Finally the rain has eased for a moment and I went for a walk with my camera. My favourite plant is the second pic down aptly named, 'Kangaroo Paw'

Iconic patissiere, Laduree of Paris, have just released their new Christmas collection. The 'Sensational Ball' (above) is understandablly the highlight (perfect in my eyes). Here's the description "Enter the Christmas dream with this sensational ball which transforms into a delicacy filled with a delicate chocolate sponge, a chestnut mousse and a pear cremeux". Oh man, if only they had a shop in Sydney

It's madatory to visit Laduree when travelling to Paris just to absorb the ambiance. We went to the Champs Elysees shop/restaurant and patiently waited an hour for a table at lunch. Partially disgruntled for the wait, we were blown away by the service and food. Of course we had to have dessert for afters!

What sweeties would you choose? Me, all of 'em

Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves...the smell of Christmas and the holiday season. Floral spices usually reserved for baking, why not scent the room with these fragrances permanently? To follow are easy instructions to make a clove-studded pomander using an orange or lemon. I've jazzed my version by adding a glamourous crystal (purchased from Ikea years ago) and ribbon to be hung on the tree or next to the window

Fragrant Christmas Pomander Ornament
1} Select a ribbon. Wrap a thick elastic band around orange or lemon and make slightly wider than ribbon width as the fruit will shrink when the internals dry. This area will not have any cloves

2} Poke holes into skin with a skewer or tooth pick. Insert cloves and cover the whole surface. Don't place cloves too closely together as you will need to allow room for shrinkage

3} Optionally, when all the surface has been filled, you can roll the pomander in cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice

4} Wait 2 weeks before the pomander is fully dry or cure in a very low oven and bake for approximately an hour

5} Wrap ribbon around middle and secure with a pin or bow. Add a glass crystal drop

Hi and welcome to A Work in Progress blog party to celebrate the release of the next two books in the Kids' Crafternoon series; Felting and Beading. Jam-packed full of simple and creative projects for kids (and parents) to make in an afternoon, you'll be inspired to make something yourself!

If you would like the chance to win a copy of each book, simply leave a comment by 2 December, 2011 with your email address so I can contact you. Restricted to Australian residents only, sorry. You can purchase the books through Amazon or Booktopia in Australia or in leading book shops

As part of the blog tour, my daughter and I made two Zakka Stash Boxes by Suzie Fry (above). We thought it would be cute to stash our felt balls and wool into the little felt boxes (as seen above). So very easy! Previously she made, all by her little self, a Rainy Day Pillow from the Sewing book

I was absoutely thrilled that the Editor Kathreen Ricketson from Whip-up blog asked me to contribute again to the Crafternoon series. Here's my two latest projects 'Who Loves Ewe' felt wall-hangings and 'A Seaside Treasury' wall curtain

There's more blogs to visit on the blog party:

15 Nov - soozs big adventure
16 Nov - mmmcrafts
17 Nov - Between the lines
18 Nov - Christine Chitnis
19 Nov - Chez Beeper Bebe
20 Nov - The Happy Zombie
21 Nov - a work in progress
22 Nov - loveinthemummyhood
23 Nov - jcasa handmade
24 Nov - picklebums
25 Nov - modern parents messy kids
26 Nov - little eco footprints
27 Nov - li'l magoolie
28 Nov - ohdeedoh
29 Nov - Simple Kids
30 Nov - sadie and lance

Christmas is only 5 weeks away. Eek! In a vain attempt to capture a whiff of Christmas spirit, I revisted last year's photos for inspiration. As part of the Christmas Angel Wings Template photography (you can download here), I came across this photo that includes cookie cutters that we purchased from Ikea

I've always liked the idea of hanging cookies from the tree, but I don't think the Southern Hemisphere would be kind....heat, humidity, flies, ants....more likely to attract bees than good cheer. Previously I've made Ginerbread Houses that would sag at the door frames and quietly implode at the chimney stack. Sweltering on Christmas Day is the norm and Santa is more likely to arrive in Speedos than red velvet

I haven't experienced a white Christmas, perhaps Santa might deliver one, one day?