Christmas Re-Cap

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas day! I have been relaxing to the point of boredom which, at the years end, is beyond lovely. I just downloaded our photos from the day and thought I'd share a couple with you. After lunch at the beach (in the rain!), we had dinner at my parents' place.


Delegated to the table decorations, I used my favourite colour scheme, and kept it quite simple. Holly accented candle sticks and my little pyramid box "Bon-Bon's" were the hero of the table. The boxes were filled with a homemade combo of fudge, mini puddings and caramel brownie stars (all calorie-free at Christmas time of course!). It was a great feast with good conversation and happy tummies!

He would have been happy with just bubbles....

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! (A little promo for Grace Designs in my hair!)

I will be enjoying a summer break next week, but look forward to getting back into new designs, and party ideas in the new year. Wishing you a bright New Year with great hope and promise!

See you soon...
Jordan xo

A Tracey Lau Christmas

I think I have featured every one of Tracey's events on my blog. They are quite simply so worth sharing! This corporate Christmas dessert table is the latest from this uber talented friend of mine.

Tracey puts so much thought and detail into everything from backdrop, food & styling. She has a simple elegance about her work that I just love. Like, who wouldn't want to drink from a bottle with a tiny wreathe and bow attached?! Cute!
Check out the full details here.

I might leave this as a last post before Christmas. I have just started my Christmas shopping today (!!) and have a gingerbread house to decorate. Just bought some lovely things for our Christmas table too....

Wishing you and your family a truly joy-filled Christmas day and safe holidays. Will see you soon!
Love, Jordan xo

Grace Designs

Well, thank you to everyone who participated in the Facebook Sale! With all the product and interest, it ended up being over two nights - and it was intense! I think I have RSI from hitting refresh as comments came in from every direction trying to purchase each item. Lots of fun! We'll have to do it again sometime :) I'm busily getting invoices and package out before Christmas. But, I can't wait to see what you create with your goodies!

The whole idea came from my lovely friend Ros of Grace Designs. She held a similar sale earlier this year and I wanted to say a public thanks to her for a great idea. She is one creative chick making gorgeous accessories, but is just one of those all round crafting, handmade wonder women (as well as a fellow stationery lover!) Her work has also been published in the new 'Handmade Living' book just launched in early December. Did I tell you she is creative??!

She has just put some new items for sale in her store, so why don't you head over and check it out. I bought myself a little something recently to wear in my hair on Christmas day...can't wait! :)

Facebook Sale!

My market appearances are over for the year, so I've decided to host a Facebook Sale on Sunday night to share the love and make room for some new products in the new year. Great idea, right?

I'll be selling Invitation packs, party dots, gift tags in many designs. It's a great opportunity to pick up some bargains for your families birthdays next year!

Have you ever participated in a Facebook sale before? They are face paced and lots of fun. I'm really looking forward to it! The instructions and sale details will be posted in the notes tab on my facebook page.

It will start on Sunday 19th December 8pm AEDST (International readers, that is Sydney Australia time. And 7pm for Brisbane locals!)
Head on over to my page and spread the word to your friends - it's going to be good!

DIY Gift Packaging

I like the idea of these sleeve gift boxes I found at Celebrations at Home. They look really easy to make.

At first I thought they were matchboxes. Alas they weren't but that did make me think - wouldn't they be really cute if you wrapped the sleeve of matchboxes and did something similar with a sticker or seal? Go the miniatures!
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As so not to swamp you with multiple posts tonight, the winner from the Simply Christmas gift tag & twine giveaway was Comment #8. Congratulations Jo, your prize is on it's way! Thanks to all who entered and came and visited...I hope I will keep seeing you around! ...........................................................

Here are some other things from around the web for your regular Weekend Whiparound - 

:: Nothing says welcome like these

:: Oh Christmas Tree

:: Dreaming of a white christmas

:: A great escape from the summer heat

Aqua & Red Christmas

It's been a big weekend, and we're nearly all moved. I can now start to think about Christmas day and scour the internet for some ideas to make home look and feel all 'Christmassy'. These are my picks with my favourite aqua & red colour theme.

Love that this fits with the kind of Christmas weather we have in Australia...summery and bright.
(Image Hostess with the Mostess)

With a vintage flavour, this table has 'sugar high' written all over it!
(Image Inspired Events via Birthday Girl)

Satiny bows and cherry cups...simply lovely.
(Image Mon Tresor via Amy Atlas)
And we can't forget this inspiration.

Are you creative juices flowing? I know mine are. It's not too late to get your Christmas printables - they're still half price till Friday. I look forward to seeing what you create with yours!

Photo of the year!

I know it's not a party, not a new design or a stylish event, but I just have to share!!

Isn't this the best photo you've seen this year? Maybe not to you...but to us, it has been about 6months in coming and, seriously I would be happy with just this for my Christmas present (in fact with all that lies ahead in the next couple of weeks, this could well be it!).

It has been a big year for our little family filled with some fun exciting things but also some very sad and difficult days. There are so many feelings and tangents I could go on about in relation to all the circumstances and events of this year, but I will sum it up by saying - it has been full, it has been fun & crazy, and there were times when I just wanted to sink to the bottom.  I have been encouraged by prayer, friends & family and even Dory from Finding Nemo with her mantra of "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"! What can I say, here we stand -  still 'singing', still holding on to faith and life. We have each other, and we have a bright hope for the future! (And my favourite season is here! Yay for Christmas!)

Many times throughout the year, this blog and business of mine has been one of the strongest, most positive and enjoyable things in my world. And I truly love it! It is my passion, my 'sweet spot' as it were. It doesn't feel like work at all. I feel very privileged to be able to pursue my dreams, and I'm ever so grateful that there are many people who think my creative endeavours and business is worth supporting, purchasing and following. A huge thank you to you all!

Wow, it sounds like I've skipped Christmas and jumped ahead to the New Year's resolutions already! But, selling this house has given me such a bright hope for the new year. I have great expectations of celebrating Christmas with my amazing family, and plan new adventures for us in 2011...Bring it!

Oh, and with selling a house comes a garage sale, packing, moving and un-packing...a busy weekend ahead! I don't think I'll be in front of a computer much, but if you are, have a peek at this weeks 'Weekend Whiparound' for some creative inspiration.

:: Secret Storage Books
:: Another stationery wonderland
:: Loving these cushions
:: Everyone's a winner with this craft

See you on Monday!
Jordan x

I DESIGN WITH TWINE :: Pyramid Christmas Treat Box

Have you noticed the baker's twine revolution around the place of late? You know that cute bright twisted string used on anything from baked goods, to cards, wrapping, craft projects....the list goes on. I am a big fan, and recently used it here.
Even more recently, I have been asked to be on The Twinery's design team with a group of other talented ladies (you need to go and check out all the talent on the twinery blog)! The challenge - to use their gorgeous, brightly coloured twine in one project  per month for the next year. Boy, O, Boy, I'll have to get my craft on! Today I bring you my first project featured this week....

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Hanging on a tree...

Undo the twine...

mmmm...truffle time!!

Not to bore you with the details twice, you can find the full post of this project on the Twinery blog!

This package style can be designed to match any of my range of invitations and prints, and can purchased in my store.
Bakers twine from The Twinery

Origami Gift Box & Giveaway

I have had the pleasure of contributing to the 'Simply Christmas' project over at Woodberry Design today. You will find a cute packaging idea for serving up your Christmas treats. And there's even a Polkadot Prints giveaway going on! Head over for the full post and instructions.

Boxed Wedding Invitations

With a big family, there seems to be a wedding fairly regularly for us. (I love a good wedding don't you?) My sister's wedding is now not that far away, and with the flurry of Christmas right ahead, I know the time will fly! You might remember the jars filled with flowers from the mood board she put together. Well, they were a big inspiration for the design of her invites she has just recently mailed out.

They were originally designed to be letterpressed, however due to my printer being on leave, we decided on bringing a little 'wow' with spot varnish instead. I think it turned out really pretty with smooth shiny jars.

The packaging idea inspired from Oh Happy Day. Asher chose buttered popcorn Jelly Belly's for the base - the smell when putting these together was something else!


They were finished up with a wrap-around custom sticker, sealed for sending. Asher did all the calligraphy on each one, clever chick! She has been constantly collecting bits and pieces for decorating the venue, I can't wait to see how she makes it all come together!

Note: While finishing this blog post my husband has literally just come in to steal more jelly beans from our invitation box and says "this is a great idea, everytime I come in and eat these, I think of the wedding...you can't forget to RSVP" (not that he does the RSVP-ing mind you!)....funny guy.

Favour Friday :: Christmas Pyramid Packaging

Happy Friday! It's been a busy week here at Polkadot Prints. The Christmas printables have been popular, and the feedback to the advent garland has been amazing! I'm so glad you all liked it. I hope it's hanging in your home or office and bringing some 'good cheer'!
I'll leave you with this photo. It's a preview of a Christmas project I have for you next week....come back soon!

We have our first Christmas party this weekend. I'm looking forward to friends, food and kiddies opening presents! Have you started the Christmas parties yet? Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy it. Here are some fun thigns from around the web for this edition of my 'Weekend Whiparound' (I'll make a cool logo for this one of these days!)

:: Designer fruit & veg - one for the savoury peeps
:: Free printable paper Christmas tree
:: A twist on the cake pop
:: If this doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will!

COOKIE BAR :: Christmas Printables

I'm happy to be in full Christmas mode now! Tying in with my advent garland from yesterday, I am EXTREMELY happy to let you know you can now purchase my matching range of Christmas printables for the holiday season! And even better they are 50% off! Hooray for Christmas!!

This 'Cookie Bar' featuring my printables was styled by Sharnel Dollar Designs for the latest Peekaboo Magazine (you can view online if your international or can't get your hands on a copy!).

Seriously how adorable are these little cookie sacks?! Create them yourself using these muslin bags, and my printables.

I love these colours together, and it's the colour combination I personally use in my home. A little bit classic, but with a little checkered twist! I hope you like! x
The Christmas set comes complete with:
:: Fill-in invitation
:: Menu card
:: Cookie bag topper
:: Party dots (cupcake toppers)
:: Buffet labels (blank)
:: Gift tags
:: Cookie mix jar labels
:: Iron-on 'Midnight Snack' transfers!

You'll have it covered from wrapping presents to serving food on Christmas day!

Being in the giveaway mood from yesterday still, I am having a Christmas special on this range. 

You can get the whole set for 50% off! But you'll have to be quick!

It's available here in my store!

Photography by Naomi V Photography - love your work Na!