Wednesday 20 August 2008

The kind of diet my letterbox prefers.

As promised a return to crafty post this time. My letterbox and I prefer the swap kind of mail rather than the letter envelope or mail I need to redirect. (In an aside ramble, there are 4 different people who longer reside here that still has mail regularly sent to them...)
Russian Doll Swap
First to arrive in the mailbox was this lovely parcel from Apryl of Meridian Ariel fame (who happens to be an expat as well :D) as part of the Russian Doll Swap organised by I'm a Ginger Monkey. CT the bickie monster claimed this lovely key link as the parcel was being opened.
Key ring
I have put it up high so she does not destroy it and have been working on a bag design for her to put it on. She still doesn't have a 'mummy made' bag and I think it is high time she had her own for her important stuff (ie transport distractions).
Takeaway Coffee warmer
S claimed the takeaway coffee cup holder. Not to keep his coffee warm mind you, it's to keep him from burning his fingers. I guess that it is only fitting that he gets a little something after all this swapping. :D
What a doll!!
Now for the crowning glory, one of Meridian Ariel's original book page illustration. Isn't she beautiful?? I love this shade of yellow and the flowers remind me of daisies. Lucky or what??
Summer picnic buttons
Then the next package to cross the threshold was this stunning covered button swap made by Donna which was organised by Little Red Caboose. Her theme was summer picnic. Luckiness or what?? I really need to think of a project/s for those scrummy buttons, though I keep seeing cute little outfits for CT and each one of those buttons being featured.
Covered Button Swap package
Look at the other goodies, Donna included in the swap.
Drawstring Bag detail
This drawstring pouch is used to transport our cutlery. The little girl struggles with big people spoons and forks as well as my own chopsticks. I prefer pointy Japanese numbers to round Chinese versions. I also LOATHE plastic knives and forks....
Apron details
The apron is really handy while I sew. All my tools go safely in the pocket. Loving the print and have been looking on Etsy to see if I can snaffle a metre/yard of my own....
For the little girl
Isn't this fabric and trim summery or what?? Still thinking of how I am going to use the trim and fabric. Once again I am erring towards the little girl as she is so much fun to make stuff for.

Then the lovely Jen of Painted Fish Studio sent me a belated birthday gift. Was I spoilt or what???
Wow!
The felted bowl has pride of place above the tv. It also holds all my hand embroidery needles and little projects from sticky fingers. :D I love it now all it needs is a runner to match it. I'll get around to that in my spare time. :D
Swatch score
See the pretty fabric?? Jen printed it. Isn't she talented?? This needs to be made into a wall hanging, methinks. Be sure that I will be bouncing ideas off Donnie on Sunday. Um Smooth, to prevent it from going missing, I might just use it as a blankie. :P
Ephemera
Look at the postcards! S even had a difficult time reading the information printed on them as they were preWWII. Lucky and I've been to some of the places. Oh and a Polaroid of her two dish lickers. What an awesome pair. I have this Polaroid in a place where CT can see and bark at them (because that's what you do when you see a dog regardless if it is the real deal or a picture, peeps) but not take and destroy. Oh and a cyberswipe that worked, the buttons that is!! Just call me swiper! (Yes I have been watching and reading too much of Dora the Explorer....)
Origami mobile
I would like to say that my mini goldfish mobile is hanging up. Vertigo me is too chicken to put to hang it up where I am holding it in the photo. :D
Felted soap
The soap has been bliss.
How do I....
The trim has been the most awesome toy. Ribbon rolls go in ribbon rolls go out... Amazing how such a simple thing becomes so cherished.
Swiper
A poor photo of Darliy's Stitched by Hand Flickr Group's Nautical ATC Swap. Sometimes it is hard to find time to rephotograph stuff that was lost on the dinosaur computer when it decided to go to cyber heaven. Can you see the fresh water pearls? And you should see the stitching of the seahorse with your own eyes. AMAZING!!! Seeing how I name things, this is Tatsu, as a seahorse is called tatsu no otoshi ko (dragon's fallen child). Not original but I like it.

There is another awesome package from Jen, a custom order and some extra goodies, but I am not sure if Donnie is going to breeze in and out of my blog before she goes on holidays. I might see her on Sunday but on Monday next, she is off to Europe until the 1st of October. I would gladly be her porter but I doubt the NinjaStar would cope with 6 weeks of travel. I was sorely tempted. As she gets older, I have no doubt we will have our own European adventure.

Sunday 17 August 2008

Excitement central

Okay so I missed the first of August to do the whole hurray put the arms in the air and shake your whole body like Animal and last Saturday. But better late than never, huh?? Why are we excited that I want to run around like a loon and shake all my wobbly bits?? Donnie (aka my mum) is going to be here in Singapore next Sunday (along with Happy (aka dad) and Rob (younger brother extraordinaire)). This time next week, I will be tipsy (because in this day and age a sniff of alcohol fumes is enough for me to get light headed. That's more thanks to the sewing that the parenting gig though). Why tipsy? Because I am finally going to have my first Singapore Sling. Next Sunday the three generations of females in my line of the family will be hanging out doing nothing important (quick, madly tidy up and shove everything in the cupboards, arg, CT why are you pulling everything out again????). Well I have clothes buying plans. Need more than the sum total of 4 outfits that are not too hot and I like wearing, now don't I?? S, Happy and Rob can sod off and do the touristy thing because I need quality time with my best friend.
Belly first
So where have I been. Commissions people. Um sorry swap partners, will get back on track. I have been stuffing around with Igi who refuses to become a risu on the swap front. (Evil laughing if you want to know what a risu is a) ask a Japanese speaking friend or b) look up an online dictionary). For those of you who speak Japanese, have a think, do can you see my juvenile humour.
Pheww
There was also a personal set back that had my dark side hanging out so cynical dark old me kept one's nimble fingers still. (News Flash: Oh there is a streaking baby with a potty in her hands that has just come to visit... Must have slipped past S while his back was turned for half a second. Sheesh she is quick these days on those two pins.) S's dinosaur notebook died (during the Olympic opening ceremony) as I was writing a blog post) and it took a few days to get pyuu (my second ever computer's name, long story) up and running. Seeing that I haven't really used pyuu since CT was born, I had to remember a few interesting features on the keyboard and how to undo said features. Ah the joys of a Japanese operating system.
I must
Also my days have been really full, tripping around various child paradises around Singapore. If you have looked at the photos throughout the post, this is a bit of a chronological story of some and I stress some of the outings CT and I have been on with or without S. Unfortunately I lost some photos when the dinosaur died as well. Other times we were having tooooooo much fun together for me to even pause about stopping and whipping out the camera. :D
Besotted
Well tootles all. Promise the regular creating posts will return. I need to show off the truly amazing parcels that have been through my post box (though you have probably seen them on Flickr). Also of the items I have sent off.
The faceless tot
So I leave you with 2 questions people:
a) Am I bad Australian mummy when I allow this to happen?? (And there will be no more until Sunday as Donnie and co are bringing tonns our way. :D)
Mummy how could you!!
b) S thinks we need to do something about the Billy Ray Cyrus circa 1992 mullet. Your thoughts??
Donnie, papa has a question