Something Hidden for Polkadoodles

 It is my turn to set the challenge on Polkadoodles this week, and I chose

A card or project for a child with a hidden or secret element

Why?

I have no idea, it seemed like a good idea at the time, until I started to think about it and realised that I didn't have the faintest idea what I was going to do

 Inspiration came when I started to make the Kaisercraft advent box for Max. Lots of hidden stuff here, right? I used the same basic design as the one I made for Kiki, but this time I used the little boys from the Magical Winter CD from Polkadoodles, printed, coloured with Promarkers and cut out, then mounted to the scene with springs or foam pads. The trees were cut from the Jolly Holidays cartridge with my Cricut expression, as was the sentiment. The advent boxes are available from Sir Stampalot in the UK, and Ritz camera in the USA

Little white pompoms made cute little snowballs........

and I added a lot of glitter all over........

This little chap building a snowman was just perfect for the scene.....

as was this little guy with the giant candy cane.......

and finally a real little guy with the finished product. ('hurry up Ma, this is really heavy') Conversation between my son and Max yesterday

Max: "do you and mummy get a Christmas present?"

Ed: "yes, possibly. What do you think mummy wants?"

Max: "a necklace and bracelet…..... and a ring"

Ed: "that sounds expensive. What about something cheaper?"

Max: "um. ur. how about some shampoo?"

Sounds a plan Max, that should do it....

Do go over to the challenge blog to see what the wonderful design team made of my challenge - lots of inspiring stuff on there, and of course, we would love it if you joined in


Random musing for today - do teenage girls have a special built-in thermal gene that allows them to wander about in sub-zero temperatures wearing only skimpy tops and micro mini skirts with bare legs? When does this gene mutate into one where you are only warm with about ten layers and boots?


Second random musing, following on from the first.....how come someone who was brought up in a cold and draughty manse perched on the side of a Welsh mountain, with ice on the inside of the windows in the winter, now needs central heating turned up to tropical levels to be happy - you'd think I would have become acclimatized  in childhood wouldn't you?


Third random musing following on from the second....... in no particular order, my list of favourite things in the world must include cashmere, thermal anythings, ugg boots for warmth not appearance, hot water bottles and hot baths


Just off to get another sweater (did you guess that it is quite cold here today!)  

Advent Boxes

I have been busy making Advent boxes for the family - I love doing them, and half the fun is finding tiny things to put inside the boxes. This first one is for my daughter, Alex, stuffed full of tiny eyeshadows, nail varnish, a teensy sewing kit and of course some chocs as well. I used gorgeous pearlescent papers by Papermania, and found some sweet filigree angels in Hobbycraft. The numbers are peel-offs by Anita, mounted onto gold mirri card circles. I found the boxes at Hobby Lobby in the USA and carried them home to decorate.

 This next one is for two year old Monty. I made one for his sister Kiki last year and he was fascinated by it. Not having a great deal of spatial awareness at the age of 18 months, he totally ruined it by opening and shutting the little drawers after trying very hard to stuff them with his teddies  and other rather large toys! So this year he has his own, let's hope he has gained a sense of proportion in a year.........

All the papers and embellishments are again from Hobbycraft UK, at last you can get some really fun stuff in the UK.........

The drawers are filled with chocolate buttons, tiny cars, finger puppets etc - most of them from the dollar bins in the USA......

I'll show you Kiki's box, which is quite different tomorrow. We are in London visiting all the family. Max and Milo were gratifyingly excited to see us today, running up and down the hall screaming when we arrived. It is so nice to be loved!

See you tomorrow