Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Christmas busy book pages

When I was teaching there were quite a few of us that made two lists on the board with "Must do's" and "Can do's"- generally on a Friday with tasks and activities that the children needed to get done and a few things they could do when finished.  I think I need to write one of those lists as I am really good at doing things on my "can do" list- crafting, making stuff, more crafting but not so good on the 'must do's"- cleaning, cooking and other jobs- as I'm sure a lot of you crafters can relate! I have quite a few things on my 'must do' list at the moment but instead of doing some of them last night I decided I really wanted to make some more busy book pages. My hubby actually asked when I was going to be finished with the busy book but I honestly can't imagine finishing it- I think of pages I would like to make all the time!  So here are my latest pages...
Page 1: Decorate the christmas tree with little felt ornaments and thread the ric-rac through the loops to make a garland 
Page 2: a zip pocket to store the felt decorations and four 'lift the flap' presents with pictures underneath (from the Maisy fabric I also used for my roll-up busy book). 
Right, better go and do a few 'must do's' now before Jack wakes up!
Megan x

Monday, November 21, 2011

Picture books on youtube

My laptop sits on the kitchen bench most days. This is where the kids also sit for 3 meals and morning/afternoon tea most days and where they sit waiting (ever so patiently ha!) for what ever meal is coming their way next. So somedays these links on youtube and the associated 5 minutes of peace I get are just too good not to share. Some aren't the best quality but my kids (aged 2 and 4) enjoy them anyway. Hope yours enjoy them too :)

We're going on a bear hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
Owl babies by Martin Waddell
Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
Hairy Maclary by Lynley Dodd
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

And this is a funny one a friend shared on facebook- my 4 year old loved it but my 2 year old wasn't so sure! 
Sesame St lullabies. 
Would love to hear of more if you have any links to share.
Megan x

Friday, November 11, 2011

i ♥ colour

I've been checking out some of my favourite online shops lately getting a few ideas for christmas pressies- I am loving all these colourful goodies so I thought I'd share them with you!

Kikki-k diary gift pack

Envirosax bag from Green with Envy

Skip Hop kids cup from Yum Yum Kids

Babushka fairy lights from Kid Republic

Robot from Kid Republic
Apple Shadow Box
Apple shadow box display shelf from Candy Stripe Cloud

Cath Kidston Vintage Rose  Canister Set
Cath Kidston vintage rose canister set from Lark
Orla Kiely Hard Bound Journal A6
Orla Kiely journal from Small Acorns

And if you are a Bay of Plenty local and a big fan of colour and music head along to the incredible musical 'Colourful Soul' on now at the Mount Performing Arts Centre for 2 more nights- tonight and tomorrow night.  Check out www.colourfulsoul.co.nz or www.facebook.com/ColourfulSoul
An amazing show featuring some very talented locals! http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/colourful-show-worth-look/1168623/

Megan x

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

My creative space: a roll up busy book

 
Isn't it great having crafty friends to get cool ideas from? My friend Krista gave me this idea to make a roll up busy book as she was making a neat panel style book for a little girl to play with in the car. So I thought I would make something similar for a 1 year old but make it so it can be laid out on the floor to play with and then rolled up when finished with. And other than cutting out the 8 squares for the book the whole thing only took just over an hour to sew together- I did do pretty simple pages though! I sewed the front four panels together and then the back four panels together, then placed the 2 panels right side to right side and sewed around the whole book leaving a small gap for turning right side out (and popping in a little yellow flap), then top stitched around it.
For the first page I appliqued some animal print fabric and added a felt flap...
A clip for the second page...
Some cute Maisy fabric for the third page with some beads to play with...
 
and some taggie ribbons for the last page (don't you love the Hungry Caterpillar fabric!)
Here are the fabrics I chose for the back- two from Roz of Squiltz thank you again Roz :)
And here it is all rolled up - I stitched velcro dots underneath the little flap to keep the book shut.
So if you are keen to make a busy book but are a little daunted about making heaps of pages then this is a great option! 
For more creative spaces, head on over here
Megan x
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