The day the sun came out!

Got a few nice snaps of the girls looking at some delicate fungi on our last day in Katikati…

Ramona and Audrey..  ”These are so ephemeral are they not?”

“Why, yes!”

“Wohoo!  Sunshine!”

“Look at these ones, tiny aren’t they?”

From us all, “Good bye Katikati, hello sunny Auckland!”

I thought this was very Abbey Road.

Above the girls/kids as Luna calls them are relaxing on their beach towels, the beach is a piece of felt, and there is a piece of ocean near by, but no-one is swimming just now…

We had a few days of stormy weather after we had started heading out to the beach ourselves, so this was nice for Luna, I hemmed up some ‘towels’ for them and we packed their bag.  Kept Luna busy for ages.

Then everyone got tucked into bed, more cuteness.

We don’t get the blocks out that often, these days we dash outside (or I let the kids out!) as soon as everyone is dressed.  Every now and then the days start or end with some block towers or a city is built by Luna, Blake seems content to observe and stand the occasional single block up.

Blocks are one of the simplest and easiest of toys to play with, and our blocks have been second hand shop finds by the bag, so mostly random and unknown until we got them home, plus some pretty painted and musical sets from friends.

Luna’s cities, she tells me are made up of museums, art galleries, libraries, houses and shops, cafes, and airports.  I find some of the structures really interesting, and do build along side her at times.

These are some photos of a couple of recent projects, I enjoyed learning about the kinds of cities Luna creates, and really enjoyed the kind of star platforms she was making here.

I’m slowly working working through some projects I’ve had unfinished for hmm, maybe two years and it’s great.  Last weekend I finished this cuddly cushion sea star that had been waiting to have it’s top sewn on, I was also dreading fitting it to the base, the top is smaller and so I was all worried about it being gathered and not look authentic..

You see, it based on a blow up of a tiny sea star that I made for a mobile for Luna, all those years ago, and so it had to look just like the real thing, only well, huge.  But I sewed it all up, and it’s a bit gathered in places, but it looks great, I’m pretty happy with it after all.  Here’s the underside, I hand stitched the felt pieces on and didn’t bead it because I know how long it takes to sew beads on a felt star fish!

By the way of you ever see a sea star upside down like this, quickly see if it’s ok and turn it over so it can get going…

I was thinking about making some more to sell, it’s actually very comfortable and you can kind of squish it into your side or behind you, and it’s really snuggly too!

This is Windy Woo, last spotted hanging out by the fireplace.

Luna said she was there for dad.  Sweet.

I came home the other day after some time to myself to find the kids had been doing some cleaning and some decorating.

I never would have thought to wrap a ribbon around my broom, but it is an improvement!

Not many words, just sweet things…

Audrey, Isobel and Nancy hanging out after the big beach day…

Audrey enjoying the view.

Good times!

I’m sorting through my Strawberry Shortcake girls, some need new homes, some need warmer clothes on, it’s freezing here!

I had an Almond Tea Party Pleaser when I was a kid, and she’s still my favourite, close to Plum Pudding.  I do love the blue haired girls (Crepe Suzette and Blueberry Muffin) and Orange Blossom is lovely too.

I have three Sweet Sleepers, only one is complete however, Lemon Meringue, above are my Blueberry Muffin dolls.  I find myself wanting to make Luna and Blake some giant Strawberry Shortcake sleeping bags…

More blue hair!  Crepe Suzette is one of Strawberry’s International Friends – I would have loved to see here as a Party Pleaser.  I have seen some really nice custom sweet sleepers on ebay…

Peach Blush is another one of the more hard to find dolls, and alas, my girl has no hat!  She is in great condition though.

Plum Pudding looking snug and warm!

My Almond Tea girls, as you can see I can’t get enough… though after the Big Sort Out, one needs a new home.

I also have a couple of play sets, the Berry Bake Shoppe, and the Escargo picnic set, and some minis.

Bye bye Luna I’m off to work..

Lets go!

Getting set for another Kraftbomb and it’s the end of another busy month…  Sunday was fun, loads of people, so nice to have a little chat with shoppers and other craftsers.  I’ve been thinking I ought to share some of the goodness that other clever makers bring to the market, so here you go, a couple of photos and a few links..

My table is all set up, so a few quick photos of others getting organised.  Kristen from the lovely Cheekpinchy, she sells pretty things on Felt.co.nz too, so go take a look, if you’re a Facebooker, she has a page here.

Elizabeth from Zippty doo dah makes COOL stuff.  Don’t you love the bears?  (And check out that tablecloth!!)  See her Felt.co.nz shop here.

Flossy’s Fancy…. rabbits AND beautiful vintage fabric, how can you not want one?  I own one of her beautiful purses…  Maybe you saw her at the Auckland Art and Craft Fair?

I haven’t seen this woman’s work before, and it’s lovely, check out these felty flowers.

How about these for snuggly winter hottie covers?  Adventures of Alex O and Co sell on Felt.

I love the elephants, and the owls seem to always popular for crafters, the felt is delicious and thick too.

My two pretty pegasus ponies…  Skyflyer and Glittering Gem.

And Gusty, my all time favourite!  Just a couple of photos..

Sparkly leaves!

Gotta love the red and green huh?

Glory is so pretty too.

This girl really is in mint condition, both Glory and Gusty are not new girls for me, but I couldn’t help a couple of new pics for you vintage My Little Pony fans out there.