Mr Grass-Head.

I can't remember when last we didn't have a grass head in our house. It's one of the things my boys really enjoy making as well as the excitement of watching the 'hair' grow then being creative with hair styles. Using a stocking, we tied a knot, filled it up with compost, squeezed in grass seeds on the side before tying it off creating the 2nd ear for Mr Grass-head. Glue on some wiggly eyes and a button of sorts for the nose. Using a glitter glue pen we finished with a smile. Happy on the kitchen shelf, in an old purity jar soaking up the sun and water - we wait for signs of growth. My 6 year old had fun creating this one.

Happy Creating :)

Simple Origami Fox

A picture tutorial of an origami fox. My little man comes up with all sorts mum must master with a dash of magic to produce. Thank you YouTube, you have been a mums best friend at such requests. Can you follow these simple steps? Give it a bash :)

Happy folding.

The Versatile Marie Biscuit

Bakers Man is just the best, I grew up munching on their biscuits like Eet-sum more, tennis biscuits and the good ol' Marie biscuit. The Marie biscuit is the most versatile biscuit ever and remains a constant in our pantry. Never a dull bakers day with a marie,. We have made clowns, snow men, various faces, smoores, candy pizzas and much much more. Grab the little ones, a bowl add royal icing or plain old icing and a splash of water - edible glue, Smarties, rasins, jelly tots, chocolate chips, 100's & 1000's, anything to decorate with. This keeps the little ones happy, content, having fun and getting creative for hours. My son made a turtle in this pic when we were at the Bakers Man promotional stall a few months back.

Happy Creative Baking & fantastic memories.

Cookie Stamps Using Edible Glitter.

I had to quickly cancel my order for this cookie stamp from my mum in the UK when I stumbled upon it at one of the baking supplies stores here. What a luck, I thought as it was one of the top 4 cookie stamps on my must have list.

I couldn't wait to get baking. I love edible glitter and use it often on my cakes and cupcakes, now to use it on cookies. I thought of mixing some into the cookie dough - mmmmmm! A sparkle here and there wasn't the result I wanted to achieve. Then I thought a cookie stamp stamped as we would ink to paper, my ink being edible glitter. This was the result and one I'm happy with. It adds that little something special to the cookie. I used shortbread cookie dough but anything goes when using a smooth cookie dough.

Happy Baking

Paper Gift Basket

I love this paper gift basket. Probably a 10 minite make max. I was out shopping at one of my favourite craft shops in Irene when I spotted this on display in the craft class.

I was drawn to it. I picked it up, took a long hard look and thought, I can make this. Back home I used plain square paper and played around until I figured it out. Basically, fold your square double print card stock into 3 equal colums, repeat the 3 colum fold vertically. Now you have 9 equal square folds . Fold each corner inwards forming a triange. Punch the triangle tips and thread ribbon through, tie a pretty bow and you're done. A second option is to continue to tighten the fold, tuck the flaps in, hold the 4 sides together with ribbon or glue and you have a box. As you can see in the bottom photo, I didn't glue it as I just wanted to give you the idea.

Happy Crafting.

A Simple Paper Gift Bag.

Without a doubt this has got to be the fastest and most simple paper gift bag, made in under 5 minutes. Grab the kiddies for this one as it's simple enough with endless ideas to decorate it. I can think of a variety of goodies one can fill this gift bag with. Sweets, biscuits, chocolates and more.

Used for any and every season, use themed paper - valentines, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, party favours or thank you gifts.

Use double sided print paper. The size of the square depends on the size of the gift bag you would liketo create. In this particular craft, I was making advent calendar bags. Each bag had something different in it. From a treat to an outing. Fold a triangle then follow the pictures step by step. Decorate with ribbons, paper flowers, tags etc.

Happy Crafting.

Christmas Gag.

I really can't believe the Christmas season has come and gone. As January draws to a close too, I'm wishful Father Time will slow down, at least for me to catch a breather.

While squizzing through my Christmas album I came across this photo of the gag gift I made for all the men in our family along with a few bachelor friends.

Using white tic-tacs, glued onto Christmas paper, the scription inside read as follows.

"heard you've been naughty so here's the scoop,

all you get for Christmas is snowman poop"

I sent one down under to my pops-in-law but apparently someone else in the house mistook it as theirs. No worries-at least he knew of it :)

Can't take fullcredit as I had previously seen it on Pinterest. 

First Grade Surprise - The Schultute

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Our little man has reached his next big milestone in his journey through life. First day in First Grade. Without a doubt this was something special and something special was to be had.

With his godmother being german, a staff member of ours german and a few german friends within our circle - it was a no brainer when we were told of the age old german tradition for first graders celebrating their first day that a schultute aka Sugar Cone or Sugar Bag was that something special.

Using a huge piece of cardboard, cut and coned, we filled it with various goodies, treats and a few sweets. We went with an orangecone as that is my sons favourite colour. Of course the contents were a surprise.

The excitement of the first day, along with much anticipation, our little one was up way before Mr Sun, dressed and ready to go. The Schultute was the perfect choice. Hope you too will see the joy and memories shared with your little one when introducing this fantastic 'new' tradition. I've seen it used as popularity grows in quiet a few countries and I don't think you have to b german to enjoy this one. Oh, apparently the schultute is given by grandparents or godparents but I've seen more and more of it gifted from thr parents themselves. All the same I say as not all of us have the luxury of a living grandparent or a gran that lives close by.

Happy Crafting.The Schultute