Wrap It Up, Handmade Style

Ah, Christmas. The season of joy, togetherness, and... scratching your head about what gift to buy for all your relatives or experiencing last-minute panic shopping on Christmas Eve! But what if this year, instead of enduring the madness of shopping centers or clicking through endless online deals, you tried something different and possibly more enjoyable? I am talking about handmade gifts!

I started making handmade gifts for Christmas as a kid. I remember creating special gifts for my entire family. There is something magical about giving a gift made just for a specific person. It conveys the message, “I care about you enough to create something with my own two hands—even if I might glue my fingers together in the process!” Plus, you can avoid the crowded stores. Rather than being surrounded by packed aisles and long lines, you can spend time in the garden, kitchen, or art studio, crafting something memorable.

If you are wondering where to begin, here are my top picks for handmade gift ideas:

• Something artsy: Create a personalized calendar filled with photos and memories that are meaningful to the recipient. Choose a theme that holds special significance for them. They will love discovering what each month brings as they turn the calendar pages

• Something from the kitchen: Bake some homemade Christmas biscuits or prepare a jar of plum jam or use any other fruit you have in the garden. You can customize the jar label or Christmas gift tag to make it even more special. And, of course, tasting the biscuits and jam to ensure they meet quality standards is all part of the fun!

• Something from the garden: Lavender aromatherapy sachets are a great idea. They smell wonderful, keep linen fresh, and could even help your friends relax during the hectic festive season. Plus, finding the perfect materials for the sachets is a creative adventure in itself. 

• Something cozy: I love knitting. It is a meditative activity, no matter the season. Hand-knitted scarves make the perfect gift—perhaps not as useful during a 40-degree summer, but definitely handy in winter. Who doesn’t love a Christmas memory in July?

• Something from the studio: Create your own Christmas cards and gift tags. You can paint your own Christmas designs or try my favourite method—recycling old Christmas cards into brand-new creations. Trust me, it is a lot of fun.  You will need some cardstock, scissors, glue, and a bit of imagination. Bonus points for being sustainable!

  
  

  So this year, try to forget the shopping and embrace the joy of creating something special. Handmade gifts aren’t just presents; they represent memories, and a little piece of you wrapped up with ribbon. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

  Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you experience a time full of creativity and wonder.

Chasing Petals

Have you ever gone wildflower hunting? I do it regularly during my walks and camping trips.

There is something magical about wandering through the Australian bushland during the wildflower season. The vibrant colors that seem to burst out of nowhere and the intricate details of each bloom create

a spectacular display that is hard to miss. And one of the best parts? If you take a moment to pause and look around, you will keep discovering more flowers that you might not have noticed before! It is addictive!

You can stay in one spot literally for hours.

Can you believe Australia is home to over 24,000 species of wildflowers? There is plenty to discover, so it can keep us busy for a long time. And let me tell you, November is our last chance to soak in this breathtaking display before the wildflower season wraps up.

I find that taking photos of wildflowers is very rewarding, but capturing them with watercolors is where the real fun begins. There is something relaxing about painting wildflowers. Watercolor is the perfect medium for this—it flows beautifully and captures the soft colors of the flowers. You don’t need to be a professional artist to enjoy the fun! Just play around with colors and let them blend on the paper.

So, why not grab your phone or camera or sketchbook and go outside? Who knows? You might find yourself inspired to take a bit of that beauty home, whether it is through your photos or simply the cherished memories of a lovely afternoon surrounded by nature’s stunning blooms.

Here are my memories to share.

Tiny Treasures - The Timeless Charm of Postcards

this vintage postcard from my collection was issued in 1914 and is 110 years old

So, most of you probably already know about my obsession with gift cards, but did you know that I am also a huge fan of postcards? I just love receiving them and sending them out into the world.

As I was getting ready to write this blog post, I was a bit worried that postcards might be going out of style. But guess what? I found out that October 1st is World Postcard Day! So, today is the perfect day to celebrate the joy of sending and receiving postcards.

I was really curious to find out how these little cards became part of our culture and communication. And here is what I found out.

The postcard’s origins can be traced back to the mid-19th century. The concept of the postcard as we know it today began in Austria in 1869 when Dr. Emanuel Herrmann, a professor of economics, proposed the idea of a "correspondence card." His suggestion was to create a simpler and cheaper means of communication—one that didn’t require the formality of a letter. The Austrian government embraced the idea, and the first official postcard, known as the "Correspondenz-Karte," was issued on October 1, 1869. It was an instant hit, providing a convenient way for people to send short messages. So the postcard was born. The popularity of postcards spread rapidly across Europe and the United States. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, postcards became a global phenomenon, often referred to as the "Golden Age of Postcards." During this time, postcards were not just a means of communication but also a form of art and social commentary. The front of the cards often featured beautiful images—scenic landscapes, famous landmarks, romantic scenes, and humorous illustrations.

As technology advanced, so did the design and use of postcards. The rise of color photography in the 1930s and 1940s brought vibrant, full-color postcards into popularity.

Now, you might think that in today's digital age, postcards would have fallen out of favor. But there is still a loyal following, and there are still people who enjoy sending postcards to share their experiences or just simply say hello.

In fact, recently there has been a resurgence of interest in postcards as a form of slow communication—a deliberate and thoughtful alternative to the instant nature of texts and emails.

So, why not give it a try and send a postcard this October? It is a small gesture that can have a huge impact on someone's day. Plus, I have designed a few whimsical postcards that you may consider.

Please check out my website to find the perfect postcard that speaks to you!