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  • July 31, 2010

    Wind, sand, swim and surf

     Yah! I’ve decided on an ocean, beachy type theme for my wee Hamster’s room. His nanna is quilting him a sea themed quilt and his grandma is crochetting him a matching throw rug (do 18 month old kids get throw rugs?? I’m not sure about that terminology – someone help me with that!)

    So now begins my quest for all the other bits and pieces that I will need to finish it off!  And then once he is over his ‘demolish his room every chance he gets’ phase, it’ll be action stations!

    Here are a few pieces I found that would fit me thinks!

    Penelope & Pip – Vernon the Whale print
    Inspired By Paper – personalised framed art
    Small Town – fish onesie (okay, so it will not fit him, but it is so adorable!)

    Off fishing!

    Caz x

    July 30, 2010

    Fabulous Friday Finds

    1.  Avidiva   2.  Sassilu   3.  Style Aficionado     4.  Woddlebots

    July 29, 2010

    Featured Store: La Di Da Kids

    Well la-di-da! What do we have here? La di da Kids is a site created by a work-from-home-mum with a love of handmade products for children. And it gets better – all the products are Australian made, supporting Australian artists and handcrafters exclusively.

    While moseying through this site, I was taken with not only the baby and toddler products but the attention to the slightly older child. It can be easy to forget that 5-year-olds should look and play great too! How unique is this Angel Top with Elephants, or the Red Shoes Stationary Set for even the earliest of writers?

    I really love the idea that this site brings together so many creative minds – the items I looked at all seemed fresh and exciting. Only a matter of months ago, I was someone who had no idea what a great gift for a baby or a child was – but sites like La di da Kids definitely help. You know the products have that handmade loveliness about them and that no-one else will give a gift quite like yours when you buy from a site like this.

    Check them out – they even have my favourite – some corduroy for kids too!

    xx

    July 28, 2010

    Celebrity blogger – Winter Warmers

    This week we are so lucky to have Olga from Ellies Pretty Thing as our fantastic Celebrity Blogger!

    Olga has found winter warmers by cool handmade crafters!

    ++++++

    My whole reason for loving handmade is simple: I don’t like to be a carbon copy of anyone else and I don’t want that for my little girl either. Don’t get me wrong  – I love the latest fashions and trends.  I love them a lot but I just want a subtle difference. That is why handmade fits into my lifestyle perfectly. The small run, unique and ultimately cool items that can be found within the handmade realm is immense. Thankfully, Australia has produced some of the craftiest craftsters out there.

    As winter is upon us I thought I would share with you some of my current favourite items.

    1. I love this fabulous addition to any little one’s possessions: a Magnolia sleeping bag/zip-up quilt.  It is just the thing for sleepovers, camping or just for keeping warm after a long day of playing.  

    2.  This Splat Monkey Wrap by Tidabella Monkey looks so cozy and warm that my only complaint is it doesn’t come in mummy sizes.

    3. Awesome red poncho, a la little red riding hood, from Charlie Bird Clothing.

    4. This is just one of the many awesome hats available from Vanilla Knits & Bits

    With these great handmade winter warmers everyone can see why handmade for kids is so cool!

    +++++++

    Thanks Olga! You certainly found some paparazzi worthy goodies!

    You can view Ellies Pretty Things and more goodies by clicking here!

    If you don’t mind living with your face plastered over the front of gossips mags and feel up for being a celebrity blogger for HMK, please email us! Thanks :)

    July 27, 2010

    July special: Monkeychops chalk boards

    The lovely Nat from Monkeychops is offering Handmade Kids readers her gorgeous personalised chalk boards for only $25 (normally $40).

    These chalk boards are so handy as they are completely portable and even come with a piece of string and chalk attached! Fabulous!

    This offer is available until 31 July 2010 only. So be quick!

     

    Filed under: Play — Tags: , , — Caz @ 3:05 pm

    July 26, 2010

    Featured Store: Avidiva

    First do no harm.

    It can relate to your baby, yourself, your friends, the world, the universe. We have come a long way in the quest for sustainable living that was talked about by the alternatives of the 60s and 70s. As far as we have come, it can still be difficult to find a diverse range of organic, eco-friendly and healthy products for our children. Sure, they are out there but where do you find them?

    How wonderful to find that Cassie from AVIDIVA has lovingly sourced many products of this nature for your children and made them available for you from one easy site.

    Check out the Babyjo Bamboo 2 layer blankets,  and the AromaPlay clay makes me wish the internet had olfactory abilities!! I also love and use my own Qubies to freeze my little one’s leftovers – there is something so incredible in the design of this product .

    Cassie also incorporates her love of handmade items in her signature brand AVIDIVA which is also available through this site. Her organic onesies, which can be personalised for your child, have some gorgeous designs on them. I love the birdie!

    Its all lovely for baby and with equal importance, lovely for our world. You will do no harm in checking out the products available on Avidiva so go on, take the step to a better future for you, your baby and your world.

    July 24, 2010

    Magical Mystical Memories

    I remember when my dreams of magical, mystical creatures came crashing down. I woke up to see my dad putting a 50-cent coin where my tooth had been. It made me wonder if reindeer really nibbled on the carrots at the front door and a rabbit truly left magic dust amongst the chocolate eggs. It also begged the question – did a dragon named Puff really ever live by the sea?

    Regardless, I continued believing (partly in fear of not getting 50-cents for the next tooth!) and I think I am better for it. What would a childhood be without the stories of rainbow-coloured unicorns and fire-breathing dragons?

    So what did you believe in? Some of the gorgeous creations below might spark your memories – or remind you of the extra nip of whiskey that opened your eyes to the movements of the Loch Ness Monster while in the Bonnie Land.

    1. Sparkly Green Knickers – Princess and the Pea Skirt   2. NickMaxMama – Dragon Hooded Bath Towel   3. Happy Family – Red Dragon Print T-Shirt
    4. Two Farm Chicks – Fairy Dust Bottle   5. GiGi Belts – Unicorn Sparkle Belt   6. Smiling Ice Cream – Sweet Miss Dragon Singlet

    July 23, 2010

    Fabulous Friday Finds

     Moo Woo - boab singlet  Buttercup Ink - nursery art

    Momie et enfant - polka ruffle bloomer   Skookum for Kids - handmade bag

     

    Filed under: Friday Finds — Tags: , , , — Caz @ 9:37 am

    July 22, 2010

    Review: Ellies Pretty Things

     

    Hair accessories are one of those items that always make me wish I had little girls.  Though I do have to admit to putting our review items in the Little Ones hair to have a look at them in action.  He quite liked wearing the headband I might add, and I spotted him several times over the next few days waltzing around in it.

    Our review items today are a series of hair accessories from Ellies Pretty Things.  As well as some sweet alligator clips we have some bobby pins and headband to test out on some little heads.

    The clips are well constructed, I gave each one a nice little tug and pull to see how sturdy they are and was impressed as they stayed nice and put and did not come apart.

    The bobby pins are a beautiful quality pin, lovely and sturdy with a gorgeous antique feel hot pink flower attached and the alligator clips all use lovely grosgrain ribbon.

    We had a lovely time as mums of boys playing with our Ellies Pretty Things Hair Accessories, so check them out if you are after some sweet hair candy for your tots.

     

    Filed under: Review — Tags: , — admin @ 10:54 am

    July 21, 2010

    Crochetted coolness

    Top row: Kia Hing Fay rabbit rattle

    Bottom row: Mel P Designs red rose brooch
    Vanilla Knits & Bits baby beanie
    Rens Fibre Art cushion cover

    July 20, 2010

    Featured Store: Monkeychops

    Have you been introduced to Monkeychops?

    Monkeychops is Nat’s nickname for her little man and also the name of her store full of gorgeous things for our kids!

    What I really like about Monkeychops is that Nat has found things to make that kids enjoy and want to wear or play with - not just what mums think they should wear or play with!  Endless ongoing research into finding the right ‘ouch-free’ headband and testing the chewability of chalk has resulted in Monkeychops‘ products being perfect for our little ones! 

    I really like these oil ’special boards’ that Nat customises for you – could be your child’s first words, places you’ve lived, favourite nursery rhymes … the options are endless. And being hand painted makes it even more special and unique.

    Monkeychopsalso make gorgeous hair accessories and makes them to last! The alligator clips (without the teeth!) are expertly covered with ‘Vandoros’ gross grain ribbon for extra grip (it makes a difference) and heat sealed to prevent fraying. Made to stay in even the most unruly hair and made to last. Monkeychops has a gorgeous range of headbands, rings, necklaces and other jewellery too.

    A big hit at HMK is Monkeychopspersonalised chalk boards. They are gorgeous and even come with chalk attached so you will never be hunting for that minuscule piece of chalk again. Nat tells us she included a ribbon hook on the board so that it can be portable and has found it very handy to hang over the pantry door to occupy Monkeychops whilst she is cooking dinner. A great idea!

    I’ve really enjoyed looking at all Monkeychops’ goodies and hope you all have too!

    If you are a Queenslander, follow Monkeychops on Facebook to catch up with Nat at her next market.

    The rest of us will just have to make do with online oogling!

    Caz x

    July 19, 2010

    Babylicious Bibs

    Babylicious Bib Delights as chosen by Bec from MadeIt.

    Indigo Elephant    Christopher & Me   My Little Hero    Little Foxes  Oopsidaisi

    Filed under: Madeit, Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 1:22 pm