3 little poppets

Another 3 dolls posted off to Queensland to 3 beautiful sisters.  I do hope they love them.

Crotchet Rug for the twins

Finally I have begun to learn how to crotchet! With thanks to my lovely Nanna, who is patiently teaching me the craft. These are my very first squares and I plan to make enough for two rugs before winter arrives: one for Grace with white joins and one for Oli with grey joins.  So far I have almost finished 20 squares, I think I'll need 160!  Oh dear, maybe I should aim for Winter 2012.....stay tuned!

Here is Nanna with Grace, who was in fine "stare bear" form and gave Nanna the giggles as she was completely outstared on this morning.

It was so lovely that Grace was not only happy to be held by Nanna but was really really enjoying the bond as she never, ever, ever is happy to be held by anyone outside me, Rex, mum, dad and my sister.  Nanna has always had the touch, and still does!

circus party

A reader has recently asked for some help with a Circus themed party, so here it is...

An old Donna Hay magazine, which I got the idea for clown cupcakes for Charlie's 4th Birthday party.  

I didn't go to this extreme, but the design of the cake looks quite simple but very effective. The flags here look like they have been made from icing, I don't think I'd be that game, I'd simply make some from paper, stick the flag shapes onto a skewer and insert it into the middle of the cake.

Here are the instructions:

The cupcakes were really quite simple, some coloured popcorn for hair, a jaffa for a nose, snake for a smile and some licorice strips for the eyes!  

Decorations included plenty of spots and stripes and loads of bunting.

The other nice idea I have seen is some lolly bags made from red and white striped "popcorn style" bags.

I hope this all helps you Fleur, good luck!!! 

Clowning around

outdoor inspiration

Love these miniature japanese garden sculputres found here, I would love to commission someone to do some large ones like these for our garden, carved from different woods or even sandstone.  

Love this inspirational outdoor area from heavenishere blog, would be lovely to personalise an area of our garden with certain letters.  Mmmmmm, will keep my eyes open for some extra large letters, the children would love to have their initials permanently in the ground!

Bucket Baths and Best Friends

The last week has been a challenge, with 4 children and 3 adults packed into the Hyundi IMax (the fun bus, I think not), on the road trip from Sydney to Adelaide.  Loving the buckets given to us by The Pretty Ladies back in the 'rith when the twins were born: can't explain how many uses they have had, the latest being a bathtub whilst on the road.  Boring old baths are never this much fun.
Also loving catching up with my gorgeous niece Lizey Lou, and her dog Bonnie. I love this photo of a casual "you're my best mate hug" (even better that Lizey is cuddling up to a Tacklehug product!)  Eliza is a crack up, she named her first Tacklehug Doll "Nikky" and when she was given her second, after much deep thought she named her "Nikky-kai-yay" Goodness knows where that one came from!  Now we have safely arrived back in Adelaide, glad to have survived the onslaught of locusts and a little bit sad that dad couldn't quite avoid the massive goanna that decided to catch some rays on the Sturt Highway.  Sorry Anna Goanna. RIP.
Also very happy to have made an etsy sale amidst this chaos. Batman and Robin are on their way to the United States very soon.  I will make a public promise here to do more housekeeping on my etsy site and try try try much harder to get some more products up soon.
Aaahhhh, Hello Adelaide. Nice to be here again.

My little drummer boy

Our last week in the Blue Mountains was spent madly trying to pack boxes, buy/make christmas/farewell/birthday gifts and holding our last Ticklebug/Tacklehug market stall at the Glenbrook Rotary Markets.  However, the absolute highlight of the week was being able to attend a rehearsal for the boy's Christmas Concert at pre-school.  The lovely staff included the boys for this performance as they were not able to make concert week due to our move interstate.  Sammy bought tears to my eyes as the Drummer Boy - a role which he took very seriously and Charlie shone as Joseph for the performance (very biased, I know!)  My camera doesn't seem to work too well indoors, but I love this photo of my little man, as it seems to capture the concentration it takes to keep the beat to "rumpa pum pum"