Hi everyone sorry we haven’t been around for a while it’s been very hectic for us with our parents visiting from Australia, Christmas, New Years, a trip to Iceland, our UK Wedding celebration and running the shop we have been flat chat!!! I hope you have had a wonderful festive season and that you ready for a huge 2012!

Here is a little peak of what we saw in Iceland, we were so very very lucky as we saw the northern lights and they were amazing! I would recommend Iceland to anyone, it is such a unique place however it is a little expensive so get your pennies together before heading over!

Mark and I at the northern lights (that’s Nathaniel in the background)

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You may be panicking right now if you haven’t finished all of your christmas shopping, if one of your nearest and dearest is into craft here is a DIY guide for a last minute present that is quick and simple to make that will have everyone taking!

You will need:

• Template (not pictured)
• Scissors
• Needle
• 2 Pins
• White Felt
• Yellow Felt
• Burgundy Felt
• Yellow Thread
• White Thread
• Red/Orange Thread
• Stuffing

1) Cut out your template

2) Cut out 2 of the Egg Whites

3) Cut out 1 of the Yellow circles

4) Cut out 2 of the Burgundy Felt Rashers

5) Pin together the 2 white pieces and sew together the egg whites with the white thread around the outside using a running stitch until there is just a small gap

6) Stuff the egg whites with the stuffing

7) Sew up the remaining opening

Sew on the yellow yolk using a running stitch

9) Take 2 strands of the white thead and sew it through the burgundy felt as pictured to make it look like the fat marbling on bacon, make it gather a but so that it looks likecooked bacon.

10) Get 2 stands of the orange/red thread and run it through alongside the white so that it looks like streaky bacon and then reapeat steps 9 and 10 so you have 2 pieces of bacon.

11) Sew the bacon and egg together and there you have a egg and bacon pincushion.

12) As an extra flourish if you like you can attach it to a small plate with some hotglue and this looks extra good.

Have a really wonderful Christmas everyone!!!

Cass and Nate X

What should you buy for someone who loves music but buys their musics online or cd’s as soon as they are released, here are some ideas:

Gig Tickets

An obvious choice for someone who likes music, gig tickets are a great present! However it is important you choose them with care. Very carefully find out what the persons favourite bands are and check what tickets they have already got! Unless you definitely know that someone else the person knows is going to the gig buy 2 tickets because going to a show by yourself can be pretty boring. If you think you would enjoy the gig as well tell them as part of the present that you will go with them to share the experience, if not give them 2 tickets so they can invite a friend!

Photo Credit: www.says-it.com one of the prop tickets that can be generated.

As you often don’t receive tickets until just before the event I recommend creating a ‘prop’ ticket so that you do have something to give them on the day. There are countless ticket generators that will include the details of the gig, just make sure they know that it isn’t a real ticket. A few generators are:

http://www.says-it.com/concertticket/

http://faketicketgenerator.com/

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This one of Nathaniels wonderful creations, it is cheap and easy to make and they are very effective we have sold quite a few in our shop!

You will need:

• 1 White Fluffy Sock
• Toy Stuffing
• 1/2 Cup of Rice
• Orange Sheet of Foam
• 1 Piece of Coloured Felt (red pictured)
• Needle
• 1 Pin (not pictured)
• White Thread
• Black Thread
• Thread that matches colour of felt
• Pair of Scissors

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Rachel can only be described as a bubbly, effervescent, whirlwind of creativity who we are thrilled to be showcasing her artwork in the shop. The driving force behind her company ScreenBirmingham, she creates screen printed gifts and also teaches people how to screen print.

 Rachel in her own words……

I developed my love for art and sharing art after completing a degree in fashion in London from Central Saint Martins College of Art in 1999. I have since collaborated with film makers, fine artists, fashion designers, dancers and live art performers to name but a few. I have worked with Fake London, Betty Jackson, The Face magazine, and other creative forces in London. Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s post is inspired by my wonderful husband Mark, who is a meat lover of the highest order. Last year my parents bought him a selection of cured meats from a deli for Christmas and it went down very well! Everyone who has heard the story thinks it’s a clever idea, so here is my guide on what to buy if your nearest and dearest is a meat lover like Mark.

Cured Meats

As the inspiration for this piece I had to mention cured meats, if you are going to buy someone some meat as a present you need to go a little more luxurious than everyday supermarket ham, try a nice deli and buy a selection or buy a whole Salami they will love it!

The packet of meat my parents gave Mark!

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Not only are candy canes a wonderful sweet treat for your Christmas tree, they are great for lots of Christmas crafts. Today I will show you 2 uses for them, but if you search the internet you will find lots more great ideas!

Candy Cane Reindeer

My family have made these most years since I was a child and I have never met someone who isn’t charmed by them, they are cheap, quick and easy to make and of course taste delicious.

You will need

• Candy Canes
• Pipe Cleaners
• Googly Eyes
• Small Pom Poms
• All Purpose Glue

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We have had another brilliant week at Crunched Gifts and totally got into the Christmas Spirit! We recommend reading this entry with a hot chocolate, mulled wine or a cup of punch for maximum enjoyment!

Opening Party

On Saturday we had our opening party and celebrated in style with cupcakes, wafers, marshmallows and some tasty punch (can life get any better?) We had lots of family and friends old and new visit us throughout the day which really made our day!

Nom, nom, nom....

The punch was Nathaniel’s creation and is a wonderful sparkly fruit drink, which would be perfect for any Christmas party, it can be made without the alcohol for an all ages option! Aptly named ‘It’s a Wonderful Life Punch’ because life doesn’t get much better with this punch in it.

It's a Wonderful Life Punch

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Sometimes I think we overlook simple gestures when looking for gifts that show how much we care about somebody. I know that whenever I like something I almost always buy it straight away, this can make gift giving hard for the people around us.

I’m the type of guy who likes an old fashioned gesture. Whether it be one of friendship, partnership, love or lust we all like being shown that we are loved and we are always surprised, impressed or even flattered when someone does something lovely for us! So today’s top 5 is of simple gestures and gifts:

1) Breakfast in Bed

I love breakfast in bed. Maybe its just because I love my bed in general, but I am never less impressed when someone brings me breakfast. Let’s be honest for most of us breakfast on a work day is a rushed piece of toast in your hand as you madly steer the car to work.

On the weekend or on special occasions it can be a whole different kettle of fish, or hopefully kettle of bacon . Normally breakfast is getting out of bed, getting cold feet, waiting for the kettle to boil, a quick trip to the loo before the toast comes up and dashing back into a now cold bed. However the romantic appeal of being woken by your loved one even with toast and a hot cup of tea, without leaving the comfort of your warm bed = AMAZING! Further brownie points are earned by food offerings such as pancakes and a full English breakfast.

My Dad has made my Mum breakfast in bed on weekends ever since I can remember. It might even be the key to a successful marriage. So I hope my future partner is out there is taking notes……

Breakfast in Bed Win!

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