What the...?

So you know how they say it's physically impossible to lick your own elbow?

We saw it on CBBC, you know, on one of those funny shows that tells you all sorts of useless information? Like, a two year old's height is half their predicted full grown adult height.
Take a piece of string three times round your head and that will be as long as your height. Your foot will fit in the space between your wrist and your elbow. And yeah, it's physically impossible to lick your own elbow. (Yes, I've tried it. Go on...I know you're going to...)









Well, someone forgot to tell my kid that. I guess it's like according to the rules of aerodynamics, a bumble bee is too heavy for it's wings and shouldn't be able to fly, but nobody told it that, so it flies. She licks her elbows. Funny kid!

POTD: Technology

The theme for this week's POTD is technology. I've seen a few posts on TwoPeas' gallery of technological objects or of people using technology. So, I tried to think outside the box on this one - and with one click of a technological button - I transformed this image of my daughter into five different looks. Through my Photoshop filters and actions, it literally took one click. Where would I be without this kind of technology?

Nappy Cake - An Ode to Saucy!

Have you been to Saucy's blog? She is wonderfully creative, friendly, sweet and Charming...and the inspiration behind this nappy cake (or should I say diaper cake, for the Americans and Canadians?) She has the tutorial on her blog, look on her "Oldies but Goodies" list.

I have been itching to make one since I first saw it, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to be invited to a friend's baby shower next weekend! I am really happy with how it turned out - I used up some old scrapbook papers for the tags, some pretty ribbon, because if there's one thing I cannot resist (other than chocolate, of course) it's pretty ribbon, and then, look at those sweet baby pins - they were part of my prize (okay, I'll try not to talk about my prizes so much, but there were so many!) The little snuggler bunny is so soft and cuddly, and he's holding the card - inside it has one of my all time favourite boy quotes -

Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood,
We find the delightful creature of a Boy.
anon

I've included a shot of the layers from above - the top layer has 21 size 2 Pampers, the bottom layer has a small pack of size 3 Pampers, and I wrapped them around a tub of ear buds to make the layer wider than the top one.

Now I just hope my friend doesn't change her mind on the baby's name, and that she doesn't stumble across my blog before next Sunday - J, if you're here, SHUT YOUR EYES!!

Colonel of the Chenko

My son has such a vivid imagination. Two minutes into watching a movie, and he gets a bee in his bonnet to dress up, and be someone from the movie. One of his current faves, thanks to this awesome outfit he got from Nana and Grandad, is Colonel Dovchenko from Indiana Jones. Or, if you're my son, you'll say it "I'm beening Colonel of the Chenko, you be Spelkarina" (That would be Irina Spelko, just in case you don't speak 3.5year old)

I'm trying to make up for my first POTD post having such appalling photos - I don't know what I was thinking! I shot this through the stair banisters, while he was oblivious to my presence. I used Ren's oldies-but-goodies action, Vintage Kiss me Hard.

Ready, Set, Scrap!

My scrapbook supplies have been growing, ever so slightly, over the past few years. Winning the Best of British competition last year has made all my storage holders burst at the seams. Yesterday, we were heading down to B&Q in search of a double adaptor for the dishwasher and tumble drier, so I thought I'd check out their tool boxes. They had a great one, a Stanley, with two pull up trays, a slide out area for little bits like screws and nails, and then the big cavity at the bottom, for £22. It was perfect, or so I thought.

I then had a quick look in their plastics section...and look what I found!! It was marked down from £30 to £19, the drawers are exactly 12" wide, they had ONE left and it is mine!!


And the absolute best part? Everything fits in it, and it looks neat standing where previously I had one crate, two pizza boxes, two totes and a pile of stuff.

See? A special drawer for each category.

Stickers, embelishments and rub-ons.

Alphas, letter stickers and monograms.

All my 12"x12" papers and cardstock, just look at how perfect the fit is! (And aren't those felt shapes on top gorgeous? They were part of the BOB prize, the last to arrive...I can't wait for Easter now!)

My tools, pens, scissors and blades, punches and sticky stuff.

And the last drawer with all my big embelishments, flowers, ribbons, brads and eyelets. I just had to phone my mom in SA straight away - I knew she'd understand how I could get excited over a set of plastic drawers! Remember, she's just visited me so she saw the chaos that it used to be!

Anyway, with this post I am also going to try commit to the Two Peas in a Bucket Photo of the Day Challenge (POTD). The idea is to take one photo, every day, for a whole year, sticking as far as possible to a list of themes. Now, I don't think I can handle one a day, so I'm joining the small group who're aiming for one a week, on theme. The first theme was "Ready, Set, Go!" Typically, I'm a week late starting this, so week two should follow very soon...wish me luck!

Club Little House!

I was so thrilled when my Club Little House parcel arrived just in time to show my mum all the littles before she flew home to South Africa. It was so much fun seeing what wonderful items everyone had made, and the gorgeous packaging too.

Amy made these darling little gardening sets - perfect for our dollshouse because come summer, we're landscaping!

Lynne's perfect little table, notebook and pencil, with two spare tablecloths for an instant mini room make-over! Am I allowed to say this was my favourite? So sweet, thank you Lynne!

The world's teeniest iPod from Sasha...and it plays music! I hoped I'd be getting one of Sasha's legendary littles long before I even knew what she was making, and I was thrilled to see the shocking pink envelope peeking out from inside my box!

This little guy from Lorraine is going to feel right at home in the snow village I plan on making for next Christmas! See my previous post ;-)

I love Hope's little framed artwork, but the little letter than comes with them takes the cake - such a sweet story and a perfect little heirloom to hide away in the attic.

Kim's darling little glitter houses, with their perfect little box.

I can't believe Stephanie made this quilt in 1:12 scale - it is perfect, and you can see the pattern clearly! I'm in awe, especially after having tried to make my son a quilt with 4" squares - not easy! The little upholstered bench was from Lisa.

I love the crate of oranges from Sharolyn, they look so juicy and sweet, and the little sign for the garden is lovely too.

Such a pity my parcel arrived after Christmas - but this little banner and box of crackers will be stored in the doll's house attic for next Christmas - thanks Jill!

Karen made this clever little dressmaker's dummy, I think some sewing lessons are in store for someone in the doll's house.

Susan's little puppet theatre has already provided hours of amusement for my son, although I do fear his pirates are taking the side of the dragon more than the princess...oh who will come to her rescue?

Thanks again to everyone who participated - I'm tempted to do what Amy did and make something for every member in the next round so that I can get one of every item in return - they were all so adorable! It was lovely being a part of the group this round, I have learned so much about the world of miniatures and swaps!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe I'm posting a Happy new Year message straight after my Merry Christmas post - just shows you what a lovely, busy, wonderful holiday I had with my family!
Everything went back to normal today, my husband went back to work, my daughter went back to school, and my son and I did a quick grocery shop and he's back at preschool tomorrow - hooray!

I thought I'd show you my sweet little snow village - I found it at a garden center we went to on the weekend. It was marked down from £16.99 to £4.45. Quite frankly, I don't know who would have paid full price for it, I mean, it's sweet and quaint and I've wanted a snow village for my mantlepiece for forever, but $24? That's R231 for my South African family and friends....It's really dinky. My plan is to make my own village for next year, with each house or building being separate, maybe something I can add on to each year. For now, this little one will enjoy a brief showing before being packed away until next Christmas.

I hope 2009 is a great year for all of you, I hope 2009 brings you everything you wish for, and good health for you and your family. I can't wait to see what the year will hold.