boom and Floral Bouquet by Amy Butler

Fabric left: Sanctuary by Patty Young. Fabrics right: Chevrons from Spotlight, Circa from Sis Boom, and Aqua solid  from Robert Kaufman

For the day care educators, we made lemon foot scrub and put them into mason jars. The girls both helped with the making of the lemon foot scrub and we even tested it and the girls were pretty impressed by the foot scrubs! I decorated the jars with fabric and ribbons, and I think they turned out pretty nicely even if I do say so myself :)

Mason jars purchased from supermarket, plain card from Spotlight, fabric scraps and ribbon from my extensive stash!

Close up of the finished product. Simple ingredients but delicious scents!

Christmas presents don't have to be expensive although that too can be lovely! This year we just wanted to try the handmade route and everyone seemed to genuinely appreciate the effort we made. And if you want to make any of these items, check out the previous blog post as I linked in tutorials to these items. Oops, except the coffee cozy, but there are LOADS out there on the internet. Head to the trusty Pinterest if you want to get some goodies!

To you and your families, I wish you a wonderful Christmas this season. I hope it brings some well earned time with your families and may 2014 bring you and yours peace and all that you wish for.

I will try to pop back in between now and Christmas and New Year but it may be a tad tricky as I will have 2 very excited girls bopping about the house.

Lots of love,
Sarah xx

Handmade Gifts 101

So, if you are anything like me, you like to give gifts to your children's teachers and day care educators. And this year I have tried to be a bit more organised than last year where I cheated and purchased handmade from other creators. This year I have opted to make my own and I thought I would share some fantastic tutorials I have discovered over on my beloved Pinterest (sigh). I have wasted far too much time searching and finally took the plunge last night so here goes.

1. Journal covers.
There are loads of tutorials on how to make your own journal covers. They are a fab way to personalise a journal or diary for a teacher. I was shared this tutorial by one of my lovely friends and I have tested it. http://bloomandblossom.blogspot.com.au/2009/02/journal-cover-tutorial.html
It probably wasn't my wisest move to start making it around 9pm last night but I can confirm that they were a simple but gorgeous make and pretty fast. And I know to read the instructions better in the future.  Here are some pictures of ones I made last night. I have a few more planned for the
weekend.

Fabric: Golden Garden by Alexander Henry

Fabrics: Linen from Spotlight and Golden Garden from Alexander Henry

The second image is missing the diary in the middle, but you get the general idea.

2. Body scrub

While surfing Pinterest the other night, I discovered this fabulous body scrub and as I had an 

abundance of lemons it seemed like a great idea. I am happy to report this is a great recipe, smells beautiful and works a treat. The girls even helped me to make so a great activity they can help with and as it is for their teachers and carers, it gives them something to boast about.  I used this tutorial and they even give you files to print. I cheated and got some labels from Spotlight as I wanted a Christmas 

theme. I will take pictures of our final ones once they are all packaged. 

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/lemon-sugar-scrub/

3. Sweet treats.

Yes, I know we can go overboard in eating at Christmas time, so I decided to go with 2 of my fav sweet treats from my favourite blog, Natural New Age Mum. The first recipe is for a Choc Hazel Bliss Balls Choc Hazel Bliss Balls and White Christmas Healthy White Christmas.

Enjoy your Christmas everyone. I plan to be a bit more regular in my posting in the new year. Chat again soon. 

Xxx