craftjuice

birdcage cushions

This week I made these 'birdcage' cushion covers from some great graphical Ikea fabric.  I cut a 49cm square from the fabric and  used a bird applique template from one of my Marie Claire Idees books, cut in some red cotton, and machine stitched around.  Then I put in a zip on one side and sewed around. Wha la!

They were for a gorgeous girl at work who has had a really rough year so far, but just bought herself a lovely new apartment in the city. She is going for a black/white design look and I thought these would look nice. I designed them for her - a little bird feathering her nest and leaving the past behind to explore the world with new found confidence.

I was so pleased she really liked them!

fresh juice for june

photo from Katie Did's flower collar tutorial

Sorry I'm a bit behind in getting to my fresh juice this month! But here's some great blogs I've been recently reading that you might like too...

Anna Marie Horner - I love her fresh feel and amazing quilts! (Did I say 'quilts' again out loud?!)

Bloesem Kids - what is there not to love about this design blog for kids? Just gorgeous.

Canberra's Got Style - great Australian design and fun around Canberra

Katie Did - this amaaaazing woman makes the most amaaaazing clothes for her kids and all photographed so beautifully!  I wish I was this talented!  SO INSPIRING!

Middle is Gold - I just love this blog because it is so full of life and family and love and other great stuff (and now, even a new gorgeous baby!)

I've added my fresh juice list for June over there on the left hand side so you can find them anytime...

(got a spare few minutes to finish your coffee? visit my other fresh juice picks throughout the year!)

kids quote handmade cards

A while ago over at angry chicken, I spied these hilarious cards made from her kid's quotes.

I thought this was a great idea not only to get mileage out of the laughter that generally ensures from whenever kids share their profound statements, but also as a lovely way to document them (and share them with others)!

Perhaps I can start with Miss M's "I'm not a Jedi mummy, that's Star Wars!"

For more of Amy's kids quote in all their perfectly typeset glory, have a look here...

jane austen's sewing box

It's really not my cup of tea in a delicate china cup, but I couldn't help but mention this find at my local bookstore today... Jane Austen's Sewing Box. A craft book inspired by Jane Austen books by Jennifer Forest.  Yep. Who would have thought.

Here's a nice description...

Jane Austen's Sewing Box opens a window into the lives of Regency women during a beautiful period in arts, crafts and design. Jennifer Forest examines Jane Austen’s novels and letters to reveal a world where women are gripped by crazes for painting on glass and netting purses, economise by trimming an old bonnet, or eagerly turn to their sewing to avoid an uncomfortable conversation.

Based on Jane Austen’s novels and with illustrated step by step instructions for eighteen craft projects, this beautifully presented book will delight Jane Austen fans, lovers of history and literature and craft enthusiasts alike.

ISBN: 9781741963748

I like the bit about turning to sewing to avoid an uncomfortable conversation! 

I think you'd have to blush coyly as well and prick your finger with the needle in the midst of your trembling discomfort.

photo tagged! my favourite photo

Jacqui tagged me to show my favourite photo (via fatmumslim).  Without hesitation, this is one of my favourite photos ever.

It's my dad. And it says everything about him!  He's handy. He's hard working. He's hilarious.  This was taken a few years ago when he was cutting down and mulching some of the tree in my mum and dad's backyard, hence the safety ear muffs.  I said 'smile!' and this is the first thing he did. To make himself like a beaver!

It makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it.

I love you so much dad!

(And now you know where I come from...)

happy birthday to me!

It's my birthday today!  I'm 37 - woot!  I really don't mind getting older - I'm having more fun than ever. And getting better at being myself every day! As I reflect on my life (as you do on your birthday) I am really thankful today for a lot of things.

One of those things is that I'm surrounded by the best friends that anyone in the world could ask for. I only have a very small group of close friends, even though I am blessed with an abundance of amazing and fabulous people in my life.

See these fantastic birthday gifts I received?  They are from my wonderful friend Jacqui who lives in Japan.  I only met Jacqui just a little over a year go through this blog and her blog, Blooming in Japan.  Even though we've never met in person, she is one of my dearest friends.  She has opened her heart and we share lots of interests, dreams and challenges. It's so rare to find someone that you just clicked with and I can't wait to meet her in person and give her a big hug one day!

These beautiful and thoughtful gifts have a story which illustrates the thing I am thankful for the most today - amazing friends. Because when Jacqui found them on Etsy, she had no idea that she was connecting with another of my amazing friends!!!  Yep - through some bizarre bend in the universe, of all the things Jacqui could have chosen for me, she chose my friend Fiona's stuff at Tree Party Design - get out!  And that just makes everything all the more special - because these special gifts are given and made with love from two very special people in my life.

And that's why I'm so thankful for my amazing, talented, incredible (and at times, very tolerant and patient) friends. And it fills my heart so overwhelmingly big and full, it makes me cry a bucket of tears! It's the best present of all. Especially today.

Happy Birthday to me. I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

the official toothfairy kit

Via angry chicken, I saw this gorgeous 'official toothfairy kit' where you can record your kid's teeth falling out. 

This seems a good idea until I think about maybe coming across this 30 years later and finding an envelope of teeny teeth...what then?

But it could be good when Miss M starts dating and not only can I bring out the ol' family photos to show the new boyfriend, using this chart, I could also proudly discuss each tooth my daughter lost over her early years (and the inevitable embarrassing story to go with it)...

Or have it on show on her 21st...

Or when she has lost them all, scan it and take out a display ad in the local newspaper...

Hmmm...this could have some uses.

I think I'm just in love with the letterpress and all the great branded stuff that goes with it.  Cause I can't get enough of that.

Get yours here for only US$16!

toddler backpack tutorial video and pdf

My gorgeous and talented friend Jacqui has posted a fantastic video and PDF tutorial on how to make one of her great toddler backpacks!

Jacqui lives in Japan with her beautiful family and has a fantastic shop Mee A Bee on Etsy!  All Jacqui's great bags and products are very kid friendly in design and are always in the most lovely fabrics. As she has two boys, she always has some great 'boy-friendly' designs and patterns - which I know are hard to find!

Watch her video and make one of these great bags.  They would be awesome for a swimming bag, library bag, birthday gift or just to carry around all that kid stuff!

owl brooch

I handstitched this little owl brooch (along with another one for a very special three year old) out of wool and felt for my NZ friend Miss T, as a thank you for having me stay.  He is all tucked up on his perch ready for a ride across the ocean.

Miss T is a most amazing friend in so many ways. She lets me dance and sing enthusiastically in my pyjamas and then pours me another wine. She gives me very wise advice. She can speak French. She fills her house with flowers. She is a crazy cat lady. She watches Princess Bride with me late at night. She is super duper smart. She eats healthy food. She is super stylish. She knows how to show a girl a good holiday time. She knows the best wines are the ones with obscure animals on the label. She still loves me even when I'm being a Potsy. And above all, she is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out.

After I came home she sent me a big bunch of the most magnificent flowers 'hoping that my holiday vibe continued'.  That's just the kind of incredible person she is.

I don't have very many close friends. But I couldn't do without Miss T. Ever.

healthy food guide

While I was in Auckland, my dear friend Dr M was judging New Zealand's 'magazine of the year'...which meant there were lots of lovely magazines around the house to look at, including dish (such beautiful photography - gastroporn at its finest) and Healthy Food Guide (hmm...see how I'm attracted to the food ones...)!

I was really impressed with the Healthy Food Guide magazine. It had really easy, no nonsense, quick recipes using simple, everyday ingredients. And best of all, its all healthy stuff. Not only cooking. But good health information, well being, kids stuff (fussy eaters) and nutrition.  I've logged onto their website and am so happy with all the great recipes and information available. Even a sensational kids health and eating section! There is also a terrific section on diabetes, food allergies and dairy free cooking. There is also a great tools section on weight loss, posters, checklists etc.

I brought home a couple of back copies and armed with these and the website, menu planning each week should be almost fun!  Have a look!