Lovestamp- we have a winner!

Tinker and I put all the numbers into the back of her train and she picked the winner... drum roll...

Number 16

She actually grabbed a handful of numbers but she quickly threw them on the floor and kept hold of this one so that is you DaniV you are the lucky winner of our stunning Lovestamp prize.

Thanks again to the amazing Jo who very kindly donated this most generous gift. I am sure Dani will absolutely love it.

Don't be sad if you missed out, you now know where to find Jo's fabulous work.

Make sure you come back on Monday I have another really wonderful giveaway.

Enjoy your weekend. xx

P.s I decided to give Tempete another few days to claim her prize before I redraw on WEDNESDAY because I'm a softie and I figured maybe she has gone on holiday. Lucky duck if that is the case! I would lurve a holiday right about now. Next best thing to a holiday? A friend coming to stay. My good friend and fellow blogger Theoreticgal is coming to stay for a few days. I am very excited, she arrives tomorrow. We are hoping to get some crafting done. I'll post pics.

Simple (sometimes sticky) Things

Here is my little Tinker in the sweet little knitted woollen hat, top and pants I bought at the craft store in Bowral on Sunday. I adore handknitted things especially paired with something really dressy. A little handknitted piece always adds a bit of love to an stylish store bought outfit. I couldn't resist decking her out head to toe in this pink woollen outfit. It is her "leisure suit" to rival my "not to be worn out of the house" velour leisure suit. Stop snickering. I swear, I haven't left the house in it. Ok fine I did go to the letterbox but never over the boundary line.

Yes she is playing with some sticky masking tape. It is a thrilling and complex game. Have I mentioned my child is a genius? I tear off bits of tape and stick them on her and she laughs herself silly as she takes them all off one by one. Then she says "again?" and we repeat the process a few dozen times.

What are the simple things that amuse your little one?

Tinker always loves a peg from the washing line or a key ring full of keys. An iPod or a mobile phone is a sure thing but nothing beats the plastic container drawer. She will amuse herself for ages pulling out the boxes, taking off the lids and then rearranging the cupboards.

My shoes will keep her happy for about 10 minutes. First she goes to the shoe cupboard and chooses a pair. Always a pair she never mixes. Then she takes 5 mins getting them on and then she proudly walks through the house in them clonk clonk clonk. Here she is tonight in some sensible flats:

She also loves a pad of Post-it notes and nothing beats freshly pressed and/or folded washing. There is something magnetic about neatness that draws her in. She must find it, and mess it all up. It is as though she is under a trance. Neatly folded pile of fitted sheets? Perfect.

She tires of proper toys quite quickly but these simple things always amuse her. So I'd love to know what your little ones love when it comes to simple things. I'd like some new ideas for the Tinks.

Jammies

A quick post showing off my latest bad sewing experience. I know you are all just on the edges of your seats now knowing that another masterpiece from the couture house of Stepford Dreams is about to be revealed...

My friend Cathy who is incredibly talented and clever gifted me with a gorgeous sewing pattern for a pair of baby pyjamas from Oliver and S. I had been on the hunt for a kimono style PJ top pattern for a while and Cathy came to the rescue. She said it was such a great pattern ,really good for the beginner.

Shame I'm no ordinary beginner. I am someone who no matter what I do, just cannot sew. Yet here I am like the nerd that keeps asking you out on a date still making these "special" little sewing creations.

It took hours of yelling at the machine, ripping bits of paper, throwing scissors on the floor and generally acting like an ignorant bull in a china shop for me to complete the PJs for Tinker. Not to forget the countless emails and text messages sent to my Cathy and Theoretic Gal.

They are as wonky as all get out but the little bunny still wears them. God love her. Someone somewhere is looking down at my poor unfortunate child hoping that I lose a finger or have some other accident so I will never be able to make her any more clothes especially when she hits an age where it is so uncool to wear daggy mummymade stuff. Poor kid.

First the red hair now my sewing. Does she stand a chance in the playground?

Anyway here are some pics as promised and as you can see all T wanted to do was undo the snaps.

Crafty Corner

Just a quick note to let you all know you can sleep easy tonight. I finally made something kinda cute for my Tinker.

Until now every sewing project of mine has been a mish mash of naive ambition and the sewing skills of a gnat.

Well, thanks to my lovely friend Wynona who gifted me with a pattern kit from the very wonderful Little Fish Big Pond and the generous sewing books and supplies from Theoretic Gal, I managed to make something she can actually be seen in at Playgroup tomorrow. Complete with a skivvy and matching tights- because it is rather chilly here right now.

Step back people, an amazing piece of fashion history is being rolled out of the showroom. Here it is, my masterpiece dress for my little ruby haired girl:












I hope everyone had a great weekend and a not too painful Monday. Anyone get up to anything exciting? Probably the most thrilling thing that happened for me was hearing my very clever 16 month old count to ten, and ask me "papa like work?"... so perceptive my child.

Something Sweet

As most of you know, I am a wannabe crafter. I buy all the gadgets and materials and then I either botch the projects or I just pack them away for when I suddenly acquire some talent and skill. Something I planned to do was frame some beautiful fabrics. As always I have not done this. I did start it, but I didn't finish. Ok so define 'start'?

Ok fine I didn't start it but I did prepare the project. I bought the fabric. Maybe one day.



I recently found Ish and Chi a fabulous Sydney based etsy store run by Viv the author of the gorgeous blog by the same name. She does wonderful things framing fabric so I thought I'd show you something really lovely from her Etsy store here:







You can buy this beauty HERE to hang on your wall for $25US I think it is a fantastic price for a really pretty piece of art. It isn't only something for Sydneysiders either, Ish & Chi ship internationally.

I am in love with peonies and had hoped to feature them in my wedding bouquets. Unfortunately they were not in season when I got married so ever since I have lusted after these beautiful flowers in any shape or form.

Have a great Friday folks, I'm off to prepare lunch. The Tinker and I have a lunch playdate today with my lovely friend Laura and her gorgeous girl Sophia.

xx