around my house : eight

The ultimate dollhouse.

I have recently completed a little project I have been thinking about for years, miniature interiors. I am slightly obsessed with thinking about interior spaces. As a print designer I am always thinking about patterns for fabric and walls. 
Each image has a real object (blueberries, flower, thyme, acorn) which illustrates the scale of these models. I have created and designed everything else.
At the moment they are nice prints hanging in our lounge which I love to look at, I hope you do too x

DIY : cloud mobile

Since we love clouds so much, I thought I would share the cloud mobile I made for Mima's room.
You will need:
Felt for cloud and raindrops, 2 of each (front and back)
Sewing scissors
Sewing machine
Pins
Embroidery thread for eyes and mouth
Thread to sew
Thread for hanging
Needle

Here is a template if you need it. You will need to print it A3.

1. First cut all your cloud and raindrop pieces. 

2. Use chalk to draw on the clouds face, then embroider the eyes and mouth.
3. Pin the two cloud pieces together, front and back, right sides facing out.

4. Sew and stuff.
5. Sew up the hole, I also did this using a sewing machine.

6. Repeat with each raindrop.
7. Lay out the cloud and raindrops on the floor.

8. Then connect each raindrop to the cloud using thread.
9. Hang and enjoy.

panda cookie cutters!

Moo's grandma Mama Su has just been to up to stay for a few days. She came bearing these super cute Panda cookie cutters for Moo, so we had to set aside an afternoon to making Panda cookies.

They came with instructions and recipe, however we couldn't read them so we made up our own recipe. We worked out we needed a recipe that didn't rise and spread to much as it would distort the cookies.

Basic Cookies
Ingredients:
50g soften butter
70g sugar
1 egg yoke
3 tsp milk
150g plain flour
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cocoa
2 tsp hot water

Method:
1. Cream butter and sugar til pale and creamy. Add egg yolk and mix well.
2 Add in the milk mix well. 
3. Divide the cookie mixture into thirds. ⅓ for lemon cookies - 1 tsp lemon juice 
 ⅔ for cocoa cookies - add 1 Tbsp cocoa dissolved in 2tsp hot water  
4. Gradually add seived flour, 50g to the lemon mixture and 100g to the cocoa mixture. Mix well.




5. Roll out 3mm thin. Cut the faces and details from the lemon cookies and panda bodies from the cocoa cookies and piece together. 

Bake in preheated oven at 180°c for 12-15mins.

Makes 20 little cookies, simple and they don't need to be iced as they're so cute they won't last long. 

or if you really wanted to you could cookie the layers separately and stick together with a little icing (but seems like a lot more work to me).

MIMA + MOO t-shirts are now available!

MIMA + MOO t-shirts are now available! Click here to see more

Wow well we just turned ONE and to celebrate we have done a super cute range of T-shirts!


Mr Storm (bag pictured), Miss Cloud (t-shirt pictured), and The Raindrop Gang! 
Available in sizes 2-6, if you are interested in bigger kids sizes please let us know and we can add them.

T-shirts $29.95
Sweaters $39.95
Tote Bags $29.95

Please cold wash inside out and line dry x

DIY : cat mask

We have had a few birthdays for Mima's friends lately and I wanted a fun homemade gift to include in their present. Since Mima's favourite animal is a cat I decided cat masks would be perfect. 
Below are some basic instructions...
Here is a template, you will need to size it and print it.

I made mine out of felt but you could also use card, cut all the pieces.

Then use a hot glue gun to glue all the pieces together.

I created shape with the ears by folding them back and glueing them in place.

To finish add some elastic. Cut small holes, one either side of the face about 0.5cm in from the edge of the checks. Thread black elastic through the holes and tie them in place.
So cute! 

homemade face scrub : coconut oil

With winter upon us I had been feeling the need to have really good face exfoliant to rid myself of dry skin. So late one night I decided to investigate recipes for homemade face scrub. 
This is what I came up with, which is an incredibly simple homemade face scrub. 

2 parts coconut oil
2 parts baking soda 
1 part manuka honey 
Mix and store in an air tight container.

Apply a small amount to face and lips with fingertips, rinse several times with warm water and facecloth.

I only make as much as I need at the time, so 1 part  = 1tsp would be enough for a couple of scrubs. But you could make in large quantities and store in the fridge. I added manuka honey due it's natural healing properties. It is really fine exfoliant which feels really nice. I believe it is suitable for sensitive skin.

Also great for hands and feet. 

we are one

Mima and Moo is now one. 
We decided to celebrate with cake, bubbles and balloons.
On reflection our first year has been great, but it is just the start! This second year is going to be even better, we will keep you posted x

mima's world

Mima will turn two in a just over a month. During the past year she has become more and more interested in taking photographs, especially on our mobile phones. I try to keep mine out of her sight but this isn't easy. My camera is full of photos she has taken, so I thought I would share some. Below is a peek at the world though Mimi's lens x

Dunedin : park

We recently visited Dunedin with our extended family. Mima's Dad grew up there but Mima and I had never been. While we were slightly restricted by naps we really enjoyed our short visit.
One highlight was a park Mima's Dad used to go to as a child, Marlow Park Playground in St Clair Dunedin.

It is a true retro gem! While they have adding new generic playgrounds the old playground still stands. Including snake swing, boot and dinosaur slides and a whale which in summer used to spurt water (not sure if it still does), all brilliant.

chocolate smoothie

We all enjoy this for breakfast!
The basis of this smoothie is from Dr Libby's Real Food Chef. I would also like to try using Maca powder instead of cocoa which I read abut on the Petite Kitchen blog.

mima + moo at bioattic

Hello, we are excited to show you all the 100% cotton macrame hangers Mima + Moo are doing exclusively for our friends at Bioattic at their new store at 26 Ponsonby Road.

Available in two sizes Large and Small, handmade in New Zealand.

Bioattic specialise in little world terrariums and a selection of cactus and orchids - the miniature orchids are our fave! And their Petalhead botanic beauty range which we are in love with. 

meet our friend Jet

AGE: 7 months old

WHERE DO YOU LIVE AND WHO WITH: Omokoroa, Bay of Plenty with his mum Holly

FAVOURITE COLOUR: he is a bit too young yet, but I would say orange

FAVOURITE FOOD: fresh avocado

FAVORITE TOY: right now it is his ride-on bike

FAVOURITE PLACE: Jet's favourite place to be is outside and under the trees. Whether it be a walk with his stroller, or sitting on a blanket with toys.

FAVOURITE GAME TO PLAY: hand-held walking is his favourite activity. Add some peek-a-boo at the same time and he's week at the knees with laughter!

FAVOURITE OUTFIT: Jet's not a fan of getting dressed unfortunately, though any outfit topped off with sunglasses is very exciting for him! 

DIY : doll face purse

You will need:
felt - hair, skin and eyes
ribbon for strap
thread - edge of hair, black crosses on eyes, lips
glue
scissors
needle
pins
sewing machine

1. Glue the bottom edge of the 'hair' felt piece to the top edge of the 'skin' felt piece.

2. Do a decorative running stitch along the join, this will also reenforce it.

3. On the front, stitch a small curve for the lips.
4. Glue on the two blue diamonds for eyes.

5. Stitch a black cross on each eye.

6. To attach the strap, lay the back flat then create a large loop with the ribbon, let the two ends overlap and run in opposite directions (these end will be the tie closer).

7. Stitch the strap in place.

8. Lay the front over the back and pin together. Sew up the sides and bottom edge.

tea with the queen

Hope you all had a lovely long Queen's BIrthday weekend. We spent ours relaxing and eating yummy food with friends. Oh and Moo went to see Disney on Ice with her Nana!

We had tea with the Queen.... hehe and scones with cream and homemade plum jam made by a friend's mum. The friend who just happens to share the Queen's actual birthday. Cheers.

crazy weet-bix cookies : for moo

Yesterday we made some Crazy Weet-bix Cookies, it's based on a traditional afghan cookie but I have always preferred to use Weet-bix instead of Cornflakes.

CRAZY WEET-BIX COOKIES

Ingredients:
200grams butter
½ cup Sugar
1 ¼  cups flour
¼ cocoa
4 Weet-bix broken up
½ cup coconut flakes or shredded
½ cup mini marshmallows

Method:
Preheat oven to 180°c. Cream butter and sugar together. Sift if flour and cocoa into butter mixture. Stir in Weet-bix, coconut and marshmallows. Using your hands work into balls and flatten slightly on tray. Bake for 15mins.

The girls at work sure appreciated them and perfect for a little lunchbox treat for Moo. 

DIY : ribbon wand

Ribbon wands- so good for indoor play on raining days and homemade birthday presents.

You'll Need:
10mm dowel 
25mm  ribbon
15mm split ring
Small ring screw
Washi tape

Method:
Cut your dowel into wand lengths using a little saw - the standard length from hardware store is 1.8m, which makes into 4 x 45cm wands.
Sand the ends so they are nice and smooth.
Screw your ring screw into one end of the dowel - the dowel is soft so this is very easy.
Decorate your wand if you wish - this time I have used some cute washi tape my friend gifted me from a recent trip to Japan. I have also dip painted wand or left plain.
Cut a 2.5m length of ribbon, fold in half and thread through your split ring, create a loop and stitch in place. 
We''re ready for play!

DIY : rainbow badge

This super simple badge is the perfect accessory for any little girl. Everyone I have made them for LOVES them.

You will need:
fimo - I choose to use four colours
badge back
grease proof paper
hot glue gun
oven
knife
rolling pin
a hard surface to work on, I used a plastic chopping board

1. First place one colour of the fimo between grease proof paper and roll into a snake, repeat for each colour.

2. Starting with the darkest colour create a narrow arch, then working darkest to lightest place the other coloured fimo snakes around the outside of this arch to create a rainbow.

3. Cover with grease proof paper and gently roll with the rolling pin.
4. Then using a knife cut the uneven ends off.
5. Bake using manufacturers instructions to harden.

6. Finally hot glue gun the badge in place on the back of the rainbow.

carrots

It is getting towards the end of my current veg growing season in the garden. So I thought I would up date you on what has happened.
It was a long dry summer and we had mixed success. 
The positives were the greens and herbs (I can't recommend growing these enough!), tomatoes especially the cherry ones which Mima ate straight off the plant and carrots. 
I was so excited to pull up these rainbow carrots the other day. 

I have never grown carrots before, but decided to give them ago and grew them from seed. Mima helped water and harvest the carrots, the process gave Miffy's Garden, which is about growing carrots, a new importance, this weeks favourite book. 

We used them to make the Petite Kitchen lamb shanks stew totally delicious!

The disasters were courgettes, sadly our plant got powdery mildew and gave it to our corn. Check out the POD gardening page if you are interested in knowing more.
Over winter we will continue to grow herbs and greens. So far I have planted seedlings (kale, spinach, swiss chard, parsley) but will add some seeds in the next week or two.

DIY feather headdress

for Moo and her tribe of mischief mates...

DIY Feather Headdress 

You'll need:
Large white feathers x5
Assortment of small coloured feathers 8 -12
Buttons and sequins - whatever else you feel like decorating with
25mm wide x 90cm long ribbon or grosgrain tape
15mm wide x 30cm long ribbon or grosgrain tape
Needle and thread
Craft glue
Sewing machine

Method:
Fold your 25mm ribbon in half to find the centre front for your headdress.
Place the white feather evenly along 15cm in the centre of your 25mm ribbon, stick down with a little craft glue. 
Place coloured feather over the white ones  extending out to the sides a further 5cm, stick down with craft glue.
Place 15mm ribbon over the top of the feathers, fold raw ends under 5mm and stick in place. Stitch over the top of this ribbon to secure all the feathers. 
Now decorate by glueing on your buttons and sequins. You may want to hand stitch these to make them less likely to fall off. 
Keep the ribbon ends long to tie up behind your head.