Inspiration for First Birthday Party

via Pinterest

Miss Harper is approaching 11 months so it is officially time to start planning the party. Nothing big, just family and a couple of friends and some tasty treats for both the big and little people. I can't lie, I have been thinking about Harper's first birthday party for a few months, gathering ideas and secretly wishing the time away so that I can make the invitations! You can check out my inspiration board on Pinterest, just click this link:  Bunting Party Inspiration.

Not Quite As Planned

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was..... well, not quite as planned. One sickly child, another who likes waking before 5am and a thoroughly stupid stuff up on my part meant that I missed out on seeing Mathilda's Market. You'd think that by the age of 34 double checking the time that events start AND finish should come naturally. Nope. I drove all the way to the market venue, drove around for nearly half an hour to find a parking space only to find one which cost $15 flat rate and then found that I was an hour late. Embarrassed and feeling silly. Lesson learnt!

I did finish off a new project, something different and something that ended up taking hours!!!! But I am really happy with the end result. What do you think? This week's plans are dominated with catching up with friends and I have some 'proper' ie paid work starting for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I'll get some creative time at home too.

Cold and Cuddly Owls

This morning the temperature upstairs was 1 degree!!! Needless to say I refused to get out of my blanket covered bed for an hour until it was a balmy 2 degrees. Despite the cold nights/mornings this week, the days have been sunny allowing for some trips to the park while squeezing in a little sewing. These owls are so cuddly and soft with a minky fabric back which I plan to pop in my madeit shop this weekend.  

On the agenda this weekend is swimming lessons, a trip to Mathilda's Market on Sunday, a catchup/playdate with friends and finishing off an embroidered hoop (this thing is taking hours, what was I thinking!!). I might also be able to sneak in some time to make one of these parcel pincushions. Whatever is on your calendar this weekend, have a great time!

Apple Brooches

It feels good to be finishing off some new creations. I have had this gorgeous apple kawaii print fabric in my stash for a while and I love how it looks in these felt brooches. I've also just applied for a handmade market, please cross your fingers for me that little cloud factory gets accepted ;)

Half done at The Factory

In my creative space this Friday I have a few half-done projects. True to form I start something only to have a brain wave or change of direction and begin something else. That's just how I work but the plan is to complete four little owl softies, a couple of apple brooches and a felt embroidered hoop by the end of the weekend.

Do you work on a few projects at once? Or can you focus on just one at a time?

What's in your creative space this weekend?

Art in the Kitchen

I have a soft spot in my heart for typography art. Infact I recently bought this Made by Girl print which is now awaiting a frame.

When designing or decorating a kitchen one doesn't usually plan to include artwork. Kitchens are the functional hub of the home but just like every other room of the house, it would be nice to introduce and rotate some artwork. I was particularly drawn to some kitchen-y artwork while browsing etsy this week.   

Etsy Shop Articipe

Etsy Shop Sam Ossie

Embrace the Neon

What do you think of this neon trend? (Didn't we call it 'fluoro' in the 80s? Is there a difference?) Anyway, I am generally a bit slow at getting on board with new trends, especially when it comes to fashion. But I like this injection of colour. As a strict 'darks only' kinda girl, these hot pinks and blues are an on-trend way to brighten up your wardrobe and accessories.

1 BYS Nail Polish Blue Bang $3.95
2 Neon cap shoes $42.50 from ASOS
3 Neon embroidered dress from ASOS
4 Blue Chevron Earrings $22 from Baublebar
5 Neon Bracelet Stack from Ettika

Get Crafty This Weekend

I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. And if you're a Mummy, there is some scheduled pampering and general fussing over time on the agenda for tomorrow. Being a mother is wonderful, difficult, emotional and everything in between and I am so grateful to my mother for showing me over the last 34 years how to do this job well.

If you are able to squeeze in a few minutes to yourself to be crafty this weekend, here are my picks from my travels around the blogosphere recently. Make a terrarium (indoor gardens are so hip right now!) or jazz up some simple paper lanterns with ribbon for your next party. 

1 Terrarium from Meet me at Mikes
2 A Toddler Scarf (using socks) from Living with Punks
3 Apple design tote bag from Craftstylish
4 Ribbon Lanterns from Martha Stewart

Displaying Children's Artwork

Most weeks Michaela proudly produces a piece of artwork after her day at pre-kindy. I also have a craft box filled with stickers, glue, glitter and alike which I pull out every other day for her to 'create' with. Consequently the collection of paintings and pasta covered pieces of paper is growing. Finding the best way to display her work is tricky, there is only so much space on the fridge!

A recent trip to Typo and a sweet $5 got me this metal heart frame. Michaela can rotate her weekly masterpieces to it easily with a little peg and it's her own little gallery to show off when people visit.

Monthly Photo- 10 months

Unfortunately my commitment to taking and sharing monthly photos of Harper is yet another thing that has faltered. I am taking photos of her but as you may also know, the camera isn't at the ready with no 2 like it was with no 1. Nevertheless, look how gorgeous she is at 10 months!! She continues to be a delight and keeps me on my toes, literally. I can't sit down for five minutes this last week as she is mastering the 'I can stand on my own' thing. She gets up on the side of the couch, stairs, bed but then has no where to go so we have had a few backward tumbles.

I arranged to have some professional pics of the girls taken last week and this is one of them. Both girls were patient and gave plenty of smiles for the camera. Now to get some into frames and on the walls.

What Did You Do?

How was your weekend? Good, I hope. Did you make something? If you did, please leave me a link, I'd love to see your work.

Here's what I created. I combined two of my favourite things, clouds and felt, and made this birth date wall hanging for Harper's room. Cute eh?
I used the full six strands of embroidery thread (which I wouldn't usually do on softies and other projects) but I wanted it to stand out clearly. Having said that, it would probably look better and neater to be 3/4 strands and perhaps in white. Any suggestions? I would like to make a couple more but try the design on an oval hoop too.

I also spent some time this weekend playing around with bloggy html stuff. Clearly the phrase 'bloggy html stuff' tells you that I have very little idea about the technical side of my blog but as a keen DIYer, I gave it a go. This post from Her New Leaf is simple enough for even me to follow and allowed me to add the social media buttons to my sidebar. The icons are from The Academy and are free. (Found via Lines Across My Face)

Get Crafty This Weekend

With the rain pouring down outside, it's the perfect weather to stay indoors and do some creating. Here are my four picks to make this wet weekend.

1 Plush Fox Doll from A Beautiful Mess
2 DVD Colouring Case from Stacy Vaughn
3 Felt Cloud Mobile from Bugs and Fishes
4 Heart Brooch from Bee-inspired

For Young & Old - Mushrooms

The humble mushroom can be spotted (sorry, lame pun!) in many nurseries and children's bedrooms. I particularly like these three rooms- one, two and three.

Mushroom artwork, wall decals, decorations, toys and furniture, there is something a bit whimsical about the spotted red fungus.

Mushroom Stool $59.95 ministyle.com.au
(Also recently seen at Spotlight for the same price)

 And not to be left out, a cute mushroom for mum and her many diamond rings!

Ring dish with mushroom $24 from have you met miss jones



Into The Swing

I've had a productive couple of days. One completed softie for Miss H, an apple hair clip for Miss M and an almost stuffed and finished original spaceboy softie. Hopefully, he will be added to my etsy shop in the next day or two. After my previous post I have maintained a bit of momentum in my craft room and I feel great for it. Even if I manage half an hour of cutting or a bit of embroidering throughout the day, I definitely feel better for it.

I have even found time to play around on iPiccy. I have pretty much no idea when it comes to taking and/or editing photos but it's easy to play around with them on this site.