MPAY: GREEN!!

When I saw the theme for this weeks MPAY Meme over at Vic's, I knew I had to join in due to my latest favourite discoveries.

Isn't she lovely?!? My latest op-shop find is this beautiful green jug. Who knew a jug could be so perfectly beautiful, and that I could be so passionately in love with an inanimate object.

The other new discovery is the best camping spot in the world. It's so beautiful, and green, and totally unspoiled. We spent a weekend there, and loved it. We really didn't want to leave, and can't wait for the next time we can go. But Little Man is going into hospital this week to have surgery on his legs, so we won't be going camping again any time soon.

Child's Baby Doll Sling - A Mini Tutorial

Today little princess asked me to make her something, and I was a bit shocked that I hadn't already thought to make her one before. She goes through phases of playing with baby dolls then barbie dolls, and for quite a while it has been all about the barbie dolls. But today she was playing with her baby doll stuff, and NEEDED a sling to carry her baby while they were shopping. I am more than happy to make her something that encourages imaginitive play, and will keep her occupied for more than 5 minutes, so I set to it. I knew it had to be a quick project, because if I took too long she would lose interest while waiting, so I came up with a 5 minute baby doll sling. I am sharing it in case there are other mums out there reading this, in need of something quick to occupy bored children.

 1. Cut a piece of fabric 105 x 50 cm.

 2. Fold in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew along the open long side.

 3. Turn fabric tube right side out. Feel free to iron at this point, and you could even top stitch along the long sides (with an impatient 4 year old standing at my side the whole time, I kinda had to leave out these steps).

 4. On one end, fold the sides of the tube in so they meet in the middle, pin in place.

 5. On the other end of the tube, fold in the raw edges about 1cm.

 6. Place the folded end inside the open end so that they overlap by a couple of cm.

 7. Fold the sides under and pin.

8. This is what it should look like underneath. Sew a couple of times across the overlapping part.

9. Put it over your little prince or princess's shoulder, add a baby doll (or a bright blue doll called Ponyo) and watch hours of happy family imaginative play :)

Happy New Year....

A bit late, I know, but you know how it gets over Christmas/new year. With the whole family on holiday from work and daycare at the moment, my days are filled with family time, and constantly working against the forces determined to make my house look like a bomb hit it.

I have managed to fit in some crafting time, but the weather has been shocking so taking decent photos has been a challenge.

 Some last minute Christmas gifts I made for my cousin's children. She has 4 children under 4, two of each, so I just made them something little, because with 4 small kids you are bound to have way too much toys and junk in your house already, right? For the oldest girl I made some hairclips (pinwheels made using this tutorial), and for the youngest, who is only a few months old, I made a taggie square. For the two boys, who are in between, I made lizard hand puppets using this tutorial.

Yesterday we had a 4th birthday party to go to, for a girl who is a bit of a tom boy. I wanted to make something that is still kinda girly, but not all pink or purple or overly girly. A while ago I found a bag of half finished, or started and forgotten about, hexies. Since finding them I have seen a few bags on Pinterest that incorporated hexies or some other similar quilted shape (here, here & here). My version is a denim shoulder tote bag, with a hexy pocket on the front, lined with red polkadot fabric. I also made a little zip purse with hexy decoration on the front (first time I have sewed a zip, so proud!), and an I-spy bottle inspired by this one.

I offered to make cupcakes for the party, but then my cupcakes didn't rise, so I had the idea to turn them into cakepops, by putting them onto iceblock sticks, and they were a big hit. A happy accident that I will try to repeat one day. With the left over melted white chocolate and sprinkles I made chocolate freckles, and together with the cakepops they looked so cool.
The party was supposed to be kind of strawberry shortcake themed, but it was put together quite last minute, so a lot of the planned decorations and things didn't get put up. But I never miss an opportunity to dress up, so I put together a Raspberry Torte costume for me, and Little Princess was dressed as Strawberry Shortcake. I don't have photo's, but one day hopefully we will get to dress up in our costumes again.