I know two posts a day is very unusual for me, but I wanted to drop back in to let you know that my business Akimbo is having a sale with $10 off all art prints.

I’m working on some new products and updating my packaging so I need to clear some space!

If you’re searching for a gift or something to brighten up your own walls, one of my art print could be just the ticket!

$10 OFF ALL ART PRINTS

Check out the full range here.

Looking for a St Patrick’s Day treat without the scary green food colouring? I’ve got you covered.

Mosey over to Polka Dot Bride for the recipe (you won’t regret it).

So here’s the reason why I had a batch of homemade lemon curd sitting in my fridge last week! It’s a lovely hostess gift or wedding favour, especially if you have your own lemon tree (or know someone who does).

If you want to keep it all to yourself, you can pop it into readymade meringue or tart cases for an easy dessert or even just slather it onto a thick slice of fresh bread and top with quark cheese, cream cheese or cream.

Head over to Polka Dot Bride for the recipe plus the cute tag for you to print.

Photography Mel Boulden Photography

This strawberry sauce recipe is really easy, I challenge you to screw it up. It’s super tasty on pancakes or ice-cream. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, no?

Find my recipe and the free printable labels over on Polka Dot Bride today.

I’m off galivanting around the world for a few weeks so I have lined up some some talented ladies to hold the fort while I’m gone. Hope you enjoy!

+ + + + +

Since I discovered the work of Penelope and Pip last year, I’ve been blown away time after time with everything that they produce. Artist Rachael Smith creates the most adorable illustrations on everything from cards to cushions (although the art prints are my faves), not to mention she is totally killing it on the DIY blog scene. Rachael was kind enough to design an exclusive new free printable wrapping paper just for Atypical Type A readers! What do you think guys, totally gorge, right?  – Alicia

One of the best parts of Christmas for us over at Penelope and Pip is the chance to create some cute wrapping paper.

When Alicia asked us to join in the fun over here at Atypical Type A while she was away, we knew just what we wanted to share!

Gift wrap can be so expensive and it’s lovely to have something different to the usual Santas and reindeer.

We’ve made a cute little wrapping paper just for you here at Atypical Type A that is full of birds and trees and some geometric shapes too.

You can download the paper here.

Pop over to our blog for lots more ideas on how to make your Christmas a Happy and Handmade.

We hope you enjoy wrapping all your goodies for Christmas!

(And we hope you’re having a fab holiday Alicia!).

+ + + + +

About the guest poster:

Rachael is an illustrator from Brisbane and the creator of the whimsical world of Penelope and Pip. She makes art prints and pretty paper goods and blogs daily about her art, craft and design inspirations at Penelope and Pip Handmade.

I’m off galivanting around the world for a few weeks so I have lined up some some talented ladies to hold the fort while I’m gone. Hope you enjoy!

+ + + + +

Over my way, kids are more likely to be having a game of backyard cricket after Christmas lunch than building a snowman. So while I can’t speak from experience, I can say that this budget-friendly gift idea by Grace at Sense and Simplicity looks like a whole lot of fun. In fact, it’s rather getting me excited about seeing snow in Europe next week!

Anyone else struggle with thinking of what to give preteens and teenagers for Christmas? I have a slew of nieces and nephews ranging in age from 9 to 15 years and I wanted to give them each a Christmas gift. I needed to think of something that would interest a variety of ages, was gender neutral… and didn’t cost a fortune.

I decided to make them each a snowman lab in a box. I thought it might appeal to their sweet tooth/teeth and their funny bones.

Let’s see all the snowman parts:

I boxed all the snowman parts up, tied the box with some wool (my favourite thing to tie around packages), and added a tag.

Doesn’t that seem like something teens and pre-teens would like? What are you giving to children that age on your Christmas list?

- Grace

P.S. Thanks Alicia for posting my snowman parts on your very stylish and creative blog (and allowing me to say ‘poop’).  It was a complete honour to be included in your guest post line-up.

+ + + + +

About the guest poster:

I’m off travelling for the summer so I have some lovely guests holding the fort while I’m away. Today’s post comes to you from Nicole Herrick of Kids Style Hub. Take it away, Nicole!

It’s time to start collecting goodies for Christmas! If you’re a subscriber of this blog, you’re probably not the type of person to go shopping at Big W for your gifts. Instead, you trawl the markets and quirky stores for beautiful, unique pieces. This season, shop locally and buy gifts that are designed by your talented Aussie and NZ neighbours.

My latest guest post over on Polka Dot Bride is up! Find out how to make your own candle tins here.

I know the Christmas posts have been very light-on here this year but I couldn’t leave you without a little festive something.

My Oi Christmas cards have been so popular that I thought I’d whip up some matching free gift tags for you.

I’ve shared them exclusively over on one of my fave blogs Emerald + Ella.

Head over there to get yours now!

Oo, boy! I’ve been waiting to share this one with you for a while. So happy it’s finally seeing the light of day!

I created it for a wedding shoot to be used as a ring bearer bowl, but the rest of us can use it as a catch-all for our jewellery or keys. It would make a make a great handmade Christmas gift too!

Get the how-to here.

Photography: Shona Henderson Photography
Styling: ByGabrielle
Ring: The Vintage Bride