Trampoline IOU Reward Voucher

Trampoline voucher for rewards.

Click here for full size PDF image
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Wedding Bunting Mention

Super exciting - just got first mention and link to my owl bunting in another blog: Paper and Lace.

I feel inspired to actually make more bunting now.  Maybe my next bunting could be a bit more wedding-y than owls though...
I was a bit surprised to be included though to be honest.  I'm not sure whether many or even any brides would go for owls hooting around for wedding decor, but if you've even seen some of those bridal reality shows from the UK or US there's definitely people with individual taste out there.

Kelly Tarlton's IOU Reward Voucher

This is my first attempt at a reward voucher for the children.  Thought Kelly Tarlton's would be a good one.  Might have to think a bit smaller (i.e. cheaper) for others... maybe jumping on the trampoline or something.

It is 6x4" so easy to print off as a photo.

Click here for PDF to download

Tissue Box Feet

Really like these tissue box feet.

Really an extension of our paper mache giant blocks.
Also had some boxes on Ollie's arms and feet the other day which makes a really easy robot costume.

Pixelation and an Ode to All Things Square

I am in love with squares.  I love square paintings, frames, rubics cubes, square bedside tables, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (that's because I also love Art Nouveau and he made it more square), patchwork quilts (not ones with diamonds, or triangles - only squares), and pixels. 

The greatest things about photoshop is that you can pixelate an image into squares of any size you choose.  I have mentioned ixxi before and still have my version of Girl With a Pearl Earring to finish off for the hallway (but like everything else in my house still needs wall stripped of old wallpaper, replastered, sanded and painted.....hours of boring work).


There are also all sorts of programs I'm sure, for breaking down images into squares because that must be how they do it for cross stitch....  like KG Chart which apparently is free.  


The main thing to remember when pixelating something is the scale.  Say you are making a cot blanket - the dimensions are approx 110 x 130cm.  So if you are making each square 10cm, you can only have 13 squares by 11 squares. It would need to be a very simple image.  If you decide to go with 5cm squares, you have more to play with, but also twice the work.  It would be better to go with 7.5 cm which would mean 105cm x 127.5cm quilt, with 14 squares by 17 squares (but you can adjust to 15 x 18 squares) 


In Photoshop: go to Filter - Pixelate - Mosaic.  You can adjust the pixel size.  130 is about the limit for an image - so you can just tell what it is meant to be.  It is getting quite abstract though.

 
And then use the crop tool to crop the image to the number of squares the project will be.

This is about 14 x 18 squares I think.

Finally you need to find lots of scraps of fabric that are approximately the right colours.  If you went for something like this rabbit, it will eventually be difficult to see what the image is meant to be, but you'll have a lovely quilt in a neutral palette of browns and greens.  Way stylier than pink or blue.
The simpler the image, and fewer colours, the easier it is.  Easier is sometimes good, but not usually as interesting.

To Upcycle.....or not

There is a bit of a fashion at the moment for upcycling old wool blankets into nice looking but slightly scratchy cushions.  People are even appliqueing some interesting imagery on them....such as jandals.  Maybe you sit back on them to relax, itch, fidget, watch the rain outside and reminisce about summer days?

Or you could always forgo the trend and donate useful much needed blankets to organisations like Supportline Women's Refuge Trust who are very much in need of any blankets, linens, bedding, curtains or any household items.  A lot of their extra stuff went out to families after the Christchurch earthquakes and there are many families in need.

So maybe a blanket is better off staying that way - even if it has a stain or tear or hole.  Much more useful keeping a small child warm than as a fleetingly fashionable throw(away) cushion?

Egg Carton Traffic Lights

Well loved traffic lights

These brilliant traffic lights are the result of Briar's genius.  She leads a preschool kapa haka group: Kiddy Kapa Haka.  There is a song about road safety in Te Reo Maori and she felt a traffic light would help the children's understanding.  Being Briar, she didn't just draw a poster of some traffic lights.  She went and made some working lights.  The children LOVE them.   Phineas was lucky enough to get some for his birthday.  Unfortunately the lights are so popular that they have been thrashed a bit.  No worries, they still do the job.


You will need:

• Egg carton
• Black paint
• Cardboard cut into size of middle of carton
• 3 x touch lights - you can get them from the $2 shop.
• Glue gun and glue.
• Cellophane in red, yellow/orange and green.

The littlies helping Briar paint the cartons.

1.  Paint carton.  This can be done with expert help. Let dry.
2. Cut 3 circles for lights. 
3. Glue long piece of cardboard in middle of carton.
4. Close lid.  Trace around the circles you have cut onto the cardboard.
5. Fold cellophane into square making at least 3 layers.
6. Glue squares inside carton where the holes have been cut. (In traffic light order)
7. Glue lights onto cardboard where you have traced the circles.

The masking tape is another emergency repair job.  I think this is a toy for responsible children to look after and irresponsible children to play with, have a great time and gradually destroy.  Lots of fun before it gets to the end though.