Times are a Changin'

People always tell you growing up that there are seasons in life. Seasons for working hard, seasons for rest and so on. I always knew it to be true, but I feel like I am really living this at the moment. For the last few years it has felt like my motto has been "when I have the time..." - this especially applying to my creativity and things that I want to try, create, make and live. Well, that season is almost upon me as I only have 3 weeks left of working life before I settle into maternity leave and then go on to have our precious little girl who is due in August.
I have been bookmarking things for soooo long that I want to try and do and the time is nearly here that I will have that time! I have about 10 weeks off work before bubba comes then plan on staying home for a while to raise her (before all the critics send me emails about how busy I will be with a newborn, I know! I work with babies and young children and have a very good idea of the demands on mothers, especially new ones!) I do however, plan on setting aside daily time to be creative, whether that be when she is asleep or as she grows, a time where we can be creative together.

I have book marked so many great blogs and projects, I thought I would share some with you that are also interested in the creative side of life....

Love the Bluebird - I love this blog - lots of free patterns, especially ones that are nice and easy..

Easy Makes Me Happy - this would have to be my all time favourite crochet blog - sooo many patterns!

LuvintheMommyhood - I love Shannon's blog - lots of real life stories and sewing, stitching, knitting and crochet. She often does "Knit-a Longs" which is cool to be doing a project with women all over the world. Love.

I also have pinned a few projects that I cannot wait to try...

I love this crochet rug, I am going to make!

I am planning on making this as a rug for our nursery. I want to make it asap, I am dying it is so beautiful!

This fox jacket has got to be one of the best things I have seen on pinterest. The "head" of the fox is actually the hood of the jacket, can be worn up or down

I LOVE these little dolls. I am thinking of making these for bubba.

Some more cute rattles!

I think I have more than enough to keep me busy as I wait for my due date to draw closer!

Hope you have a creative week!

Ciao

Bella

xx

Vintage Buttons and Cute Donkey Ears!

As promised, I thought I would show you my new vintage button collection. I love vintage buttons, they are sooooo much better made (no plastic) and have the most beautiful colours. As mentioned in my previous post, while I was away I got to scour local antique shops, but most importantly, my nan's button tin. I got some really amazing buttons...

Searching through the old tin while Nan and aunty cooked a yummy dinner..

I LOVE these colours..greens, blues, pinks and peaches...

These are stunning..I now have four. What to make???

I found these beautiful inspirations on the net...

source

source

http://wordsandeggs.wordpress.com

I had been making some really cute knitted kids uggs I found in a knitting pattern from Patons. I decided to use a few of the vintage buttons on them...

Such an easy pattern...if you want to make some, head to your local craft store and grab the pattern. It is called "Cosy Winter" by Patons. These are approx for a child aged 2-3 (depending on foot size!) It is easy to adjust though if you want them bigger or smaller.

There is my button post! Do you have any beautiful buttons laying around? I have so many projects I could use them for...easy to make a simple garment or project have that "special" look.

To make you laugh...today hubs and I went to a local historic village and there were lots of different critters there. My favourite was the donkey...he was so CUTE!!!

Enjoy your week!!

Ciao

Bella

xx

Alphabet Stones

This week has been one of those roller coaster, crappy but ok in the end type of weeks. Hubs and I are facing a bit of a challenge when it comes to starting our family and have had a bit of an up and down week. We had a half good news, half bad news week but all is ok in the end and we are more committed than ever to our goal.
It is funny how tough times grow you though. Hubs and I are closer than ever, and where alot of relationships struggle, ours continues to go from strength to strength. We are hoping for really good news at the end of next month, so whether you are a praying, finger crossing or star wishing person, keep us in your thoughts. Life certainly throws us challenges in different areas and this is one where we are prepared to meet head on. We are happy, blessed and life is good.

Ok enough of that. During the last couple of weeks at work I had been doing different activities with the preschoolers around learning to identify letters and learning to write their own names. We have these boring, black and white "alphabet tiles" that the kids can play with and mix around the form words. They are very useful, but a tad boring for me. So, I decided to make my own. Take some smooth river stones, acrylic paint, varnish and a permanent marker and wa-lah! You have some colourful, bright alphabet stones.

Aren't they lovely? So much more inviting for kids to learn with. 

Really simple to make. I actually bought the stones from a $2 shop but they are in plenty at the local rivers around here and probably wouldn't hurt to pick some up when I am down there next..

I am a word junkie. I love to read and explore different texts and love the richness it adds to my life. I am hoping my own future kids will be the same!!!

I used acrylic paint and time will tell if it is the best paint to use for the chip factor! Hopefully the lacquer I used will be enough to stop them from being chipped. 

For older kids, different games can be added for further challenge. What words can you make out of only the green letters? etc. I also thought about painting all the consonants one colour etc. Maybe the next set!

Do you like? Would love your feedback, especially those that either work with kids or have kids. Am thinking of making sets for my shop - to include both upper case and lower case. 

Hubs and I also went to Taronga Zoo yesterday. We had such a lovely day, despite how cold it was. We decided to catch the ferry all the way in from Parramatta. Definitely a good move, our harbour is beautiful! 

We caught the Rivercat from Parramatta to Circular Quay and then the ferry over to the Zoo. Lovely!

Despite all the exotic, interesting animals on display at the zoo, this little guy was one of my favourites. I love them!

They have a really cool "outback farm" area set up where ducks, chickens and bush turkeys roam wildly and the rest of the farm animals live in cool, outback pens. They also have a big tribute to the Aussie shearers. Very cool for a patriotic aussie girl like myself. 

Ok, that's it for today...have yourself an excellent week!

Bella

xx