Our Christmas at home...

Homemade decorations made by the kids and my old collection of Snoopys hanging in the tree

and surprise,surprise I got to open the big box under the tree...

a record player!

Now I can kick back and listen to my old vinyl collection

it comes with a usb cable so records can be backed-up to my pc

My kids listen to music on their iPods.  It's a shame they miss out on looking at album covers and admiring the artwork and reading the song lyrics.  They are fascinated seeing 'a giant CD' and I've shown them how to  put the record onto the turntable and carefully put the stylus (needle) onto the record.  

We are all pretty happy with what Santa brought us, the kids declared this "our best Christmas ever".

I'm so glad I kept all my old records, loving listening to them again.

tiny tree deliveries...

Post letter to Santa...

There's been some letter writing to Santa in our house today.  With a rather long list....mmm.

I quite like this stocking hanging in the window of  Ryan Town.

This stocking hanging in the window is not available for purchase but you can buy this tea towel and turn it into a stocking:

Santa's reindeer are getting ready...

Do you know all the names of Santa's reindeer?

10 more sleeps to go...

Christmas in the city...

If you get the chance now is a great time to visit Melbourne city and soak up the atmosphere

looking in the giant Christmas Tree at Federation Square

Swanston Street 

Christmas manicure...

These are not my fingernails  (it's not really the look for me) but my daughter and her friends would love these.

a surprise under the tree..

I feel like an excited little kid again.  I just found a present under the tree...and it's for me!  In the past my partner has not been the best shopper and I know this probably sounds really slack, but I have usually ended up choosing my present and then he and the kids have wrapped it up.  I don't really like surprises so now I am very curious as to what it is.  I remember when I was little sneaking a peak through the wrapping paper, carefully removing a little bit of sticky tape to see what was inside.  I have to admit the thought just crossed my mind to do it again, but that would be very naughty.  I guess I will just have to wait patiently.  It is not going to be easy!

custom orders for Christmas..

I'm really enjoying making custom orders for Christmas, it's good to be very busy for a change even though I'm feeling quite tired on some days.  Once an order is finished it's a good feeling.

Another birdy wreath - this one in reds with a touch of green - 'tis the season.

An Advent calender I made..

some hand stitching and raw edge applique

Forest in the city...

Federation Square in Melbourne city is filled with a moveable forest of pine trees.  

There are lots of events happening at Fed Square and the kids had heaps of fun last year just running around the pines playing hide and seek.

Advent ideas..

Have you started counting down to Christmas?  Kate from www.kaetoo.blogspot.com has featured some Advent calender ideas on her blog including one from Gozi & Pop.  Thanks Kate!

Am I Santa?

As my kids are getting older they are not so sure if Santa is real.  Maybe it's Mum and Dad who deliver the presents??

They have asked me if Santa is real and my answer has always been the same.  "I believe in Santa".

I read on someone's blog a couple of years ago (cannot remember where now) how they would answer that question to their children and I liked their explanation so I wrote it in my notebook.

The answer is no.  I am not Santa.  There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your Santa sack with presents though.   I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my Mum and Dad did for me and the same way their Mum and Dad did for them.
I imagine you will someday do this for your children and you will love seeing their faces light up on Christmas morning.  This won't make you Santa though.  Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us has lived.  What he does is simple, but it is powerful.  He teaches children how to have belief in something they can't see or touch.  It's a big job, and it's an important one.
Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe:  in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family.  You'll also need to believe in things you can't measure or even hold in your hand.  Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher and he has help from all the people whose hearts he's filled with joy.
With full hearts, Mummy and Daddy take turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So no, I am not Santa.  Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness and believing.

Yippee...1st of December and time to start counting down!

I love this time of the year.  I love to look at all the beautiful Christmas decorations in the shops, hear the Christmas songs and see the kids starting to get excited.  There's only three more weeks left to go at school which means not much time left for making things.  And I have so many things to make which keeps me very happy.
So to get into the spirit of the season I am going to post a picture everyday to help countdown the days.

1st December - time to put up the Christmas tree.

I love Peanuts.  I still have my Snoopy that Santa left for me one Christmas Eve many moons ago.