an owl

Owls are M's new classroom's sort of mascots, OWL standing for Outstanding Wise Learners. Yesterday I made this little pillow for their couch in the reading corner. I drew up a paper pattern and used fabric from my stash, no cost and 30 minutes of my time. I thought he was finished but last night decided to add a heart on his chest - for Valentines Day. I hope they like him, he was fun to make.

school lunches

Up until now I've only had to fill one lunchbox, once a week. Now that it's a daily routine I've been looking more closely at ideas to keep things interesting- for them and for me. I'm enjoying making their lunches- it may not last ( as I'm only into my 2nd week!) but we'll see.

As a kid my mum worked hard to support us we were happy and well fed but I still remember my lunch being pretty much the same every day. I love change, I probably always have, I think it keeps things interesting. Our kid's have come to accept ( and enjoy) having their bedrooms moved around from time to time, no reason, just because. Yes, I'm a Gemini!

Anyway, here are some fun and easy ideas I've come across. They will not get fancy time consuming bento style lunchboxes everyday but I do think some fun surprises a few times a week will be the norm. 

A google image search will take you to the image sources.

sandwich sushi

add messages to milk bottle tops

hoo hoo

bear cookies

banana pirates!

a worm in their apple!

silicon cupcake tins to separate foods

butterfly baggies

love this

Look at these lovely Valentines day boxes- definately doing something special that day. The apple and strawberries are so cute : )

das

This stuff is awesome. You mold it like you would plasticine or clay but it air dries white and can be painted. It's pretty inexpensive at about $9 for 500g. We haven't painted all of our creations yet but T has finished his elephant, I love it : )

snake and elephant

m's duck!

m's butterfly

jewelery holder for Julie

 a 'porky-pine' by t

  

dish wash dough

This stuff is cool, just add dishwashing liquid to cornflour. It smells great, washes off easily, doesn't dry your hands out and has a weird and fun texture. I'm sure you could use liquid hand soap instead of dish detergent too. Perfect for rainy Waitangi days like today.

i do love a doily

I love doillies- I'm not a big fan of using them for putting under vases and things around our home but I do like how they look when used in other ways like...

a doily light shade...

diy here: http://www.moredesignplease.com/moredesignplease/2011/3/4/diy-doily-lamp.html

doily necklace...

 

diy here: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2011/01/31/diy-vintage-doily-necklace/

candle holders ( mason jars are a whole other post!)...

how to here: http://craftsbyamanda.com/2011/01/burlap-doily-luminaries-rustic-meets.html

tee shirt printing...

diy here: http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2011/01/doily-heart-printed-t-shirt.html

ceramic bowls...

 

diy here: http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2011/3/2/diy-mini-doily-print-bowl-by-sodapop-design.html 

doily bunting...

 

diy here: http://www.mysocalledcraftylife.com/2012/08/14/diy-sweet-vintage-doily-bunting/ 

table runner...

 

diy here: http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2010/01/diy-doily-table-runner/

gift wrapping...

how to here: http://lacycrochet.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/holiday-gift-wrapping-with-doilies.html

and, my favourite... not made using old doilies but I really love the idea and want to own several-

doily mats!

for the love of cupcakes

We've recently been to a friend's super cute cupcake decorating birthday party and a kid's cup cake decorating class at Sugar Baby Cakery (on Cranford St in Christchurch). Both were lots of fun and inspired me to get some leftover cupcakes out of the freezer when M had a play date last weekend.

I made a butter cream icing and split the mix for 3 piping bags- one plain, cocoa added to make chocolate for another and red colouring to make pink icing for the last. I let them go for it using lollies from our lolly stash. They seemed to like making faces the most- with sour worm smiles- yum!