Do You Wanna Build A Scarecrow?

 

 

So.... what to do on a sunny but cold day of the school holidays?

 

Build a scarecrow of course!

 

A few posts back I told you all how my hubby had done a massive wardrobe clear out, leaving me with heaps of clothes to find uses for. (Read that post here - Up-cycling Daddies Old Work Shirts)

 

Well this was another project for some of the clothes!

 

For this project I used:

 

Plastic Bags

Pipe cleaners

Newspaper

Old clothes

Needle and thread

Big metal spike thing that I had in the garden ( you could use a wooden stake/ rake / broom etc)

 

 

I chose all these items because they were what I already had around the house. You know - Up- cycling, re-cycling and re-using things!

 

For the face I cut out 2 black circles for eyes from the clothes. I roughly stitched these on to a white shirt.

 

I stitched a pipe cleaner for the mouth

 

 

I gave the kids the job of stuffing the body. We stuffed newspaper into the plastic bags first, then into the shirt. This helps keep the scarecrow water proof and not get so soggy through winter.

 

We didn't get chance to make the legs, but I think we may just keep him this way. We also need to find him a hat! 

 

The kids have named him John after my hubby!

 

Oh and here's a pic of a snail we found in the veggie patch! The kids played with it longer than it took us to build the scarecrow!

Spoilt doggies!

Yes I have two very spoilt doggies!! I've been busy making them toys.  Well..... truth actually is our new pup is a bit of a destroyer - she chews everything...... shoes, toys, furniture, bras, even the walls! So even though both dogs have toys, I thought they may need more things to keep them occupied!

These 'bone' shaped toys they LOVE! I just made them from recycled fabric, and filled with the scrap fabric. That way they have a bit of weight to them - perfect for tossing in the air!

I've also made a couple of dog coats for these cooler morning walks. They look so proud wearing them! They actually aren't quite finished yet. I've got to add a strap on the underneath to hold them on.

But as I say, spoilt doggies.... they probably have nearly as many toys as my kids!

Back to School Fun

Well it has definitely been a busy morning in my house today. First day back at school for the year for the boys. Now they are both in full time school, leaving me and bub to be at home.
Of course things never quite go as smoothly as we like, so due to teething issues, I was up half the night with little Miss - giving me probably around 2-3 hours sleep!
Then up and at it for school this morning! Luckily I had organised some bits last night and hubby did more than his fair share this morning - so I could sleep in!

School drop off was a breeze with both boys being excited to be back with their friends. No tears from anyone (not even me), a first EVER!

Then the new year really started for me. My new job. YAY! Stay at home mum! I have always wanted to be home, and now I am. Now it is up to me to work out a routine to fit everything in. This lap-top of mine can get quite tempting. With Facebook, Blogger, Etsy and just general web surfing, hours can pass, without even knowing it! (but I'm sure you get that too!)

So with bub having an early nap, I got on with some much needed owl making for my upcoming market this weekend, I did a half hour workout - as per my new years promises to myself, I have baked a batch of cheesy-mite scrolls, and currently have some jam scolls cooking away too! Yay for me. And now I have almost completed a blog entry -  just as bub is waking up.

So all round I think I have had a successful morning - and its not even 1 o'clock yet!

Lets hope this can continue for the rest of the year!

Pay It Forward!

I've recently become a little bit addicted to online groups, forums and communities. Not really a problem I guess, apart from the fact I end up spending much more time than I would really like to on the computer!

 

One of the best communities I've become a part of is Pay It Forward. I've joined 2 local PIF groups through Facebook. The groups are made up of locals who have items they no longer need but are to good to throw away. Instead you list the items on the page. There is a few rules which you MUST follow, or you will be banned from the sites! All items must be for free, and if they interest you, you ask to be 'considered'. The PIF-er will choose someone randomly. If you are chosen you must pick the item up ASAP. There are limits to how much you are allowed to ask for and recieve. They also ask that if you have recieved an item then look around your house and find something to Pay Forward. That way the circle of giving continues!

 

Some people are very generous in the items they give away. It is such a lovely thing that people are willing to help each other out - and trust that the person recieving is not going to just turn around and sell the goods.

I've seen people offering movie tickets, massages, books, toys, furniture, clothes, electrical items and so much more!

 

Today I chosen for some books. I've actually wanted both these books for a little while now, so the fact that I was chosen for them was awesome! 

 

 

I have 4 bags full of items sitting in my front room that are waiting for people to pick up that I have "PIFed".

The whole "Pay It Forward" idea is kind of like a big op-shop on line - but for free items. But no need to worry, it will never replace op shops and thrift stores! I still donate and shop through them too!

 

Now I'm off to have a little read of my new books!

My new toy.... The Bellini!!

Yes I have a new toy!!!

Its the Bellini Intelli Kitchen Master!

Its actually my Christmas / Early Birthday present!

I've just used it for the first time and it was awesome!!!

I decided to do Banana Custard as my hubby bought it for me and thats his favourite.

 

So "what is it?" I hear you say.

 

Well its kinda like a Thermomix (if you know about them) - but a lot less expensive (and probably does a lot less stuff)

I wont compare it to a Thermomix though, as I don't really know much about them.

 

My Bellini is an all-in-one food prep / cooker thing. It doesnt cook everything but you can steam veg / cook rice / cook custard (see photo above) etc. You just add the ingredients and it does it for you!

 

I am actually the worst and I mean WORST custard maker in the world. I've been making custard for about 10 years or so now, and I can never get it right. So without thinking I chose to make custard in the bellini. I was a bit scared as it is an unfamiliar machine, but I thought custard shouls be easy enough....well......it actually was. It was really easy.

I had a mini freak out towards the end as i could hear it sloshing and I thought it was just going to be liquid....but it wasnt! it worked!!! SO proud of myself (and the machine).

 

So all I had to do was pour it out, top with banana and coconut and leave in the fridge for desert!

 

Hope it tastes ok!!

Potatoes!!!

I have potato plants!!!

 

And I am very excited that I have these growing! WHY? Because I love (and I mean LOVE!!!) potatoes! Potato salad, potato bake, mashed, stuffed, roasted.... I love them all. In fact when we go to Sizzler for "all you can eat". I fill my plate with all the potato dishes! I did that last time without even realising that is what I've done!

So the fact that I will soon have my very own home-grown potatoes excites me more than you can imagine!! 

On my dining table today......

Well I've run out of room on my sewing table, so I've spread my projects (some would call mess) to the dining table.
Yes there are scissors, material, ribbon, and triangle shapes every where.
I think I'm getting a bit carried away.... Today I am working on more bunting, but this time Christmas Bunting.
I know it's only October, but Christmas will be here before we know it!!
So back to it I go! Sew, sew, sew!!