With Love Lori xx

I've been contemplating this post for a few days now, but I haven't been quite sure what to say.

I know now, that all that needs to be said is, Lori, you have made me spit coffee over my computer screen and snort it up my nose, not once, but a dozen times. You have made me laugh so hard that I have woken my kids up. You have put dozens of smiles of my face when I have been feeling down. Thank you!!

Every inch of my being is sending your precious Tony healing thoughts, sending you and your sweet ones all my love in this tough time.

With Love,

Pay It Forward 2011

I promise something handmade to the FIRST 5 people who leave a comment here. However, to be eligible, you must repost this message, offering something handmade to 5 other people. The rules are that it must be handmade by you, and it must be sent to your 5 giftees sometime in 2011. Ready, set, GO!


I joined over at Rosehips and Spiderwebs

Handmade Christmas Gifts - Beloverly

I've mentioned Cat, from Beloverly numerous times before, and we were lucky enough to grab two of Cat's pieces for Christmas. The above is the Princesses, and was placed under the tree with the book of the same theme 'Guess How Much I Love You'. These pieces, are pieces that you have to see with your own eyes, to know how great they are. I knew they were good when I seen Cat post photos of her goods, but to actually hold these in my hands and 'really' look at them I was blown away.

This one is currently sitting in my room at the minute (the princess is still sleeping in my room) on my work in progress shelf, I was going to move it for the photo but I thought that it is nice to see where your own creations end up living. I think all the dolls and creatures coming to life are enjoying having it by their side though.

I haven't taken a picture of Charlie's yet, his is yet to find the right home to sit or hang, but as soon as it does I will grab a picture. (He loves it by the way)

You can find Cat's work over at ETSY or Madeit and here blog can be found {here}.

Thank you once again Cat - I'm sure these will be treasured for many, many years to come.

Olga the Elephant

Don't let her sweet look fool you, Olga the Elephant arrived in our castle today all the way from Russia, the prince, princess and I went to pick her up this morning. She is a hard old women who's mood changes as much as our Tasmanian weather, could be due to a bit of jet lag, but I just think she is a snotty nosed old lady. The dark clouds bring the dark side out in old Olga, her bones creak, her skin sags and her manners are appalling.

You shouldn't let her small size sway your judgement either, this old lady certainly packs a kick when things don't go her way... Little does she know, if she keeps her horrid attitude up she is destined for her worst nightmare... the baby play area (insert evil laugh here).

Got My Happy Pants On

image from {here}

ok, well maybe I lied. I don't own a pair of so called 'happy pants', you know those ones from the 70's/80's, ridiculous colours, ridiculous style, but did you know, if you ran really fast down a hallway lined with floor boards, then slid on your knees that they would puff out like a parachute? (You'll just have to trust me on this one. Please oh please oh PLEASE do not go and buy yourself a pair of happy pants, they are not cool, they were never cool)


But in this instance, we will make the pants I have on now my happy pants, well, that could work because pjamas do make me happy.

I had a brief chat the other day about wanting to make a Waldorf Doll. It has been something I have wanted to do for a long time. I was quite nervous about the whole process, but in the last few weeks I have been connecting with other Waldorf doll makers across the globe who's work I admire. Some have sent fabulous links of wonderful tutorials others have sent kind words of encouragement. The Waldorf doll maker community seems like such a beautiful, supportive community, and I can't wait to be a part of it.

So why the happy pants? Well today I received a book in the mail to help me on my journey and confirmation that my doll kit order has hit Melbourne... So its only a few days until it hits my mail box... and I am SUPER excited. So excited that I had to come here and ramble on about it because my four year old prince is sick of hearing about it ;)

Dino-riffic!

I am really going to be trying hard this year to get creative, to get crafty which I hope in turn will help 'get me happy'. Not that I am not happy, but certainly not as much as what I want to be.

Heck, I studied art at Uni I SHOULD be doing something arty... shouldn't I?

You've heard about writers block, well I have been suffering from creative block. Not the type where I don't want to create, but more so I don't know WHAT to create. Not sure what has caused it, but I do know that these little toys I have been creating are slowly bringing back my want to create which is such a breath of fresh air... I might even be tempted to get the easel out sometime in the next few weeks and get back to what I always used to be about. It has been a long while since I was walking down the street with paint in my hair and on my clothes because I had been awake for over 24 hours painting or even drawing up a storm.

Anyway, sorry for getting you lost on my little tangent... I did forst off come here to show off my creation today... another T-Rex and I am loving the colours... very similar to Charlie's Bedroom (although this is not for him, he has requested a lizard?!?!).

I love making these, they are the sweetest thing.

Creative Collective: New Year - New Craft

I'm joining in this month with the Creative Collective challenge, New Year = New Craft. I have started in the past few weeks to get into soft toy making. I have never drafted my own pattern though, and have really wanted to so I gave it a go. Of course, I chose an owl, I love them and thought that it would be simple enough to have a go at...

So introducing Edward the Owl, I thought once I had finished him that he would make a cute pin cushion... Until I heard him screaming out Arghhhhh! I thought to myself, 'thats strange, owls don't make that kind of sound normally', it sounds like he is in pain. Poor Edward, seems he is not cut out to be a pin cushion.

Pins removed and whilst I was hanging out the washing, I heard the sweetest sound...

Seems the little sweet heart had followed me outside and his headache was fixed up by the sun...

Now, I was thinking that I would give this little soul away until he decided to hide away from me, until he found his way into a pair of caring little hands, so instead, I am going to make up another one to giveaway, he seemed more pleased about that idea...

So, if you would like to win one of Edward's cousins, leave a comment here. I will leave the comments open until the end of this months Challenge, 31st January (Australian Eastern Standard Time). I am happy to post anywhere - but please note that these Owls have small parts and are not intended for small children or adults that tend to put things in their mouth.