Tree House

It went like this:
"Hi Grandpa, I have these little fairies and I want to make a home for them but I need wood. Is there any chance you have some small discs of wood? Love India"

"Yes, I can cut you some from the old tree branches in the backyard. Love Grandpa."

A couple of days later, Grandpa arrived, not just with tree discs but with a base and the two tall platforms already screwed in. India and I got to work gluing and waiting and making decorations for the fairies tree house over the following week. We made the front staircase, the lower platform, the mini bunting and hanging decorations removable so that India could change things up and really play. (After a few photos, I asked her to set it up according to her taste, just to show you how it can change)!

I have such a resourceful and creative family, I really am blessed. I know I can do and make things that others can't (and for cheap, this cost us $12 for some spray varnish to preserve the bark and a few dollars for beads used in decorations) because I have a big pool of skills and resources to beg and borrow from. Go team, we made a little girl (and her fairies) really happy!

This One Skill That I Have: Part 2

"In a world where news of inhumanity bombards our sensibilities, where grasping for things goes so far beyond our needs, where time is squandered in busyness, it is a pleasure and a privilege to pause for a look at handiwork, to see beauty amidst utility, and to know that craft traditions begun so long ago serve us today" John Wilson

Last time, gifts for adults.

Today, gifts for girls!

My friend the camel beanbag (perfect size for toddler to sit in between the neck and hump)!

Ranger bracers for the adventurous girl 

A friend for Abby, and Milly.  

 Sweet baby nappy pants and hair accessories 

 Felt tea bags for tea party play

 Dress-up apron with a heart pocket

Felt birthday crown

 Sparkly mermaid tail

This One Skill That I Have

I've been sewing for twenty-five years or maybe more.
I love having a creative outlet.
A hobby that gives me joy, and fulfillment and new clothes (not often anymore). It's odd to me to think of it as a skill, since I chose it, pursued it and take joy in it.
Though I have never used it to make money (though the time may come), I have used it to save money. And as a stay-at-home Mum, that is part of my role (I have more time to cook, bake and home-make than a working Mum after all).
For each gift I make, I spend a little less money than I would on a shop bought gift, and much less money than I would on a similar handmade item from the markets. In addition, the receiver gets something unique, lasting and lovely!
I don't think I've ever made the same gift twice (so my creative side is satisfied), and I usually don't use a pattern or tutorial (which isn't helpful for readers want to make the same thing but I hope you can find inspiration nevertheless). So, I've a few things to share that I've made lately, and will add links if the pattern is available.
Today's blog is gifts for adults.

 A casserole carrier!

An unusual gift but perfect for neighbourly friends who bring meals.

This is padded so keeps it warm, and allows you to rest the dish on your lap for the journey.

Travel tags, with a plastic pocket for a details card.

Small personalised embroidered cushion for lovers.

And a couple of soft 'cat statues' for friends of felines.

Completely Necessary Things

My to-do list is towering over me.
Should I even list the things-that-must-be-finished (or started)?

Maybe it was escapism.
Maybe it was misplaced priorities.
Maybe honesty?

Whatever it was, this week I absolutely had to sew two tiny dresses for the two tiny bunnies of two tiny besties.
It was fun.
It was totally unnecessary.
It made the girls giggle.

Looking at the adorable playmates (both sets), I'd say it was worth it!

(They are reversible for extra playfulness!)

Happy Handmade #6

For the boys (or really it could be for the girls, but this one was for my boy). He was going to a Star Wars party. He likes dressing up (I think it's in the genes). He chose Han Solo. With good intentions to make him an outfit, but no realised costume (or spare time) by the day before, it wasn't promising. And then I heard Han's voice say 'Never tell me the odds'*, and I decided to get ultra creative. I went to a dollar store and Big W to get supplies:
Black pants;
Black gum boots;
White skivvy;
Tea bags;
String of brown leather;
Red dog leash;
Plastic gun;
as well as a black vest from home;
and brown leather belt and gun pouch from the dress-up collection.

At home I just took three shorts steps to finalise the costume.
Firstly, I used the tea bags to stain his skivvy the perfect colour (honestly, a fluke!), and I cut a small opening at the front.
Then I hot glue gunned the dog lead to the side of his pants and added stripes with a sharpie pen (this didn't ruin the pants, the red pulled straight off after).
And finally, I used the caribeena (from dog lead) and some leather strapping to hang the gun pouch from the belt.

Oh, and added an ewok sidekick too...

* Artistic licence taken. Haha.

Happy Handmade #5

Giving a second hand dolls bed new life with a mattress, pillow and patchwork quilt.

It doesn't need to be perfect, just colourful and unique.

Happy Handmade #4

More dresses (and this you just can't buy).

Matching outfits for my niece and her doll, Lula.

With box pleats, pockets for little hands, and a dash of bright yellow binding inside, this is a cute and classic style for busy girls. The pattern can be bought here. I found the fitting perfect, with this one made in a size 2. I simply mini-sized and added an easy-open velcro back for the matching dolls dress. 

I so hope they go out together and get stopped by all kinds of Grannies who have stories to tell of their own matched outfits when they were young! 

Happy Handmade #3

Kitty + Pinny = kawaii cute 

A gift for a little lady who missed her grey cat Benny.

Pattern adapted from a pinafore my girls wore when they were three.