Bubby Makes Three

In the Press!

2012-02-13T20:04:00.001+11:00

I'm sorry folks, I can't resist publishing this page from the new Autumn issue of Shop4Kids released in stores today... a couple of months ago, before Christmas when I was crazy-busy and literally had to diarise getting dressed else be nudey all day I was asked if I had any paisley bow-ties in my collection. I didn't, and I really didn't have time to design one..... but I did, anyway!

And I'm so glad I did. And got it to the magazine by the deadline. Because two of my bow-ties are featured in the shoot, including this one and this image which I am kinda swooning over.

Enough trumpet blowing. But chuffed all the same. xx

Image from Shop4Kids Autumn issue 2012. Bow-tie by Bubby Makes Three

Cuddle Craft Collective - MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

2012-02-08T19:00:00.000+11:00

Hi guys,

I know there are a billion charities out there vying for your financial contributions... and I certainly know you can't support them all! But when I was approached to support this one, it was kinda a no-brainer for me.

With 100% profits from an all-handmade charity auction that will take place in March going toward a children's feeding centre in Ethiopia... it took me all of about 20 seconds to respond with a YES YES YES!

If there is one charity Im passionate about, its one involving children in third world countries. It makes my heart bleed to think that in this world and in these times there are people losing their lives literally every second due to starvation. How we let this happen makes me sick to my stomach. And overwhelmed. Because what can I do about it? Well, put my money where my mouth is is what, folks!

And so I have. And I appeal to you, too...

The Cuddle Craft Collective Cuddle Craft Collective is a group of socially conscious and community minded souls who have joined together to make a difference to the lives of children and families in need. We will be running a series of auctions to raise much need funds for charities and community projects. 100% off all profits raised from these auctions are donated to campaign projects.

For the first project in 2012, Cuddle Craft Collective has teamed up with World Families Australia to raise much needed funds to support the children's Feeding Centre in Bonga, Ethiopia.

An online auction will be held from 18 - 25 March, 2012 during which time visitors will have the chance to bid on a range of limited edition, OOAK and exclusive designer products that have been lovingly crafted by Australian and International artisans.

I am auctioning one of these:

To find out more about this auction and some of the handmade goodies you can bid on and warm and fuzzy feeling you will get from knowing you are helping the lives of children in need; visit the website: www.cuddlecraftcollective.com

And 'like' the Facebook page, to get the most up-to-date info as well as a peek at all the handmade goodness up for auction!

www.facebook.com/CuddleCraftCollective

I'll update you with more info closer to the auction event -- thanks guys... xx

Pastel Cupcakes...

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000+11:00

There is nothing like a plate of brightly iced, individually papered little cakes to bring out the inner child in all of us... today I'm inspired by all things 'cupcake'! Here are some pastel-paletted cupcake themed ideas for YOUR next little girl's birthday party! My personal have is the individually personalised naming bracelet which at US$3 would be a shame not to buy for each little party-princess and her guests? I think I'll grab one for Fern - at that price, it would be a tragedy not to! The final two images are my most recent cupcake- themed additions to my store... it's not the first time I've wished Fern was a baby again so I could try these ones on her! Enjoy these picks and have a lovely week....

ps. Tomorrow I have a very special project to share with you that I am proud to be involved in and that I am hoping you will support! xx

Handmade party hats, buy for $25 here

Ceramic cupcake stand, buy here for $35

Printable cupcake wrappers, buy here for $4.50

Fluttering flag cupcake toppers $20 here

Sparkly cupcake brooch, $15 here

Personalized naming bracelet, $3 here

Cupcake party printables, $16 here

Cupcake fabric ruffled bloomers/ singlet set, $32 here

Ruffled bloomers/ singlet singlet, $32 here

How to store your pencils in style...

2012-02-04T13:39:00.000+11:00

How do you store your pencils? Scissors? Knitting needles and the like?

For too long mine have shoved unglamorously in jam jars, the kids Easter-hunt buckets, old fruit bowls (I'm serious) and in pencil cases from the 1980's.

Not any more. Over the weekend I whipped me up a pencil storer, and it cost me nothing more than half an hour of my time.

Want to make one yourself? You really don't need instructions... but in case you think you do:

You need:
- A container of some sort: an old tin, jar or (in my case!) can of drinking chocolate - yum!
- A hot glue gun or good craft glue
- Fabric
- Scirssors
- Other embellishments as you see fit!

Instructions:
- Place your vessel on the wrong side of the fabric and roll fabric around, fixing with glue (leave a little overhang

- Trim overhang with zig-zag scissors if you have them and glue down so you have a nice finish.

- Trim overhang on either end, leaving a little to tuck under and glue down.

- See how easy this is?
- Decorate with wilful abandon!

Have fun and do share your pencil-holding-work-of-art should you make one!
xx

Workin' 9-5!

2012-01-31T09:59:00.001+11:00

Today, I packed two little lunch boxes and sent two little kiddies off to preschool. One of them, for the very first time. Yes, folks. little wee Elliott Daniel has been sent to school where (hopefully) the teachers will sort him out!

Kidding. Sort of :)

I won't lie... I needed backup in the drop-off process and dragged my husband along for moral support... I cried more than one tear I must confess. The idea of sending one's baby off to school and the actual PRACTICE are two very different things. My littlest child has never been minded by anyone other than family and then pretty rarely. It breaks my heart just a little bit to have condemned him to a day inside a room with a bunch of other kids he's never met, a strange bed and hours and hours without his (sniff) mummy.

But maybe

hopefully

he'll love it.

Fern does, and barely says goodbye before she skips off to play with the boys. hmmmm. But of course Elliott is not Fern.

I've been putting this off and pretending I can work with the kids at home. But I can't, really. And so it was time. Because mummy. needs. a. work. day.

So now (for the first time in three years) I get a whole day, seven precious hours in which to ensconce myself in my little studio.

A WORK day, peeps.

I feel like I need a whole new corporate wardrobe! Heels! Lipstick!

I've settled for a pair of shorts, a tank, my havaianas and a swipe of lipgloss. But that'll do!

Am I allowed out for a lunch break?

my darling boy on his first day of preschool.... I whipped him up that linen bag you see on the ground last night using a pillow case and some scraps of fabric!

ps. Much thanks for the advice to yesterday's article . Some great tips I'll be trying out - thank you thank you! xxx

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

2012-01-30T07:30:00.000+11:00

Newsflash!

Boys are different from girls!

Well, what-do-ya know...

You all know I have a pigeon pair: One golden-haired, blue-eyed just-turned-three year old princess two weeks out of the terrible-twos (progress: we've only had 2370 tantrums this last fortnight, aren't the three's so much more pleasant!) and a sandy-haired, greeny-brown eyed sonny boy who is a year and a halfish now and - well - a species unto himself.

Folks, it's sonny-boy I want to talk about today. And, if you have a sonny-boy, I need your help. Your advice. And.... perhaps your shoulder?

Oh, I love the boy. Love 'im to bits. Would leap in front of a bus for him...

But sonny-boy is a climber. An adventurer. A discoverer. He likes to be dirty. Smelly. Wet. He likes to eat... and eat. And eat some more. He's Curious George, he is. A cat with 9 lives. Like most boys, I can only imagine.

All this I can handle.

What I can't handle is coming out in the morning, to find my 17 month-old son sitting up on top of the kitchen bench with a packet of popcorn kernels in his paw, flinging them wildly about with joyous abandon. Have you any idea just how far a packet of popcorn kernels can spread throughout your house?

At every opportunity, my son climbs up on the kitchen table. He then makes his way across and pulls himself onto the kitchen bench when he can reap unfathomable havoc.

But no sooner have I dragged out the (overflowing) Dyson to vacuum up popcorn than I turn around to find my son with the box of Rice Bubbles. If you can imagine what a packet of popcorn looks like on your floor... can you also imagine a family-pack of Rice Bubbles?

How do you discipline such a child? At 16 months, he certainly doesn't understand the concept of a 'naughty corner'. That would involve sitting still. Saying a firm 'no' just gets me a cheeky smile before he goes right back to whatever it is he is doing. A smack on the posterior earns me a laugh. The kid LAUGHS at me for smacking his bottom! So what do you do??

These days, I must be merticulous about closing the door to the bathroom. But my son waits for my daughter to climb up on the toddler-seat and if I'm out of earshot, heaven help me. It is not unusual for me to come in from hanging out the washing or some such, to hear the sounds of splashing coming from the toilet. My son can be found brandishing the toilet-brush like a sword, stabbing it with wilful abandon into the toilet. Or worse, dipping his hands into the toilet like its his own personal swimming pool. More often than not, I find an entire roll of toilet paper, soggy and unravelled all over the floor. And if Fern has not quite managed to - ahem - flush her business down the loo, the outcome can be catastrophic. On one particular occasion, the damage caused by hurricane Elliott in the toilet was so widespread and intimidating, I got stuck in the shower for three quarters of an hour with both kids, praying my husband would return home from work to rescue us. It took two adults to clean up on that particular occasion, and its not an isolated incident.

My son also takes a penchant to the garbage bin. He likes to play with the contents he finds inside. Use it as his own personal pantry if he has a rumbly tummy.

My son likes to eat dog biscuits.

It can take two adults just to change one nappy.

He will not watch the telly. Or read a book. Or play with toys for longer than 5 seconds. How do you therefore entertain such a child?

Help, peeps! I need your taming-tips. What do you do with a jumping-jellybean with more energy than a firework and the ability to scale tall buildings in a single bound?

Here's an hour in the life of me with my son. Needless to say, I rarely have the opportunity to get bored. I swear, this path of destruction all occurred in the space of one hour (yes, I keep liquor in the bottom cupboard. Yes, in 17 years I'll be asking for trouble):

SOS!!

Très Adore...

2012-01-23T22:26:00.000+11:00

Over Christmas I dillied and dallied over a few new creations for my store; last week I finally got around to finishing some of them. And, whilst they look cute pegged up on my studio wall, nothing beats trying them on a real live model! My own kiddies are growing way too rapidly and lil Fern is getting a wee bit old to be scampering around in ruffled bloomers so when I can get my hands on a friend's baby to model my creations I do!

Late last week, a girlfriend was kind enough to loan her adorable daughter to me for an hour or so. We headed down to the lake about 3pm with my dusty camera in tow. It was a little bit shadowy and the light wasn't quite perfect..... but the clothes looked adorable on her (if Im allowed to say so myself) and Im pretty darn proud of how the shots came out. I guess I did pay a little attention during all those Community college camera courses and uni tutes about composition. And thank goodness for a bit of (free!) editing software!

Right. Now I've finished blowing my own trumpet, here's a looksy at one of the new creations I've added to my store as modelled by little Leila. Don't you want to eat her up?

ps. If you (or someone you know) live on the Central Coast and have an adorable baby <12 months and would like to 'loan' their modelling services to me, do enquire within!! bubbymakesthree@yahoo.com

My Studio Reveal...

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000+11:00

Happy Friday, folks! I am certainly glad its Friday - yesterday I lost my keys and was stuck at home all day with two less-than-impressed kids and the trio of us were a great old laugh I don't think! Today, I am hosting a morning tea disguised as a birthday Dora-the-Explorer party for Fern's 3rd birthday... she sort of insisted on it and my mother-guilt at not organising a party was high on the richter so I've pulled this together in about 6 minutes and I'm hoping the lovingly decorated Dora cake husband and I dallied over last night makes up for my lacklustre party efforts!

Anyway, I promised you a studio reveal and a studio reveal you shall have!

Have I mentioned how my studio has changed my life? No? Well, it has folks, it has! One can only run their hobby-turned-proper-business from one's kitchen table for so long. In my instance, about 10 months. By the 10th month, my kitchen looked a bit like Spotlight during their half-yearly sale. Not pretty. Not conducive to inspired creativity. Not fun to live with.

My renovation downstairs was necessity in the end... which is how I somehow managed to pull the whole thing together in one month from woe to go! Here's a little reminder about how it was before:

before. Red brick. cockroach infested carpet. Green windows. And junk junk junk.

I wanted something light. Something bright. Lot's of desk space. Storage. Somewhere to photograph my items. Somewhere to INSPIRE me. I didn't need anything especially huge. Which is just as well, because in the end we went with the decision to turn the one longish room into a small studio for moi, plus a fourth bedroom and bathroom (without shower) for guests and resale later on. Basically you come in from the garage and this is the room-turned-three rooms along the back. I made a half-wall so the studio would not feel too boxed in and it is in fact an alcove. A sliding door leads to the extra bedroom (reveal on bedroom/ ensuite to come later!)

The paint is Dulux half-strength Lexicon - walls, doors, roof.... the lot! I still have blisters and paint in my eyes weeks later! Carpet is a mocha colour. And my decoration palette is yellow, pink and turquoise.

Enough talk. Want a looksy?

My creative space! You can see my purpose-built desk which is built at a right angle into the entire wall. Of course, I have filled up every inch already! But basically its big enough to house my sewing machine, a mini-ironing board, a large cutting mat and some open shelving. I am loving loving my new chair - a replica Eames in sky-blue that is actually surprisingly comfy! All my fabric I store by colour in large tubs under the desk.

A close-up of the desk where I work and my storage solutions! Noticeboard from Typo.

That's it, folks - my entire studio! She's compact, but beautiful...

A peek over the half-wall into the studio. You can see my groovy woven light from Beacon Lighting, my birdie wall hanging by Bubby Makes Three and my 'You are My Sunshine' print by Kathy Panton

My sexy twisted-string light from Beacon. Switched on it gives lots of light and I loooove it!

The long-shot where you can see the half-wall into my studio, plus the open 'corridor' that leads into the extra bedroom.

Adjacent to the half wall is this bricked wall -- now my photography studio! These bricks were red originally and it took us about 300 gallons of paint and an awful lot of elbow grease to get them white... but we got there in the end. Not sure why we didn't gyprock this last wall, but there you go!

A close-up of my wall hanging!

A very awkward alcove space above the back wall is painted white and used as 'display' space for my art letters and love heart, purchased for a song from Typo.

closeup of print by Kathy Panton

My self-covered table lamp finally finds a home!

I got two packs of three little cubes from Kmart for $12 each. Button container from Freedom. Ribbon-box from a little Chinese store. Birdhouse from Bed Bath and Table.

Little Bubby Makes Three labels stored in a sweet little pink bowl by Royal Albert (always wanted to find a use for that bowl!), the yellow wire storage box is from Domayne.

My 'cupcake' pink cushion bought for a song from my local handmade market

My business card holder: a little nursery hold-all from Bed Bath and Table bought for $2!

... and that's it, folks! She may be small, but she's perfect for me. I am so pleased and proud of the result and every day when my kids lay their sleepy heads down on their pillows and drift into slumberland (that's on a GOOD day ;) I sprint down the stairs into my little space and sigh with pleasure. I love what I do. And now I love where I do it!

I would love your feedback/ thoughts... and I'd love to peek into YOUR creative space if you have one! Do post a link if you do! xx

My Studio Reveal...

2012-01-12T14:21:00.002+11:00

... is coming. Tomorrow, folks!
Do pop by for a sneaky-peek into my 'work'place!

xx

My Cutest Creation Ever?

2012-01-09T09:19:00.001+11:00

Happy New Year to you! My resolution to be more diligent in maintaining and updating my blog has clearly already fallen to the wayside so let's just forget all about that! My resolution not to eat sugar only lasted til morning tea time on New Year's Day when I was proffered a soft-centred Darryl Lea choc; resolutions blew away like a petal into the breeze... peff. There's always next year...

Anyway. Amongst the goodies I DO have in store for you this year include a peek into my brand new little studio (delayed only until I drag the vacuum downstairs and clean up the fabric debris - this week, I promise!), and an ongoing interview series with interesting, creative and inspiring artisians. I want to showcase some of the amazing creative talent out there which will inspire me - and hopefully - you to harness your inner creative in 2012!

But today I want to share with you a new creation; one I reckon might be up there in being the cutest I've ever made. I can't take the creative credit for it; I bought a pattern. I couldn't help myself. A mousy headband, tee-shirt design (haven't made this one yet) and handbag. I fell in love as soon as I saw the pattern. The bag, though a touch more time consuming than it looks (its fully lined and lots of hand detailing) is so sweet I want one in my size! I had a lot of fun playing around with fabrics and here is my interpretation:

What do you think? There is no license on this pattern so I'm thinking of making a few more to list in my shop; just think of the fabric possibilities! I'm also going to make the matching outfit this week which I'll show you shortly after! It is too cute for words! Do you want one in YOUR size? xx

The Boxing Day Sales... thoughts?

2011-12-30T19:50:00.005+11:00

The boxing day sales.

Ladies, let's go there.

We all like a good sale, don't we? And on-the-whole I rather enjoy a frivolous romp about the shops; I can cope with crowds; I have no problem double-parking in a loading zone to avoid circling the carpark 47 times stalking those holding carkeys and bags in hand...

But the boxing Day sales?

I dunno.

In the good-ole-days (ie. three years ago bc (before children) I used to save my pennies weeks before the BD sales. On Boxing Day, I would burst through the yawning early-morning doors of Myer with fists ready to box anyone who would dare snatch that half-price pair of designer jeans before I laid eyes on them; and come home hours later sated but with bags and bags of bargainous joy to happily last me until the next Boxing Day sale madness.

Yes, the good ole days.

Then, I fell pregnant with Fern. And that Boxing Day I was 39 weeks pregnant with feet like boats. No Boxing Day shopping adventures to be had that year. Then last year, Elliott was just four months old and would not be parted from my boobs for longer than an hour at a time and - having already established that my son had zero tolerance for shopping even by four months, I had to skip another Boxing Day sale.

This year was my year, folks. And I was NOT going to miss out!

Nursing a slight hangover and feeling slightly dog-of-the-bone I nonetheless fronted up at the shops at dawn along with my sister. Sensible shoes. Loose, comfortable clothing that could be slipped easily in and out of. Folks, I went prepared!

But sadly, it all turned out to be a little fizzle. Sale? Is anything really on sale on Boxing Day? Anything worth lining up for and grappling through crowds to part with hard-earned cash for, that is??? Most of the department stores had sales on before Christmas and to be honest, I saw nothing that excited me at Myer on Boxing Day. Despite circumnavigating the mall brandishing my credit card for a couple of hours that morning, I came home with a couple of measly little bags and a large amount of disappointment! Has it always been this way? Am I just a little more prudent about my purchases? Or has the concept of Boxing Day 'sale' as defunct as a shop selling CD's next to the I-store?

Ok, I did get a few little trinkets. And one great bargain -- a $100 bikini from Country Road for just $30. Oh, and some half price and seriously delishy body wash from Lush called "snow fairy" that I would like to drink straight from the bottle. A couple of stationery items from Kikki K. A pair of jammies for Elliott. Some invitations to the 3rd birthday party Fern does not yet realise her mother does not have time to plan for her next week (?!). But I wanted shoes! Clothes! An unnecessary but too-great-not-to-grab handbag! And I found none of it on Boxing Day..... oh well. There's always next year.

And you? How did you fare? Did you 'do' the Boxing Day sales? Am I just having a whinge or are they really a little overrated? Do share! I want to see what YOU snared!!

My Boxing Day 'loot'.

... and to all, a merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T22:57:00.001+11:00

Folks, it's been a hellava year.

2011 for me was the year I threw myself out there. A year of discovery. A year of realising for the first time in my life what it is I really want to do. A year of juggling work with motherhood. Sometimes failing miserably. A year of acceptance. You really can't do it all, have it all. Something's gotta give. Letting stuff go. Being ok with letting stuff go.

I'm no super mum. I get stressed; I yell, I can't cook; I get bored playing on the floor with my kids... but I love the hell out of them. That much is for damn-sure. And I show them, TELL them. Every day. Love is all they need. Oh, and new shoes. You know, when they (as Fern was today) are down to one shoe and are off to Angelina Ballerina at the Opera House that afternoon. But you just drive them over to the shops, wheel them in in a trolley and buy the first pair they try on. Love and shoes.

In 2011 I experienced time-management challenges like never before. Balancing a growing and rapidly expanding business AND two kids under three aint easy, folks. No matter how easy one might make it seem from the outside. Don't be fooled. My blog took a beating for starters. It's a shadow of its former self but Ive learned to be ok with that. Ive learned to work early. And late. To rationalise every minute of every day. Not take time for granted. I haven't yet learned to relax. Its one of my resolutions for 2012. I have a few others....

Be a better mother to my kids. Be less angry. Spend more quality time with reach of them. Exude inner calm. Rediscover God. Relax. Eat less junk. Put my business out there in person instead of hiding away online...

I have big plans for 2012. Some of them include this space, my space. A space I want to use to showcase the creative talents of others. To inspire. To unleash the inner crafty-goddess in YOU, folks! Stay tuned...

I gave Bubby Makes Three the business twelve months of my time to see if I could make it work. And I'll be damned if I haven't made it work! My 12 months is up at the end of January but I already know it's here to stay. There are so many places I want to take it, so many opportunities to explore. And I love it, pure and simple.

Folks, thankyou for being here for me this year. For sticking around, supporting me, offering words of advice and encouragement where needed. Lifting my spirits. Bolstering my confidence. I adore each and every one of you who visit and leave me little notes. One of my resolutions for 2012 will be to improve my responding to you in a more timely and consistent manner, I'm kinda crap at that!

I wish you all a safe, happy and joyous Christmas. See you in the New Year

All my love.

xx

I leave you with this image - this is the sort of stuff that justifies the working til midnight for weeks on end tearing strips of fabric and tying knots in wreath after wreath after wreath... image by Pure Photography. Wreath by Bubby Makes Three!!
Wish I'd done something similar with MY kids! Maybe next year....

Handmade Gift Idea for <$5

2011-12-21T09:10:00.001+11:00

The night before I sent Fern off to preschool for the last time this year (she goes once a week) I had a mild panic attack. My best intentions to gift her wonderful, caring teachers with something thoughtful were looking a little bleak. What to do? I couldn't send her with nothing, just couldn't!

But never fear. My never-fail, so quick its almost criminal recipe for 'nanna cookies', pilfered from last year's "Afternoon Tea" recipe book by Frankie magazine saved the day... and with a little creativity, some bits from my craft-box and a $4 glass jar from Coles, I came up with this:

So easy!

Bake cookies.

Find a bit of leftover wrapping paper and cut to wrap around glass jar. Fix with sticky-tape.

Wrap a paper doily around top of jar and affix with ribbon, string or (in my case) piping cord. Slip a candy cane and gift-tag (a Dulux sample-card) to the top and give away with pride!

Fern's teachers seemed well-pleased. Perhaps they were being polite. No matter!

What did YOU gift the kid's teachers this year? Do you gift them anything at all - or am I being the world's sulkiest parent in doing so?!

She of no Christmas Tree....

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000+11:00

This year, I have no Christmas tree. Nothing. Nada. Nothing with which to place presents under; nothing twinkling from fairy-lit branches groaning from the weight of glass baubles. No folks, this year my home is almost barren of Christmas decoration!

To be honest, I had serious misgivings about having a Christmas tree long before I dragged the box out while my son was sleeping at the beginning of December. When I pulled the bag of decorations out and onto the kitchen table, I felt nervous.

At the same age, I was able to wedge the tree behind two armchairs so that my daughter could look... but not touch. And it worked, for the better part. But I know boy-o better than that. The boy can leap tall buildings with a single bound; Ive seen him do it. And an armchair would be simply a launching pad to greater heights. No, short of suspending the tree from the roof there is no option to have it at ground and intact 5 minuteds later.

With apprehension, I added a few wayward felt decorations to the tree. Maybe I could get away with a minimal approach this year?

But I knew better.

And sure enough. Once sonny-boy awoke from his afternoon slumber he was like a bee to the honeypot. Decorations as far as the eye could see. Christmas lights wrapped around little neck.

Glass baubles - ones carefully brought back from Europe years ago - smashed into smithereens. The kitchen table, as it would turn out, was not high enough.

And the tree? Within 24 hours, knocked to the ground, decorations spilling under every piece of furniture.

So, I packed it all away. Call me a defeatist. But I could not think of what else to do!

But there was plenty I could have done of course, much more creative than the glass hurricane vessel of colourful baubles I've arranged on the table as a Christmas compromise. But how am I to lay the presents on Christmas eve out on the kitchen table under a hurricane vessel?!
I ask you.

Too late, I discovered some alternatives I should have considered. That maybe next year I WILL consider. But next year is next year. Maybe my son will have matured. Maybe my son will have lost interest. Maybe my son will have moved on from his relentless passion for destruction. And maybe pigs will fly.

If you are in the same predicament, you too might gain some inspiration from some of these alternatives to the 'traditional' notion of a Christmas tree. All of which you can make yourself. All of which you can find here:

What say you? Do your young kids allow a Christmas tree to sit unscathed on your living room floor? Or are you forced to seek alternatives like moi? Do share!! xx

An imystery...

2011-12-14T09:13:00.002+11:00

As I was downloading pics and movies from my iphone yesterday, I discovered something more than a little bizarre:

And to be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no clue how these images got onto my phone OR who the UFO (unidentified foreign objects) got there in the pictures!! I am not aware of any special software on my phone that would add such an embellishment to my images?! Perhaps it was my husband, but I didn't even know he could turn my phone on let along manipulate images in this way?? Its an imystery to me...

On an inote, however, I do find it mildly amusing that my not-quite-three year old can turn both the iphone and the ipad on without assistance, scroll across until she finds the app she is searching for and use it like she's been doing it all her life. The ipad in particular is her fave, she has asked for one for xmas (not happening) and is addicted to the talking books and the Tinkerbell app in particular. Have you seen that one? It has a talking Tinkerbell that repeats what you say and is where Fern discovered her first joke. Randomly, my daughter asked,

"mum? What did the bumble bee say to the flower?"

I said, "I don't know Fern. What did the bumblebee say to the flower?"

"Hello honey!" my daughter cackled.

And just like that, my two year old told her first joke.

Yes, my daughter wants her own ipad. And to think I didnt even own my first mobile phone until I was 22!

Are your kids isavvy? What are your favy apps? Have you ever discovered something totally random on your phone -- do share!!

Christmas Rocky Road...

2011-12-12T07:29:00.001+11:00

Every year around Christmas, I like to have a go at cooking something I've never tried before. Nothing savoury, of course... just the sweet stuff. Leave the turkeys to someone else, I say!
Reindeer Cupcakes. Christmas Pud...

... and this year?

ROCKY ROAD!

I love rocky road, and was inspired to make some when my husband suggested I whip-up a cheesecake to feed the troops at his staff Christmas party on Saturday night. A cheesecake? Was he kidding me? With two children under three, consecutive rainy days, 87 loads of washing everywhere and 4700 Christmas orders to make, walking on the moon seemed more appropriate than making a cheesecake.

Rocky Road, on the other hand? Can-do! It's super duper easy peasy, and the best thing is you really can't go wrong. Aside from the melting chocolate part - and if you are careful and take a sloooooooow approach to that, not a problem!

My Christmas Rocky Road consisted of all the fun stuff I deny myself otherwise, was about a billion calories per square and was.quite.fabulous. I've eaten my own bodyweight already, and still want more.

Want to have a go yourself?

Here's my own recipe:

Ingredients

500g of cooking chocolate (choose the most premium one you can find - I used one milk and one dark just for fun)

3/4 packet of marshmallows (chop these)

A large packet of Smarties

275g of Fry's turkish delight (chop this up too)

3/4 packet of unsalted peanuts

... and anything else you have lying around that you think might be fun!

Melt the chocolate and then combine in a bowl with all the other ingredients.

Line a baking tray with some baking paper and scoop it all in.

Stick the tray in the fridge for about half an hour to set.

Get tray out and cut up into delicious morsels or bars (if you intend to gift wrap and give away as pressies).

Make a cup of tea and help yourself to a piece (or seven) of your chocolately goodness. Worry about the calories later. It's Christmas, folks! Enjoy.

and so she (finally) covers a lamp...

2011-12-07T19:29:00.001+11:00

I did it. Only took me 6 weeks to get around to it but folks, I covered me a lamp! Turned out to be (like most crafty endeavors) super-duper easy-peasy and made me wonder why I didn't do it sooner. But she's covered, folks!

I really appreciated the words of wisdom from Anna, Janette and Emily on how to do such a thing but actually when it came to the task and my computer wasn't turned on, I just followed my nose! There are countless covering lamp tutees out there on the web so I won't bore you with my own how-to... I made one teeny tiny mistake and had to discard my first fabric cutting, but second time worked a treat! And so, with nothing more than a bit of fabric, some fabric glue, a hot-glue gun and a bit of trim my black Ikea monstrosity now looks like this:

And I'm happy! Looks all kinds of flabby in my new studio which - yes - I will reveal to you next week. I am happily ensconcing myself in my studio at every available second and I'm like a happy pig in mud! Can't believe it took me 5 years to gat around to it! What crafty endeavours have you got up to this week??

pssssssst - I'm on Sale!!

2011-12-06T09:15:00.001+11:00

Howdy folks! Just a quick little pop-in to politely enquire as to whether you follow moi on Facebook? If not, perhaps today could be the day if you want to score yourself an exclusive discount on the entire Bubby Makes Three range? My 'spot sale' is for just 24 hours and ends tomorrow morning 9am December 7, 2011. Find out more by visiting my Facebook page and HURRY -- I will not be having another store-wide sale this year! xx

Baby Bird Onesie available for $19 in store now

Gingerbread man baby onesie $19 in store now

A little Christmas Frivolity for you...

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000+11:00

Happy Monday, folks! Did you put up your Christmas tree over the weekend? We bravely did -- though I only have about 8 decorations on mine and they are all only on the top couple of branches! Elliott and Fern broke 3 glass baubles (you know, the handblown ones I picked up on my travels through Europe -- easily replaceable NOT) before I had a chance to remove them from the kitchen table. They were in a box, but that didn't stop them. I unpacked the felt and plastic ones only and the rest are still in boxes on the kitchen table because I can't bring myself to pack them away! And to think it was only a few years ago my tree was all silver and clear glass decorations only -- these days I have techno, multicoloured LED lights blinking merrily and I wouldn't have it any other way!

This morning I got up to discover Elliott wrapped in lights from the Christmas tree... oooops.

Anyway, 8 decorations or not, the tree is UP and that's good enough for me!

We took the kids to get their Santa photo yesterday. Elliott wore this bow- tie, (which coincidently was featured on the front page of Etsy on Friday and made me dance with joy - front page of Etsy, are you kidding me?!):

Bubby Makes Three - available here

... and Ferny wore this top, with a matching polka dot skirt:

by Bubby Makes Three. Available here

... and they both looked tres adorable, even if I DO say so myself!

The wreath is on the door and it MUST be Christmas, because I am literally surrounded by thousands of pieces of torn fabric at the moment filling wreath orders... I had to withdraw the wreath from my stores because I simply could not fill any more! Here's the latest to materialise from my studio (which, by the way is now complete complete complete and is completely rocking my world -- reveal to come very very shortly, I promise!!) Next year I'll start making those wreaths in September!

I havn't even thought about - let alone started - my Xmas shopping. I'm not panicking.... ok, I am. A bit.

But I want to leave you today with a special little something I prepared just for you. Merry Christmas!!

Click here to view. It's worth it, I promise. xx

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/p2QTGI7C0L9GjKfL?cmpid=jj_url

Guest Blogging on Madeit!

2011-11-30T22:42:00.001+11:00

Today I am guest blogging over on Madeit -- featuring a range of 'Summer' themed gift picks for the xmas season! I had a lot of fun choosing my picks from the gaggle of talented Aussie designers on Madeit... do check them out!

Here's a little sampler of my picks, click on the link above to view the rest! What handmade goodies have knocked your socks off lately? xx

You are my sunshine print

Beach bag

Pencil case in whale love

Is there such a thing as too MUCH confidence?

2011-11-30T06:15:00.001+11:00

When you were a child, did you like to take risks? You know - leap from tall buildings to see if you could fly... perform a 'death drop' from the school monkey bars... leap from the rock shelf at the beach into the incoming waves...

did you?

My daughter is not generally a risk-taker. She tends to trip over her own feet. A lot. Its all she can do to keep upright at the best of times. She will often trip over and hit with the floor with such a thud that I swear I must have left a banana skin lying around. But no, she's tripped "over the floorboards, mum!"

Earlier this year, I enrolled Fern into Kinder-gymnastics. Turns out the be the best thing I ever did for her. The girl who cannot walk without tripping over can now walk along a balance beam a metre above the floor holding onto just one finger! She climbs and sommersaults and jumps and leaps with gusto while I watch on with muchos-mummy-pride. Gymnastics has given my daughter confidence. And she just plain loves it. So do I -- I'm secretly looking into adults classes!

But is there such a thing as too MUCH confidence? Since when did my bedhead become a launching pad and the matress a foam-pit? I have the emergency ward on speed dial. Just in case.

and now, back to (my) studio! The built-in desk post...

2011-11-24T07:13:00.001+11:00

Despite the fact that my entire house has been shrouded with 'builders white dust' as I like to call it (and I have long before come to the realisation that it doesnt matter what TYPE of building works you are getting done, or where in the room it is, or even whether its outside) you are STILL GOING TO HAVE WHITE DUST FROM ONE END OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER), I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel for moving into my little studio! In fact, the light is getting brighter because Ive booked for the carpet to be laid next Wednesday which gives me exactly 6 days in which to sand the gyprock, prime and paint all the walls and roof, tile the bathroom and get the lights put in! eeeeeeek.

Last weekend, my husband disappeared off to Bunnings and returned with all manner of power-equipment I wouldn't pretend to know the name of. He also brought back with him some rather large planks of wood. There was a lot of noise emanating from downstairs for the next couple of hours but at the end? Check it:

My own built.in.desssssssssssk!

Roughly 2100x2050 and she's lovely. No legs and seemingly floating against the wall. If you craft, I know you need no explanation about why I should need such a large desktop. Craft spreads. Like builders white dust from one end of the house to the other! I have not seen the top of my kitchen table for literally months. My husband has been good about it, but it is driving ME crazy! I had no choice, my children insist on having a bedroom each and I didnt fancy working in the laundry! No folks, my current bm3 studio is my kitchen table and I won't pretend I havn't dreamed of something more for the better part of a year now as I come to the realisation that this is what I want to do. Like, for a long time.

And now I can!

Despite my intentions to work minimally and only have about the project I am currently working on, but I know myself too well and within hours I'll have 400 bits of fabric, 2000 buttons and goodness knows what else covering the surface of that table, but who cares? It will be mine mine mine and guests most definitely will not be wanting dinner parties from the top of it!

This weekend will be a painting marathon (if any of you care to come help me?!) and I'm painting my new desk white (I was considering staining it but my daughter attacked it with both poster-paint and pen within minutes and I think sees herself with her own chair working merrily away while I sew - sounds good to me!). I'll need a new chair which I will have to pretend I've had for ages as I am sure my husband wont understand why I cant use one of the twenty I have parked away in the garage. I like this one:

No, it's not practical and it doesn't swivel. But pfffffft to practicality! I'm a shameless Eames girl, and I've always loved that chair. A replica from Matt Blatt will set me back <$200 which sounds reasonable to me -- I might just do it and deal with the marital consequences later! Although there is this one, too which could be kinda fun...

Anyway, better fly -- typing does not = painting and I've got work to do!!

Have a great weekend xx

Xmas Ideas for the Crafty Cow

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000+11:00

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a splendid weekend... today, I'm lusting over these finds which I thought I'd share with you -- my picks for handmade Xmas ideas for the 'crafty cows' in your life! I especially love the little vintage-inspired pincushion, what a great idea!

pincushion in a teacup. $28 here

"Let's so" embroidery. $29 here

Metal storage box. $3 here.

Babushka knitting needles. $40 here

Made with Love stamp. $8.50 here

Kawaii fabric covered buttons. $5 here

Craft box. $30 here

What have you 'discovered' in the world of handmade lately?

And now, back to (my!) studio...

2011-11-17T22:09:00.001+11:00

Hey guys! How has been the week that was? As usual mine has flown at the speed of light -- where does time go? Firstly, can I thank everyone who gave me some great advice re re-covering my lamp; I dont feel nearly as intimidated now! Gonna try to give it a try over the weekend! But today I wanted to share with with you a little studio update!

A lot has happened since my last post and my previously hideously rat-infested back-of-garage room now has the distinct resemblance of a studio, a bedroom and a little bathroom! The studio space is going to be small -- about 2x3 metres in total, which isn't large by any means. But its a damn sight larger than the kitchen table, I can assure you!

My husband is dreaming up the makings of a built-in wraparound desk so I have plenty of counter-top on which to work (I do tend to spread myself about) and I'm planning lots of pigeon holes underneath and shelves above the desk in which to hold all my stuff. The walls have gone up. I've ordered the carpet. And now I have a week-and-a-half to finish the gyprocking, install the sliding doors between the studio and bedroom and into the bathroom, do all the priming and painting, tile the bathroom, and finish the electrical before my carpet arrives and is installed! Eeeeek!

Here's some (really bad) pics so you can see the progress:

looking from the long end past my studio (its got a half wall and no door into my space; didnt want to close it all in... and into the new bedroom

my studio! Not using that desk, just there to measure depth. And the door is just leaning there for support! Don't you love my awesome pics?! ;)

the rumpus/ spare bedroom and ensuite!

What are you up to over the weekend? Me -- I'll be making lots of bm3 orders and hopefully catching the latest Twilight flick. There, I said it. Im a closet Twi-hard ;)

How the heck do you recover a lamp?

2011-11-15T06:36:00.001+11:00

You know what happens.... you spy an amazing image somewhere about, like this one:

love everything about this shot. Not sure where I saw it, but Im thinking it might have been from Absolutely Beautiful Things... it screams Anna Spiro, don't you think?

... and in a moment of gloriously carefree optimism you decide 'hey. I can do that' and find yourself digitally scanning your Visa to buy a piece of designer fabric like - oh - this one:

... and decide to recover yourself a lamp. In my head I saw a gorgeously glossy white organic shaped base with this Heather Bailey fabric wrapped around the shade. My upcycled and altogether inspiring lamp would jauntily perch on my new studio desk, lighting up my work until the wee hours and I would glance at it every so often, patting myself with pride.

But now I have the fabric (which really is lovely) and a lamp, which is actually one from Ikea and is jet black. I mean, how do I intend to get a black lamp.... white? Can I get away with spray painting it, and even if I can, what did I intend to do with the black cord!!?

And so now I am in a quandry. I havn't quite given up on my dreams of a recovered lamp, but for now its in my too-hard pile. I quite simply dont know where to start. Im intimidated, folks!

Have you ever recovered an old lamp? How did you do it?!? Do I need special glue? Will any ole spray paint do the job? Your feedback appreciated!

Like the Book? Buy the Fabric!

2011-11-12T18:39:00.001+11:00

One day recently as I was idly browsing Amazon for crafty book inspiration, I spied some eye-candy in the form of this tome:

If pictures speak 1000 words... need I even go on? Needless to say, I bought it. Immediately.

Girl's World by Jennifer Paganelli offers some glorious sewers-porn in the form of patterns: girl's dresses, fairy skirts, hair accessories, cushions and all things girlie. All beautifully photographed and presented in a hard-cover complete with hot-pink ribbon tie. With the most divine fabrics to drool over on every page.

I mean.

Jennifer is American though, and I've never even seen this gorgeous book on local bookshelves. You can therefore imagine my excitement when I discovered today that new local online Fabric Emporium Fabric Traders stocks Jennifer Paganelli fabrics!!!

The best thing is you can mix and match from pretty much any in the range and you can't go wrong...

Pretty reasonably priced too at $14 a metre; and I'll be grabbing these ones to make some Summer dresses with for bm3... and for Fern too.

Do your eyes glaze over at the sight of fabric swatches? Or do you too look at colours and patterns like a big juicy hamburger?! Do tell!

Happy weekend.....

bm3 in the press!

2011-11-10T06:47:00.002+11:00

Hello peeps! This is my first check-in for the week... I've been down n out with the dreadful lurgy and had my head buried in a bucket for the better part of two days... I've also been inundated with Xmas wreath orders -- I actually need to source more rings as I've sold every one I could get my hands on! Loving doing something a bit different though.

Anyway, I had to pop quickly by and share with you some press - some magazine press - bm3 has received this last week! Check out page dddd of the Summer edition of Shop4Kids! I am very excited, not the least because my work is in a magazine but because the lovely Danielle from Shop4Kids actually contacted me out of the blue and asked if they could use my baby boy bow ties in their photo shoot! I buy every issue of Shop anyway for the kiddy eye-candy and shopping inspiration so I am thrilled thrilled thrilled to be included.

dreadful pic - taken with my iphone! Check out the kid on the right page wearing his bm3 bow-tie!

I have been so blessed this year to have had some incredible coverage and mentions of my work, including:

Apartment Therapy Ohdeedoh
Handmade Cooperative
Kid Independent
Shop Contemporary Handmade
The Style Collective
Style my Child
The Happy Home

I really woudnt even have a business without the support of the handmade community... so thankyou!!

ps. I have a new catalogue of bow-ties available for Xmas in my madeit store:

I picture these being sported by little boys (and their dads?!) at santa photo shoots, end of year concerts and parties, christmas parties and everywhere in between! Dan and Elliott will be wearing their matching their matching reindeer bow-ties for their santa photo next weekend!

$14 each (or 2 for $25 -- just message me) and giftwrapped as per last pic.

I have a very sweet little boy and girl's onesie and singlet coming later today to my store. Oh how I love Christmas!!

Christmas at bm3... a sneaky peek

2011-11-03T06:00:00.000+11:00

Folks, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Toys in every store, and all that stuff. Myer has had their Xmas display up so long I'm starting to scour for their Easter Egg range!!

Anyway, it seems only fitting to get my butt into gear and add some festive cheer to bm3!

Today, I'd like to show you something special I've been working on; ok it's not for kids specifically, but I couldn't stop myself making something special for the home this year -- something modern, eclectic, Australian, and with the capability to be displayed with pride all YEAR ROUND! I'm keeping one to hang in my studio (which - by the way is coming on very nicely -- updates and pics next week!).

I actually wasn't intending on selling these but put this one up in my Madeit store on a whim yesterday afternoon... and it sold pretty much straight away! So, here it is. The first of my exclusive range of Christmas wreaths!

My wreaths are constructed on a large 30cm round wire and feature hundreds of torn strips of vibrant designer fabric. A dainty bird perches in the centre with vintage crochet and button detailing and is tied with a yellow ribbon. A piece of grosgrain is tied to the bottom of the wreath.

The wreath can be customised to your preferred colour palette if my modern hues are not to your taste! Just let me know what you'd like!

$40 + $10p&h in my Madeit store or email bubbymakesthree@yahoo.com with any questions you have!

I'd love to know what you think of my wreath -- TOO modern... or just right for a modern Aussie gal this xmas? xx

Cushions... a skirt... and a little girl's dress!

2011-11-02T15:00:00.000+11:00

Remember this post where I showed you my birthday gift of a handmade skirt and set of matching cushions using some gorgeous Kokka fabric? The inside of my reversible skirt is the same vibrant purple polka dots as the waistband.

Here's a reminder:

the skirt

the cushions

Well, Lesley my MIL thought... why not add a little matching dress for Fern to the mix?!

Well, why not indeed? I really love the little ruffled crossover at the back -- might have to steal that idea for bm3! I wonder if there is enough material left to make a little pair of shorts for Elliott?!!?

The Glitz & Glamour of Motherhood... pt 674

2011-11-01T22:11:00.002+11:00

Today was Melbourne Cup day! I was invited to a fancy charity afternoon tea complete with fancy frocks, stilettos, champagne, strawberries... you know, all that stuff.

I didn't make it.

No folks, I had something far far more glamorous to attend.

I've talked previously about how glitzy and glamorous motherhood is.

Well it is, isn't it?

This afternoon was no exception. I picked up Fern from preschool and headed home, for once organised enough to have rice precooked and in the fridge ready for making fried rice for dinner (normally I consider dinner about 12 minutes before it needs to be served) and was feeling rather good about making it to the gym for a 6.30pm class.

We arrived home and I asked Fern if she needed to go to the toilet. Strangely, my daughter seems to have stage fright, and will not do - ahem - number two's at school. No - despite the fact I am paying someone else to deal with toileting angst once a week, Fern prefers to wait until she is in the sanctum of her own bathroom to do her business. And whatevs.

But no, Fern didn't need to go.

Except I knew better.

And - over dinner - my mother's intuition and expert nose caught a bouquet of something untoward. I looked toward Elliott, because he is renowned for the ole dinner sneaky-poo.

But it wasn't him.

Suspiciously, I pulled the back of Fern's skirt back to have a look, and as I did something frightful came away in my hand.

O.M.G

O.M.G

Elliott was completely covered in food as usual. I grabbed both children and made way for the bathroom. As I peeled clothes off, the catastrophe went from bad to worse. I mean, without being too graphical about this I have never. ever. seen so much you-know-what in my entire life. It was so bad, all three of us had to jump in the shower together.

It was so bad, it spread all over the shower.

So bad, there were bits on Fern's shoulders.

So bad, it was in Elliott's hair.

So bad, I used an entire container of Body Shop strawberry scrub to get rid of the smell.

So bad, I had to wait in the shower for half an hour with both kids until Dan came home to carry the kids out.

Half a bottle of disinfectant, three quarters of a spray-bottle of BAM, three cloth nappies and a pair of rubber-gloves later I emerged from the bathroom.

It was 7pm.

Needless to say, I did not make it to the gym.

Glitz. Glamour. You have not experienced either until you are naked and wet from the shower, down on your hands and knees with an old cloth nappy, scubbing poo from the floor while your childless friends are at parties, sipping champagne from crystal flutes...

Little Miss innocent.......

How bout you? Did you frock up and watch the gg's? Hopefully your afternoon was somewhat more 'glam' than mine!!

Look Who's Walking Now?

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000+11:00

So... last week I believe I may have voiced my concern re: boy-o's wanton ambivalence toward the practice of getting about on two, rather than four limbs. And I really was concerned.

Turns out I needn't have been.

Yesterday, my son stood up and took five steps.

No fanfare. No fuss. Like he's been doing it all along. And perhaps -- just like that character Andy in Little Britain - you know, the one meant to be a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, who can leap out and swim the English channel when his carer's back is turned... perhaps my son has been practicing when my back is turned, secretly laughing behind his grubby little hand all the while I carry him about when he should.have.been.walking.

No matter.

Boy-o is officially on the move.

And about time, too!

My Lil Fairy...

2011-10-27T22:14:00.001+11:00

May I share with you my latest creation? While my lil Fern and Elliott slumbered this afternoon, I made short work of a stiff piece of gorgeously turquoise tulle, some large sequins, a pastel-pink singlet, a bit of crochet and a curl of ribbon to make...

A little fairy singlet!

I've been adding little decorated singlets and bloomer sets to my stores progressively over the last few weeks in time for Summer, and this little fairy-singlet is my latest creation! It's designed to look rustic and handmade, with oversized handcut wings sewn onto the singlet and some of my trademark crochet sewn onto the front of the garment with some pretty grosgrain. A pretty little top for a pretty little girl.

And when Fern woke up and I presented one to her, she was delighted. She ran madly about the backyard, fairy-wand in hand, singing to herself and showing me her 'little fairies she caught in the palm of her hand.

Here's a view of the back of the singlet:

And a view of the front:

What do you think? Do you want one in your size? I do! And a fairy wand, too!

In store. Tomorrow. :)

He who will not walk.

2011-10-25T22:53:00.000+11:00

"Boy-o does not walk.

Well, to be fair he does, but only if he's holding onto something. Like my finger. Or the furniture.

But most of the time, he's content to crawl.

And the irony is not lost on me that at six months, I was bragging my head off to anyone who would listen (including you -- sorry, folks!) that my son would be walking within weeks! At six months, my son was crawling. Standing before seven months.

Surely - surely walking would be the next logical step?

It appears not.

Boy-o, as it turns out, is an incredibly efficient crawler. He's fast. I (who was once the Nunawading Little Athletics under-sevens champion - I'm just saying) once got down and raced him just to see how good he really is. He beat me to the line with no sweat at all.

Fast.

Worriedly, I asked a doctor as his 12-month weigh-in (disguised as an immunisation) whether it was normal not to be walking. My daughter-o didn't crawl til 9 months and even SHE was walking by 13 months.

The Doctor smiled indulgently and told me no, there was nothing wrong with his legs and no, I probably didn't need intervention. Yet.

When Elliott was 10 months old I went to get a skin-cancer check (gotta be careful!) and something the nurse said has stuck with me.

Upon witnessing my son tear his way across the surgery on his hands and knees in half a second flat to grab the scalpel placed seemingly out of his chubby-baby-pawed-reach, she said "you know, I bet your little boy will be a late walker".

"Why do you say that?" I said.

"Because look how good he is at crawling", she said. "He has no need to walk."

And at the time, I took little stock.

But now, Im sitting up and taking notice. Because unfortunately there seems to be little Elliott can't do that he could do if he was walking: He climbs up and down stairs and onto the lounge and our bed and can get out of the bath if he desires. He can make his way out of the house and up the stairs and over the grass and into the cubby before I even notice he's missing!

No folks, my son has decided he has no desire or need to walk.

And so he doesn't.

Why should he? He knows if he stands holding onto my knees screaming up at me he'll get picked up... sooner or later. Little bugger. And crawling is so easy to him. Walking is scary apparently -- and he hasn't quite worked out that you can bend your legs when you take steps. He prefers to walk stiff as a board with one paw wrapped firmly around your finger for support. I mean, how much support can you get from one finger?! But the second you let that finger, BAM! He hits the deck in a panic.

At what point should I be worried? He's only 14 months now, but will my son be crawling into University lectures if I don't intervene... ?

I'd love your own experiences on this -- when did your child walk and were you worried about it? Am I going to be laughing at myself worrying about this in 3 months time?!!? Do share! xx

Elliott and Dan. Not walking. Not a problem!

Studio Lighting

2011-10-20T22:43:00.003+11:00

I've decided, folks. As much as I would love to claim the whole gigantic (well, gigantic compared to the kitchen table) space downstairs as Bubby Makes Three headquarters... I can't do it. We simply need an extra space for the kids. And an option for when people come to stay. Which admittedly isn't often, but often enough to make pulling sheets onto the lounge annoying.

And so. My space downstairs is in fact going to be two rooms, connected by a sliding door and with the addition of a little 'powder' room as well.

A little studio! To call my very own! So excited.

But as usual, I am drilling down on all the finer details (like what sort of pencil tin to sit prettily on my new desk, and what artwork to hang on the wall) before I contemplate the boring stuff like measurements and where the hell the plumbing connects to and so on. I found myself on Etsy last night, researching prints. I want one that says "love what you do, do what you love" Its kinda my mantra and motto.

And then yesterday I picked up my new lights.

No, I haven't booked an electrician.

No, I don't even have the space divided yet into two rooms.

But I have my lights, folks and the rest will work itself around it!

My studio light? I purchased this one:

bought here

It's a fancy office light granted, but what the hey. I want a light, bright, white studio space with pops of yellow, green and turquoise and I thought this light would work a treat! And I plan to team it with a desk lamp that I am repurposing from an existing Ikea lamp I own -- but I'll save that for another blog post!!

And the playroom/ spare room light I chose is this one (the one on the far left):

It is a bit more sophisticated and soft and will match the chocolate carpet I'm putting down on the floor. Chocolate + kids = smart.choice.

And so, its officially begun, folks! Studio bm3 -- here I come!!!!

Have a lovely weekend, do tell me what you'll be getting up to, its gonna be sunny! x

Wordless Wednesday: "Keep your eyes on your (small) fries!

2011-10-19T09:16:00.002+11:00

Fern's 'face art'.
Can you believe I was only sitting about a metre away (behind a wall) while this occurred?
Why is there never backup to assist when this happens?!

A 1st Birthday 'Teddy Bear's Picnic!'

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000+11:00

A few weeks ago, my darling, honeycomb-breathed, sometimes-cranky-pants son turned one. And what better a way to celebrate... than with a Teddy Bear's Picnic? My son Elliott was given a flat-out bear the day he was born which lay inside his capsule with him in the hospital and then in his cot when we came home thereafter. It has been in his arms ever since. I've talked about these miracle bears before, here and here but really they are worth their weight in gold. Or have been for us, anyway. And so. A tribute to Elli-Boo's love for his teddy it was!

then...

... and now

We held it up at Dan's parents' property because ~~they could clean up afterward~~ it is huge, beautiful, filled with flowers and animals and is altogether the perfect place for mums and dads to relax in the knowledge their children could run madly-about filled with cake and not do any damage!

Everyone was to bring a teddy-bear... of course! I wanted a picture of all the kids nestled on the picnic blankets holding their teddies but um, what was I thinking?! Good luck with that!

my dad...

We held the entire party outside which could have gone either way - but fortunately we were blessed with fine weather! Instead of running back and forth to the oven, we bought a big pile of pizza bases from a supplier and used an outdoor pizza oven to feed the masses. Worked a treat except that my poor mother in law and husband were stuck in front of a pizza oven all afternoon!

There were other party treats, of course...

Prior to the party, I whipped up an outdoor kids teepee and stuck it out in the middle of the grass with picnic blankets, a vintage cane pram, some cushions and lots of teddy bears, of course! There was also a $12 catarpillar tunnel which of course was a complete hit -- much more so than the tent I laboured over for days!!

The birthday boy
Before the party, I made Elliott a little "Scrabble tile" tee that read "Elliott Daniel is One" (forgot to get a good pic of this, oooops.) I also made matching father-son teddy-bear bow ties! Unfortunately, the birthday boy was a little out of sorts and was not up for family portraiture... this is the best I've got that can show you his costume!

Some of The little stuff
Just because clearly I had too much time on my hands, I bought some wooden teddy bear shapes I found in Spotlight for a few $$, attached some bamboo skewers and painted them with chalkboard paint. I then stuck them in paper cups and drew little messages for the kids on them for the party...

The kids loved the 'decorate a cupcake' stand...

I stuck some little yellow teddy puffy-bits I found at a craft store on some party hats...

Wondering what to do with all those 'monthly pic' pics you take? Well, I had mine all printed out and then laminated them, stringing them up like bunting at the party!

I hired a face-painter just for the fun of it... Elliott got a little teddy-bear drawn on his cheek but it only lasted about 5 minutes... oh well.

I bought some brown noodle-boxes and filled them with tiny-teddies biscuits (of course!), a few lollies and a couple of gimmicky-toys... ran out of inspiration (and time!) on the party boxes, folks! I printed a picture of Elliott and stuck it onto the front then tied the boxes with red grosgrain ribbon...

The cake
I had our friends from Bremen Patisserie make a large, flat teddy bear out of cake to look like Elli's flat-out bear. I think they did a really good job! On it, I added a string of cake-bunting I made and handstamped with Elliott's name from a tutorial I found here. I also made some 3D chocolate teddy bears, which you can just make out in front of the cake and which didn't quite pan out -- mine didn't quite look like the ones I saw on Etsy when I bought the instructions! Still, I added them and tied some red ribbon around their necks... surprisingly, the kids loved them and gobbled them up before I had a chance to tell them that fondant does not taste quite as good as it looks! The cake was yum. Well, that's the word on the street, anyhow. My son liked it, clearly. As did the other kids. But after the party, the family border-collie thought she would have a go, too and made short work of what was left! Doh...

elli and Auntie Louise, who flew in from Brisbane just to surprise me. And I was surprised!

Some random beautiful images that captured the day:

I hope you enjoyed Elliott's first birthday party..... x

Tomorrow's the day the Teddy Bears Have their picnic!

2011-10-16T20:26:00.003+11:00

Tomorrow, folks. The pics from Elliott's first birthday Teddy Bear's Picnic!! Until then...

Dance like noone is watching....

2011-10-13T22:27:00.004+11:00

Sometimes, I wish I could be two again. To take joy from the simplest of pleasures. To be uninhibited. run and dance like noone is watching. Oh to be two again...

Coordinating homewares with fashion!

2011-10-12T08:53:00.001+11:00

At the Kelani stand at the Craft & Stitches show a few months back, (you know, where I remortgaged the house to buy almost every bit of fabric on show) my crafty mother-in-law snaffled the most di-viiine pieces of fabric with which to make me a skirt. I helped choose. But it was hard; I liked pretty much everything at the store. I love colour though, and in the end the vibrant hues of this fabric won me over.

And on my birthday last week, my skirt materialised! (pardon the pun)

It's a wrap-around number that can be worn on either side of the fabric (it is purple polka dots on the inside - perfect for a more flamboyant occasion), and I think it rather lovely!

But out of the gift-bag came an added little bonus... a pair of matching cushions!

And now, I can sit on the couch in my new skirt, gorgeously coordinating with my soft furnishings... I mean. Could I ask anything more?

Please ignore the dreadful model -- but what do you think of the fabric? Would it be rude to want a matching fabric-covered canvas, too?!

x

My birthday in snaps

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000+11:00

Last week I turned 35. Yes, 35. I don't feel old but I think I must be -- it took a friend on Facebook to politely remind me that I was not turning 36 as I genuinely thought. I had to get a calculator to check. Oops, they were right. I mean, when you can't work out your own age using your fingers, you are getting on, non?

Anyway.

35.

When you've got two fiesty kids under 3, you don't have a lot of time to lament the fading memory of your 20's...

This year, I celebrated my birthday with my little family. We went out for lunch. Ate chippies. Shared a milkshake. Dripped melting icecream everywhere. And I stole an hour or so at the shops to buy myself a few little treaties. Mostly clothes. Highly overdue. And to my surprised pleasure, the realisation that this season is about colour. Oh joyous COLOUR is back, folks! So I went a little mental. And somehow I now have a lot of mustard in my wardrobe. Mustard on mustard. With some subtle undertones of salmon pink and turquoise.

Colour.

Oh happy days!

Amongst my gifts, I scored a (colourful!) Fossil purse and handbag and little Summer dress from Dan, and a handmade skirt with matching cushions (match your outfit to your homewares - now there's another post!) from my MIL which I must share with you later this week...

Here's a few happy-snappys..... have a great week!

yes, Fern is sporting socks with her sandals. No, it wasn't my idea..... Mustard pants. See?

me, Elli-Boo and Ferny share a strawberry milkshake...

My daughter is a tiny bit cute with a sandwich as large as her...

Me and the kiddies.

who needs a double-pram? The kids share a moment...

I scream, you scream....... check out Elli eating the side of his. You can guess how THAT ended! ;)

Go ahead, make my (birth)day!

2011-10-06T16:08:00.002+11:00

I love my friend Kellie. We used to work together, back when I worked at Council (I was a lolly-pop lady, didn't I tell you? hehehe) and have remained friends thereafter. She's actually Fern's godmother so I reckon we'll be friends for a very long time to come! Anyway, this morning as I toiled blearily-eyed to tidy up my garbage-dump-cum-family-home and simultaneously dress and feed two little kids plus work on my bm3 orders there was a knock on the door. I opened it, to find Kellie. With a gorgeous bunch of flowers. For ME!

It's my birthday tomorrow, but I'm so busy and frazzled that it has barely registered. But Kellie didn't forget. And her flowers (and scarily appropriate b'day card) pretty much made my day.

... and then something else happened that made my day all over. The postman brought with him a little parcel. And in it?

Little woven pieces of magic that turn Bubby Makes Three into a label. I mean, a real LABEL. And I'm excited like its my birthday!!

Oh wait, it is my birthday!

I wonder what my actual birthday will bring??

What made YOUR day today?

x

Ahoy! You there! Master renovator -- I need YOU!

2011-10-05T15:36:00.001+11:00

If you squint your eyes a little bit and use a LOT of imagination..... do you reckon you can visualise this space as a light 'n' bright, gorgeously styled mini-studio, extra bedroom/ kids playroom with ensuite?!

I must admit, I'm finding it difficult. But have I just lost my mojo?

Folks, this ill-used, back-of-double-garage, cockroach infested once-storage room is destined for great things. And soon. Because Bubby Makes Three is literally taking over my house and I literally. cant. cope. any more!!

Its the length of a double garage and a few metres wide (do you love how I have measured it out so accurately?). I can't find my measuring-tape. Fern was 'measuring the lounge' and then it disappeared. Into Fern's abyss. grr.

Yesterday, the space was ransacked. We took everything out - everything that was left from our recent ebay pillage, that is! We ripped up the carpet (I use the term 'carpet' loosely!) and I stood at one end trying to work it all out. And struggled. I'm still struggling.

This is what it looked like before we cleared it out (and bear in mind, I've not let anyone see this room in 5 years so its a big deal for me to be broadcasting this disaster zone across the internet!!)

this end...

...and that end

But once we cleared (most of) it out and I took a Nurafen to clear the headache we were left with this:

Does this look like a beautiful, creative space just waiting to happen?

Help, folks, someone is coming over tomorrow to give me a quote to build walls and plaster bricks and the like, and I have no idea what I'm asking for!

What would you do if this was YOUR space and you needed 3 rooms in one? Got any inspiration you can send me or refer me to?

Thanks in advance!! x

ps. I do have paint. Bought it a few weekends ago. Dulux were giving away a tin of jelly-beans with every 8 ltrs sold. SOLD, folks! Nope, didn't bother with test swatches. Got Dulux Lexicon half-strength just because it looked bright and white and merrily carried it and my tin of jelly beans away from the store. Wondering how long it takes to inhale a tin of jelly-beans? In case you think that is about a years-worth, think again. I literally ate my way through a tin of jelly beans in two weeks flat. Even the black ones. Them I went and had a filling put in my mouth. But it was worth it... damn good jelly beans, they were........ x

Every kids cubby needs one of these... ?

2011-09-29T12:39:00.000+10:00

When I revealed the kids' cubby at the start of this year, I considered it pretty much complete. My husband disagreed. He disappeared out one day and came back hours later with a big plastic bag and a big smile on his face.

I was suspicious.

A large box materialised from the bag. And my husband disappeared to find a shovel. For the next few hours he dug a trench and threaded a rather long cable in my garden.

In the windowsill of my kitchen appeared a little white box with a button on the top. And from up inside the cubby, I could suddenly hear the sound of voices.

Yes folks, the cubby now had an intercom.

One with hidden wires so the kids couldn't meddle with it and so we could 'eavesdrop' on them for giggles whenever the fancy struck.

Dan had a smile from ear to ear; he envisaged the kids ordering vegemite sandwiches from inside the cubby.

Our daughter was two. Our son, about 6 months.

In reality, Fern was terrified of it. So terrifed was she, in fact, that we had to remove the said intercom for a few months. But kids grow...

and now? It's kinda fun.

And sometimes, while Im working away in the kitchen I hear "bzzzzzzz" "bzzzzzzzz"

I click the 'on' button in the intercom.

"Yes, fern? How can I help you?"

"mum?" "mum?"

"yes, Fern?"

"mum?"

"mum?"

"why-does-the-elephant-go-so-slow-mum? mum?"

"I dont know Fern, why does he?"

"because he's so biiiiig!" says my daughter.

And when the kids are in there together, I sometimes sneakily turn the intercom on to hear what they are up to. I like to hear their giggles. Fern's bossiness. "no, bub! Thats mine!" Laughter. The odd tears.

An intercom. For the kids. Yes, definitely for the kids.

Every cubby needs an intercom, non?

The little dress that (almost) wasn't!

2011-09-26T13:42:00.000+10:00

My poor daughter Fern is constantly asking "is that for me?" She's surrounded by my sewing projects and perplexed that few are ever for her. Even my boy's bow ties are held up with hope and a questioning brow - "is this for me? Is it?". Nope, sorry Fern.

So on Saturday I took her to buy some fabric and promised her a dress. A dress all for her very own. A dress that I would whip up while she had her afternoon sleep and present to her by afternoon tea time.

But I should have learnt by now - under promise over deliver.

Would I state on my Etsy site that orders would be made by afternoon tea?!!?

I think not.

But I naively set about the task; in fairness I can normally whip up a quick dress in a couple of hours. But of course - not this time. I had no pattern and was experimenting with a new idea. After two hours of cutting and recutting, sewing and resewing I found myself with a pile of ~~scrap-metal~~ fabric shards and no idea what to do with them.

Fern materialised from her bedroom and enquired about her dress.

I placated her with a packet of my-little-pony biscuits, a bowl of grapes and some bits of crushed ice while I contemplated what to do next.

I considered throwing the lot in the bin. My husband got home and suggested I put it away and try again later. But I knew if I put away this project it would sit in a cupboard until the end of time; there was no way I'd ever come back to it again. So I went back to the drawing board. Actually I went back to my tub of fabric bits and grabbed an old lacy pillowcase with frilly potential. I ripped it apart.

And sat at the sewing machine.

At about 8.30pm I had a dress. Ok, I didn't meet my afternoon tea deadline, but Fern was still pretty chuffed on Sunday morning when I showed her her new frock.

A bit of blue fabric. A recycled pillowcase. A little singlet. A LOT of determination.

And a dress just for my little Fern.

Phew.

This Saturday, I'm grateful for... "oh look!! Bub's up THERE!"

2011-09-24T08:44:00.002+10:00

The joyous simplicity of children.

This Saturday AM, the back doors were open and I was inside getting dressed. My husband and daughter went outside and shared a quiet moment.

They must have been outside for at least a few minutes.

"oh look, bub's up THERE!" my daughter proclaimed suddenly.

"Nicole! Come see!" shouted my husband.

So I came. And I saw.

Elliott was up in the flower pot.

IN. The flower pot.

Quiet. Content. Picking little native daisies one by one. Tasting. Feeling.

He must have been in there a good few minutes before anyone noticed him.

The joyous simplicity of children. This Saturday, I'm grateful for that. x

Why do you blog?

2011-09-22T20:40:00.001+10:00

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up. Isn't it?

For me it's work. And housework. And trying to be a super-mum. Failing miserably. Feeling like I have to blog/ tweet/ Facebook/ Youtube every second to keep up. With what, I don't know. Again, failing miserably.

I love my blog. But this year Ive taken a step back. I used to think constantly about it - what dazzling bit of literary genius I could unleash on a daily basis. worrying about how many followers I had/ didn't have, tweaking with gadgets and gizmos to give myself the 'edge'...

I started my blog three years ago as a way of recording my life and the inspirations I came across along the way. I had given up work and was a bit lost. At the time there were about a tenth of the blogs there are now; I felt like I could keep a grip on the content that was out there and I quickly developed 'friendships' with fellow women on similar paths. At the time, no one else I knew blogged.

Nowadays of course, nearly everyone has some form of blog. Don't they? And where I once felt cozy and warm in the little blogging bubble I often feel like a little fish in an Atlantic sized fish bowl, with barrages upon barrages of information that I can never possibly hope to keep up with no matter how hard I try. And I find the bigger it gets the less I try...

Blogging is harder to keep up with now, don't you think? I mean. There's conferences and national awards and large companies beating down doors to get access to this rapidly expanding inner sanctum of the modern woman. I've been approached by prospective 'sponsors' along the way but a conscious decision I made early on was not to dilate my space with advertisers and advertising. I never started a blog to make money. Money as not a motivating factor for blogging for me at all.

They say in order for information to exist is has to have three forms of backup. Well, if you don't have a personal blog, a Facebook and Twitter account... do you exist? I sometimes wonder...

This year - of course - I started my Bubby Makes Three business. My little Etsy store that started with five sets of bloomers/ singlets and has now grown and expanded in ways I could only have dreamed! It's given me a new focus and creative outlet and has given me a new purpose and vigour for life... I love everything about my little business and the success I have had in such a relatively short time and I have bigger dreams for it that I will share with you later...

People often ask me where I find the time. And the answer is - I don't! The truth is folks, there are only 24 hours in the day. I've got two little kids. And a a business. You can't do it all (I know, I've tried!) and something's gotta give. In some ways for me, its been my blog. I can't give it what I used to but I've stopped feeling guilty about it!

My blog is still here bubbling away in the background and I still have a soft spot for it in my heart... it's just that its taken a backseat to other things. I still blog because I still have things I want to say. To share. To communicate with the outside world. And I still cherish those that take the time to visit. To leave a little comment. To pop me an email. I never get tired of that.

But it's not my sole focus. I want to take time out with my children to feed the ducks. And today folks, I did! With girl's from the original mothers-group I attended with Fern...

why do YOU blog? Do you think the blogging landscape has changed since you started and how? Do you feel you need to 'keep up'? I'd love your thoughts on this!!
x

A bit dotty about this book!

2011-09-20T06:27:00.002+10:00

You know when every now and again, just the cover of a book is enough to have you clicking on Amazon to pre-order immediately? For me this morning, it's the discovery of this book:

... that has me reaching for my credit card! I already stalk Tiff's blog regularly for crafty, arty eye-candy; this woman is seriously inspiring.

dottie angel lives in a run down cottage over looking the sea.

she has two airstream trailers in the yard, one is her studio and the other stores her vast collection of vintage notions... her eight children are home schooled and spend the day outside running barefoot and their evenings sitting by the fireplace, learning ancient crafting technics. they never talk back to their mother and always smile... she has several chickens, seven rescued greyhounds and a bearded dragon named STIG... dottie spends most days dressed in an old vintage slip that belonged to her grandmother, that she customized. she thinks to herself, surely everyone dreams of living this life, or at least dressing like they do...

Tif lives in suburbia, is a Brit, a mother of four kids who talk back and a wife. she wears a customized slip and dreams of living dottie angel's life...

See? I can only find the book here, but I'm hoping I can order from my local bookshop. Like, yesterday if not sooner. What books have you stumbled upon lately that have lifted your spirits?

Lady Marmalade...

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000+10:00

Yesterday - Sunday morning - as it turned out was just plain glorious. And, after a long, cold, wet n windy Winter it felt like heaven. For me there is nothing like a beautiful, Sunny clear day to inspire me to get to action.

Yesterday was no exception. Before lunch (fish and chips on the beach with the kids frolicking naked, just because they could) we managed to have a bacon n eggs bbq brekkie, paint the front stairs and the door/ architraves of our ensuite, clean up outside, hang out two loads of washing and.......

...... make cumquat marmalade!

We have a wee cumquat tree I bought YEARS ago because I was into buying citrus. At the time, we lived on the slope of a mountain under the canopy of gum trees, and pretty much all of my beloved citrus eventually bit the dust. All except my cumquat -- sitting in its large terracotta pot in cheap potting mix, growing slowly but surely; holding on to dear life. When we were in transition between houses, it took up temporary residence at my dads place. After several months of neglect, it was loaded with our belongings into a moving truck and moved to our new house. Deservedly, it was released from its pot-prison and dug into the earthy soil.

And folks, that cumquat celebrated by taking on a life of its own!

I reckon my cumquat must be at least 6 years old now, and she's a beauty!

Every year my cumquat fruits with varying gusto; this year she's bursting at the seams! And for some reason this Sunday, my husband woke up and decided today was the day to make cumquat marmalade. Well, why not?

And so he did.

It's a fairly complex recipe. You need:

Cumquats.
Sugar.

See? Complex.

Dan used a recipe from Stephanie Alexander's The Cook's Companion, but Im sure there's recipes all over the internet. He insisted on collecting the cumquats in a little straw basket, the way he saw truffle hunters in Tuscany do years ago. I'm not kidding. I just took the pictures:

Elliott preferred to EAT the cumquats.

Whole.

I was outside painting the woodwork (as you do) when the actual jam making took place... I think you are meant to soak the cumquats overnight but Dan couldn't wait that long. Ours were soaked for the better part of the day before they were put on the boil. I left Dan to feed the kids dinner while I went over to Coles to buy preserve jars (no, not organised enough to have a store-cupboard of empty jam jars). Our jam was placed in the fridge... we couldn't help ourselves: we made toast with marmalade for desert and it.was.delish. Just the right amount of tart along with juicy sweetness. I think I could eat it out of the jar with a spoon.

I remembered some preserve labels I bought years ago and hastily cut a circle of fabric for the lid like all the cool nannies do:

Cumquat jam, folks! I didnt even make it and I have a chest puffed with pride! Perhaps I'll host a high tea just to bring it out!

Now. If I can only get the lime tree to produce more than 2 limes this season. What will I produce with it?

Have you ever made jam? Is it on your list of things to do-before-you-die?

Have a lovely week!

Fern's Playsuit. Thoughts?

2011-09-14T21:01:00.002+10:00

Folks, I need your constructive feedback... recently, whilst fossicking about in the op-shop for some funky buttons... I found some even funkier patterns. VINTAGE patterns, friends. Of the most adorable children's clothing. Amongst them -- this playsuit:

Needless to say, I had to whip one up. Immediately, if not sooner. And so I did. With my fabby MIL to help me, cos one thing I have never quite been taught is how to decipher vintage patterns ("baste? what the heck is basting"?!). It might look easy, but it kinda wasn't. There are a billion bits to this pattern, and its all beautifully lined inside. After sewing the straps about 200 times (pick - unpick - pick - unpick) I was almost over it, but I reckon the finished product was worth a day of pain. Almost.

In truth , I think this playsuit is pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen. Certainly on my ever-obliging daughter, Fern! With ruffled sleeves, gathered leg holes, mismatching buttons and that delightful "bloomery" shape, I want to make one in every fabric for Fern to get about in this Summer!

But my question to you is --- should I make these for my store? I see them as appropriate from babies to toddlers and beyond (Fern is almost 3!) and would make them in various sizes. I think the suits are cute-as-a-boot but would you buy one for YOUR daughter if you saw one? And if so... how much would you pay for one? I truly want your honest feedback! Obviously there are limitless possibilities for fabrics and Id probably make them in bright colours for Summer. Mismatched buttons optional! Anyway. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance!! x

Daisy chains on a Sunday morning...

2011-09-13T08:57:00.001+10:00

So, it's Sunday morning. Real early. I'm up on top of a mountain with my 2.5 year old daughter - perched by the roadside, sitting on the grass waiting. Daddy is racing his bicycle. He won't be back around for another hour. And, aside from a bottle o water and a packet of Tiny teddys I've brought no entertainment. Hmm that should fill in five minutes... What to do?

But thank goodness nature provides it's own sources of creative entertainment and on this occasion it didn't let me down.Daisy chains, folks. An oldy but a goody.Never loses it's charm, does it?

The flitter flutter of little butterflies.....

2011-09-12T08:00:00.000+10:00

Now that Spring has sprung, I am surrounded by inspiration and - frankly - the washing basket is overflowing, the sink is full of dirty dishes, and I am on a sewing rampage! The poor kids -- at worst I could be considered a neglectful and at best certainly a distracted mother... Elliott has taken to playing with the spices out of the pantry for want of my getting down on the floor to rough-and-tumble with him, but I know he'll forgive me. Being busy makes me happy, and at least I've relaxed my normally nazi-esque housekeeping standards and the kids can run feral just the way they like it?!

Last week, there were little butterflies flitter fluttering all over every surface... I've gone mad about the butterflies, folks. Can't seem to help myself. Today I thought I'd share some of what I've been working on in my shop: they're singlets for Summer. In all colours of the rainbow: soft pink, yellow, green and white cotton singlets with 2 dimensional fluttering butterflies made from a variety of colours and patterned fabrics and felt that actually wave in the breeze! They have little cotton tendrils and each have a little vintage button feature. Szes are from 000-3 (3 in white only) And -- at $15 a pop they're an idea for your xmas gift list? Just a thought. :)

Grab one from my Madeit store or on Etsy.

I'd love your feedback as always... and otherwise, have a happy week, folks!!

White is the new black?!

2011-09-09T06:28:00.000+10:00

Folks, check this out! We all love chalkboards, right? But you have to admit, they = dust throughout your house, crumbly sticks of spent chalk pieces that end up in your kids mouths, and the boards never look quite as shiny and black as the day you painted it once its drawn on....

well, how is this for a fun alternative:

its...... whiteboard paint!!

I know, right. Just THINK of the possibilities! And - granted - you might need a bravery medal to let the kids loose with whiteboard markers, but imagine the look on their little faces when you actually gave them permission to draw on the wall with textas!

I saw that this paint is available through our local Colour Inspirations (Dulux) store. No idea how much it is, but I think I need some. Immediately, if not sooner! Im not brave enough to put it in the kids' room, but I definitely see it working in my new creative space which is currently brewing inside my head and about to be put to paper. Working from the kitchen table is no longer feasible as Bubby Makes Three grows and my horrible space downstairs is screaming to be turned into a creative studio/ kids playroom. I see a little feature wall of whiteboard paint would come in handy for a calendar/ to-do list and work schedule... Stay tuned, folks!

Have a lovely weekend... x

Make a "broom broom" Nursery Wall Hanging for your baby BOY!

2011-09-05T21:53:00.000+10:00

Today I'd like to share with you a little project I have been working on for Elli-Boo's bedroom. Following on from the original embroidery-hoop fabric wall hangings I designed before I knew he was a he, I've been wanting to update them a little - make them a little more 'boyish,' playful and fun. A bit like my sonny boy.

I've been playing with an idea in my head for a few weeks and over the weekend, I made this:

... and I'm a little chuffed at how it's come up! I don't know if you can see from my image, but those are actual toy cars stuck onto chalkcloth, upon which I've drawn a 'road.' Mine is on the wall, but it would be equally cute leaning on a bookshelf or somesuch.

Want to know how I did it? It's pretty easy folks!

You need:

- An embroidery hoop

- Some fabric (I chose a natural linen)

- Some chalkcloth or other fabric for the lettering

- Glue (preferably a hot glue gun)

- Scissors

- Toy cars (Matchbox or whatever you can grab from the $2 shop!)

Method:

1. First, stretch the linen over the hoop and secure into place.

2. Draw your child's initial onto your chosen fabric (I've used chalkcloth, and drawn on the back of mine). Print it out first onto paper and cut around if this is easier.

3. Cut initial out.

4. Glue (or sew) onto embroidery hoop.

5. Draw your "road" on the initial using a ruler and chalk.

6. Finally, attach your cars onto the "road" using a hot glue gun. Cut excess fabric away from the back of the hoop.

7. Hang with pride!!

I'd love to know what you think of this idea and if you do decide to give it a go yourself do DO send me pics! x

I hoped he'd ask for socks 'n' jocks...

2011-09-04T20:42:00.000+10:00

I love Mother's Day - soggy toast in bed; hastily wrapped gifts; perhaps a painted card brought home from kindy... my one day to be totally indulged for being the world's greatest mum. In my children's eyes, anyway.

So it's totally fitting that my husband should embrace Fathers Day with similar enthusiasm. Pancakes in bed? No problem. A little pressie? Of course. Permission to lie under a blankie on the couch and let me flap about with the kids? Hmph, I guess so.

But my husband didn't want any of that. Well, aside from the lying on the couch part.

No, my husband wanted me to race a road cycle time trial. For 25km's. You know - like they do in the Tour de France. A race against myself. And the clock.

Why? Don't ask.

I tried to decline.

I wasn't keen, to put it mildly.

But yet, I found myself this morning at 8am on the start-ramp - a stranger supporting the back of my seat as I hovered awkwardly on my pedals, trying desperately not to throw up. I succeeded. Just.

There were a surprising amount of other women there, and I wasn't half intimidated as I eyed their flash machinery and olympic-athletesque-bodies. What was I doing? I was about to be disgraced!

The first 6 km's were an adrenaline-fueled blur as I fought to control the nerves and concentrate on the task. The gravel on the road was loose; it was windy and at times I felt like I was getting nowhere. There is something surreal about racing against yourself and having to mentally focus your energy without anyone else around. I didn't have a trip computer so I had no idea how far I'd gone -- but my husband had the car and stopped intermittently along the course to tell me where I was at. The second 6 km's were fairly hilly and although I had shaken the nerves by then, I was feeling pretty tired and fighting the inclination to stop at the turnaround point and call it a day. I didn't, of course, and ignored my screaming legs to complete the remaining 12 km's. I crossed the finish line with nothing in me left to spare... I'd done it!

And I wasn't even 'disgraced' -- my time was well up there with the other women and I was actually competitive!

My husband wanted me to do it because he thought I could.

And it turned out I could, folks! I could!

And that's how Dan got his Father's Day gift.

Here's a little pic of Elli-Boo and Dan on Fathers Day - post ride, "sharing a beer" :)

What did you get up to on Father's Day?? Was it lovely?

Spring - What Does it Mean to YOU?

2011-09-01T08:24:00.000+10:00

For me, waking up this morning to a new season was like coming out of a long, dark tunnel... I am not a "Winter" person. I don't like the cold. The short days. Frost on the windows. Grass that is permanently damp. Washing that won't dry. Scarves around my neck.

I DO like the sunshine. Long, lazy days and sunsets that linger... cotton singlets. Bare skin. Flowers. Early morning walks on the beach. Getting dirty hands planting herb seeds. My laundry waving in the gentle breeze. Pastels. Sandals. Iced water with fresh mint.

Spring, folks.

SPRING!

What does it mean to you?

From here

From iamblessed.tumblr.com

from pinterest

From theglitterguide.tumblr.com

From wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com

From vi.sualize.us

From theinspiredroom.net

In Which I Sew a Kids TeePee!

2011-08-30T08:40:00.000+10:00

Hello folks! Way way waaaaay too long ago, I made reference on my blog to making my own teepee. Back then -- I'd only ever seen them in the shops for about $250 each and when I found a how-to in one my favy kid decorating books, Cool Spaces for Kids, I knew I must one day attempt one myself. I set myself an end-of-year deadline.

End of LAST year, that is. Truth is, I was more than a little intimidated. And so I put it off. And off. And off. My deadline came and went and I was no closer to dedicating myself to the task.

Until suddenly there were teepees and teepee-making instructionals making funny faces at me everywhere. And I decided enough was enough.

I made my way to the fabric store and purchased about 200 metres (ok, slight exaggeration) of calico for the body of the teepee. You can use whatever funky fabric you like for this project of course, but I wanted calico because it was plain and therefore ripe for decorating, plus it was inexpensive and perfect for manouvering about outdoors. Oh -- and if I stuffed up, it would be cheap enough to start again! (such confidence in my own ability ;)

I engaged Dan-the-bike-man (husband and part-time bm3 pattern cutting assistant) to cut out the pieces and really it is pretty much as easy as tacking it all together and whipping it up on your trusty sewing machine! Granted, you need about 10 rolls of cotton (ok, another slight exaggeration) to get through the sewing part. And there is an awful lot of hemming and so on. But really -- a beginner sewer could do it; PROMISE!!

The fun was in the decorating, of course!

I kept mine pretty simple; I chose a fabric colour palette of red, white and navy blue and contrasting patterns. Although my teepee is for both my kiddies, I really made it for little Elliott -- for his birthday party (which was on the weekend and which will need its own seperate post once I get the pictures; sooooo much to share!) and later for his bedroom, to read or frolick about in or to hide from his sister).

I made a simple string of bunting, cut out a little window, sewed some triangles along the bottom, some trim along the entrance and ta-daaaaaaa:

A teepee!!

The hardest part I reckon was getting all those damn bamboo sticks in the right way -- took us FOREVER! We decided to sew little loops to keep our teepee attached to the bamboo and there is also string tying the whole thing together at the top.

It took a little while to pull together but I reckon it was worth all the effort and was a hit at Elliott's party!

I'm going to set it up in Elliott's bedroom once I ditch the feeding chair with some comfy cushions and books and whatnot. His own little indoor cubby-house!

Have you made a teepee? Have you been inspired? Go on -- have a go!!! x

Our "BusyBag" Swap!

2011-08-26T08:57:00.001+10:00

Sorry folks, I did mean to share our busybag swap with you earlier this week but I've been a tiny bit busy planning sonny-boy's birthday party (a teddy bear's picnic) which is this weekend... as usual I've bitten off a tad more than I can otherwise chew but I'm sure it'll all work out on the day!! AND I have no doubt it will be fodder for a billion blog posts next week as I debrief on all the gory details, friends!

Last week, I posted about the concept of the busy-bags and a how-to on making your own mini-chalkboards; my own creative contribution to the project!

Well, on Monday night I visited the lovely Emma from Storehouse Project's home with bag of mini-chalkboards in tow. They'd been quite labour intensive, but something told me it would be worth it. And I wasn't disappointed:

Aside from being a great way to meet new people and get involved in something crafty (even if you don't believe you are v artistically inclined) -- there is something self satisfying about having a little box filled to the brim with crafty activities to entertain your young-un's at a moment's notice... I'm hiding mine and bringing them out one-by-one -- yesterday I pulled out the coloured noodles and Fern had a blast for half an hour while I was madly tearing about tidying up the house creating "noo-noo" necklaces! And the best bit is that each activity is designed to be packed away and used again... how handy is that?!

Seriously folks, have a think about doing this in your area -- I can't rave about it enough!

Anyway -- there is a Teddy Bear's picnic in two days... and I havn't quite got around to planning a menu yet. Best get onto that.

Have a great weekend... pray for good weather for me? A Teddy Bear picnic is not quite so glam hosted in the garage!!

Now I am one... in which Elli-boo celebrates his first birthday.

2011-08-24T08:51:00.000+10:00

Today my beloved little baby son Elliott turned one year old.

Today I will be helping blow out his very first birthday candle... It was New Year's Eve in 2009 that I found out I was pregnant - was a tad more sober than it might have been otherwise! - and I remember that feeling of jubilation, excitement and wonder when my test was pronounced positive.

My pregnancy was fairly straightforward... but the birth wasn't! Well -- it probably was completely normal, but I found it fairly horrendous, all the same! The truth is -- when Elliott popped out I had a small moment of panic. A BOY?? What would I do with such a thing?

But I didn't realise.

And then about 5 minutes later, I did. What would I do with such a thing? Why -- just L.O.V.E him, of course.

And love him, I did.

And do.

We all do.

He was such an easy newborn... a cuddly little koala bear who once slept the entire 3 hours I sat with the accountant in his Baby Bjorn (wish I could have, too!) Even now he loves a cuddle with his mum. When he's not tearing about like a hurricane destroying everything in his path he's quite content just sitting in my arms as I carry on with household chores, interestedly observing me go about my business...

He rarely cried...

And Fern? She just welcomed him into our family; our lives; our home -- just like he'd always been there.

And in some ways, he has.

But of course, it hasn't always been smooth sailing: the night-wakings, the round-the-clock breastfeeding; projectile white stuff... and brown stuff... tantrums, thrown food, back-arching, clinginess, fussiness, messiness, and the inability to hold still for even a second.......

... all of that overrided of course by the cheekiness. The smiles. The giggling attacks. The way he attacks food like he's already a teenager. The way he can climb before he can walk. The way he sits on my hip like he could spend the rest of his life there. And fossicks through the garbage like he's looking for gold. His goodness of heart, that shines through, even at this early age. The ELLIOTTness that makes him Elliott.

My son is one. ONE.

Happy birthday, sonny-boy.

All I can say is that you are the most gorgeous little boy in MY whole wide world.

Mummy loves you more than words can say.

Make a Mini-Chalkboard!

2011-08-22T13:30:00.001+10:00

Following on from Friday's post about my caper into "busy bag" making , I thought I'd share what I got up to over the weekend with you.

I'm not sure how or why I came up with the idea of making mini chalkboards; it certainly wasn't an activity highlighted on any busy-bag website I came across. For this reason, I really had no idea how I was going to do it! A google search produced several how-to sites suggesting making the boards from plywood which was a good idea... if I knew how to cut such a thing!

Amanda came up with a great suggestion to paint the inner cardboard of those cheap and cheery Ikea frames you get in little packs of two -- another great solution which would have worked a treat except I live an hour away from Ikea.

So I hit the $2 store. As you do in desperate situations!

And as always, I came up trumps.

I came away with a packet of mounting boards and some art canvas paper which I decided was the quickest and easiest way of making my mini-chalkboards. I already had a tin of chalkboard paint at home.

Want the how-to? It's so easy:

You need:
- Some mounting boards (from craft stores or $2 store)
- Chalkboard paint
- Thick cardboard or a picture frame (optional)
- Coloured paint (optional)
- Chalk
- Makeup remover pads or a chalkboard duster
- Glue
- Scissors

How to:
1. Paint dry-mount with 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint. Leave to dry. (sorry, forgot to photograph!)
2. Cut drymount using sharp knife into smaller "chalkboards" (or leave as-is for one large chalkboard)
3. Get your darling child to "decorate" your chalkboard "frames" (ie the cardboard sheets). We used brightly coloured paint:

4. Once paint is dry, glue your chalkboards onto the cardboard. Using your scissors, cut around the chalkboards so you create a little "frame". I used a zig-zag but you can use whatever decorative scissors you like!

4. Place into zip-lock bag with a few sticks of white/ coloured chalk and "duster" (I used a Swisper -- works a treat!) and

5. T-daaaaa! Instant arty MOBILE fun at your fingertips whenever you need it! Great for the car... on a plane... at a cafe... and so on.

Our busy-bag "swap" is this evening -- tra-la-la-la!

"Busy Bags"... the instant, mobile BOREDOM BUSTER!

2011-08-18T20:43:00.000+10:00

Completely by chance while playing about on Facebook, I stumbled upon a local photography business called The Storehouse Project. I liked what I saw and probed further, visiting Emma's blog. Turned out I visited at just the right time, because Emma was seeking volunteers for a "busy bag" swap. Until then, I'd never heard of a "busy bag" but five seconds later I decided it was the world's best initiative and signed myself up!

What is a busy bag, you ask? Why, it is a little zip-lock bag of creative goodness stowed away in your handbag/ car/ anywhere in fact... that you can pull out and entertain your dear small offspring at a moment's notice!

The bags contain a simple activity - something your young child can create or do that afterward, you can simply zip-lock back again for future emergencies!

You're liking this already aren't you?

The swap I have held my own hand up for involves 12 volunteers -- each of us constructing 12 little busy-bags of our own choice. Each person chose a unique activity so that next week -- on swap night -- we bring our activities along and swap with one another so that we each end up with not one but 12 delightful busy-bags to hide smugly away, knowing that at a moment's notice, we can pull one out and get a half-hour or so of reprieve!

You can imagine just how useful these would be at the doctors surgery... on an airplane (oh gawd I wish I'd had one of these last week for Elliott on the plane to NZ!)... in a restaurant... and in any number of other situations!

A little stumped on what to make for my own busy-bag, I did a web search and unveiled some of the following ideas:

from here

Button Snake from here

If you love this idea and want to host your own local busy-bag swap, I found this link with a bunch of really great activity ideas to get you started. Another good one, complete with a linky-thingamy is this one, with tons of pages of cool and creative activities for kids!

Wondering what I'm going to make for my bag?

Well I'll share with you... I plan to make some mini-chalkboards! I am somewhat chalk obsessed at the mo so it seemed kinda obvious... Not entirely sure how I'm going to do it yet but I will need to sort it out quick-smart, because the swap is on Monday night! I'll post pics of my masterpieces over the weekend once I've made them, if you are interested.

Aside from having a tiny bit of stage fright about rocking up to somebody's house that I don't know and meeting a bunch of girl's that I also don't know to exchange these bags, I am quite excited about it, and isn't it a great way to meet new people!

I'll report on how I fare next week - should I be brave enough to bring my camera along to the swap?

CHALKCLOTH - Licence to Draw on Your Own Kids!

2011-08-17T08:11:00.000+10:00

If your kids are like mine and are like bees to a honeypot where crayons, textas, paint, pencils and CHALK are concerned... you might like my new bm3 clothing concept! My darling daughter Fern takes any opportunity to draw all over walls, furniture, appliances, herself... generally when Im in the shower and have mistakenly left a drawing stick of some description lying about...

... but now you can seek your own revenge for those hours spent scrubbing pen off the lounge by drawing all over your children with chalk!!

I didn't find the shopping all that amazing when I was over in NZ... but I did manage to squeeze this amazing chalkcloth into my suitcase! I couldnt resist! Chalkcloth is an amazing product that works just like a chalkboard -- you just draw on it with chalk and then wipe it off with a cloth!

I've designed a girl's and boy's onesie to start with so you can pronounce the birth of your baby; it's age (what an easy alternative for the "monthly sticker" idea!); a favourite poem, a quote, a drawing...... really, the possibilities are only limited by your own imagination! The shape can be adapted to anything you like: a letter,a number; a silhouette...

I can also adapt this idea to a boy or girl singlet or tee -- if you are interested and I havn't listed it yet, just ask me!

Each outfit comes with "giftwrapped" piece of chalk (so you can get started straight away), and I'll giftwrap the whole outfit for you if you ask me nicely!

Here it is -- there's nothing like this out there; I've checked! Get your original chalkcloth outfit from Bubby Makes Three -- and if you order this week, I'll even give you a 10% discount: enter CHALKPROMO1 until midnight Sunday 22 August in my store to redeem!

Here 'tis -- would love to know what you think:

The Long White Cloud in Pictures...

2011-08-15T06:00:00.002+10:00

Happy Monday!

I have been a tiny bit tardy with boring you all with my holiday snaps from NZ, and I can tell you are champing at the bit to peek into the escapades of the Cleary clan?

Anyway, I can't resist sharing a little of our trip with you. Well -- the ones off my iphone anyway: the rest of my snaps are trapped on my Macbook while I wait for my charger to be posted to me from NZ... ooops...

We were lucky enough to have my parents-in-law (you know, the ones most of you want to adopt... and frankly I don't blame you) along in tow -- to 'babysit' and otherwise fatten up my children with every "fluffy" (cappuccino) between here and Auckland while Dan and I attended a work conference.

In true Cleary style, the only forseeable means of transport for all of us was - no, not a car (my suggestion) or a train (my dad's suggestion) but....... a stretch limousine!

Yes folks, we got a limousine to the airport. As you do. The kids loved it, of course, and although it smelt a little too much like a year 12 high school formal, I did too:

The first part of our trip was in Auckland for the conference. There are only so many days you can be cooped up inside a hotel room with two kids under 3... but it's amazing how much entertainment a packet of balloons can provide:

Well, balloons and "fluffys". I truly think Fern drank every fluffy in NZ -- amazing how many interpretations of a "fluffy" there are! But this was my own personal fave - complete with cocktail umbrella!!

One of Fern's squillion "fluffys". Oh -- and that's "Whitey". The Novatel gave him to her at checkin. He stayed in her arms for an entire week. There were tears when we didn't have him within arm's reach. But when we got home with him we lost immediate interest. In fact, Fern wanted to leave him at the airport. I dunno. Kids.

My kids did not exactly set any world records for sleep in the hotel. It would be safe to say that one small hotel room with two adults and two kids under 3 does not work. Not unless any of you want more than 3 hours sleep per 24 hours. I am still catching up -- and I've been back for a week. Anyway. Poor Elliott got his sleep where he could:

Elli - in his $27 stroller propped up between two chairs having a good-ole kip!

There were a few unexpected discoveries:

And little Elli had everybody by the short n curlies (hair, that is)

Wait... Is that ANOTHER "fluffy?"

The second part of our trip was a drive to Lake Taupo, where we stayed in lovely self contained cottages with a tremendous view of the mountains and snow, glorious snow!

I was rather excited about our trip to the snow, in case you missed it. I loved every second. We didn't have any appropriate snow gear (only going for a couple of hours and never having been before!) apart from my gloves (borrowed) so I found snowman building a little easier... poor Fern, Dan and Lesley got frostbite o-the fingers in our exhuberant bid to create the worlds most amazing snowman:

I couldn't stop myself; I slid on my bottom down the hill (several times). Then I had to sit in wet pants for the hour trip back to the resort!

Um, I do think I might sound a little too much like Bridget Jones in this clip:

Fern and Dan had a go, too, but clearly didn't have as much prowess at it as me:

Little Elliott slept in the car for much of our snow adventure, but did manage a quick slide down the snow with his dad before we left. In true Elliott style, he just sat there, sliding a billion miles an hour in the snow, blinking into the sunlight like he did it everyday. Nothing fazes that child.

Of course, there's no place quite like home... and although it was a great trip I'm glad to be back. Nothing beats your own bed (and shower, for that matter) but why is it that I have done at least 17 loads of catch-up washing since we got back, and I am still no closer to seeing the bottom of the laundry basket? Seriously?

Have a great week folks... if you need me, I'll be on a sewing stampede. Aside from a slightly intimidating amount of bm3 orders (bring 'em on!) and designing a bunch of new stauff for Spring (my Facebook fans have already seen a sneaky -- have you "liked" my page yet?) I have a lot to conquer for Elliott's Teddy Bear picnic party which is in two weekends time. First up? An outdoor teepee! Stay tuned for pics and the how-to. Yayee!

My "Mini-Bunting" Nursery Artwork

2011-08-10T21:31:00.004+10:00

Howdy, beautiful people! I'm baaaaack from NZ! It was great to get away and recharge the batteries... but there is no place like home, is there? Tomorrow Ill post some more pics from our trip (the blog version of boring everybody with a holiday slideshow - but who can resist!) but today I wanted to share with you a little artwork I made while the kids were asleep this afternoon. It's for a friend's brand-new baby girl and I was playing around with the mini-bunting idea I touched on the other day.

I made the screen with some soft pale pink velvety fabric, then cut out some little triangles with pinking shears and sewed them together in a string. I then stamped the new baby's name onto the fabric with some green ink and added some torn fabric pieces and buttons. I picture it hanging on the door of the nursery, but it would look equally sweet propped up on a shelf or hung on the wall above the crib? Here 'tis:

What do you think?

Today I Built a Snowman.

2011-08-05T15:06:00.000+10:00

I am in New Zealand. We've been here since Sunday, and we are here for just one more day... it's been fun but today, today we went to the snow. No one was more excited about this than myself. I'm almost 35 and I've never really been, you see. So the concept of snow was a complete novelty. We've been building this up for weeks; researched snowman building on youtube, showed Fern pictures so she knew what to look out for...

And so today - donned with 400 layers of snow-inappropriate clothing and a delightfully-kitch beanie each, we slid on our bottoms down the powdery snow. Threw snowballs. Felt snowfall on our faces for the first time ever. And....... we built a snowman.

gosh darn, this is harder than we anticipated!! Anyone got a shovel??

Still working... an hour later.

Fern's "little" snowman

The finished product, complete with a carrot nose, scarf and little eyes!

yayeeeeeeee! Such a ski-bunny! Right, I think I'm ready to buy a snowboard now!

See ya next week...

Birthday Cake Bunting...

2011-08-03T06:00:00.003+10:00

With little Elli-Boo's birthday just around the corner, I'm starting to iron out the details... I've already mentioned we're having a Teddy Bear's picnic; and I think I'm the one most excited about it!

I like designing my birthday cakes myself, like I did with Fern's My Little Pony cake earlier this year. But I was a bit stumped on what to do for Elliott... until I found a tutorial for this:

Birthday cake bunting!!

And now my cake design is clear in my head, and I am tres excited about it! I'm planning on making my own bunting and I'll be sure to share with you how it went next week when Im back from NZ and have access to my sewing machine again! But for now, I thought I'd share the tute I found on Twirling Betty (blog eye candy - beware) for anyone else who cares to give it a go! The instructions look super-simple and the cool thing is that you can then use the bunting as decoration afterward! Brilliant!

I bought myself a little set of letter stamps from Typo (I've been eyeing them off for ages) to print Elliott's name onto the flags with; I think I'll use black paint rather than ink. Not sure whether I'll ust use one colour of fabric or perhaps a mix? Back with the results next week!

Now I am 11 Months...

2011-08-01T06:00:00.000+10:00

This time 12 months ago, I - the size of a forklift, and probably weighing about the same - was a focused woman. I knew "it" was close. Mere weeks away. And I was ready. Physically, at least. There was a room with a cot in it waiting for a little human being to arrive. But mentally, I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. I already HAD a baby, didn't I? Was there enough room in my already-at-capacity heart to include another? To be honest, I wasn't sure...

Here's what I wrote, this time last year:

My Bump!

Seeing as it's Friday, I thought I'd treat you all to this little look at my 'bump'. I'll be 36 weeks pregnant tomorrow... Fern thinks it's hilarious and keeps "ticka ticka ticka" (ie. tickling) my belly at every opportunity. Who knows what an 18-month old baby truly understands, but I know mine has noticed my growing bump and is fascinated by it. If I ask her what's in there, she points to her own tummy and says "bubby!"

Poor Fern. She's in for a real shock, and in just a matter of weeks. And so am I, for that matter. At the moment, she is my very best friend and the centre of my universe. Its hard even for me to imagine it any other way. But the cozy world as we know it is about to be rocked upside down... so for now we're enjoying the last precious moments together, my daughter and I, just the two of us...

It seems sort of funny now, reading back on that. To think that at that point, my life was already complete. But of course what I didn't realise was that at the same instant my little son was born, my life was complete AGAIN. That my heart just expanded to replace the deflated tummy as though there had always been room for two.

And now of course, I can barely remember it being just Fern and I. Because now it's Fern and Elliott and I. The Three Muskateers.

Next month we'll be celebrating my Elli-Boo's first birthday. And what a celebration it will be... for him and for us. Can't wait.

Op-Shop Porn.

2011-07-30T11:53:00.001+10:00

Yesterday, I went op-shopping. It was on a whim. I was driving past and something told me to stop.

In my experience, op-shopping can be terribly hit and miss. In my case, more miss than hit!

But this time, I totally came up trumps!

My loot? Total crafty-lovers porn: A huge jar of vintage buttons, an old ivory knife, a gorgeously vibrant vintage pillowslip (perfect for my Summer range dresses and bloomers!) and AND some totally adorable patterns for baby rompers, sundresses, hats and more that have me literally salivating for some spare moments to jump on my sewing machine!

I cannot wait to whip up some Summer delights for my shop with these finds.

Unfortunately, it will have to wait. We're off to New Zealand tomorrow for a week! V exciting!

What trumps have you scored from the thrift stores of late?

Elliott - the Human Jellyfish

2011-07-29T07:13:00.001+10:00

Folks, I have a little problem.

Again?! I hear you ask? Havn't you just finished moaning about the fun and games of toilet training and how your children refuse to eat anything without a heartbeat? What now?

But at the risk of sounding very whiney indeed, I share with you a little issue I am having with my darling, honeycomb-breath son.

That there picture you see above you is my sonny-boy. I am standing in the living room with my camera trying to take a picture of - oh, I can't remember - and lil Elliott is standing on top of my feet, with one arm wrapped around my leg; the other holding my tracky-dacky-pants-cord to his drooly mouth.

The thing is, at the moment my son is taking the concept of "attachment parenting" to a whole new level. With no warning, my previously adventurous, happy-go-lucky boyo has become a (oh gosh I hate to say this out loud) whiny, clingy jellyfish!

I understand that babies get upset when their parent leaves the room. But folks, this has gone one step beyond. Elliott wants to be in my arms, pretty much all the time unless he is in his cot sleeping. The second I put him down, he starts whinging, crawls over to me, stands up and monkey-grips my legs. What can I do? So eventually I pick him up and - miraculously - the crying stops. I wait a couple of minutes. Put him back down. Repeat process!

Both my blessing and my curse is that I've pretty much been with Elliott 24/7 since the day he was born. And somewhere over the last 11 months (oh gosh, is it 11 months already -- must get onto his monthly photo!) he has grown a little - well - fond of me.

And maybe I'm a little to blame... I may have whispered a little negotiation with my son in the early days that I would promise to cut his sandwiches for him for the rest of his life if he promised to stay with me forever (in Mother and Son fashion). ooops.

Oh, I know this is just a stage. And this too, shall pass. Next year he'll be embarrassed to be seen with me and I'll be begging him for cuddles, undoubtedly!

Isn't parenting fun?

x

The one with a happy ending...

2011-07-26T09:02:00.001+10:00

Once upon a time there was a little little girl. A beautiful little girl. That - due to circumstance - spent the first two years of her life within the confines of a Thai orphanage. When I met her she was tiny. Desperately shy. Barely able to communicate.

But an angel must have been watching out for this little girl.

Persistent dedication and a whole lot of love tore through the bureaucratic red-tape that would have seen this little girl unnecessarily without a mother... and little Jantima was finally blessed into the arms of an amazing and besotted family. Can you believe - looking at her now - her start in life?

Confident. Happy. Cheeky. Absolutely beautiful. And loved.

Just as every child should be.

Oh - and stylish, too! I got to design Jantima a special outfit for her birthday and this is the picture I was sent. Ok, I'm biased but I defy this image not to melt your heart!

Sometimes stories have happy endings.....

Party Inspiration Series... The Ladybug Birthday!

2011-07-25T06:00:00.004+10:00

Hello and welcome to my first instalment of a special 'birthday party' special I'll be running weekly on my blog; where I feature different themes complete with the best images from across the net giving you styling ideas, colour palettes, menu options, AND I'm challenging myself to come up with a special custom designed bm3 outfit in the chosen birthday theme!

This week, I'm running with...

A very cute theme to start with, me thinks! And - as a theme that would be equally as appropriate to a first birthday as it would a 10th, this one is super versatile to boot! Here are some images I found to inspire a gorgeous ladybug party!

Buffet Table

From glorioustreats.blogspot.com

Food

from here

from bakeat350.blogspot.com

from here

Cake
What ladybug birthday would be complete with a gorgeous lady bug cake? I'm loving this one made by Amanda at Homely One:

One year-old Graces' gorgeous lady bug birthday cake. View more here

Games

Steal a leaf from Anna's book with this adorable idea for her little girl Matilda's first birthday... Each little guest was given a butterfly net with which to 'catch' chocolate ladybugs:

Outfit
Might I suggest...

Ladybug Outfit with layers of fabric, felt and lace including hand stitched ladybug trail and ruffle bum! Instore now.