Mothers Day Craft

This is an easy little idea that I impressed with at playgroup. It wasn't my idea, I found it here via One Pretty Thing. I chose to make these pendants as we (playgroup) all have too many kids but they are simply made out of Fimo or polymer clay. As you know I did actually have this lying around and the kids had a good time.
The kids worked the fimo and rolled it into a nice shapped ball. Then with a little help they pressed their finger in which flattened it out enough. Then with a skewer I put a hole in the top and cooked them for about 15 minutes. Once cooled I slipped a key ring loop through the top which I put some beads on for decoration.
These ones are a little overcooked as I was in a rush and cooking cooking party pies for lunch at the same time. Spencer's is meant to be yellow but it actually looks like Amber. I may try again using white fimo with the idea of putting a bit of black texta to bring out the finger print. (My understanding is you colour in with permanent texta over the fingerprint and then lightly rub over with a baby wipe- but I am yet to try it)
This long necklace is for mum for mothers day. It is a rich coral pink colour with light centres but you can't really see with the flash against my benchtop. Also matching clip on earrings. Lucky she doesn't come here!!

Cool stuff - Lego by ME

How cool is this - you can design your own LEGO!!! A friend of mine (a true grown up Lego-head) told me about this. I have not tried it but he tells me it is the coolest thing ever. You download the software and get access to EVERY PIECE OF Lego. You design your product and it is boxed and packaged especially for you. Plus if the powers at be at Lego like your design they may even put it into production.
Read more about it here or download and start working directly for Lego Here...

Make Under My Life...

I have been the Mayor of Crankytown of late, or maybe the Queen. Yes, the Queen of Crankytown. I have been quite in my reign, wallow in my own unhappiness. Everything and everyone is making me Cranky and I am sure my less-than-positive outlook has rubbed others the wrong way in return.

I don't know if it is a rut, or a combination of things, the moon, worries about everything from money to education to returning emails - whatever it is i get into a grumpy hole so deep that I cant get out - nor am I even interested in making any attempt to try and fix it.

Our weekly knitting always makes me feel better, but I stumbled on this post and just thought WOW!! It really hit me that I have been a dreamer all my life - scared off by FEAR.

I had a bit of a look around the Makeunder My Life Blog. Some of the concepts are great and I think could help reduce the number of pity parties I host for myself. The general idea of Makeunder My Life is that you need to design the life you want - and you can get there through additions and substractions. I have a lot of crap getting in the way -of everything. The end of week exfoliation concept is fantastic - each week you get rid of something that doesn't fit your intended life. It could be making room for something that does but that is not always the case. I know I hang onto sooooooo many things 'just in case'. Like a box of toilet rolls - just the cardboard, incase we need them for crafting.

So - I am going to say it out loud, I think I will be packing up my boxes - clearing out the cupboards and moving out of Crankytown...........

She Beads

Some time ago I saw a friend with these great bracelets on. She explained they were a special hand rolled bead and really expensive. I was intrigued and thought they looked like Fimo - polymer clay, and I reckoned they would be fairly easy to make (!!) So I bought my Fimo and had a go. What I didn't realise was how much Fimo has evolved since the 80's when I last used it. I picked colours I liked from a limited range planning a green bead, I got shades of yellow and blue - only to find one yellow was translucent and as such when it was cooked lost its colour. As such the beads which were nicely contrasting really lost a lot once they were done.

Ina waiting room I found an ad for the beads - in VOGUE and was directed to their website. What I did find out was how much they really cost which gave me more incentive to have a bit more of a go. I also have a book on polymer clay techniques so stay tuned for round two.

...and reminicing

Last night it really hit me and it really came as a shock. I didn't see it coming, cant really recall getting there - but I am o - l - d. Sshhh - keep it down, I don't want everyone to know!
So how did this amazing revelation unfold you ask? Sitting on the couch - funny place really. I sat down in front of the tv with kids in bed to watch the red carpet of the Logies (Australian TV awards). While I know it is naff, I love to watch the clothes and the choices people make. Then it hit me - I was sitting in front of the TV knitting, when in my olden days I used to get dressed up and try to crash the after parties (now that's tragic!) I used to compete against J'Aton in Gown of the Year, and now they are working the red carpet, dressing all the little starlets - albeit in different shades of MUSHROOM (not a good TV colour - I must let them know!!)
I felt like an old nana, sitting there thinking who are these people as I obviosly dont watch as much telly as I thought (or ABC Kids just didn't have a strong presence??) Luckily lots of old people and foodies won so I was happy.
I was also really happy not to be there, happy not to be dressing people (for free because thats how it works) and happy on the couch with my knitting and little family. So maybe I am not actually that old, just content. (Obviously majorly delusional but that is not the discussion)

Good Internet Shopping

I am always on the look out for a bargain. ALWAYS. My rule is never ever pay full price for anything. Which is why I am loving that a girlfriend recently directed me to Ozsale website. I don't know how this one had slipped past me but essentially what they do is email you with the sales of the day. There seem to be a great variety of things from Shoes, Lingerie, Jewellery, Jeans, Kids Clothes and accessories. I think the only thing I haven't seen there is Home wears - but I may be wrong. Diesel brand are regulars, but Trinny and Sussanah's sucky pants were recently listed and some great little girls ballet leotards. There seems to be a great variety of items on offer.

I have even bought something - bathers for Alexander. Boy leg lycra pants are impossible to buy off-season, so when I found them for $8 a pair I got 6 pairs in varying sizes (I will need duplicates down the line) THe only downside that I can see with this site is that each brand or mini-sale is individual - so you have to finalise your shopping cart and pay postage to each distributor. The postage for one pair of bathers was $8.50 but this only went up $.50 per item so it is worth buying more. You can sign up for free and get daily emails of their sales. Here is hte link - enjoy!

Its the thought that counts...

Mothers Day- it is looming close so I have been racking my brain to think of the perfect gift for my mum.She is one of the original crafters so I have to be careful that it is not too naff, not too young, something she hasn't already done (our house was made of macrame in the 70's) and something she will use. I was however trawling the internet for some new and exciting ideas - these were some of the best here and here. However it is looking like Mr P and I will resort to the tried and true jewellery option!
What I was wondering is while there are all these funky crafty ideas out there for mothers day, who is actually making them for the young and funky mums??? While my boys are interested in craft (especially Alexander) they are still too young to do this undirected. Which leads to my point. The Big Squirrel cannot even turn on the computer. Yes, a man that cant even find internet porn let alone find blogs filled with crafting ideas. His idea of 'thought' is running around late on the evening before often without the kids - thankfully he leaves enough time that its not 7/11 but close!. Nothing makes you feel more special than looking after the kids while your husband is one of those frantic male shoppers that sales assistants pounce on and load them up with useless crap they can't sell.
So while the saying is it is the thought, it is also the action - not so much the product. I would love something the boys have put together - picture coasters for example or even simple drawings. There are loads of ideas - will someone please tell the big squirrel???