We Love Pandas

Christmassy Darwin

emma — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:06:47 +0000

The last day of my Christmas Advent blog features Darwin’s Christmas antics. He has been absolutely loving helping out this year.

Making crackers

Rolling out the pastry for the mince pies with Aunty Shula

Darwin delivering the Christmas cards around the village (we’re staying at Gran and Grandad’s house for the festive season). He’s wearing knitted Postman Pat’s GPO bag!

Decorating the Christmas tree

The bauble Darwin was given from The Wesley Church playgroup we go to on a Tuesday

Gingerbread Houses

emma — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:15:44 +0000

Click on the photo to see them in their full glory!

I made these gingerbread cottages for a handmade Christmas swap over at The Bundle Jungle. I used these Tando Creative cardboard houses available to buy at the Very Small Company and painted them with acrylic paint and glittery modge podge. I used 3D paint which I though would therefore look 3D and thus like icing but apparently the 3D effect only works on fabric. I made a little wreath and 2 candy canes out of sparkly pipe cleaners.

Glitter Houses

emma — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:45:13 +0000

Pretty glitter house

Glitter cottage with a tutorial to make your own over at Sew Can Do

Very Merry Vintage Style has a glitter house Christmas village display

My glitter houses

Snow globes

emma — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:00:58 +0000

I’ve been fascinated by snow globes since I was a little girl. Every year mum and I would unpack the old decorations and I loved seeing my tacky plastic snow globe. I think the allure of the snow globe lies in the fact there’s miniature world where where you can repeatedly make it snow. I was going to make one this year but I’ve left buying the glycerine too late now. Apparently you can use baby oil instead but we don’t have any of that (despite having a baby). I think I will get Darwin to help me make one next Christmas.

Mason jar snow globe DIY from Michaela Noelle Designs

Waterless snow globe tutorial at tidymom

Kitsch snow globe by Peepthread

Charm bracelet diva has a cute home made snow globe soap tutorial

Wreaths

emma — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:50:13 +0000

I love this felty ball wreath by Pickles

Yarn ball and Christmas ornament wreath – All Things Heart and Home

Flower wreath at Nest of Posies

Madigan made a wreath out of metal brass tacks

Craftapalooza has wreath made from baker’s twine

How to make a home made birdseed wreath for your feathered friends (contains gelatin so not suitable for vegetarian makers!)

8-Bit LED Holiday Wreath

emma — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:24:31 +0000

Something for all you geeks out there: the 8-Bit LED Holiday Wreath is available to buy at Thinkgeek for $14.99. It features favourite 8-bit memories in flickering LED.

Via geeksaresexy

40 edible gifts

emma — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:02:30 +0000

Kitchn has 40 edible gift ideas – vinegars and sauces, sweets, nuts, granola, cocktails, tea, coffee, cookies, cakes and kits, phew that’s a lot of ideas! I’m going to give the candied bacon fudge a wide berth though.

Christmas lyrics glitter banner tutorial

emma — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:39:57 +0000

Katie’s Pencil Box has a tutorial for this gorgeous glittery banner.

Pretty glittery wrapping

emma — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:16:48 +0000

Creature Comforts has this Miu Miu inspired DIY Glitter Gift Wrapping Project

My favourite tree decorations

emma — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:11:15 +0000

Papier mache bird from Monsoon now £2.80

Felt toadstool £9.95 at Ethical Superstore

Polar bear decoration by Gisela Graham

6 snow drop glass baubles (recycled and fair-trade!) from Pipii for £15.75