DIY : Christmas headband

Last year I made this super simple, eye catching headband for Mima, she was too young to enjoy it but this Christmas it is number one on her outfit list. All you need is:
tinsel
headband
hot glue gun

Glue the tinsel on to the headband.
Voila!

what mima wore

Mima's current favorite friend is Kermit the Frog, a puppet which was mine when I was little. Mima loves dressing him up in her clothes, a lot of layering and quite a random selection. We think it is hilarious! 
So I decided to get Kermit to model a few of Mima's current outfits.

Clockwise from top left: Peppin dress with gold leggings; Mima and Moo Mr Storm T-shirt with Pardon My French paisley leggings; Bodem cardigan with JK Kids zebra T-shirt and houndstooth leggings; Meadowlark for SPCA The Love Cats T-shirt with Molo Kids pants (avaliable in NZ here).

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

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.

what mima wore

I thought I would give you a sneeky peek inside Mima's wardrobe and show you some of the outfits she wore this week.

Clockwise from top left: Trelise Cooper Kids top with bloomers in Karen Walker Bunting print, Cotton On long sleeve top with bloomer dungarees with Karen Walker embroidered patches, Miller long sleeve shirt with Peppin Tipi leggings, Peppin leopard print T-shirt with leggings in Karen Walker mustard Hydrangea print.
Pretty stylish I think.

DIY ombre tulle skirt

This week we experimented with dip dyeing a tulle skirt for Moo. I like the look of ombre dyed fairy dresses and skirts you see in costume stores, but don't want to pay that much.

What you'll need:
Tulle skirt - I made Moo's out of two layers of pink tulle.
One tin of dye - I choose Bronze Rose (a reddy brown) Multipurpose dye from Dylon (which I have just discovered the tins are in discontinued)
Bucket
Clip coat hanger, make sure it wider than you bucket.

Instructions:
Make up dye to packet instructions into bucket, filling with boiling water to desired amount you want it to come up from the bottom of your skirt (approx 12cm). Clip skirt on hanger and lower into bucket of dye balancing hanger on top edge and leave for an hour or so. Rinse in clean water and dry.

My ballerina!

block printing

As a fabric designer I actually don't do any printing as part of my work but I am very interested in the process of making marks on cloth and recently have been experimenting with this. Below is one such experiment which is so simple any one could try it at home!

You will need:
garment - I used a denim jacket
fabric paint - I used white
cork
sponge
plastic

1. Lay your garment flat and place the plastic inside, this will stop the paint soaking through to the other side.

2. I like to put the paint on a sponge then dab the sponge with my cork, this creates a nice even coverage of paint on the cork.

3. Firmly press the cork onto the garment to print the dot. 

4. I printed the front arms, body and collar first, waited for this to touch dry then I print in the same order on the back.
5. Follow manufacturers instructions for drying and setting the paint.

up-cycle : pretty prints for Mima

I had a few garments for the clothing bin but I really liked the prints. So I thought I would use the fabric to make some summer clothes for Mima. Being a wee thing it was easy to get a pair of trousers and a pair of bloomers out of two old shirts for her. I also made a top out of a pair of Karen Walker boat pants which I had sadly ripped last summer.
I cut patterns from some of her existing clothes, but you can find loads of patterns on the internet.

It is so nice to give these fabrics new life, and doesn't she look adorable x