Monday musings

I have developed a fascination and love for little bird houses of late. It's yet another cute accessory that I would like to put in Michaela's big girl room, if there is any room left! They just keep popping up around the place so I must be destined to buy/make one. These ones have taken my fancy.

DIY Mobile via Ohdeedoh

Via Ohdeedoh

Layla's bedroom from The Happy Home via Ohdeedoh
Simple and beautifully tied in with the stenciled birds

Sharing some favourites

Catching up on blog posts from my favourite bloggers means that my list of projects to do just keeps growing!! Oh well......there are so many lovely, creative ideas out there that I'd like to try my hand at. Here's a few posts that have caught my eye recently.....
I can't wait until Michaela is old enough to do some crafty activities. These are printable sewing cards from mini-eco

I only discovered Prudent Baby blog a couple of months ago but it is definitely one of my favourites. I love this wee cape, not 100% sure whether Michaela would wear it and where but it's certainly very cute. I'm toying with the idea of creating a doll wearing one.  What do you think?

One of my staple gifts for friends' children and baby showers is a book. Michaela has always enjoyed 'reading' (and chewing books!) and she really loves the Trace Moroney picture books. Trace's books contain gorgeous pictures and stories with lovely messages. Along with the book I often include a label inside the front cover. Ohdeedoh has just done a recent round-up of printable book plates and here is an extra one I've used a few times lately.

Courtesy Li'l Magoolie


 

Creature Comforts offer a creative selection of printables and via their blog I found another Susy Jack printable. Susy also offers a number of birthday, thank you etc cards on her blog here.

And finally, even though this tutorial was posted early last year, I love this simple little monster softie from RevoluzZza........he looks likes a good project for this weekend.

A little busy.....

I've been a little busy of late and have missed putting some blog entries together despite lots of things going on and many cool things to share.
The reason for my disappearance from blog world is mainly due to me picking up a few days of relief teaching- great for the bank balance and to speak and teach some Italian again.
Inbetween these days of teaching I've managed to find a few hours to:

* Make some softies for friends as well as revisiting my cuddly owl and making her a little prettier.

Mumma and bubba penguin set

New & improved owl with folded fabric flower using this tutorial. 

Mumma and bubba babushka set

* Take advantage of the glorious winter weather with a trip to Fremantle on the weekend. We visited New Edition Bookshop where I picked up some pretty wrappping paper.....I know that doesn't sound very interesting but one sheet is full of little babushkas ( I have a thing for all things babushka) as well as this lovely paper called 'dandelion clocks'. The plan is to find a frame in which to hang in my entry.

Via printpattern

* Buy tickets for one of my fav bands of all time, Low. We saw them perform a couple of years ago and they were fantastic! They are touring in October and I can't wait to see them live again!!!!
* Madeit.com.au have opened a craft supplies online shop called craftumi so I'm going to get on there soon to stock up on felt.

* I bought this super cute tote bag today........I just couldn't resist!

I'm looking forward to catching up some of my fav blogs in the coming days, trying out at least one of the sewing projects on Prudent Baby (toooooo many lovely things on this blog to choose from!) and getting some softies in my etsy store.....it's been a long time coming but I just want them to be perfect. Oooo and last bit of news, I am so excited to have an etsy based graphic designer working on a logo and business package for me. In about two weeks I'll be able to share the little cloud factory logo with you!!!!

Giant penguin

I've almost finished my IKEA entry softie- a larger version of the chubby penguin. He stands at about 34cms. I changed his face from my smaller ones and added a wee tail. I still need to sew on the side wings and shove in a little more stuffing before putting my entry forward but fingers crossed he is shortlisted.

Just too cute

This is just too cute! Adele Enerson takes photos of her baby girl, Mila, almost every day while she naps. What a delightful and unique collection of photos to have of your child. Check out her blog here.

Cap'n Jessie Beerbong

I finished my pirate softie today. As mentioned previously, I used the Baby Chibi pattern I bought last year and created a friendly pirate in search of treasure!
I like giving a name to each softie I make and in the search for cool pirate names came across this site which will create a name for you. Penelope turns out to be Captain Jessie Beerbong! I made this pirate for a friend who will hopefully give it a fitting name too.

Inspiration for a 'big girl's' room

With Michaela only three months away from turning 2, I've been on the lookout for some inspiration to create her big girl's room. Here are a few pics of rooms, projects and accessories that are currently inspiring me.

This gorgeous bookcase used to be an old hutch.

I'd love to paint the walls aqua blue, similar to this one

I am a huge fan of all things alphabet with a vintage feel ....

From Sweet William- I have my eye on many of their prints

And only $25 plus free postage.....very cute
www.realshopping.com.au

And after seeing this beautiful room I am seriously considering vertical stripes! I would never think of or consider using three different wall colours but if this was my room I would stay here all day!

Wonderful times

I/We've had a great few days!
My mother retired last week which is exciting for her and us as we can spend some more time together. I've already got her booked in to join us for our dance and gym classes.
We went into Fremantle on Saturday morning and visited the most gorgeous gift shop- Corner Store. I've not been to that part of Fremantle for a while so I'm not sure how long the shop has been there, but I will definitely be going back. They stock loads of cute baby things, books, bags, clothing, basically I could spend hours (and far too much money!) there.

I received my little cloud factory woven labels in the mail yesterday and I am just itching to stitch them into some softies I am working on!! I am really happy with how they turned out.

The pirate softie I am working on is taking shape. The doll is based on the baby chibi doll I've made before but it is the boy version. He is looking a bit like a South Park character at the moment in the face which I want to change....

We finally made it to IKEA today to get some fabric for their Sewing/Craft Competition I previously blogged about. I've decided on a big version of my chubby penguin (I think....) so I've got one week to get him cut, sewn, stuffed and ready.

And with 24C days (winter??!!) we've been out and about visiting friends with newborns as well as the park and play centres (which Michaela is very sad to leave.......cue tantrum and running away from mum!!)

I hope you've also had a great start to August 

Penelope x 

Happy August

Courtesy: http://www.joojoo.me/2009/10/august-indian-elephant.html