Another new beginning for our little family is also approaching. Next weekend we are moving house. I'm so excited because all of this will be almost literally on our back doorstep-2minutes walk from our back doorstep at most.
Isla's pleased because we will be getting a new puppy (as soon as Liam builds that kennel!) and because "we will have a new park".
It's a tutu and fairy wand for one of Islas' friends, who is a very "girly" girl, and is turning 4 this week.
I also added a waistband, just sewing over the top of the elastic, to make it softer against the skin. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out!
The wand is simple too-just beaded felt attached to a piece of dowel from the hardware shop. I'm sure the man in there thinks I'm slightly mad, but he happily cuts up my dowel pieces for me each time I go in. 
I wouldn't mind one of these for myself to be honest xx
1 Temari Ball made for a lovely Mum of one of the children at my preschool.
And some hairties as well...
1 pirate made for the lovely Kristin, of squidgy widgy woo (how fabulous is that name?). We are doing a swap. I can't wait to share what she is making for me, stay tuned...
And last but not least, one pixie hat, made for a gorgeous little person I know who is turning 1 tomorrow. These are ridiculously easy to make. The tutorial is from here, but I first read about it when Janelle shared it here. Linky love!
Well that brings todays' edition of Craft News to an end. I hope everyone else is having a sunny, crafty and fabulous day too xx
Case in point; this gorgeous parcel, sent to me by the lovely Hanna of Craftykin, just because. The workmanship on these things is impeccable, and Hannas' blog really is a joy with beautiful photography and wonderful accounts of family life, New Zealand life and crafty goodness. Plus, I have a soft spot for it because Hanna also has an Isla and Liam in her house, just like me. True fact.
The week long break from blogging was unintentional. I'm not sure where the week actually went. It's a blur. I remember mostly rain. Almost constant rain causing children to spend more time indoors than they would like, tempers fraying, clotheshorses dotted throughout the house, some meals, some bedtime stories, footprints everywhere... This is the grass formerly known as our back lawn.
My creative space began to resemble creative chaos. Much like the rest of the house. Things were picked up, unpicked, put down, picked up again...
"Family life is a bit like a runny peach pie - not perfect but who's complaining?" 
Children rolling down a grassy bank, laughing in the Winter sun and racing around, drunk on fresh air and friendship...
Finishing a little something for a workmate...
And these...
Teaching the children a little bit of yoga...
A good week so far, and you?
It's a wordless book, giving children the opportunity to make up their own narrative as it goes along...
I love the picture of the little doll with the sad face...
My children love this page, they adore seeing characters in books doing familiar, recognisable activities... 
Now, please excuse me, my fingers are itching to sketch out a softie with a pointy hat like that!
He looked for her in, around and under her bed, bless him, but she was nowhere to be found. It all came down to little Kyan.
When I came back with my basket full of names he was busy tormenting/playing with the dolls.
But, with some gentle persuasion he paused, thought hard, and selected a name...
Kyan then put Ange to bed, which I thought was quite apt as she hasn't been feeling well lately. Congratulations Ange, thanks for supporting my blog and I hope you feel better soon xx 
Here are some of my first stitches- I think I was about 7. I remember making this sampler in school.
And here are some of Mums'. A little needle case.
I hadn't really thought of stitching as something that pre-school aged children might be interested in, but since Isla had taught me otherwise, I decided to try a simple stitching project with the children at work (aged 2.5 to 5yrs). I made these simple headbands out of felt, and assisted the children to sew various beads and sequins on. I have to say, it really made me smile to see them running round in the Winter sun, with their headbands sparkling, proud to be wearing something that they had made themselves!
Maybe you'd like to make one too...
As you can see, it's very simple. These are the measurements for Islas' head (she's 3) but your best bet for a perfect fit would be to measure from ear to ear, going over the top of the head, to get the measurement for the length of the piece of felt, then make your elastic approximately two thirds of that length.
Happy stitching! And don't forget, there's still a couple of days to enter the giveaway!
