Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas tree colourful
Wow, this year has just flown. It certainly has been quite an eventful one on the blog and for me personally.
I’ve created over 40 original projects and tutorials, written and co-written two e-books, taken a photoshop course, spoken at a bloggers conference, signed on as a Nuffnang Talent blogger, migrated from blogger to self hosted wordpress and watched my toddler change into a proper little girl.

I have so much good stuff planned for 2013, including a BIG giveaway in January (make sure you tune in for that) and the launch of The Lucky Draw Project in February (more about that in the new year).

Till then I’m taking a few weeks off from the blog to recharge my batteries and giving the old passport a little work out. I’m sure I’ll be posting some holiday adventures on Instagram, you can follow the fun over there.

Thank you all so much for reading, liking, following, commenting, making and sharing, especially those of you that have been with me from the start, I hope I’m still relevant. Those of you that have discovered My Poppet this year, it’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and I hope I’ve ignited a little spark of creativity in you.

This is me signing off for 2012, enjoy the holidays and have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year break.

x Cinti

My Mexican Fiesta Christmas

Freedom City outdoor setting
You’ve probably noticed that Christmas is just around the corner, it has snuck up again on me this year. It’s my birthday month so I don’t really get into the Christmas spirit until I blow out the candles on my birthday cake. When Freedom gifted me a voucher to help me get ready for Christmas, my mind went straight to our outdoor area. We’ve been desperately in need of an outdoor setting to help extend our entertaining space. I love alfresco dining, and creating an outdoor room for all the festivities in December makes this season feel extra special.

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How To: Advent Calendar Wall Hanging

Bright purple retro advent calendar neon Christmas modern
I remember with great fondness the little cardboard Advent Calendar my sister and I had as children. It was a little village scene where the tiny doors and windows opened up to reveal a new picture every day. It didn’t contain treats, but my sister and I would still fight over who was opening the doors. I’m sure mum still has it somewhere, the glitter has probably all fallen off though.
With Emma getting older, I thought it would be fun to start our own little Advent Christmas traditions.

Because it’s summer here in Australia at Christmas time, I’ve never much related to the traditional red and green regalia associated with this time of year. A summertime Christmas should be celebrated with loads of colour so naturally I gathered some of my brightest vintage fabrics and got to work making this Advent Calendar Wall Hanging.
It’s fairly simple and can be adapted to any colour scheme depending on the fabrics you choose. Add some pom poms for a little extra zing!
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How To: String Art Christmas Tree & Card Display

String wall christmas tree

This is a sponsored post for 3M via Digital Parents Collective. As always, projects and opinions are my own.

Receiving a Christmas card in the mail these days is quite a treat, so why not display them beautifully on this colourful String Art Christmas Tree.

I’ve always loved the idea of string art, but making holes in my walls for a temporary project is not ideal. That’s where 3M Clear hooks are perfect, they stick to most surfaces, then come off cleanly. When the box arrived with the full range I couldn’t wait to get started. The Decorating Clips are small and unobtrusive, and were the perfect choice for this project.

You could also use this tree as an Advent Calender by pegging on 25 numbered envelopes, or if you have very limited space, just decorate as you would a normal tree and pop your presents under it on Christmas morning.

Read on for instructions and a chance to win one of 5 prize packs…

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Santa Cookies – a festive treat

Santa cookies biscuits recipe

I’m really looking forward to Christmas preparations this year. Emma is getting super excited at any glimpse of tinsel and has already requested a pony!! I’m hoping by making gifts and treats together she can start learning that Christmas is not just about opening presents, but about generosity and giving. We had a fun time making these Santa shaped cookies, and she did lots of the actual making herself.

There was a mini debate at home over nomenclature. Are they cookies or biscuits? Well it depends where you are from, but no matter what you call them, they’re super cute, tasty and fun to make.

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We Wish you a Merry Christmas…

Wow, it’s been a crazy year! Two overseas trips, 244 blog posts, 34 tutorials, a sassy 2 year old…and I’m spent.
I’ve pushed myself really hard this year, blog wise, mainly to challenge myself and see what can happen if I really put my back into something. I’ve tried lots of new approaches and have learnt so much, hopefully you have enjoyed the journey as well. Now I need a rest.

I’d like to thank you all for reading, liking, following, commenting, especially those of you that have been with us from the start, I hope I’m still relevant. Those of you that have joined us this year, welcome. It’s great to be part of your day.

A really special thanks to all my sponsors and shop customers this year, nothing says ‘I believe in you’ more than handing over your hard earned cash. I don’t really do any of this for the money (or I’d starve), but it’s funny how validating just a little financial reward can be. I hope your My Poppet experiences this year have been amazing, I know you’ve all been really great.

Next year is going to be an interesting one. There are changes afoot! Lots of upheaval here at home (no, I’m not pregnant), so I’m taking all of January off to recharge and re-inspire. I’m excited to see how it all pans out.

So now it’s time for me to sign off.

Have a Safe and Happy Christmas and holiday period. Laugh, eat and enjoy your loved ones.
See you in the new year
xx Cinti

www.mypoppet.com.au

Guest Blogger: Cherry and Me – My first ever Chrismukkah Tree

Today I’m handing the blog over to Elle from Cherry and Me, who has written this festive tutorial on a fun twist to her holiday decorating. Today is the first day of Chanukah a Jewish Festival also known as the Festival of Lights. Take it away Elle…

I come from a Jewish family but this year I thought I’d celebrate my first festive season as a new mummy by decorating a tree!

I bought a “Joost” baby Christmas tree from The Design Files Open House. Joost grows all his own plants and creates the most amazing and innovative contemporary installations around Melbourne.

There’s no glitzy tinsel and not one bauble in site on my tree! Nope! I’m decorating my tree with Chanukah ornaments!
These are Chanukah ‘dradles’. They are kind of like spinning tops with Hebrew letters on each side.My sister and I tied strings around each dradle to hang all over the tree. We even made a Star of David for the top! Keeping things a little kosher ;)

Ta-da! The finished product! Isn’t is cute?
I think I’ll plant the tree in a terra-cotta pot after the silly season is over and hopefully we can do it all again next year!

Thanks Elle, and Happy Chanukah to you, and to all my Jewish friends and readers!
x Cinti

www.mypoppet.com.au

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