Sunday, January 30, 2011

Make your own banners

I've been getting almost-daily emails from Vistaprint since getting some business cards printed, and one of the items that they've tried to give me at "100% off" over the last couple of months is a printed banner.  It got me thinking, and I was nearly going to sign up and buy one to cheer on the Man during his bike ride over Australia Day weekend, but I thought about the fact that it was going to be manufactured in Europe then shipped across, would cost me however much in postage, etc. and I had a better idea - enlist the Schoolboy to help me make one while the Man was out training.  Here's the finished product:






I had a strip of calico lying around, onto which I traced letters with a laundry marker.  I then got him to paint it with poster paint and wa-la a banner we're all proud of and that impressed dad a heap more on the day than a bought one would have.  I'm thinking that this's a project which will be repeated for a 'happy birthday' banner / 'happy fathers' day' banner etc. down the track some time, or maybe to put letters onto some bunting.



Oh, and how did we distract the Kinderboy during the painting (his efforts being unlikely to make the sign readable from a distance?) - I got him to paint his own masterpiece onto a scrap of the calico using the light colours that I wanted the Schoolboy to avoid on the banner.  Smiles all round (including from this control freak of a mum)

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Project 52: Read a classic novel


We were in Bright for the Australia Day weekend, and the boys and I took the opportunity to look through a second hand bookshop - I've been wanting to read some Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson.  I ended up with a book for me and two each for the boys, one of which was a 22 year old copy of The Wishing Chair Again by Enid Blyton.  I've been reading it aloud to the Schoolboy, who has loved it!  I think I have him hooked, so it looks like more trips to second hand bookstores to pick up the other books in the series.

It's funny, I've always thought of the Wishing Chair as a dark blue wing-backed chair, when in reality it was a timber kitchen chair.  I wonder if that's because I read the book in my own playroom while sitting in an armchair?

It's not the calibre of 'classic' novel that I think the creator of the Project 52 list was probably thinking of but I think its a classic anyway, as demonstrated by the fact that a 6 year old can still enjoy it 60 years after it was written.  What do you think?

Click here to see my list as it now stands.


Raffle winners!



Thank you to Baukje and Alison for entering my raffles - the fairy skirts will be on their way to you shortly (I just need your address Alison).  I can't believe that one of my skirts is heading its way to France!  I hope that the little people in your lives have lots of fun dressing up (my younger son has a pink skirt and wand, and he loves being a 'pink fairy', much to his brother's amusement!!).  I have one lone fairy skirt left, and will hold it open for anyone wanting to make the same $10 donation to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal - just leave me a comment with your receipt number.

Better late than never


In the process of rummaging through the cupboard looking for wool to make owl babies with I discovered a little case with knitting in it.  So that's where my other size 8 needle went!  Apparently when the schoolboy was two or three I started knitting him a cardigan.  The kinderboy is very happy that now he's going to get it this winter.  I took it with me while we were away and did a bit - just 3/4 of a sleeve to go and then stitching, so that's my craft for today (if I can get my work finished this morning that is...).

What are you up to in your creative space today?

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Owl Babies


We've been away for the weekend, and before I left I'd been doing some net-surfing looking for a pattern for crocheted balls that I could stuff with dacron, when I came across something even better on Roman Sock.

I made my first owl, as per the instructions, in the car on the way to Bright.  Even with my limited crochet experience and the bobbly wool I used it wasn't too hard or too long a process.  I then made incrementally larger owls.  They reminded the boys and I of the characters out of one of our favourite kids books - Owl Babies by Martin Waddell - so we've christened them Sarah and Percy and Bill.  Great project for using up odd pieces of wool - they took less than one ball of the bobbly blue wool between them.  The eyes were buttons and felt I took with me, but if I did larger ones again I'd also enlarge the eyes, because I think that Bill, with his huge eyes is definitely the cutest.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Project 52: Bake a new dish

We don't usually have lollies in our house.  Not usually too many cakes or biscuits either.  I eat them.  The boys forget that they've been given lolly bags at parties as soon as they get home, so I don't offer them any (they're not good for them).  I bake cupcakes and freeze them so they're available for school lunches but not for trips through the kitchen.  You get the picture.


Well, for pretty much all of December we had lollies.  And cake.  And chips.  And I gained a sugar addiction and at least a kilo.  Hmmm.  Now to detox.  Every year or two I do a detox, mainly to help me to remember that vegetables are my friends and that eating them doesn't really take that much effort.  I'm good at dinnertime, but somehow having a salad at lunch seems like so much work in comparison to a sandwich with a spread on it.


My favourite detox came from a library book that I borrowed years ago.  It involves fasting for a couple of days (not my favourite bit) and then eating fruit, vegetables and rice for the remainder of the week.  Once I get into the swing of the vegan+ bit its not too bad (not that I'd keep it up permanently), but my problem has been finding recipes that fit the bill.  So, even though my recipe cupboard literally can't hold another thing, I bought the Women's Weekly Detox book mid-December when I saw it on the playgroup bookclub pile. 




I started in the middle of last week, and am loosely following the week-long program.  It's essentially the same as my fave, but no two day fast.  Have felt achy, headachy, [allegedly] grumpy, but have been enjoying the change, and of course I've made a truckload of new dishes.  My favourites so far have been the juices though, so I thought that I'd share my favourite combinations with you:


Watermelon & mint (ratio: 1 mint leaf to ~100g of watermelon)
Peach, apple & strawberry (ratio: 1 peach & 1 apple to 2 strawberries)


I've also tried papaya for the first time (not my favourite), so I was tossing up whether or not to count this as 'bake a new dish' or 'try a new food'.  Given that most of the stuff is new though, I've gone with the 'new dish' option.


Here's my list as it stands:

1. Subscribe to, write your own or read a blog on something unique and doable
2. Cull your facebook friends
3. Find a new music artist and share your favorite song
4. Read a classic novel or novel by classic author
5. Get a facial
6. Get a Pedicure
7. Get a Manicure
8. Have a Massage
9. Do a good deed for someone you live with
10. Do a good deed for someone you don't live with 
11. Create a bucket list
12. Choose something from your bucket list and do it
13. Choose something from your bucket list and do it
14. Choose something from your bucket list and do it
15. Buy a random gift for someone you love
16. Go on a picnic
17. Go for a photo walk 
18. Go to the beach and eat ice cream
19. Research and find a new dinner place
20. See a movie
21. Bake a MasterChef dessert
22. Bake a new dish
23. Take a day trip to a new place
24. Read the book of proverbs
25. Share your journal
26. Take a bubble bath with candles and music
27. Try a new food
28. Get a spray tan (if you are already tanned.... You have to create your very own thing here!!)
29. Write a note to one of your parents
30. Write a scripture on your mirror
31. List the reasons why you love your job
32. Plant or tend a garden/plant/vegie/herb patch
33. Play a game
34. Go on a ferry train
35. Subscribe to a new podcast
36. Go to the park
37. Do a random act of kindness
38. Take someone to lunch
39. Keep a gratitude journal for a week
40. Go to Ikea
41. Evaluate your yearly goals
42. Read the book of James
43. Read the book of Galatians
44. Lay out under the stars
45. Buy a new item of clothing
46. Start a new tradition 
47. Find a festival to celebrate in Sydney Melbourne
48. Download and play a song from your childhood
49. Take a class
50. Learn something new
51. Watch an animated movie with a child
52. Find a poem to love 
53. Organise your wardrobe
54. Go for dessert with someone you love
55. Invite someone new over for dinner

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Be the first to enter my raffles!

have three fairy skirts on offer by raffle for the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal.

Each has three layers of tulle/soft net, with the top layer being sparkly (the 2nd one has metallic silver stars). They're adjustable and would suit a pre-school / primary school aged child. You can enter with a $10 donation to the appeal - see full details on the post below.

SO FAR NO ONE'S ENTERED MY RAFFLES, SO IF YOU DO YOU'LL BE FIRST IN THE RUNNING TO WIN!

Stash busting skirt



I know that I'm supposed to be following the Grand Plan, and that means I should be making drawers and spotty dresses (not to mention finishing the unending curtains), but I've been going crazy for a creative outlet and a quick project to finish - instant gratification I guess.  Well, when Nic posted about her favourite skirt pattern (Simplicity 2309) and there was a pattern sale on in the same week I took it as a sign and went out and bought it.

I'd made a straight skirt in the spring, and something more wafty was in order for the height of summer, so in the last couple of days I've whipped this one up from the other version of the pattern.  I was stuck at home with no car and no zippers, but plenty of shirt fabric which needed lining if I was going to use it for a skirt instead, so I've made a wrap skirt out of the pattern by making twice as many pieces and wrapping it right round twice.  That way I only needed some buttons to secure it and also no separate lining.  I think that the downfall of skirts is their general lack of pockets, so I also made two pockets out of the offcuts.  All that and I've reduced my stash as well - surely that's got to be good!

My issue now is whether or not it needs any embellishment.  Usually I'm not all that into patterns, and the fabric has a self-coloured check through it, but I wonder if its a bit plain?  Have thought about some horizontal / vertical lines of stitching or ribbon, and also applique, but I'm not convinced.  Hmm.

Sorry for the quality of the photo - can't find the camera and it has a flat battery anyway, so I've resorted to the mobile.  Might take a better photo later.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Project 52: Trouble!

No, I haven't stumbled at the first hurdle and quit the Project 52 challenge!  I actually haven't posted about last week's project yet because I wanted to keep the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal post top of the list until I'd worked out another way of making it prominent on my site.  That done, I can let you know what I've been up to.




At last year's school fete we scored the kids game Trouble for $3 (brand new - what a bargain).  I wonder if they got complaints about their packaging or if their lawyers told them to put on the disclaimer that 'pieces do not fly out during play'.  However I'm betting in most families the pieces have gone flying when one of the younger householders discovered that they weren't doing as well in the game as they liked!  We usually play in pairs because playing with the Kinderboy is impossible - he sends the pieces flying even if he is winning, or tries to move everyone's pieces but his own.  The Schoolboy is intent on becoming the World Trouble Master though and keeps a tally of the number of games that he's won (19 at last count).  On Thursday night both the Man and I played with him after the Kinderboy had gone to bed.  It was the first time that the three of us had played at the same time, and it was fantastic.  No tanties or dummy-spits but all-out competition and plenty of laughs.  I can't remember who won, but the fun had all round and the special moment it created for the Schoolboy (who got to stay up late to play) was worthy of crossing off No. 33 on the list.


Here's my list as it stands:

1. Subscribe to, write your own or read a blog on something unique and doable
2. Cull your facebook friends
3. Find a new music artist and share your favorite song
4. Read a classic novel or novel by classic author
5. Get a facial
6. Get a Pedicure
7. Get a Manicure
8. Have a Massage
9. Do a good deed for someone you live with
10. Do a good deed for someone you don't live with 
11. Create a bucket list
12. Choose something from your bucket list and do it
13. Choose something from your bucket list and do it
14. Choose something from your bucket list and do it
15. Buy a random gift for someone you love
16. Go on a picnic
17. Go for a photo walk 
18. Go to the beach and eat ice cream
19. Research and find a new dinner place
20. See a movie
21. Bake a MasterChef dessert
22. Bake a new dish
23. Take a day trip to a new place
24. Read the book of proverbs
25. Share your journal
26. Take a bubble bath with candles and music
27. Try a new food
28. Get a spray tan (if you are already tanned.... You have to create your very own thing here!!)
29. Write a note to one of your parents
30. Write a scripture on your mirror
31. List the reasons why you love your job
32. Plant or tend a garden/plant/vegie/herb patch
33. Play a game
34. Go on a ferry train
35. Subscribe to a new podcast
36. Go to the park
37. Do a random act of kindness
38. Take someone to lunch
39. Keep a gratitude journal for a week
40. Go to Ikea
41. Evaluate your yearly goals
42. Read the book of James
43. Read the book of Galatians
44. Lay out under the stars
45. Buy a new item of clothing
46. Start a new tradition 
47. Find a festival to celebrate in Sydney Melbourne
48. Download and play a song from your childhood
49. Take a class
50. Learn something new
51. Watch an animated movie with a child
52. Find a poem to love 
53. Organise your wardrobe
54. Go for dessert with someone you love
55. Invite someone new over for dinner

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Flood Relief Appeal Giveaways

Following on from my previous post, I now can let you know that I have a few "giveaways" to raise money for the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal.  Instructions for each of the giveaways are contained in more detail in their individual posts (click on the link above the relevant photo).  The items up for "sale" by donation to the Flood Relief Appeal are:

Two-tone blue fairy skirt


Blue & Mauve fairy skirt


Pink fairy skirt



I plan to add some extra items (hopefully some girly headbands) onto the list over the next couple of days, so please call back again!

Flood Relief Giveaway of sorts #3: Pink Fairy Skirt


This pink fairy skirt has a fully adjustable and elasticised waist, and would suit a pre-school or primary school aged child. It has a couple of layers of pink net and a pink tulle layer with sparkly silver dots on top. It's soft and wafty with a maximum length of around 40cm.

How this giveaway works:
  1. This giveaway is open to everyone and postage is FREE. 
  2. To enter you must donate $10 to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and add a comment on this post including your receipt number.
  3. You can enter as many times as you like but each entry must have a separate receipt number.
  4. This is an honour based system, so please don't use the same receipt number for more than one giveaway/auction - the idea is to raise as much money as possible for people affected by the floods.
  5. The giveaway ends at midnight Queensland time on Wednesday 26 January 2011, and a winner will be drawn at random on January 27.
  6. Thankyou for participating and good luck!

    Flood Relief Giveaway of sorts #2: Mauve & Blue Fairy Skirt


    This blue and mauve fairy skirt has a fully adjustable and elasticised waist, and would suit a pre-school or primary school aged child. It has a layer of blue net and one of mauve (soft, not scratchy) and a white tulle layer with sparkly silver stars on top. It's soft and wafty with a maximum length of around 45cm.

    How this giveaway works:
    1. This giveaway is open to everyone and postage is FREE. 
    2. To enter you must donate $10 to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and add a comment on this post including your receipt number.
    3. You can enter as many times as you like but each entry must have a separate receipt number.
    4. This is an honour based system, so please don't use the same receipt number for more than one giveaway/auction - the idea is to raise as much money as possible for people affected by the floods.
    5. The giveaway ends at midnight Queensland time on Wednesday 26 January 2011, and a winner will be drawn at random on January 27.
    6. Thankyou for participating and good luck!

      Flood Relief Giveaway of sorts #1: Two-tone Blue Fairy Skirt


      This blue fairy skirt has a fully adjustable and elasticised waist, and would suit a pre-school or primary school aged child. It has a couple of layers of blue net (soft, not scratchy) and a pale blue sparkly tulle layer on top. It's soft and wafty with a maximum length of around 40cm.

      How this giveaway works:
      1. This giveaway is open to everyone and postage is FREE. 
      2. To enter you must donate $10 to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and add a comment on this post including your receipt number.
      3. You can enter as many times as you like but each entry must have a separate receipt number.
      4. This is an honour based system, so please don't use the same receipt number for more than one giveaway/auction - the idea is to raise as much money as possible for people affected by the floods.
      5. The giveaway ends at midnight Queensland time on Wednesday 26 January 2011, and a winner will be drawn at random on January 27.
      6. Thankyou for participating and good luck!

      Tuesday, January 11, 2011

      Flood relief appeal

      Photobucket


      We've been watching ABC News 24 for much of this afternoon, and feeling a combination of relief that we left Ipswich for Melbourne last night, and concern about the Man's family who are still there.  They're safe for now, although we've been harrassing them about moving to higher ground.  Was just closing down the computer when I saw the above link on Samelia's Mum's site and thought I'd put the word out there now.  Click on the picture above for more details, but essentially the idea is that as an on-line community we auction off and/or buy crafty items with the proceeds going to the flood appeal.  Will be adding a post later with details of what I'm auctioning...

      Super easy made-to-measure headbands


      I don't know about you, but as an adult I find that all of the headbands on the market seem to be too small.  Metal and plastic ones dig into my head and are uncomfortable, whilst fabric ones slip off too easily because they're too small.  The exception for me is an unattractive Nutrimetics one I use to keep my hair out of my face in the bathroom.  I use scarves, but often I'd like something that looked a bit flatter.

      I came across a tutorial at Between the Lines which gives good instructions for a girls' headband, but for me it's a bit too wide - I want something that will sit flat, rather than fold or scrunch when I put it on.  I also had to adjust the size to fit my head.  Here's what I did (of course you could use these instructions to make a kid's size headband - I'd be inclined to reduce the elastic length by a couple of centimetres and increase the fabric length by the same amount for smaller kids though):

      First you need to work out your ideal size headband.  If you’re like me then you have at least one scarf pre-knotted in your wardrobe.  If not, get yourself a scarf or piece of material and tie it around your head as a headband.  Now take it off and measure the length of the band.  Mine is 56cm.



       You need to cut yourself a piece of fabric that’s 8cm shorter than your ideal headband length (I cut mine at 48cm) and 12cm wide.  You’ll also need a 12cm long piece of 2cm / 2.5cm wide elastic.


       Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right side in.  


      Stitch along the long side with a 1cm seam allowance.


      Turn the fabric right side through and press.  I’ve put the seam along one edge, but you could place it in the centre of the wrong side if you prefer.  You could also topstitch the final piece along both long edges if you prefer.




      Line up the centre of one end of the elastic with the centre of one end of the fabric piece (right sides together).  Fold over each side of the fabric.  I’ve  used 2.5cm elastic in this example, and if you used 2cm elastic then the two ends would overlap, which would hide all the ends of the fabric when the band is off (you can’t see the ends either way once its on though).



      Stitch across the end twice.


      Repeat on the other end of the elastic and fabric sections, then turn the fabric so that you hide the seam allowances and stitching.





      You’re done! 


      Variations
      • As you can see you can’t see the elastic when you're wearing the headband, but if you’re keen to cover it up you could make a sleeve to cover over it (see Between the Lines for a demonstration).
      • If you’re after a wider headband you could hem each side of the fabric instead of folding it over.  In this case you’d have to fold the fabric where you attach it to the elastic (again, see Between the Lines for a how-to on this).
      • If you’re after a firmer headband you could iron on interfacing on your fabric before stitching.

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