My Creative Space - Beanbags & Magnets

I have gone a little hand made crazy this Christmas and I must admit I am really looking forward to giving these presents to my little man come Christmas morning.

First of the rank are these bean bags which I first started in November (see my blog post here) and I finally finished them last week.

I used this tutorial by Chez Beeper Bebe but also ended up putting the rice in a plastic bag before i sewed them in - just in case they ended up in the bath (not sure how but you never know) or need a bit of a touch clean.

Next on the list was some Toy Story Magnets - my son is such a fan of Toy Story so I know he will enjoy these.

The inspiration also came from a Chez Beeper Bebe tutorial and were super easy to make. All I did was find some images on line (the disney site is great for this), resized them, printed them on my home computer, attached them to adhesive magnets i picked up from Riot Art Store and gave them a coat of modge podge. Too easy!

Next on the list is a game of magnetic fish - but I have still to make the fishing pole and hook - so will wait until I have finished before i post about these.

What handmade goodies have you whipped up this Christmas? I would love to hear about them.

Wordless Wednesday - It's the time of year for silly photos

 This last one is courtesy of my graphic design brother - what do you think - is there a market for doctored santa photos?
Joining in with Wordless Wednesday with Faith Hope and a Whole Lotta Love and My Little Drummer Boys

Food Post - Festive Watermelon

For those that know me (and I hope a lot of you are getting to know me) you will know I am not a bit cooking inclined - but every now and then something catches my eye and I think - i could do that, and I may even want to do that. So when i saw this image on Pinterest I thought it would make a great summer Christmas dessert.

Image via Wit & Whistle

I tried this out during the week with the idea of using the star shape watermelon on the fruit skewers at my son's birthday party this weekend- worked a treat - but I would recommend using a half / whole watermelon and not a quarter as you would end up with less wastage.

Stocking Stuffer Facebook Sale - Final one for the Year

Due to a certain second child making an appearance in early January - I am shutting down my Another Donkey Design stores (both Made It and Etsy) from the 13th December 2011 until some time in the new year. As a thank you to all you lovely followers and purchasers, I am having one final facebook sale to clear out my remaining stocks and one lucky purchaser will get their pack of Magnet Pegs for FREE. These Peg it Ups have been super popular in the last few weeks because they make great (and inexpensive) stocking stuffers, teachers presents or office workers presents

Here's the nitty-gritty on how the auction will work:

1. Auction starts TONIGHT (Thursday 8th December 2011) at 8pm on my another donkey design facebook page and ends 8pm Sunday 11th December 2011.
2. Only 8 packs of Magnet Pegs ($5.50 each + $2.20 P&H) are available - and you can choose from any of the designs in the photo below (1-9). Please note in the comments section: sold, how many packs you want and which designs below the photo in facebook.
3. Once all 8 packs have been sold - I will randomly select one purchaser to receive one pack for free. This will only apply if all 8 packs are sold out
4. Payment can be made by Paypal or direct deposit and all purchaser will be posted from Sydney by Wednesday 14th December 2011 (or once payment clear), with tons of time to reach you by Christmas (australia only).

Magnet Peg It Ups - Perfect for attaching bills, invittations, permission slips, receipes (i could go on but i am sure you get the idea) to your fridge or magnetic pin board.

This pack contains:• 4 x pegs – one side covered in washi japanese tape • 2 very strong magnets are attached to each peg.

These magnets are so super strong, they can easily hold up to 15 sheets of paper and WILL NOT SLIDE DOWN YOUR FRIDE OR FALL OFF! If you don't believe me - try them and if you are not happy with them I will refund your money on return of product.

5.  I have also included my lifestyle and office pegs in the sale - only $5.75 + $2.20 P&H.

Lifestyle and Office Peg It Ups - Help you be more organised at home and in the office. Each pack contains:
• 7 x natural timber coloured pegs with “lifestyle and office” sayings on one side:• Pegs Measure approx 6.9cm x 0.9cm x 1.3cm • Comes all beautifully packaged together in a clear cellophane bag all beautifully packaged together in a clear cellophane bag

And while I have you - There are only 5 more packs of my Chalkboard Gift Tags available in my Made It store here

Chalkboard Gift Tags – suitable for any occasion as you get to decide on the message or picture. Use them for presents, wine tags, wedding decorations or even to organise your kitchen and home storage.

Each tag has a chalkboard finish on both sides, measures 60 x 118mm  and comes with beautiful red and white bakers twine. Simple write your message, and if you want to change it, wipe it with a lightly wet cloth and you have a blank tag again!

This pack of 4 comes beautifully packaged in a clear cello wrapper with a piece of chalk to get you started

Thanks again for making it a successful year for Another Donkey Design and I look forward to re-opening in early 2012 with lots of new lovely goodies.

My Creative Space - Xmas Wrapping

This week I have been busy finishing off my Christmas presents for my girlfriends (sorry no pics to show you in case any little donkeys are reading this blog!) and wrapping them.

This is the first year I have ever done handmade presents, and whilst they are by no means perfect - there is definately a sence of satisfaction in knowing they are one of a kind and the effort that went into them. Handmade all the way!!!

For more creative spaces - head over to Our Creative Spaces

Wordless Wednesday - Such a Busy Weekend for a Little Boy

For more Wordless Wednesday's - head over to Faith Hope and a Whole Lotta Love and My Little Drummer Boys

My Creative Space - Xmas Card Swap

I am taking part in One Craftee Mumma's Christmas Card Swap over on Swap-Bot this year, so last night saw me madly making some christmas cards before the deadline!

These cards will be winging their way to France, Germany and the United States over the next few days.
Do you still send Christmas Cards or are you more of a Christmas email type person now?
For more Creative Spaces head over to Our Creative Space

Yes Please, Thank You - Waxed Canvas Tote

How absolutly gorgeous is this waxed canvas tote by Peg and Awl on Etsy ($190)

 

 

 

Call me untraditional, but I think these would make an excellent nappy bag (hint hint nudge nudge!).

While you are over at Peg and Awl - be sure to check out their other great wares including this super cute kiddie top ($18)

 and this reclaimed wood candle block fish set ($45) (what can i say - my husband loves fish!)

Yes Please  Thank You

My Creative Space

A day like today (grey, raining and cold) I really wish i was at home in my trackies and ugg boots creating away instead of sitting in an office surfing the web for cool things I could be making. Top of my to make list right now is:

Sheep pillow by Purl Bee - My son calls them Baa's and refuses to say Sheep

My little man is 2 next month so this Birthday shirt vai I can teach my child is perfct!

Some little man pants via Made

10 minute pencil roll via My Poppet - perfect for travelling over the silly season

I have been able to squeeze in some crafting time at night over the last week- and have whipped up another pair of shorts for my son - this time to be worn out in public (no photo sorry - it is too wet and cold in Sydney right now for shorts!) and I have been working on some Christmas presents for my girlfriends (sorry can't share the details yet just in case they read this blog!).

I have also been working on some counting cards for my son. I looked high and low for some that I could buy online but couldn't find any that met exactly what I was after - being recognisable pictures, and then the number in both letters and numerals - so I made my own with my trusty laminator (I splurged and bought myself a laminator last week!)

I am now working on colour cards (but need some sunny weather to take some more photos)

They are by no means perfect but nothing my son will complain about (just his slightly OCD mother). I am also waiting to pick up a book I ordered on snapfish filled with photos of my son's favourite things (birthday present).

Have you been up to any exciting crafting lately? Head over to Our Creative Space for some inspiration

Don't you just love those days....

Don't you just love those days when you wake up and you get good news, and it just sets the tone of your whole outlook for the day? After a rather crappy day yesterday (33 weeks pregnant, tired, emotional, sick 2 year old who woke up at 5.30 and then held me under house arrest by not letting me change his PJs all day- I could go on but you get the idea) I was delighted to read my emails (in bed) this morning to find two great pieces of news.

Firstly my Airmail Magnetic Pegs were featured in this great airmail themed wedding round up on Emmaline Bride - the Wedding Guide for the Handmade Bride

And secondly I won a competition over on tickle the imagination magazine  for a Mollydag Made handmade wooden children's game. I think i am going to have to choose the Wooden Memory Game - Animal Menagerie because whilst my little man may be a little young for the memory side of it - I have no doubt it will be great for learning animal names and matching pictures.

Mollydag Made have heaps of other beautiful looking games and at great priced (perfect stocking stuffers or presents for nieces and nephews).

So - whilst the outlook out my window is not a pretty sight at the moment (seriously 19 degress at the end of November!) - things are looking pretty good.

Wordless Wednesday - a busy weekend

Clontarf Beach - hunting for starfish

Setting up House after a slight relocation

Helping Dad demolish the old swing chair

Mmmm - icecream cake (and don't hold the party hat against me)

For more Wordless Wednesdays - head over to Faith Hope and A Whole Lotta Love

Bonds Online

This is a bit of an unsual post for me as those that know me, would know I am not really into clothes, or fashion. But when I heard Bonds were now online I got just a little bit excited - their products are often hard to find - and with free shipping at the moment - you can't go wrong. Their collection is huge - so grab a cup of coffee and have a trawl of their new site.

Some of my fav's:

I am also liking the look of their maternity bras - but figured you probably don't need to see pictures of these!
What's your favourite Bond's product?

Yes Please Thank You - Lanterns and Elastics

Couple of quick "yes please thank you"'s that caught my eye yesterday:

Jumping Elastics (oh the memories!) from Poppet in the Post - only $5.00 (great stocking stuffer)

Paper Lantern - Carnival Stripe Pack of 6 - 25cm dia lanterns from Sweet Style - $14.95
25cm dia

 

 

The lanterns have inspired me to give these DIY paper lanterns a go to add some interest to my sons new big boy room's ceiling - off to raid my paper stock.

Image and DIY via The Creative Place

My Creative Space - Summer PJ's

My creative endevours this week have branched into the children's clothing realm - PJ's to be more exact. It was time for the flannels to be retired (both because they are now too small and it was way too hot) so i whipped up some PJ's for my son. When i say whipped up - i mean i read a bunch of tutorials online, books, consulted with my mum, and eventally came up with my own pattern from another pair of his shorts - and here are the results:

 

I have to admit I am a little chuffed with myself! I am even considering making some summer shorts for him to wear outside the safety of our house.  For more Creative Spaces - head over here
(PS - self promotion - i am having a 48 hour facebook sale (end Friday) for some new gift tags i have been working on - you can check out my facebook sale here)

Red Letter Studio Sale

I know - 3 blog posts in one day! But I had to share Red Letter Studio 50% off sale on their madeit and etsy store. You might even recognise some of their prints from my sons first bedroom room (see post here)

 

(Sail Away A4 Art Print - on sale for only $10)

(Float Away A4 Art Print - on sale for only $10) 

Lots of other lovely prints and cards in store at bargain prices - but don't wait too long and miss out!

Cheeky 48 Hour Facebook Sale - Starting Tonight

I am having a cheeky 48 hour facebook sale starting tonight (Wednesday) at 8pm (AEST) for some (I had a blonde moment) fabric gift tags and some new stamped gift tags I have been working on (thanks to some amazing stamps by Nora Jane).

Pack of 8 Stamped Christmas Gift Tags on heavy duty card stock - $6.00 + $1.00 P&H

(2 of each design, blank on rear for message. Tags measure 12cm x 6xm)

Four Little Duckies Stamped Gift Tags on heavy duty card stock - pack of 4 - $3.00 + $1.00 P&H

(tag on the left with one little duckie is the rear, tag on right is the front. Tags measure 12cm x 6cm)

10 pack of Fabric swing tags  plus 10 metres red and white twine and 10 metres of green and white twine

- $8.50 + $1.20 P&H - ONLY 3 packs available.

(tags measure approx 4.5cm diameter)

Be sure to swing by my facebook page for all updates and to take part in the sale.