Paper Animals - Too much time on my hands???

When you start making paper animals that serve no real purpose whatsoever you either:


a) Have too much time on your hands;

b) You are are totally procrastinating; or

c) They are so cute you can’t resist and you are really a big kid at heart

I am going to go with option c) which is the case for these very cute paper animal templates by Mibo Studio.

The Wild Bunch

Wise Guys

These make at home kits are great for both kids and kidults. You can purchase these pdf templates from etsy and then all you need are a colour printer, card stock, glue, and a craft knife. And best of all you can make them as big or as little as you want, and you can make a whole bunch.

Now for the purpose of research only I figured I could not write about them without trying them – so of course I had to get the special package. So far I have only made the Lion – but he is super cute and now resides on our front entry table (when he is not taking part in a photo shoot in our back yard) and the others will soon follow (more photos to come)

If you still need something to procrastinate over Eat and Bleat (the two sheep) even have a YouTube clip.

Now I know my ABC’s.....

Now that my little boy is at the reading age – OK more like he is at the age where I read and he tries to eat the book and tear the pages – anyway - I have started looking for some ABC flash cards. Who knows if this method actually works – but I have become a bit obsessed with them. You can get sweet ones, vintage ones, nerdy ones – the list is endless. So – for all those looking for ABC cards (they make great presents also) – here are a few to choose from.

English Alphabet Flash Cards - 1940s reproduction of a childrne's french book - from "Touch of Europe"

 

A is for Apple Vintage Flashcards - 5x7 - Set of 26 - from "prettylittlestudio" on etsy

 

For something a little different (and tongue in cheek) - Nerdy Baby ABC flash cards

from "electricboogaloo" on etsy

Alphabet Letter Photography from "alfabetfotos" on etsy

Apparently these images / letters are the result of four years of "letter harvesting" excursions in 3 countries and 15 states. You can check out Michael's full collection here

"Now I know my ABC's, next time won't you sing with me"

Photos that never see the light of day - nature

I am not a big nature lover – sure I enjoy being outdoors – particularly in the back yard now that my little one is starting to notice where he is, but I am not one for bushwalking. That being said, where I live there is a little known bushwalk and once you descend the stairs it is like you are in another world, worlds away from busy roads, buses, trains and general suburbia.


Today’s photos that never see the light of day were taken along this bushwalk. These will probably never make it on my walls at home, but I do like to look at them now and then

My First Craft Swap:

I love making cards, and while my Made It site is slowly building up (still waiting for that first illusive order – free postage if anyone is interested) I have a surplus of cards just itching to be sent out. So when I saw Calico & Co’s Big Birthday Craft Swap I immediately signed up for my first ever craft swap. I eagerly waited to find out who my swap partner was and packaged up my little package of cards and tags. Off to the post office on Monday and by Wednesday I had received an email from my swap partner GemmaJoy thanking me for the cards. And better yet – she mentioned me on her blog – my first ever blog shout out – thanks GemmaJoy. GemmaJoy blogs and makes and sells beautiful headbands, fascinators and brooches on Made It. Her products are perfect for the upcoming racing seasons. She also does custom orders.

A red flower fascinator made from felt and tulle $25

A classic combination of black stitching on white felt

I am eagerly waiting for my surprise parcel to arrive and will let you all know about the goodies when they arrive.

Getting the House in Order

As I am due back at work shortly after some 9 months off, I am desperately trying to get the house in order and finish off all the jobs I wanted to do in my time off. Unfortunately the blue rose wall paper in our bedroom is still there and will still be there next month (and possibly year), but last night – I finished the kitchen (well except for painting the ceiling – but seriously who ever looks up)!


Works done: painted walls and timber work (this was done about 2 years ago just to give you an idea of how long this has been going on - our entire house was painted blue when we bought it), new handles, pink laminate cupboards painted white, white with pink and grey spot splashback tiles painted soft green. Not 100% happy with the splashback tile colour but I think it might grow on me.

Some before and after shots:

Before (obviously)

After (my hubbies b'day was over a week ago but i quite like the bunting!)

This weekend – I am re-staining the back deck. Smelly work.

Etsy Find: Jenn Ski

I stumbled across Jenn Ski whilst surfing etsy this afternoon, and I couldn’t pull myself away until I checked out everything she does. Something about her art really appeals to me. Bit of background from her website: “Jenn Ski is an award-winning graphic designer and artist, with a passion for modern and mid-20th century art and design. In her work, she strives to balance these seemingly unrelated forces. The result is artwork that, while beautifully delicate, is incredibly sophisticated and, in one word, cool.”

Consider it added to the wish list (and yes they ship to Australia).

Jenn Ski etsy store here

Website here

Blog here

I encourage you to check it out.

More Cards on Made It

I am slowly slowly getting my "Made It" store up and running (I have to schedule taking photos around my 8 month baby boy O!) and have added a few new cards - have a look - I would love to know what you think of them.

Animal Fun

Little Girls Love

Three Little Circles - Boys

 Three little cupcakes on pink spot

Gerald Giraffe on Turquoise Spot

 Also - did i mention - FREE POSTAGE FOR MY FIRST 10 ORDERS!