Day 21 Blogtoberfest - A Koala Christmas

Not that I don't have enough to do, but today I decided to work on a few Christmas ornaments (that's right, I said the dreaded C word).

 

I've had the idea for this ornament in my head for about 3 years. And a simple idea it is: Australian wooden animal shapes covered with Christmas themed papers.

I still need to punch the hole at the top and add ribbon, but hopefully you get the idea:)

Originally I thought the children could make these for my family who live overseas. They still could, if I hadn't used all the Australian animal shapes:)

Have you started any Christmas projects or gifts for friends or relatives yet? Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - The Dollhouse Continued

The children went back to kinder and school this week, so I finally got a chance to do some real work on the dollhouse I put together last week. I wish I could report the dollhouse is done, but while small in size, it is not small in project!

I managed to paint the outside and inside of the house on Monday - it seemed to take forever! I used a paint brush and a small size roller (I didn't want to see lots of brush strokes). The outside was relatively easy, but the inside...all those nooks and crannies and windows.

Initially I planned to use acrylic craft paint, but I ended up using real house/wall paint. I picked a cream colour for the outside and a white colour for the inside from the returned paint trolley at the home improvement store. I figured real house paint would provide the best coverage, and I was right - only one coat was required!

Tuesday I put in the kitchen "wallpaper" and "flooring" and yesterday (Wednesday) the lounge room "wallpaper" and "flooring." I say wallpaper and flooring in quotes because it's scrap booking paper. Since conceiving this project before Christmas I have been on the look out for scrap booking paper that I thought might work for these purposes.  I love the red vibe in the kitchen and the modern look in the lounge room.

And let me warn you, if you think wallpapering a real wall is difficult, imagine trying to wallpaper a dollhouse wall. Yes, more difficult. Again, all those nooks and crannies and windows!

And so by the end of yesterday, littlest's birthday, I had painted an outside and inside base coat and put in the wallpaper and flooring in two rooms. Yes, definitely a "we will need to finish it after I give it to you" gift:) I put the dollhouse and a few items I have collected so far on the kitchen table for when she came home. And bless her heart, despite its state of incompleteness she LOVED it:) She even told me I was the best mom ever:)

So stay tuned for more installments as there are additional rooms to complete:) I have also been working on making a few items for use in the house. To be inspired or to see what others have been up to this week be sure to visit Our Creative Space. Cyndy

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My Creative Space - The Dollhouse

OK, I have decided to do it. What you ask? Decorate a dollhouse. You heard right, a DOLLHOUSE. Littlest wanted one for Christmas and I fully intended to do it then, but time (or lack thereof) caught up with me and I had to jettison the idea.

And so it went on my to do list for her birthday. Which is this MONTH.

So when did I start? Um mm, last week. Yes, I know call me crazy. I am thinking this will be one of those "we will keep working on it once I've given it to you" gifts. So far I have glued it together. Ah yeah, that is it. The challenge, of course, has been getting time to work on it when littlest isn't around, which as it's school holidays hasn't really happened.

So since I haven't been able to work on it physically, I've been planning. Figuring out paint colours for the outside and inside, "wall paper", how to do the floors, searching the internet for furniture/accessory tutorials and picking out a few furniture items to buy.

(potential kitchen and lounge flooring and wallpapers)

 

(potential master bedroom and children's bedroom wallpaper and flooring )

And hopefully next Monday morning (when she is back at kinder) I will be able to start getting some real work done:)

I hope you have been getting a little bit more done than me in your creative space this week. To see what others have been up to or more inspiration visit Our Creative Spaces. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space: Meet Miss Polly

At Christmas a new member joined our family - Miss Polly. Miss Polly is a doll that I made for littlest. Littlest had fallen in love with a friend's doll and I ran across the maker of the doll (AK Traditions) at the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair way back last July. Not only do they make dolls, they sell patterns for dolls. And so the deal was sealed; I came home with the pattern and the felt to make littlest the doll of her dreams for Christmas:)

Of course, I didn't start early enough and found myself still needing to complete the doll on the 24th of December. It was quite a marathon. Did I also mention that I had committed myself to making matching bedding for the doll (I had gotten an IKEA doll bed for her as well)? Yes, what I was thinking.

The good news is that I managed to finish the doll, a nightgown and the bedding. And so there she was waiting on Christmas morning for littlest.

Miss Polly has definitely been a hit. She is a constant companion, sleeping in her doll bed right next to littlest's bed at night and accompanying us when we go out and about.

Over the summer holiday I have continued to add to Miss Polly's wardrobe, with the most recent items being a pair of boots and a hat this week (I think we are already preparing for winter:). Littlest also has a few requests for Miss Polly on my crafty to do list - first and foremost is a boyfriend. I think that might have to be a birthday present:)

Hope lots of creating is going on in your creative space this week. For more creative spaces make sure to visit here. Cyndy Pin It

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

One of middle's (age 7) favourite colour combos right now is black and white. So for Christmas I decided to make her a skirt using black and white fabric that I had in my stash. The problem was, I wasn't liking any of the combinations (I needed three different fabrics for this particular skirt). In the end I decided to use two black and white prints (both with some sort of circle pattern) and plain old white as the third, thinking I would come up with "something to do on the white fabric that would fit later.

Well, we finally came up with that "something": button embroidered flowers! It's simple and fits in with the circle theme. We are doing two on each of the white fabric panels. Only one more flower to go, then the hem and it will be all done!

Sometimes you just have to wait for the right idea to come along to finish something:) Cyndy Pin It

Christmas Making

Well, Christmas is just over a week away and I am still at only one fully completed gift (a dress for middle). Clearly I must like/need the pressure and/or am easily distracted/have a short attention span:)

Ok, maybe the picture is not as quite as dire as I have just painted. True, only one gift is complete, but many are in progress like this doll for littlest. I just need to sew the legs on (they are done, just not sewed on), finish the head,  make a few clothes and the linens for the doll bed. So, I just need to focus, focus focus. Right? Or maybe I should be asking Santa to bring me a couple of extra days:)

Hope your Christmas making is doing a little better than mine! Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - Doll Clothes

If you have been reading for a while you may recall in August I wrote about the doll I planned to make for my littlest for Christmas this year. I finally cut the doll pieces out a couple of weeks ago, but have yet to start sewing them together. I figure I need to do that when littlest isn't around if I want to keep it a surprise:)

I have also started to cut out some of the clothes for the doll. I've decided to go with a palette of pinks, as this is her favorite colour right now, and make some coordinated  tops, skirts, dresses and pants. While I sew a lot without patterns and directions, I am using a pattern for these (they came with the doll pattern) and actually finding it a bit difficult! Not sure if it is me or the pattern directions. It could also be the small size, as I find this changes how you can work with and even conceptualize the material. I was thinking I might be able to sew them while she is around as I can probably fudge what they are with her. Or, maybe since I am finding them a little difficult I need to be sewing them when the littlest isn't around so I can concentrate:)

Either way, I hope you are getting lots done in your creative space this week! For more creative spaces you can visit here. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

This week we are on school holidays. In between keeping kids busy/entertained I have been working on stock for my first market which is now only a month away!

As I say those words out loud I feel the panic in the pit of my stomach. Have I bitten off more than I can chew? I also have a list of Christmas gifts and items that I need to make for family and friends! I just need to stay focused and disciplined, right? Right:)

As I am not a one-at-a-time-project kinda person, I have been working on a variety of projects, including bunting, felt food, Christmas decorations, fabric headbands and cards! One of the projects I have enjoyed the most though, is making bias tape.

The last time I made bias tape was about 25 years ago (for a Laura Ashley pattern dress I made for a family wedding - am I dating myself?:) I don't know why it's been so long, because it was really easy and very satisfying as a project. I used the needle in the ironing board method, which is a little bit fiddly, but it worked surprisingly well. The best thing about it was how the bias tape felt - so much better than the stuff you buy! I made it to use on some Christmas buntings I have been making for the market. Not sure I ever want to buy bias tape again:)

I hope you have been getting lots done in your space this week. For more lovely spaces make sure you visit here. Cyndy Pin It

My First Crafty Swap - My Sunshine in the Mail

It's a little bit late, but I am finally sharing what I received in my first crafty swap, the Snail Mail Swap organized by Sheree at Seaweed and Raine earlier this month (you can see some of what I sent to my swap partner here and here).

Per Sheree's hope, it really was a little bit of sunshine in the mail! I received my swap from Christie at Describe Happy. Christie lives in the US, so it was not just mail, but INTERNATIONAL mail - loved that!

The day the package arrived was a cloudy day and as soon as my children saw a package in the mailbox they tried to claim it as their own. As soon as I saw it I disabused them of this notion, and claimed it for my own. I did let them help me open it:)

Christie had done a little tease post, but I resisted the temptation of looking. I wanted it to truly be a surprise, and what a I lovely surprise it was! Christie had definitely been sussing me out. The package included all sorts of little goodies: fabric, origami paper, cheeky birdie labels, a beautiful jade bracelet and some origami corner book marks. The piece de resistance however, was this fab zipper pouch:

How cute is that?! And how perfect for me - wombats on one side and that gorgeous koala fabric on the other. There are several handy little compartments inside as well:)

I have already been enjoying some of my goodies, although I have had to fend off my oldest daughter (age 7) who really wants the jade bracelet and the origami paper:)

A BIG, BIG thank you to Sheree for organizing it all and to Christie for her package of goodies! It really was a little package of sunshine in the mail:) Cyndy

PS if you haven't done a crafty swap you should - I had so much fun giving and receiving:) Pin It

My First Crafty Swap - Favorite Sydney Places Notecards

In August I participated in my first crafty swap, the Snail Mail Swap hosted by the lovely Sheree at Seaweed and Raine. The premise of the swap was pretty simple: to send someone "Sunshine in the Mail" because everyone likes getting real mail (not those yucky bills or junk mail) by September 1.

Now that my package has been received by Terese from Designed To a T I thought I would share one of the items in her package I had fun making. If you saw my teaser post earlier you probably noted and were confused by the picture of the book Know Australia: New South Wales.

One thing I learned about Terese is that she lives in the Sydney area - when I first came to Australia 20 years ago I lived in Sydney and I loved it! It really is one of my favorite cities in the world (although I have definitely developed an appreciation for Melbourne after living nearby for the last 4 years, is that diplomatic or what:)

The book was from the 1970's and contained some lovely drawings and fun facts about places of interest in New South Wales, including many in Sydney. I loved the drawings, but thought the facts were fun too, so I tried to create something that would use both. The result were these note cards featuring some of my favorite places in Sydney including the Opera House....

the Sydney Harbour Bridge...



the Rocks...

the beaches (Manly is probably my fav)...



and the Taronga Zoo (best view of Sydney in my opinion)...



I do love how they turned out and was a little sad to give them away, but I did make them for Terese:)The good news is that I have similar books on all the other states, so I think there may be some more cards coming! Cyndy

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My Creative Space

This has been a hectic week. Lots of extra things happening amongst the regular schedule and lots of unneeded drama from the children. Oldest daughter decided she didn't like how her book character costume was going so after much moaning and groaning (can also read tantrum) finally got her to agree on a new costume last night - Nancy Drew. We already have everything we need except knee socks:) Will need to get those tonight - not even sure if you can get them anymore! My son waited until the last minute to complete his model for the junior school dinosaur exhibit and admist it all the youngest decided late yesterday was the time to get gastro.

The control freak in me isn't doing well with it all:)

I did manage to finally send out my items for the Snail Mail Swap hosted by Seaweed and Raine. Above is a little peek at one of the items I made to send (it's a pin cushion) - will do a full post this weekend on everything I sent:)

Hope you are getting lots done in your creative space this week! For more spaces you can visit here. Cyndy


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My First Crafty Swap

I am participating in my first crafty swap, the Snail Mail Swap hosted by Seaweed and Raine. The idea is to send someone "Sunshine in the Mail" because everyone likes getting real mail (not those yucky bills or junk mail). There are five options of what you can include in your package:

• stationary OR  note cards with envelopes
• a handmade postcard
• something you have made
• something that makes you think of Spring
• a surprise for your partner

You need to choose at least three. I have been studying my swap partner's (it's a blind swap so while I will be sending to one person, I will be receiving from another person) blogs for ideas of what to send.

I don't want to reveal too much yet, but above is some of what went into the items she is receiving. Will do a full reveal after I send my package later this week. They are supposed to receive their package before September 1. Yes, I am waiting until the last minute to send:) Cyndy Pin It

Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair Fun

Last weekend I went to the Craft and Quilt Fair in Melbourne. I wasn't looking for anything per se, but who could say no to all those fabrics, notions, craft supplies and inspiration all in one location? While I picked up some (OK, a lot of) fabric to add to my stash, my most exciting find was a doll pattern from AK Traditions which is based in Melbourne.

(handmade felt dolls and accessories image from AK Traditions)

A friend has their original doll, Dinara. My youngest (age 3) loves to play with her when she visits, so when I saw the pattern book for their new slightly smaller version above I knew I had found the perfect Christmas present for my little one. It also includes patterns for knitted and sewn clothing, all so cute. And, as if it was meant to be, I have the little Ikea doll bead stashed away for her as well, so it will be the perfect little package. I am looking forward to getting started on the doll this weekend! Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

With the children back at school, I have finally finished all the thank you gifts (including packaging them up nicely) for the parents who helped plan our school fundraiser (a Trivia Night and Auction) at the end of last month.

I shared an in process version of the thank you gifts here, but now I have added the days of the week to the pegs. I did this by printing the days of the week on colored vellum paper which I glued on top of the patterned paper I had already placed on each peg. For the magnets on the back I used the magnet tape you can buy at any craft store or even $2 shop. The one I bought was wider than my pegs, so I simply cut it in half. Each peg can hold about 8 sheets of paper. I originally planned to make each set all one paper/color, but when I finished them I decided it was cuter and more versatile to mix up the sets so that each was made up of different papers/colors.

We are having a meeting tomorrow where we will debrief the event so it will be the perfect time to express my thanks to everyone:) I hope they like them and know they are appreciated!

For more creative spaces this week you can visit here. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space...

This week I decided I needed to make a few thank you gifts for the parent's that worked extra hard on our school fundraiser this past weekend - thank you's are so important!

I remembered some cute day of the week clothespeg magnets I had seen  here and decided I would try to make my own. So far I have covered one side of my pegs with scrapbooking paper. I am till working on the days of the week part:)

Hope you are getting lots done in your creative space. For more creative spaces you can visit here. Cyndy Pin It

Little Golden Book Horses Paper Garland

Finished the paper garland I was making from the Little Golden Book Horses - hooray! It's a gift for my oldest daughter's best friend who is absolutely horse crazy. I hope she likes it. Still need to help my daughter finish the "I love horses" sign this afternoon:) Cyndy Pin It