I spy with my little eye :: get your activity on

There are sooooo many great ideas out there we want to try. Here's a few on our current "do it" list:
:: Storytelling stones are the flavour flave of the blog world at the moment and we're busy collecting to make a set for some outdoor Spring time play.
These are from Amy at Sweet Sweet Life. Too. cute. clever. lady.
Check these links for tutes and inspiration too:
—red bird crafts
—maya*made

:: And while we are collecting suitable stones for that project we're also looking for little pebbles for this one:
Alphabet pebble magnets from the amazing Playful Learning.

:: Okay so I may not understand what she is saying but I really enjoy the pictures and ideas on this blog. I'm feeling this felt car mat in a big way and am thinking I could really go to town and bling it up big time (I promise to share if I pull my finger out on this one).

:: This little study centre over at FamilyFun reminded me that I had bookmarked the same idea over at Martha quite some time ago. I think it's time this mama rocked it for our little homework-beaver. Actually I could use one of these to hide behind when I'm laptoping.


:: And this fairy furniture from Monkey Lobster is just the freakin bees knees, no? The littles (not to mention the fairy folk) are going to go nuts and this mama may just pass out from the cuteness of it all!
Right-o then, best be off to make some of this magic actually happen in real life. Have you got any fun projects on the boil at your place? Feel free to share your links x

I spy with my little eye :: the cuteness edition

I am a total sucker for cute (come on, who isn't?). Gets me every. time. Here's some of what I've been oohing and aahing over this week:
:: Little Choopie your hair accessories are so absolutely adorable I want to squeeze your choopie cheeks.

:: Nothin But Wood you have got me so very giddy with your fairy doors. (C'mon hubby, please finish that paving under the big ol' tree out the back so we can put one of these portals in before the Spring fairies arrive.)

:: Agoo your bamboo leg huggers make me want to eat chunky little baby thighs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seriously. Stop it.

:: Sambellina you have the darn cutest party packs on the block. Thank you Skout for the hot tip.

:: Treehouse28 you've delivered for Spring time play-all-day wear.

:: Wooden Donkey your quirky vintage is right-on. Meet Me At Mikes you always have your cute radar tuned to perfection.

:: Mayhar Drygoods you never ever fail to surprise me. Downloadable paper dollhouse furniture. Get. outa. freakin. town.

I could go on. All day and all night. And then some. There is just so much cuteness out there. Share yours. Pretty please.

I spy :: new shops on my radar

Now that we live in a country town online shopping is an even bigger part of my life. Three cheers for the interweb. Here's some lovely little places I have been doing a little window-shopping in for winter clothing:

:: Soda Pop Kids
Andrea's selections are so on-it. And I do love a one-stop-shop. The store is very well stocked with lots of unique brands and has loads on sale right now. The Bluebird & Honey pinafores are killing me softly with their cuteness:
:: Eternal Creation
Owned and operated by an Australian designer, Eternal Creation is located in the Himalayas, employing and training locals. This is one brand I would happily dress my littles in head-to-toe. Words cannot describe the absolute gorgeousness of these clothes, here, see for yourself:




:: mini eco
It's nice to be able to shop for a range of products without worrying about what chemical processes they have been through before making it to your little's wardrobe or toybox. And I'm very into bamboo at the moment, it's soooo soft. These organic cotton briefs are coming to a cute tushi in this house as soon as her size is available. Cute florals and a nice cut for a little lady. So right. What's with the low-rise undies for little girls these days? So wrong.

I spy with my little eye :: a mixed bag of treats

:: Motherlode blogs about the "can we get a puppy, please?" conundrum (currently being presented for approval process in this house!) I'm totally undecided... anyone have any first pet for a five-year-old advice?

:: I love this water bottle sling maya*made whipped up from her new copy of Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials. Practical and pretty, my favourite combo.

:: Mamapedia is a question and answer resource for, yep, mothers. You simply pop your question in and relevant answers from other mums are listed. You can join up and share your wisdom too. Wonder if they can answer this one: where is our second telephone handset?

:: You must check out this play kitchen at ohdeedoh. This lucky little's dada made him a blinged up mini kitchen (there's even LED lights to make the stove top and oven "work"!) I need a lie down after that — it's almost too much (in the best way).

:: I'm looking for new recipes for my Winter menu plan (yes, it's coming people, brace yourselves). This Roast Vegetable Lasagne from Planning With Kids looks like a worthy addition! What are your favourite winter recipes for the family?

:: These chalkboard eggs by Lisa at The Red Thread look just divine.

:: I still don't have any slippers for the kids for the chilly season (bad mama). I just haven't seen anything I really like. But the floors are getting cold first thing in the morning so maybe I should give these handmade felt numbers from Notebook: magazine a go...

:: I've revealed my mum-love of Sussan before — maybe it's because of my limited shopping options in the country or could it be that they really are getting it right these days? Whatever it is I've added a pair of their jeans, a wool vest, a skivvy, tights and some pj's to my wardrobe so I'm in deep now.

:: In the too-cute-for-school camp are these Daisy Jane socks (say it with me, awwww) from Annabel Trends. Bless these little cotton socks.

:: And lastly, a Mother's Day inspired post at the creative mama (but relevant any time of year). Guest writer Freedom Martinez gives us her 10 things I have learned about surviving Motherhood so far...
6. MUST get out of your pajamas and shower. The world looks so much more conquerable when you are refreshed and ready to take it on… its amazing how much better everything seems after a quick shower.
So simple. So true.

I spy with my little eye :: a cute fest

Cuteness is all around us... here's some proof:
:: Babyology found these little baskets of gorgeousness. A baby doll and her cradle that doubles as a handbag. Oh my. Say hello to Penelope Peapod. Can it get more perfect for little girls? No way! In Australia shop Young Things for them.

:: With Dora well on her way to cementing Spanish as the global language, kids everywhere would probably appreciate these Spanish felt alphabet squares from Etsy shop Toodle ooo, as featured on ohdeedoh. If you're nifty you could probably whip up some yourself in your language of choice.

:: Amy from Living Locurto is an organisational junkie after my own heart. What about this for an idea?
Days of the week tags for your children's clothing. Now that's organised. And a great little exercise for kids learning to read. Because she is so nice you can download the tags from Amy's blog for free and get on your merry way with a wardrobe organising frenzy. I'm tempted to do it for myself... too much?

:: Cookie knock and Shella Anderson thankfully opens the door of her Essex, UK converted bungalow to show us her decorating genius and love of fabrics.

:: Felt is definitely shaping up to be THE fabric of 2009. heartfelt Australia (cute name) are making me oohhh and aahhh with products like their finger puppet bags. Here's another reason to love their work — heartfelt are an ethical business who work with Nepalese felters to raise funds for orphans.

:: It's almost beanie time. These ones from Crochet Corner on Made It are calling me for our daughter and almost making me look forward to the coming chill.