You're so crafty

This is something that is said to me quite often by mums in the circles I travel in here. But, huh?? Not really, inspired by what I read and see on the Internet definitely, especially what I see in terms of kiddy craft. A half hour trip on the MRT can be interesting. Although, I enjoy playing cat and mouse with CT, there is a time and place and the train isn't one (though the kid in me thinks it should be). I went to the Crafty Crow last week because I am looking for travel distractions. I really liked Chasing Cheerios toddler bags. So I am slowly putting a few together.

Today I decided to make a sandpaper activity. This is not an original idea, though I can't for the life of me remember where I read about this activity. Basically you need a piece of sandpaper and pieces of wool/string of various lengths. Then let them explore the medium and apply the wool as the spirit moves them.

As I am going to be shoving this in and out of a backpack/handbag often, I wanted to make it sturdy. I mean how long is a piece of sandpaper just is going to last?? Not long. So I got a cheap Ikea frame, cut out a piece of sandpaper the same size as the backing cardboard and popped it in. Then gave it a test run.

Fine sandpaper, fail!! Not enough friction for the wool to adhere, and to think I choose the sandpaper for the colour (well I let CT because it's for her and I want her to feel she has some ownership, even if she is nearly 18 months). OOOPS! Not to worry, I found some steel wool pads under the sink and they work better but will be dropping into a hardware store soon. Hopefully this will keep CT entertained on the train tomorrow, on the way to Jurong Bird Park. :D Exciting but about 1 1/2 hours by public transport...

Sheesh, writing a post after a 2 generous G&Ts (which I EARNED today) is a challenge...

CT would like to give her 5 Sing cents worth and let you know that, mummy should be more understanding about her favourite pastime at the moment as per above.

Making Monday: Glitter Shapes

I mentioned in a previous post that I have organised toddler craft sessions at my place through Active Toddler Singapore. The name for the sessions is not original, it's borrowed from Elsie Marley. I needed a needed a catchy name for the sessions... At the moment, my philosophy behind these sessions, is exposure, exploration and socialisation. It is the process and not the product that is important and if playing with the glue stick, train spotting, playing with toys, hanging with the other little people, is more important so be it.

Enough of the blurb: this week, we made glitter shapes. Maybe, a few of you might like to join us, virtually. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Last night I did the preparation. You'll need some construction paper, shapes to trace around, scissors and a husband who doesn't mind cutting out while he is watching King Kong. (Thanks S). Why the Christmas shapes? It is going to take me 3 1/2 months to get organised. Also my favourite Christmas decorations that Donnie has are the ones made by Rob and I while we were in Kindy.

Supplies you will need. Those lovingly cut out shapes (once again thanks S), glue sticks, glitter glue (optional), glitter, vinyl tablecloth (optional but I find the static on the vinyl stops a lot of that glitter getting on the floor) and a shoe box (not pictured). I highly recommend using a shoe box for this activity as it contains the glitter, you can control how much goes on the preglued shape and there isn't as much excess glitter.

Next is CT's favourite part, she gets to play with the glue stick. I plonked a shape in front of her, as she tends to go in a zone with glue sticks.

The aim is to get glue on the shape, today this was our preferred method of transfer. What ever floats your boat, CT.

Once the shape has some glue on it (the younger they are the sooner they seem to lose interest in the sticking bit), show them the shoe box, the glitter, choose a colour together (ha), fight over who is going to pour the glitter in (optional but likely with this dubious duo)

and then pop the shape in,

let them have a good shake (lid on is better but I wanted the photo, you don't really want glitter all over the place),

and shake the excess glitter off (if you are allowed) and you should end up with something like this:

Here are a few more that took a few hours to make (with great company).

Next time I do this activity, I am going to make sure the outside of the box is contacted, glitter can escape from cracks and crevices. Not that I had much of a mess, but man this glitter is worse than sand...

Dear Papa

Happy Father's Day!!!!

We hope you enjoyed lunch today (okay not a photo from today), the roast last night and we will finish your photo frame.

We loves you heaps.

Your girls.

Catching up

I think if they were handing an award out for the most inconsistent blogger, I would be in with a good chance of winning it. Honestly, I have started a few posts, thought of many posts, but not quite got to it. You probably wonder what I do with my time. Okay I will let you in on the secret, this is my online playgroup. You probably won't be able to see much. But we (and that is the royal we) are very active members. Um, if we are not signed up for one of those playdates (we even host some), it is pretty rare. CT is just so active and constantly distroying the house. I deliberately try to wear her out.

Donnie and Happy (can't miss the family resemblance can you??) was here a whole two weeks ago and is now somewhere about here:

When she came it was like Christmas:

And we did a lot in that day and a half.

I have done a lot of this (and that is all I am confessing to):


and have had friends with me (I arranged a mummy playdate even),

and there have been trips to various places to buy our (in the royal sense again) craft supplies. Call me insane but I have started a little toddler craft group at home. I find that ANZA group has too many distractions and CT observes more than create. But that's okay. Besides I aim to built some gross motor skills (not this kind though) as well as play with materials. If I follow the a little often blog of thumb like Jen, hopefully there will be quick and easy ideas like this:

more often here.

Donnie had a birthday and I asked Jen to make this for her. I also made this

but she left it with us. Kids Swap check:

Baby tag quilts check (the fronts are on flickr):

Still working on my Fairytale swap and Robot Swap (public note to self, email your partners), Summer Sack Swap sacks, various clothing items for CT's friends who are the cusp of the terrible twos, a few hats for CT, an ATC to remake (gone MIA) as well baking and playdough (commercial brands and non salt homemade playdough = lots of eating). I have been plough through my teaching word documents and making them into pdfs or finishing them as well (why not over do it in style??)

These items have passed through the mailbox from Jen for CT:


see the book underneath the doggies? Ah-Fat loaned me that and we met through the online playgroup.

You may wonder how I am doing it all. One word summary: INSOMNIA.

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...)

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.

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).

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

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??

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.

Look at the other goodies, Donna included in the swap.

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....

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....

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???

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

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

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....)

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

The soap has been bliss.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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)

b) S thinks we need to do something about the Billy Ray Cyrus circa 1992 mullet. Your thoughts??