life with a little monster

Building a house & dogs for lunch

2010-10-08T19:53:00.004+11:00

The monster's lunch from Thursday. Chicken stix and a couple of scooby snacks and some mini M&M's in a paper cup,fruit salad- with one of our new picks!!! Mini hot dog, cut up mini hot dog in blue cup- with another new pick and a sauce bottle! They look so cute, it's very unfortunate that the picks did not make their way back home, along with the blue elastic strap for the bento box! Very unhappy.

And here's what the little monster got up to today. Building a cubby house with the spare mattress. He had a ball. It's amazing the simple things that can amuse a kid for hours.

Have a great day!

picks and bottles

2010-10-05T20:13:00.002+11:00

Our picks and bottles came!!! We got 3 packets of picks, 1 sea creatures and 2 animals. And our super cute little sauce bottles. I can't wait to use these in the little monster's lunch!!!

Here's his lunch for today in the new decor lunch box: back 1/4 sections- spc chompies lollies and chicken stix biscuits, sauce in silicone cup and fritz/devon. In the front 1/4 sections- fruit salad of grapes, watermelon and rockmelon, his new fork sitting on top, soft centre cookie and rolled up tortilla.

The little monster was very excited to give the picks a go when he got home from school. He thought they were very cute! He loved eating some grapes off of them :)

2010-10-04T20:00:00.004+11:00

Here's the little monster's lunch for today: front container = fruit salad of grapes, rockmelon and watermelon, a chocolate bear cake, and some crackers and cheese hearts on the white lid. In the back container is a leftover slice of pizza (no topping- the little monster hates it), with some shaved ham on top and some pretzels.

Here's another container we found today. It's a decor. It has four removable containers inside. It's a little hard to see in the picture as it's clear.

And last but not least, a cutlery set. The monster's fork wouldn't fit in some of the lunch boxes, so this will be perfect!

another bento lunch

2010-09-30T19:54:00.004+10:00

Here's our second bento. The little monster is loving lunch like this, hopefully that means he might start trying new things if they are in his bento box. In this lunch is: The 1st compartment: a mini donut, 2 small dinosaur shaped sandwiches, pretzels and a packet of SPC chompie lollies. In the 2nd compartment: apple slices and french onion dip for the pretzels. Our first "real" bento box came in the mail today. We're very excited to try it out. Photos to come!

our first bento lunch

2010-09-25T20:33:00.004+10:00

Here's our first go at a bento style lunch. The little monster had: a vegemite sandwich cut into quarters, some pretzels, french onion dip, apple slices, strawberry yoghurt in the small lided container and some chompies lollies. Initially I came across a couple of great bento lunch blogs and thought that presenting the little monsters lunch in this style might encourage him to eat a bit more, and maybe try some new things. Unfortunately, there aren't any bento suppliers around here, so I had to work with what I had. We've started a collection of cookie cutters, and just purchased our first bento box on ebay, just waiting for it to be delivered. I would love some of the cute little picks and small forks, etc that I see around the blogosphere, but i'm yet to find any around this neck of the woods! Boo hoo.... So far the little monster seems to enjoy lunch like this.

What have I been up to?????

2009-10-09T13:11:00.002+11:00

Taking the little monster out in the sunshine to run and run and run and run!!!

Eating yummy ice cream in the sunshine!!!
Mmmmm, baking.....

Some good reading....and project planning!!!

And some cute vintage fabric finding!!!

What have you been up to???

4 now.....

2009-09-16T19:35:00.002+10:00

The little monster's birthday has been and gone. He had so much fun, and got a lot of presents.

He got a glide 2 ride bike,

this one was the Tinkerbell DS game,
and Thomas the tank engine skates, just to name a few.

Dressed in his best for the day, isn't he gorgeous.

Tucking into some yummy party food.

His mama made birthday tshirt.

Blowing out the candles on his ladybug cake.

Getting ready to cut the cake.......yum!!!

Last day of 3......

2009-09-13T18:48:00.003+10:00

My little man....

tomorrow, he'll be 4.

It's gone by so fast, i just can't believe he's such a big boy now.

Next year he will start kindergarten 3 full days a week and I'm going to miss him so much.

So I will treasure these next few months that he's at home, "my little man" and me.

Trash bags...cute????? For sure!!!

2009-09-11T20:42:00.003+10:00

Just whipped this up. It really only took about a half hour to cut it out and sew it up.

It's a great little project.

I took some inspiration from "jchandmade"s "kidlet" and all the great tutorials for car trash bags. And then I just went and cut up some fabric and some plastic( I used some plastic packaging from the quilt cover I just bought) and stitched them together, adding a piece of ribbon at the top when turning the top under.

It's for my new car, I thought the car print was so cute, and like some of the cars on the fabric, mine is yellow too.

I love this.

A closer look at the cute cars.
It's just big enough without being in the way.
You don't want too much rubbish left in the car.
I'm going to hang it from the gear stick, within easy reach.

Finished, well nearly!

2009-09-09T20:20:00.002+10:00

Just have to stitch up the opening.

But the little monster's birdie is all done.

Just need to wrap her up.

The back.
Stuffed.

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-09-09T18:56:00.000+10:00

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!
These backpacks are soooooo cute!!!

2009-09-08T21:01:00.004+10:00

Finally finished the bag my sister asked for about 3 months ago. I only cut the pieces last week. And finally decided I had better get it done for her, since she's moving interstate next week!

She picked out the fabric and shape of the bag.

Inside there is a nice size pocket to put her phone or her keys.

And this came in the mail today! Yay, I was so excited to get it. Some really cute projects in here.

Just waiting on the other books I ordered. Waiting anxiously!!!!

WIP, coming along nicely

2009-09-06T20:31:00.004+10:00

The little monsters birthday birdie. Going O.K. with it.

It's not perfect, but I think it's still cute.

I think he'll love it.

Don't know whether to make it a pillow like thingy, or a softie, or a hanging stuffy thing.

The other bird

2009-09-05T20:29:00.002+10:00

Here's the other project I'm working on for the little monsters birthday.

A little appliqued pet birdie.

He loves pink, so I knew it had to be pink. I think the pink looks great against the blue background.

I hope it works out the way I pictured it in my head.

Fingers crossed.

Busy, busy, busy....

2009-09-05T20:07:00.002+10:00

My first try at applique. Love it. Thanks to "checkout girl" for inspiring me. I'm hoping to get better at it the more I practice. And I'll definately be trying this again!

Last week my nephews had a dress up day at school for Book week. They had to dress up as their favourite book characters.So I helped out with a quick costume. Little S was Batman.
And big S was superman. And yes I did stitch the "S" on around the wrong way- it was getting late.......

And today, my first attempt at freezer paper stenciling. Something for the little monster to wear for his upcoming birthday!!!

I'm loving my bird. I've got something else planned for his birthday using this bird. I hope it works out!!!!

Bein' thrifty

2009-08-24T20:36:00.002+10:00

Thrift store find!!! Yay.

The lightest colour fabric is a light grey- I think it will be

really cute for a pair of spring pants for the little monster.

The middle fabric is really soft- not sure exactly what it is, but it's a lovely feel,

would make a super soft scarf.

The printed fabric is a nice light corduroy. It has a lovely floral print, would be a really cute autumn skirt.

I love a good bargain, all this for under the average price of a meter. Score!

Now off to ponder what to make.......

Pillows and cushions

2009-08-23T20:51:00.003+10:00

I bought some embroidering supplies. Thought I'd give it a go after being inspired

by the wonderful things at checkoutgirl.

So I came home and decided to make a home for them.

A little round pin cushion to sit at the bottom of my pin bowl.

I just bought this bowl, I love it. It's small enough for some pins.
Teeny tiny for my teeny tiny bowl.

And a felt pillow for my new embroidery needles.

Now just to put them into action.......wish me luck....

YUM

2009-08-22T21:27:00.002+10:00

Check out this bad boy!!! Massive strawberry.

It's like the size of three strawberries.
Mmmmmmm......dessert.

Ladybugs..... a little tutorial

2009-08-22T10:27:00.010+10:00

What to do when my little monster asked for a pink ladybug themed 4th birthday party????

Make ladybug antannae of course!

Here's what I did.

Paint some styrofoam balls pink.

Paint one side,

Then insert a bamboo stick.
Paint the other side.
While the paints wet, sprinkle with pink glitter.
Stick your bamboo sticks in some florist foam and let dry.

Ta Dah!

Once dry, grab some super glue, plastic headbands, pipecleaners and the balls.

Take the first pipecleaner and bend in half.

Wrap it around the headband and twist tightly to secure. (Then when the party is over you can remove and use the headband as normal).

Twist the two sides of pipecleaner together- to make one antennae.

Repeat with second pipecleaner.

Take your ball off the stick and put some super glue in the hole.

Place your pipecleaner in the hole.

Repeat with second ball and pipecleaner.

Ta Dah! Ladybug antannae for a little monsters party.

O.M.G!!!! Get me outta here!!!!

2009-08-21T18:08:00.004+10:00

I've been so unmotivated lately. I think it's my teeny tiny space- it makes me uncomfortable to sit and try to work in such a small place. Don't get me wrong- I'm completely thankful for somewhere to work, but when everything I use is in boxes stacked on top of each other, I just can't be bothered pulling everything out- only to have to put it all back.

But fear not. Soon, very soon, I will be moving back into my gigantic room. Well, not really gigantic, but pretty big! I'm gonna be able to spread out and MOVE!!!!!!! Yay. I just can't wait to get all my stuff out of boxes and bags and get it all organised! What am I like??? Is it sad that this excites me so much?

Pictures- finally

2009-08-12T10:08:00.005+10:00

bein' lazy......

2009-08-09T22:29:00.002+10:00

No pictures of the finished apple playsuit yet. I had to let my thumb heal after I bashed it with the hammer trying to attach some snaps that really didn't want to be attached! But I finally got them on (with no more injuries) and it's so cute. So I will hopefully get some pics of the little monster wearing it, and maybe the nautical playsuit too. I also want to try to re-modify the tee pattern, again. I want to try to make it a bit more square- like the sew hip tops I made him, and also make it a bit narrower around the neck. I'll try that out soon. I'm also trying to work out a pattern for me- a skirt. I want a flat front and an elastic back. We'll see how that goes. Off now, hopefully some pics tomorrow.

Just can't help myself

2009-08-02T20:43:00.005+10:00

Yet another playsuit. But it's so cute, I can't help myself. I had this apple print in my stash, and the bottom part (the legs) was a thrift store find. It's more a khaki green, but it looks brownish in the pics. It came together so quickly this time, now that I know what I'm doing! Easily did the facing for the top. I'm so proud!
View of the top.

Full view.

And a quick little tee that I tried my hand at. Got the pattern from Burdastyle- it's a little girl's dress. I just cut it shorter and kept the sides straighter.

It's ok I think. I got some more jersey with some cool prints. It hardly used any fabric, you could make at least 3 of these tee's out of the meter length of jersey I bought. I might try my hand at freezer paper stenciling. Just need the right image- I've been thinking maybe "Gumby" or "Astroboy". Very cool!!!

This week....

2009-07-28T19:08:00.002+10:00

When door's attack!!!

Budding photographer.

A finished project, and a sigh of relief!

A tired little monster.

New shoes- yay!

FINALLY- but I learnt alot!

2009-07-26T20:00:00.006+10:00

Well, the playsuit is finally finished. It took long enough, hahaha. I didn't end up hemming the top, coz I wasn't convinced that it would work. So I wondered all day how I would solve my dilemma. Then it hit me. I spent $60 on a gigantic book (the sewing book) to aid me in my sewing, not to gather dust- look in there stoopid!!! So I did. And there was the answer to my problem- a facing. I still don't know if I did it exactly right, but it worked! And I'm so relieved- I was just about ready to throw in the towel! The snaps went on no troubles and the little monster loves it- despite his face in the following photos.......

a bit of a grin.....

he likes it, I swear......

side view

a little bit of a cheeky monster.

I don't think the edges of the top stick up so much on this one. On the short suit they stuck out like little wings. I think coz the ribbon was so heavy on the edge, but like this it's almost perfect.....well, I did say almost. :)

Now I can relax, until I decide what to take on next......hmmmmm.

Arghhhhh!!!

2009-07-25T20:38:00.002+10:00

Hmmm, did I mention I hate bias binding???? Well, I do. It is soooo painful!!! After getting this far with the playsuit without any hassels.....

I tried my hand at adding a lovely blue bias around the edges. Well it was the worst experience I have ever had at sewing. I never want to touch the stuff again. It's rediculous. In the end I had to rip the entire top part off and cut and sew a new one, that's how much of a mess I got myself into. This time I've added an extra 1/2 inch and I'm just gonna hem it all the way around. Let's see how much trouble I can get myself into this time????

By the way, don't ya just love the little monster getting in on the camera action. Hopefully next time it will be a picture of him, wearing the darn thing- FINISHED!!!!!!! (finger's crossed)

If at first you don't succeed!!!

2009-07-22T20:54:00.003+10:00

So, after failing yesterday with the hairkerchief, I decided to give something else a go. Same idea, different formula. Instead of using an elastic headband, I just made it big enough to get round my head and tie up. Simple, coz I just used a fat quarter, cut in half diagonally! Pin, sew, turn out, stitch closed. Here's the end result, I'm alot happier than I was yesterday! :)
A better shot. I love the colours!

Hairkercheif, nearly....

2009-07-21T20:40:00.003+10:00

So, I have decided I am going to stop using shampoo and conditioner..... I've decided to try washing my hair with Bi-carb soda and apple cider vinegar. Every time I wash my hair normally, within a day it's going greasy. So I'm trying something different. While reading the information on the web, I came across a part that told me I could experience a "detox" period of a week or two, while my hair gets rid of old shampoo build up. Not sure I want to be walking around with yucky greasy hair in public.
So, lucky me. I seen a post over at jc handmade for "hairkercheifs", must be my lucky day! Grabbed some fabric, made a template (bigger than the one in the tute) and away I went. Here it is.
It's reversible, cool. I really like these prints, so pretty.

Unfortunately......It's still a bit too small for my noggin'. Gonna need to make it bigger. So sadly this one is off to a cute little girl who is about to turn 3 very soon!

I sure hope it fits her at least!

It's been a while

2009-07-20T19:31:00.002+10:00

So, while I was at the local second hand shop the other day, I spotted this bargain. I paid my $5, took it home and unrolled it to find this.....9 meters!!! And the picture shows it folded in half. I was so pleased. Using it for my next project.

Remember the playsuit? Well I decided to try out a long legged version for these chillier months, coz it's that darn cute-I want him to wear it now!!! Here's my pattern I drafted-hope I did good.....
And the fabric cut and ready to go. Going to try my hand at the snaps this time, spotted some red ones at spotlight, so I thought I can only try. If I fail, I'll fall back on the trusty ol' velcro!!! Also got some blue bias in there for around the tops edge-hope it's as easy as it looks in all the sewing books!?!?

At the end of the day.......

2009-06-30T21:14:00.001+10:00

Keepn' cozy

2009-06-28T20:08:00.002+10:00

Just finished a camera cozy for my handy dandy new camera. The outer fabric I used was a thrift store find, it sure likes to fray!!!!! My camera squeezes in nicely.

Ta dah!!!

2009-06-27T21:07:00.004+10:00

I finished! I really like this outfit, it's soooo cute.

The only thing I don't like is how the straps are a little sticky outy. Might have to try to fix that. Take a bit off the top of the straps, if that makes sense. But it's heaps cute. I can't wait for the warm weather to get here (although I'll be waiting a while). I think this will still be ok for size once summer hits, might just have to widen an inch or so, he's so little. I love it!

The playsuit- pinning, pinning and more pinning

2009-06-26T21:13:00.003+10:00

Oh yeah, here's my ribbon pinning efforts. I'm running out of pins!!!! Didn't go for green ribbon after all, they had no nice one's. But this caught my eye. I think it's cute.

I also got Anna Maria Horners book, Seams to me. I know I'm not the quickest cab off the rank- don't judge- but I got there eventually. Some really good projects I want to try! I guess I should wait until all those other projects get done first!!! ;)

My creative space.....

2009-06-26T21:04:00.002+10:00

Here is my sewing area. I've been squeezed into my Dad's computer room. It's small but I get by. I took this picture just now, on my new handy dandy camera! I love it too. I got my old one as a gift when the little monster was born, 3 years ago. It's not too bad, I like that it has it's own printer dock!! But I wanted to upgrade, and this beauty was in my price range. It's good enough for me- I'm no professional. It's a fujifilm finepix s1000 fd. That probably sounds fancier than it is. I'm still playing around with it, working it out.

I've nearly finished the playsuit. I got some ribbon yesterday, but silly me didn't get enough. So I had to go back today and get more!! I'm sure I got plenty now, am pinning it and will hopefully get it all sewn up tomorrow! I want to try a long legged playsuit in a heavier fabric for him to wear now, it's just that darn cute!!!

Pre-school pencil cases and a tissue cozzie

2009-06-24T19:18:00.003+10:00

Just finished what I like to call the pre-school pencil case. Just big enough for some crayons, but not too big for little hands. Cute prints for boys, girls are next- just have to find some cute girly prints (harder than I thought it would be)!!! And of course a lovely tissue cozzie. Just perfect for this time of year!!!

A work in progress

2009-06-24T16:21:00.003+10:00

My latest piece for the little monster. Granted, it's too cold for it now, but at the rate he grows, it will still fit come the warmer weather!! If not, I'm sure his cousin will enjoy it. It's my take on the Oliver + S playsuit. The yellow strap section I got from a pattern at Burda style for a girls dress (vivienne I think it's called) and I just made up the rest! I just need to finish the edges off with some green ribbon, and I'm going to use velcro instead of buttons, I think it will be easier for the little guy! All in all, I'm qiute proud of how it looks.

Still sick

2009-06-06T19:34:00.004+10:00

The little monster is still sick, so no photos of him in his new top yet. But here's one of the finished product. It's not bad I don't think.

Grosgrain: SHABBY APPLE Marseilles Dress GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

2009-06-05T19:23:00.000+10:00

Grosgrain: SHABBY APPLE Marseilles Dress GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!
What a gorgeous dress, I haven't worn a dress in so long, wouldn't it be lovely........*sigh*

Life with a sick little monster

2009-06-04T22:38:00.002+10:00

Well it's that time of year I guess. Winter seems like it is definately upon us. the little monster has his first round of croup for this year. He has such a nasty cough this time, poor thing. Haven't been able to get alot done. I did manage to finish off another top for him, before the dreaded croup hit, no photos of him in it just yet. Will have to wait until he is a bit better and wants to co operate! I also managed to get back to spotlight to score some more bargain fabric, 50c per meter- AWESOME!!! And I got some half price patterns aswell ( Simplicity 3751, Simplicity 2997 and New Look 6485). Will have to get stuck in soon, as soon as my boy is better.

Spaceships for my co-pilot

2009-06-01T15:39:00.004+10:00

I made this last night. Junie Moon's seat belt cover. It was really quite easy to make. I made this one for the little monster, he loves the space theme fabric. It was so easy I'll be making one for myself, and these may be getting handed out at Christmas too, great little present idea. Only next time I wont use the stick on velcro. It was all the shop had, and when I went to stitch around the sides, it gave me all sorts of problems. Turned out good though I think.

Closed up

Opened up

Not quite the one hour bag...

2009-05-31T20:10:00.005+10:00

Last night I decided to give Vintage Ric Rac's 1 hour bag a go. This is the end result. Not bad. The curved bottom corners were tricky for a novice like me, and it took me longer than 1 hour, but I'm still happy with the result. I will definately use this bag, I love the fabric. The tutorial was so easy to follow and the bag comes together so easily that I will definately have another go. Who knows, I might just make it in an hour!!!

I love a good bargain!!!

2009-05-29T19:18:00.006+10:00

$2.50 a meter! I couldn't believe when I took these up to the counter at Spotlight and found out I just scored an awesome bargain! But that wasn't the best...

The next week I went back to start stocking up on some fabrics, and scored these beauties for $2.00 a meter! My fave is the purple with the owl prints, it's so cute.

I decided, for $2.00 a meter, I might as well go back and get a heap more, so I packed the little monster in the car and made the 45 minute drive once more, to see what would be left. I scored these..........

and these, all for.........wait for it.......... $1.00 a meter!!! What, are you serious? Yes I am, a whole buck. I sure love a good bargain, and my stash of fabric is certainly building.

The only down side to this last trip that we made. Spotlight doesn't have a toilet, and the little monster was busting to go. And he did......right on the floor. Oh dear, at least the sales lady had a chuckel about it.

Bicycles for my boy

2009-05-28T19:23:00.002+10:00

My first attempt at wearable clothing for the little monster. Its a little cold here, so don't mind the skivvy underneath. I love the bicycle fabric, it's so cute. I got this pattern out of Sew Hip magazine. I think it turned out ok. I need to work on the whole bias tape thing, attaching it, etc. I bought some more fabric to have another go at it, a natural linen type fabric and an apple print for the middle panel. Hope it works.