paper butterflies

I made these DIY butterflies as cake toppers for Moo's birthday cake last week. They were so effective, and virtually free to make. So here's how I did them.

What you'll need:

black and white images of butterflies x 2 copies 

paints

scissors

craft wire

glue gun

Instructions:

1. Paint the butterflies in the colours you want, making the two layers the same leave to dry.

2. Cut out and pair matching butterflies

3. With your craft wire cut a piece 30cm long

4. Make a small loop to fit your butterfly wing size leaving a long tail about 15cm 

5. Twist and make a second loop, twist leftover length around tail

6. Glue your wire loops onto the backside of your top layer butterfly, in spots to attach the wings

7. Glue a large dot in the centre and place bottom layer butterfly attaching at the centre only, press with your finger.You can bend the top layer wings up to make it look like the butterfly wings flutter.

I think these will be going on our christmas tree!

around my house : four

We have this intriguing drawing. It was given to us by Mima's grandparents, they had received it from her Grandfather's parents, apparently it was a wedding gift to them. It is unsigned and we know nothing else about it.
I really love it and it is quite a mystery so if any of you have any ideas about it, please share them with me!

fourth birthday : three

THE FAIRY GARDEN PARTY : part two

THE CAKE

Chocolate cake with marshmallows, strawberries and no jam (as requested by the birthday girl)

I made a double batch of the Special Chocolate Cake recipe from Ladies, a Plate book, pink gradient butter cream icing with mini pink marshmallows in the centre. I made my own paper butterfly cake toppers (I'll show you how in the following weeks).

 THE FAIRY

We had Fairy Petals come to visit. She is  a woodland fairy that spends her days bouncing with the rabbits, flying with the bees and sitting in the treetops singing with the birds. Face painting, dancing, bubbles, stories, fairy dust and general excitement and amazement that a real fairy turned up to the party! She made the day so magical! 

Happy Birthday Moo we love you!

fourth birthday : two

THE FAIRY GARDEN PARTY : part one

DECORATIONS
Well Sunday was the big day. After a big week of prep we were ready for a garden party fit for a few fairies. We decorated the garden with streamers and tissue paper pompoms and fans, I had a few helpers which was a fantastic.

THE FOOD
I decided to stick to fairy colour theme of pink, white and green and food appropriate.  
Here are just a few of the fairy treats we nibbled on.
cakepops
rainbow pretzels 
pink fairy potion
cupcakes
homemade sausages 
fruit skewers

THE GIFTS
Wow Moo was showered with lovely gifts from friends and family. Her favourite though has to be the guitar (ukulele) from her daddy. The birthday girl had a few specific requests and a guitar was on the top of her list.

to be continued....

memory game

 I made this super cute memory game for Mima and thought I would share it with you...

1. Find some cute pictures, lay them out on an A4, print or photocopy two of everything. I also printed a polka dot pattern for the back.

2. Glue the two A4 sheets together, front pictures, back pattern. You could sandwich a piece of card in the middle to make them more sturdy.

3. Cut out the rounds.

4. Get them laminated.

5. Then cut them out, leaving a 5mm edge so the paper and card is sealed inside.

Then you can start playing!

fourth birthday : one

THE INVITATION - Fairy garden party 

Moo asked for a Fairy Party this year. Our back garden is quite pretty but tiny so I thought it would be perfect for a little fairy garden party with just a handful of friends. I wanted to create invitations that feel a little magical when opened and like a taster of more of the party to come, so I came up with a tissue paper fan!

What you'll need:

pink tissue paper - 12cm x 25cm

white card - cut into 3cm x 21cm strips (I printed mine first with party details)

double sided tape

scissors

stapler

hole puncher 

string

small brown envelopes

confetti gold stars

Instructions:
1. tissue paper fold this in 12mm consantina.
2. fold in half and staple at this point. cut ends round to create scolloped edge.
3. fold card strip in half, double side tape tissue fan inside card.
4. tape the centre of tissue together.  
5. hole punch end and cut into point
6. tie string through hole. 
7. put invitations in the envelopes and give a good sprinkling of confetti.

When you guests open the invitation it will fold out into a cute little fan. 

christmas : one

Yesterday we spent a gorgeous afternoon at the Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School Advent Fair. I didn't really know what to expect but the highlight for me was making a wreath for our front door. I had I no idea how brilliant it would be, if I had I would have documented the process, instead I just have the reveal shot, above. This will no doubt be a yearly event so I will post in full next November.

My understanding of the Steiner school philosophy is that it focus' on the importance of our natural environment, creativity and freedom of thought. So making your own wreath is a perfect extension of these ideas.