Handmade Super Mario Party - Wiiiii!

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The day has come!

Oh my God, I'm so excited. Today is Will's Birthday, and I have spent almost two full weeks getting everything ready - that's why I haven't been able to do any posts!

It's been crazy for me, I've been waking up at 6 most mornings just to have time to get things done - and I think he has no idea whats in store!! I haven't got any pictures right now, but I will take some when this 'storm' (aka the 21st of the boy I love) blows over..

I made him..

• A secret book box painted as one of the programming textbooks he wants, with some cash inside for his 'textbook' fund.
• Screenprinted (or rather freezer paper printed) socks and jocks
• A series of shadow boxes that revolve around his interests, everything inside them is made from clay or cardboard.
• A '50 Reasons Candy' jar (its a glass jar decorated like a candy jar with 50 reasons why I love Will inside)
• Ok one bought gift, a coffee grinder. He might take it back cos he didn't want me to buy him anything!

THEN...

NINTENDO PARTY!!! Which involves (all handmade)..

• Heaps of decorations, banner with mario style font, large cardboard character heads for the walls, mini booster toadstools scattered all around the house, a matching table cloth.
• The center table cloth (for the coffee table) is a mario world table cloth! You'll know what I mean when you see it!!
• A matching cake stand for 1 up mushroom cupcakes and goomba cookies.
• Clay stars to sit on candy plates and bowls.

I also bought some large foil gold star balloons and have drawn eyes on them to look like the stars in the Mario games!

Ah! I'm so excited, and when this day is over I can finally rest and not worry about getting things done!

Aiiiii I just remember I have to clean the house a little when he goes out (Yes, he has a job interview on his Birthday!).

Bye for now!

I love my garden, and my new job.

Life is sweet, like sweet basil.. mmm.

So I don't quite have a garden, I have a patio - with pots. Yesterday I spent the afternoon repotting all the plants, it felt good to get my hands in some soil again.

We have bought some herbs from the markets, basil and italian parsley, to begin growing in our home. They are on the patio at the moment, but I think we might need to get a planter box for the study and move them there. I know, sounds like a weird place to grow herbs but it gets the best sun in the morning (basil needs lots of sun) and good shade in the afternoon (we are tired of moving the plants inside when the afternoon sun hits). I'm not sure about all this yet though.. one way or the other - we are getting a cute little planter..

(I found these images on google but I can't remember where!)

Next weekend, we might buy a third herb - probably rosemary. I've seen both my Mum and Nonna grow it, and it seemed to do pretty well up there in Cairns (hot, tropical weather), so it should be fine here in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, my job at La Boite Theatre is fantastic. It's the easiest and most enjoyable job I've ever had. At the moment, we have a children's production playing, called 'The Gruffalo' (from the book). The kiddies go nuts for it. I'm more excited for our next production (which I have free tix to!)... HAMLET.

Splash! Apron

That's what I like to call it, anyway. It's been a must-make since I clayed up my picnic dress. The clay fun was worth it, but next time I'll be prepared.. 

The flowers on the fabric are actually stencil printed, the original fabric is some crazy tartan. At first, I didn't like the fabric .... but now I love, love, love it!

No pattern, just a 50's style apron for the bottom and a square bib for the top. Oh, and there's a pocket at the front too!

Clay and paint away!!

Finito

I couldn't of picked a more appropriate fabric for a library bag..

p.s. My Nonna, she loves the purse I made for her.. she shows it to all her friends =) 

Sweetness

Thanks to Bloom, I have made a journal cover for my visual journalling..

Although it has my name embroidered on it, the cover really reminds me of my sister. I think it's fabric Mum used to make Emma things when she was younger.

Have also made a library bag, but still have to embroider "i libri" on it.. I'm obsessed with embroidery at the moment - everything must have a stitch!!

A poor girl's shelf

I have to say, I am very pleased with yesterday's make (despite its wee wonkiness)...

Mother dear has sent me an abundance of fabrics, that half a shelf (shared with toxic art mediums) wasn't enough. So keeping in mind the fact that we are only renting, and also very poor, I made a removable shelf out of whatever junk I could find..

• Ikea box
• Masking tape (to soften the edges of the cardboard)
• Phonebook (paper mache) 
• Gesso and paint =)

Oh, and my second love ... the glue gun. Since I've started machine sewing, I must say the quick-unpick (I think some call it a seam ripper) is close behind. 

When we go on a big trip to bunnings (can't wait), I think I might replace this ol' shelf with a plywood version. Of course, no screwing involved (glue gun, you've done it again).