some new blog links

But first a couple of pics of my lovely 5 year old. She has just rediscovered an old dress I made for her last year, and we picked up this scarfe she has on at a charity shop, the colours are so lovely together I couldn't resist taking a few pics. For more pics see my kids blog.





Now for some links.
Crafty blogs:
Button - some cute creatures and good crafty stuff. Yarnstorm - this site has it all, writing, cooking, crafting, gardening, always something new and interesting, this post cracked me up. Life in colour - some good writing and crafty stuff, also I love the banner and her pics of her journal. Buzzville - has some great finds and crafty stuff, love the cute kids beanie she made. Moopy and me - the monster she made is too adorable, cute kids and art and craft goodies. Zhinka dinka doo - love love the felt needle case she made, lots of other crafty goodness too. Super eggplant - has been around for ages and has some great crafts, links and other goodies. Mecozy - makes gorgeous art quilts and other craft at her shop, including tea cozies and these cute sheep. The small object blog - is a great collection of crafty stuff and make sure you take a look at her shop too. Swim - knitter and quilter, love the way her kids are so involved with everthing. Bella dia is the pin cushion queen. Pamdora - the ranting, writing, drawing and creating of an amazing art quilter. Her quilts are so incredible. Shells and beans - creative mother, am watching her kids mosaic wall come together.

Other blogs including art, inspiration and writing.
Meggiecat and her frankie files have some great art and craft inspirational link and pics. Offbeatliving - has some great crafts and decorating ideas and projects. Learning daily, great drawing and illustrations. Flobberlob - musings of a dad, artist, creator. Nurse Ratchett's alter ego - funny and interesting and moving stories about life. Momster - writing of a mother - if you are a parent you can relate to this.

Enjoy the links, have a great weekend.

ps. some links were not working, I think I have fixed them.

white wall toys

I am so excited that whitewall are selling my kroo creatures online. Go and check out their site, they have lots of other cool creatures as well.




Also I am updating my shop 'kroo' (which still doesn't have online payment facilities - but you can email me to work out options) I have just designed a new entry page, but havn't done much inside yet. Does it work? is it slow, boring, groovy, let me know.

Also I have added some new links, some LOTE (languages other than english) blog links, all from great crafty and cooking sites. Some of these I have mentioned before but there are some cool new discoveries as well. Such as oaoa who has some cool softies, and Planeta hilda - love the crochet rainbow bra, antracite e ortela has some original and colourful creatures, and old favourite cimba is added to the list as well. I have some more up my sleeve so stay tuned.

And have started a Flickr thingy, lots of the photos are doubles of ones posted here, but I guess they are more easily searched and accessed through flickr - click on my flickr pics in the side bar to go directly there.

finished birthday cake

A fairy wish, some inspiration, 2 cakes and some sugar. Thats all it takes to make this cake. (Oh and a few hours - did I forget to mention that.)

See my project blog for instructions and cake recipe.

unfinished quilt project

This unfinished quilt - (well actually it is now just a patchwork top and batting and backing sitting next to each other - quilting has yet to be done) for Otilija began 2 years ago and was pieced together with so much love and optimisim and hope, and then sat in the cupboard. Why have I gotten it out now? Well winter coming on, Otilija's 5th birthday about to pass by, and I feel brave enough to try the quilting part after being an avid reader of angry chicken blog. I have done small quilts before, and they worked out very nicely, but this is a single bed size - the biggest I have ever attempted.

Anyway here are some pics of it. The design was inspired by a funquilts quilt, a non traditional design. But didn't quite make it to their standard. Sorry the quilt is a bit rumpled - it has been in the cupboard for 2 years and I didn't have a flat surface to lay it on at the time that wasn't being trampled on by tiny feet.

back tack swap

The Back Tack swap Sign-up has been extended to Sunday 24 April midnight (your local timezone). If you don't know about this swap already then head over to back tack and check it out.
It is being organised by Nicole and Alison from six and a half stitches and Craftapalooza, I am glad these chicks are organising it, cause it looks like a fun adventure in sewing and creating and getting to know fellow crafty bloggers.

photo friday 'soft'

This is my baby Orlando (now nearly 3) when he was 3 months.

Short depth of field, softens the focus on the baby, the fuzzy hair and pastel blue soften the feel and mood of the photo.

my little birdie

This little birdie made these wings herself - using materials from our craft box - coloured paper, glue, lots and lots of sticky tape and then asked me to peg it to her singlet. And she flew and flew around the kitchen for hours of fun. See more of these pics at my kids blog.

paisley snowman

I made this little fella from some scraps of fabric leftover from pyjamas and pants etc. He's a bit strangely shaped - no shoulders and ghostly eyes. But nevertheless a bit hit with the kids, they seem to love them no matter what. As long as they are soft and cuddly and cute and colourful, they just need to add their imagination and the critter ends up with a personality - thus the snowman.

Gnomes

These are some pics from the book 'Gnomes' by Poortvliet / Huygen and available through Amazon. I wrote about this book before, I first saw it on Tania's blog and then found it at a flee market (trash and treasure at Jamison in Canberra) for $2. What a treasure. I couldn't resist posting some pics of it - really is so gorgeous.

"while the music box plays, the gnome spends his time usefully."

"gnome children use the winged seeds of the maple to play at being dragonflies"

"When he is about 100, the male gnome begins to think of marriage; ... Plump womenfolk, round of form are the favourite. ... His house is given a rigorous inspection beforehand by his future father-in-law."

The female: "although the female gnome has a substantial bosom, decreased gravity (at her height) allows her to go through life unencumbered by a brassiere."

recipes - birthdays

I have been planning Otilija's birthday party and searching for the right cake and treats to make. She insists on a fairy or princess cake so have been looking for ideas. On Orlando's last birthday I made a train cake which was a huge success. I thought I would share some of the recipes and resources I found for birthdays and cakes and decorating and special occasion cakes.

Also I added a link list of my favourite recipes in my side bar - check them out.

Birthday cake links and resources:
Women's day - great funny cakes and lots of other recipes - good instructions too for decorating. I also love the look of these cookies and these cookies for parties and fun.
Truck and train cakes - this train cake has great instructions for putting it all together. Woman's day truck cake, this is a great semi-trailer cake. For Thomas fans here are some good do-it-yourself Thomas cakes, here and here.
This sponge cake at Delia Smith is so incredibly easy and is great for decorating, if you don't want to buy one. Her recipe site is worth exploring for all the other great recipes she has too.
Tips on decorating here on Wilton. How about this cake. And lots of icing and frosting recipes here.
Barbie cakes here are two great ones, The coolest kid birthday cakes - Barbie cake, and barbie birthday cake at Martha Stewart for the princesses out there.
Birthday express - fish cake, teddy bear cake, beautiful butterfly cake, sea shell cupcakes, pretty groovy flower cake, and heaps more.
Castle cake, and princess cake, at Family fun.

Games ideas resources:
kids domain, better homes and gardens, party games for kids, knowledge hound - lots of links, todays parent - tips and links and games, birthday express, party game central, amazing moms, 101kidz,

What we will be doing for our 5 year old party
start off with races - three legged, sack, jumping, hopping, different animal races - frog jump and octopus races. After everyone gets a lolly prize, we will move on to active games such as duck duck goose (or toilet toilet flush as is the currently popular version), whats the time mr wolf, simon says, and maybe some dance dance to the music and stop etc. Then the cake and snack, then play ground - going mad, running wild, having fun.

Age related party ideas and tips at moms break. Here is what it says about 5 year old parties (thats us)

Age 5: 5-year-olds should have a big party, but remind them that this is because they are the big "5," and either starting school or just in school, and having a "big" party will not happen every year. On the fifth birthday, I suggest you first decide if you want to do it yourself. I personally suggest renting a park area if weather permits because the kids will be just as happy playing on park equipment as they would if you spent a ton of money on a professionally planned party.

Great games for 5-year-olds whether inside or outside are:
1. Hitting Piñatas that is full of candy.
2. Relay races, which can be held in a garage, carport, or park.
4. Dancing to music and "freezing" when the music is stopped to see who looks the silliest (this is a great game and everyone should win a party favor).
5. You can also do face painting and movie time.

Photo friday - 'rest'

a question of storage

Organisation is difficult in a small house with small children and lots of stuff everywhere. I have recently re-organised the childrens room (first 2 photos) and now must organise my new craft space (photo 3 is old craft space and photo 4 is going to be new craft space).

I love these hanging mesh baskets and shelves both from Ikea (3 hours drive from my house), and am now in the process of needing more. The main problem in my house is not so much lack of space as lack of storage space.

This interesting storage unit by Charles Eames speaks to me.
And I quite like this garden storage bench plan that I am sure could be used inside as well as out.
ooh ooh how cool is this - and practical too!

ideas anyone?

Pretty poppets and school holiday blues

The school holidays are trying my patience. What to do with 2 active kids all day. Today we were at the CSIRO discovery centre, yesterday a movie '5 children and it', a silly but nevertheless enjoyable movie, Otilija loved and that was the point of going. The day before I put them in the creche at the gym while I did my bi-weekly pump session, and we looked after one of Otilija's friends for the morning, and in the afternoon icecream and a DVD - 'Mulan', which is a gorgeous movie, if culturally confused. And the day before that - monday - I am having trouble remembering mmm... oh thats right the park - a great kids park by the lake, if anyone lives in Canberra this is a great spot to take the family. Tomorrow I have no idea - maybe the museum, they have story telling, or art gallery sculpture garden on the lake is great, or maybe an indoor kids play ground. Then theres always the library and the botanic gardens.

I have posted these pics of crochet patterns for childrens clothes - they are so cute. I picked them up at a trash and treasure market for a song - they are inspiring me towards something.






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pants pants pants

I have been madly making kids pants to sell. Some of these I will give to friends and some I will have to keep for my kids cause I am too in love with them to part with them. I really love these pants with retro brown cord I picked up from a thrift store ($2 for 3 metres) with zebra fabric for a cuff. I did all of these by cutting a pattern off kids pants and altering length and waist and widening legs etc to get the style of pant I like. You can see a tutorial about this process here. Some of this fabric I have bought new at spotlight a fabric 'super store' all over Australia, but a lot of fabric I pick up from thrift stores. I also get some fabric lots from Ebay and raid my mums fabric cupboards as well. For the cuff I sometimes use quite expensive patchwork fabric - as you can get some great designs that just don't come in dress fabrics and mix it with a plain unbleached cotton for the main pant - it is quite striking. Lately, as Winter approaches, I am using cord, great alternative to jeans fabric - softer with a better range of colours, and this season there are a some great pattern cord available, which is a great contrast to plain colours. Here are some pants in production.

My sweeties

The cutie pie and the princess.

Bread, Scones and Slow roast lamb

This is what we did on the weekend (in between cleaning and sewing - and we even got to the movies!) Rob lit the mud oven and he made scones and bread and then we did a slow roast lamb. So delicious. The oven had to be lit a good 3 hours before baking to let it heat up enough, then when it has gotten down to hot coals you scrape them out, clean the oven floor and put in the bread and scones. Then when it has cooled down a little you can put the roast in - close the door and forget about for 4 hours. It was just perfect. To see the whole project go here to my projects blog.

What makes you crazy and happy and giddy?

Keri Smith at wish jar journal posted a question today which I loved the idea of. I loved it so much I wanted to answer it myself - so here goes.

What makes you crazy and happy and giddy?

1. My kids - always
2. An amazing photograph
3. Autumn leaves turning red and pink and orange
4. Fry's Turkish delight
   
5. Riding my bike down hill - fast without helmet and hair flying - feels like this and this
   
6. The beach
7. the power of Wind and rain
   
8. The beauty of the land - the Australian Outback
   
9. A field of Kangaroo paw (Australian wild flower) (Anigozanthos manglesi)
10. Eucalyptus - the smell - the colour - the simple beauty
    
11. Really good whiskey in one hand, and luscious dark chocolate in the other
12. Moonlight and stars - I wish I was here
    
13. Thunder and lightning (whilst under cover)
14. Loving and being loved - just being with this guy and these darlings
    
15. climbing high - although only this high in my dreams
    
16. running fast - do you remember when you were this free
    
17. dancing furiously
18. Quiet - just me - how can it be?
    
19. The music of Mercedes Sosa
20. The smell of a new baby - the feeling of life going on
    

How do you respond to this question?

Photo friday - 'plastic'

Photo friday - plastic. Fantastic.

Sequin fabrics

I love taking photos of fabrics, close up, textures, weave, colours, light.

green sequin indian bag

multi sequin kids bag

pink sequin indian bag

Today I hastily organised Otilija's birthday party invitations. I have been pondering what to do for her 5th birthday and suddenly realised it is school holidays soon and so I better get the invitations out - as her birthday is during the hols. She desperately wanted to invite her boyfriend "Jack with the spots" (freckles) as apposed to Jack without the spots. And didn't want to invite just one girl from her class. So I have decided to go the whole hog and invite the whole class. This is very brave of me I know, but I am not having it at home or at an expensive organised kids party place, instead at a reserve/park with a really good kids playground and lots of tables and space. We are starting off with races (2 legged, sack, egg spoon - that kind of thing) and then move on to cake and then finish with them running wild. I am hoping parents will stay and not just drop and run, not sure I can cope with 25 roudy kids. AAAH what have I done.

kids pants tutorial

Have posted a tutorial about making kids pants fast, my home projects blog. I made these pants for my daughter and the red velvet and lace combination is quite stunning.

this is a pile of boys corderoy pants ready to hem

blogs in translation

I am so in love with google's translation tool. Without it I would never have been able to read these blogs Mon Tricot (translated version here) a lovely portuguese craft blog, or this other portuguese blog a borboleta cor de laranja by Caliope which I find charming (translated here - the orange butterfly), she has a link to an excellent article about blogging via her site. Of course I couldn't read Rosa's blog without the translation tool, which she has kindly added as a tool to her site.

Another interesting site is this chinese blog lifepieces (translated) - I love the denim tigers she makes.

Some other interesting Portuguese and Brazilian sites I like here: 3 gatos miaus (translation)- great crafts, Dina ladina (translation), poeiras, trapos and farrapos (translation), mariana massarani (translation)- gorgeous illustrations, meninas aos riscos (translation)- craft and illustration, omundo ao contrario (translation) doll maker, tricodando (translation - although for some reason the pics don't come out in the translation version)- great knitting blog, while I am not a knitter this bag is adorable, catrela (translation) has the most amazing paper art, baudland has some fantastic original childrens clothing that is made out of old clothes.

Fairy Mural

Fairy mural I painted on Otilija's bedroom wall last year. this room is now the common playroom and both kids still love the fairies.

love heart fairy

The blossom tree with butterflies. I did this by stamping paint - using cardboard edge and carved potato.

When the kids started sharing a room I did a mini mural on the wall above their beds in their new room. This is Otilija's mural. Pink fairies again. This was a very quick job - I only had half an hour window.

And blue pixies for Orlando.

weekend mud oven

This is rob making a traditional mud (cob or earth) oven. We used this book for reference. The base took us a weekend and the mud dome took a day. Next weekend we will cut in the door and fire it up for delicious bread the traditional way. See project blog for full pictorial instructions.

scarves

Otilija reluctantly modelling the latest kroo scarves.

Orlando is quite a bit more cheerful

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These scarves are fleece on one side and flannel on the other or double fleece with the kroo monster appliqued on in felt. They come in two sizes - small (from baby to about 6-8 yrs old) and large (youth - teen - adult). These can be purchased from my shop.