Monogram Napkins: Using a Sewing Machine

I've been on the lookout for a linen table cloth and napkin set to use at Christmas, but I couldn't find any for less than $90! I decided the next best thing would be to make my own. Ikea has an affordable linen fabric, Aina, for sale usually but it's been on backorder for a few months, so I ended up buying their Lenda 100% cotton fabric which is a good weight and has a slightly noticeable weave that looks similar to linen. I wanted to personalise the napkins but I didn't want to invest in taking them to a monogram shop so I came up with an easy and inexpensive way to do it myself. Click below for directions. 

Santa Sampler

It's important to leave cookies and milk out for Santa on Christmas eve as he has a very busy night delivering presents to children across the world, which is hungry work. This at least, is what I tell the little bears, but really I just love any excuse to make cookies. This year for presents for our neighbours, friends and family I decided to make a Santa Cookie Sampler of four different delicious cookies. I'm sure Santa will appreciate them too! For recipes and more photos click below.

Advent Calendar

I loved advent calendars as a kid, especially the ones with chocolates behind each door, though I often couldn't wait to open each one, so they never lasted until Christmas day. I wanted to make the little bears an advent calendar that could be used over and over again each year, something they would remember from their childhood and look forward to. To make this sweet vintage advent calendar, click below for step by step directions.

DIY Fresh Holiday Wreath

It's heading to that time of year again. The shops are already decorated with fake pine trees, tinsel, flashing lights and it's 30 degrees Celsius out! I don't think I will ever get used to having Christmas in summer. This year I wanted to make a festive wreath for our front door, but nothing overly Christmasy and something that actually reflects the native environment we live in. What better foliage than eucalyptus! It's affordable (e.g. free), smells amazing and dries beautifully. For a step by step on how to make your very own holiday wreath, read on.

Halloween Treats: Creepy Crawly Cookies

I love Halloween. I've always loved Halloween. Yes I was one of those teenagers who shamelessly still went trick or treating with their friends even though they were definitely past the appropriate age. So given my affinity for the holiday I really miss it here in Australia. It is just not the same here. People don't decorate their houses with gusto, you don't see people wandering the streets during the day in full costume and you can not ring most door bells on October 31st without people wondering why on earth you're yelling "trick or treat" at them. Having said all this we have found a couple good streets near us that have trick or treating but if you get there past 5:30pm there are no lollies left! Trick or treating during daylight is just wrong. To combat the lacklustre Halloween festivities here I've taken it upon myself to show the kids how much fun Halloween can be. This year after ridiculously early trick or treating we're going to have a pizza party with friends. The little bears cannot wait. I was racking my brain for dessert ideas that had a nod to Halloween but also small portions, since I have a feeling a lot of sugar is going to be consumed before pizza time. Click below for the recipe for these creepy crawly cookies.