.Makings.

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1.  New pattern in the making...almost done!

2. 3. 4.  Playing around with Vintage Japanese Glass earrings.

And I forgot to draw the winner of the Jamberry Nails giveaway - congrats to the Launceston Weeden Family!  I've sent you an email...

.Gramma Knits.

My Mum is a great knitter...something I wish I had the patience for, but just never seem to get the hang of.  Perhaps I'll have to choose a simple project and get her to give me some lessons - I'm liking the look of the very popular Milo vest.

She has just finished knitting Lil a gorgeous new cardi. 

Lil chose the colour (with a little nudging from me!) and I'm happy that it is not totally girly pink and purple.  

The last cardi that Mum knitted for Lil is still being worn...and I was surprised to look back on my blog and see that it was THREE years ago!  So hoping that we get at least a couple of years out of this one!

 Thanks Gramma for another gorgeous knit - feel free to make us more!!!

Now...if I was to take up a new hobby (because I really have a whole heap of spare time to fill - ha!) what quick and easy knitting patterns would you recommend?

Post Edit...
Pattern for cardi is "Cable Jacket" from "Twilleys of Stamford, Freedom Gorgeous, 464"
Yarn used is Color Works, 8 Ply, 100% Fine Merino Wool

.Dad is Fab.

Happy Fathers Day to everyone who is celebrating out there!  We had a splendid day here :)

I waited until Jaron had gone to bed last night and sneakily hung up this Fathers Day banner I had made for him...I think I have a new love - message banners!  Have seen a few popping up on Pinterest and think they are great.  Super easy to make too - I just used some sheets of 12x12 scrapbooking paper and drew the letters free-hand then cut them out.  I like the slightly wonky, unevenness of them.  Strung them together with some cotton twine and a big needle and used a bit of blutac to secure each end on top of the architrave.  Simple!  I'm looking forward to our next celebratory event so that I can make another...or perhaps I'll make one "just because" - no need for a special event!

During the week I asked the kids a heap of questions about Jaron and made their answers into a book - some of them were very cute/funny.  I wasn't intending to do it scrapbook style but when I was rummaging through my supplies I found an unused album so popped everything in it.  The intention is that we can add to the album each year - maybe something different next year...portraits of Dad or memorable stories?

Along with a few needed gifts (new shaver, squash racquet) Oscar chose a Nerf Gun - last year he gave Jaron some Lego...smart kid!  I have to admit that I have always been anti-guns in this house, but these look like fun and it has provided a full afternoon and evening of entertainment!  We have plans for a big family Nerf Gun war at Christmas now!  I'm still sticking with my no Wii, Playstation, video game rule though - would rather save a special gift like that for when the kids are much, much older and it will mean more to them.

  

 

 

 

Happy Fathers Day Jaron - you really are a FAB DAD!

.Thermomix Cooking - CADA for breakfast.

I know I've mentioned on my blog before that I have a hard time with choosing foods to eat for breakfast.  Usually I'll quickly down one weetbix to get it over and done with, but by 10am, I'm hungry again.  

Recently Cyndi O'Meara (nutritionist and author of Changing Habits, Changing Lives) visited our state holding workshops and information evenings.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend any of them, but a friend shared with me this delicious breakfast recipe.  I've been eating it each morning for about a week and absolutely love it - fresh and easy to eat.  It doesn't leave me feeling bloated or flat and the best part is that I feel full until well after lunch time!  Each letter of the name, CADA, corresponds with an ingredient so you won't even need to pull out your cookbook for this one!

CADA

small handful coconut (I use 1 Tbs)
1 apple, quartered, core removed
small handful dates (I use 2 fresh or 3 dried)
small handful almonds (I use 7)

Place all ingredients in Thermomix.  Close lid and press TURBO button a few times until mixture is to desired texture.
Serve over natural yoghurt and top with berries or other fruit if desired.

.A Fathers Day freebie for you!.

After putting together my last blog post on Fathers Day ideas, I got all motivated to stay up a little bit longer and make up some Fathers Day cards for you to use!  

I've been enjoying playing around on Photoshop lately making up some prints - I'm by no means a pro, but when I come up with ones that I'm happy with, I'll be sharing them with you on my blog as free printables!

So, here are two different colour versions of my Fathers Day "DAD ROCKS" card. You can click directly on the images and drag them to your desktop to print out and use as you wish, or click on the links below for a ready to print, cut and fold card.

Click here to download the "DAD ROCKS" Fathers Day card in GREY

Click here to download the "DAD ROCKS" Fathers Day card in BLUE

I hope you enjoy these free printables - feel free to do what ever you wish with them :)
And for those of you on the other side of the world, maybe you'll save them for Fathers Day next year!

.Things I'm Crushing...FATHERS DAY IDEAS.

1 week until Father's Day and if you are anything like me, last minute is the way to go!  Thought I'd share some fun ideas that you can make and do to help get ready for next Sunday...

Great idea for a photo

Free printable - funny!

Free printable personalised cards from Moo

Cute!

Tie printables

Cool chocolate block wrapper

Print from Etsy

Clever word art

Love this card!

Awesome Daddy book...my plan this week is to make something similar using the following questionnaires as starting points...

Plenty of cool ideas for you to print/make this week!!  Are you organised for Fathers Day or are you like me and have good intentions but leave everything until the last minute?!

What's the best Fathers Day gift that you have ever given?

(All image sources - and more Fathers Day images/ideas - can be found on my Fathers Day Pinterest Board.)

.Cool Shops - Jamberry Nails.

I've got a new Cool Shop to introduce you to today - Jamberry Nails...

Jamberry Nail shields are a funky alternative to nail polish. There are over 60 different styles available so whether you are looking for a solid colour, subtle look or want to go all out with a bright design,  you'll be able to find a whole heap of shields that suit your needs.

I have dodgy fingernails and nail polish ALWAYS chips after 24 hours of wearing it so I don't even bother applying it anymore.  After hearing that Jamberry Nail shields are made to last up to 2 weeks on fingers and 6 weeks on toes, I wanted to give them a go and see how long they would last on my fingernails.  I was amazed at how long they lasted and stayed "fresh" looking - 1 week later they were still going strong!  The application of the nail shields was really easy (all you need is a hairdryer and nail file) and the best part was that I didn't have to worry about them chipping or ruining my nails.

The shields I tried out first are Light Pink Floral:

Jamberry Nail shileds are $15 a set.  I thought I'd only get one use out of a set, but you can see below how little of the shields I actually used - I'm sure I'll be able to get another two sets of hands or toes out of them.  Jamberry Nail shields offer free postage worldwide on all items and at the moment have a special "buy 3, get 1 free offer."

I'm excited to use the shields on my toes over Summer - will share some more pics when I start wearing open-toed shoes again!

There are heaps of designs to choose from - check out some of them below:

If you would like to win a set of Jamberry Nail shields to try out, simply leave a comment on this blog post!  The winner can choose their shield style and giveaway will end on Monday 29th August.

Important Jamberry Nails Links:

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.Sunny bubbly days.

This weekend we have FINALLY been blessed with blue skies, sunshine and warmer air.  We made the most of it with a visit to the park and beach yesterday and some bubble fun this afternoon.

The kids found a big bubble kit/book that we got for Christmas and haven't used yet so we made up some mixture and had a play.  The bubbles were a bit tricky to get working, but once we got the hang of it we got some whoppers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Sunny, bubbly fun.  The perfect recipe for some fresh air and much needed Vitamin D!  11 days 'till Spring - we can't wait!