A Christmas DIY centre piece

I say it’s about time we start gearing up for Christmas… and it’s never too early…


One of the most important element of Christmas other than food, baking and family, is the décor… the tree needs to go up, along with all the lights… you need to decide on what crockery to use and on the colour theme…  It can get busier as Christmas is approaching so you would rather stick to some simple DIY which you can handle. Christmas table centre pieces are an integral part of décor in your home … for your coffee table and for your dining.

I have a simple centre piece for Christmas that is simple, elegant and that too it just takes ten minutes!


Here is a list of things that you need :

• a single tier or double tier cake stand 
• your favorite Christmas sparkly ornaments
• a few pine cones 
• a few Christmas tree branches (if you want but I didn’t use any) 

Arrange all the above elements on the cake stand.. you can even use a string of lights and voila! your centrepiece is ready!

Let me know what you think of this DIY décor...and if you have any DIY decor to share, please get in touch with me at tbinspirations@gmail.com .

Above pictures are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

DIY Christmas Center Piece

It is that time of the year… The weather is chilly and perfect… cups of coffee and hot chocolate being served around… the Christmas tree and décor is up… the baking aroma from the kitchen constantly giving us nostalgic memories… and the carols playing in the background. Perfect countdown to Christmas...            

Every year for Christmas, I try to come up with something new for my coffee table and this year I am trying out with something old, new and gold… All you need is a small or mini cake stand, any Christmas ornament to flaunt on your cake stand and some pine cones to sprinkle around and voila your center piece is ready to make a statement. I placed a mini Christmas tree on my cake stand instead of ornaments. Use your imagination to place something nice on the cake stand like scented candles or pine cones.  It is simple, less time consuming and looks fabulous! Tell me what do you think of my coffee table center piece?

All the above images are copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations

Recycled DIY Cards

One of the nicest things about recycled cards is that it’s a great way to teach about recycling and sustainability. I had a pile of some wedding invitation cards that’s of absolutely no use now and I stashed it away hoping to recycle it all at some point. And since Christmas is around the corner I decided to recycle these invite cards into Christmas cards. So I cut them all into half… discarded the inner sheet that had the invite details and used my recently acquired calligraphy skills in use. Isn’t it a gorgeous (and green)idea?

Love these self embossed prints on the card... so hard to throw them away! 

Cut the card into half... I will definitely use the Invitation printed side for future use so I have kept it away :)

My Calligraphy skill in use!

Lots more to write!!

Do you have a fun project for Christmas? Please share your ideas with good resolution pictures and mail to tbinspirations@gmail.com . I will gladly share it with my readers.

Above pictures are copyrighted Tickled by inspirations

New Year thoughts and Christmas warmth from my home

2017 has begun… and as always I am hoping for a happy and healthy new year… Life is all about ups and downs … my trials my pains has made me what I am today and none of these shattered my inner personality…. And more importantly I am still grateful for my family and good friends around me that is my support system. I still want to continue to make everything around me more beautiful …. continue to be comfortable in my own skin … do the different… be me… laugh loud… dance away, continue to count my blessings, be more fit, eat right, stay healthy and learn something new whenever there is an opportunity. So cheers to 2017 and I hope to continue a beautiful journey with all my readers out there!!! Shine on…. Glitter away and sparkle in whatever you do….

Here is a glimpse of the Christmas warmth from my home before I bring down the décor….

 

 

 

brownies recipe coming up... stay tuned!

 

mulled wine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers to more inspirations and blogging

 

 

 

All images are clicked by me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies

Christmas is around the corner… days are getting busier and shorter… evenings with friends and family… catching up with loved ones after a long time… reminiscing memories of previous Christmas… drinking wine and creating more memories with your loved ones… spreading your share of kindness and love around you…. isn’t this the best season? For various reasons this season brings out the best in everyone… the contagious feeling of love and kindness is in the air…. If only this could remain forever!!

I have fond memories of my mom baking away as Christmas is approaching… the aroma from the kitchen just filled my home with joy! And I am so blessed to carry out this tradition….Thumb print cookies are very popular and easy to make if you plan ahead. It’s a favorite of mine and they make great Christmas gifts once they are packaged well.

 

 

 

I managed to bake two batches so far and I enjoyed making these buttery treats with my 6 year old for my loved ones.... So here is the recipe and I hope you enjoy baking them!

I adapted this recipe from here with a little variation.


Makes : 36 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4cup  granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 cups and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (160g) raspberry jam

Icing

• 1 cup (120g) confectioners' sugar
• 1-2 Tablespoons (15-30ml) cream or milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

 

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it aside.

2. In medium bowl mix together flour, Baking powder and salt and set it aside.

3. With a handheld mixer or a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add egg and almond extract and continue to beat. Then add flour mixture half cup until fully combined. Then add the rest of the flour till dough is formed and for this step I used my hand in order to bind it well. If the dough is still too sticky add a little more flour to smoothen it out.

4. Chill this dough for at least 3 hours.

5. Before you start making the cookies, leave it out for some time it’s just about to soften up.

6. Roll 1 tablespoon of dough into small circles till they are nice and smooth. Lightly press your thumb in the center of each ball. If the dough cracks, smoothen it with your fingers and place it on the lined baking sheet. Fill each indentation with a teaspoon of jam.

7. Bake the cookies for 15 - 20 minutes till it’s slightly golden at the edges. Do not over bake.

8. Allow the cookies to cool for 30 minutes before glazing.

9. Make the glaze: in a small bowl whisk all the glaze ingredients together until smooth. Add more milk to thin out if needed or sugar to thicken. Drizzle it over the cooled cookies with a spoon. The glaze will quickly set in 15minutes.

 

 

 

the cookies are packed in this cute tin to gift!

Tips:

• Cookie dough must be chilled and can be made overnight. It can also be frozen for 2 months.

• Choose any flavor of jam.

• Instead of jam you can use chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.

• These cookies can be refrigerated in a tight box.                                                                                                              

 

Happy Holidays and Happy Baking!!!

All images are clicked by me







 

DIY Christmas Decor

Every year for Christmas I have managed to come up with a different center piece for my coffee table that is not too bulky and easy to handle. This year I managed to pull off a super simple DIY… all you need is a fruit stand, some pinecones or ball ornaments, a bow and a favorite birdie and here is what it looks like...

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sure you will come up with an even better DIY… Enjoy the season!!!



Images are clicked by me

DIY Christmas Decor

I always enjoy creating my own Christmas centre piece which I do every year. This is so simple to create, yet elegant and budget friendly. Display the pinecone ornaments and shiny ball ornaments in a bowl. To give a more rustic look you can even layer it with wreath.

Have a look at these pictures of my centerpiece and I hope this inspires you and enjoy the countdown to Christmas!

Images are clicked by me

 

A Simple Christmas Centerpiece from my home

This year I wanted to try out a different coffee table arrangement for Christmas and finally I came up with a simple centre piece by using some Christmas tree decorations. All you need is a fruit stand or any silver plated basket, a candle and some pine cone tree hangings and a nice bow.

Have a look at my centerpiece …..

 

 

 

 

Images are clicked by me.
copyright Tickled by Inspirations


 

DIY: a bow for your Christmas gift

A bow on any gift gives an extra touch to make the receiver feel special, worthy and definitely festive. But I have always struggled to make a bow from scratch for my Christmas gifts. Have you?

Here are some useful tutorial links I found while browsing…  Click on the caption below each picture to view the tutorial steps.

 

via whipperberry
 

via Chatelaine

 

 

via Twig and Thistle

 

 

via Fab DIY

 

via Save on Crafts

 

 

 

Seasonal Colours

Strike a statement in your home with seasonal and holiday colours and using plenty of festive foliage, handmade decorations and candles as your Christmas décor to create a unique and magical atmosphere.

a contemporary mantel with red and white, Image via housetohome

 

 

Decorate with berries and eucalyptus leaves, Image via Lonny

 

Image via Lonny

 

Christmas candle centerpiece, Image via DIY enthusiasts

 

 

Image via Skonahem

 

Enjoy the season!