July Review

Sewing matching pajama pants for the lil one & I. Why not? lol. How darn cute is the fabric? Luke even mentioned he would wear a matching pair (inside where his mates couldn't see lol) but unfortunately I used up all the fabric.
Thinking what a wonderful group of people these are for cutting the homeless people of Perth's hair for free & giving them that extra confidence.
Reading this article about giving up buying more clothes.
Dreading Kobe is back into playing with mini toy bins. Must of been all that gift wrap (recycling) from his party. Bugger...
No longer buying garbage bags & settling on using around 4 of those normal sized grocery bags a week for rubbish disposal. Trying to do our best to minimise waste.
Planting beetroot, beans & flowers. Could you please thrive???
Enjoying reading my friend Helen's story website, Story ninja. She sure can write.
Mending Kobe's beloved Sooty bear. He has seen so much wear & tear & finally an eye came out. After a quick sewing operation, all was well.
Sad over a friend's sister losing her short battle with cancer. Life really isn't fair sometimes:(
Feeling like a frumpy pig as I cant seem to fit into anything anymore... What I really want to fit into is this floral ensemble. I sure can dream!
Wishing for warmer weather. It feels like Winter has been here F.O.R.E.V.E.R.
Eating far too many sweets from all those birthday parties this month.
Yet still craving these Oreo donuts from The Caffeniated Kitchen instagram account.
Panicking over Luke & I having no baby names for baby 2# yet? Suggestions anyone?

Happy Wednesday friends!
Grace

D.I.Y; A donut pinata

 

My lil man turned 4 the other week & to celebrate I held a small party. There wasn't a theme this year like his cowboy & indian theme 3rd birthday party last year just mainly junkfood (like most kids parties) so I decided to make a donut piñata because they are so much fun to watch the lil ones make a mad dash for the treats. The sugar comedown afterwards, not so much...

 

 

I used an empty cereal box, plus some sturdier cardboard for the round donut circles (off an old boardgame lid), a dinnerplate & Kraft peanut butter lid for the donut circle templates, scissors, Mont Marte acrylic paint, paint brush, masking tape, clear drying glue, stapler, velcro, a mix of bright beads & sequins, & wool (for tying up the piñata).

 

 

1.Using the sturdier cardboard, I cut out 2 large circles (from dinner plates, they measured roughly 23cms in diameter). Then in the centre of the circles, I traced out the smaller circle (donut hole) using the Kraft peanut butter lid. Then cut that out. I measured the inner circle so that I could cut out a strip of cardboard (from the cereal box) to join around the edges of the "donut hole" with masking tape. This strip was roughly 12cms in width.

2. It should look like this side view on. Like a large sewing bobbin.

3. Next I measured the outer edge of the large circle. I cut a strip to fit around the side of the "donut" with the same width of 12cms & used masking tape to secure it. I left an opening for the treats to come out.

 

 

4. It should look like this side view on.

5. I painted the whole outside of the "donut". Then to seal the opening to hold the treats in. I stapled some Velcro on. This way Kobe could peel open the piñata & watch the treats fall so his friends could run & grab what they wanted. Plus I can reuse it when needed.

6. I went crazy splashing the glue, sequins & beads on. (I only did one side). Also make sure you have clear drying glue, it gives a nice donut glaze look. I did a coating of glue over the top of the sequins & beads for extra support.

 

And...

 

 

 

Last of all tying the donut piñata (filled to bursting point with treats) to a tree. For an extra touch I tied mini donuts next to it. I wish I tied them lower so the kids could of ate them off the string. Oh well next time.

 

 

Happy Friday friends!

Grace

 

14 acts of kindness (toddler version)

With the school holidays here. I thought what a good time to reevaluate whats important. And being a damn kind person who is considerate of others tops the list. I wanted to involve my 4 year old, Captain whingey (that's you Kobe:)) so that he is aware that its better to be a nice person than someone who selfishly looks out for just themselves. Because lets face it there are plenty of those people out there. So I decided to make a chart of 14 acts of kindness that Kobe could partipate in for each day of the school holidays (we are doing them in no particular order). When I tried to explain it to him he asked if there was also a naughty list... Eh no darling. You give me plenty of tantrums & meltdowns as it is ha ha.

1. Do something kind for the planet. (We gifted out flower party favours for his birthday party, it makes me happy to know that 15 flowers will be planted this weekend).
2. Visit someone whose lonely.
3. Donate 1 birthday gift to a charity (we will be choosing the Kmart wishing tree as we do every year).
4. Make a gift for your teachers upon return to prekindy. No idea what yet, any ideas?!?
5. Donate spare coins into the charity tin can shakers that hang out at the shops.
6. Feed the wildlife. We made heart shaped bird feeders (see above photo) that we tied onto trees. Hopefully will lure birds to our garden that will eat the snails devouring my vegetable patch & frangipani tree.
7. Surprise someone unexpectantly. Kobe actually surprised me after making a giant mess by throwing every matchbox car and toy food all over the floor, told me he was going to tidy up on his own AND he did!?! I had tears in my eyes when I witnessed that, I usually have to nag him to tidy.
8. Pick a friend who makes you smile and send them a thank you note with some stickers.
9. Help take your nano's dogs for a walk (knowing that they make you cranky with their hyperness) as they will enjoy the fresh air.
10. Do a chore without complaining. Kobe swept the leaves in the courtyard & put them all in the bin which was awesome as I find it hard to bend down nowadays. Bless him!
11. Collect items that are no longer used to be donated to a charity.
12. Do something nice for someone who isn't well. Kobe chose (to buy out of some pocket money his poppy gave him) some bubble wands to "make better" his 2 sick friends who live down the road. Naturally he got one for himself too.
13. Help make a meatless meal. We chose to do veggie pizzas. Too easy:)
14. Share your toys with a friend without bickering. Kobe shared his beach toys with a little girl who wandered over for a play. Too cute!!!

We are about halfway thru with a week to go:)

Happy Friday friends!
Grace

DIY: statement necklace

 

Im such a fan of 80's jumpers so when I came across these eccentric 80's buttons at the markets for a couple dollars I jumped for joy. They would go perfect with this large gold chain I picked up at an op shop a while back. Lately I have been favouring simple outfits like oversized jumpers & leggings as nothing seems to fit anymore. So this statement necklace is perfect for jazzing up an otherwise plain outfit.

 

 

 

I used wire cutters, pliers, a thrifted necklace, 80's buttons, bead wire, necklace hoops and bead clamps.

 

 

1. After sorting out a pattern on which I wanted the buttons to go. I threaded some bead wire thru the necklace loops & thru the button opening (at the back of the button). Once I was happy with the length I used my pliers to seal a bead clamp so the button wouldn't slip off.

2. I wrapped 2 lots of bead wire thru the button so it wouldn't twist around when I wore it. Then trimmed off the excess bead wire with the pliers.

3. Next up I measured how low/high I wanted the necklace to hang around my neck & used the wire cutters to trim off the excess necklace chain. Then using the pliers I secured the bead hoop so that the clasp could join it to secure the necklace.

 

 

And tada... My statement necklace is complete.

 

 

(Excuse my pasty face I was fighting off a nasty cold & damn that double chin of mine! BOO!!!).

 

Kobe couldn't help getting in on making something too, after complaining my necklace smelt of olive oil (always has food on the brain this child of mine) he threaded some beads & random bits & bob onto pipe cleaners to make bracelets. Here we are with our fabulous DIY creations:)

 

 

Happy Friday friends!

Grace