School holiday activity ideas: mess free painting

Each school holidays, I try to do just one 'activity' each day. Might not seem like much but it gets my two (Master 6 and Miss 4) focused on just one thing and not expecting an endless range of entertainment.

I thought I would share some of our activities with you each week. By no means are they original ideas and more than likely easily found elsewhere online (I'm not claiming credit!) but still it might spark some interest and give you inspiration to try them out too!

First - clean and mess free painting!

I have to warn you - this took more time to set up than it did for them to play with but they loved it! I laid a big piece of white paper on the table and taped four zip lock bags down with packing tape (no way was paint escaping!).

 

Place two colours into ziplock bags and tape down securely

I then encouraged them to tell me me what colours they thought the two paints in each bag would make. Master 6 already knew but I was pleasantly surprised that Miss 4 knew exactly what the colours would become.

Squish, mash and moosh (new word!)

Next came the fun part - mixing all the colours together. They loved this bit. It is textural but not messy. They each had two bags to play with.

Writing and drawing time

Once the colours were mixed, they wrote letters and drew pictures. I think this would have worked better if the bags were bigger but they still enjoyed 'writing'. 
 

Pink and purple - Miss 4's favourite colours

I kept the bags (they are still taped to my kitchen window) as I thought I would snip off the corners and have them do some dribbling artwork at a later time - we have a long weekend coming up and with our horrible cold (and likely wet!) weather, this might be a good time.

Couldn't help but share one crazy photo!

Do you plan special activities with your children for school holidays? Most of mine are easy (and cost free!). Would love to hear more ideas as our next school holidays aren't that far away!

Pattern review: Girls Ritzy Ruffle Top by Tenderfeet Stitches

I've decided to make a concerted effort to sew just one thing a week for my little owlets (or me) and that I would share my journey with you here.

So first:

The Girls Ritzy Ruffle Top by Tenderfeet Stitches

I ahem 'acquired' this gorgeous Tilda fabric (that's code for hubby can't know I've bought more!). I've been meaning to try this top for ages as Miss 4 loves to layer and is all about the girly dresses and skirts right now.

So much easier to take photos
when your 'model' doesn't move

Ok I'll admit, I didn't measure her (she was asleep at the time) and just went ahead and made the size 4. It is far longer than I thought it would be. More a tunic length don't you think? Not going to work with the shorts I had planned to make next week! You wouldn't even see them. If I want to make this again for her, I would probably go for a size 2 or 3 (she is 4).

Got this photos with promises of chocolates!

The pattern was slightly unique - one that you have pattern pieces to cut out of the rectangles to make the armholes rather than a full pattern to cut (does that make sense?).

Am I the only one who gets ham photos like this?

Constructed in a similar way to a peasant dress it was quite quick to put together, until I tried to attach the neck ruffle. There was a warning in the pattern that if you don't cut the pieces out correctly, the neck ruffle may not fit. mmmm that's me! Needless to say, I had to add an additional 5 inches to make mine work. Not happy to have three seams to hide instead of two but the end result still looks great. 

When she finally smiles (and giggles) normally!

Sewing through for the neck casing was tough - see the photo below. I was sewing through 6 layers there (1/4 inch folded and then the two layers each side). It does mean that the neck casing is quite chunky. Again, not a big deal but worth noting as it may affect fabric choices.

Close up of the ruffle around the neck

Will I make this again? - absolutely. The pattern is from size 9-12 months to size 12 so will get a lot of mileage from this one. Will I make this to sell for Lil Pip? - unfortunately no. I took quite a while to cut and put together which wouldn't be economical to sell. 

Pattern: Girls Ritzy Ruffle Top or Dress

Fabric: Teal and pink stripe from the Country Escape range 

Next week (or this weekend) it is something for Master 6 and I'm excited to see how it comes together.

Tips for Mumpreneurs

Did you catch The Living Room last week? 

They had a segment for Mumpreneurs which featured Mel from Cards to Keep. I kinda had a bit of a moment, like I'm connected to someone famous as I only just bought cards from Mel a couple of weeks ago. The only reason I haven't shared them yet is because I had bought two for my mum and mum-in-law for Mother's Day and didn't want to ruin the surprise!

The beautiful package I received with the gorgeous cards inside!

The cards are just beautiful. I asked Mel to send me three 'boy' cards as well as I never seem to have enough and I loved every single one she sent. Left the choices to her and they were perfect! It was great to send my handmade gifts to my mum and mum-in law along with a handmade card. Makes sense right?

Back to the Mumpreneurs segment ...

The tips from the interview (well worth watching in full as I have commented here rather than explained in full) are as follows.  

Research and diversify

Look at what the market wants. Consider higher priced items with higher profit margins. Perhaps look at complimentary products to what you are making. 

This is something I'm definitely doing at the moment. I guess that is why I'm taking a bit of a break from markets at the moment and hope to 'relaunch' in September. I'm really looking at how I can grow my business with my daughter. She is my main inspiration but I have so many products that are for babies and with her starting school next year, I'm not sure I'm really in touch with what is the 'latest' for babies now. 

Find new customers

Look at online stores that do the hard work for you. No fuss and more customers. 

This is something I have wondered about for the longest time and would love your feedback. I literally have $100s (probably $1000s) worth of product in my cupboards waiting for the next market. It seems like such a waste to just sit there when it could be online and making income. Like Mel in the interview, I really don't feel like I have the expertise to maintain a website (plus there is more involved in the marketing of that) and so I have been considering promoting through websites like etsy and madeit. 

What are your experiences selling online through these mediums - something I need to embrace and jump in the deep end with?  I think the other thing that is stopping me at the moment is the cost (and issues) with posting. I'm not convinced people will buy a little $15 owl if they have to pay $8.25 or $11.20 with a signature (registered) to receive it. It virtually doubles the cost. My products are easy to post like cards are.

Ask for help

Get support from family and friends to create your products. 

This is one that made me laugh a little. I would really love to be able to ask for help but with all my family living interstate it is a little hard. Yes each time my mum comes to visit, I usually have her cutting ribbons to match my little Boobook ribbon owls but sewing is kinda a solo job! I do have a girlfriend that has offered to help so I might organise a day/night with her and see what we could achieve together. I really find cutting everything out is the most time consuming task. I'm sure with wine as payment, she would love to hang out and at least help me with some of the preparations!

Congratulations Mel on looking spectacular and thank you to The Living Room for wonderful advice for us Mumpreneurs!

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day (for yesterday)

Happy belated Mother's Day!

I had a relaxing day yesterday. I received a beautiful poem and card from my beautiful boy, Master Owlet. There is just something so special about receiving a card which he obviously had taken so much care to write neatly and draw a picture of me. I will treasure it forever. He also bought me some lovely things from the mother's day stall at school - a thong magnet for the fridge (the shoe kind!), a bar of soap, some gorgeous earrings and a little LED torch which says 'supermum' on the side. Classic!

Poem bookmark and card from Master Owlet

From both of the kids, I was given the forest friends pj set from Peter Alexander - with owls on them of course (thanks Mr Pip!). 

Today I was a little late to work as I had a special morning tea at Miss Owlet's kindergarten. All the mums were treated to hand massages, nail painting and cucumbers on our eyes ('How long do we leave it on for?' 3 minutes mum ... 3 seconds later they were whipped off!).

 

Miss Owlet made me a beautiful bracelet with straws and beads which I'm wearing to work today.

Concentrating so hard!

We spent some time playing, building block houses for little people and did some paintings together. It was a wonderful opportunity to share her favourite things to do at 'school' and I'm so glad that I took the time to go and enjoy it with her.  

What is your favourite thing about mother's day - is it the special cuddles, the breakfast in bed, the handmade creations, the presents or just the celebration of being a mum?

Review and giveaway time

*** This competition is closed. Congratulations Trudie, Toni-Maree and Leigh ***

Audrey pop art dishcloth

I have this wonderful customer (and friend of a friend) who always comes to visit me at markets and after sends me the most gorgeous photos of her beautiful little girl wearing my creations (makes my heart sing!). So when she told me about her new business, I was only too happy to help out.

Monol Denmark watches

She offered to give me a dishcloth. Sorry? Um. A dishcloth! Not exactly exciting. Until you take a look at her website and realise they aren't just any dishcloths but pop art, retro, eco friendly dishcloths! Then I had the hard task of choosing. We don't have a dishwasher so this would be a well used item in our house. I had to get the beautiful purple Audrey cloth for me and the moose for my Canadian husband. Oh and throw in a purple watch because they are so cute!

Here is the before and after shots. I didn't even try to clean Audrey up before taking the photo (moose is yet to be used). I'm super impressed. The image is still perfect and hasn't faded or been scratched out. The cloths are great to use. They are thick and have a kinda bumpy side on the reverse side. Never gets slimey (or it is just me that ends up with gross cloths!!). Overall, very happy Audrey pop art, cloth using customer!

To celebrate Mother's Day in less than two weeks, we thought we would give you the chance to buy something minimal and Scandinavian for you or your mum. You can choose from cushion covers, table runners, kitchen towels and more.


Styles of Sweden can be found:
Facebook
Website

Enter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway


Enjoy
 

Surviving school holidays

I think I've survived. Just!

My wine consumption may have increased ever so slightly (mmmm a lot!).

My chocolate consumption has been insane. All in the name of helping eat the stash so the kids don't have too much.

But seriously we have had a blast. Lots of lazy days, with various appointments, catch ups with friends and different activities in between. I'm loving that tasty, healthy dinners are on the table every night. That both my owlets have embraced their chores with gusto (no seriously they are totally into it). As a whole our little house is happy and less stressed. Ahhhh and back to work next week. I'm very lucky with my job to be able to take almost all school holidays off (thanks mum for covering one!). I think they are perfectly timed to give us all a break.

I thought I would share one thing my son loves (particularly on these rainy, cold days). We draw targets on the mirror in his room and assign values (he he he secret maths work!). He loves Nerf and this is a great Way to focus his skill at shooting a mirror, rather than his sister.

Enjoy
Jane

Mood board? Inspiration? New directions?

When I started Lil Pip in August 2010, I had a 3.5 year old little boy and a 18 month old baby girl. I had not long gone back to work just three days a week. Fast forward three years and I now have a very grown up 6yo in Grade 1 and a gorgeous princess who just turned 4 a couple of weeks ago. I now work 4 days a week and my one "day off" isn't exactly a day for me!

My first product was the Boobook ribbon owl that I designed for newborns through to teething toddlers. I'm in the process of making this a pattern to sell now. I have a few other ideas and hope to release them this year.

I used to sell online, mainly Facebook. With all the changes now it is becoming harder to reach my likers and audience without paying. Fair enough, Facebook needs to make money (the marketer in me doesn't have an issue with this!) but it is really hard to use this medium as a business platform rather than a social platform (as it was originally designed for!).

So in late 2011, I decided to try my local markets - the Maribyrnong Makers Market. Despite being the worst weather ever (as in absolutely wash out), I did really well and was hooked. So I made the decision to stick with markets. It works well for me, I can plan around the family, sew my stock leading up to each market, go on just one day and not worry about chasing payments and posting purchases.

BUT (insert big sigh) my babies are getting older. Do I still want to stay in the newborn to 3yo space making toys and girls clothes? I've made more size 4 and 5 dresses and outfits this year and they are selling well, so there is a demand for bigger sizes. I'm realistic though. I know older girls probably won't want to wear handmade as it just isn't cool (hopefully mine will!).

I'm looking to change Lil Pip ever so slightly. Streamline a little. Take the business slightly older but still catering to the young market. Thinking 0-6/7 is a good space for me.

This photo represents a mood board of sorts. Some patterns I love, colours to use and looks to replicate. What do you think? Like what you see? I'll be working on this in the next few months and hope you enjoy what I create.

Enjoy