WIP WEDNESDAY :: The next generation

I have fond memories of my mother making most of my clothes growing up.  I was of the tall, skinny variety and going clothes shopping was a nightmare (If my Mother had the skills to make my shoes I believe she would have done that too)

Visiting my Grandparents was always fun.  I would sit and watch my Grandmother create the most beautiful items and was always excited if we managed to be visiting during the final fitting of the next local Bride's head piece or veil before she walked down the isle. Sitting and watching on from the bed as she looked at herself in the mirror.  Then down to the back steps and watched as my Grandfather pressed and would often be taking up a pair of too long pants for himself or my Mum (he was a Tailor by trade)


So it comes as no surprise that I have past on the love of creating things with ones hands to my children.

This project has been nine months in the making and she is almost at the end.  Amelia has plans of entering it in the local show here next weekend.  I'm looking forward to seeing it hanging up and her feeling the sense of achievement you get when finishing a long term project.

Joining in with The Dove Nest :: Wednesday WIP linky.

{Eight}

With the blink of an eye my little girl has turned eight. 
She is growing into a little young lady before our very eyes.

This year she requested a 'craft party' for her birthday.  I limited it to 5 friends (six pairs of seven and eight year old hands were enough for one Mum to manage)  They all did a great job.  Some did more then others.  Some did not move from the table and had to be encouraged to have something to eat whilst others came and went.  I think that I re threaded their needles 100 times each over the three hour period. 

I kept the party food simple and set up a buffet style table where the girls were able to help themselves to it during the party. 

Happy Birthday beautiful girl enjoy your year of being Eight.

Terrariums...

A gathering of a few things at home.  Goggle and youtube searches by Miss 7 and a head full of ideas saw us head out collecting.

The rain and wind did not stop us.  With shovel in hand, bucket over arm and raincoats on, we ventured out.  Stopping to investigate and talk about the different moss along the way and searching for the piles that were the perfect green.

Scooping down again to gather rocks and a few succulents.

Home to put it all together. 

What a wonderful activity to end the school holidays.
Have you all had a great time?
I am not looking forward to the routine of getting out the door 5 days a week in the pea soup sky and sleet that greeted us on our walk to school this morning.

Little Sugar Houses

With sticky hands and sticky fingers, a lick here and a lick there (you can do that when you will be the only person that will be eating your little house)
We stuck together tiny little houses other wise known as 'Sugar Houses'

All were very pleased with their efforts and we ended the day on a sugar high. 

Little Sugar Houses
    1 x packet of Vovo's, Waffers and Hundreds and Thousands
    1 x batch of Royal Icing (the glue for your little house)
    A selection of lollies to decorate.

Build as you would would a house. From the ground up with four walls and a roof (slice a waffer in half to form a triangle to give your roof a frame)

Decorate and enjoy.

Disclaimer:  It was so very hot on the day that we made these that the icing just would not play the game and set for us.  They had a trip into the freezer to set before decorating.

Have you made a gingerbread house before?
Did it stay up?
Any tips of tricks? 

Decorating Eggs

Blown eggs turned into a bit of fun for the kids (after the parents got there breath back)

A simple activity, just add eggs, glue and crepe paper with children and let them go for it.

I love crafts where children are aloud to do as they please:)

Tip:  To make the egg shells a little stronger after blowing them, squirt some water threw the blowing holes and shake out, then place in the microwave for approx 40 seconds - only one child managed to break his out of 21 so that was not bad.

Joining in with Creative Collectives Easter Happenings

Happy Kisses and Hugs Day

We don't celebrate Valentines Day in a big way here.  We believe that it should be an every day thing, well why wait for that once in a year day :)

Amelia went off to school with heart shaped sandwiches and biscuits and a little note (not a new thing - she gets little messages in her lunch box often) and I was presented with a card at school this morning that she made last week.

Hoping that your day is filled with many hugs and kisses. Glitter, hearts and colour pencils that change colour as you write (will have to find some of these for at home)

It's a wrap...

We are almost ready to head out the door.  The car is almost packed and the kids have been having fun making some wrapping paper.

I think it looks great. And a great activity to do with the kids when the rain is pouring outside.

And we finished them off with a handprint tag.

My Creative Space...

...the clock is ticking and I am starting to get a little bit stressed.  30 days till Christmas - HOW ON EARTH DID THAT HAPPEN. 

Wonder If I sent out a message to the gods would they change Jesus' birthday to maybe the 25th of January?

That should give us all a little more time!

Oh well - best be off this computer and onto some more crafting - Who's crazy idea was it to mke gifts this year - Oh that's right MINE - so I guess that I can not blame anyone can I.

I am getting the kids to help out this afternoon - then I can tick gift wrap off of the list.

After I tick ironing off of my list today I am going to sit down with an iced coffee and enjoy some other crafty spots,  for the list me sure to pop over here.

Reminder

just a quick note to see how everyone is going.  We have 24 Families taking part and 45 Children ranging in ages from 15months up to 10.

Fingers crossed that everyone recieved an email, I know that one went missing in the greater internet world and hoping that it was the only one. 

So - mail day is Saturday 27th (if anyone needs extra time could you let me know so I can pass it on.  I have deleated my email from the first post (you would not believe how much spam I am getting since popping it there for all to see)  More details on the swap can be found here. A few of you have emailed asking what size envelope - I have purchased two of the small prepaid bags.  I thought that was the easiest option and the kids can fill it up and I dont have to worry about spliting an envelope.

There was one family that commented on the blog, but I did not get an email from, sadly there profile did not have a return address or blog and I had to way of finding more details out:(

I think that is about it, my two are having fun creating and putting things together for there friend.  If you have a blog and would like to do a sneak peak that is ok - and I would love to see blog posts pop up after they arrive with what everyone got.

Day #20: Fun

Fun with a box and a few paints.

The last of the packing boxes have been unpacked (yes it has taken me almost a year!)

With impending rain clouds and showers not too far away the kids ran outside to decorate the box.

I think the fun part was painting your fingers.

 ...and then there was the washing of the hands!

 Watch this box.  I am looking forward to what it becomes in the imagination of the two of them in the coming days.

A little girls creative space...

I have been creative this week.  But there has been a little girl who has been creative as well. 

Her Princess dress was made in the dark of the night and under top secret means.  She knew what she was getting,  well she hoped and prayed that she would get what she asked for and even told me the day before that I "had better sew it tonight!" Bless her.

She descided that PJ would require a new outfit for the occassion as well.  On Monday she sat and traced around her beloved bear and drafted a pattern.  My Mum helped her to cut it out. 

On Tuesday I cut out the material for her as she took photos in preparation for the blog post.

We then set up the machine and she helped to sew the dress.

An hour later and PJ was set for a party. 

With PJ sorted it meant that Mum had to sit and finish the dress for a Princess.  Make sure you grab a cuppa and hear over here.

Amelia's Creative Space

While walking through Spotlight the other day Amelia picked up the Wrap and Roll Stick.

She then chose a ball of wool (not like I was short on supplies)

We sat out in the sun and wrapped and wrapped. She had fun and as you can see by the result she is rather pleased with her efforts.

She needed a little help to hold the stick (so she did not keep wacking herself in the head or poke out an eye) and I tied the knots.

The grand total of $5 and she will have enough yarn to get out a heap of them (thinking that they would make a great party favour in party bags at her party - always on the lookout for non-sweet treats)

For more creative spaces around the world check out the list over at Kootoyoo

Chasing the Sun

with the weather man/women predicting rain this week we went outside yesterday to enjoy a picnic in the backyard.

Amelia had fun wrapping yarn around a funny looking stick (more on that soon - I think it deserves a post of it's own)

It was nice to get outside (I even managed to do a little weeding while the kids were happy playing) and it is actually warmer outside than in our house!

I also started on another knit.  This time for me, more info soon. The red knit is finished - knitting under pressure and finished in time, will post pictures once it has been received.