DIY Baby Sock Advent Calendar

Martha Stewart's Baby Sock Advent Calendar

Invite little ones to count down to Christmas with this charming treat-a-day calendar.

Wonderful things come in small packages. This hanging Advent calendar assembled from baby socks is full of great things, and it's the perfect way to mark the season for a baby or an older child. A collection of stray socks or a mix of new ones in festive colors looks adorable dangling from a ribbon along a mantle or railing. Stuff each mini stocking with an age-appropriate toy. Then, starting on December 1, take down one sock a day, and let your child pull out the surprise inside (clip socks back onto the ribbon after gifts have been removed). The 24 days before Christmas are sure to sail by.

Tools and Materials
24 socks
Ribbon
Number stickers
Round stickers
Pushpins
Mini clothespins

Calendar How-To1. Gather 24 socks -- singles or 12 pairs -- in colors that go well together (vary the sizes, if you like). Lay them out in the order you want to hang them, leaving spaces in between.

2. Cut the ribbon to the desired length; to find how long it should be, measure across the row of socks and add 12 inches (ours was 72 inches).

3. Use number stickers to label each sock. If one has a busy pattern, place the number on top of a solid round sticker so that it's easier to read.

4. Tack the ends of the ribbon to a railing or mantle; if you like, you can fasten the ribbon in several places to make a few swags.

5. Use mini clothespins to clip the socks to the ribbon; overlap them if you need to save space.

6. Tuck a gift inside each. If the item is heavy, use a larger clothespin to secure the sock.

Note: Gifts must be small enough to fit in tiny socks but safe for your child's age. Choose bath toys, pacifiers, or blocks for a baby; pencils, notebooks, and toys for an older kid.

Flying Bats

How to make a Flying Bats T-Shirt

Freezer paper (I think baking paper would work too) stenciling is one of the easiest, most inexpensive projects that really packs a punch in the satisfaction department. It's a great "gateway craft" for folks who don't think they have a crafty bone in them, and it's highly addictive. This tutorial and template from Christie of A Lemon Squeezy Home is a great example of the simple fun you can have with inexpensive supplies. She's created flying bat templates that you can print out and stencil using just one sheet of freezer paper. Her template is for a toddler-sized shirt, but she's also provided a basic bat template that can be repeated for adult shirts. It's a perfect Halloween project!

Brimming with Fun

The official makedo Cup Critters launch at ikke. Photos: Ian MacPherson.

On Saturday 10 September, 25 lucky kids got to be the first in Australia to test makedo’s clever new Cup Critters Kits at ikke in Cammeray. We’re delighted to report that the whole event was a roaring, squeaking, clucking and mooing success!

Together with LMNOP, ikke and makedo, the kids created extraordinary critters – penguins, cows, rabbits, hippos, monkeys and chickens – using ordinary coffee cups and makedo’s unique connectors.

Critter Creators complete their crazy designs. Photos: Ian MacPherson.

Voting for the Craziest Cup Critter begins.

The talented team then voted their top three favourite Critters in our Craziest Critters comp – with special makedo trophies for the winners. You’ll see the pics here.

Snack time!

Along the way, our thirsty creatives refueled on lots of fresh, creamy milk and Critter cookies, and puzzled over the makedo Tool Guessing Jar Game. And everyone went home chock-full of ideas for their next project, plus a gift bag equally chock-full of goodies to say thanks for coming along.

It was anyone's guess how many makedo tools were in the jars.

Guessing Jar Comp winners. Left to right: Beau, Raf and Claudia.

'Craziest Cup Critter' creators receive their makedo cup trophies and prizes. Left to right: Riley, Danny and Oscar.

Want to create your very own Cup Critters Comp at home? Just visit makedo

Credits: Cookies by Mad About Cakes

CALLING ALL TWEEN GIRLS! Sizes 7 to 14

Spring Summer Collection 

In Store NOW!

Hanging out for herbs?

After a different way to grow fresh herbs?

I just love this idea 

Find yourself an old hanging shoe rack;

cut a few holes in the bottom of each pouch; 

hang on a wall or fence outside,

then simply fill with potting mix and your favourite herb plants!

Trendy Tween girls this Summer

Our young ladies love comfort, and this summer we will see comfort fashion with style.

Harem pants are still in and we'll be seeing them in various styles.

Tunics are 'the look' and very versatile, worn with jeggings (jeans leggings), leggings, straight leg harem pants or mini skirts.

 

 

   

Enchanted Forests

I'm loving the "enchanted forest animals".
It's brings back fond memories of my youth and an amazing Dutch Artist/writer Rien Poortvliet.
His books where more like field journals with inspiring illustrations and even from the "not so real world" at times (it made me believe).

If only i could pick up my sketch pad, pull out my pencils and watercolours and produce something like this from my creatively frustrated brain.

My thoughts were inspired by this blog I found today on

These would have to be the most amazing animal prints I've seen since my youth.

Prints do not come framed.

Felting Fun

We're getting particularly excited about needle felting, after Sacha told me about it earlier today.

The things you can make seem to be endless. 

Using wet felting or needle techniques. 

DIY the perfect unique gift for just about any age group.

Something to consider as a craft activity for the school holidays.

Needle Felting Woolbuddy Penguin Kit

From living felt

Make your own Woolbuddy Penguin Kit (skill level EASY)

Finished product will be 3 inches big

Kit Comes Complete With:

Two felting needles

Earth Harmony foam

(4) different colors of felting wool

Step by step instructions

Star Chain

felt pencil case

Maybe something for 'ikke to consider stocking in our special craft area...

An icon of industrial esthetics

This mythical chair by Tolix, crafted of sheet metal, has been assured by «it’s fool-proof solidity, it’s unequalled lightness, it’s easy maintenance» advantages of which can be included «possibly inexpensive».

I'm yet to find this particular range on our local shores, but for now we can only dream.

Kids Mouette armchair

Too cool!

Tortue toy box

Girafe blackboard

Rhino desk

Vintage inspired stationery from O-Check.

Give your stationery and gifts a touch of old-fashioned charm.

It also makes for a stylish (and practical) desk accessory! 

A must-have!

Korean-based O-Check Design Graphics is the creator of a thoughtful and ever-changing collection of stationery that weaves unique charm into its’ highly original designs.

O-Check is environmentally conscious, creating many of its products from recycled paper, natural fabrics, wood and soy ink.

WEEKLY SCHEDULER

EXERCISE BOOK

HARDCOVER "LIBRARY" NOTEBOOK

HARDCOVER "LIBRARY" BOOK

WOOD FOLDING UTILITY RULER

SCISSORS, STRING & SPOOL SET

SNOW DOME, GIFT BOXED, REMOVABLE INSERT

KITCH O-CHECK DEER

O-CHECK MESSAGE BOTTLE