Pottery Week 2 - Coil Pots

Last night i had my second of 9 pottery classes and this week it was Coil Pots. It is a pretty simple concept - all you need is a slab base, then you make long coils and wind your way round, joining them as you go. You can go up, in and out - but I was not quite that adventurous. I think my final product is reminiscent of Pooh Bears Honey Pot. I wasn't quite feeling this way of working with clay but apparently it can be used to form the most amazing shapped pots both super small and super huge.

No idea what i am going to use it for as it is a wierd size. Too big for small objects and too small for big objects. Any suggestions? Next week is glazing - bring on the pretty colours.

On a side note, we were talking in the class about what other classes we would like to see offered. My suggestion was a sewing class for children's clothing. What classes would you like to see your local community centre offer?

My Little Quilting Helper

After the success of my first quilt I am now making a bunny rug quilt with some left over fabric I bought for the embroidery hoops on little ones wall (which reminds me I still need to write that post!). But I couldn't make it without my little "helper"!

My First Ever Quilt

This week i finished my first ever quilt, and i must admit I am just a little bit proud and already planning my next one.
It went from this:

to this:

to this:

Small confession - i didn't do the actual quilting myself as i couldn't justify a quilting foot for my machine when i hope to get a new machine mid year - so a quick google search led me to Kim's Quilt's who can quilt your quilts for you - and better yet - she is only 30 mins down the road from me!

I used a few excellent tutorials along the way including Diary of a Quilter and Retro Mummy (who I also bought the charm packs from at a market in sydney). If you ever wanted to make a quilt - charm square quilts are the easiest ever - just start and you will be done in no time.
If you are feeling inspired and want to check out some other creative spaces - head over here

Pinspiration - Shirt Sleeve PJ Pants

Inspired by this tutorial by indietutes:

Imgage from indietutes

 I made these quick and easy PJ pants for my little man:

They were so easy to make - you only need to sew 3 seams. I didn't follow the tutorial exactly (I got confused) - but they seemed to turn out alright. And i love that they are made out of my husbands old business shirts which are nice and soft from lots of wear. When they run out i may have to hit up the local op shop.
What have you made or done that was inspired by Pinterest?

My Creative Space - Rocking the Headband

So apparently when you have a girl you are meant to go accessory crazy! I didn't think I would because I am not a girly girl by any means (I can't remember the last time i wore heals and I don't even own grown up lipstick!) but who can resist a baby in a cute little head band. There is just something so sweet about them. And being the crafty person that I am of course I thought i could make my own. And here is the result.

I bought all the materials on Craftumi (bands by Gemma Joy, Crochet  Flowers by DeDor Supplies and buttons from collection at home) and they were a great nap time craft (i.e. it didn't take too long and it didn't matter if i had to go to Little Miss' room every five minutes to stick the dummy back in!)

Emily rocking the headband

And while Little Miss has been rocking the headbands this week. my little man has been rocking the raincoat. Looking forward to some more rain so we can team the raincoat with his new Charlie & Me gumboots.

Be sure to head on over to Our Creative Space to check out some great other crafty ideas and beautiful projects

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.

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

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

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)

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

My Creative Space

This week my creative space has involved:

Counting Bean Bags - I have only made the one so far but i am hoping to make 6 with 1-6 on one side and my sons name on the other. For how to instructions head over to Chez Beeper Bebe

Finishing my sons big boy bed doona cover (well it is 98% finished)

Painting with my son. Check out yesterday's post for the action photos (PS - the truck tracks idea came from play school!)

For more Creative Spaces and inspiration - head over to Our Creative Space

My Creative Space - Big Boy Room Sneak Peak

The last week has largely been spent pulling together my sons new big boy room - and whilst it is not all complete I thought I would share some sneak peaks of what I have been up to.

(inspiration via here and here)

Inspiration for a quilt cover which hopefully I will get done on the weekend (inspiration via My Poppet where you can purchase these gorgeous little houses)

For more Creative Spaces - head over to Our Creative Spaces

My Creative Space - Texta Box

Inspired by Jane over at Life on Planet Baby and her beautifully transformed washi tape decorated cake tin post yesterday - I took to my sons texta box last night with a little bit of washi tape, scrapbooking paper and modge podge.

The original undecorated box - nice box but a little bit boring

Washi tape covered sides

The perfect paper for a little boy's texta box

Best part - the box was a recycled box from a set of magnets I bought from the $2 shop - so really, as I had everything on hand - it cost nothing!
Head over here for more Creative Spaces