going spotty...a perfect little art smock

I cut a basic art smock template that would be suitable for a toddler...



From Spotlight i found this plastic spotty table cloth & dug out some navy spotty ribbon from my craft box... i just adore red, white and navy!



I used the ribbon to create easy to adjust straps for around the neck and back - I hand sewed these in place...



I decided not to sew around the smock - the plastic table cloth does not frey and I wanted this to be a quick and easy project...



I have made 3 little smocks...perfect for when my nephews come over to play, cook and craft with me and my little one...



Ready to put to the test...we will bake muffins in the morning wearing the new little smock. The best thing about this activity for me is that it was quick, easy and i love spots!!! also had enough left over to make a drop sheet for under the easel or it can be used on our crafting table.
creating precious memories...




I have started a little journal that my little one creates in once a week, I want to encourage different art mediums such as water colour, chalk, collage, wax resist and much more. We enjoy lots of different sorts of craft and messy activities {but this little journal will be one to hold onto for many years to come}the others will come and go on the fridge or in ikea display frames that we currently proudly display around the house. But a journal is easy to store and easy to access... I thought it would be fun to add text and photographs to the journal along the way.

Friday Favourites

My Friday Favourite theme has stuck and here is this weeks simply scrumptious collection of bright and cheery after a bit of a dull and grey winters week here in Sydney!

The most stunning dessert table by Eat Drink Pretty

Oh fantastic! How Does She?

Look at the colour from f8kids

Delicious from Pen N Paperflowers


Sherbert and Spice by The City Cradle




Jordan from Polkadot Prints yummy Frogs In A Pond


And just one more look at that lovely table by Eat Drink Pretty


Have a wonderful weekend!

Leanne

Things I learnt this week including how to ruffle up a skirt


This week I did a four-hour conflict management course at work (these things are entirely necessary when you work for a large corporate).  I started the course thinking that I shied away from conflict, retreating due to my pathological need to please and be liked. That plus my enbarrassing tendency to bawl my eyes out when someone raises their voice at me. But, by the end of the course I realised that I experience "conflict" on an almost daily basis, but I manage it so well that it doesn't feel like conflict. Snaps for me. Here's what else I learnt this week...

1. It is indeed possible to instinctively dislike a child and want to be a little bit mean to them. You will feel bad about yourself, but not as bad as you feel about said child.

2. Sometimes having a night out on a "school night" is the best thing for you even though it's the last thing you feel like doing.

3. There's a tutorial to step you through the lovely summer ruffles skirt pictured here over at Grand Revival Designs.  It's such a detailed tutorial that I actually think I can manage. Now, if I could just figure out how to bring my sewing machine back to life (too many Monster Softies, it seems)...

4. I can indeed limp through the day without diet coke.

5. It's claimed that the Brazilian wax was named for a letter written by Pedro Álvares Cabral on seeing a native Brazilian tribe during his voyage to Brazil in 1500 AD. He said "their private parts were so exposed, so healthy and so hairless, that looking upon them we felt no shame." I am curious as to his knowledge of the 'health' of the 'exposed' private parts he 'looked upon'... Regardless, Brazilian waxes are still waaaay too painful, unnecessary and, gasp, itchy for this gal to make them a regular thing.

6. Orchids are notoriously difficult to grow. I didn't know this because there are three stunning examples of orchids overgrowing in pots in my garden and I've never done a thing to them in almost 3 years.

7. There are over 50,000 white paints and choosing the wrong one could instantly ruin the vibe of your entire home, if not your life. Do you want a neutral, blue, yellow or pink white? Warm or cool? Gloss or semi? Blah or blah? It all makes me want to skip the white, fandango.

8. Etaoin Shrdlu, pronounced "eh-tay-oh-in shird-loo" is believed to be the twelve most common letters in English, in order of most frequently used to least frequently used. I'm not sure why we need to know this.

9. If your child is scared before sleep or during the night, it's comforting for them to know that you'll be popping in to "check" on them. But rather than tell them "Don't worry, I'll come and check on you in five minutes" (instantly setting the spark of "you said there was nothing to worry about so why do you need to check to make sure I'm okay?" in their little heads) tell them "I'll come in every now and then just to remind you that there's nothing to worry about." This has worked really well with the Tsunamis.

10. In all things, to thine own self be true.

What did you learn this week?

Stringing Two Words Together...

This week, my daughter turned 18 months old. A fairly significant developmental milestone. And it's as if she knew, because this week, she did these things for the very first time:

1. Strung Two Words Together.

On Wednesday morning, I heard waking up noises emanating from Fern's room. I heard her yawn, and then the rustle of her sheets as she sat up in her cot. Then, clear as a bell I heard "Hello Daisy!" Who is 'Daisy'? Why, it's Upsy Daisy of course, from In the Nightgarden. She also offers her dummy and drinks of water to Daisy.

2. Ate a bowl of cereal with a spoon.

By herself. Without any interference from me. And most of it went in her mouth!

3. Recognised people and objects.

All of a sudden, Fern is pointing out members of family in photographs and calling them by name, and identifying most animals and their associated noises. She is also pointing out stars. And flowers. And 'daddy' on TV on the Tour de France (ok, she's a tiny bit off on that one. But he IS a cyclist!)

4. Learn - and exercise - fake laughter.




And I couldn't be prouder. Boringly doting mummy, much?


What's on for the weekend, peeps? Im planning on catching up with friends, dragging myself to the gym and finding a help-group for my dreadful addiction to chocolate and bad food generally. There's no point baring your 32 week pregnant belly in a 2-sizes-too-small cozzie to swim an enthusiastic kilometre.... only to wash it down with hot chips and gravy! x

ps. It's been raining for 3 days straight and I only have 3 strands of hair left in my head. I'm going to go to Spotlight today - apparently there is a huge sale and I'm hoping to find some inspiration! I'll post again later if I craft something fabulous and amazing! Or, I could just get a DVD....

It's FlogYoBlog Friday time!

Thanks to Brenda at Mummy-Time, we get to all meet up for a coffee on Fridays...

off to discover the world...








Not me! my sister is about to embark on the trip of a life time with one of her close friends. They are doing some wonderful travel before they touch down in London (oh Hyde park, Piccadilly Circus, Notting Hill markets, scones and clotted cream here they come)!!!I just adore London so I have to say I am feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation for her...
So this week we have been spending lots of time at home playing and chatting with the little one. Today we decided to brave the wind and rugged up - we had a perfect time exporing the Gallery of Modern Art and popped into the Museum so one little boy could say hello to the dinosaurs. We had such a nice time just wandering around, enjoying coffee, cupcakes and butterfly craft. We will miss her so much, but look forward to hearing about her adventures and receiving little Cath Kidston parcels in the post. x

Thoughtful Thursday

School Holidays here - the first week is not over yet and already I am searching for the appropriate quote! Here is the one that suits my day!

If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe


Leanne
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