some recent LOs...

This photo makes me laugh every time I look at it. I found the kids wearing their new goggles in the bath one day. Who could resist such a photo opportunity?
I used a piece of CI paper (so old I bet they have forgotten they even made it) and some embellies by somebody. (maybe K&Co ?)


And this one is of my lovely little girl at her very first kindy assembly last year.
I used a Sassy Lass paper and assorted embellies and stuff from stash (using up all the old goodies to make way for some new ones (: )

do I look THAT bad?

On a recent VEEEEEEEERY long drive, I was telling the kids about the time my dear friend Rose and I (with 6 kids) were in a rollover that totalled her car, squashed the drivers' side roof down onto the headrest, and left all of us without so much as a scratch.
Katies' eyes were huge.
"Mum!" she said.
"Did you DIE?"

No, sweetie, Mum just needs a good nights' sleep.

why all the little pictures?

I have long loved dollshouses. I had a couple as a little girl, and got interested in making miniatures about 14 years ago. I used to have a lovely Georgian style house, complete with lighting, but I gave it away when we moved to this teeny little house we live in at the moment.
I still have the furniture, and lots and lots of stuff I've made or collected over the years, so I'm all ready for the day when the kids grow up enough to not fiddle, and a room to keep the house in.

hats and hatboxes....

A Victorian mourning bonnet, a straw boater (I plaited strands of raffia together to make it) and a funny looking hat.

various special things....

I made the chair from wood scraps -- before I knew how to upholster -- so bit hard on the bottom I think, but it looks OK at least.
The rug I stitched from a pattern, and I thought of and made the bunny slippers myself.




I made the wreath from twigs of a peppi tree in my garden, dampened and twisted together. The apple slices are Sculpey clay, painted. There were more dried flowers on too, but they have succumbed to the years of storage :(

tiny toys....

The dolls are made with an armature (pipecleaner bent to shape and a wooden bead for a head) then dressed with scraps of ribbon, lace etc -- embroidery thread for hair.

The bear is handmade -- not by me I hasten to add -- and JOINTED, can you believe it?

The rubber ducky used to live in the nursery, ready for bathtime -- he's made from Sculpey clay.

Monopoly, anyone?

This was a template that I printed out and put together. The funny thing is -- I dont even really like Monopoly!
I stitched the rug myself.

so much for the scrapping diet....

So yesterday I walked into the local shop and the man with the van full of Kaisercraft-y goodness was RIGHT THERE. What's a girl to do???
I'm sure you can all guess what happened next.... I left $70 poorer but loaded down with all manner of lovely things....
But the guilt got to me. As soon as my poor hard-working husband got home, he said "How was your day, Beautiful?" and I leaned my head on his chest and confessed.
"I was naughty."
He laughed. "How much?" he said.
I told him... and he laughed again and said "Well, you held out for weeks, so it doesn't matter."

BEST. HUSBAND. EVER.

EXTREME scrapping

Check out these FUNKY old burned flowers! Maria is going to LOVE this technique, I can tell.




I saw this over at Little Birdie Secrets, and it looked pretty easy but with enough danger to feel quite adventurous! I've often said scrapping is a bloodsport (it is for me, anyway) but truly you can't do much damage with this technique as long as you take it slowly (OH and don't work under or near the smoke alarm *winks*)
You simply rough-cut some circles or flower shapes from your fabric scraps (tulle, taffeta, satin, organza etc), then wave the edges quickly through a candle flame so that they melt. If you like the grungy look, keep the black bits, but if you're after something a little softer, trim the edges with a sharp pair of scissors. Experiment with different layers and sizes.
Stitch the layers together with beads or buttons to finish off.
Some of mine are waiting for some buttons I bought on eBay -- but the black one uses a button I got in a swap from the lovely MareeG.