Babushka Party printable pack

There's a brand new printable party pack available over at Modern Printables by Jess Walsham (Joyess Designs) and it's got Girl's Birthday Party written all over it. The Babushka Party collection features pink, red and white Russian nesting dolls (Matryoshka) and polka dots, and we all know how popular those are!

The Print-Your-Own stationery collection includes an editable invitation (you can type the party details in the highlighted areas), fun bunting banner flags, round toppers (for topping food, making a garland, or sealing envelopes), blank placecards/buffet labels, juice labels, water bottle labels, mini bunting flags/food flags, Babushka-shaped gift tags, and blank thank you notes. The invitation and all party decor elements are available for a short time individually, or as a value pack. The editable invitation means that you can use this pack again and again - so economical.

This party pack would also be great for a baby shower, Christening, high tea, Bat Mitzvah, or any special event for a special girl. I think it would be great to get the kids involved in the printing, cutting and hanging, and of course writing their own thank you notes.

Yet another great design from Jess. You can find the Babushka Party pack and elements (for a limited time) in the Modern Printables online shop.

Images: Modern Printables

Katy Jane Designs stationery Christmas 2011

Do you have an advent calendar sorted out yet? Bondville sponsor Katy Jane Designs created a unique badge advent calendar in 2010 and is back this year with versatile and stylish Christmas number stickers to create your own advent calendar.

Fix the stickers to small brown paper bags, coloured envelopes or boxes, slip a little something special inside each, and stack or hang to create a fun treat for each day of December leading up to Christmas.

Katy Jane Designs has also released a new collection of Christmas cards, gift tags, Santas stop here signs, badges, label stickers, and goodies for wrapping including the ever-so-popular twine, kraft bags, pegs and oodles of ribbons.

Pale blue, red and white is my favourite colour palette, and designers Katy and Jane do a fab job of combining blonde wood for a Scandinavian-inspired Christmas style. And did you notice the fun Santa sign? It would go perfectly with a glass of milk and cookies on Christmas Eve for the jolly old fellow.

You can find Perth-based Katy Jane Designs in the online store and at stockists around Australia and online. Read more about Katy Jane Designs here on Bondville.

Images: Katy Jane Designs.

Roxy Longsocks sewing pattern from the red thread

Here's a lovely Christmas gift for a crafty friend or family member. Or for you to make this lovely gift for a special little person. Lisa Tilse from the red thread has just released a new sewing pattern + fabric face panel for these super-cute Roxy Longsocks dolls, named after her daughter.

How cute! The kit contains a sewing pattern and instructions and a face panel of your choice printed on linen/cotton blend fabric. Then simply choose from your own fabric stash and stuffing to create the doll. It's also a great way to use up scraps of fabric that you love. 

The Springtime version features a mini capelet and the Wintertime version includes a scarf and goodie pattern.You can also make your own felt or fabric face with the included pattern. The finished doll is lovely and big at around 66cm / 22.5 inches tall. 

You can find Roxy Longsocks pattern and panels in the red thread online store and in select fabric quilting shops in Australia and New Zealand early 2012.

Images: the red thread

Printable Mustache template

Attention all Movember Sistas, Misses and Littlies! Are you going to a Movember  party this year? Not quite up-to-scratch on your mo-growing? Head over to Modern Printables to pick up your very own printable mustache template set (including jaunty bowler hat). Simply download, print, cut out, and fix to a stick (or bamboo skewer) for instant mo cred.

Check out the amazing party that these mustache photo booth props belong to here.

Images: Joyess Images

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends! For the first time in many years, the weather has been cool enough here in Sydney to feel like turning on the oven for Thanksgiving. With temperatures in the teens and rain all day, we happily cooked up a storm and printed out these cute Thanksgiving printable place cards from Pilgrim Lee (draw! pilgrim). The little ones had a ball getting the table all gussied up, and helping with the cooking.

We served up BBQ ribs (not traditionally a Thanksgiving main course, but definitely one of our favourite meals from the US), sweet potato and molasses mash with a pear, walnut and blue cheese salad. Of course pumpkin pie for dessert, but with a twist - this one layered with pumpkin on the bottom and cream on the top. (actually, I was piping on cream around the edges, but the pie was too warm and it turned into a soupy lake. Encroaching bedtimes will do that to you).

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you're enjoying this time with family and friends. We've got lots to be thankful for.

Steph
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Stylish Kids: Joyess Threads and Designs

I've been doing some research for an article I put together for the gorgeous My Little Jedi online magazine, and came across these great children's clothes by Jess Walsham from Joyess Threads & Designs. Yes, the same Jess that  is also an amazing photographer, creates beautiful children's rooms (see Jess' son's nursery here), designs amazing party printables (see Jess' Little Man stationery design here) and styles parties too (see Jess' son's party here). Is there nothing Jess can't do?

Did your Mum ever make you a special Christmas dress? Mine certainly did and it was a masterpiece of candy-cane fabric, red and green ribbon trim and big bows.

These two-piece summer outfits, dresses, singlet tops and t-shirts are handmade by Jess in Sydney and oh-so-perfect for Christmas. Think present-opening, lazy lunch with family and friends, visiting relatives, Christmas carols, tree-lighting, church, and any photo-taking opportunity.

You can find Joyess Threads on the Facebook page where you can order directly from Jess, and at the Babushka Market next Wednesday 30th November 2011, Bangor, NSW.

Images: Joyess Images

Kids Room Ideas: Eulalie's Nursery

Today's beautiful room tour comes to you from North Queensland where stylist Claire (of one claire day) has created a magical nursery for her daughter Eulalie. I love the Turkish caravan feel of Eulalie's room, including ride-on camel! There are so many gorgeous DIY ideas here, from an amazing small owl mural-turned-framed-art to simply changing the hardware on an IKEA chest of drawers. Claire's room inspiration started with the divine vintage green drawers and evolved slowly as she filled the room with things she loves. So inspiring.

Room: Eulalie's Nursery
Age: 10 months
Designed By: Mum Claire (one claire day)

Change table: IKEA Hemnes chest of drawers (changed hardware)

Wall stickers: Mae (except name)

White shelf with basket storage: Freedom Furniture 

Camel soft toy: "Carmel" the camel from "Tell a Tale" from Stylishh (contact) 

Cot: Handmade by my Grandad for me when I was a baby.

Cot canopy: Far Pavilions

Rug: My Mum's!

Branches: DIY 

Green cabinet: Vintage from The Bower

Floor cushions:  Far Pavilions

Curtains and elephant cushion: Tree of Life

Teeny Bunting - DIY from this great template (I just changed the colours to suit)

Door sign: Custom made by my lovely friend Miriam (contact)

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Thank you so much Claire for sharing your daughter's gorgeous nursery. I feel like I've just been on holiday. I can't wait to see how the room evolves with Eulalie as she grows. If you would like to see more images of Eulalie's room and other lovely things in Claire's life, head to Claire's blog one claire day.

For more Australian kids room decor ideas, check out the Kids Room Ideas category here on Bondville.

Images: Claire (one claire day)

Kids' Crafternoon Felting and Beading books

My friend Lisa Tilse has just had a felt craft tutorial published in one of the new Kids' Crafternoon books Felting and Beading (Hardie Grant) edited by Canberra-based Kathreen Ricketson, and they both look fab.

Kids' Crafternoon Felting features projects from 25 crafters including animal finger puppets, a felted hat, a moneybox pig and wrist cuffs. Kids' Crafternoon Beading tutorials include bird earrings, brooches made from lego, a wind chime and beaded wall hangings. The craft activities in both books (and previous Kids' Crafternoon books Sewing and Papercraft) are aimed squarely at kids 7 to 12 years.

Lisa contributed a super-cool Zombie Critters keyring tutorial that I already know we'll be making:

Images: Lisa Tilse (the red thread)

 If you'd like to win a copy of the books, be quick and head over to Lisa's blog by Monday 21st November 2011 to enter.

I don't have the full contributor list yet, but I do know that another of my favourite creative people Cate Holst also has a featured craft tutorial. Can't wait to check it out.

Renee Treml's Australiana necklaces, brooches and ornaments

Some people are just plain talented. Renee Treml is one of those people. She is a friend, mother, wife, breast cancer survivor (yes, really), sweet, sweet person, and an incredibly talented artist. And on top of that, Renee has just launched a fabulous collection of necklaces, brooches and ornaments featuring her lovely Scratchboard illustrations of cute-as-pie birds and animals. 

If you've never heard of the scratchboard technique before, head over to Renee's website where you will find a description of this intricate process of scratching clay away from a surface using a fine craft knife. I can only fathom the amount of work that goes into each illustration, with no room for error (or erasers!). Stunning results, I'm sure you'll agree. 

I love Renee's new line of jewellery and ornaments featuring native Australian fauna and flora, as well as birds a little farther from home. And what glorious gifts these would make for friends and family overseas, and for souvenirs. And while you're there, why not pick up a greeting card or art print from this amazing artist.

You can find Renee's artwork and accessories in the Renee's Artwork Etsy store, as well as at stockists around Australia and online. Read more about Renee's artwork here on Bondville.

PS - look out for Renee's illustrated book coming soon!

Images: Renee Treml

Australian Artist Spotlight: Meredith Gaston

My friend Renay is one of the most stylish people that I know so when she mentioned some new artwork that she had just had framed for her daughters, I raced over to her car to check it out. There peeking out behind bubble wrap were the gorgeous wide-eyed characters of Sydney/Berlin-based artist Meredith Gaston.

Meredith creates paintings, watercolours and illustrations where rosy-cheeked nymphettes play with swans and love birds amongst a patchwork of colourful dreamworlds. Her artworks are brilliant for little ones with their active imaginations (and big ones too). The hardest part will be choosing just one (I'm sure I couldn't).

Oh - and Meredith has also published a beautifully illustrated book Tucked In: For Everyone Having a Doona Day which aims to help us "discover that our tucked-in time can be as creative as it is restorative, enriching our days and bringing joy to our lives". Sounds lovely to a snoozer like me.

You can find Meredith Gaston artwork on the website (contact Meredith directly) as well as galleries around Australia. Find more amazing Australian artists in the Australian Artist Spotlight category here on Bondville.

Images: Meredith Gaston

Events: Dear Charlotte, Love Banjo sale, BrisStyle Indie Eco Market and Free Range Living grand opening

Hi friends, hope you are gearing up for a glorious weekend. It finally feels like celebration time and I bet there will be barbies firing up all over the country over the next few days. Just thought I'd give you an update on some things that Bondville friends are hosting over the next few days if you're looking for something to do:

Dear Charlotte, Love Banjo is having a huge Pre-Christmas sale today only on the website. They are selling items from as cheap as $5 from all three collections. Original prices will resume as soon as the sale period is over. They are also including free Christmas gift wrapping, and free postage if you spend over $100. Head over before you miss out. Read more about this lovely label here on Bondville.

The BrisStyle Indie Eco Market is on tomorrow, showcasing the wares of BrisStyle members who "live; craft, stitch and dye by the mantra of reduce, reuse and recycle". Also available will be a selection of vintage, collectibles and crafty de-stash items all from the collections of the BrisStyle members. And don't miss the Indie Eco Workshops and demonstrations where participants will be able to explore their creative sides and "make and take" Eco items as well as newfound skills. Saturday November 12, 2011. 9am- 2pm, St Augustine's Church Hall and grounds, Racecourse Road, Hamilton, QLD. More information on the BrisStyle website.

Bondville Loves members and long-time Bondville readers Deni and Loren from Cheeky Chickies are opening the Free Range Living store this weekend in Sydney. The store is "an emporium of beautifully crafted Australian handmade gifts, fashion and home wares, and a creative learning environment to inspire all who visit". Congratulations Deni and Loren! Head over for the grand opening this weekend at Shop 1, 2-4 Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell, NSW 2231.

Sydney For Kids: Sculpture By The Sea 2011

It's one of my favourite Sydney events and it never disappoints. This year's Sculpture By The Sea open-air art show from Bondi Beach to Tamarama is again peppered with great artworks against inspiring scenery. There are more than 100 sculptures from Australian and international artists along the 2km ocean-side walk.

Sculpture By The Seas is a great walk to do with kids (although not exactly stroller-friendly - take a backpack). Try to choose a cool time of the day and avoid the weekends for optimal viewing. 

Or you can go on a hot Sunday morning (like us) to battle the crowds, find a rare car park and have weary children call a time-out before you reach the half-way mark. Oh well - it just means we'll have to go back again.

My favourite piece was the stag looking out to see "I have been dreaming to be a tree ... II" by Byeong Doo Moon. The kids loved the Easter Island heads at Tamarama Beach "heads up" by Steve Croquett (I'm hoping not just because they are on the Zingzillas show). Did you have a favourite?

Sculpture By The Sea, Bondi, NSW, runs from Thursday 3rd November to Sunday 20th November 2011. Entry is free. For more details visit the Sculpture By The Sea website.

Images: Steph Bond Hutkin