Gifts for Boys (8-12 years)

It's that time of year again when the kids start writing their letters to Santa. Above is just a small snippet of what Caden has on his list.

It's heavily focused on on Minecraft and Video Games.

1. Minecraft Steve Figurine
2. Skateboard
3. Yet more Minecraft figurines
4. Rabbids Invasion The Interactive TV Show game
5. Fuji Instant Camera
6. And MORE Minecraft merchandise

He is just a little obsessed with Minecraft at the moment and he has finished most of his video games that he received for his birthday in September so a new game in the house will be very welcome and he loves Rabbids Invasion on Foxtel so this game will be a no brainer.

Do you have a Minecraft obsessed kid in your house? 

What about video games, do your kids play them? 

Is there a limit on the time that they are allowed to play them? 

Cluck Cluck

A few weeks ago over on And Sew We Craft it was baby week. It was to celebrate the fact the Cate was in the last few weeks of her pregnancy. Over there I shared some things that I recently made for my cousins new baby. But while I was making those gifts I was also making some things for Cate.

And well she is now in the last week of her pregnancy and she has received the gifts I sent to her now so I can share them here.

The package included these cute little baby pants that I made for her.

And I packaged them up with a bib and a onesie that I had made a little while ago too.

Do you give handmade gifts often?

Sweet gifts

Last week I had an awesome mail day! And it was just what I needed to put a smile on my face. It was also the day of all the arguments with our property manager and the insurance company...

I was lucky enough to receive this gorgeous parcel from Marissa. In it was a gorgeous pouch packed full of lollies and chocolate and not one but two postcards full of glorious words.

I mean look at the cute bunting! It matches my blog header! And she even included Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! They are my favourite!

Thanks so much to Ros for organising this swap and to Marissa for my gorgeous gifts.

Mothers Day Printables

1. Ask not what... 2. Hands 3. Life wouldn't be the same 4. Mothers Day Card 5. Happy Mothers Day

6. Gran 7. Love and Be Loved 8. Rights 9. Unconditional Love 10. Unconditional Love

11. Everday 12. A Mothers Love 13. Hands...

Tutorial: Hot/Cold Rice Packs

If you a looking for a simple, not to mention cost effective gift idea you can't go past some Hot/Cold Rice Packs. You can make them in different shapes and fabrics to suit the ladies, men and children in your life.  You might remember that I made a few before Christmas to give as gifts. I thought today I would give them a post of their own to show you just how I made them.

So, here are the ones I made and how I did it.

Sew the rectangles right sides together leaving room to turn right side out and fill with rice.

The rice mixture was rice, dried lavender and 20-30 drops of essential oils. I used a bottle cut in half for a funnel.

Once they are as full as you would like, either top stitch them closed or use and invisible ladder stitch.

He was supposed to look like he was in pain...

And again, he couldn't stop smirking!

If you want to make different shapes you can use cookie cutters, or draw the pattern free hand, the options really are endless. And they really are soothing and not to mention so much cheaper than the once you buy in the shops.

Chocolate and Candy Cane Bark

I have been hearing a lot about Chocolate Bark lately. I had never heard of it before. I know what planet have I been living on?!

So anyway I sent B to the shops today to grab some things so could make it tonight with the kids.

He came back with a huge bag of milk choc chips and hardly any white choc chips so we had to make do because I really didn't want to go back.

So we used:
Candy Canes
White Choc Chips
Milk Choc Chips
Rice Bubbles

I lined a baking tray with baking paper and melted the milk choc chips in the microwave for about 40 seconds.

I spread the melted chocolate over the baking tray and sprinkled it with rice bubbles and let set it the fridge for about 30 minutes.

While we were waiting for the chocolate to set I gave the kids the rolling pin and told them to smash the candy canes into little pieces. Caden asked me if I really meant what I said and then laughed at me when I told him yes, I really wanted him to smash the candy canes into little pieces.

This was only after half a bashing. They got smashed into smaller peices...

While that were bashing candy canes with gay abandon I melted the white chocolate and spread it over the now set rice bubbles and milk chocolate.

Then Caden and Mahli sprinkled Candy canes on top... Now remember how I said I had hardly any white choc chips? Well I had to make do with the rest of the milk choc chips, but it still works...

Then we packaged it up into cellophane and ribbon... and VOILÁ

I think they will be great little gifts for everyone on Christmas day!

Would you like receiving some homebaked gifts like this at Christmas?

The 5 most wanted gadgets of 2011 – perfect Chrissie ideas!

brought to you in collaboration with Rentsmart

There’s nothing more satisfying than giving the perfect present (or receiving it!). If you want to get in the good books of your friends and family this Christmas, there’s one present that’s sure to tick all the boxes. 2011 produced an array of wonderful gadgets and technology triumphs, and any of the gadgets from the ‘most wanted in 2011’ list are a fail proof Christmas present. Popular with young and old, there are many things you can choose from.

So if you’re looking for Chrissie present ideas – have a look at these below!

iPhone 4S – It’s the most impressive iPhone yet, with all the original features, and more! Take Siri, for example, the intelligent assistant who can answer all your questions, remind you of important dates and even set your alarm by simply speaking into your phone. The iPhone 4S is in high demand, and you’re sure to win favour if you give it as a gift this Christmas! 

iPad2 – Another Apple product topping the list this year is the iPad2. Like the iPhone 4S, it’s outdone its predecessor and is one of the most coveted tablets on the market. There are thousands of applications to choose from and the best thing about the iPad2 is that everyone can use it. From children’s games for your lil’uns to e-mail and word processing functions for business use to e-reader capabilities, it’s a number of things all wrapped up in one!

Nintendo 3DS – The Nintendo 3DS is the perfect gift for your children on a long car trip (or for your grown-up gaming friends!). What makes it different to other Nintendos? For starters, it’s portable, but more importantly you can play games in 3D without wearing any glasses! 

Kindle Fire – Not yet released in Australia but one to keep an eye on, the Kindle Fire is being heralded as the iPad’s first serious competition. You can watch, read, browse and listen on the Kindle Fire, making it more than an e-reader and an impressive step up from the Kindle 2. While you won’t be able to give this as a gift this Christmas, look out for it in 2012. 

XBOX Kinect - The new Xbox 360 4GB console with Kinect is changing the way we game! It’s got built-in Wi-Fi, a black wireless controller, a standard definition composite A/V cable, a Kinect Sensor that allows for all body gaming and voice control. Your kids will love this as a Chrissie present, but the best thing is the whole family can get involved too.  

This Christmas, steer away from old faithfuls such as undies and socks and give your loved ones a gift they’ll remember! If you want to save your pennies, why not try equipment rental instead? You’ll get a range of extra services and you’ll be able to pay for the use of your iPhone 4S, iPad2 or Nintendo DS through easy monthly payments. And, when technology upgrades, you can upgrade your equipment too!

What gifts will you be giving this Christmas?

More pressies for me!

This week has been full of pressies and I am treasuring each and every one of them! I won a giveaway that the lovely Miss Prudence  held over on her blog and I received it in all it's glory yesterday!

Check it out. I got spoilt again!!!

They aren't the best photos as I have a habit of forgetting where I put my camera and had to resort to using my phone. But isn't the brooch just adorable and I am loving the crochet book! As you may or may not be aware I am attempting to teach myself how to crochet and this book as some fab step by step instructions.

I am linking up with Melody again this week. Pop on over and say Hi.

Anyhow I really have to finish cooking dinner so I best be off but I just wanted to show everyone what awesome things I received. Thanks so so much Lynda!

Valentines Day...

  It's Valentines Day! And I am married to the most unromantic guy in the world (well maybe not the world) But B really gets stuck with romantic gestures. I guess I am kind of used to it now. He does try sometimes, but he gets all overwhelmed with the whole gift giving thing. That's not just restricted to Valentines Day, but Birthday, Christmas and Anniversaries. Anything that requires giving a gift really. So this year I bought my own Valentines day gift! Tickets to Wicked!

We are going in 3 weeks!!! I can't wait. Brendan is a wee bit hesitant on the whole deal as he isn't really into musicals. But I think he will enjoy himself. It will also be my first night away from Ethan as we are flying to Brisbane for the night. I am a tiny bit scared about that, but he is an easy going baby so will be completely fine I am sure.

But back to Valentines day. We won't be doing anything special today. Maybe just a walk at the beach with the kids and a movie on the couch once they are in bed. B did say he was going to cook dinner, but that could change. He does try in the kitchen but his skills are limited to scrabbled eggs (in the microwave), bacon and eggs and oven fried chips. 

So what are you going for your loved one this Valentines Day or do you prescribe to the 'It's a Hallmark Holdiay' line of thinking?

Do you have any funny Valentines Day story to share??? I would love to hear them. 

I have a kind of funny story from my High school Days. I was in grade 12 and my boyfriend at the time was adamant I was getting nothing from him. Nothing at all. He made sure all my friends knew too! Now as you can expect as a 16 year old I was quiet upset by this. Well anyway Valentines day comes around and he rocked up at school with nothing at all. I give him his gift and walk away empty handed. Now at the time I also had another guy wanting to date me (ahhh, those where the days!!!) and he had brought a gift to give to me. Poor guy I had nothing to give to him and felt bad as he had done such a sweet gesture as he knew the boyfriend was intending on giving me nothing... or so we thought. At morning break I was given a note to go to the office and low and behold the boyfriend had arranged something! I single boxed rose delivered from the florsit. It was gorgeous. And didn't I feel oh so bad for the other guy! I ended up with two Valentines days gifts that year! Needless to say I was with B the following year, so two gifts hasn't happened since. But from memory he gave me a single pink rose, a claddah ring (it was 2003 and they where all the rage) and a racy card that my mother read and went bright  red!