Mousehouse Advent Cards

Hi all, I hope you're all having a good week and not feeling too frazzled in the lead up to Christmas! Just writing a quick blog post to share these advent cards I made this week to go with the pocket bunting I made a few years ago. I've been meaning to make the cards since I first saw them on Pinterest a few years ago so I'm very happy to have finally finished them! I used ideas from lots of blog posts I've read and lots of ideas on Pinterest too

I've come up with a list of my favourite family Christmas traditions such as having a Christmas movie night or getting new Christmas books, ideas for fun Christmas experiences such as going to see the Christmas lights or getting a photo with Santa, and ideas for small Christmas treats as well. The cards are $30 + $6 courier (NZ), printed on nice heavy 240GSM card and matte laminated, all on a handy ring to keep them together. They are 65mm x 65mm so should fit in most pocket/bag/envelope style advent calendars. There are 40 cards so you can choose which cards suit your family, including about 8 cards that say 'here is a little treat for you today' for those busy days! I've also included a list of treat ideas to go with the 'Christmas experience' cards.

If you would like to order a set of cards you can email me megan@mousehouse.co.nz or message me via my Mousehouse Facebook page www.facebook.com/mousehouseblog

I have already sold the sets I made in time for December 1st delivery but I will be doing another limited number of sets if you are happy to receive them in a week or two. Or you could always order a set for next year! 

 

And if you are wanting more advent inspiration I've pinned lots of lovely handmade Advent calendars to my 'Christmas' Board if you want to take a look…

http://www.pinterest.com/megsmousehouse/christmas

Thanks for reading,

Megan

2013 Mousehouse Christmas Giveaway

Well I have finished putting together a little gathering of treats to say thank you once again for reading 'mousehouse'. This year has probably been my quietest blog year since I started writing mousehouse back at the end of 2009. It was a full on year selling our house and moving house mid year, as well as Jack being a fully fledged busy, loud toddler now who with my other two kiddies makes for a very busy life! Hopefully next year I will have more time to craft/sew/create and share... hhmmm it seems to be the older the kids get the busier life gets so hopefully it's not just wishful thinking! I have really enjoyed using my mousehouse facebook page to share ideas in a quick and easy way but I still want to use my blog to share ideas as well, it just takes a bit longer to write a blog post nowadays!

I have two big plans for next year on 'mousehouse'- one feature will be 'My pinterest home'. I use pinterest mainly for home ideas and I absolutely love all the clever tips and ideas that people on pinterest pin and share.  So next year I am wanting to start actually doing some of the ideas I've pinned, and then sharing them on here and my facebook page- so they will mostly be ideas in regards to organising, clever storage ideas, fun ideas for kids rooms and spaces, and where to find cool and affordable things for your house.   I also want to share lots of ideas for things you can make for your home to make it more functional and organised but also look great.

My other passion on mousehouse other than homes and interiors is young children and learning ideas so I want to have another feature next year 'Play and Learn' and share lots more ideas to help your pre-schoolers learn their ABC's and other activities along those lines such as fine motor skills, counting and a love of books, stories and reading. My middle child starts school end of March so the things that I will be doing with her I will be sharing on here or my facebook page, as well as other fun things I make or come across for young children. I have done a bit of relief teaching in the last few years mostly in New Entrant classes so I have seen first hand how the children that come to school with some alphabet knowledge and writing skills just fly once they start school. I'm not advocating getting out flash cards or stressing that your child knows all of the alphabet before their first day at school however there are so many easy and fun ways to help your child gain some knowledge before school and also instill the beginning of a love of learning.

I also have another project for 2014....something I have been working on for a couple of years now...it's a book for all of you with children or grandchildren, those of you who work with children, or those of you hoping to have children one day. It's going to be a big book full of ideas for play, learning and other fun things and I am nearly at the stage where I can start approaching publishers.  I have been working with a very clever graphic designer friend to make up some proof chapters and montages, so wish me luck!  If you like the ideas that I share on mousehouse then you are going to LOVE this book. And the really special thing about this book is that it will be a book that your own children will pore over and love as much as you hopefully will! There is nothing better than seeing kids engrossed in a book and that is one of my biggest goals with this project.  I am really nervous sharing this but I think it is about time I do so that in 2014 I actually do the hardest job which is approaching publishers...so if you know anyone in the book publishing industry in NZ I would love to hear from you.  It's really hard putting myself out there like this to be honest in regards to my book idea but I have really got to get this project off the ground next year or I never will!  There is also going to be the opportunity to be part of my book project as although I have already taken thousands of photo's already I am wanting lots more so if you are handy with a camera and have some great photo's of your children and would love to be involved than please keep an eye out for me asking for photo's in the new year :)

So anyway after all of that here are the details of my giveaway...

Each year when I start making/gathering things for my Christmas giveaway I like to choose things that reflect what I share on my blog and my Facebook page. So this year I think I've covered it pretty well ....here's what you could win....

* Vintage Christmas illustration paper napkins- I love anything with a vintage look and I love sharing ideas for parties and gatherings at home. I bought these from Perch Home.

*Kikki-K to do note pad- I am a crazy list maker and I always have a to-do list a mile long so this notepad sums up this aspect of me.  I used to love sharing my 'organised home' posts as well on my blog and hope to re start something similar to that on mousehouse next year via 'my pinterest home' feature.

*Christmas tree cookie cutter- I have a pretty big collection of cookie cutters and I love using them for cutting out sandwiches, baking, and for crafts like playdough or using them as stencils.

*Ikea honeycomb Christmas decoration- I've never been to an Ikea store but would love to-  a friend in Hong Kong did a shop for me at her local Ikea and these decorations were on my list-  aren't they gorgeous!

*a lined mousehouse drawstring bag- I love sewing and wish I had time to do more- these little drawstring bags are one of my favourite things to make. Handy to store special christmas decorations or anything else you need to keep safe!

*elastics game from Jump Elastics- I love making and buying stuff for kids, especially things that get them outside playing classic childhood games. Michelle from Jump Elastics kindly offered to donate one of her gorgeous 'jumpelastics' to my giveaway so if you win not only do you get some treats but your kids will hopefully be occupied happily outside while you enjoy them!  The jump elastics also comes with a cute little book with lots of ideas of games to play if you've forgotten some of the 'chants' from your school yard days :) These would make a great present for Christmas too if you don't win the giveaway, and Michelle's packaging is beautiful as well. Check out the Jump Elastics Facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/jumpelastics

The giveaway is open to all so international entries welcome, entries will close Saturday 14th December at midday NZ time.  You can enter by leaving a comment under this blog post or over on my facebook page under the post about this giveaway.

For your comment I would love to know what you enjoy reading about or seeing on my blog or facebook page.  I hope that doesn't come across as me trying to get a lot of compliments but I am truly interested in what you like to see/read... and maybe some of your comments would help me when it comes to approaching publishers...

Here's how to get yourself some extra entries- just do any of the following and let me know in a separate comment for each either here or on Facebook...

*if you are on Facebook like and share the post about this giveaway on your own facebook page
*share this giveaway on your blog if you have one
*like mousehouse on Facebook
*follow my boards on pinterest

Good luck and thank you again for reading 'mousehouse' for another year, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014 :)

Megan x

PS: I have re read through this post a few times now since I wrote it on Sunday and have decided to leave it as it is even though it does seem pretty full on with my grand plans for next year!! but please know that although I have plans for 2014 I am no super mum or amazing multi tasker- I just have an absolute passion for making things and sharing ideas with other like-minded people so this blog is not a reflection on my whole life, just a part of it I really enjoy :) All of you mums out there are doing an incredible job and I hope my blog inspires you rather than makes you feel you are doing 'less' than others...that is something I really don't want and is not what my blog is about, I may make a lot of cute stuff but my hubby would probably rather I cooked dinner a few more nights instead!! So to all you mums out there have a great Christmas and I hope you get some time to put your feet up and pat yourself on the back for doing an amazing job day in day out!!

Ideas for advent, stocking or Santa Sack gifts

I have finally got myself sorted for my advent pocket bunting just a few days late.
I made this bunting last year...

http://domesticblissnz.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/christmas-advent-bunting.html

so I thought I would share some ideas for things to put in either your advent calendar if you have one that fits small treats, or you could use these ideas for stocking or santa sack presents. Most of the things I got from the supermarket (yes the irony of the toothbrush surrounded by sugary treats!) so it wasn't too much extra work finding the bits and bobs. So here are my ideas plus a few extra ones that I haven't got for the photo...

*mini treat cereal boxes
*hair bobbles/hair ties
*matchbox cars
*water bottle treat (my kids are always asking me to buy these water buddies so they'll be v excited to see these!)
*mini playdough and cookie cutters
*popcorn (you could add a note saying 'it's Christmas movie night tonight)
*balloons
*bubbles
*bandaids (my kids have an obsession with bandaids)
*lollipops
*candy canes, chocolate santa's, gold coins, mini chocolate bars
*a handmade or store bought decoration for each child
*lego mini figurines
*stickers and cut out stars to decorate (you could put these in a pocket on the day you are decorating your Christmas tree)
*hair clips
*christmas bead bracelet or necklace
*stamps
*Christmas cards to write to family and friends
*new toothbrushes

*other ideas are...

• new Christmas books 
• new summer PJ's
• new underwear
• instant kiwi $1 scratchie

 So hope that helps if you are getting ready to do your christmas shopping or making :)
Megan x

Christmas ornament swap 2012

I came across this pin via Clare of Green Valley Crafts a while ago (go and check out Clare's blog as it is just lovely) and thought it would be a great one to make for this years Kiwi christmas ornament swap hosted by Sew Funky.  I love using fabric and I love doing a little bit of stitching on felt too so it was win win (and they wouldn't take too long to make which is another win this year!) I kept the ornament simple with the stitching thread, ribbon and felt all being the same colour so the fabric would really stand out (I used the same fabrics that I used for my christmas advent bunting).

Here is the tutorial if you'd like to have a go yourself...

http://cards-by-paula.blog.co.uk/2009/12/12/simple-christmas-felt-ornaments-7562177/

 

And here are a couple of ornaments I have received as part of the swap...

 

A beautiful cross stitched ornament from Kimberley...

...and a lovely tree decoration and cute card from Tammy

 

...love the pocket made out of a recycled magazine page to pop the ornament in too!

Megan x

PS: Don't forget to enter my Christmas giveaway!

Mousehouse Christmas Giveaway 2012

Once again I've had lots of fun making and gathering up a few goodies to say a big thank you for reading 'mousehouse' this year- I really appreciate you all! It's been a really busy year with Amelie starting school which dramatically reduced my crafting time (and I thought I'd have more time when she was at school...) and Jack becoming a very busy toddler so my blog posts aren't quite as prolific as they used to be so thank you for still reading! Also a big thank you to all of you that like and comment on my facebook page- I have really enjoyed using my facebook page this year to connect with readers and share ideas.  So here are my Christmas treats for one lucky reader...

* a fat quarter of Riley Blake's Santa's Workshop "White Santa Snowflake" fabric

* an Owl topper pencil

* a Birdy notepad

* A mousehouse waterproof make-up purse

* 4 sheets of Cath Kidston stickers and labels

* a roll of green/white striped washi tape

* a toadstool eraser and pencil sharpener

* 5 metres of christmas coloured bakers twine

* a Babushka christmas decoration

The giveaway is open internationally so anyone can enter- entries will close Wed 12th Dec. To enter all you have to do is leave a comment telling me where you are from. If you would like to you could tell me something you like doing in your hometown/city in the lead up to Christmas - maybe it's going berry picking at a favourite orchard, ice skating at a local rink, going to an annual Christmas market... I'm just really interested in where you're from, how you celebrate christmas in your part of the world or something fun to do in your hometown! (I have a bit of the travelling bug at the moment so can live vicariously through your comments ;) Anyone can comment (and I've taken that word verification thing off) and if you don't have a blog you can comment as an anonymous user- just make sure you leave your email address in the comment. 

I would love to be able to use my Facebook page for you to enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on there but after reading their huge list of rules I can't see how I can (if you know how to let me know!) However if you share this giveaway post on Facebook and let me know in the comment section here you'll get another entry! (I'm pretty sure that's allowed!)

So leave a comment to enter - if you're a Facebook liker as well leave another comment for another chance to win, and if you share the giveaway on your blog, facebook or pinterest leave another comment to let me know. 

Thank you so much again for reading mousehouse and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Megan x

Christmas advent bunting

Well I've finally finished it..my pocket advent bunting all ready for Christmas! If you follow my mousehouse page on Facebook you'll have seen a few pics already of the process, and some details of where I got the numbers and fabric but I'll share again on here for any of you that haven't seen my FB posts.

I got the idea to make advent bunting after seeing this gorgeous bunting on pinterest made by the very clever Jooles of Sew Sweet Violet. I'd already bought the screenprinted numbers over a year ago from Maze and Vale  (which you just cut out and applique on to your chosen fabric) but I was still thinking of how I was going to make the calendar- there are a lot of great ideas out there! Once I saw the pocket bunting idea though I knew it would be a great project as I love bunting and it wouldn't take too long to make compared to some of the beautiful but more time consuming pocket quilt style advent calendars I've seen.

For the white fabric I used 'cotton duck' in off white- I love this fabric and used it for the christmas stockings I made a few years ago (here and here) as well- it's quite a heavy fabric, has a linen look and also looks quite 'vintagy' so works really well for lots of projects. (I buy it from Bernina here in Tauranga- I think it is about $14 a metre). For the back of the pockets I used fabrics from the Riley Blake 'Santa's Workshop' collection- I bought them from Bernina and Sew Pretty  plus the aqua spot fabric from Spotlight. You can also find the range on Etsy. I used bias binding to join all the pockets together. I'm really happy with how it's turned out, especially the colours of all the fabrics together- it looks Christmassy but still bright and fun as well which suits our summer Christmas here in NZ.

I think I'm going to do something similar to what Vanessa wrote on my Facebook page about her advent calendar last year...she put notes in each pocket with things like "tomorrow we can bake gingerbread cookies" or "we will go and see the Christmas lights tomorrow night" or "you can stay up an hour later tonight to watch a Santa DVD" and then put a chocolate Santa or a candy cane every third day or so. Lots of great idea thanks Vanessa- I like the idea of mixing activities with treats! Here are some more ideas below…

here

I also loved Claire's idea on my FB page- she put notes in some of her advent pockets saying things like "Look in the washing basket" or she wrote clues to put in the pockets and they had to guess where she hid the treats!

Here is my list of Christmassy things I would like to do most years (time and energy willing!!) They are in no particular order and I doubt I'll get them all done but it'll be good to have a list here for ideas...

1. Unwrap some new summer PJ's- one year I might actually make these but for now I'll be buying them

2. Read a Christmas story (every year I want to buy a new Christmas book for each kiddo- this year I bought Mog's Christmas for Amelie, The Lighthouse Keeper's Christmas for Jack (both $11 on Fishpond with free delivery FYI) and Dora's Starry Christmas  for Stella my little Dora fan :)

3. Go to the Christmas tree farm and pick out a Christmas tree www.christmastreefarm.co.nz

4. Hang the Christmas wreath and stockings and other decorations around the house

5. Decorate the Christmas tree

6. In one pocket I'll put 3 Christmas decorations with a note to hang them on the tree (I like the idea of making or buying a special Christmas decoration each year so they'll have a nice little collection by the time they have their own tree's!)

http://domesticblissnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/12/felt-gingerbread-houses.html

7. Go berry picking- list of places in NZ here...http://good.net.nz/blog/rebekah-white/pick-your-own

8. Write a letter to Santa

9. Watch Santa's message on http://www.portablenorthpole.com/home  

10. Make/write Christmas cards

11. Do some Christmas baking (gingerbread, shortbread...lots of ideas on pinterest)

12. Do some Christmas drawing and crafting ( a few years ago I made a little craft kit with stickers, red and green card, crayons and some other bits and pieces from Dollar value so will try and do this again for Amelie and Stella). 

There are also lots of christmas activity books like this one from Book Depository or FishPond so I might get one of them ...

or I'll find some Christmas colouring in pages and other simple kids craft ideas online  (like this one I made a few years ago with Stella http://domesticblissnz.blogspot.co.nz/2010/12/diy-kids-art-for-christmas.html

13. Take a parcel of food to the local Foodbank and donate some old toys to an Op Shop

14. Go for a drive to see the Christmas lights-luckily there were quite a few houses that got into it last year in our neighbourhood! 

15. Decorate a gingerbread house- I like the look of this one from Ezibuy as I can't imagine ever making my own gingerbread pieces!

16. Go to a Carols by Candlight performance (I think Te Puna Quarry here in Tauranga had one last year but the kids were a bit young..maybe this year we will give it a go)

17. Go to a Christmas church service that tells the Christmas story so the kids learn something about the meaning/history behind Christmas

18. Watch a Christmas movie (hoping to get a Muppets Christmas movie like 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' this year to watch among others like The Polar Express, How the Grinch stole Christmas, Santa Claus, A Charlie Brown Christmas...if you have a favourite Christmas movie would love to hear! More ideas here

19. Buy some Christmas lilies.

20. Make up a lolly jar of red/ green/ christmas themed lollies.

21. Make a christmas pillowcase with pocket

22. Have a kids christmas morning tea or lunch

23. Have Christmas drinks and nibbles (Christmas eve if here)

24. Have an adults 'end of year' dinner out

25. Elf on the Shelf- buy this year

26. Buy a new candle for the mantelpiece- christmassy scent...

27. Make some reindeer food using oats and glitter + carrots- put out letter, cookies and milk for Santa (jingle bells, chewed up carrot, note from Santa next morning)

28 New toothbrushes

29. Get a new christmas outfit and take a photo underneath the Christmas tree (christmas cards)

30. Decorate the dollshouse for Christmas

31. Go to a Santa parade

Phew this has turned into a very big blog post, no wonder its taken me about a week to finish it! If you want any more advent ideas if you are wanting to make your own one check out my Christmas pinterest board or search Etsy to buy a handmade one- there are thousands of beautiful ones on there!

And a big thanks to Jooles of Sew Sweet Violet for the fab idea to make advent pocket bunting- check out her store as she makes some really lovely things. 

Please share any photo's of your DIY advent calendar or ideas on my Facebook page- would love to see them!

Megan x

PS: The winner of the edible ink pen from my Muppets blog post is comment number 4- CC of Sevendog blog. Please email me your address to megan (at) mouse house dot co dot nz and I'll send the pen out to you :)

my creative space: crocheted christmas balls

For this years Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap after much deliberating I decided to make some crocheted christmas balls. Luckily I started ages ago as life has been pretty crazy lately (Jack's tonsilitis lasted 2 weeks and he was one very grumpy baby) so I only just finished the last one on the day we were meant to be sending them! Am pleased I stuck with them though as I do like the look of them and I really enjoy making these balls- crochet is very relaxing and a great de-stresser as any of you into crochet will understand! I followed the pattern at Kate from Greedy for Colour's crochet ball tutorial but added a few more rounds to make the ball bigger and then made a chain for the loop and added the bow and bell.  

(When I first started crochet I didn't know why my balls had the striped look on them like the red and green ones below but crochet queen Kristy from Paisley Jade and a couple of other helpful bloggers figured out I was only going through one stitch instead of both when doing each 'Single Crochet' stitch.  So for these balls I did some with stripes and some without.)

And I've just had a look at Kate's blog to link to the tutorial and great minds think alike hehe - she has made the most gorgeous crochet baubles using gold thread to make little toppers so they just like a bauble! And they look so divine all together in the box. Kate has written a tutorial for them too being the lovely crafter she is :) Making a crochet ball is a great thing to start with if you want to get into crochet and it gives you lots of skills to make other things like an easter egg, an apple and other stuffed shapes- crochet is a great portable project for the holidays too!

I've received some lovely ornaments from the swap so far thank you ladies- it's been so much fun opening up the little parcels. And thanks again Dione for organising another great swap- you can check out more of the swap ornaments at Dione's blog 'Sew Funky' here.

Megan x

A Mousehouse Christmas Giveaway

Happy 1st December! To say a BIG thank you to all of you that read my blog and follow mousehouse on facebook  I'm having another Christmas giveaway... here's what you could win...

• a mousehouse waterproof 'Babushka' purse (I bought the fabric for the purse from Stitchbird and I think it's my most favourite fabric yet which is saying something!)
• a Cath Kidston notebook
• 20 metres of red/white bakers twine
• set of 6 gift tag stickers
• fat quarter of christmas fabric

I've really enjoyed my second year of writing this blog and I so appreciate the feedback and comments I receive and being part of this awesome crafty / mum blogger community.  Thank you for the emails, the comments on my posts, the feedback and answers to my questions on my facebook page, and for reading my blog- the connections made from my kitchen bench are just fantastic.

For my christmas giveaway last year I asked readers to comment with their Christmas family traditions and have added quite a few to my list of things I would like to do this year- even if I get a a few done I'll be happy as there's quite a list now! So this year if you are like me and haven't done a whole lot of present making/buying yet I thought it would be great to share some ideas for presents- either homemade or store bought.  So to enter... leave a comment telling us something(s) you'll be making or buying this year for someone in your family or a friend.  

For extra entries (if you'd like to) you can...

*follow my blog 

*like my facebook mousehouse page (you can also enter the giveaway on my facebook page by leaving a comment below this post on my page.)

*follow me on twitter or share this giveaway @megsmousehouse

*share this giveaway on your blog or FB page

 Just leave a comment telling me for each extra entry. Giveaway closes Thursday December 8th and is open to all so international entries are welcome.

Good luck and thank you again for reading 'mousehouse' :)

Megan x

Christmas busy book pages

When I was teaching there were quite a few of us that made two lists on the board with "Must do's" and "Can do's"- generally on a Friday with tasks and activities that the children needed to get done and a few things they could do when finished.  I think I need to write one of those lists as I am really good at doing things on my "can do" list- crafting, making stuff, more crafting but not so good on the 'must do's"- cleaning, cooking and other jobs- as I'm sure a lot of you crafters can relate! I have quite a few things on my 'must do' list at the moment but instead of doing some of them last night I decided I really wanted to make some more busy book pages. My hubby actually asked when I was going to be finished with the busy book but I honestly can't imagine finishing it- I think of pages I would like to make all the time!  So here are my latest pages...

Page 1: Decorate the christmas tree with little felt ornaments and thread the ric-rac through the loops to make a garland 

Page 2: a zip pocket to store the felt decorations and four 'lift the flap' presents with pictures underneath (from the Maisy fabric I also used for my roll-up busy book). 

Right, better go and do a few 'must do's' now before Jack wakes up!

Megan x