New Things

Lately, I've been feeling a bit unsettled - like I need to start over with a few things. This blog will be one of them! Watch this space for a new layout, more information and a few craft tutes as well. The plan is to relaunch at the beginning of the year with something I hope you will love and can use to find things to do with your littlies. Till then . . .

ArtPlay - Recycle, Re-use and Wear

More stunning jewellery created from recycled bits at ArtPlay. The children went to town making the most intricate little (and sometimes big) adornments. So lovely . . .

Recycle Craft - Cushions from Old Jumpers

My latest craft feature in the Herald Sun Home magazine is a cuddly cushion made from old jumpers. Not wanting to throw the kids nicer little knits away, I decided to chop them up and assemble into something I can use again. If you want to make cushions from jumpers yourself, just make sure you back the pieces you have cut with calico so they don't stretch when sewing together. Have fun!

ArtPlay Re-use, Recycle and Wear!

Wow! Yet again I was bowled over by the creativity of these children. Given random, recycled bits and pieces, they were asked to create some jewellery. This is just some of what was crafted from the most seemingly boring things:

PS - Lookout for the next Re-use Recycle and Wear workshop on Sunday,March 17.

Incinerator Gallery workshops

The workshops these summer holidays focussed on Geoffrey Riccardo's current exhibition. Such an amazing and versatile artist, it was difficult to choose a medium from his prolific portfolio from which to base the workshop. I went for printing as I was amazed by Geoffrey's large-scale intaglio prints - so luminous and with great depth.
So I prepared some lino cuts before hand to stimulate the kids' imaginations and we discussed some layering techniques and other printing options before they started. As always, they produced some amazing pieces:

Box Craft

A sweet little project to display all those light-ish trinkets.
Simply assemble a few empty boxes in a random pattern, back with some cute and colourful fabric, staple together at the sides and bind with a ribbon or shredded length of fabric. Let me know if you would like more specific instructions and I'll email them through to you. Happy Crafting!

Happy New Year!!

I'm so excited about this year - new jobs, new schools and a new way of living with a lot more home time and far less commuting to and from work. I have bought myself a bicycle and plan to ride it everywhere, packing my essentials into the front basket - manuscripts, trinkets for the shop, bread and milk and maybe even a few beers for a sunny day in the park. Plus, I have a few new plans for the shop and the crafting including some tutorials on YouTube. Watch this space . . .

Here are some snaps of our traditional New Year's Eve feast with our camping crew. Who new camping could inspire such gourmet fare! Plus, the after dinner cartoon screening - very raw and very much like your traditional drive-in without the cars!
Cheers!