I saw these gorgeous floppy DIY sheep soft toys and I had to share them with you.  If you are a knitter, how can you resist making them?  I’ve come across these sheep before to buy but making them yourself is even better.  You can choose your colours, the sizes and you can make as many as you want.  I love the colours chosen here but the choice is yours.  My mother-in-law is the knitter in this family so I’ll be asking her to make a few of these.  I discovered these softies at Fawn & Forest but for full instructions visit Lebenslustiger.

When I was a kid I remember being obsessed with origami.  It wasn’t just the beautiful art of folding paper that fascinated me but also the paper itself.  The detailed Japanese prints and bright, vivid colours, the smooth feel of the paper and the soft sheen all really grabbed me.  I remember using my origami sets to painstakingly cover my notebooks, pencil cases and anything else that I could manage.  And I always kept a secret stash of this paper hidden away in a drawer just in case… I’m sure I never had an origami paper emergency but I was always prepared!  So when I discovered Adeline Klam and her beautiful store it took me back to my ‘origami days’ and I was smitten.

Adeline Klam’s boutique is brimming with origami sets, Japanese fabrics, origami ornaments and much more.  She also uses the beautiful paper to make lamps, tissue boxes, photo albums and other little things for the home.  But if you’re more of a DIY’er, Adeline has put together craft books on ideas of how to use this paper.  There’s of course an origami book but there’s also a super cute book on kokeshi dolls and how to turn these wonderful little ladies in to all manner of everyday objects from cushions to paper garlands.  Discovering this store has really re-kindled my origami love and I can’t wait to indulge in this craft with my daughter who is a bit young at the moment but soon, very soon I shall introduce her to to this wonderful and beautiful paper craft. 

Do you indulge in lots of crafts for yourself and with your kids?  If you do then you need to check out Knot, a new online magazine that has just launched.  And even if you don’t, it’s worth looking just for the beautiful styling and pretty pictures.  Full of stunning and very do-able DIY projects for adults and children, this magazine is the creation of 3 French ladies.  They’ve just launched the first issue which is small but every craft is so pretty.  Knot magazine is only in French at the moment but the English version is due to follow soon. 

I love both the kids crafts featured not only because they look like something every kid would want to make but I also love the soft minty greens, blues and whites they’ve used.  Those wings… I want to make them now!  Then there is a cooking section with a hot chocolate and spaghetti recipe and both look divine.  But forget cooking the real thing, I just want to make the super creative paper versions.  Aren’t they so cool?  For mama’s there’s a bit of DIY fashion and some pretty decorating ideas.  I’m really excited about knot magazine and I can’t wait to discover the next issue… hopefully in English!

Will this rain ever stop?  If you’re in England you’ll know what I mean but if you’re elsewhere… lucky you!  With the heavens opening nearly everyday for the last month, I’ve been on the hunt for some fun and eye-catching craft projects.  With so much time at home, the little ones need some entertainment and with that in mind, I’ve found 3 colourful little projects that are not too difficult and look really good when completed.  So here they are:

These DIY fruit balloons look so bold, bright and fun and are easy to make too.  Once made you can hang them up on a garland and adorn your kiddies play space or they’d make great party decorations that don’t cost much at all.  You’ll find all the info you need to make them over at Oh Happy Day.

I love these DIY wool/ yarn letters and words that are very easy to make so even the little ones can get involved.  Make your bambinos name or initial or just make words that can be displayed on bookshelves, mantlepieces or anywhere you fancy.  This could be a fun thing to get kids to do at a party or when you have a play date.  You’ll find all the details over at Giddy Giddy.

These DIY dip dyed pencils would bring sunshine on the rainiest of days.  They’re so vibrant and cheerful and look like fun to make too.  Make a whole batch and you could even give them out as party favours.  Go as crazy as you like with the colour combos… the brighter, the better in my opinion.  Head to Modern Parents, Messy Kids where you’ll find all the details on making them.

London themed decorative woven ribbons… so, so cool!  These are the latest offerings by Sandra Monat of Herzensart.  When I spotted them I couldn’t wait to share, so I didn’t.  Mama’s just think of the decorative possibilities.  Clothes, pencil cases, cot bumpers, bags, cushions, bed linen… these are just a few of the things these delightful ribbons can adorn.   Made using 100 year old weaving looms, these London themed ribbons are just a joy.  I’ve long been a fan of Herzensart goodies and this may be the best yet.  Being limited edition they’re only available from Sandra’s own store so hot foot it to Herzensart to get your share.  On offer are these guard ones, a red London bus one and a telephone box one.  They cost from €3 a metre and shipping to the EU is from €1.50. 

Wanna make your Christmas gifts look uber-pretty?  Then don’t miss these.  And, you can still get them in time if you order soon.  From etsy, these paper flowers are a super-sweet alternative to bows on gifts.  Or if you’re using paper bags, just stick a flower or two on to jazz it up loads.  They cost $3.50 for 12 flowers.  You get a PDF emailed to you and just print and cut… of course if your bambino’s old enough for scissors, delegate!  It’ll keep them busy doing something fun and they’ll probably imagine 100 other creative ways to use these paper flowers.  Made by a store called Paper Glitter, I’m thinking of using them as some sort of table decor and not just for Christmas.  The possibilities are endless…

Being snowed in (well that’s my excuse anyway), I’ve spent lots of time surfing and discovering fabby new stuff to bring you.  On one of my surfs, I discovered Alice Melvin who makes the most amazing paper stuff.  Amongst the lovelies on offer is this make your own bird mobile.  Just cut out the birds and follow the included instructions.  The 5 birdies in bright colours and super stylish prints would look just lovely fluttering above a babies cot.  And if you’ve got a pre-schooler too, get them to help make the mobile.  The Alice Melvin bird mobile costs £6.95 plus £3.60 delivery.  If not for your own, then gift it to another newbie and you can be sure you’ll be giving a super unique pressie that’ll stand out from the crowd.

Don’t forget to check out our little baby auction site.

I’m biting the bullet and going for it… my first Christmas post is here!  And I’ve picked these crafty Christmas Creatures spotted in the Sunday Times.  They’re a set of 5 make your own cut-out paper animals all given the festive treatment.  Make them up and hang them from your tree or use to adorn your Christmas day table.  If you’re extra crafty then string them together and garland your kiddies room door.  Or simply sit them on the mantle.  There’s lots you can do with them, just don your creative hat and get crafty!  They’re from a sweet little store called Pookie and Peach and cost £8.75 with free delivery.

P.S. Loving little Rudolph with his red nose and all!

Related posts: Make your own paper angels

When I spotted these Hello Hanna Hello Books, I thought what a fantabulous idea.  Being a robot fan too, I just had to share these make your own sticker story books.  In each pack, you get an accordian style foldable book and 5 sheets of buildable stickers.  Then add a 4 year old with with a huge imagination and and see what they create.  The robot mission hello book costs £6 plus £3.50 delivery.  A  fab little mission for rainy days or the perfect little stocking filler, you decide.

Don’t forget to checkout our baby auction site, the home of baby bargains.

MoMA, the museum of Modern Art has designed a kids play house so hip, you’re gonna want one.  The house is open plan and comes with 6 moveable walls, 8 bits of furniture and 12 vinyl clings to jazz-up the walls and floors.  Gather the bits and create the house of your dreams (or your toddlers even).   This uber-mod dwelling is just the ticket to encourage imaginative play for 3 year olds and over.  The MoMA Modern Play House costs £8.45 with free delivery.  Oh, and if you find the house is feeling a bit empty, get the Moma Modern Play Family and stick them in there.  There’s 5 of them plus a cat and a canine and their wardrobe contains a whopping 150 different options.  The ‘Moderns’ cost £5.24 and will be delivered free too.  Don’t miss dadee Moderns’ hairdo!

Checkout our little auction site where there are baby bargains to be had.  (Shhh… you never know when one of these might appear there.  Find out more next week).