DIY Christmas decorations _ Christmas stars / flowers

CHRISTMAS STARS / FLOWERS

This must be one of the easiest, yet cute decorations to make! Each star takes 2min to do and the cost is basically 0.
You'll need:
1 toilet paper roll per star (or decorative paper)
scissors
stampler
thread
hole punch

1. Cut the toilet role into 6-8 pieces (each one is around 1 cm thick). Each circle will be a petal
2. Staple two circles together at the bottom of each one. You will now have 4 pairs.
3. Start stapling  the pairs together.
4. Punch a hole in one of your "petals" and thread a thread through the hole. Make it as long as you wish depending on if it will be a Christmas tree decoration, or as part of a garland.
DONE!
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If you are using decorative paper instead of a toilet paper role you'll have to add a step.
You will have to hold the circles in place when stapling the pairs together, as each one won't be a circle, but only a strip. It just takes a little extra patience, but it isn't too complicated.
The paper I used for these is wallpaper samples that I had left over from my wedding DIY decorations. In particular the unique ceremony programs:
http://pulmonate.blogspot.it/2011/12/wedding-inspirationceremony-program.html

What you need

2. cutting the toilet role into 1cm thick pieces.

3. Stapling the pairs together

Stapling the pairs with each other, creating our star / flower

The extra step when one is using decorative paper instead of toilet paper roles.

The finished star / flower.

DIY Christmas decorations _ clay Christmas tree decorations

This is a fairly simple decoration to make and the result is very sweet.
You will need:
Clay (white or natural)
cookie cutters or a knife
a small round object (I used a pencil)
a roller (I used a bottle)

Work the clay until it is soft.
Roll it out until it is about 3mm thick. Any thinner and you risk it to break and any thicker means it will take longer to dry.
Place your cutters out onto the clay in order to optimize the space. A smart way to get "2 in 1" is by placing a circular cutter and then a smaller cutter shaped as a heart or a star on the inside. This way you have one that has a circular shape with a star or heart hole, and one in the shape you placed on the inside.
You can carve a little message into the clay if you wish, or leave it plain. You can carve the year, family members names, or messages such as MERRY XMAS, LOVE, HOPE, etc.
Make a small hole in the top part of the shape in order to be able to thread a thread through the hole and hang it up.

An example of "2 in 1" shapes. A Circle with a heart or a star inside creates 2 pieces.

Clay decorations are put on a piece of paper to dry.

Kids _ cubby house

 Yep, I admit it. I want one!
I always loved building cubby houses as a kid and these are very creative.

Is it just me, or does this cubby house remind you of these building blocks? I used to play with these as a kid, learing how different shapes fit together and how some shapes are composed of other shapes. They are made by Jovo.

The closed version.

This is the very cool Porqupine Sleeping cell. Perhaps a bit dangerous on the outside, but extremely cool!

Don't have a garden? No worries. If you have a high ceiling you could build this simple cubby house. Just one floor if your ceiling is normal height and the kids could use the roof as a terrace or tower.

I like these mini-versions of the main house style. Giving the kid their very own version of the main house. A well built one with its own veranda and veggie patch.

This Australian design sure is inspiring. What a great hideout! This is The Birds Nest by Ted Ballieu

Cute cute cute! Small doors and windows, semi transparent materials...Love it. This is Salubrious by Modern Cabana.

This is Sustainable room by Super colossal. This castle like cubby would surely become an attraction in your back yard amoungst all the neighbours kids. I wonder if you can climb the pipes and and look out the top?

How cool is this? Build your own! Not easy though, I admit.

Open house by Nixon Tolouch. I love how this opens and is dynamic. The green boards are a lot of fun. Smaller doors would perhaps be more inviting for the little ones. The hiding aspect is taken away.