I ♥ Miffy

I found some great bargains at the second- hand babies and kids shop "Zero to Five" the other day so I thought I'd share them with you. I went in there with my sister in law  and just as we were leaving I spotted this adorable Miffy bag. I love Miffy books and toys-just the other day I found some Miffy books in the same shop so I sent one to Angela for the Vintage Baby swap and kept the other one for the girls.

Anyway, back to the bag- can you believe it was only $3.40 and it's so cool- it has opening windows and doors, some rattle and squeaker toys, its own little washing line (cute!!!) and even a little mirror and a fluffy cloud.

Don't you love it when you find something like that for such a great price!

I also found this when I got the books the other day-  a pencil case type thing full to the brim with crayons for $4.20 so I had to get that too. 

Once they've all worn down a bit I'd like to have a go at making these from Cat Taylor's blog.

If you're a Dick Bruna fan you might like to check out Maika Creation's blog. Caroline is recreating a Dick Bruna alphabet frieze in fabric and every week she posts a new letter- check out her creations here.

And this Miffy website is really cute for the kids in your house...

www.miffy.com. 

I've started a little list of "Cool Kids websites" down the side of my blog-if you've got any sites that your kids love to visit let me know and I'll add them. So far I've just got got the Miffy one, www.haringkids.com and www.bemboszoo.com. I especially like sites linked to authors or illustrators/artists but any links would be great :) 

Head over to here to see more thrifty finds...

Megan ♡

thrifty + crafty gifts for a small boy

I have been busy today finishing off my handmade gifts for my toddler's friend Alex. I found two blue check pillowcases at the Salvation Army which have been perfect for these gifts. First I appliqued a pillowcase with his name and a couple of stars (I used a cookie cutter for the star stencil). Then I appliqued a tshirt from Baby Factory. I made some shorts from my hubby's old t-shirt from this great tutorial www.rookiemoms.com/make-some-easy-kids-pants   If someone had told me a month ago that I would be able to sew a pair of shorts I would have been amazed but this tutorial does make it seem quite easy. I also made him a softie using the two pillowcases, a bit of felt and ricrac.  I have had heaps of fun practicing some of my new crafty skills and it's been a great 'saving money' pressie too as the only things I needed to buy were the white t-shirt and the pillowcase.

Some things I've learnt/need to do next time

• when doing the applique do everything in order using the same colour thread so you don't have to keep re-threading the machine for all the different bits
• I need to adjust the pattern for the shorts - they are a bit short in the crotch!
• learn how to ladder stitch to close my softie opening
• be more careful sewing around the rounded bits on the top of the softie
• check that the iron is clean before ironing onto white fabric!!
• meausure twice before cutting

I am going to make a label and call the gifts a "Time For Bed" parcel :)

Megan