Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!

With Christmas just two days away, I want to wish you all a blessed Christmas and joyous new year.  For those of you travelling to be with loved ones, I wish you safe travels.  And for those of you who find this time of your a hard one for whatever reasons and difficulties you face, I send best wishes for comfort and peace for you.

I probably won't blog much over the Christmas and new year period, so until next time - be safe and all the best to you and yours this holiday season.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Bespoke Two Cheeky Monkeys Creations

On Monday I shared photos of some special creations I've created for my friends and family.  So today I am sharing bespoke pretties created for customers to give to their friends and loved ones this Christmas.

The first is a fun Harry Potter set created for a customer to give to a good friend and mad keen Harry Potter fan.  The locket contains Dumbledore's line in The Prisoner of Azkaban, "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."  The earrings bear Ron and Harry's names to create a fun matching jewellery set.

The second is a special set of locket necklaces created for a mother and her daughters with specific quotes chosen for each recipient.  Each necklace also has initial charms meaningful to the recipient and matching blue beads for all three necklaces.  Aren't they fun!  I really love how well-received the mother-daughter necklaces have been and am so touched by all those out there who have wonderful relationships with their mothers.

Christmas gifts in my creative space

As the craziness ramps up in the week before Christmas, I wanted to share a few pieces I've been working on for Christmas gifts.  The first is a darling set of name necklaces commissioned by a friend as gifts for her little daughter and nieces.  They're not my usual style of creations, but I had a lot of fun working with my friend to design and create these special pieces, and I can't wait to hear how the little recipients react to their gifts!

The second are a set of lockets I created for the little Cheeky Monkeys, who have a fondness for my locket creations as well as cartoon foxes.  The Bible verse I inset into the lockets is one of their favourites.  And who could resist those foxes (and the toadstool)???  So tell me, are you giving the gift of handmade this Christmas?

DIY Crocheted and Knitted Christmas

You all know how much I love to crochet, and how much my mum used to love knitting (before arthritis gave her grief).  So here is a roundup of beautiful and useful items to knit or crochet for your loved ones this Christmas.

1. Brighten her day with a rainbow crocheted bag.

2. Knit up a dalek or two for the Dr Who fan!

3. Keep your head warm with a messy hair bun hat.

4. No one would say no to this beautiful infinity scarf.

5. Create a cute plushie for little ones.

6. Unisex mittens perfect for him or her.

DIY Upcycled Christmas

Today I'm sharing a roundup of sweet Christmas ornament tutorials all upcycled from the various odds and ends that tend to collect in one's home (especially if you're a hoarder of craft supplies).  These ornaments are fun for decorating your tree or adding as toppers on your Christmas gifts.  Enjoy!

1. A fun Christmas tree made from tiny thread spools.

2. Turn an incomplete Scrabble set into word ornaments!

3. Turn plastic bottle rings, old jewellery and fabric scraps into beautiful ornaments.

4. Why create more land fill when you can turn old lightbulbs into a variety of ornaments!

5. Add a family photo and pretty paper and your old lid is now a Christmas keepsake.

6. Stash bust your button collection and create darling Christmas tree ornaments.

DIY Edible Christmas Gifts

I'm not going to lie, I loooove food and I really love it when friends give me a gift of their secret recipe sauce or other treat which they're celebrated for making!  Here are some ideas for you to spoil friends and loved ones this Christmas.

1. Raspberry and frangelico sauce - need I say more?

2. White chocolate and macadamia rocky road is a fancier version of the well-loved original.

3. Flavoured salts are great for foodies and chef wannabes.

4. Fancy up your shortbread recipe!

5. Infused vodkas aren't technically edible, but that's just semantics.

6. Choc-coated nougat - drool!

DIY Christmas Cards

This second post in my DIY Christmas series is all about handmade Christmas cards.  It can seem a little crazy making cards at this late date, but sometimes making your own cards at home for a teacher appreciation or for neighbours is much easier than braving the shopping centres during "the silly season".  These four designs should be fairly easy to make at home with supplies most creative types will have on hand - have fun!

1. A photo of the family makes a perfect card for loved ones who are far away.

2. A simple Christmas tree card little ones could make.

3. Use up old buttons for a Christmas wreath card.

4. Stash bust your paper scraps with this iris folding bauble card.

DIY Christmas Sewing Projects

So it's probably a little late to be working on Christmas creations in mid-December, but I know there are a lot of last minute types out there, and there's always that "ohh, I could do with more decorations" feeling!  So here is a roundup of Christmas-related sewing projects to help prepare you for the festivities ahead.

1. Gingermelon doll pattern

2. Fun quilted Christmas trees

3. Sew him a silk tie from Thread Theory

4. An adjustable fabric crown for a prince or princess

5. Find this gorgeous purse pattern on Craftsy

6. Mug rugs make great gifts all year round

Handmade Gift Guide: For Pets

Okay, so I'm not the type to give gifts to my pets, but I know a lot of friends who are.  So here is a gift guide especially for those of you who love to spoil your pets!

1. I wouldn't mind a gorgeous throw cushion/pet bed!

2. Only the best food bowls for your pet.

3. Make sure a lost pet can be reunited with you easily.

4. It's not just cats and dogs who love plush sleeping quarters.

Handmade Gift Guide: For Kids

Whether the kids you're buying for are your own, your grandchildren, nieces, nephews or best friends' children, fun handmade items are the go for inspiring young minds.

1. Which child could not love a play teepee!

2. Floral rings are a fun way for girls to adorn themselves.

3. This paddleball set should entertain kids on Christmas day and during their summer holidays.

4. Sunsmart gifts will never go wrong.

5. Who says boys' clothing needs to be dull?

6. String art kits are perfect for older kids who love being creative.

Handmade Gift Guide: For Her

I'm hoping my family members see this post, as they all know how much I love receiving funky handmade gifts!  Spoil your mother, sister, aunt, bestie, wife or girlfriend with this selection of fun and funky handmade items.

1. For the woman who loves her shoes casual and comfortable, yet eye-catchingly stunning.

2. There's nothing like carrying a purse with your favourite literature printed on it!

3. Wear them for a workout or just for fun, she'll look great regardless.

4. A two-in-one keyring and flash drive for the comic book fan.

5. We all have that friend who loves her bling, don't we?

6. A fun superhero ladies notebook for the budding writer or graphic artist.

Handmade Gift Guide: For Him

This handmade gift guide was designed to help you find something for all those hard to buy for males in your life (we all have them, don't we?)  These gifts are fun but all very useful for the recipient.

1. Funky phone covers are great for any age.

2. Perfect for the Princess Bride fan.

3. Add some floral fun to a necktie.

4. A zombie virus keyring makes a fun gift for a teen or zombie fan.

5. For the man who loves golf (or fun barwares).

6. Drinking glasses made from old beer bottles are eco-friendly and fun.

Handmade Gift Guide: Teacher Appreciation Gifts

As the school year comes to an end here in Australia, the thoughts of many go towards finding the perfect teacher appreciation gift.  Here are a few of my favourite handmade options because, if you or your children have an amazing teacher, you should thank them with something unique and special.

1. wall plaque

2. keyring

3. bookmark

4. personalised mouse pad