noughts and kisses

In the lead up to the silly season it's easy to forget that also celebrate their day of birth at the end of the year.  A little friend of ours who only lives a stones throw away turned six.  Having a six year old myself, I thought of a cute little handmade gift that would come in handy come holiday time.

I have fond memories and my brother drawing up the grid in the back seat of the stinking hot car on our many road trips.  How many ways to win at noughts and crosses were mapped out in abundance.  Anything really to keep our mind off the heat and the drab highway scene out the window. Our legs would be plastered to the vinyl seat in 40 degree heat and Funbusters would be playing full ball on the tape deck.  Oh the joys.  With technology so entrenched in every day living, it's nice to go back to the simple things.

Jack, the recipient calls this game noughts and kisses, which I just think is the sweetest thing really...so I deemed it should be re-named noughts and kisses too!

To make, it really is a cinch...uses up all those scrapity scraps you keep "just in case".  A few squares sewn together and quilted then edged in some homemade bias.   By making the little noughts & kisses from felt means that if one should be eaten by the dog or get lost in the abyss of the couch never fear - just cut another one out!

And if you want to see me in action making one....the delightful host Kirsty came by to visit me yesterday to snap my actual creative space {which really is like a change room!} so I'm over at Just B.  I must say Kirsty's post made my eyes well up reading her reaction to my little space.

Thanks so much Kirsty - as a long time follower and joiner of my creative space, you've been a pioneer in developing such a wonderful spot for blogging crafters to hang out and inspire one another.

xx

fit for a fairy

A little friend had a wee little fairy party this morning.  The gift of course had to have a handmade element.  Me and my little fairy apprentice, set to work selecting some fabric from my stash for a lovely twirl-able skirt and with a little matching appliquéd tee we were sure we had an outift fit for any fairy.

It set of our own bit of fairy dancing.

Happy Friday to you all...where do all the weeks go?

xx

at the movies.....

It was hubby's birthday a few days ago!  Happy Birthday to you my gorgeous man.

As you know I love the idea of giving a handmade gift.....so I pondered. 

 Until an idea struck when we got together with a group of close childhood friends.  You see,  there is always, always part of the conversation where they throw in a movie line, have a guess, and then chuckle with laughter.

It usually prompts more movie lines and before you know they are reciting the whole God Father to each other doing their best Marlon Brando!

So,  I put together a bit of a collection

of hubby's all time favourite movie quotes, and framed it.

Can you recognise any quotes?  Most, are from your typical action/mafia/thriller movies. I did have to ask for a bit help, not being so familiar with this genre.  You'll find a bit of The Godfather, Wogboy, Top Gun, Scarface and Rocky.  Needless to say, he loved it!

I had so much fun making it, that my mind started racing.....

So I did a girly version too.  All my favourite flicks.  The Notebook, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, When Harry met Sally, Pride and Prejiduce, Princess Bride and Titanic. 

Side by side, they make a lovely pair.

And to steal a quote directly from my children

"I love you infinite days" my sweet husband

Do you have a favourite movie quote? 

Do share?

xx

the old fashion pinterest

Before Pinterest there was this.

Good old fashion scrap books.  I had heaps of scrapbooks when I was a kid.  I would cut out inspirational pictures, fashion shots, favourite celebrities and diliegently paste them in my books.   I would even attempt at drawing some designs (although not very good).....but at least it gave me the creativity I needed and help me realise my love for sewing and craft.

When a lovely lady gifted these to me for my birthday this year, I fell in love with scrap booking, doodling, and note-taking all again.  And who wouldn't?  Three gorgeous art books, all covered in the most beautiful fabrics....

...and with perfectly embroidered titles on them, I can ensure that all of my dreams, inspiration and ideas are safely recorded and never far away should I need reminding.

Now, I'm off for a cuppa and some old fashion pinning

xx

{birthday celebration}

two years ago

we met

and fell in love

you are so precious and

dear to us

you bring light to our life 

and laughter to our world

I have the best job as your mummy

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet daughter! 

Birthday girl receiving her gifts - a few books and some lovely handmade lovelies (and yes she is wearing Lightening McQueen pj's - just like her big brother!) 

A gorgeous Madamoiselle doll from Steph at Mon Petit Poppet was given a warm hug and kissed and given special privilege in her cot during nap time. 

And getting stuck into her fold away fabric carry house - which was brought along with us to playgroup this morning. 

A cake has been baked and decorated

A bunting or two made

some games prepared

and balloons to blow up

A little party will be had to celebrate this milestone tomorrow...

xx

my creative space...

It's my dear friend from Pod and Three Peas Birthday tomorrow - so we mum's and our combined four children got together this morning for a catch up.  A while back we were chatting about learning to crochet.  At the time I had been working on some granny squares for a winter blanket and happened to mention that if I couldn't be bothered making enough for a blanket I could just make a crochet cushion.  I saw the sparkle in her eye as my dear friend loves all things retro and what would be more 70's than a crochet pillow adorning your bed or couch.  So I offered to make her one for her birthday!  I picked classic retro colours in creams, mustard, orange and a hint of teal.

I didn't realise what a challenge this would be.  It was fine making the granny squares - although please note I am still a very beginner crocheter!  The trouble I had was working out how to convert it into a pillow!  I had three attempts, all slightly different, and then settled on treating the crochet part like any other piece of fabric - and I'm really happy with the results.  So today I gave Paula her Birthday presents....

But what would a birthday present be if you know what you are getting, so I made another cushion from my thrifted linen finds the other week and was delighted when I found a little side plate in the Johnson range that Paula collects at an op shop in the country. I did make a little crochet trivet/hot pot holder thingy, but didn't remember to photograph it!

How nice it feels to give handmade and thrifted items....xx

Happy Birthday Pod xx

Head over to Kirsty's for more creative types!

Inspiration

Now that my crazy market preparation nights are over....phew....i can get back to some old unfinished projects like my daughters quilt and a my crochet winter blanket.  But I am also looking forward to making a crochet cushion for my dear friend over at pod and three peas for her upcoming birthday.  So, as a beginner crocheter I have been looking around for inspiration. Here are some of the cushions I love.  I know that I will have to stick to the basic granny square pattern, but haven't yet decided on colours and whether to do one big squre or create a patchwork look.  What do you think??