My Creative Space

I've been getting creative in the kitchen!

Don't fall off your chair, it's not like I baked the cakes or anything, in the way that this very clever lady would have.


I cheat and buy very plain slab sponges from Coles, which I then decorate with copious amounts of butter frosting and lollies!


I put the first layer of icing on, then draw the design onto the cake using a toothpick - then it's pretty much like colouring in.

I do this rather than cutting the shape from the cake as it's quite hard to ice the cut edges of cake, they tend to crumble.

My efforts were appreciated and the 'big girls' had a very wonderful 4th birthday on Tuesday.

I think possibly the only downside of having twins is having to make two cakes!

Check out what others have been whipping up by visiting the 'queen of creative' - Kirsty.

Snappy for nappies

Our youngest is still in nappies but she's not at the point where we need to lug an entire nappy bag around, just the basics for an on the run change if needed.

So I thought I' make a nappy wallet that holds what I need and fits in my handbag, and leave the big bag at home.


After hunting around a bit on the web for tutorials I couldn't find anything that was what I wanted so I ended up just winging it and making up my own, which if you read my post about being a 'maker' or a 'creator' you'd know was a big deal for me!

It has two pockets, one fits a travel pack of wipes, the other side holds a nappy, disposal bags and a small pack of antibacterial wipes, in case you're not near a tap and want to clean yourself up after completing the job!

Everything tucks away and then you fold it over and snap it closed.

Compact and easy.

They've been a bit of a hit with friends, so I have made five of them so far, with another one planned in the next day or so.

Would it be handy for you? Are you interested in a tutorial to make these?

Let me know - I can photograph it next time if you say the word.

A new industry

Seems my kids are have a new occupation...


Standard clothesline contents really, knickers, information sheet about the baby elephant, a couple of tissues, oh and a pile of freshly laundered play money.

My Creative Space

I make no secret of it, I love gadgets that can help make sewing and making things easier and quicker.

That way I can get more done, well in theory anyway!

These have got to be the best, simple gadget I have come across in ages.

They are for making self-covered fabric buttons with.

You know how most kits provide you with a little paper/cardboard circle template for you to trace onto fabric and cut around to make up a button, and how hard it is to make sure you have the image you want to appear positioned in the centre of the button.

Well guess no more!

Each of these templates is a different size for the different sized buttons.

All you do is position it so the image you want centred on the button is shown in the centre circle.
Then trace around the outside of the template and cut and make up your button as usual.

So if you want a small chicken button, a larger red riding hood button or red with all her friends for a huge button for a big hair tie, then you can do it all without waste and, more importantly, frustration!

Super-friendly Kerrie at Jackobindi is the only Aussie distributor of these, and she has all the other stuff you need to make up hair ties, snap clips, bookmarks, magnets, push pins, shoe clips and heaps of other stuff.

Seriously, just get yourself some, you'll be glad you did.

To check out what creative goodness others are working on head on over to Kirsty's.

She's seeing red today.

Daughters of the West

I've made it known I like my footy.

I was brainwashed (pretty much from birth) to be a Western Bulldogs supporter and have succeeded (so far) in getting our two 'big' girls to follow along with me.

The man of the house is a big footy fan - but he supports the Blues - so that's the way the small one is going.

We went to the Bulldogs family day and the two skipping, pigtailed, face-painted girls in Bulldogs jumpers caught the eye of a photographer, so they ended up in the paper yesterday.

They weren't enough to upstage Big Bad Bustling Barry though Sal! He's a bit of a hit around here.

My Creative Space

Is all about what I am plotting and planning to do in the coming weeks, months and years!

I was recently been given these two amazing books.


So much to look at and take in that I have been reading them in little grabs over the past few nights and days, whenever a quiet moment presents itself.
(which means of course there is still a lot to read!)

They are quite different and while there are projects from both I will undertake, I have to say that 'Sewing Clothes Kids Love' has captured my heart.



It is filled with the most divine colourful images of clothing made in gorgeous European fabric (boy do they have a great range compared to us!).

The book also has some great tips for sewing stretch fabric, embellishing items and an excellent section about measuring your child properly and then making clothes to their size, to ensure a good fit.


Then of course there is this gorgeous pic of a Redondo skirt made by a lovely Aussie gal, well done Sara!


I also got a subscription to Ottobre which included a free back issue.

After checking out their website I came across this one which has two versions of a leotard (something the girls are dying for me to make for them)

And also some very lovely dresses and skirts with ruffles down the back that I would like to tackle for winter.

Should keep me busy for a while don't you think!

Check out what other peeps are contemplating in their crafty world by popping over to Kirsty's place.

My Super girls

One of the weekend parties had a 'dress as a super hero' theme.

There is a notable absence of female superheroes - other than those with a more grown-up feel to them such as Wonder Woman and Cat Woman.

Therefore, I decided the girls should go quite generic - a 'make up your own hero', kind of hero.

So (stupidly I admit!) last night I decided to make three capes and headbands to wear this morning.

Miss L chose the rainbow stretch fabric and I teamed it up with some basic stars.

I figured if the slippery shiny stuff was going to be a pain to sew, it might be easier with a cotton back, and it was.

I have to say the lurid rainbow stuff was actually a breeze to sew - it moved easily through the machine and didn't snag at all.

I sort of winged the cape, an enlargement of the one I use for my caped T-shirts and I used the very well-written and easy to follow Curlypops Superhero headband tutorial for the headbands.

(Thanks Cam!)

So what were the things to note; I used Shapewell instead of interfacing for the headbands and this worked really with regard to holding their shape.

Next time I would probably make the star a little smaller, but I had that template on hand so went with it.

I put the stars on using Heat 'n' Bond which I had never used before but found it worked well, though takes a while to fuse.

I also interfaced both fabrics on the cape where the snaps were going to be for extra support as I figured they might get some wear and tear.

The smallest loved hers so much she left it on all day at the party and wore it to my basketball game tonight!

And Miss L had a lovely time watching it fly out behind her on the swing today, so the late night was, as always, worth the effort!