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.

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

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 - 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 - Fabric Gift Tags

My Creative Space this week has involved lots and lots and lots of fabric gift tags for a store down in Melbourne who uses them to display prices (gotta love repeat orders) - but they would also make great Xmas Gift Tags

And I did have a totally blonde moment last night when I thought i hadn't made enough, so made some more, only to find another pile next to me on the couch! Ooops! Good news is I will having a quick cheeky facebook sale in the next few days for the extra overs. Make sure you follow another donkey design on facebook for all the updates.
Fore more creative spaces and inspiration - head over to Our Creative Space

yes please, thank you - Polar Project

Loving these cards from Polar Project:

Available with lots others from Polar Project's Etsy store here (cards only US$3.30 and high five postcard only US$1.65)

Two Big Announcements for Another Donkey Design

Today I have two big announcements for Another Donkey Design - one a little bit more life changing than the other - but both exciting nonetheless!

Firstly - the life changing news.... we are expecting another baby.

(My baby bump in Fiji in September)

Confession time - this is not actually new news. In fact I am more than just a little bit pregnant, I am actually 29 weeks pregnant today. Apologies for not sharing sooner, but for whatever reason, I have been putting off this announcement (except for those who I saw at the ABCD Sydney event last month - there was no hiding the secret there and not just because i was not drinking!) So that is the reason my little man is moving to a new Big Boy Room in the coming weeks - and on a side note the room is almost finished and i promise to share the photos when it is done. And before you ask - we are not finding out the sex beforehand - we are going to keep it a surprise like we did with our son.

Second announcement for the day (seems a little minor in comparison)- with only 2 months till Christmas - Another Donkey Design is having it's first ever facebook sale for Christmas gift tags, twine and other excess stock (the nesting is kicking in and i need to clear out the cupboards!). Sale will kick off at 8pm Wednesday 26th October 2011 (AEST) and will finish 8pm Friday 28th October 2011 (or until stocks last)
Some of the goodies on offer include:

Hope to see you all there!

These are a few of my favourite (Anthropologie) kiddie things....

Today – a few kiddie things on the wish list from Anthropologie 

1.      Les Oeufs Verts au Jambon

2.      Standout Giraffe

3.      My Favourite Things Flashcards

4.      Alphabet Wagon

5.      Mushroom Pouf

6.      Chatterbox Charlie Puppet

Kikki-K - I should have known better

I had a most unfortunate incident yesterday afternoon – I discovered a new Kikki-K store in my local shopping centre. I tried my hardest to refrain from entering, but the bright lights and red and white decorations lured me in. I may or may not have purchased a “drawn wooden alphabet stamp set”. Some of the lovelies on offer at Kikki-K at the moment:

(Clockwise from top left:)

3am spiral notebook

charcoal felt A4 portfolio bag

wooden stamp set cute

wooden apple stamp picnic

paper clips love heart

wooden alphabet stamp set drawn

There is so much more in store and online. But be warned – you will not come away empty handed!

PS – they blog too including great decorating and wrapping ideas

New Lotta Jansdotter Book - Open Studios

Last week I blogged about a couple of Lotta Jansdotters books here. Well - a new book is coming to town- "Open Studios" in which Lotta takes us on a tour through artists studios in Brooklyn, New York, Stockholm, and Tokyo.

Photographs showcase each artist's studio while personal interviews reveal how they organize their supplies, use their space, and where they find inspiration. Tours include insights into graphic designers, photographers, ceramic artists, printers, and more.

No point adding it to the Xmas wish list though as it won’t be released until Feb 2011. It will be on my Birthday Wish List for sure.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's "My Creative Space" when i will be "showcasing" my open studio (or mess of a dining room depending on which way you look at it!)

One More for the Cushions - Tiges and Weince

And while I am on the subject of cushions – it would be remiss of me not to mention one of my favourites for kids -Tiges and Weince. Kylie’s cushions, which can be personalised for that extra special present, are super sweet, offer plenty of range and would look great in any kids (big or little) room. They would also make a perfect Baby Shower, Christening, Birthday or Christmas Present.

 

Tiges and Weince are in all the usual places – on the web, blog world, etsy, made it and facebook

Random Etsy Wednesday - Cushions

Something you may not have considered for a present - a cushion. The options in designs, shapes and sizes are endless – but here are 6 of my favourites for the young and old adults from Etsy

Hand Screen Printed Dream Big Cushion in Teal by Robin and Mould

Little Cloud Cushion - Navy and White Stripe by Poppy & Ted

Red Fox Screenprinted Pillow by sassandperil 

Love Pillow Cover by Home to Roost

Ampersand Cushion by Aunty Cookie

ABC Pillow Cover In Red by Helen Rawlinson  

Makedo - Great Xmas Present for kids 3+

For those lucky enough to have a kid older than 3 – here is an awesome Xmas present idea – Makedo’s.

“makedo is a connector system that enables materials including cardboard, plastic and fabric to easily join together to form new objects or structures. When you’re done playing, simply pull it apart to reuse over and over again. makedo is made up of three simple parts - – a connector, a hinge and a construction tool.”

You can buy various sized packs and for a limited time they have free shipping – bargain!

The possibilites are endless

I am so jealous that my little one is not yet old enough for these as they would make those playschool inspired afternoons so much easier, and dare I say – more fun. For the next 2 years we will have to make do with masking tape.

Random Etsy Wednesday

More random etsy goodness on offer today (I am in a print kind of mood today)…

Winnie the Pooh Handmade Raw Art Print by rawartletterpress

This print is also going up for auction in the Creative Collection Starlight Christmas Charity Auction which is on from 12 Noon Monday Nov 15 until 12 Midnight Tuesday Nov 30. [AEDT]. For more details go here

join the circus... limited edition giclee print of an original illustration (8.5 x 11in) by helendardik

enjoy it poster print // red by elisejoy

Pretend Picnics

Have I mentioned I love Ikea? I can always find something I need at ikea. Ok maybe not need, but definitely want! And these cute soft food sets are definitely on my want list. They would be perfect for a pretend picnic!

Breakfast set

Fruit basket

Vege basket

And while I am suggesting things from Ikea – this set of three tins would be perfect for homemade Christmas cookie present.

Set of 3 tins with lids

Not Long Now

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Time to get decorating people. Some handmade inspirations (with instructions) for young and old

Christmas Tree Wall Decoration - Bloesem Kids (via Little Paper Lane)

or Beautiful Paper Snowflake which are all the rage right now- Cut out and Keep (via Little Paper Lane)

or Paper Baubles - Annie P. Paperie facebo

Of course if you are not the home crafty type – you could always just buy something pretty:

3 LAMINATED patterned double sided paper globe ornament by atelierpompadour

Merry Christmas Garland - Red and White check by paperklipdesign

Has anyone out there started decorating their homes yet?