Christmas Prep. Round Up 2

Hi Everyone
It's my second round up of the Christmas a Prep series today. As per yesterday, it's been a balance between getting something finished quickly and making sure the quality is good. The second half of the prep jobs were mainly to do with Christmas decorating jobs.
Here they are with a little update on how the projects turned out.






This large bauble was a bit of an indulgence - Ive wanted to try this a few times and Christmas presented itself as an opportunity. I've added a bow and some clay holly leaves. Will get more photos on the tree.





The gift pockets have developed in both a triangle shape and the flat 'envelope style' - depending on the needs of any particular gift. I will post a new photo when the pockets are completely wrapped and ready for sending. I've done some of the flat pockets and sent them.






The star garlands are hanging and awaiting the final location. I've mixed and matched gold,white and corrugated card.





The snowman is probably my best, new project this year. He is ready and waiting for his final spot on the iced Christmas cake.





The vouchers have been printed but are still waiting for their envelopes. I have 6 vouchers and will write up as I wrap the gifts - some vouchers will be a temporary thing ( I know one item will not arrive) and will be a formal thing to open rather than just the gift 'in waiting'.



I have personalised a few more cards for family members but am keeping them under wraps for obvious reasons (some of my family read my blog !!) I will get a few photos after Christmas.

I've still lots of little things to do but I feel slightly 'under control'. Later today will see our house finally 'fully' decorated and all the Christmas shopping done. Most of the gifts will be wrapped and cards sent. It's been, as usual, a frantic couple of weeks but I would say - I think, Im more organised than I've been for many years ! Let's hope I'm not deluding myself !!!

This will be my final regular post although I will post the occasional photo story over the Christmas break and share my Christmas Prep projects 'in action'. Hope you all have a great Christmas.

Thanks for reading.

Christmas Prep. Round Up 1

Hi Everyone
I wanted to round up the Christmas Prep ideas before the official end of working time and start of the holidays. I have decided to round up my little projects in two parts, mainly as there are lots of photos to share.

It's been a very 'real' Christmas Prep. exercise for me and focussed my mind on the job. I usually have a prepared range of Christmas project samples which I then develop (for myself) but this year I was actually prepping as I was blogging each day. Every day the item I created my item and used it.
I chose to create each item based on my needs at that stage in my own preparations. Some ideas didn't happen as I planned and I compromised, usually due to voluntary work. Life and everything else was a bit frantic at times. I do know that where I made an item, each item was a possible 'quick make'- as I did it that way.

Here are the first six projects in pictures with a comment on how the project turned out.



The list board stayed as it was and I've used the lists every day.


The card tree is filling up. Will get another photo in a few days.


I've made 12 cards using the new designs and sent them ( without a photo being taken) - I need more so will keep going and get photos (before sending).


Tags have changed a little - I changed the white back for gold corrugated card. Will share the photos in a few days when the tags are used to wrap.


Baubles are ready to go on the tree with hanging thread. No baubles on the tree yet - only lights. I like the minimum simplicity but it won't last !


All labels are attached and ready for use. One of my jars was too small, so I needed to adapt. Again will get photos of adapted version.

Thanks for reading.

Day 12 of Christmas Prep.@thepapersac

Hi Everyone
It's the last day of my Christmas Prep. @ thepapersac . We have had 12 days - not sure I remember all 12 ? where did that time go ?

Today, I've designed and made a cake topper for this years Christmas cake. I made my cake a few weeks ago and every year (when taking the cake out of the oven) I declare my intention to make a new topper. This year, I've finally done it. My new topper is a snowman. I've made the little guy as you would make a real snowman, very simple but with rolled white snowballs made from polymer clay. I've given him a hat, scarf, nose and some eyes as well as arms and a few buttons. I used another cake topper for scale so the snowman should be good for size. I've yet to cook him but here he is just before going into the oven.



When cooked and solid, I will add him to the round up - on Friday. The snowman has turned out OK - fingers crossed he will bake without any incidents. I think this must be the easiest Christmas character to make into a topper with polymer. It took me about 20 mins (including tidy up time) and I loved messing around with ideas for the hat and scarf. I hope he will help make the decorated cake look good in a few days.

Thanks for reading.

Day 11 of Christmas Prep. @ thepapersac

Hi Everyone
Christmas preparations are near completion or are they ? - in my dreams !!!!
I've definitely been on the edge this year ! I think, I may have almost shopped - maybe one or two items could find their way into my stash but I could probably finish where I am. There are many bags of presents to wrap and cards to send and things to decorate but I'm determined to embrace the job this year. I need a couple of days to enjoy the process rather be stressed out by it !!! I've got until Friday before the kids are off school for the Christmas break. I need most things complete by Friday. Fingers crossed.

Moving on ....... my prep for today is a Christmas Voucher. I do tend to use this idea for a few celebration events both for work and family. As such, I have a basic template on my PC for adapting to whichever event I need. The template started life as a very basic Microsoft Publisher template, however, it's been changed and added to many times, unrecognisable as a template. I would say a template is not necessary. Just a series of boxes. I change the colours and images each time but essentially it's a very quick and easy way of giving a personal gift at Christmas.
Here is a look at the voucher. I try and make the voucher look a bit like a cheque. The image is changed to suit events and I do add a date.



I need 4 vouchers and have printed my vouchers on two pieces of A4. I will trim each voucher and make an envelope using gift wrap paper and make a label for each. I may add a few embellishments to the envelopes - not sure at this stage. I will share the end product in my final round up (in a few days). I like to add the envelopes to the tree so may add a little hanging hook.

Thanks for reading.

Day 10 of Christmas Prep. @ thepapersac

Hi Everyone
We are on the final countdown (Day 10) re Christmas prep. - it's the last week of school before Christmas holidays and ........ at last we have a tree ! It's not looking as good as it will but it's there along with lots of boxes of decorations. I've got a few days to 'pretty' the house ! - I hope.

Today, I'm making some Star Bunting. These 'shortish' lengths of bunting are designed to adorn wall art (pictures) - just to give a little 'bling' to the walls. I'm not a great fan of too much in the way of streamers but I like some more subtle 'lift' for the walls. I did this last year with a silver paper version, this year Im going for gold. I've got some corrugated gold card and some gift wrap paper which Im hoping will do the job. I will use a white paper cord to link the stars. I like my mini sample and am confident the bunting will look good.






I'm hoping to give this project an hour or so later today. I will cut out all the stuff this morning but am involved in some volunteer work mid afternoon, so the construction will happen later. I plan to make the bunting fit the actual pictures so will vary the lengths. The final version will appear in the round up after day 12. I think I need 4 lengths in total ? I usually get carried away with these projects when I get going - so who knows how many lengths will emerge, will report later.

Thanks for reading.