the important things.....

The floors not mopped, the shelves are still dusty.
I'll use the long life milk in the cupboard tomorrow
And hope the washing basket is not too full
With so much to do and so little time
Today was not the day of chores and boring
A mask was made to accompany his handmade creation for tomorrows exhibition
A birthday pressie was made* and delivered
We caught up with dear friends and exchanged homemade gifts
Some last minute baking for a special guest tomorrow
And what's Christmas preparations without a bit of brown paper and twine.

Oh Christmas is here!


How are you managing the lead up?  Do you let the boring jobs slide?  Oh...and last chance to enter my Christmas Giveaway....Ends tonight!

*more on this one later

jam session....

This week, I got together with my bestie for a jam making session.  We both wanted to make a variety of jams to give as gifts at Christmas time and decided that the joy of making should be shared.

So we chose some jam recipes* and headed off to the local fruit market, nonna trolley in tow.  We scoured around and found our produce, and made some variations due to some fruits that weren't available and others that were just too good of a bargin to leave behind.   The imperfect fruit was pefect!

At home we donned aprons, cut, chopped measured and stired.  The aroma's were heavenly as the fruit were transformed into bubbling masses and then thick sticky jams.

Carefully poured into awaiting empty jars, and then later adorned with a snip of fabric and a touch of Christmas trim, these handmade jams are ready. 

Joining in with the ever inspiring crew found here.

*Jams we made were;  spiced pumpkin and orange jam, strawberry jam, mango and apple jam.  I made the red onion chutney a few weeks back.  We also made peanut butter.  Anyone for a p & j sambo? Well, you know the peanut butter is a hit when your children eat it straight from the jar!! 

Also, if you like, please enter my handmade Christmas giveaway! 

making..

After much fun the other weekend making some Sculpey clay beads, I thought it would be a great idea to have another go, learn from our mistakes and thread some delights as gifts for the teachers this year.  One already has been gifted.  It's my sons teachers birthday today and he selected the colours and we gift wrapped it up.  I like that the beads are still a bit rustic and as a dear friend pointed out, it's nice they don't look like they've just been produced by a factory.

If you want to give this project a go, which is totes easy with the small people in your world, then just grab some Scupley or Fimo clay, cut, roll in your palm or shape to your desired design.  Use a skewer to make a hole in the centre large enough for your choice of thread, then bake in the oven as per the packet instructions.  When they are cool, get creating with making whatever combination you like!   So simple!

Are you crafting up gifts for teachers and special others?
What are you making?

Joining in with these delightful creative folk. 

xx

{le petit prince)

I'd been hoarding a little bundle of fabric for a few years now. Look it's even up there...on my blog header.  See I told you - ages!  Every now and again I would get the little bundle out of my craft cupboard, caress them (Ok I know you crafters out there are nodding with agreement) and then I would carefully place them back un-cut in the fabric closet. Just wondering....what will become of you?

Alas, the time came.  A wee little Prince was born and without hesitation or procrastication this little bundle of fabric was washed, dried, measured and snipped, sewn and bound.

All for a quilt for one little precious baby.

It was also by chance that I had this little french story on linen.  I pulled it out, half way through the quilt thinking I could cut it up and use it amoungst the other colours, but when I opened it up fully and took in just the beauty of the entire peice, I knew it just had to left as is.  Luckily mother of said gorgeous Prince relieved my anxiety as I had no idea what the story was about and after completion was a bit concerned that it might not be baby appropriate.  Thank goodness it was....

My last quilt (which I made for my own daughter) took over 2 years. 
This quilt took two days - sometimes you just don't argue with creative motivation.
And a little baby giraffe rattle to match.

So do you have a special fabric stash? 
Are you afraid to make the chop?
do share...

xx

A tutorial in the bag....

Hi there....see those little drawsting bags up there...well I show you how to make them over at Emma's gorgeous blog Frog, Goose and Bear. 

Click over and check out the lovely series she is doing all about handmade gifts for girls....

Nothing is sweeter than a little gift made by hand and this little tutorial is great for beginners. 

thanks for having me Emma 

xx

my creative space {when more, is, more!}

Nothing is going on here in the singular!  phew, now that I see all the multiples lying around my house, I can understand why I've felt "in production".....

You see, I crafted (no pun intended) a little idea to make some gifts to bring with us overseas.....And when I thought about our lovely ladies in their stunning Italian village....I thought to food, which made me think of cooking....which of course.....make me think of aprons.   These eight aprons, are now safely packed ready for their italian food adventure! 

And for the younger, girls in the family......a little drawstring bag....with little sleeve for a pen or pencil.

Perfect for glasses, a notebook, camera or change. I made eight, but only needed five, but already the other three have been allocated to some special recipients.....I'm kicking myself i didn't make nine so I could keep one myself! 

And then, well, I couldn't stand looking at my bowl overflowing with lemons, that I just had to make some Lemon Butter! 

Yesterday was my Nonna's 81st Birthday, so the kids and I made some hummingbird cupcakes with cream cheese frosting to take over for morning tea......yum!!!

I finished off some adorable snack mats for the kids.....and no I don't have three kids.....but again, this extra one will have a new home soon!  See I just can't help myself, I'm always making MORE!

They have a plastic covering, so just wipe clean.  My kids LOVE them!  No need for a plate, just sit the snack on the mat and they love sitting a cup on the circle....

My inspiration for these came from here (I changed the wording though)

Actually the only thing singular in my creative space, is this one pair of baby booties I made....but then again, there are two of them.....

More is more, when it comes to craft and you can find so much more in this creative hub...

Speaking of more....check out all 4 of my giveaways! 

You'll find
Bakers Delight Giveaway here,
$150 doMore voucher here and
$100 myer gift card giveaway here. 
And the crafty goody bag here

xx

Rudy and the Dodo {New Stockist!!!}

Let me introduce you to a fabulous online store stocked to the brim with gorgeous delights to tempt anyone who has little people in their lives.  Julia - the amazing woman behind Rudy and the Dodo bought some cards from me a few months ago  - just before she was due to have her third baby and this is when I first discovered her store.  I was thrilled to bits when Julia was so happy with my cards that she ordered a selection of my new 'conversation cards' and 'paper sewn bunting' cards to stock in her store!   

So if your looking for something unique, original, quirky, fair trade or handmade - then look no further!!
You can search by the crazy categories (like - cutie pie ones; craaaazy twos; cyclone threes) and there is even a category for the mumma's!!!

Here are some of my favourites....

 Honey sticks beeswax crayons, knitted play food, craft kit butterfly frame.

Make sure you take a look!