Pretty Picnic Packs & Christmas Gifts

Hello there,

My little blog has been greatly neglected of late. I have a couple of long and detailed posts to put together for Mr 4's big bash, but just can't seem to gather the energy to tackle it!  I've been busy baking for Christmas gifts, I've had my first (and maybe last!!!) market stall, and most importantly, I'm busy baking another babycakes.  :-)

I will do Mr 4's birthday post eventually, but in the meantime, here's a quickie.

I have an overflowing cupboard (ok, it's multiple cupboards!!!) filled with gorgeous party and baking supplies. It's an addiction!  I decided to use some of these goodies to put together a pretty picnic pack for my Secret Santa gift through the gift exchange Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim organised (thank you Chantelle - it's so much fun!!!!)

I had already bought a big collection of crafty and card making bits and pieces for my recipient but wanted another little pack of loveliness to go with it.

I loved the picnic packs so much that I decided to make more for other friends as little gifts to go along with the usual home baked goods I give.

I went with two colour schemes - one Christmassy and the other pink and yellow and grey based on my penchant for those colours.

I raided my supplies and then made a little purchase from Lark for some extra cute bits, cracked open my dot stickers and voila - little boxes of loveliness!!! :-)

I hope the recipients have lovely little picnics with their families and friends over the summer.

Here are some of the other things I've been making and the wrapping I'm going with for this year. I LOVE Christmas!!!

The gorgeous Kate from Our Little Sins has become a great friend this year and when we caught up last week she mentioned she was making almond butter for her son's kinder teachers. She explained how so I jumped on the bandwagon but decided to use cashews instead. Homemade cashew nut butter is AWESOME!!! And so easy! Just toast the nuts and blitz in a food processor. I added a touch of salt and oil just to get a smooth texture, but you don't have to.  Thank you Kate!!! I'm going to make another batch next week for us to eat.

I put the cashew nut butter together with some of my Pecan, Coconut & Cranberry Granola, Dulce De Leche Shortbread Sandwiches and some lemon cordial for my son's AMAZING kinder teachers. I can't fully express how brilliant this year at kinder has been for him, but his teacher and the assistants are absolute gems. Many tears were shed (by the mums!!!) on the last day yesterday!

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String!!! :-)

Sticker dots pretty the simplest things up!

I may return next week with the belated birthday post, but in the meantime, I hope your days are merry and bright.

Love Amy xoxoxo