Melting

Another gift to make as relief from the news that our state is literally on fire. I cant bear to watch any more news - its just too devestating. So, I needed to get creative.

I had to get a gift for a music lover, and had seen record bowls on the internet, so I thought I would give it a try. By simply typing how to make a record bowl into google, I got simple instructions and in under twenty minutes had two finished projects!

Step one - get records. I had to go to mums to get some to try. I didn't want to wreck something that they liked so I grabbed my own records. These were the first ones I bought with my own money - a whole $10 from Brashs- and you got one free. I still feel ripped off as they weren't original artists, but what sounds like some "Idol" singers singing your favorites (from 1984!) Burt was collected to scan and cover the record centre in case it worked- others wouldn't get the significance of my first album.

Step two - and this is the key - Turn an oven proof bowl UPSIDE down and place the record on the top and place in the oven (at about 200 degrees) for only a few minutes. (Alexander didn't even know what these things were!!!)
The record will quickly start to dip around the bowl. Now, you can either pull it out and mold it quite easily if you want an open style design. If you would like a bit more bowl shape, leave it in as it will start to hug the bowl - this may be slightly harder to remove. Once in a shape you like, set aside to cool.

Here is the finished project - the front one is a tight bowl, and the back one is more open. You have to remember they cant be bowls as they have a hole in them, however for chips etc they can be really fun. I stuck the burt record centres in to my bowl and gave the inside a quick coat with modpodge so it could be used for food. Hope she likes it. Oh, for the card I scanned the cover of the bacarach album to match. He is one of her all time favorites. Maybe I'll make some biscuits and wrap it all in cellophane, we'll see.

RECORD HEAT!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure you can really see in this photo - but this is the dash of my car in our driveway as we return from a party and it is Hot, no, really hot. I have the outside temperature and it is 47 degrees outside - and that is centigrade! I have never known it to be that hot. We are hovering inside with the aircon blasting and trying to keep cool. They sky outside is an eerie colour, but I have no news of fires - yet. The countryside is so dry - it feels like it has just been baked.

To keep the kids cool we gave them baths in the cool room (the one with airconditioning) as everywhere else is too hot. Hope you are staying cool.

More pressies

The machine was busy again making the other half of Lauren's present. She is a HUGE fan of Elmo so I found some embroideries and put one on a tshirt (inspired by Polo pony) and one on a windcheater for day care. I bought these as it was cheaper than making them. The large one is a pillow case I made - with a font from Sesame Street it appliqued the name with white blanket stitch. This is all fabric from the stash and I was really happy with the outcome. To save throwing out paper, I put all the bits and pieces into the pillowcase and added a ribbon.

A little bit of creativity

I made this felt wand for my god daughters 2nd birthday. I found in in a tutorial but sadly, I cannot for the life of me find where - it is really good and i want to credit them. I was on How About Orange which led me to the best post here on *the long thread* but from there it is a mystery. However I found it I am really happy and hope she is too!

One on, One Off

After a great start to school yesterday, today was a day off. It is still warm, and we needed something to do cool and indoors - so off to the movies. I took all the kids to Forest Hill. Managing them all at the movies only takes a little preparation as I had food etc and went to a cinema that hardly anyone else goes to - and it was all true to plan. We even saw an 11.10am movie - The Tales of Despareux, which although it was animated, was fairly focussed on truth, honour and loyalty, all a little high brow for a five year old and a little slow - no wonder the little boys looked like this!

School is Cool

Our little boy on his first day of school today, and what a day! There were no tears, no pushing, he was eager, excited and so ready to go. While there is much debate about holding kids back etc, I think this is a really individual choice, and you really need to know your own children. I was pretty sure Alexander would go when he was scheduled to, even though he only turned 5 in January and today I felt we'd done the right thing. He is eager to learn new things, meet new people and just get out there and do it! We got a quick kiss at the door and he was off - he didn't even look back. Just hung his bag up and sat down to start work. We stood at the window watching for a while, waiting to see if he would need us or if there was anything else to do, but he was already engrossed in coversation with a new friend that he didn't even see us leave. He is well and truly a school boy now with a very proud mum and dad.

Furniture Relocation

Now that Xandy is a school boy (well almost) we want his room to reflect that and as such things are on the move. Rather than rushing out and buying new things, we have been moving things around to great success. The best thing was moving a bookshelf from his room to a nook in the kitchen that we haven't got around to getting something for. It was a pretty good fit but an excellent solution. These things however always take longer with the helpers!