We've been busy...

For me the start of Advent coincided with an un-planned blog break. Its good to be back and I thought I would update you on some of our creative preparations for Christmas. I'm really looking forward to sharing lots of children's beautiful artwork I've been working with but as many of the notecards ordered are destined to be gifts I will have to be patient and tell you more after Christmas. 

This beautifully worked train has heralded the start of my Advent since I was a little girl. My Mum originally made it for my sister and when I came along 2 sets of little parcels were hung on every day's loop. Now we are both grown and have children of our own we take turns to share the fun of this heirloom with our families. This year it is Master M's turn to enjoy the anticipation of opening a parcel each day and, as he discovered on the 1st, this year I have also added a fun innovation to the usual sweetie treat. 

Thanks to Cathy from NurtureStore we have a plenty of giggles to accompany breakfast every morning as the daily joke is read out amidst the chewing of sweets. If you'd like to get organised for next year's calendar or use the pick of the bunch for homemade crackers you can find a copy of the free printable over on the NurtureStore Blog.

Besides giggling at jokes and munching sweets we've also been making valiant attempts at an early and organised approach to cards and gifts. I remember hearing a comment last year that the painless way to write christmas cards is to have a box in the kitchen from the 1st of December and write a couple a day. Well, I am happy to report that the cards have been designed, printed and put in a box. I'll leave you to guess how many have been written!

You might remember from this blog post back in October, Master M made a very early start to planning his gifts for extended family this year. In keeping with the lego theme of the contents we decided to add a Lego print to some brown paper to create a unique gift wrap. We also printed on card so that Master M can make matching gift tags (with the help of pinking shears which, besides being fun to use, I always think lend a christmassy tone). If you fancy having a go we used Duplo sized lego and printed the square with the bottom of the block and then added the 4 circles with the top. 

So, with the pudding, cake and mincemeat all made and stored away and a fair bit of wrapping done it seems to have been a productive (and unusually calm) start to the festivities. But never mind all my attempts at organisation I bet you'd just like to hear the best joke so far?

What goes 'oh, oh, oh'?

Santa walking backwards

Hee, hee! We liked that one!

Don't forget Monday 19th December is our last dispatch date for off-the-shelf products and you have just a few days to get in touch about bespoke prints or cards as Monday 12th is the last date we can accept orders for Christmas delivery.

Ooh, and just in case you are still on the hunt for a unique stocking filler there are some lovely colouring-in cards in the shop which would make a great partner for the coloured pens/pencils many of us have already put in. We are also now offering Gift Certificates which we made an effort to pack in a beautiful gift box with little extras, they're new on the site and I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Rose x.