Sunday, July 31, 2011

Cable Bangle and a Quick Way to Hang Pictures

The other day Jellyfish got out his crayons and started adding colour to a page out of my art book. When he was done he brought it to me and told me that he had created it for me. Being the kind of mum who loves it when her kids make her gifts I wanted to hang it up right away - but without damaging the paper too much (blu-tack like substances can make oily circles on the paper if you leave it on there too long).
Here is what I thought would work as a quick fix.



Mini pegs! I just put a little blob of blu-tack behind the peg, attached the peg to the paper, and stuck the blu-tack on the wall! :) EASY!!! I am so happy having his picture hanging beside my bed, it's one of the first things I see when I wake up and it just makes me smile. :)


Another thing that I found was kind of a fluke... Mr. Kelp had some left over cable tidy kicking around the other day, and wanted to put it in his pocket, so he started winding it around itself. It goes exactly around itself twice. When I clapped eyes on it, it was sitting on the bench in the kitchen, and I thought it was cool in a quirky kind of way, so I just popped it on my wrist and it fit perfectly! How neat is that?


And lastly, I just had to show you one more picture of the booties I made before I ship them off to their owners. Sorry. I know. I just can't help myself! lol


Hope your weekend was a lovely sunny one - it was here, and we took the boys for an amazing walk through the bush. I might even get around to uploading some pictures for you later in the week.
Ciao for now!

S xox

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Big and Little

Well I haven't been around these parts much lately... I do have an excuse (boring though it be). You see, we had visitors coming, and a house inspection while they were here, so I have been scrub, scrub, scrubbing, trying to make this house of ours gleam... well, just a little bit anyway.

And now I am late for Our Creative Spaces Thursday, GASP! And I DO have a REAL reason for not joining in on time. Yes. I do.
You see, this is part of how I spent my Wednesday leading up to it...


A whole lotta pain (I would rather have been in labour - seriously!), a trip in an ambulance with my "Happy Whistle" and a 5 hour stay in Emergency. So you'll forgive me for being a little bit late won't you? Things are Ok for now though, and I am thankful.

Anyway, to the good stuff - what have I been up to in my creative space you say?
THIS...



Gumboots, big and little. I altered the pattern for the smaller ones to fit my youngest nieces foot (she has quite long and lean feet), and then had to totally re-work the original pattern to make the larger size, which was a commissioned job by a lovely blogger who saw the first pair I ever made and had faith in me to be able to pull off creating something sweet for her little girl. Phew. It was a little stressful, and I pulled it apart several times to try and get the decreases to sit right - so I hope they fit little Miss B OK.
So there you have it. That's all I have been up to.

P.S. Don't forget that sign ups for the Sunshine in the Mail Swap close on Sunday! :)

Need more creative juice?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Sunshine in the Mail Swap



Hi everyone! So excited about your interest in a Snail Mail Swap. Thanks for your support :)

Here is what I was thinking...

Those who wish to sign up, send me your contact details (if they aren't on your blog already) and I will draw out partners and let you know who your partner is so you can contact them (or read their blog) to find out a bit about them and what their interests are.

From there, you are responsible to send them their "Sunshine in the Mail" Snail Mail Swap package within the timeline.

Flickr ... should I make a fliker account for you to post your pictures on??? let me know what you think.

So to break it down...

Sign ups will be for the month of July (I know, I know, it's half over!) and are open both nationally and internationally.
Partners will be drawn and sent on August 1
Parcels will need to be mailed no later than August 24 to try and reach their destinations by September 1 to welcome in the spring.

What to Swap...

I thought I'd include 5 options. From these 5 options you will need to choose 3 things (more if you feel like totally spoiling your partner!). It's preferred if you could hand make some of it (or purchase from someone who does).

1. Stationary OR  note cards with envelopes.

2. 1 Handmade postcard.

3. Something you have made.

4. Something that makes you think of Spring.

5. A surprise for your partner

There's no need to make it too complex - it's just for fun, and to put something better than bills in your mail box! :)




So, what are you waiting for???

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Vintage bottles - new use



A few years ago I dug up some old bottles on my Step-dad's property. Some of them got cleaned and put to immediate use, while others sat in a box under the stairwell for about, um... well, about 6 years. The other day I was having a rummage when I came across them and decided that it was high time I cleaned them up - AND I had the perfect use for them!!!


Here is how it all turned out...


This one I actually got from my Grandmother when I was about 11. It's a Pecks jar. Makes a brilliant vase for shorter stemmed flowers (like the ones that Jellyfish or Little Clam sometimes pick for me :) How could I refuse such sweetness!), or even collections of things that are too small to put elsewhere. It has a flat panel that I assume used to have the label on it - which now looks rather like a window.


Cost: $0 Just a little time in the sun picking flowers (More like a reward than a cost), a trip up the road with the kids to pick the french lavender (also lots of fun), and then poking them into the bottles and having Jellyfish help me arrange them and take their photos. Bliss :)

So do you have good uses for vintage bottles?


Linking up today.... 
                                                              

Thursday, July 14, 2011

MCS - Playing with Stamps


It feels like forever since I have joined in with Our Creative Space, and the reality of it is, that not a whole lot of creating has been going on here. Part of this morning saw me taking Little Clam and Jellyfish out for a walk to watch the excavators and dump trucks that are working just up the road from here.


I did manage to squeeze a little time for me in before I get to the crochet (I'm working on something that a fellow blogger commissioned, and I need to get it done ASAP). So in my space today is just a little experimenting with a new stamp, and some ink that I've not bothered to use before. Not sure I'm keen on how the grey went from a mid-grey to a light yellow grey. Any of you stamping kind out there have any suggestions?


Also, come back in a couple of days and I will have the specs on the Snail Mail Swap  up. Just tweaking a couple of things before release.

Hope you are keeping warm!
S&R xox

Linking up today



Monday, July 11, 2011

A visit from Oh So Happy Together

Hi everyone! I'm back, and it seems the nasty bugs have finally left our house. 

I am SO EXCITED - today I have a little treat for you... 
The gorgeous and super lovely Jessica from Oh So Happy Together is popping in to share some of her creative world with you. I found this Yummy Mummy's blog last year, and I just get such a buzz from seeing her creations. She has such a happy positive spin on life that I anticipate each new post from her, and find myself leaving her site with a satisfied smile on my face... I'll stop chatting and let you find out for yourselves! Enjoy! :)


1. How do you juggle your creative time with being a Mummy?

It isn't always easy and it really wasn't when my daughter was younger. But, when you have a passion you figure out how to make your schedule work and all. Most of the time I try to get my "chores" done while my daughter is awake and then use the time when she's napping/sleeping to create. I don't like to stay up late though, so I never do the whole stay up until 2 in the morning thing like some people do. I can't do that. I would be so cranky the next day! lol

2. What has been your favourite creation in the past twelve months? (Besides or including the baby! LOL...)

:) Hmmmmm...... Let's see if I can narrow it down to one. I think one that really sticks out to me is this shirt.

The Bump Grows....
It was one of the first times I really stuck to a pattern and worked extremely hard to make it is professional as possible. Plus, it turned out perfect!

3. What is the next thing on your "To Do" list before the baby arrives?

I feel pretty good so far, but I still have a few things to hopefully accomplish. The very next thing would be a bee to go in her crib.

The Scrappy Bee Pattern
{Happy Together Patterns can be found here}

My daughter has 4, so I figure she needs at least one :)

4. You did an amazing makeover on your daughter's room this year - how did you decide where to start, and what was your favourite item in the make over?

Well thank you very much. I first started with what kind of look I wanted to go for. I wanted it to be more of a big girl room, whimsical and colorful. Then I would run across a few things and know they were to go in it (the paper dolls from Anthropologie, the lamp from Urban Outfitters, and the comforter from Target). Then I tried to tie everything else in with those three items.

Big Girl Room Makeover
I think my favorite thing I did for her room was the dresser. It was simple but made a great effect.

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?

So many places! I'm always looking around on the internet on sites like Flickr, clothing sites (Anthropologie, Modcloth,etc), pinterest, etc. I try to keep my eyes open for inspiration in random places too. You never know. I carry around a notebook in my purse so if I see something I can write/sketch it down before I forgot and I will take a pic on my phone is possible.

6. You use gorgeous colours in the things that you make - what colour seems to take the lead around your house and is it your favourite colour?

Our home colors are mostly neutral type colors, which is mostly to keep the hubby happy :)

The Lovely Fireplace for fall
He lives there too, so in the main living areas, we compromise. But when it comes to the kids rooms and my office, there is a lot more fun and vibrant things going on. My absolute fave color is yellow. It just makes me so happy.

7. How did you learn to draft patterns?

The first patterns I made for myself were for softies.

Runaways: The Dish and The Spoon Pattern
{free pattern can be found here}

I had really started out wanting to stay in that arena, but then I got into making clothes for my daughter. After drafting patterns for her size I realized that it wouldn't be that much harder to do some sizes that were bigger and smaller. It took some time to get the sizing right with pattern testers, but once I got the basics down it got easier.

8. What materials do you prefer to use when creating? (eg. yarn, fabric, other)

I'll be honest, I usually go in spurts with these things. I'll go on a sewing binge you could say,

She had to jump in the pic ;)
but then just want to crochet.

Crocheted Hair Bows
{tutorial here}
I also have times where I don't want to craft, just play around with photography.

9. What skills have been the most challenging to learn? (eg. crochet, sewing, paint related craft)

I think that sewing was. I have thrown away many a project. Most of the time it's the silliest mistakes but the good thing about making mistakes is you learn from then and usually don't do them again.

10. What tips do you have for novice bloggers to make it a happy, enjoyable and successful experience?

Don't put too much on yourself. Keep your priorities. Every time I feel like my blog is consuming too much of my time, energy, and mind I will purposefully cut back until I feel it doesn't have a hold on me. The same goes with other things like facebook, the phone, etc. I hate feeling like something like that owns me. Also, do what you love. Don't worry about trying to get followers and all. If you do your best and share what you love, throw pics on flickr

Thanks girl! I loved having you visit my space and share some of your creative genius.  
Hope you all had a great time exploring - and if when you go have a look at any of Jess's great ideas, tell her I said hi! :)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Sunshine in my Mail Box

Just had to share a little sunshine with you. I know I said that I might not be around much this week till later in the week, but snail mail has made my day! After a long and tiring night up and down with Little Clam sick on Sunday night, a little package in my mail box the next day was a much needed pick-me-up (that and the Cadbury Dark chocolate with toffee in it to help keep me awake that my lovely hubby bought me!).


What perfect timing, a happy summery gift from the US on the 4th of July! :)


Allison from Raina Sunshine sent me a hair bow that I won as a giveaway over at Happy Together a little while ago. I liked the look of some of the things in her etsy shop, so I purchased a second one. If you have a little girl, you might like to pop into her shop and have a look around. The colours and patterns on the citrus korker bow just make me feel so refreshed and happy! Thanks Allison.

Do you like snail mail? What colours make you feel happy?

P.S. I have been thinking about doing a snail mail swap of some sort. If you think you would be interested, let me know, and I'll see if I can get the ball rolling.

Hope to be back soon!



S&R xo

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Tired...

Well, this is just a short post to say that I might be away from my blog for a couple of days. The kids are sick. Jellyfish started throwing up late Friday night, and thankfully that part of the virus seems to be over, but now little Clam has started. Sigh. I suspect it will be a rather long night. Prayers would be appreciated. :)
Oh, and Em, I will start the booties when we are bug free.

Image Source.