Tuesday, December 13

my type of Christmas shopping



In my world, when I go Christmas shopping, it is peaceful, quiet and all is well.

There is nothing overpriced.  And I find everything I'm looking for.

I don't have to fight for a car park, or even pay for said car park and really, I can shop in my tracksuit because I don't care.

There is no havoc, no snotty salesperson to have ones eyes rolled at. Nope.  None. Of. That.

And my kids....well they are peaceful for the whole journey.

So. Where do I go?


Here are my favourite destinations....

Fishpond - for books, movies and dvd packs (free shipping!)
OO.com - for pretty much everything
Kikki K - oh surely everyone is just as in love with stationary as me....
Little shop of - delightful handmade goodies by Melbourne crafters (me included!)
Rudy and the dodo - delightful stuff for little people
Ebay - no explanation really
Asos - well, that might be for me!
Blurb - Oh just made a holiday photo book for the MIL - I'm so going to be the favourite now!
And of course, Etsy and Made It for more handmade and vintage goodness....

Have you embraced online shopping?

Love it or Loathe it? If you haven't guessed I love it.....

And if you love it, which sites do you love?

....do share and happy Christmas Shopping!

xx





Monday, December 12

From rust bucket to shiny new {yes, another DIY}






I'm pretty sure I imaged these chairs into existence.  It's not often I go thrifted and think to myself "gee I really do want a pair of fold up chairs...comfy...bright in colour perhaps, and only needing a but of tlc."
Wham!  They appeared before I could even finish this sentence in my head.  And at the stellar price of $8 a pop....these little babies took no time to shine like new.   I quickly stashed them at my folks little hobby farm - perfect spot for a bit of DIY when sanding rust and spray paint was involved. 




I then moved them to my father-in-laws shed....where he kindly finished them off by giving the seats the clean of their life....nothing a bit of metho and some elbow grease!  



Not a speck of rust in sight!!! 


Take a seat why don't you??  

So from rust bucket to sparkly new....
the only cost was the rust proof aluminum spray can for $14!

Ever found just what you were looking for whilst thrifting? 
Do share...

xx



Friday, December 9

the class gift (all for under $10)






I did a little "uh oh" when my son kept getting little Christmas cards and candy canes in his allocated Kinder pocket. 


The dreaded "class room gift" was fast approaching.

I'm not one for dishing out the confectionary.  My son started munching away on his his Candy Cane and announced that it tasted like toothpaste.  I agree.  Hmm.... my mind started thinking.....

So, without wanting to break the bank....and knowing I had 26 little kids to manufacture something for...we came up with a little Reindeer Magic Food.  A fun little crafty activity for the kids to prepare (with adult supervision with the glitter!!!)

Simple little mixture of oats, glittler and sequins and a cute little rhyme to go with it.  All in a little clear bag ready to scatter on the grass Christmas Eve.   And if you're like me and have some of this stuff lying around at home, it shouldn't cost too much either.  I just needed to purchase the bottle of glitter and print off the poem and bag label (which my son wrote the recipients name on) and I was done. 

Do you do Classroom Christmas Gifts? 

Whats your approach?

xx

Wednesday, December 7

My creative space - Down on the farm


This project has been along time coming.  So long in fact that I've decided my kids aren't getting it until Christmas.  It will be my Christmas present to them.  Santa doesn't get all the glory.




And now that it's finished, I'm glad I let it take a while....because it meant that it grew, and evolved and I changed my plans a few times and have come up with a gift for children that is not only fun, but practical and has a functional element.



You see, I'd been wanting to make a little farm mat for some time.


I also wanted to make one of those snazzy toy mats/bags that just hang up on a hook when your done.

So I combined those two projects.



I used felt for the actual farm mat.  Added some rather random-ish items that kind of look like a barn, a lake, a house, and a flower patch with some scraps and roughly sewing them on.   The little barn roof even opens up!




The matt is backed with some lovely bright fabric (which I could also use that way facing up as a little picnic blanket...) and with some rope threaded through the many button holes....




The farm animals and farm machinery are proudly brought to you by IKEA.  They were just too good an opportunity not to snap them up, and they love their new hand made environment.  I'm pretty sure I did hear a conversation between the Mr Goat and Mrs Pig that they were so glad not to have to put together a flat packed barn!!! Yes those allen key's are a so difficult with hooves and trotters!








 It makes this mat a cinch to pack up.

Now before you pack up and go - head over to a load full of creativity....

xx