just in time...

I thought I had been rather organised this year in the lead up to Christmas.  I have decided to give many handmade gifts and use the flexibility of online shopping for those that I want to buy for.   I managed to snap up a Melbourne Zoo for a family pass for friends,   two magazine subscriptions from MagShop (it's the gift that gives all year!!).  I also thought this coffee machine would make a great gift and it was delivered the next day.  My good friend Blurb speedily made and sent me gorgeous personalised diaries with pictures of the kids throughout the year.  It's a good feeling knowing I could avoid the shopping centres this year.

But the one item that I thought I had oodles of time for was the advent calendar.  I realised I had about 48 hours till countdown began!  I did find myself with some time, however it was so hot there was no venturing out to any craft store near or far.  So we used what we had at home searching for inspiration high and low.  My darling daughter loves to paint and draw and the collection when I pick her up from Kinder over the course of the year has resulted in a large draw full just of her artwork.

So with a few careful selections, a cut, snip, glue, print, staple and improvisation we made our own advent calendar.  I bit of jute twine strung up with some picture frame hooks and some quick tassels made with crepe paper and it has a whimsy Christmassy vibe.    A secret activity hidden behind each one, and I am feeling ready for the festivities.

Now is Santa is listening or reading...I did on my travels spot this gorgeous set of Orla Kiely tins from Lark! I do hope I've been good!

Have got your advent calendar ready?

Captain Jack....

It was a little friends birthday yesterday and he turned 4!

To celebrate, I asked his mum a while back if I could make him some dress-ups for his birthday present.

We decided on a Pirate Costume!  I was rather happy when I found this cute little pirate printed fabric, and thought that I could somehow work with it as part of his costume.  The little different Pirate's printed on the fabric, gave me the idea that I could cut out a triangle and make a bandana (or scarf).    And this little iron on motif was too cute to resist - and every Pirate needs a parrot upon his shoulder!

Happy Birthday Captain Jack - essential pirate costume - a vest, bandana or scarf and of course an eye patch!  May you sail the high sea's with your crew to find fortune and glory!!!

Arggggh, me hearties 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

at my house .....

Trying to get a few things done today - as always I am a mother that feels compelled to multi-task!   Remember those spray-painted dowel's I posted about yesterday?  Well, here is what I did with them....

Yes, they are Pin-Wheels!  I finished them yesterday and tried them out in the little breeze we had whilst my son was out washing the car with his dad.  They will be for his upcoming 4th Birthday Party and I didn't want him to see them yet.  I am planning just a small party for him with a few of his close friends and instead of lolly bags for his mates to go home with, I thought pin-wheels would be great!  I'm not too sure the drawing pin securing it all in place works effectively, but I have a bit of time up my sleeve to change it around!  

We'll spend some time today making some invitations, no doubt they will be traffic themed.  But I'm also working on some of his handmade pressie's that he will get from us.  One includes a STOP sign little pillow to go on his bed.  My son is traffic obsessed and has requested a cake that looks like a road and Give Way sign (I know - don't ask!).   So I thought a little octagon pillow in red with these bold letters would be fun to make!


What are you up to today??  If you want to join in visit Lou!