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I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, joyful solstice and a wonderful holiday season. This time next week the craziness will be over, presents will be unwrapped, food will be eaten, families will have gathered and perhaps departed again. I wish everyone a joyful time, and whether or not you have been able to partake in a handmade holiday – I hope that the spirit of handmade has been with you.

This year I have baked, I made Martha Stewart’s gingerbread cookies and my mothers recipe for fruit mince tarts. I am planning on making marshmallows – my first batch failed miserably – but then after searching for tips on the internet I turned to … book and realised have now given the task to my husband who is heartily using it as a scientific experiment and a chance to show off in the kitchen. I lashed out this year and bought myself a new kitchen aid – something I have been promising myself for years – so this year is baking year for me – for some holiday baking ideas see this story on a sweet christmas.

This year, while I have made an effort to buy everyone at least one handmade gift – I didn’t have time to make a lot of things this year – as I have other years. Also, due to popular demand, we have bought a corny kitsch tree complete with flashing lights, but have decorated it with last years handmade ornaments.

Whipup this past week is right into the holiday spirit with handmade gift guides for everyone – jewelry, bags and kids – and gifts for him is coming soon. If like me you have only just put up your tree – some last minute decorating ideas – this cute paper ornament, paper garland, holly leaf garland, quilled snowflake, crochet candy garland, woodland birds, stars.

My favourite posts this week would have to be the super simple and sweet stick stars tutorial, simple gifts to make and the natural wreath.

If you are in the mood to knit – check out more free knitting patterns here and here, you might want to download this pattern for a good cause.

Have a wonderful holiday – and don’t fret the small things.
Kathreen xx

ps. don’t forget your whipup crafty calendar – too late now for Christmas – but not too late for the new year!

Nicole and I have been busy bees this past week, writing and researching all kinds of fantastic things to make and be inspired by. Did you happen to see the button wreath Nicole made … so beautiful.

Thank you everyone for signing up to receive this weekly newsletter via email. If you haven’t yet signed up you can do so here.

Have you been keeping track of our whipup calendar featured artists? Shula Hampson, Mimi Kirchner, Helle Jorgensen, and more…

This week also we have been all about the big lists of tutorials :: for him :: for babies and parents :: whimsical goodies for kids and grownups :: and handmade thanksgiving. Feel free to send in your ideas for more… [and don't forget to check in on last years festive tutorial roundup].

This month has been recycle month before we head full on into the holiday season. Try the egg carton fairy lights :: thrifted holiday trees :: diy planter :: recycled packaging :: and this great kitchen mat. Heading into holiday mode we have have an ice wreath for those in the northern hemisphere and these great holiday stickers and tags as a download :: froebel star.

And if you don’t have anyone to craft for these holidays – why not give your handmade goodies to those in need – find out how in this contributor story (thanks Lisa).

Thank you for those who took the blogreader survey – it is still open and I am waiting for results to become available. And if you are a facebook user – why not join the whipup network or the whipup group on facebook?

Thank so much everyone for reading whipup this past week. Nicole and I love to bring you the best and brightest handmade finds from around the blogsphere, but we couldn’t do it without your help and encouragement. Nicole has been obsessed with going to market and have you seen the fabulous fabric coasters she is making? (they are the criss-cross coasters from allsorts)

This last week we have had a few contributor stories and tutorials – and the fabulous worm story was very well received – thank you Anna. And I have been just a little skirt obsessed this past week – check out these skirts here, here and here.

More skirts with a recycled/refashion skirt tutorial from Amy. New website Large promised big (cough) things. Speaking of big, did you see the über collection of tutorials? I am thinking of making my own list of tutorials we have featured here on whipup – so look out for that in the next week (or so). I will be compiling more essential holiday reading/crafting books too.

I have been pretty busy this week – with researching print on demand places and organising images for the inaugural whipup calendar. I just love the artists and designers featured - check it out for yourself. And don’t forget to read the article I wrote for storque - all about Australian makers and designers (the pic is me on holiday in Tasmania).

Hi everyone,

thank you so much for reading whipup – Nicole and I are busy behind the scenes scouring the web and searching for cool handmade goodies for you to make. We love everything handmade and this month its recycle/eco crafting month – and we have some fantastic goodies in store. Just for starters the wonderful skirty bag by contributor Amy is so super ’stinkin’ cute as one commenter said and we sure agree. Look out for more tutorials from Amy next week! [if you want to contribute a story or tutorial read the submission guidelines here].

Also you may have noticed a little ‘advertise’ tab up the top – if you are an indie designer with an online shop, we have some reasonable advertising options – if there is enough demand I may open more spots – at the moment there are just three spaces with project wonderful (an auction ad space) but there are more spaces with blogads (set prices). read more about it here.

You may also have wondered what the books tab was for – its a link to my Amazon book recommendations – I am part of the affiliate program at amazon – and get a small percentage for every book that is purchased through my website. Its a great way to supplement my book purchases and earn just a wee bit extra from all the book reviews I do – thank you for your support.

You may have read my post about lulu.com and the crazy international postage they are charging. This situation has not changed – [read this forum discussion for the latest info] but there may be some changes in the next couple of weeks – it is just very sad that they have discounted their international customers in this way. However I have investigated other options and will be discussing them later next week. I have have found some exciting print on demand options and can’t wait to share my finds with you.

In other news this week – some fantastic making going on out there – some of my faves we have featured include the ragged quilt squares tutorial :: recycling yarn :: the tampon crafts was pretty funny :: and I love the crochet masquerade mask :: also don’t forget the fantastic guide to crochet flowers.