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??

Playdate Goodness

We're off to a fairly big play date tomorrow. 20 mummies and their respective tin lids (I am guessing at least 30). I would like to take one of Overmilkwood's awesome cake stands (but am searching for shot glass alternatives (where did S hide the sake glasses????)) for my favourite play date biscuits. Though they will be travelling in one of these.


Weekender Biscuits

125g (4oz) butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 jumbo/2 small egg/s (otherwise the biscuits are a dry argument)
2/3 cup sultanas (yellow raisins)
1 cup of self-raising flour
2 cups lightly crushed cornflakes

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add Egg/s, beat well. Fold in sifted flour, sultanas and crushed cornflakes. Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto lightly greased oven trays/biscuit sheets/Glad Bake. Allow room for spreading (these suckers really spread). Make in moderate oven 20 minutes. If your oven is hot 15 minutes is all you need. Makes about 30 (I usually get more).

From The Australian Women's Weekly The Big Book of Beautiful Biscuits (classic version ie late 70s early 80s brown cover version rather than the modern pinkish cover).

Don't they look scrummy. CT is a pelican when it comes to these beauties.

My Friday Volunteer Gig

Surprised to see another post so soon?? I had so much fun today that I would like to share my fun Friday gig with you all. Some time ago I mentioned that I was taking over as the Art and Craft coordinator's spot at our playgroup, well today was my first day. I am very lucky that my predecessor, has planned themes for the year already (which is what I struggle with) and all I have to do most weeks (not every week mind you, because some have already been partially prepared) is to organise an appropriate activity for 18 months to 5 years.

This week's theme was dinosaurs and I chose finger puppets. You can find the templates I used here but Enchanted Learning has more dinosaur activities here. I copied the finger puppets, then pasted them into a word document, increased the size and printed them off. I recommend paper heavier than 80 gsm but less than 200 gsm (difficult to cut the holes out otherwise). Then I went through the ANZA craft supplies. This week I decided to use cut out paper pieces, sequins, commercial pom poms, glitter glue and stickers. Mainly because they were already in containers. There were also markers, crayons and pencils on the craft table. It was interesting seeing what the kids chose to do with the supplies. I assumed because the t-rex looked aggressive that the girls would gravitate to the dipplodocus puppets. WRONG. Most kids chose to do a little colouring (markers seemed to be the most popular. CT was the only one who showed interest in the crayons.), a little gluing and sticker action (interesting to also watch them carefully select the stickers and then stick them. Some haphazard, others with great deliberation.) The feedback from other parents was good and let's see how next week, gingerbread men goes.

As I hovered over the table (anxious because it was my first time), CT spent a lot of time at the table experimenting. I accidently round paper filed her first effort a crayon/marker creation (she seems to be going through a purple faze). As she was observing the other kids around the table, she became fascinated with the glitter glue and glue stick. The whole squeeze the glitter glue tube went over her head but she understood that she could spread the glitter with the nib. I have to admit that I was surprised she didn't use her hands. In the space of an hour she also worked out how to take the lid off the glue stick, use the glue end like she does a pencil to put glue on the paper (also surprised she didn't experiment further there either) and stick a piece of paper (not much lasted because, why not pull it off and place another piece on). She was also fascinated with the texture. I haven't used glue with her before. Sighed relief that she didn't try to imitate some of her pals glue eating either (or did she try it and decide that she didn't like the taste??). Her second dinosaur is the below, the glitter version and not the pink and brown one. The top one belongs to her friend Oliver.

Here are some other activities that I found but didn't use (most because of the age range of the kids); dinosaur shoes, 3D dinosaurs, coffee fossils, memory game, and my favourite origami (though it looks a little difficult.).

I would also like to thank S for helping me cut out 30 t-rexs last night (as seen above, you are a star sweetie). I did the diplodocus templates. Another big thanks for letting me store it on the floor of the linen cupboard. (Now all I have to do is make sure we DO NOT open the door when CT is awake.... I have had to put supplies away several times in the last week...)

A Name and I Would Like You all to Sing Along With Me

We will get to the name in awhile people. I need you to all sing with me. Our chosen piece of music is Handel's Messiah Chorus (a linkie link to the music if you really want to get in the spirit of things). Que intro and all together people (in the full glory of this piece...) "Far Croatia, Far Croatia, Far Croatia, Faar Crooatia...."

Why?? Well because I was being a show off last week, karma decided to come and slap me around for being a smart arse (and had annoying humid weather/torrential rain, so I can't PVA my bits for MPC (see my mind is on the same page as you mawha ha ha)). Everything I have touched since the 14th has been a disaster. Some have been salvaged, but I have started my THIRD attempt at my Russian Doll Swap. The first attempts will make appearances in other places at a later stage. But they can stay crumpled in a far corner under the sewing machine dining table in the studio until one doesn't feel like hacking into it with the scissors (no photos of that cluck up for you then as well). Just couldn't use the thread paintings for what I wanted them for, I sort of kind of painted the corners of the fabric into the back of the fabric... Got frustrated with how much eye strain the first attempt gave me (red fine line pen on denim will do it to you every time), so I decided to give freezer paper a go.

Knew if I iron the design down it wasn't going to move and I would see said design. Like how intricate it is?

Like the paper??

'Cause it ain't coming out. The horns are well and truly out for these poor poppets... I have plans for them. You will find out in due time (evil teacher laugh). So sorry Meridian Ariel, I feel so flakey...

Like the zippered pouch and

coasters? 2 failed place mats... Not rehashing that either. Not going to share the mangled hats and the burnt Ikea animal print baby quilt.... Phew that is off my chest, thanks for the moan bond and vent.

Now for a drum roll...... The newbie machine has a name. It took awhile to pin Donnie down to decide on a name. S flat refused because he felt I would argue with him over a name. Besides he felt seeing Donnie gave me said beauty, Donnie should help me. So the machine's name is Fred. Thank you Lil'd for the name. All the males in the maternal line have the name Fred (actually Fredrick) as a Christian or second name. We agreed if Fred was being a good machine, Fred is channelling its inner female so Fred is short for Fredrine. On the other hand, if Fred is playing up thus channelling its inner male, Fred is short for Featherdick (one poor unfortunate relative scored that nickname when his best friend aged 3 couldn't pronounce Frederick properly...) So there you have it a Jacobsen tradition won hands down. Lil'd if you could please contact me via Flickr and I will get your contact details.

Well I am going to return to my manic reality. I do not want to jinx what I have been up to, so it will remain a super dooper secret squirrel, which I hope I can share soon. If the SDSS falls through, expect to see all the creatively rejigged items that are not swaps, in my Etsy store (and that will be all at once for the sheer hell of it!!). Oh I am so all over the place, too many play dates and not enough sleep will do that to you... Thank you all so very much for your messages regarding the death of my special student. They all helped and writing a looooong letter to the family has helped me. Smooth thanks for helping me remember one of my favourite memories of the older sister (but I will not be tempted by your swap suggestions...). :D Wish me luck people.