tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35615638379348545832024-03-13T10:38:19.306-07:00The diary of a Competitive MumDon't be a perfect Mum be a Competitive Mum it's much more fun!competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-58797278249688016342012-03-25T15:26:00.000-07:002012-03-25T15:26:25.737-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>WORLD BOOK DAY</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently Missy's school celebrated World Book Day by asking each pupil to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. Confident she would want to go as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, as this is her favourite book, film, soundtrack, theatre production and anything else Oz related I sat back and relaxed as I had already started making a blue gingham dress for her forthcoming birthday party. Finally I got round to actually asking her who she wanted to be the night before the big day and she told me Stick Man by <a href="http://www.juliadonaldson.co.uk/">Julia Donaldson.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhrM0I5HLwlosNumPRfbG1bVgNJRhYLaPkQf1t3LCMdauBAq9zOu_KumTH7R-0Va_yi8MgaEc7Wnv6op0jlDd6pLomA4p3O5XJHBUApumKu2MqSJGHOIgrtqWSiVFel5SqSAAFZ75c_SI/s1600/DSC_0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhrM0I5HLwlosNumPRfbG1bVgNJRhYLaPkQf1t3LCMdauBAq9zOu_KumTH7R-0Va_yi8MgaEc7Wnv6op0jlDd6pLomA4p3O5XJHBUApumKu2MqSJGHOIgrtqWSiVFel5SqSAAFZ75c_SI/s320/DSC_0567.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After several hours of trying to convince her Dorothy would be a better option I gave up and started to cut out leaves from green felt and search through her wardrobe for anything brown - not easy when this girl is as clued up as <a href="http://www.thestylerookie.com/">Tavi Gevinson</a> and brown is definitely not this season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalDmAcNYSLF7ooq06pwhyphenhyphen_imA4t_mjj3cdq_dRLejVG1BLRZuFhB1upcyXEFA8FOC_HUQ6R-ZUlmKCIowVLfqOnjUyNZDiS10oeVwy8MkpBdELg2_yZYfGmad1mHPbO4zSvcLDc2B4yG9/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalDmAcNYSLF7ooq06pwhyphenhyphen_imA4t_mjj3cdq_dRLejVG1BLRZuFhB1upcyXEFA8FOC_HUQ6R-ZUlmKCIowVLfqOnjUyNZDiS10oeVwy8MkpBdELg2_yZYfGmad1mHPbO4zSvcLDc2B4yG9/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 hours later, with a bit of hand sewing and a lot of fabric glue I had a costume and she looked so gorgeous. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MRLpH-Q9DEpWoRjKrPbCnuIC-ax_yr4nx2zWn-Oqw4C4DZj8AVnftm9_Ok1R4p3ImHF48SRqedto_ReNh95_S-MLa-T_9XX6lHOOu9ea6xTEeWYY6KiktL9Jay4xAb6dkrBz1fsDuixQ/s1600/DSC_0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MRLpH-Q9DEpWoRjKrPbCnuIC-ax_yr4nx2zWn-Oqw4C4DZj8AVnftm9_Ok1R4p3ImHF48SRqedto_ReNh95_S-MLa-T_9XX6lHOOu9ea6xTEeWYY6KiktL9Jay4xAb6dkrBz1fsDuixQ/s320/DSC_0544.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On arrival at school the next day with a class full of Superhero's and Disney Princesses I was so happy my little girl is already showing a creative streak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">CM x</div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-34605005593811020162012-03-19T14:44:00.000-07:002012-03-19T14:44:38.499-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'TREE TOP ROOM' - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BEFORE & AFTER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2-scZLAErg6JAmc-cwyvIgk5h4NqFB7-cTwulDVQGPFU3JPZPRQbyWUo5tklCFOlGc-FS4euu_PPpf4vD-D-iQnhFfLkAV3etixPFSSLRzEI093WvrERbJQi25qFyXX908fLvgQgD90D/s1600/BEFORE+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2-scZLAErg6JAmc-cwyvIgk5h4NqFB7-cTwulDVQGPFU3JPZPRQbyWUo5tklCFOlGc-FS4euu_PPpf4vD-D-iQnhFfLkAV3etixPFSSLRzEI093WvrERbJQi25qFyXX908fLvgQgD90D/s320/BEFORE+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Missy is upgrading from a large cot to a big girls bed. This calls for a room redecoration which for the first time ever I did myself. I put my scruffy jeans on and cracked open the Dulux white.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHNWFiFlUDm5mTAVFgGEAB51mlwkBtnqJfTW5gOEwVY7Sd0Q165NiG5hN-COYphy9AeYGk-1bsYyV-XL45ob_sJNPkVfILAttkC5waRwd2xmPfSa9qR8jtM_A6oXpJ4sDuflzLD0QrYD_/s1600/BEFORE+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHNWFiFlUDm5mTAVFgGEAB51mlwkBtnqJfTW5gOEwVY7Sd0Q165NiG5hN-COYphy9AeYGk-1bsYyV-XL45ob_sJNPkVfILAttkC5waRwd2xmPfSa9qR8jtM_A6oXpJ4sDuflzLD0QrYD_/s320/BEFORE+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Up on the step ladder rolling away and carefully painting around the spot lights, after 3 days I had a lovely blank canvas. Then came the exciting bit. My fabulous friend <a href="http://www.firstelevenstudio.com/davidvanberckel.php">David Van Berckel</a> created an amazing tree on the main wall with stencils and lino stamps he made. He hand painted the birds and then photocopied them onto very thin paper and pasted them on. The heart was hand drawn and is certainly her favourite detail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhFn0kQ2On23TiOfsm94LlJYo8ZCaAN7ivdGJ-pyyMX1m6t0i_OuWjxTGLt6rAhjO5-_k2iTQJ9488seQyjLyT8O6dakSui26_RoAHllHc6ukc_QF1ho_uzbz4hOgdQXzbPTq9iAP1tPW/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhFn0kQ2On23TiOfsm94LlJYo8ZCaAN7ivdGJ-pyyMX1m6t0i_OuWjxTGLt6rAhjO5-_k2iTQJ9488seQyjLyT8O6dakSui26_RoAHllHc6ukc_QF1ho_uzbz4hOgdQXzbPTq9iAP1tPW/s320/DSC_0576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I added the bird box and just need to finish making a little bird to occupy it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj5n3PNw5M97s9oDzHHzxdbGgOKb90OE3SyvpmIlp60TlQngYFLHquOaucD5VvPszq3MWfvhS01NidVrhr8qE4wU3LUFyff03CSMwQ5wnLyIS-iQvtR1NpzlJaJhcRglY2TNgBJiXaIGY/s1600/BIRD+BOX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj5n3PNw5M97s9oDzHHzxdbGgOKb90OE3SyvpmIlp60TlQngYFLHquOaucD5VvPszq3MWfvhS01NidVrhr8qE4wU3LUFyff03CSMwQ5wnLyIS-iQvtR1NpzlJaJhcRglY2TNgBJiXaIGY/s400/BIRD+BOX.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These gorgeous shelves came from <a href="http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/?gclid=CPDiks3s864CFSEntAodZQlEKQ">Cox & Cox</a>. I had them in her nursery and luckily they work perfectly in the now nearly 4 year old Missy's new room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgos3m1FUwAEAzocqEi-w1uYYsc52cPVU8fRLySOBVhmgTYbIidngWWdtdl5LptXjEzVa9TEYYOS2N8K3bHiMJ5x__r_-sBp44W1tJKajGZ_WKNUxKA7WZmK6G961TnBNfcAQzQFPAdTUt_/s1600/shelves+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgos3m1FUwAEAzocqEi-w1uYYsc52cPVU8fRLySOBVhmgTYbIidngWWdtdl5LptXjEzVa9TEYYOS2N8K3bHiMJ5x__r_-sBp44W1tJKajGZ_WKNUxKA7WZmK6G961TnBNfcAQzQFPAdTUt_/s400/shelves+1.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I mainly keep special things from my childhood which are so old they are considered vintage! </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_eLtC1_18eYi6QtcuKVxBPglEp6GiG4jklTofjZvbNtUAaOjiT9ssevCmLk_E0UH8TMrlwJWuY-w3aRBYR2e-dsXdwNgCzm-wUjo71PgGCjUS4cvngpPh52mNMDjYzrpjNw_4S1MASXX/s1600/SHELVES+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_eLtC1_18eYi6QtcuKVxBPglEp6GiG4jklTofjZvbNtUAaOjiT9ssevCmLk_E0UH8TMrlwJWuY-w3aRBYR2e-dsXdwNgCzm-wUjo71PgGCjUS4cvngpPh52mNMDjYzrpjNw_4S1MASXX/s320/SHELVES+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The bookshelves were a bargain at £20 from Ikea and we use the top as her dressing table keeping very jewellery box and collection of vintage tins containing her many hair clips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKqc81T78pcqx3oAY6VpO58ePI1bhmeOceIC3x6tElB0DqmVumk_vga0TlK8Wk4dW1SYkZrzk8RTUGHOmvS0xhNcBs1paRVr3k7QfNsAk-avGjjvqN1bTXopRm_Tgta3x-_OitfHn-ROU/s1600/TINS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKqc81T78pcqx3oAY6VpO58ePI1bhmeOceIC3x6tElB0DqmVumk_vga0TlK8Wk4dW1SYkZrzk8RTUGHOmvS0xhNcBs1paRVr3k7QfNsAk-avGjjvqN1bTXopRm_Tgta3x-_OitfHn-ROU/s320/TINS.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This gorgeous limited edition print was from her Godfather and is by <a href="http://www.salonserpent.com/home.html">Angelique Houtkamp</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLBfKqTLL3LKnDviv0d-5laqI4Qsd21UuzCBqWw4INeiTSMAffgu93VKQ9mMpHQJi6syGn0MJ9Q_78uWQ8iFds0yFEgNFxI2zS0C4dwMEeSbwG2uG_mhIe43QSN_ocawpy2LohBpJ_8lR/s1600/DSC_0512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLBfKqTLL3LKnDviv0d-5laqI4Qsd21UuzCBqWw4INeiTSMAffgu93VKQ9mMpHQJi6syGn0MJ9Q_78uWQ8iFds0yFEgNFxI2zS0C4dwMEeSbwG2uG_mhIe43QSN_ocawpy2LohBpJ_8lR/s320/DSC_0512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">To tidy away her growing number of toys I bought a big laundry basket from <a href="http://www.zarahome.com/">Zara Home</a>. The bedside table is a wooden box from <a href="http://www.ikea.com/">Ikea</a> turned on it side creating perfect storage for night time reading and the toadstool lamp was a gift from Grandma and can be bought from on-line store <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/whiterabbitengland/product/dewdrop_toadstool_lamp_pink">Not on the High Street</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBxIC0dmmYy8U4ed_HntnAuCRooNobdZFmnN8UYlVOTswTWMbsnaWq3DCmIuIN8MYigRzQyi8Oou3sZrEhktqAPTPKVBgwNHbG-TTiJ7chcIO_gQ56iD5fGsPCP2SCp7n3jiXpA0IfEdV/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBxIC0dmmYy8U4ed_HntnAuCRooNobdZFmnN8UYlVOTswTWMbsnaWq3DCmIuIN8MYigRzQyi8Oou3sZrEhktqAPTPKVBgwNHbG-TTiJ7chcIO_gQ56iD5fGsPCP2SCp7n3jiXpA0IfEdV/s400/DSC_0580.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally to share her room with her I made Missy a new little friend who she called Gaga!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSgmNXasa_7sMM9sjKf9Ik-3mmC9m_sNYct3MN9kaxWdIwWy_kAh4RsVoL_Dmk72MIYBcSBmvW0aQZinTx1Q7uT2zeYLrGtCgilkFLD1muIfED-4PhpdJnfhjxF2nmjgIPgWfrjTsU2z-/s1600/GAGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSgmNXasa_7sMM9sjKf9Ik-3mmC9m_sNYct3MN9kaxWdIwWy_kAh4RsVoL_Dmk72MIYBcSBmvW0aQZinTx1Q7uT2zeYLrGtCgilkFLD1muIfED-4PhpdJnfhjxF2nmjgIPgWfrjTsU2z-/s320/GAGA.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I enjoyed the whole process so much I am inspired to make my own bedroom more interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">CM x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-26123981776989622842011-11-23T05:11:00.000-08:002011-11-23T05:11:10.548-08:00Kids Car Sick Kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnXJvkUI8iPcWeWQ2WppNpaCv6pG2H__emuquoC13_rIeHeRL-KW5UydreUpu0zvam8UUXEU3hxmRy41wSZ1c9KkUxTy11IL1gzivNgCA4b-PNmHEMhZKV-Uw53Eli4bB24-JfBZOxnB1/s1600/DSC_0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnXJvkUI8iPcWeWQ2WppNpaCv6pG2H__emuquoC13_rIeHeRL-KW5UydreUpu0zvam8UUXEU3hxmRy41wSZ1c9KkUxTy11IL1gzivNgCA4b-PNmHEMhZKV-Uw53Eli4bB24-JfBZOxnB1/s320/DSC_0410.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Yuk I know but essential for any parent with a child who suffers from travel sickness. The Missy can't go two streets without feeling sick and will almost certainly be sick on long journeys. With Christmas fast approaching I was dreading the travelling around we will have to do and that's when I came up with this. Simple to make and easy to clean and keep stocked. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXMU4MlvxH7F05LOM1vuIQMuAykH8nNq9Dpoozp1LeY9p1cgBWdJ0gR1dQqeeJ6ipK7CXOX7vg6Bibz7O3S1MpqaLyLWoU7kOgADrIThHNS5QonpwMEhTzy_fpck6zU4WxDIOPXDGMruW/s1600/DSC_0411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXMU4MlvxH7F05LOM1vuIQMuAykH8nNq9Dpoozp1LeY9p1cgBWdJ0gR1dQqeeJ6ipK7CXOX7vg6Bibz7O3S1MpqaLyLWoU7kOgADrIThHNS5QonpwMEhTzy_fpck6zU4WxDIOPXDGMruW/s320/DSC_0411.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">What you need:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Small bucket. (I used a paint mixing bucket)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Nappy sacks.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Wet Wipes. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Tissues</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Baby towel or muslin</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">All you have to do is line the bucket with 2 nappy sacks and put a tissue or piece of kitchen towel at the bottom. Fill the bucket with extra nappy sacks, wet wipes, tissues etc. Decorating is of course not essential but a little bit of coloured tape goes a long way when you think this kit will be in the footwell of your car for a long time to come. I used neon tape so I can get to it quickly while driving in the dark!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">CM xxx </span></div><br />
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</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-457402813230170012011-10-06T04:17:00.000-07:002011-10-06T04:17:24.793-07:00Halloween Invites. Rubber stamping all the way!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>My favourite time of year is here. However nice the Indian summer we have just experienced was, I have to be honest I love the Autumn. With falling leaves and conkers abound The Missy and I went to school this morning discussing our forthcoming Halloween party. I promised her I'd make the invitations today and bring them with me when I collect her. Why I promise these things when I have a ton of emails to get through and a house to clean I don't know, but I do. Ignoring the ironing here I am with <a href="http://www.bladerubberstamps.co.uk/">rubber stamps</a> and orange card, glue and glitter, trying to get creative. If like me you can't draw then rubber stamping is the way forward. For little expense and years of use you can arm yourself with stamps for any occasion and create quite simply great invitations, cards and gift tags.</b></span><br />
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</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>If your hand writing is equally as bad as mine, get yourself some <a href="http://search.paper-source.com/index/_/N-/Ntt-your%20invited">invitation stamps</a> and I promise you will never tire of them.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Not forgetting the all important sparkle use <a href="http://www.glittermonster.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=135_136&gclid=CJ7A8L3106sCFS0ntAodGBoMPQ">Stickles</a> glitter glue. Easy to use, non messy and super speedy drying time.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Finally, store everything in a cool <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=12&_nkw=cigar%20box&_fln=1&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282">cigar box</a> (my current obsession)for next year.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Now I just need to work out how to make a ghostly bride costume. Since the Royal wedding The Missy's main ambition in life is to be a bride. I curse Kate Middleton! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>CM X</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-44006504860760636742011-03-14T14:47:00.000-07:002011-03-14T14:47:40.649-07:00TERRARIUM HEAVEN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCg046hxr4b5ui7rp6SWS4g25cxUwbH9tGsRNrDD74F6_KxCcaUWQ_Scnv1kG_FNjPwq1CEHzHqfSx0Cr7vToUawCrK_O5DBa3v7bzJveqzVHhSZDTq-7A172F9QP_I_xJquptJhnDYd2/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCg046hxr4b5ui7rp6SWS4g25cxUwbH9tGsRNrDD74F6_KxCcaUWQ_Scnv1kG_FNjPwq1CEHzHqfSx0Cr7vToUawCrK_O5DBa3v7bzJveqzVHhSZDTq-7A172F9QP_I_xJquptJhnDYd2/s400/DSC_0026.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The 70's are back! After watching <a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/">Gardeners World</a> on Friday my green fingers started twitching. Too much rain on Sunday meant that indoor gardening was the only option so Missy and I went in search of everything needed for a terrarium. This was not as easy as it sounds, because it appears not everyone realises that the indoor garden scene is on the ascendency, thankfully the <a href="http://www.n1gc.co.uk/spring-press-release-(2010)-for-monthlies.pdf">N1 Garden Centre</a> does.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrzwASgCmv_0E5SsztqrIXwKagjouP9L5osGCuAcEDeE2Mn8YWt0FJvtbHciyJGl-DXBr_Aa78lXfOIye4BA3R4hZvLmCRVC5qH9BubCNCax-ypMpc9ASkn9pEtY6zNdpfHMChmeAA2PG/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrzwASgCmv_0E5SsztqrIXwKagjouP9L5osGCuAcEDeE2Mn8YWt0FJvtbHciyJGl-DXBr_Aa78lXfOIye4BA3R4hZvLmCRVC5qH9BubCNCax-ypMpc9ASkn9pEtY6zNdpfHMChmeAA2PG/s320/DSC_0023.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One large green jar, a couple of succulents and cactus, gravel, moss and compost and hey presto terrarium heaven.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next weekend we are on the look out for air plants!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CM x</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-30194873435221987242011-02-16T12:02:00.000-08:002011-02-16T12:02:01.417-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Where have I been?</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Well I would love to say I've travelled the world, written a book and generally ticked every box I have in my head, but sadly I haven't, I've just been being a mum. The Missy will be 3 in April and I have to say the last four months have been the best with her. She chatters away in a very bossy fashion (don't know where that comes from) and generally makes me smile by doing things like this! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUB4uRXHrSfaGW7MsJcrrU6WJAOr9it1XCMuHMKhh8aDy07uZsUUgFrEVgDjwIsIAXCFKO1eMNkINBVcCdnfDMQhYf4XVNLmu3qJre7iAvdc00ZvcctXfAHdeLw9aQjElS9l4EKCiFzEE/s1600/IMG_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUB4uRXHrSfaGW7MsJcrrU6WJAOr9it1XCMuHMKhh8aDy07uZsUUgFrEVgDjwIsIAXCFKO1eMNkINBVcCdnfDMQhYf4XVNLmu3qJre7iAvdc00ZvcctXfAHdeLw9aQjElS9l4EKCiFzEE/s320/IMG_0693.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Currently she believes she is The Fat Controller and therefore a day out at Thomas Land for 2 year old friend Edie's birthday was very appropriate. Although Thomas took a very slow chug up the track and back again and not a lot else happened, the kids loved it. Missy told Thomas stories all the way home and the following morning borrowed a map from Daddy and set her trains on a journey.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">How sweet is that! Next week we are off to London Zoo to see the baby gorilla amongst other furry friends and I am so looking forward to see how she is with the animals now she's a bit older.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">On the craft front I am knitting a jumper for myself - big mistake as its taking forever and I'm not even sure how good it'll look. Also halfway through making a quilt and decorating my bedroom. Never one to have nothing to do, I'll let you know how I get on.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Happy to be back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">CM x</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-6077476708736904402010-10-25T07:01:00.000-07:002010-10-25T07:01:20.080-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">May the force be with you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Eb-6UFNBUyy0IKMrP9HknLO5vz7Cos41SVLVh0Ap_P9YbOKT0A0hvdOWVKBZDFgIB3-XjlfOl5ndh9JBG9Sd3T4yivFZAFK6GJVnZ7nb-G1jz8KWzW_xnneoU84WaOHBpu68NfT54QRH/s1600/811908_f99lxobm_c.jpg.scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Eb-6UFNBUyy0IKMrP9HknLO5vz7Cos41SVLVh0Ap_P9YbOKT0A0hvdOWVKBZDFgIB3-XjlfOl5ndh9JBG9Sd3T4yivFZAFK6GJVnZ7nb-G1jz8KWzW_xnneoU84WaOHBpu68NfT54QRH/s400/811908_f99lxobm_c.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With Halloween fast approaching I had to post this photo I found of the most fantastic costumes I've ever seen. I seriously need to think of a reason to have a Star Wars party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-11150649995135541192010-10-14T08:45:00.000-07:002010-10-14T08:45:43.370-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">PRECIOUS PUMPKIN</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RRHeamg8SIQW-4CZHvHdlyQevFT_9U-k2Pm2PikaLc3wYtr9CJWmBgthg1GNynaGoK488HbSI0GDh2MIZkncIMCAeAEz3yvuGlnW3qXSWKH1iWu2w-Tp2TeP61tOmPWWKJNvImqYKq1G/s1600/DSC_0079+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RRHeamg8SIQW-4CZHvHdlyQevFT_9U-k2Pm2PikaLc3wYtr9CJWmBgthg1GNynaGoK488HbSI0GDh2MIZkncIMCAeAEz3yvuGlnW3qXSWKH1iWu2w-Tp2TeP61tOmPWWKJNvImqYKq1G/s320/DSC_0079+copy.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having tried in vain to make a pumpkin costume out of a pillow case recommended by the guru of craft <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pillowcase-pumpkin-costume">Martha Stewart,</a> which didn't work due to the instructions being hopeless (not such a guru after all) I was delighted when I made this one all by myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaCkjwwXkLZQ7Vv-P2tB3KKcGvWWgCN2kY2BgUS7QU4CDx_-VmVmTEUOq5Rxkc0XuG_3nqprAt6b38gvVf7O-ofUR1vHyVJdXpMRK1EpYfrtCblwTnklqAj4gBHXvcgGM4lJnE9mIi6dP/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaCkjwwXkLZQ7Vv-P2tB3KKcGvWWgCN2kY2BgUS7QU4CDx_-VmVmTEUOq5Rxkc0XuG_3nqprAt6b38gvVf7O-ofUR1vHyVJdXpMRK1EpYfrtCblwTnklqAj4gBHXvcgGM4lJnE9mIi6dP/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>All I used was 2 meters of orange fabric, quilt batting, brown felt and some crepe paper. In a few hours I had made this costume which is so comfortable The Missy actually wants to wear it, unlike any other costume I've ever made her. I won't go into detail as to how I made it but if you want instructions email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to send you a simple step by step guide.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9VlarLcJUKFz1Z6vAud_7qBeKlYVSTS9f_kscrEp25Zxz-JrV_dd-dRnReZqDI5g-6g7-z8daOGTHf88qtEBo11fqsK7OsZKQOfFK7sIUcXeR2_cNVrY4kEGgvT1wtd2Ag9Zc7TJyDmH/s1600/DSC_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9VlarLcJUKFz1Z6vAud_7qBeKlYVSTS9f_kscrEp25Zxz-JrV_dd-dRnReZqDI5g-6g7-z8daOGTHf88qtEBo11fqsK7OsZKQOfFK7sIUcXeR2_cNVrY4kEGgvT1wtd2Ag9Zc7TJyDmH/s400/DSC_0078.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I must remember to invite her friends to our Halloween party. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-6756523948846753402010-10-07T04:38:00.000-07:002010-10-07T04:38:34.973-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Priceless Pinafore's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAHNY_QqqhCjijweqfh4JBHUuYAqnil6yN9IeYnNssQcGKqAwBM2-2_TBXiLsPROJYd3YnVaR83GrczaSnh_B8kSYavJKuqsQzn3L92NBqXWLTEZ5CO70cc5yCvTzkfz4fOKIZBcAwshF/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAHNY_QqqhCjijweqfh4JBHUuYAqnil6yN9IeYnNssQcGKqAwBM2-2_TBXiLsPROJYd3YnVaR83GrczaSnh_B8kSYavJKuqsQzn3L92NBqXWLTEZ5CO70cc5yCvTzkfz4fOKIZBcAwshF/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">OK, so gone is our child benefit AKA cappuccino fund and according to every newspaper, TV and human being I speak to, there are dark days ahead. Now this has come at a very inconvenient time as I have been planning the winter wardrobe of my 2 year old for months and lets just say <a href="http://www.bonpoint.com/">Bonpoint</a> featured heavily. Billion pound deficits are all very well but The Missy starts nursery in 4 weeks and she needs liberty print pinafore dresses to make a good impression and besides she will look adorable in them. Not to be defeated I set about making them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47FSZG11_jY62Y48aBax_dppfRvX4gQWDX0e7VY8sX8EO04O7ctQPMc6a2-UejwkhqEHhmjnMq1OtW3pnPwUwgc7wq5LuhWFSHj0fRQ6NAN7Vwib-cX11xRnUUNP5RoBgII0vupDIcYkB/s1600/DSC_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47FSZG11_jY62Y48aBax_dppfRvX4gQWDX0e7VY8sX8EO04O7ctQPMc6a2-UejwkhqEHhmjnMq1OtW3pnPwUwgc7wq5LuhWFSHj0fRQ6NAN7Vwib-cX11xRnUUNP5RoBgII0vupDIcYkB/s400/DSC_0050.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Made from a pattern in my favourite book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Childrens-Clothes-Emma-Hardy/dp/190652579X">'Making Children's Clothes</a>' by Emma Hardy the dresses are fully lined and so simple to make.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyTT71Vqzmx4k41Fo-hm1v2kx-UZ4hhvNZGL5_vTZpMSfI0Zjv7kIJ5Wc7fA9vfFdYQ7dwDvE28QiusuNIE1AZq5i7wcJpSeXpV2GNmY6BZpQlU8DEcdKl-xb7eYOMzqKk5eosphUhbO4/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyTT71Vqzmx4k41Fo-hm1v2kx-UZ4hhvNZGL5_vTZpMSfI0Zjv7kIJ5Wc7fA9vfFdYQ7dwDvE28QiusuNIE1AZq5i7wcJpSeXpV2GNmY6BZpQlU8DEcdKl-xb7eYOMzqKk5eosphUhbO4/s400/DSC_0053.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used my bargain Liberty style fabric (not sure if its off the back of a lorry or a copy but frankly who cares) bought from Shepherd's Bush market, some as cheap as £2 a mt and all the buttons came from a huge bag I bought from my favourite stall in<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"><a href="http://columbiaroad.info/"> Columbia Road</a> for £4 - not second hand but vintage you understand!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27Zp_JFcQU_f6OnkQZA9fUs04ZF3fAE9-Vg3BMsomkZ33qmJPUrzQyHker2ntQ3UBWXnv0eN1IDhh3nwoA92hH-lT_1gIdrpNwT3HHs81N7idgNYjdcSV1DMk9bd4UhE-xb0SpKoNcLZy/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27Zp_JFcQU_f6OnkQZA9fUs04ZF3fAE9-Vg3BMsomkZ33qmJPUrzQyHker2ntQ3UBWXnv0eN1IDhh3nwoA92hH-lT_1gIdrpNwT3HHs81N7idgNYjdcSV1DMk9bd4UhE-xb0SpKoNcLZy/s400/DSC_0055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One day and £20 later she has 5 unique pinafore dresses to start nursery with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW_Ryq4hox_qP3EKF-vJTjFq22aIeH9Bkk9_JOiuClr_BKXrNuVcaS5wZLQr2nEVQE5xmHuKvFEyyqegt-jDnysE-1NnQ03aLiB3xJiUfWmAjSPQSkgWX5SlfgHHrb_RJEYLWnYUcnMA5/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW_Ryq4hox_qP3EKF-vJTjFq22aIeH9Bkk9_JOiuClr_BKXrNuVcaS5wZLQr2nEVQE5xmHuKvFEyyqegt-jDnysE-1NnQ03aLiB3xJiUfWmAjSPQSkgWX5SlfgHHrb_RJEYLWnYUcnMA5/s400/DSC_0057.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A good days work! CM x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-61371828590360411112010-09-28T07:52:00.000-07:002010-09-28T07:52:26.791-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">COOL & CREEPY</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7GtzTNzsAZlxGDz4PmhRVoPFJmkhDjET_j304H6_zL7QKE6l-BJcuIvhU2ByvC3y56kJ42yvmr_1Sc-Kg0D2ry_U9c63ZWlGrby2zP0FsBOV9Ux9HJRSga9-XTr9ohXXhAaP6hitA4Sf/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7GtzTNzsAZlxGDz4PmhRVoPFJmkhDjET_j304H6_zL7QKE6l-BJcuIvhU2ByvC3y56kJ42yvmr_1Sc-Kg0D2ry_U9c63ZWlGrby2zP0FsBOV9Ux9HJRSga9-XTr9ohXXhAaP6hitA4Sf/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As it's nearly Halloween and I can't blog about any craft projects because they're all half finished, check out this cool spider and his prey. Being born and bred in the city I don't generally do outdoors and the closest I get to greenery is the vertical garden at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.eu/">Anthropolgie</a>...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw3O1mAznWeyWzMvOq1M-lPSx0oQ7q5-0YWNICeH-s_qw7uYkMsu1FwRsLvT7JmuEi2QsohnnacgihjrNCrqBVJ5185VPmNNesvvGRxMbrSun2q8-41GiBoRfLeIFkjAnBq3g2FHq465s/s1600/anthropologie-store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw3O1mAznWeyWzMvOq1M-lPSx0oQ7q5-0YWNICeH-s_qw7uYkMsu1FwRsLvT7JmuEi2QsohnnacgihjrNCrqBVJ5185VPmNNesvvGRxMbrSun2q8-41GiBoRfLeIFkjAnBq3g2FHq465s/s400/anthropologie-store.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>but our spider is cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE4Gu2dlztXjIop74BHVkydprVxiSkPGayhLO3s21etO2Dou6Y8glXrsOihdLBEU2JD9d__6XlJgg662EjDvSqsUo-3A4penTkAQD-IUcipgZaFDHfYLEkv8hQoq3vPkaVosZ7NaQ0UCQ/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE4Gu2dlztXjIop74BHVkydprVxiSkPGayhLO3s21etO2Dou6Y8glXrsOihdLBEU2JD9d__6XlJgg662EjDvSqsUo-3A4penTkAQD-IUcipgZaFDHfYLEkv8hQoq3vPkaVosZ7NaQ0UCQ/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Missy and I have named him Reg and we only hope he can survive the conkers falling all around him. I wonder if we should get him umbrella? <br />
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CM xcompetitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-48734045831909940872010-09-17T02:51:00.000-07:002010-09-17T02:51:26.956-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'American Typewriter'; line-height: 26px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A bouquet of sharpened pencils</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's official, the summer is over and my favourite season Autumn is here. There's a chill in the air, the days are getting shorter and women at my local park are wearing Crocs with socks. Although I'm not sure anyone is reading this blog I am pleading with the <a href="http://www.crocs.co.uk/home/homepage,en_GB,pg.html">Crocs</a> wearing population to put them away for the winter, It's not acceptable to wear them with socks. I don't understand wearing them at all but with socks, why would you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4h44IJ50f4WSY7FNzstiPTxbymoXoZ2thg61z_KCtcFtpOC-EgxyCRd6HNLD2LmaEEQNhpNhzML7O1u9t8Oqo6J3c3UYHRCs6KYs7ynp7-9IOMingL87bO-NxNP8Pgfx4_kbnAyXiLGx/s1600/DSC_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4h44IJ50f4WSY7FNzstiPTxbymoXoZ2thg61z_KCtcFtpOC-EgxyCRd6HNLD2LmaEEQNhpNhzML7O1u9t8Oqo6J3c3UYHRCs6KYs7ynp7-9IOMingL87bO-NxNP8Pgfx4_kbnAyXiLGx/s400/DSC_0040.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I've got that off my chest, look at The Missy's new dressing gown. Made from <a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/Swatch.cfm?&Kwds=tweet">Michael Miller 'Tweet'</a> fabric I used the pattern in one of my favourite books<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Childrens-Clothes-Emma-Hardy/dp/190652579X"> 'Making Children's Clothes'</a> by Emma Hardy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90ly0PPKAUlOISh9JW3OaAX6sG6g6DbXYeoXxVOO8QDJE1oABWAllreTp2vx0VtKmR06f1YDxQKorYcwRhyphenhyphenejxFddPJqmPkbo3yvbUROlcqQQXuPfrtDocJJaAtvXw0aLa1okDSTnU5GW/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90ly0PPKAUlOISh9JW3OaAX6sG6g6DbXYeoXxVOO8QDJE1oABWAllreTp2vx0VtKmR06f1YDxQKorYcwRhyphenhyphenejxFddPJqmPkbo3yvbUROlcqQQXuPfrtDocJJaAtvXw0aLa1okDSTnU5GW/s320/DSC_0051.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finding the brushed cotton lining in 100% cotton was no easy task but the <a href="http://www.clothhouse.com/">Cloth House</a> came to the rescue at £6 a meter. I am now searching for anything else I can make that requires brushed cotton - any suggestions greatly appreciated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-89311037204940199202010-09-12T14:18:00.000-07:002010-09-12T14:18:29.234-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">Fight the Fear!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlD72_IPOqgAf4gxfDQFadP5QhlxFYGww2Rv41lTvvTlmkHo8EpM_EAd5nbsrmsVGLXN5wT6wmT_hP0upgb30XMkfBLuJMNlYNt8r0h_eypcBypOOQQ4_fy1vXeNadp68wjvbSyslr-8j/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlD72_IPOqgAf4gxfDQFadP5QhlxFYGww2Rv41lTvvTlmkHo8EpM_EAd5nbsrmsVGLXN5wT6wmT_hP0upgb30XMkfBLuJMNlYNt8r0h_eypcBypOOQQ4_fy1vXeNadp68wjvbSyslr-8j/s320/DSC_0019.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today for the first time ever I sold something I made to someone I didn't know from a stall in East London. I have wanted to do this for sometime but have been so terrified that I kept putting it off. It's not that I don't believe in the things I make but there is always a chance someone won't like them and then I defy anyone not to be upset. I decided to start with my Lavender bags which I made far to many of from Lavender I harvested when I was trying to be Felicity Kendal from The Good Life. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcob4o3n6ld3SNvMfo9NuJVC7_ripZGMTasvZr02K_uQvK_-IX1UUTqFvT1mJAAClI529GIZaaTH3F0qb_542a3tgMBWVNNPf1yZKy7K7fk30II8-SR8U1rTq9B5pMwKU_Gl5nKDGi239/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcob4o3n6ld3SNvMfo9NuJVC7_ripZGMTasvZr02K_uQvK_-IX1UUTqFvT1mJAAClI529GIZaaTH3F0qb_542a3tgMBWVNNPf1yZKy7K7fk30II8-SR8U1rTq9B5pMwKU_Gl5nKDGi239/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thankfully my mother-in-law bought the first 2 and from then on in it was non stop sales for 2 hours until I sold out. I was selling for the children of Pakistan charity and happily raised £90. Obviously I am sending out a big thank you to anyone who bought one and anyone who didn't its not too late as I can always make more which can be ordered through <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/766109">Folksy</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">CM x</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-24113363431465239242010-09-05T14:03:00.000-07:002010-09-05T14:03:40.951-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">Capes & Crowns</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcgesXL2bxV7seRpdgxQerYwbNL5PVLSFJaT-bYLrbM81zHtR8yvdJBl8tMKDdCvWs4MpRd_FD91wIEBhyvDrH_H4JLkxY7EzfgOd9GWGhKTragqe-wAmobRFpmfVnKUgcsqtQXLo9Hqu/s1600/DSC_0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcgesXL2bxV7seRpdgxQerYwbNL5PVLSFJaT-bYLrbM81zHtR8yvdJBl8tMKDdCvWs4MpRd_FD91wIEBhyvDrH_H4JLkxY7EzfgOd9GWGhKTragqe-wAmobRFpmfVnKUgcsqtQXLo9Hqu/s400/DSC_0680.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Every girl needs to be Queen for the day and my Missy is no exception. I have so many sewing projects on the go at the moment and so many more going on in my head that today required a little light relief. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgYNpxnYHIjj3rndwqUv2ACDBrvnfcrMnZNgRRzbnSziR24ypvtcNqpMgpKYDgvrAW0V30g0953JiFcraFSHbwhrm-vn6495UG5nSFK6a-pI069ipHCffwy63ZxrbWAN7rS7AtAU_rTks/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgYNpxnYHIjj3rndwqUv2ACDBrvnfcrMnZNgRRzbnSziR24ypvtcNqpMgpKYDgvrAW0V30g0953JiFcraFSHbwhrm-vn6495UG5nSFK6a-pI069ipHCffwy63ZxrbWAN7rS7AtAU_rTks/s320/DSC_0676.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A quick rummage in the craft cupboard uncovered this little pile of goodies and in less than half an hour a cape and crown were adorning HRH Missy (which is about how long she kept it on for!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhei3423isEhOzwyb2Qx5g00JYVD3H2Ab9LvH1Jo_yvTEnqpKhHcqPbB6jyb9ks53Q2J0Dp2HyAdsJi5qlMXrDIQ7qYacdc3OHbhIThqNHRShOnBdKn-W-DxO33m8bgCilZilG354tb5NEh/s1600/DSC_0681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhei3423isEhOzwyb2Qx5g00JYVD3H2Ab9LvH1Jo_yvTEnqpKhHcqPbB6jyb9ks53Q2J0Dp2HyAdsJi5qlMXrDIQ7qYacdc3OHbhIThqNHRShOnBdKn-W-DxO33m8bgCilZilG354tb5NEh/s400/DSC_0681.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope your all having fun in the late summer sun. CM x</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-15587576127197480412010-09-01T04:05:00.000-07:002010-09-01T04:05:14.634-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">Lavender of London</span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXq8hHmpw0iYe-R5StvSmw5zTVhaG_HKH6P3QERHZyZZtn4ldOZBvrpOie5Yz6FvnpsZiafflxxlNI6O9jzpQFOeBub4Vyf1wb2CqQSw-woTe-UkMrOWPBRjIa8oILce7H-5mSuEJvIkI/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXq8hHmpw0iYe-R5StvSmw5zTVhaG_HKH6P3QERHZyZZtn4ldOZBvrpOie5Yz6FvnpsZiafflxxlNI6O9jzpQFOeBub4Vyf1wb2CqQSw-woTe-UkMrOWPBRjIa8oILce7H-5mSuEJvIkI/s400/DSC_0019.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apparently lavender deters moths and in a bid to save my best cashmere from being the dinner of said pests I decided to make my own lavender bags with my home grown lavender. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdS6AGyxypaHGXhMSIVCNoZwpiYaFDrSu6oggpP4ekrKlrR-8MWcVNF5Rd-hwgmm-1wmWQY2nQXTc0y9vj3NJl3ewZ7iaE_d8nynJerqRBNqI08kVMbZt5fNAFzXdDX9dx0TBSDjltn7e/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdS6AGyxypaHGXhMSIVCNoZwpiYaFDrSu6oggpP4ekrKlrR-8MWcVNF5Rd-hwgmm-1wmWQY2nQXTc0y9vj3NJl3ewZ7iaE_d8nynJerqRBNqI08kVMbZt5fNAFzXdDX9dx0TBSDjltn7e/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After cutting 12 bundles of flowers from my front garden I dried them painstakingly in the oven until I had a house that smelt like <a href="http://www.penhaligons.com/">Penhaligons </a>and a gorgeous bowlful of loveliness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJsdFzNvnHFYWZgckNoJ2ZvsrPL7I682NxrwXID4UwNEw8r0A91RJWs0vFQ2npOAryh7XXr2ZtnN4pbzqEkNWLympeVTQILafgz_R_UUt_comLAlLP0CEHas1YWMsUTugtMqbjPEiDzL2/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJsdFzNvnHFYWZgckNoJ2ZvsrPL7I682NxrwXID4UwNEw8r0A91RJWs0vFQ2npOAryh7XXr2ZtnN4pbzqEkNWLympeVTQILafgz_R_UUt_comLAlLP0CEHas1YWMsUTugtMqbjPEiDzL2/s400/DSC_0005.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now of course I have an excess as I can never make just one of anything, so I have decided to sell them at my <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/766109-Lavender-of-Hackney">Folksy</a> shop for <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/emergency/pakistanfloods/global_landing.html">Pakistan's flood victims</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading, CM x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-76739881007272234692010-08-29T14:39:00.000-07:002010-08-29T14:39:42.481-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BIG BED TIME</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Z66MYhdP_YX_4uh3-0QlCK9yENauK2WnvKj3cizNsoP8moKXP6RKxtZ8YIuepxXOlrJ-25lvfILUCSTLRsWVF4sNZMGxtOHjeZLv4p29cRH52d27uQP5oO-LXfKJa1dTjgXTIuP3i_J/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Z66MYhdP_YX_4uh3-0QlCK9yENauK2WnvKj3cizNsoP8moKXP6RKxtZ8YIuepxXOlrJ-25lvfILUCSTLRsWVF4sNZMGxtOHjeZLv4p29cRH52d27uQP5oO-LXfKJa1dTjgXTIuP3i_J/s400/DSC_0091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bank holiday weekend has been emotional. My gorgeous little Missy moved from her crib to a big bed. Finally I found the courage to buy an extension kit for the <a href="http://www.stokke.com/en-gb/">Stokke </a>junior bed. Courage was needed as after 2 year behind bars my little one will relish the freedom and be popping in out all night long for sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ7Mtx38BrxEYNsjrgniE_GpcfnrLQ0oSFSk8eUEQExNYz1mtb9-THGa30IdF7-RDKIurIOpPsELaFTiM-3J2LkPD2c9rw3_5Zfm-PYR4hf2gtRi4f4iaAc4V6Is0QsiFyN38GpVnYmkF/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ7Mtx38BrxEYNsjrgniE_GpcfnrLQ0oSFSk8eUEQExNYz1mtb9-THGa30IdF7-RDKIurIOpPsELaFTiM-3J2LkPD2c9rw3_5Zfm-PYR4hf2gtRi4f4iaAc4V6Is0QsiFyN38GpVnYmkF/s400/DSC_0090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To accommodate the big bed meant a room reshuffle which I really enjoyed. Through a combination of charity shop finds and<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/"> </a><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/">eBay</a> we put together a little girls personal space which she loves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICAaMEOsDfoYFwPPiCubd81qUOTXxu0rPrHkLLmQhYTisHpAyhLIGJs_kki3m-1Pc6AtSLa1oXWlDEIvK9z3Ovhl6q7EnCk9_ni0X-dkir1CX2ReR8SKbdwMJolVKhRv_HYTdx-k8W0iC/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICAaMEOsDfoYFwPPiCubd81qUOTXxu0rPrHkLLmQhYTisHpAyhLIGJs_kki3m-1Pc6AtSLa1oXWlDEIvK9z3Ovhl6q7EnCk9_ni0X-dkir1CX2ReR8SKbdwMJolVKhRv_HYTdx-k8W0iC/s400/DSC_0098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICAaMEOsDfoYFwPPiCubd81qUOTXxu0rPrHkLLmQhYTisHpAyhLIGJs_kki3m-1Pc6AtSLa1oXWlDEIvK9z3Ovhl6q7EnCk9_ni0X-dkir1CX2ReR8SKbdwMJolVKhRv_HYTdx-k8W0iC/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Now I just need to encourage her to go to sleep in it! CMx</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-67551833094260183422010-08-24T08:25:00.000-07:002010-08-24T08:25:21.914-07:00The Sketchbook Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BROOKLYN ART LIBRARY</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC3K-q0h8VD4ecXRSG8c72TR75L_mkxxPKK6id_wJ2r2UxenI8yDkePlPLYR0cUKvqKNn6d9LXqwYmoxoojSpWJN9SUGd7y-dUTYVKNNaTQq2sPAnOtuWUeCvtTXUzNdxlqWxqiHhbN0f/s1600/sketchbook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC3K-q0h8VD4ecXRSG8c72TR75L_mkxxPKK6id_wJ2r2UxenI8yDkePlPLYR0cUKvqKNn6d9LXqwYmoxoojSpWJN9SUGd7y-dUTYVKNNaTQq2sPAnOtuWUeCvtTXUzNdxlqWxqiHhbN0f/s320/sketchbook.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I recently read at one of my favourite blogs <a href="http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/">Geninne's Art Blog</a> about <a href="http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject">The Sketchbook project 2011</a>.<br />
<div>For $25 you get this 5.5 x 8.5 moleskin sketchbook with its own unique bar code. You have until January to fill it with more or less whatever you like and then send it back to the Brooklyn Art Library where it will be available for anyone to view.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUZZXk5SlWJletZRb66ddXct7Q7WatWUYhmYCZakBCSUoRroXeQiuGVF7mchuZ58wI-OVecxrRjA7C_veQof12z7F-Bfp0J6QC2w2LspM1bSnSGFJSF3cQ0Es01gMRK9VH2D2dvb9m1aq/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUZZXk5SlWJletZRb66ddXct7Q7WatWUYhmYCZakBCSUoRroXeQiuGVF7mchuZ58wI-OVecxrRjA7C_veQof12z7F-Bfp0J6QC2w2LspM1bSnSGFJSF3cQ0Es01gMRK9VH2D2dvb9m1aq/s400/DSC_0257.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Whilst I am no Picasso I thought this such a brilliant idea and possibly a way to help me focus on one project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__fk-ig5EKxgLIBk0l8Yn974CTMzMDc58iPtnHVrCEWIv6kw133aZ4WXK30lY5CiAUwYq_-lJPMBk2bKulWiVBCANLt1fNRM0SoR2yKZOoOlQjd8EMsGKjuaDUIGurwc1QWKgqyIoDcYb/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__fk-ig5EKxgLIBk0l8Yn974CTMzMDc58iPtnHVrCEWIv6kw133aZ4WXK30lY5CiAUwYq_-lJPMBk2bKulWiVBCANLt1fNRM0SoR2yKZOoOlQjd8EMsGKjuaDUIGurwc1QWKgqyIoDcYb/s400/DSC_0255.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are about 25 themes to choose from and mine as you can see is 'If you lived here...' - be prepared for lots of Cool Britania!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLkx8awTTeuB4Zgn9q6LW7JXYgLeNH3nFI-3Vdrj2BC5CE8H-3kJhdV0x0rKixff8oUW72Bwp0-Gyn5NAJAHdah6jR-ptN2-z121AsrSVK26re6t-1nlLjWNeXkcYlMXTZRD88CFKZJ0u/s1600/500x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLkx8awTTeuB4Zgn9q6LW7JXYgLeNH3nFI-3Vdrj2BC5CE8H-3kJhdV0x0rKixff8oUW72Bwp0-Gyn5NAJAHdah6jR-ptN2-z121AsrSVK26re6t-1nlLjWNeXkcYlMXTZRD88CFKZJ0u/s320/500x350.jpg" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CM x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-20745351181575860872010-08-19T03:40:00.000-07:002010-08-19T03:40:13.366-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Liberty print Toddler dress</span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5_Tjz21vnpsLOUWCOIJl4E58_bVIqpeHD805ivSMl6fdHjMFv_1LM7103G5H1UTpXAHmvz04-CB9_SyXnvbP0Lk0KT4pgMahuIIAylDeb4600BzJOVQwPAZdEBwy05SXkm_h2jhyphenhyphenLkGM/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5_Tjz21vnpsLOUWCOIJl4E58_bVIqpeHD805ivSMl6fdHjMFv_1LM7103G5H1UTpXAHmvz04-CB9_SyXnvbP0Lk0KT4pgMahuIIAylDeb4600BzJOVQwPAZdEBwy05SXkm_h2jhyphenhyphenLkGM/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberty 'Millie' Tana Lawn</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><u><b>Where there's a will there's a way</b></u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Today is my God Daughters birthday. Yesterday morning I decided to make her a dress for a present. I took myself off to </span><a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Liberty</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> (my favourite store of all time) and spent too much money on fabric and trimmings. Yesterday afternoon my sewing machine broke!!! Not knowing anyone locally who sews I seriously considered hand sewing until I remembered '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.themakelounge.com/">The Make Lounge</a>'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">. 'The Make Lounge' is a wonderful craft store on </span><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=the+make+lounge&hl=en&cd=1&ei=rfNsTPitO4bQjAeez9ClDA&sig2=sffoZsJ8YofdgpOGeYKuyg&sll=51.54059,-0.106519&sspn=0.009983,0.016243&ie=UTF8&view=map&cid=2473741551262407753&iwloc=A&ved=0CCIQpQY&sa=X"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Barnsbury Street</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> in Islington that offers fabulous fabrics and workshops in just about everything, they also offer 'Open Studio Time' at £7 an hour which provides everything you need to start and finish your sewing project. In truth they saved the day. </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVVdnbmsT_c4QoLMSb6eOIPjgEDKBDUNOfGBwgeCljMKL4MpVP13XzaTtGl-2y8U4Z5-GMxMieRvv0dv6UIxtUxbVFsdCCguCM4TtPYxb2PVsdRYpr5v-0SKI3pO7X9XYxHZCK_pjan0r/s1600/IMG_8136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVVdnbmsT_c4QoLMSb6eOIPjgEDKBDUNOfGBwgeCljMKL4MpVP13XzaTtGl-2y8U4Z5-GMxMieRvv0dv6UIxtUxbVFsdCCguCM4TtPYxb2PVsdRYpr5v-0SKI3pO7X9XYxHZCK_pjan0r/s640/IMG_8136.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberty 'Millie' Tana Lawn print</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I ran in there with my bundle of fabric at 2.30pm and left at 4.00pm with this pretty dress. Running out of cotton was no problem as the shop had everything I could possibly have needed. The delightful owner, Jennifer will even make you a cup of tea. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3YRvS1Vn1v3Sgirp7tq6NJPPMenNH2DWkDhzrbN5FMlAa7W33HTJGPXJbjtiSHenW6c1p_PGc4-cKfDCefT0DNI4y4XbO6KGAV9KUDRhHHmY4SD_CK5sWhdhCdc7d56hltvDHDHqi6eS/s1600/IMG_8141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3YRvS1Vn1v3Sgirp7tq6NJPPMenNH2DWkDhzrbN5FMlAa7W33HTJGPXJbjtiSHenW6c1p_PGc4-cKfDCefT0DNI4y4XbO6KGAV9KUDRhHHmY4SD_CK5sWhdhCdc7d56hltvDHDHqi6eS/s320/IMG_8141.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am now looking to buy a new sewing machine, but if that takes a little while I now at least know where to go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">CM x</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-41317848880592008172010-08-06T22:41:00.000-07:002010-08-06T22:41:39.467-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">MONOGRAMMED </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: x-large;">BEACH BAG</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwBVl0UFqCQS7at77t-1G7xMyiGjAd41GXPIhoJL3z-te8doawRN_4K28ojQRD46wZ7w85i5SK0eQTpUVUf7nPubwre0k6RmJZ_5rMiW2GVR2zWcW1uXn7azeXk5tBRwHfj7e00V_Z6xS/s1600/DSC_0707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwBVl0UFqCQS7at77t-1G7xMyiGjAd41GXPIhoJL3z-te8doawRN_4K28ojQRD46wZ7w85i5SK0eQTpUVUf7nPubwre0k6RmJZ_5rMiW2GVR2zWcW1uXn7azeXk5tBRwHfj7e00V_Z6xS/s320/DSC_0707.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Missy and I are holidaying with her cousins Scarlett and Tallulah who are 3 and 5 and I wanted to make them all the same beach bags, which they could also use, on the plane. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To make the travel easier on them all I have stuffed each bag full of goodies that hopefully will keep them occupied!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Make time 30 mins<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Level Medium<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Great for Kids bags for any occasions<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What you need:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">36” x 20”of cotton fabric<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 meter cord<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Co-ordinating cotton<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Glitter fabric paint<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gem setter – optional<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPibWAVQ_p7cTz0LjdDAHhA3RzXSJTkETi4fXj1KSfeTYY0rr06NIqW_LFoUEvbti6Pz3GDofHFy5JSOdYSQLbxPiTlHcYOIGQy2EQmiwqQrI8xJow3aTLnEPO6QfY3SQy-iPt6WDK263x/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPibWAVQ_p7cTz0LjdDAHhA3RzXSJTkETi4fXj1KSfeTYY0rr06NIqW_LFoUEvbti6Pz3GDofHFy5JSOdYSQLbxPiTlHcYOIGQy2EQmiwqQrI8xJow3aTLnEPO6QfY3SQy-iPt6WDK263x/s320/DSC_0682.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How to:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lay your fabric out wrong side up and fold over ¼” hem on each long side and press with hot iron.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Stitch along the seams you’ve just pressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now ¼” fold the top and bottom and press.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At the top fold again this time 1” and sew as close to the edge as you can. This is the channel where the drawstring will run through.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fold the whole piece of fabric in half with the right sides together and press lightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sew along each side from just below the cord channel to the bottom of the bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Turn the bag right side out and gently push the corners out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Attach a safety pin to one end of the cord and thread it through the channel at the top of the bag. When it’s completely through remove the safety pins and ties the cord ends together.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9. For the monogram simply draw with pencil the letters you require and carefully paint them with glitter fabric paint. I then used my <a href="http://www.beadsandcrystals.co.uk//hotfix-applicator-wand-only-a-23-99-10-tips-and-with-free-brush-and-tweezers/cat_49.html">Gem setter</a> to add an extra bit of sparkle!</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">CM x</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><!--EndFragment-->competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-80867522963330596182010-07-21T06:47:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:47:24.664-07:00DIY tutorial for fabric painted t-shirts with necklace design<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Necklace T-shirt </span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">with gems!</span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqjmnxXoixhr6FaQq3AJlsGbvlBW88KXqHESwaAgbmRRGp6FIVus7LyQWKEsFVb3ANt3J2hXClCjxlFhfa8ZkLE4vjABw0G8QMiJ8yFtocPEYBzccMuRQ5CxzO4MUAVydWhQxnB6ruS1u/s1600/tshirts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqjmnxXoixhr6FaQq3AJlsGbvlBW88KXqHESwaAgbmRRGp6FIVus7LyQWKEsFVb3ANt3J2hXClCjxlFhfa8ZkLE4vjABw0G8QMiJ8yFtocPEYBzccMuRQ5CxzO4MUAVydWhQxnB6ruS1u/s400/tshirts.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">How cute are these! With the weather hotting up again these are perfect for the little ones to stay chic in the heat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvsvI4kMCk82Bh8CkbwWr_QCvyiahoeUzn_M7FTOUnELLumA42hY6YCixAzkE58TBFpEpZk0nL0PFYW5A7i1_ouWKa3DeSKOn2v1RSapoTCyOvLN5r3_4k5qdNbZOmZiuFS8GBMUGMiS-/s1600/DSC_0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvsvI4kMCk82Bh8CkbwWr_QCvyiahoeUzn_M7FTOUnELLumA42hY6YCixAzkE58TBFpEpZk0nL0PFYW5A7i1_ouWKa3DeSKOn2v1RSapoTCyOvLN5r3_4k5qdNbZOmZiuFS8GBMUGMiS-/s400/DSC_0700.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>MAKE TIME: 2 hours + drying time</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>LEVEL: Medium</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>GREAT FOR: Stylish girls</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>WHAT YOU NEED:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Plain cotton t-shirt</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.chaffinch.com/item.cs4?00=dylpb55">Fabric paint</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Swarovski flat back crystals - hotfix or self adhesive</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>15cm square scrap of co-ordinating fabric</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Button</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Needle & thread</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5It24qLqwo1DvPc6sDBjAq_km5yczKM9_ZDDos7vKWd0BRBsR4FSg0Rw4196iwK5r0qUA6Rh6VpzLAFXUV3ECmq8TxbHLPk34Lkgqevm_L4ae_w8ItxNu6gOOOBSgCTMO4bIfvlpwU-et/s1600/purple+tshirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5It24qLqwo1DvPc6sDBjAq_km5yczKM9_ZDDos7vKWd0BRBsR4FSg0Rw4196iwK5r0qUA6Rh6VpzLAFXUV3ECmq8TxbHLPk34Lkgqevm_L4ae_w8ItxNu6gOOOBSgCTMO4bIfvlpwU-et/s400/purple+tshirt.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>HOW TO:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li><b>Fold the t-shirt in half length wise and iron a crease so you can see where the centre of the shirt is.</b></li>
<li><b>Next place a piece of paper in between the front and back of the shirt to avoid any of the paint bleeding through onto the back of the shirt.</b></li>
<li><b>Using either the fabric paint applicator, a paint brush, or a pencil end, paint the beads in rows around the neck edge, you might find it useful to use a pin head for the tiny beads. Continue until you have desired amount of necklaces and leave to dry.</b></li>
<li><b>For 3D fabric paint puff up according to the instructions but make sure the paint is totally dry.</b></li>
<li><b>If you have a <a href="http://www.beadsandcrystals.co.uk//hotfix-applicator-wand-only-a-23-99-10-tips-and-with-free-brush-and-tweezers/cat_49.html">Hotfix</a><a href="http://www.beadsandcrystals.co.uk//hotfix-applicator-wand-only-a-23-99-10-tips-and-with-free-brush-and-tweezers/cat_49.html"> </a><a href="http://www.beadsandcrystals.co.uk//hotfix-applicator-wand-only-a-23-99-10-tips-and-with-free-brush-and-tweezers/cat_49.html">Applicator</a> for gem setting you can add a little sparkle to the bigger beads if not you can use self adhesive gems but they won't wash as well.</b></li>
<li><b>To make the corsage you need to cut a circle of fabric between 10 & 15 cm in diameter depending on the size of the shirt - it's useful to use a saucer or small plate to draw around. Fold over 0.5 cm to the wrong side of the fabric and press. Using a running stitch sew along the folded edge all the way around and then gather the fabric into a rosette by pulling the thread tightly and secure with a few small stitches. Sew a button in the middle or another smaller rosette. Add a <a href="http://www.kleins.co.uk/brooch-pin-steel-backs-222-p.asp">brooch pin</a> to the back for easy removal of the corsage before washing.</b></li>
</ol><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnwauWsPJLtwz5f75YFzJ4aK4uqGN_dUmeuVoiDQLp6QLxNGuXqQsA-15G4QWMSot4bUQgpIa_iicUZD2bOM5eKfBYUttWgm1Ac2fCE8z14ACp0ZIRdzNV4zKv2HAzhKkvnPeDrv7emJ9/s1600/red+tshirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnwauWsPJLtwz5f75YFzJ4aK4uqGN_dUmeuVoiDQLp6QLxNGuXqQsA-15G4QWMSot4bUQgpIa_iicUZD2bOM5eKfBYUttWgm1Ac2fCE8z14ACp0ZIRdzNV4zKv2HAzhKkvnPeDrv7emJ9/s400/red+tshirt.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><b>And there you have it, a totally adorable t-shirt. </b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>CM X </b></div><br />
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</b></span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-73368499101771280282010-07-15T02:20:00.000-07:002010-07-15T02:20:35.577-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">PERFECT DAY</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJiXXtoyNZGaHXM60sAIdvA49R36fvMAnrnC68Pa62f5FrggWks-QwUULqbXu4jyKzi-Xv3BRz08IGuzW_PZ54ssLV4_v69lWpkdDHAMVG0HonQaY0jZTFpZNK3KyogPnK-qOlasmcNZ/s1600/DSC_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCJiXXtoyNZGaHXM60sAIdvA49R36fvMAnrnC68Pa62f5FrggWks-QwUULqbXu4jyKzi-Xv3BRz08IGuzW_PZ54ssLV4_v69lWpkdDHAMVG0HonQaY0jZTFpZNK3KyogPnK-qOlasmcNZ/s400/DSC_0433.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wow what a beautiful summer. Way to hot to get crafty this week so Missy and I have been out and about enjoying the sunshine. Wandering through the parks of London we have noticed some beautiful flowers and trees. Knowing they wouldn't last the journey home we decided to photograph them wherever we found them and these are the results. </span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R-NEaiSg9qQCgkdU107AXG70thRSsL60oOtBjD3TzXSeg3BxDxWAZf1caCSd02R722_6jVY5Pt72NR33VvHiRf1tbcAPLFNn0fin0HjY_hzxf7vQtB_MpJY0OLdQ_wKsW_wE8u0m7uM3/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R-NEaiSg9qQCgkdU107AXG70thRSsL60oOtBjD3TzXSeg3BxDxWAZf1caCSd02R722_6jVY5Pt72NR33VvHiRf1tbcAPLFNn0fin0HjY_hzxf7vQtB_MpJY0OLdQ_wKsW_wE8u0m7uM3/s320/DSC_0014.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgY1HMsjnORPB-DicrWZSa7phHXyALBS-3aGw7njC8QkqsqjvgL8OaFf5V5jBr-EMHx0tpAAq0nX6vs6PC9yXjCQLO_-jRUMUCxcwLz1sOUhLY7GkO0sn7GfWOv8LScI_NWq7-BDReT5p/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgY1HMsjnORPB-DicrWZSa7phHXyALBS-3aGw7njC8QkqsqjvgL8OaFf5V5jBr-EMHx0tpAAq0nX6vs6PC9yXjCQLO_-jRUMUCxcwLz1sOUhLY7GkO0sn7GfWOv8LScI_NWq7-BDReT5p/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">OK so now it's chucking it down - what happened to summer? I wrote this post two days ago and forgot to publish it - my next post might be building an ark at this rate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CM x</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-7206647726620848172010-06-30T04:07:00.000-07:002010-06-30T04:07:28.201-07:00AMY BUTLER SCRAPBOOK ALBUM<b></b><br />
<b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">SCRAPBOOK BIRTHDAY ALBUM</span></span></b></span></div></b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFx65Jn7y-nswhD_g4WWyTJg42zdM7URdRk9CoT98GyPiX05rkKXVge_y63RuAG-vbb5MV-ofGaydsidYLW6NZFkKcjJE7GLa9mCAyphLC8u6PplnfRDKoli2MDvqERPuwezEM9i7Y7ZE/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFx65Jn7y-nswhD_g4WWyTJg42zdM7URdRk9CoT98GyPiX05rkKXVge_y63RuAG-vbb5MV-ofGaydsidYLW6NZFkKcjJE7GLa9mCAyphLC8u6PplnfRDKoli2MDvqERPuwezEM9i7Y7ZE/s400/DSC_0396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;">I'm delighted to say that I've finally finished Missy's birthday photo album. Last year's album was a bit of a mish mash so this year I decided to be more selective with the photos and more creative with the album. Good idea in theory bad idea in practice as it's taken me 2 months to complete it!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTyrH-4xGtzjsnyrLWFfU0psO23GXgQs-KL8CHUXuuNtNQMfij0YIhjQIXSSZN3XGOApE5vDNiIur_7ldieZNAvS77YenRUqOHpO-cvFqgfiXhjaLX20h4KVv_kj25Pqb51wmpKPHuuvj/s1600/DSC_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTyrH-4xGtzjsnyrLWFfU0psO23GXgQs-KL8CHUXuuNtNQMfij0YIhjQIXSSZN3XGOApE5vDNiIur_7ldieZNAvS77YenRUqOHpO-cvFqgfiXhjaLX20h4KVv_kj25Pqb51wmpKPHuuvj/s400/DSC_0393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">I do however totally love the </span><a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/mainmenu.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Amy Butler</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> album and all the scrapbook paper I used within it, which I got from </span><a href="http://www.calicocrafts.co.uk/acatalog/K_and_Company_Amy_Butler_Lotus_Faded_China_Albums_Pads.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Calico Crafts.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtpLg0D9oD6xqSu1uAj3lj9zxS0W0Xoj9oYODKCCxOGOP2b7q_dJz9kt-CZ9KKh9HZrUucPAD-4Cc9mkibRWeFU29yxRHySJb95em7InaZXvUSpliXIMKZwsr974F9Dpgbl3Z95c72wSR/s1600/DSC_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtpLg0D9oD6xqSu1uAj3lj9zxS0W0Xoj9oYODKCCxOGOP2b7q_dJz9kt-CZ9KKh9HZrUucPAD-4Cc9mkibRWeFU29yxRHySJb95em7InaZXvUSpliXIMKZwsr974F9Dpgbl3Z95c72wSR/s400/DSC_0392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">I of course included photos of all her guests but I also put in a couple showing the location and the theme so in the future she can get a feel for how special the day was and how much effort her competitive mum put in!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5ZYWjEgjwgV9VHeMaLREJIB7TzLqGnCyf4A2GJAr_x6EjsC4dWa9YPsoM6M85negCjiX8aqOjSqVB2qru-4xYuP8gORMOE2cdgoQSEcpY2flSzw9PFXhe1M9oQnzfBUyjaYdQbbhyphenhyphenmyb/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5ZYWjEgjwgV9VHeMaLREJIB7TzLqGnCyf4A2GJAr_x6EjsC4dWa9YPsoM6M85negCjiX8aqOjSqVB2qru-4xYuP8gORMOE2cdgoQSEcpY2flSzw9PFXhe1M9oQnzfBUyjaYdQbbhyphenhyphenmyb/s400/DSC_0395.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">CM x</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-22940967348436042532010-06-21T05:42:00.000-07:002010-06-21T05:42:43.999-07:00Homemade Spinning card<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">Celebrate with Spin</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c_z6Vn7cSQ40ScGonQPADgV8kG0vLq7j1dlp27mhEzonx-MJp_jzVKLP7DAidxa9mCEGd3VQjrhlmxL9XjHshtMGCiLk2EK0xvWiVd031szx4U4jfg2REq8t1CmdmTqrcObU50DT2uJc/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4c_z6Vn7cSQ40ScGonQPADgV8kG0vLq7j1dlp27mhEzonx-MJp_jzVKLP7DAidxa9mCEGd3VQjrhlmxL9XjHshtMGCiLk2EK0xvWiVd031szx4U4jfg2REq8t1CmdmTqrcObU50DT2uJc/s400/DSC_0175.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Missy gave her Daddy BBQ sauce and a cute spinning card for Father's day. A truly combined effort as she chose the photo and I kept firm hold of the craft knife!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Make time: 1 hour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Level: medium</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Great for: birthday cards</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">What you need:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Coloured card 24cm x 16cm</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Photo 5 x 5cm</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">String or cord</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">PVA</span> glue</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Ruler</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Craft Knife</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Pencil</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Paper clip</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiV-_HX0S8j4Thf-2zFvDkou2fIsIdjA1WOARYwjSIadsiEg3IfU4tMg1g6cLsj8GkNLw0f9GZESJ42Fix-uu7oFoHLIQUd-6lqGkQkYS0sDkJxqBdHFHZyT8bwkZWPuidoE7yv1ToK37/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiV-_HX0S8j4Thf-2zFvDkou2fIsIdjA1WOARYwjSIadsiEg3IfU4tMg1g6cLsj8GkNLw0f9GZESJ42Fix-uu7oFoHLIQUd-6lqGkQkYS0sDkJxqBdHFHZyT8bwkZWPuidoE7yv1ToK37/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">How to:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Using a ruler divide the coloured card 24cm edge by 3, marking each 8 cm point with a pencil.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Using your ruler or a bone folder fold the card at each 8cm point</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Fold the left panel over the middle panel & secure with a paper clip. These two panels together form the front of the card.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Using the pencil and ruler mark a 6cm square on the front of the card.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Using a craft knife carefully cut out the square through both layers of card.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Take one piece of the cut out square card and cut it into a 5 square.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Take your photo and cut it into a 5 cm square.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Next take your cord or string and cut a 12cm length, now glue the string between the photo and the 5cm piece of card.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Remove the paper clip on the main card and slip the stringed photo in the fold of the middle flap, positioning the photo in the middle of the hole. Glue the string to the middle flap.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Finally glue the left panel to the middle panel. </span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Have fun!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">CM x</span></div><br />
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</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-45204170527000075462010-06-15T03:43:00.000-07:002010-06-16T02:36:59.120-07:00PRINCESS PARTY CUPCAKES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b> 'PRINCESS PARTY' </b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJOUWdMsUqAXRXuKzIO6_1ONb7LcvZhmHb7nMN5NLypQYJTPmuKzwECDTw7HL68zTw3mU1JK2uCVRLy55zfa6pFiSOnQ07HQePAe9dXytNSI-_6kDV-9mgLmA9J4VuMqTPngHRWyTnMJF/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJOUWdMsUqAXRXuKzIO6_1ONb7LcvZhmHb7nMN5NLypQYJTPmuKzwECDTw7HL68zTw3mU1JK2uCVRLy55zfa6pFiSOnQ07HQePAe9dXytNSI-_6kDV-9mgLmA9J4VuMqTPngHRWyTnMJF/s400/DSC_0142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Missy and I went to a fabulous party in the park on Sunday to celebrate the 3rd birthday of her friend Rose. Rose's mum and I were at school together and I do love the fact our children are now friends. I offered to make some cakes as they always seem to go down well and I have to say I was delighted with the results.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used the white crumb recipe from </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Martha-Stewarts-Baking-Handbook-Stewart/dp/0307236722/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276597357&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martha Stewart's Baking</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> which although it seems like you use a lot of egg whites it's totally worth it. I then went slightly crazy in my local cake decorating shop '</span></span><a href="http://www.ppshop.co.uk/Store/index.php?PG=DrillDownItems&DD=CakeDec"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Party Party</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">' which honestly is not the prettiest of shops in an area which until I walked north of my house I never knew was there and thankfully so as it's not the prettiest of areas! All that being said though I cannot fault the shop, it's amazing. They sell everything you ever needed and everything you didn't realise you needed until you got there. From sprinkles, to edible glitter, piping tubes to rice paper roses there was certainly something for every occasion.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2g-6SO4Lujyy_C5J6fKZDpQopHdJSfMBsRLXOKuQ7EsYr_BCfzvILAQYE-bDmj-38_F5kp4lUdWe4wXdI6T_mFVNF8n-IxAI3clV1erMOWJOdWKIsPee7R3Qwk3oO6PRcXKB6uqDN2Vi/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2g-6SO4Lujyy_C5J6fKZDpQopHdJSfMBsRLXOKuQ7EsYr_BCfzvILAQYE-bDmj-38_F5kp4lUdWe4wXdI6T_mFVNF8n-IxAI3clV1erMOWJOdWKIsPee7R3Qwk3oO6PRcXKB6uqDN2Vi/s320/DSC_0151.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then to complete a lovely weekend my clever husband found these gorgeous vintage china nursery plates at our church jumble sale for 20p each! I am so delighted with them and I am convinced they make the cakes taste better.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CM X</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
</span>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-85786576762172500672010-06-09T06:47:00.000-07:002010-06-09T06:47:28.915-07:00BIRTHDAY CARD KIT<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">HOMEMADE BIRTHDAY CARD KIT</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FM72LyknR0cY-Il_27KbUuAS6UFeG0esdpijhFoGYTzdyOLnf77qgaEIZOU9sowyhRu2Raj5nbqlEy5Yx6OJiyEOY74KnTT0XZgZTfsxiBzm7TLuoJSK56mfLqgHM-JWbju9PrkXoMgi/s1600/IMG_7932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FM72LyknR0cY-Il_27KbUuAS6UFeG0esdpijhFoGYTzdyOLnf77qgaEIZOU9sowyhRu2Raj5nbqlEy5Yx6OJiyEOY74KnTT0XZgZTfsxiBzm7TLuoJSK56mfLqgHM-JWbju9PrkXoMgi/s400/IMG_7932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I love to make things and hate to waste money on anything that will invariably end up in the bin. I'm sure you, as I do, give cards for most occasions but do you ever wonder what happens to them once the party is over? I recently had a birthday and received 25 cards. I estimated each card was £2 giving a combined total of £50, which was sitting on my sideboard for a mere week or two before hitting the recycling bin. With this in mind I started to tot up how many cards I sent and the annual cost - the numbers horrified me. This simple math has led me to the conclusion that making them is the only solution. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought it would be best to create a kit. A box or tin where I would put everything I needed to make a card in one place therefore making last minute creations easy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What you need:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">10 x multicoloured blank cards & envelopes. (available at <a href="http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/productlist.asp?CatID=71&BCat=21,71&rootcatid=21&Brand=&a=resetsearch"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial;">Hobbycraft</span></a> & <a href="http://www.paperchase.co.uk/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial;">Paperchase</span></a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Alphabet set from <a href="http://www.cavallini.com/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial;">Cavallini</span> & Co</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Paper glue</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scissors</div><div style="text-align: left;">Patterned paper (available from any <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial;">scrapbooking</span> shop)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>How to:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Making cards can be as easy or complicated as you wish. I chose a simple balloon theme for the ones in the photo above and cut them out of different patterned paper. Then using foam stickers I attached them to the card inserting the cord behind them. Finally stamping the recipients name using the alphabet stamps added a personal touch. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3FZ1QpojxvTnBXnQezV0MSwiguvYZLi8DOlrQ07INBfFW3948LJFswzILf9lb_jj0zqTZA8QnOIQ9W81iiZt5bb5gCgu4Xm2ER0vWd_c4yNNCunPZi7hhGlCpEMZzI0GlkrAUKRsbtdl/s1600/DSCF3777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3FZ1QpojxvTnBXnQezV0MSwiguvYZLi8DOlrQ07INBfFW3948LJFswzILf9lb_jj0zqTZA8QnOIQ9W81iiZt5bb5gCgu4Xm2ER0vWd_c4yNNCunPZi7hhGlCpEMZzI0GlkrAUKRsbtdl/s320/DSCF3777.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last Christmas I used different fonts to create the word 'Noel" and cut the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial;">scrapbooking</span> paper into squares to stamp on. Using different coloured inks is always a good way of giving your cards an individual style along with glitter glue and other <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial;">scrapbooking</span> embellishments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CM X</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561563837934854583.post-5359110163639779272010-06-02T03:36:00.000-07:002010-06-02T03:36:05.679-07:00CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2010<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B3oIgkGz_JvDgG-W4K2vO8lWL__BoYwgsd1NmVVrQWS6StrpruS895neTgDX1v_Oh0QsghrgWg2ypxSeZtfqD9yVe6AE1IcxC9wVlHrguvM7EhUILM7EWpciq_xj3ekNBnB82dkVEZnQ/s1600/IMG_8032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B3oIgkGz_JvDgG-W4K2vO8lWL__BoYwgsd1NmVVrQWS6StrpruS895neTgDX1v_Oh0QsghrgWg2ypxSeZtfqD9yVe6AE1IcxC9wVlHrguvM7EhUILM7EWpciq_xj3ekNBnB82dkVEZnQ/s320/IMG_8032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Last week I took an afternoon out to visit the wonderful Chelsea Flower show. I was lucky enough to go on a warm but not too sunny day and saw some truly inspiring gardens. This wall made of moss was from designer Kazuyuki Ishihara's garden. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREqORf9CHxVmVXOCKMqDeX8huPksehHidIywJPqY9EsKMOU423n_O1bUnXsUopD28fF4wjmP20m-1OiQXvVcJ0elQCc7kwrCHnmdOOcrCD1_QTFXAdFbrFaB-lcNszXOplnfCleY_adeK/s1600/IMG_8031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREqORf9CHxVmVXOCKMqDeX8huPksehHidIywJPqY9EsKMOU423n_O1bUnXsUopD28fF4wjmP20m-1OiQXvVcJ0elQCc7kwrCHnmdOOcrCD1_QTFXAdFbrFaB-lcNszXOplnfCleY_adeK/s320/IMG_8031.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">The use of water, and textured plants I loved and although it was mainly green the variations of green were amazing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P1fKt4A49h4iMfygHt2UD9cODzRdT8ohkAgYucfn4WEkgP3wyIdfNo2L39HAuN4Gogx1m9yFPbx6Rhp-seZWWWv5PB4V5Hs4WLYbDq_eQPct1fjyDR5jGu-019e2d1N2cZvh6zkSRSJn/s1600/IMG_8044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P1fKt4A49h4iMfygHt2UD9cODzRdT8ohkAgYucfn4WEkgP3wyIdfNo2L39HAuN4Gogx1m9yFPbx6Rhp-seZWWWv5PB4V5Hs4WLYbDq_eQPct1fjyDR5jGu-019e2d1N2cZvh6zkSRSJn/s320/IMG_8044.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">My favourite garden was the one above - 'The Pine & Conifer Enthusiast' designed by Graham Bodle for <a href="http://www.walkersnurseries.tv/">Walkers Nurseries</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMTKJBOO7r506eTBpLRQ102GWWYIYgBAwvGVmHVHLMDVmGv9YBMdtjHftvS5DBQhAdu0SdMuORHN_8fek-kWvgUpWrgokxTv12pZsLAN3jl6zsX-xY9uF0S-eBMkzNgOBJ04aDp6yxnWo/s1600/IMG_8042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMTKJBOO7r506eTBpLRQ102GWWYIYgBAwvGVmHVHLMDVmGv9YBMdtjHftvS5DBQhAdu0SdMuORHN_8fek-kWvgUpWrgokxTv12pZsLAN3jl6zsX-xY9uF0S-eBMkzNgOBJ04aDp6yxnWo/s320/IMG_8042.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">My photos don't do this garden justice as the colours were so vibrant and the potting shed with its water butt were enchanting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">For more photos go to my newly created <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/competitivemum/">Flickr</a> page!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">CM X</span></div>competitivemumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09195432946003998885noreply@blogger.com0