We were getting on quite well with our mini washing machine, till we started painting. Unfortunately the paint was quite watery so didn't come out as well as I'd like. 

Though Buddy had fun painting anyway, and is pleased with the little project that we did.

Next, we had to make some socks, which would be great for a matching pairs game. So how to make them the same, I could only think of one way that Buddy could help do. Folded paper paintings. 

Here are our creations, and then we cut them up into socks and added some detail.

Well here it is, a washing machine that looks a bit past its prime but still lots of fun for Buddy & Button. A great wee game of shaking the socks around and finding pairs, it may not last the day but it shall be fun while it lasts.

Happy Crafting!

Skye, Buddy & Button

Round and round the socks go

A work in progress today. It is less than average outside and while Button is sleeping and the washing machine turning, Buddy wanted to do some washing of his own. So from a few empty boxes, tape, scissors, paper and paint we are making a mini washing machine. 

If I had known I was going to make this I would have kept an already made nappy box, however it went with the rubbish last pick up. So a few box scraps and a lot of tape!

Buddy checking it's big enough.

A door is built where it wasn't before. (Piglets big movie is playing in the background)

Getting there.

This is us so far, we are about to bring out the paint and it is about to get very messy. Will update once the paint dries. 

Moving On

Great news for our wee family, we are now extremely proud to be home owners!

 A huge grown up decision for us and a great first family home for Buddy & Button. So watch out for the many posts to come on my attempts at DIY, decorating and all the usual activities and crafts we get up to in OUR new home!

Skye, Buddy & Button

Ziplock Bag Painting

I don't know about you, ok I am positive it's the same with you, that when the paint comes out it gets on everything. No matter if I put down mats or paper, it ends up on the carpet and clothes and once it ended up under his t shirt and trousers, how Buddy did it is a mystery!

Painting is a favourite of mine, I have a Bachelor of Arts and I like to put that to good use and arts and crafts at home with Buddy & Button is my way of doing just that. However, Button has yet to have the joy of playing with paint and being in a rental I have been hiding it from her, which just isn't fair. 

So, what to do, I searched through pinterest like we all do and found this, ziplock bag painting, thanks again pinterest! So handy as I have everything needed the finger paint, ziplock bags and tape all in the house, ready to go. And mess free .. we shall see! 

Turns out I only had 1 bag, a little bit of finger paint and some white poster paint but overall a success for a few minutes anyway. They go back now and again so it's staying up for the time being, till the sun dries up the paint. 

Happy Painting

Skye, Buddy & Button

Pipe Cleaner Challenge - 10 activities with pipe cleaners!

Those pipe cleaners, they have been thrown, eaten (Button got a shock from that) and wrapped around everything. I am having a day off from pipe cleaners though it didn't stop me looking for pipe cleaner activities anyway. So here are 10 things to do with those pesky pipe cleaners, enjoy!

1. Pipe cleaners and a colander, a simple game to help those motor skills

                                        Via Mess for Less 

2. Learning letters and words with pipe cleaners

                             Via Make and Takes

3. Pipe cleaner Glasses

                            Via Meet the Dubiens

4. Pipe cleaner stamp

                                         Via Practically Spent

5. Pipe Cleaner Numbers

                                           Via Learn with Play at Home

6. Pipe cleaner colour sorting

                            Via Engaging Toddler Activites

7. Pipe cleaner flowers

                                  Via Kids Activities Blog

8. Finger Puppets

                             Via Katies Craft Central

9. Pipe cleaners and beads.

                             Via The Imagination Tree

10.  Last but no least one for the mums, pipe cleaners for non-slip hangers, who knew?!

                                       Via In My Own Style

Hope you have fun with those, I know we will the next time we bring them out. Our next challenge, I think we'll be trying toilet rolls. There are so many craft ideas for Buddy & Button to do.

But now, we are off for some outdoor adventures (Must point out Button standing on her own, GO BUTTON and yes I am outside but still on the laptop, that's just me)

Skye, Buddy & Button

Doctor Who Party - Geronimo!

Our wee Buddy turned 3 at the beginning of the year and what better for his party theme than his, OK our favourite TV show, Doctor Who!

It was a month in the making, but I am so pleased with the outcome. We are big fans in our house and this was the first party I had attempted to do it all myself, with some help from a printer of course.

The birthday boy, being a fan of eleven, came complete with suspenders and his bow tie, bow ties are cool you know!

Who would the doctor be without his TARDIS, sonic screwdriver and his companion. I made a TARDIS photo backdrop out of a blue table cloth and printed details. His screwdriver was a present from his granny and grandad and projects Doctor Who images on the wall. His companion, arrived the September before and unfortunately for him he is stuck with her, no weeping angels or parallel universes will get rid of Button. 

For party details we had some Doctor Who episodes on the TV, though they were a bit scary for some of the little ones, so we had some soundtracks playing in the background. I also made up some 'power of three' favour boxes, had Who themed colouring in pages and themed food too. 

Our TARDIS blue table came with adipose marshmallows, dinosaurs, jelly babies and fish fingers and custard (the fish fingers, which I tried to make out of sponge cake and biscuit crumbs, never worked for me, which I was sad about.) 

Last but not least, the cake. I am not ashamed to say that I am not the best at Cake decorating, though I had to attempt a TARDIS cake for his birthday. I made a square sponge cake for the base with blue and grey swirled fondant (you cant see the detail in the photo,sorry) and added sugar stars. The TARDIS I made out of rice bubbles, melted marshmallows, fondant and icing pens. I was so proud of it and Buddy loved it so my job was done!

I had so many ideas for this party and couldn't do everything I wanted but I was so happy with what we ended up with. Buddy had a great birthday and he is still asking for a Doctor Who party for his next birthday, so I must have done something right. Who knows we might have a wee party for the Christmas episode to say goodbye to eleven and hello to twelve!

Skye, Buddy & Button

Pipe Cleaners Challenge - Part 2

Still waiting for Button to wake up and the back yard is now filled with washing! Buddy had finished with the magnet now, so wanted something new. So here is what I did, pipey the turtle. 

I twisted together, two green and one orange pipe cleaner.

I then rolled them into and ball and pushed it in to make a small bowl shape.

I then added four wee green legs. 

Two twisted pipe cleaners to make a head.

Glued on two googly eyes.

An there he is, Pipey the turtle. 

Well done me, Pipe cleaner challenge part 2, DONE!

Skye, Buddy & Button

Pipe Cleaners Challenge - Part 1

Today the sun is shining and its beautiful outside, however little Button isn't quite herself so is fast asleep in bed and Buddy wont go outside unless it's to the park so until their dad comes home it is crafty mum time. 

First a quick search in our arts and crafts box and see what we can find. Pipe cleaners, an old friend from our childhood and so many different ways to use them.  What ways you ask, well challenge accepted and our first project: Pipe Cleaner Magnet Fun!

What you'll need:

• Pipe cleaners of course, any colour you want
• Scissors
• Magnets, bigger the better (I had smaller round ones but I made it work)
• Empty jar or tub 

Firstly, you don't have to do this unless you have the same reasons as I did. I tied some string through the magnet so when it was dropped on the floor I would know if Button had it, also its not so easy for her to swallow now. 

We then cut up the pipe cleaners, Buddy had fun choosing which colours we were going to use and trying to cut them up. 

Throw them into the jar, hold the magnet up to the side and watch them cling. We also had fun dropping the magnet in and ending up with a big ball, trying to pick up one at a time which Buddy learned quick was not so easy and taking them out /putting them back using only the magnet. 

Well, that's what we did for half an hour, what to do next! :)

Skye, Buddy & Button