Lulu Carter

easy peasy advent

Its here and yet despit my good intentions I decided totally forgot to buy the Lego advent calender. Cue a little last minute panic.

Solve it and go one better? Yes!

Race out and buy a box of Lego. We went for the $17 box so two storm troopers and two clones. Two kids sharing here!

I opened the box and wrapped a couple of pieces to be opened each day saving the telltale helmets and body parts until the 22nd and 23rd. If your kids are like mine theyll take one look at those helmets and pants and know exactly whos coming!

I stuck a plastic ziplock to the fridge so each day they can put the parts in ready for the end game.

On christmas eve they get the instructions. Its great! No suger, didn't cost a bomb and they are bonkers with excitement.

cloud pinata tutorial

So easy you'll never buy one again!

The last time I made a pinata, it was a Stegasourus and it took me 3 weeks. I put so many layers of papier mache on the poor rather fabulous dinosaur fellow, it took a beating from some enthusiastic dads to crack it open. He was beautiful and as the children stomped him into the earth I nearly sobbed.

SO. This time I went the cardboard route. 

You will need :

an old box ( we had a large rectangular fruit box which was perfect)

tape-masking or similar

3 or 4 packets of tissue paper ( if you want to use crepe paper instead go for it)

felt for the raindrops

strong craft glue

fishing line

thick needle paper scissors

fabric scissors

 

*Firstly you need to trace you shape onto the base of the box. Remember you need both sides to fit so divide the base in half then mirror your cloud shape. Cut the two pieces out.

* Cut the sides of the box off in long strips about 4inches (10cm) wide. You will notice you can bend the strips across the grain so do this as it will help you bend them around the shape of the cloud.

*Cut some pieces of tape and have them ready-they dont need to be very wide. If you tape this together really really well it will hold together really really well when the kids are having a whack and you want those sweets to burst out. Not ideal!

*Start bending the strips around the sides and taping as you go. I taped them on the edge, not inside the edge, as it held the shape better. 

*Cut some raindrops from the left over cardboard

*Carefully cut a flap in the top so you can fill it when you're done

*You also need to cut a large flap across the bottom if you want someone to be able to pull something to open it. Like a one year old ( gulp) using a raindrop. 

*Start covering it in tissue paper-large pieces and not neat as this is just the 'crumb layer' if you like. Leave the flaps open

*Now cover your raindrops in felt-just place a raindrop on a piece of felt and cut it out about 5mm bigger. Do a piece for each side of each raindrop and glue them together with the cardboard shape in the centre. Squeeze the felt edges together sealing the cardboard shape inside and leaving your raindrops nice and neat.

* Now thread some fishing line onto the needle and thread it through the top of a raindrop. Secure with a coupld of knots. Work out where you want this raindrop hanging and then thread it through the flap or edge of the bottom of the cloud. reoeat with each raindrop.
**DONT FORGET to secure the 'pull' raindrop to the flap near the open end so that it will pull open when you want it too

*Cut strips of tissue paper and scallop one edge. The size is up to you. Glue the strips, starting at the bottom, across the front and back of the pinata. When you layer the sides, start at the centre bottom and work your way up the sides so that both sides have the layers going the right way

* Glue them to the flap but not right across-you'll do that after filling it

* Thread some fishing line and secure to the front with several knots then leaving about 1 metre, cut the line then secure to the other side. This way you have a long loop for hanging or securing with ribbon to a branch. The cloud looks so much nicer if you cant see the support lines

* Cut some contrasting raindrops out and stick on randomly on the front and back- I went with silver so it shimmers when hanging

* I glued a number 1 on a raindrop for fun and to remind us which one yank on

So there you go. You can apply this technique to any sape you like.

Have fun!

 

 

spring printing

I have not printed fabric for probably twenty years. The fact that I still had silk screens and a squeedgie stored in the roof was beyond a miracle and let me tell you when the woman at the prininting store told me they hadnt used wood for screen frames for decades, well, she gave me a look. The fact that mum bought my screens at a garage sale back then so they were already 'old' failed to turn into words.

Anyway I digress.....

I had a crazy amount of fun doing this. When a fabric printing swap was discussed among these lovely ladies I meet regularly with, I was so excited.  I immediately drew up my prints based on the theme "Spring" knowing it would be on linen tea towels and then I did nothing about it until this week. A little panic perhaps?

There was a spare for each person in cased you ballsed one up but I've managed to keep that one to try something else.

  

The paint- Ecotex. This will apparently last longer than the fabric its printed on as long as you heat set it properly. It washed really well-no difference in intensity so I guess all that time standing at the iron paid off.

Buy primary colours then you can mix whatever you fancy.

For the stencils I decided that tracing paper was ideal. Large enough to cover the area and using a craft blade to cut out your shapes works fine.

For stamping I used the sponge rolls from paint rollers. They have a hard plastic tube inside so you can actually push down and get a firmer print rather than all sponge which just squishes down on itself.

I have some grey linen Im going to print and make pants for Charlie. Its a little addictive! 

KCWC

Ive never joined Megs challenge before but this time I thought....meh....why not? So late sunday night I joined and then I thought....eek! whatamIgoingtosew?? As you do.

Monday night-

Oliver & S bucket hat. Unfortunately I made it when Charlie was asleep and in the morning I was annoyed to see that it didnt fit. I made the medium size too so I have no idea what happened there. It measures correctly.

 Well lets just say I had to yank it on. Which is possibly ideal given that its hard for him to toss it on the ground but I think we'll call it a fail.

There is a chance he has what is technically referred to as a 'boomba' of a head.

Tuesday -

Happy.  Remember these little harem style pants I whipped up? Time for a replacement so I traced them onto some stash (being very generous) and decided I would add a bum patch rather than another panel.

Come on in plate. I think those baby pants with the bum insert are so cute but I didnt have the time to play around making the pattern as while he naps, I must sew. You know how it goes! So I cheated the look with applique but placed the circle low enough that it would be caught in the crotch seem. 

When Charlies was sitting I measured him from the waistband and down to his seat and along to the ankles. That way I had the right length when sitting with a bit of growth length. I settled on 44 cm. Add two inches for elastic turnover and take the main fabric length back by 4cm as I added a panel at the hem.

I machined the edge down then two more rows for detail. 

I then french seamed the crotch/inside leg. I know-its a curve. But I hate edges more than I hate some puckered crotch seam and its the babies puckered crotch seam not mine. Seems justified.

He woke, got into everything and eventually I had to secure him. He looks so patient here. Not really. The delay on my camera simply caught this pose. Were you fooled?

There is a HUGE size difference! But funnily enough both fit him. Crazy. I dare say he is much more comfortable on the new ones even if his daddy thinks they look like pjs.

Its the customer that counts though isnt it. I think he's happy.

So now I'm off to finish the kurta I am making from some orange check linen based on an old top of mine.

How are you going with your sewing list this week? 

lately

Charlie moved to the big table. His excitement was so much fun.

I did something radical. Well for me anyway-there was a lot of hair on the floor!

Can I just say this habit we all have of trying to take our own photos? Crazy. Arms were not meant to bend that way while trying to take aim and touch the button your phone. Ouch

Sleep is achieved with coverage. Actually makes it an easy clue when we're out as he starts draping things over his face. Funny kid.

This is getting there. The quilting has begun.

I cant beleive this happened so fast! I found myself looking at 1st birthday cards and had to stop myself. I want to savour every single moment with this litte guy. I'd forgotten how fast it whips by. I'm so glad I dont have to race off to an office or set and miss it all.

These portraits have become a case of"quick get the shot no no no please dont move ok grab the (insert appropriate letter/number)" etc

I bought this cut and sew picture book from Spoonflower. I was a little nervice expecting it to be quite bright and stiff but it is absolutely divine! Soft and vintage in appearance. I put a piece of cotton batting inside each 'page' to make it more baby squish and suck friendly.

School Spring Fete sweat shop.

There has been gorgeous sunshine these last few days so baby and I have been doing some park lolling. I'm sure thats a technical term....

This is the cardigan I finished the other night. All the details are on my ravelry page. I want you to know that I love it. LOVE IT. Yes I know it needs some buttons : )

 xx

crafternoon

I was on God daughter duty after lunch today which is always such a treat and, now that naps are a thing of the past, we were able to do something in the time before picking up the boys.

>
The boys were beside themselves when they saw her in the playground.Besotted.

 

Have a gorgeous weekend!!

We are skateboarding/house hunting/football registering/bicycle testing and picnicing.Thats Saturday.Sunday I think we will be lying on a beach somewhere utterly exhausted.

In the midst of all that I will be on here ordering some much desired fabric and casting on something new as tonight I am binding off a sweet little cardigan that I will show you when I've blocked it.Happiness is.

art

Its everywhere we turn and here today I have had a taste.

Some of the creations from my students and I am so proud of them!! Its very interesting the way children inspire each other and each class ended with a definite theme.Trying to keep each child on their own course is a challenge as they eat up the ideas around them!!

My other little piece of inspired creativity today is the infamous desert that took centre stage in the final of Junior Masterchef the other night.I must admit to not being a loyal fan of any of these shows (unlike my friend who can rattle off each contestants dna and finest moment without hesitation),but I was thoroughly taken with the genuine joy,appreciation and talent of the final group and sobbed with the rest of the country the other night as the last two (aged twelve and thirteen) battled it out.Luckily for us,the desert chef,or shall we say artist,is local and today,while in the area ,it occurred to us to see if "Pear Perfection" was as breathtaking in reality as it was on the screen.If you want one RUN because the sales person told us they are for this week only.

We only bought one as we suspected correctly that a taste is all you need.The boys salivated like paparazzi as I sliced it ever so carefully to inspect the inside as they had done on the show.No mean feat let me tell you.I think halves is all it can bear-quarters were a challenge!

Choux pastry,marzipan,chocolate,praline,jelly and custard.Visually impressive. Taste not so sure- but admittedly ours had been in the fridge for some time before we broke in to it so I'd say we made the job alot harder.In terms of design though this man has it nailed.We actually treated ourselves to another treat while in there today called " Berry Berrylicious" .Extraordinary but I have no idea how anyone could eat a whole one.I say that as the owner of a notoriously sweet tooth courtesy of my grandmother.

Of course if you are thinking of these creations as a meal you are missing the point.

There was sponge,coulis,white chocolate,toffee,mousse and a dusting of something on the sides which I cannot give a name too.It was shaped like a snail (or perhaps half a wheel) and devastatingly gorgeous.

Pencil in hand,dreaming up the shapes and colours then adding the flavours and textures to best give flight to his fancy.Its how I would begin.Perhaps he creates them through play in the kitchen-I don't know.I find the finished product fascinating.Art.

 

firsts

Yesterday we experienced our first school fete.Not that we had never been to one before but this was the first time we were at one our ( as in the one we are attending) school was hosting.One of the positives about changing schools I guess.

All the children were soooo excited.The entertainment organised and the participation from families was wonderful to see and it made me realise what a lovely community we are now a part of.So many people contributed to the success of the day behind the scenes and then, on the day, running stalls and entertainment ensuring happy faces everywhere.

I volunteered to help out with the tea cosy competition and stall and so have been spending thursday lunchtimes with a great group of women all teaching how to hook to a group of willing children.Some waned towards the end but we also had enthusiastic converts.Nanda(the gorgeous organiser) opened the competition up on raverly.There were indeed some inspired takes on how to keep your tea warm!

Henry took to hooking with gusto.As much as I have tried to encourage regular knitting from my boys, it seems that crochet is faster for them to grasp.I must say,that recent experience during my classes has shown me that boys pick it up faster than the girls.Perhaps its the lego brain!

Here is Margaret minding the adults table. 

 Mister Henry Hooker won best boys tea cosy!!

Lovely Nanda holding the microphone.

 

A little chuffed he very happily took home a great kit from these fabulous ladies.

And here is his "Owl" sporting two lovely vintage buttons for eyes he pinched from my stash.I am very proud to say that all I helped with was the plain knitted base.The triple crochet head and the rest is all by Henry.Fab job my sweet!!

 

Mine was a little underdone but I was more interested in my kitchen table I guess so simply put some hexes to work.Astounding how popular mine was in the peoples choice-it seems alot of people love an orange/pink combo.

 

And the tea cosy queen herself came for a visit. I managed to get in a photo with Loani and Alison.

Alison made the sweetest Owl and the Pussycat cosy.She was the winner of the adults competition.

   

Oliver was able to experience his first public performance.When were told that the littlies would be performing at the fete I must say my first thought was of cats shrieking it out on a wall somewhere.

My little fiddler xx

 My second was to buy some rather enormous earmuffs.

The kids were so CUTE! They played "Mary had a little lamb' and received such applause they played it again.Afterwards ,as I tried to kiss Oliver "well done",all I got was teeth.He was grinning from ear to ear totally pumped and proud.

Henry also played in Junior Band and then the big kids played- they never cease to amaze me.There is some wonderful musical talent in this school including the parent band who entertained the crowd.Clearly professionals. 

Both the boys got into the finals in the photography competition and Oliver was amazed by the man who turned a pigeon into a rabbit " he really did mummy he really did"!!

All in all a super day.

xxxx

classmate treats

Its the last day of school tomorrow and Henry will be handing these out (complete with candy cane of course!) to his classmates.

I tried to find the tutorial on the Martha site for you but it doesn't seem to be there so..

Buy a pack of 1" polystyrene balls.

Pair them up and squish one in each pair between your hands until it is compressed and smaller.

Glue the small one on top of the other.

Pour some glitter snow ( I used the Martha brand)into a small glass.

Stick a pin in one end but so that you can hold it.

Paste the other end in decoupage glue and then dip in the glass sloshing it a round until all coated.

Pull out pin and repeat with other end

Lay them on a dish to dry.

Put a dab of glue and carefully stick on two black seed beads.

Snip a carrot nose from some felt and glue along the end then attach to face.

Tie some cute ribbon around neck as scarf.

Push a chopstick into the snowman's bottom and wiggle around just a little so you can fit a pencil in the hole.

Blob some craft glue into the hole then insert your pencil.

Ta da!!

Very cute and the best thing is that afterwards you will find everything around you covered in sparkles!!

I don't have the antidote to that yet : )

xxxx
 
 

angels in the kitchen

A very happy arrival today from this lovely lady saw some afterschool crafting happen.

I tied a couple of branches together and we made some paper decorations inspired by Rie Elise Larsson's paper craft projects.

I made scrap angels with the children in craft club the last week and had intended to make some with the boys.They are perfect on our christmas mobile with todays craft.I had been saving a little scrap bag of linen,tulle and leftover lace for just this

Henrys angel.My favourite out of the three.

Mine.

Olivers angel.

There are some rather large decorations now hanging in the loungeroom too.It seems that once you begin stapling and beading it is a little hard to stop....

I hope your prep is going to plan.

xxxx