25 CHRISTMAS IDEAS (Part 1)

One of my favourite parts of the day, usually late at night, when I'm watching TV, is scanning through the blogs I follow and marvelling at the artistic creations of some amazing artists out there.  Scrapbooking, multi-media art, photography, cooking, sewing, papercrafting and more: there are some clever cookies out there!  I have collected a few seasonal items that have inspired me this Christmas to share with you all:

ONE - A quick idea for a wreath!  LED lights and a feather boa!  How cool is this?  We love Sarah Richardson, from "Sarah's House" on the How To channel!  Check it out HERE!

TWO A fantastic idea from KATE MASON for kids to make their own Christmas Cards!

THREE  Elsie Flanagan's BLOG is full of so many gorgeous things every day, and Christmas is no exception!  Elsie loves vintage and retro and so this Mid Century Gingerbread House is so HER!  What a cool idea!

FOUR is one I also saw on Elsie's blog, it's a cute paper reindeer from MACULA!

FIVE is a great gift or decorating idea from the super-talented LISA LEONARD are these decoupaged candles!

SIX is an oldie made new from the always-creative ALI EDWARDS, who shared this great idea for Advent boxes a year or so ago but has covered a wall in her new laundry in magnetic blackboard paint and by adding magnetic tape to the back of the boxes has given them a new home, and a fun place for the kids to play with them!

SEVEN is a cute idea for your Christmas table, I'm sorry I can't remember where I got this one but what a cool way to use your shaped border strips!

EIGHT is another great idea from HEIDI SWAPP.  How cool are these paper decorations, and they look so easy to make, another project the kids would love too!

NINE is from one of my favourite artists, the incredible JILLY GG who never fails to make me laugh with her hysterical Facebook and Twitter statuses and to awe me with her gorgeous creations, especially in mixed-media.  I just adore this tree, isn't it divine?

TEN  I saw this on MELISSA GOODSELL's blog but it has been around for a while.  How cute are these?  I noticed a FB friend made some the other day herself, very clever!

ELEVEN is very special, from my dear and lovely friend AINSLEE who is famous for her pretty, original and classy style in all things, especially her beautiful crafty creations like these personalised hand-stamped ceramic christmas stocking tree decorations.  Aren't they just stunning?

TWELVE is something yummy to finish up!  Christmas up the classic chocolate crackle!  And just in case you need the recipe, here it is (or check HERE):

Preparation Time   10 - 130 minutes

Cooking Time  10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 x 200g pkt good-quality milk chocolate, finely chopped
• 100g butter, chopped
• 105g (3 cups) Kellogg's Coco Pops
• 100g white chocolate melts
• 10 red Nestle Smarties

Method

1. Line ten 125ml (1/2-cup) capacity muffin pans with paper cases. Place the milk chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl over a saucepan half-filled with simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water). Stir with a metal spoon until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
2. Stir in the coco pops. Divide among prepared pans. mould into a dome shape. place in fridge for 2 hours or until firm.
3. Place the white chocolate in a small heatproof bowl over a saucepan half-filled with simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir with a metal spoon until the chocolate melts and is smooth.
4. Spoon a little white chocolate over each pudding and top with a smartie. Set aside until set.

I will share some more soon!

Cheers!

Tracey