Nana Knits

My Mum and Dad are an absolute blessing in every sense of the word. Their love is abundant and their generosity is bountiful. Last week my Mum presented these two little hand knitted kittens to Millie. It was love at first sight, particularly with the pink one. It is gifts like these that will be treasured forever, their neck ties will fray, their arms and eyes will be re-stitched and stitched again, and their stuffing will soften , but they will always be loved.

Do you love 'Nana Knits' as much as I do?

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

P.S. Since I took this photo there has been a new addition to the kitten family. Millie's absolute favourite.....a 'burple' one. I think we've got a crazy cat baby on our hands!

The Home Dressmaker {project 1}

One of my goals for 2014 was to use some of my many dressmaking patterns to make Millie and I some clothes.  My first project.....these little bloomer style shorts (for Millie) which I made from a vintage sheet. The pattern I used was by Bobkin - Blue Jays PDF pattern. I was so pleased with the finished result and I can't wait to tackle my next project.

Are you working on any dressmaking projects at the moment or found any great dressmaking patterns? I'd love to know.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. A 'Nana Made' crochet daisy chain for Millie's 'big girl' room. She used the pattern kindly provided by the lovely Sophie over on the 'Her Library Adventures' blog. I've seen so many beautiful crochet projects of late, I really need to find the time to teach myself. A new goal perhaps?
2. Beautiful roses at Sunday lunch.
3. Belated Easter treats. Homemade Marshmallows and White Chocolate Rocky Road.
4. & 5. A new to me thrifted cardigan. One of my Mum's lucky finds.
6. My little brother made homemade Turkish Delight. He's a mega talent in the kitchen and whipped up a Middle Eastern feast for the whole family today.

I hope your weekend has been a lovely one.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Crafty {like a fox}

Every now and again I go through a period where I simultaneously feel inspired, crafty and enthusiastic. I wish I could bottle my excess enthusiasm during these times so I could draw on it during those lack lustre periods.

I've been enjoying an extended period of enthusiastic crafting lately. I've completed lots of unfinished projects and other small tasks that have been on my to-do list for some time.

The foxy cross stitches above are what ignited my current crafty streak. I'm planning on turning them into brooches for some upcoming birthdays. I also put together my very first pen pal parcel over the weekend which I'm looking forward to posting about next week.  Next were a pair of shorts for Millie which I made from a vintage sheet, and now I'm working on some new product designs for my little shop overhaul.

Are you working on any crafty projects at the moment? I'd love to know. Feel free to leave a link in the comments below so I can pop over and see what you have been making.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Note: The pattern for the cross stitch foxes is from the book 'Storyland Cross Stitch' by Sophie Simpson. The patterns in this book are much nicer than the ones I remember doing as a child, it's worth a peek.

Lovin' the little things.....

{the Easter edition}

After some minor surgery to remove a cyst from one of my ovaries last week our long Easter weekend ended up being a relatively quiet one (for me anyway). For us, Easter is all about spending time with family, sharing a lovely long lunch home cooked by my Mum and brother. While I wasn't quite up to it this year, Blake and Millie enjoyed the festivities and my beloved Mum delivered my meal to our door - bless her heart. It was delicious, and just what the doctor ordered.

1. A little DIY table centrepiece. Foam eggs covered in washi tape. It doesn't get much easier than that.
2. I made Millie a linen bunny for Easter. I used the floral fabric in the photo to make a gathered skirt and a thrifted doily to make a lace collar. If you follow me on instagram you would have seen a photo of the finished product (@mooseandbird).
3. Part of my 'home delivered' Easter Sunday lunch. Eton Mess with Rhubarb, Strawberries, Raspberry Coulis and Toasted Almonds. The main meal was Lemon Roasted Chicken, Sweet Potato Wedges and a Pea, Bacon & Haloumi Warm Salad. It was the best lunch I've had in a long time.
4. Roses from our garden, a welcome addition to our kitchen bench.
5. My Mum made Millie this crochet Daisy Chain Necklace for Easter. She used the pattern kindly shared over on the Her Library Adventures blog. Handmade gifts are by far the best gifts of all.
6. Cute Easter packaging!

I trust your Easter was filled with sweet treats and loved ones.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. Making homemade Valentine's Day cards. Watercolour paint and washi tape.

2. Exploring at Nana & Grandad's.

3. Our rose bush is flowering.

4. Admiring our Emba & Scouty garland. Crochet perfection!

5. A favourite corner of our home.

6. A very special gift. A lovely lady (who is a customer at my work) made this handmade doll for Millie. We're so blessed to be surrounded by such kind people.

 

I hope your weekend has been a lovely one. Our days have been rather uneventful and I'm not complaining. Taking it easy and enjoying the company of friends and family.

 

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

 

Happy days to you!

 

Melinda x 

Lovin' the little things.....

1. Happy mail from my dear friend Kaye at Emba & Scouty. I still can't get over the fabulous wrapping!
2. Inside one of the parcels was this beautiful crochet flower garland. Kaye makes THE most beautiful handmade wares. Check out her Made It shop over here, you won't be disappointed.
3. Journalling. It brightens my day!
4. Her little button nose.
5. Millie's craft table.
6. At her blackboard.
7. Painting.
8. Memory. I loved playing 'Memory' as a child. My Mum, little brother and I drew our own set of cards and I still remember all of the pictures we drew and who drew them. Seeing them now makes me laugh. My brother's sweet girlfriend bought Millie and I this lovely set from the 'California Design' Pop- Up Shop at the Queensland Art Gallery. I can't wait to play it with Millie when she's old enough. But for now, we will admire the pretty pictures.

I hope your weekend has been a lovely one.

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

'Hello' Gift Card Set {diy}

At the end of February a dear friend of mine is packing up her belongings and following her heart to the other side of the country. Upon her departure I really wanted to give her something special, something that would remind her of home on those lonely/homesick days and something that could be used to send a little 'hello' message to her loved ones. I decided to put together a journal (which I'm still working on) with photos of her friends and family, as well as some inspirational quotes which I've been collecting over on Pinterest. I also made her this 'hello' gift card set as I know she's rather fond of sending a hand written note.

This is how I made them.....

Materials:
Old envelope of your choice (this will be your template)
Pencil
Scissors
Double sided gift wrap
Thin double sided tape
Kraft card stock
Cardboard
Craft glue

Steps:
{envelopes}

1. Open out the old envelope and place it onto the double sided gift wrap . Trace around the outer edge. Cut out and fold up - following the fold lines on the old envelope/template.
2. Use double sided tape to secure the envelope.

{cards}
1. Make a 'hello' word template by drawing the letters onto a small piece of thick cardboard and cutting it out. Place the template onto the double sided gift wrap and trace around the outer edge. Cut the words out using small sharp scissors. Use craft glue to stick the word to the front of the card. Once dry, rub out any pencil marks around the outer edges.

Quick. Simple. Effective. Win!

I'm planning on making a few more of these sets for gifts throughout the year. Are you working on any crafty papery projects at the moment? 

Happy days to you!

Melinda x

Note: the double sided gift wrap I used is from one of my favourite online shops - bespoke letterpress. I bought the assorted 6 pack of gift wrap before Christmas and have gotten so much use out of it. The patterns are beautiful and the quality is second to none!

Lovin' the little things.....

1. After somewhat of a drought, I came home with lots of lovely vintage florals this week. Perfect for all of the new creations I'm working on for my shop.
2. We painted butterfly seed pods to soothe the teething baby blues. I think I'll string them into a garland to decorate the wall above her art table.
3. The first addition to our recently cleared vegie patch. Chives. Next up.....lettuce.
4. Two near complete mini dachshund softies. Mulling over life's big decisions. Doily neck scarves, floral neck scarves, embroidered neck scarves???
5. I framed one of my watercolour prints from last week.
6. Watering the vegie patch with my little assistant.

I hope your week has been loved up and full of sunshine!

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy Australia Day dear friends.

Melinda x

Lovin' the little things.....

1. I've got some great pieces of vintage fabric that I would love to use to make myself some clothes (that's one of my fourteen fabulous fun goals for 2014). I've been sorting through Mum's old patterns for inspiration.
2. Thrifted skirt love. $5. Thanks Mum!
3. Blackboard art.
4. Her face when she spotted these little capsicums in our patch was priceless. Amazement! Wonder! Excitement!
5. Baby legs of the cutest kind.
6. A selection of our art from the week. Collage, watercolours and a caterpillar we made at storytime at the library.
7. I'm working on two more dachshund softies. One for a lovely blog friend and one to stock up the gift cupboard.
8. Making savoury muffins for the wee one. Perfect for the freezer. Perfect for a quick snack.

I hope your week has been a lovely one. The weather has been ever so pleasant here this week, following a sweltering few days the week before.  If you're in the midst of a heat wave in your part of the world, stay cool friends!

{Linking up with Em from The Beetle Shack}.

Happy days to you!

 

Melinda x