Monday Giveaway - Honeybunch Designs

Happy Monday!

Did you have a lovely weekend? Are you dreading today? I had a fall on Friday and injured my back, so I've been drugged up to my eyeballs all weekend in complete agony and whining at every opportunity and even I'm not sad about this Monday? Why? I have the cutest of cute giveaways for you. If this doesn't make you smile then I don't know what will!

Jaclyn from Honeybunch Designs creates the sweetest handmade toys. In addition to her beautiful little blog you can find her here on etsy where she sells her stunning little critters. An amazing gymnastics coach by day, the very talented Jac has been designing her soft toys for 2 years now and has only recently set up shop. It's about time! Once you check our her store you will know what I mean. No little child should be without a Honeybunch Designs softie.

Jaclyn has 10 nieces and nephews who gladly test out all of her designs, she hopes to one day sell her patterns so that other people can experience the fun of bringing these little critters to life like she does with the beautiful fabrics and notions she chooses. Jaclyn also accepts custom orders so if there is something special you have in mind then let her know and I know she will make a magical little softie for you.

This week's giveaway is a beautiful Mother & Baby Owl Set by Honeybunch Designs. Perfect for a little boy or a little girl, this adorable pair would make the ideal gift. The Tinker loves owls, she has been hoot hooting at Jaclyn's pictures as I typed this post! To win, all you need to do is check out Jaclyn's store here and leave me a comment below letting me know what you love about Honeybunch Designs. Easy! Good luck, as always the Tinker will pick the winner on Friday. Happy MOnday. x

Wisdom & Fashion

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?”


I am definitely not an owl. I am more like a woodpecker, banging on all day not really saying much but making a lot of annoying, repetitive noise. For someone who so admires wise folk it is a shame I don't strive to be more owl-like. I speak before I think and I disappoint myself a lot with my overly talkative nature.


Really I think I should try a lot harder to be more wise. Now that I have a child I often think about the example I am setting for her. So many things I'd like to change about myself, one of them being my big mouth!


Anyway on the topic of owls I thought I might take the opportunity to show you all the work of a very wise lady. Wynona is terribly modest and oh so talented. She has a childrenswear label with her sister Anna, it is called Ivy Designs. A beautiful Aussie handmade-with-love brand that is close to my heart. Their much anticipated winter range has just been released and it did not disappoint. My very favourite is the Owl Pinny pictured below:

Image taken from here: http://www.ivydesigns.bigcartel.com/product/owl-pinny


Oh how I love owls, they are so beautiful and perfect for this little frock. The fabric is ever so pretty and so stylish without being an adults dress in a tiny size. I am very particular about the way I dress my daughter, I am of the belief that children should enjoy their childhood in gorgeous playful clothes. I see no room for children to dress like adults, in clothing designed to makes waistlines look smaller and chests bigger.

I know these days kids are being forced to grow up so quickly. The sexualisation of children worries me greatly, little things like babies in bikinis and mini skirts might be harmless fun to some but to me symbolises a step away from what a childhood should be all about- nice, clean fun! You can get about in skanky attire to your hearts content as an adult why not wear the superman cape to the shops with rain boots and a cute sunhat now? I love pretty childrens clothes but I have no time for sexy or tweenie.

I really think it is a shame to miss out on your only real chance to be playful and innocent. Why start wearing midriff tops and hot pants with lip gloss and trashy shoes when you are 6? You have your whole lives to do that. I'm not into awful dowdy clothes, I love fashion and I love stylish little outfits, I just like them to be fit for children.

What are your thoughts?

It's friday night now and I think I might sit back and read a few magazines I treated myself with this week. Have a lovely weekend everyone. I'm off to a funny store called The Foam Booth to collect my foam order tomorrow. Yes I have some crafting in store, I will definitely post photos when and if I achieve anything of note, I promise!