a skirt from scraps

I've always loved the look of handmade children's clothing. I can't knit or crochet and I can only just sew so this was a bit of a challenge for me. Last weekend at a friend's birthday party there was a little girl wearing a very cute 'sticky-outy' skirt that her mum had made her. 

It got me thinking; the time that my kids will happily wear things I've made is probably limited, so I may as well have a bit of fun with it while I can.

I used scrappy bits of fabric from my stash and pieced it together like a jigsaw/ quilt. I then sewed a simple hem and elasticated waist band. I think it's sweet- if you don't look to closely at the sewing!

She likes it too....now to try and sew the boy some shorts.....

   a blurry shot of the back- the model had things to do!

 Joining in with Sunshine x3's linky here: http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/show-tell-oldschool.html

icey fun

This little activity was inspired by Miriam at Create Hope Inspire, her blog post is here: http://createhopeinspire.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/bmwb-ice-ice-baby.html

Miriam and her boys used salt to dissolve the ice, we were out of salt and T was pretty keen on the rubber mallet option!

diy oops

When our earthquake repair does get done we have to move out. We thought it'd be a good chance to put new carpet down, doing any painting around our newly laid carpet is just asking for trouble which is why I need to paint the inside window frames now.

We have sash windows so I've watched lots of You tube videos and talked to lots of Placemakers and Bunnings staff members to work out what to do. It didn't start off well last weekend. I was chipping out old widow putty feeling very pleased with myself when I cracked the glass and had to pay $130 for it to be repaired! 

So if I'm posting less often it's because when I'm not being a mum, wife or teacher I'm gap filling, sanding and painting like a 'crazy have to get it done before the carpet's laid person'.

Stupid earthquakes.

a treasure chest pinata- how we made one

My nephew turns 5 soon and he requested a pirate pinata, so he's getting a treasure chest. He's hoping it will be filed with chocolate coins! Here's how to made one like we did.

1. Find a smallish box,  cut out the sides and cut a small hole at the front. Run pieces of masking tape across the sides for the paper mache to be attached to.

2. Cover with 3 layers of paper mache and one layer of white paper ( I forgot to take a pic of that stage) or you could paint a base coat of white paint.

3. Paint it to look like a chest. I used some silver masking tape we had.

4.  Use the space at the front to thread two handles through. I anchored each end of these inside using 4 milk bottle tops.

5. Now the pinata is ready to fill through the hole at the front. I drew a keyhole image on a piece of tape for my brother to cover the hole with once the it's been filled.

We'll find another piece of rope to thread through the handles to hang. When the kids are trying to break it open I'll let the birthday boy know to hit the thinner sides!

I'll have to remember to get my silver tape back- I'm sure I'll have lots of uses for that.

op shop finds

I looooooove op shops and have scored many bargains in my time. My latest 'find' wasn't actually a purchase. I found them in a box labelled free as I was leaving the shop with my $1 cut glass bowl. It was a huge stack of 30 Little Golden Books- the kids got 15 each : ).

 I loved these as a kid and would write my name in that wee space in the front as soon as I got them in order to secure them as mine.

My favourites were There's a Monster at the end of the book ( go Grover), The poky little puppy, The Saggy Baggy Elephant, Cinderella ( loved the mice) and Good Little Bad Little Girl. My mum read the later one to me quite a bit I think as I have strong memories of the book. I think she was trying to tell me something!

Here's a link to a Little Golden Books page with the story behind the books, activities and where to buy them, http://www.randomhouse.com/golden/lgb/story.html

Joining in on the blackbird has spoken are-you-op-shop-show-off? Linky

homemade construction set

I came across this idea here http://happyhooligans.ca/2013/02/16/homemade-cardboard-construction-set/ and love the idea. It kept both kids and their dad happy- right up until dinner time.... magic : )

cut pieces of thick-ish card in to squares and then cut tiny v shaped cuts in each side

start pushing them together

piece by piece

bit by bit

until it starts taking shape

then admire....

...and then tuck them away in a box until next time.

kids' parties

'Let what you love, be what you do'

I love putting parties together especially for family and friends. Having a party theme is popular these days. Although I like to have something that ties everything together I'm not too keen on the very matchy matchy look and prefer things to be a bit more eclectic with lots of personal or quirky touches. 

On my internet wanderings I've come across some pretty amazing parties so I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you. There's so much work and so much detail but even if you were able to pull off some of the ideas it would make for fabulous fun.

Woodland theme, great for a girl or boy, found at: http://www.spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com. I love the use of real wood.

Hungry caterpillar theme, perfect for a 1st birthday celebration or a even a baby shower, found here: http://blog.amyatlas.com/2013/02/01/hungry-caterpillar-guest-dessert-feature/

aren't these favours amazing!?

One for dinosaur lovers, found here http://littlebigco.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/a-super-cute-dinosaur-themed-birthday.html

 

and a vintage inspired girl one, found here http://littlebigco.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/a-super-cute-dinosaur-themed-birthday.html