my ramblings

The Easter bonnets and Easter bunnies

The Easter Bonnet.

Sadly my girls are getting a little old for Easter bonnets. So I've gone back through old photos to find our Easter hats/bonnets which the girls have made over the years. Our Easter Bonnets always had a very handmade look to them.

• We start with Phoebe in 2002 (above left), these big ears were made at pre-school and they were worn around the Sydney Easter show ALL DAY.
• Next is Emily in 2003 (above middle), she was in Year 2 and this was her hat for the Easter hat parade at school - real chocolate eggs dangled from the hat in true Aussie-style on a very hot day!
• Phoebe in 2004 in her 'hat' made in Kindergarten. Eggs, bunnies and fluffy chicks. (above right)

• Bunnies and girls sometime in 2004 (above left).
• Phoebe with her fluffy chicks hat in 2005. I think this hat is the same one used by Emily in 2003.
• Phoebe in 2006, she was in Year 2, her last year for an Easter hat parade at school. This hat was decorated with her own designs of bunnies and eggs, and finished with rick rack.

I'm sure there are more hats, but these are just from the digital images I have on our computer, I haven't gone back through our film photos.

We did make Easter bonnets this year... for the bunnies. Emily found these cute little cowboy hats, and they were a perfect bunny size. The ideas we used for these hats could be easily adapted to a slightly larger version if you wish.

Here are the little hats.

We wrapped ribbon around the hat, holding it with double-sided tape. Then pierce a small hole in the centre front of the hat, and use a brad to hold the fabric flowers in place. Attach fluffy chick. Our chicks kept falling off, so I would suggest using a hot glue gun, place a small amount of glue on the chicks feet, and attach to the hat.

And here are our Easter bunny photos.

Bubbles and Butterscotch were initially reluctant to model for their Easter photo shoot, turning their little cotton tails towards us.

But Bubbles did come through with some nice modeling poses for the camera.

She couldn't decide which hat she preferred.

Butterscotch did not cooperate at all. She wore her bonnet and then lay on the grass and did not move.

Here's one photo we really liked, no Easter bonnet though.

Marty couldn't help get in on the act also.

Rachel Richter has a very, very cute idea on her blog for Easter cards. You have to go take a peek. This is such a clever idea.

I'd like to wish you all a happy Easter. I'm taking a small break from blogging for the long weekend. Thank you for visiting and commenting. I will choose the RAK winners early next week if that's OK.

HAPPY EASTER

Cheers

Fiona

x

for bunny lovers only

This is for the bunny lovers who read my blog, a bit of Monday silliness.

Yesterday the girls decided it was a good idea to give the bunnies a bath. During the week we'd found bunny shampoo in the pet store which, of course, we just HAD to have. Bunnies are extremely clean little creatures and our bunnies have never been given a bath in the 4 1/2 years that they have lived with us (they are brushed several times a week, though).

Butterscotch, as you can see below, quite enjoyed the experience relaxing in the tub with warm soapy water....

Bubbles wasn't as relaxed about the whole experience...

But she did enjoy the blow dry afterwards...

Bubbles and Butterscotch are now very fluffy ready for their Easter photo shoot.

{please note: no bunny was harmed during this activity}

Enjoy your Monday.

Cheers

Fiona

x

A few cards to share...

Over the last couple of weeks I've received a few good things in the mail (that is, they were not bills).

First to arrive was the PaperCrafts "Paper Crafting with Photos" magazine from the US. I was so excited to have two projects included this edition {extra excited in fact as this is my first time published overseas}.

Here's one of my projects from Paper Crafting with Photos with our gorgeous little bunnies. {papers are from the KN Hip Hip Hooray collection by Paper Salon}.

Last week Stamping and Papercraft magazine arrived in the post. I have a set of cards/tag in this edition (vol 13 no 6). This is another first for me, first time published in this magazine (and my tag is on the cover). Here is the set, there are how-to instructions in the magazine for each card. Love this paper collection from Paper Salon, its called Prestine {Paper Salon is available from Bumblebee Crafts here in Australia}.

So with Easter just around the corner {yes, the chocolate Easter eggs have taken over the supermarkets}, I'll be sharing a few Easter projects here on my blog very soon, so stay tuned.

And my Easter loving buddy, Mel, has already sent me an Easter goodie bag. I haven't taken photos of it yet, but I will and share the very cute things that she sent me. Thanks Mel :-)

That's all for today. Thanks for visiting. Hope you have a great week.

Cheers

Fiona

first quick post for 2008

Happy New Year!!

We're in the middle of summer holidays here. A couple of days after Christmas we headed up the coast to Hawks Nest. We stayed until after new years, which was very different for us. I usually love being in Sydney for the Sydney fireworks, but this year we decided to have a very quite, relaxing break away. It was just so nice.

Bennetts Beach was closed for a day or so during out stay due to the rough seas along the NSW coast. Here's Phoebe with her newest Beanie Kid, Ky the surf life saving bear, checking out the surf conditions.

Little Bubbles and Butterscotch enjoyed their holiday too, they loved hopping around the garden up at Hawks. They travel well in their little pet travel case, and we keep a travel hutch up at Hawks for them to stay in while we are there.

Back in Sydney, and the girls and I have seen a few movies. Enchanted was good (especially as a Greys Anatomy fan) and we've seen the Water Horse which was a beautiful story and and movie. There's been many plays with friends, shopping, etc, etc.

I love school holidays.

Not much to report otherwise. I'm being kept busy with some projects for Maya Road with CHA coming up in February.

I've been enjoying my sewing a lot lately. I made Hootie the other night. He's already flown from our nest to another, but we enjoyed having him around the house for a few days before he joined another family.

The pattern is by Melly and Me (MO23). There are two versions included in the pattern, Hooty and Tweet (with longer legs). I found the fabric for my Hootie up at Tea Gardens. There's a shop called Black Possum Gallery which I discovered and made several secret trips to purchase some lovely fabrics. The fabrics used for my Hootie are gorgeous coordinating soft flanelette quilting fabrics (unfortunately I don't know the brand). Just perfect for a little baby!

That's about all for now.

Thanks for visiting.

Cheers

Fiona x

October kit for Designing Memories

I was so happy to be a guest designer for Designing Memories and work with their October kit, along with Jill Geraghty Groves, also a guest designer for the month. Thank you Katja for asking me. Be sure to look through the Designing Memories gallery for lots of great scrapping ideas. Thought I'd share the layouts and cards using all the lovely products from the kit.

First layout uses a new favourite photo I snapped of Emily a few weeks back, not great lighting, but I love the expression is captured. At the moment her life is so good, she is achieving such wonderful things, and is so happy... just wanted to record those thoughts.

Next layout is of our cute little bunnies... they have been living with us now for four years. Wish I could say they are achieving wonderful things too, but their biggest achievement is being cute and fluffy.

And a couple of cards using lots of embellishments included in the kit for decoration.

 

Thanks for visiting, hope you're all having a good day.

Fiona x

a few more Maya Road sneaky peeks for CHA

A couple more projects for Maya Road...

The first one uses the Maya Road scalloped accoridan chipboard book, released earlier this year. The new sneaky peek on this project is the little pink chipboard hearts. These are a very cute size, and I received some pink hearts to play with recently from the MR girls. I've covered them with Kindyglitz and then applied a glossy sealer.

Now, next, is one of the NEW sheer books Maya Road is releasing at CHA-S. Lots of fun using this one, being a bit creative with the attachment of photos and embellishments!

I've added both to the galleries over on my website if you'd like to see all the pages of these books. The sheer album can be found here, and the accordian album can be seen here.Thanks for popping by my blog.

Fiona

x

Bunny Business

Hope you have all had a lovely Easter weekend.

Thank you for all your lovely comments and Easter wishes. We (that's me and my girls) have enjoyed reading through all the comments you have left here on my blog over the last week.

Now onto bunny business, as Mel called it. I had over 50 names to pop in the draw, so I decided to make another bunny, to give you two chances of winning a mini moopy!

And now, here we have the official draw. My two lovely assistants were more than willing to help choose the new owners of the bunnies.

{Here's the link to the video in case you can't view it direct from the blog}

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Tara and Nikky Dalton. A mini moopy bunny will be hopping it's way to your house very soon. Girls, could you please email me your postal addresses.

Thank you again for joining in the bunny fun here on my blog. I really do wish I could have made enough for everyone to share the bunny love.

Hope you have a great week.

Cheers

Fiona xx

update : online classes, ribbons galore sale & bunnies

Firstly I'd like to thank everyone who has left comments and emailed about the mini moopy bunnies. Quite amazing. You are all in the draw to win a mini moopy bunny RAK! Please a comment by Sunday night for a chance to win a bunny. Carly at Nest Studio has her pattern for sale and has updated her blog with the information you need. I've had a few emails from excited ladies telling me their pattern is on the way. Looking forward to seeing your work!

Now for other updates

ONLINE CLASSES AT FIONACARTER.COM

Classes are being planned. I have listened to the comments and feedback you have sent and my site is having a couple of little adjustments made to the classroom. Nothing major, just little things which will hopefully make it easier for you to use. Thank you again for your feedback.

Information about classes and registration will be available firstly through my newsletter. So please pop over to FionaCarter.com and add your email address to the newsletter sign up box (top right corner of the site) if you'd like to be the first to hear about my classes.

The free sample class is still available for you to take over on the site.

RIBBONS GALORE EASTER SALE

From now until this Sunday, 8 April, we are taking 20% off all ribbons by the metre.

{I've also added a couple of ribbon handbags which I made. These are not included in the sale.}

AND A LITTLE TEASER :-)

Guess what I made last night..... Would you like her? Would you look after her, and give her a new home? Make sure you leave a comment in the post below ;-)) And don't forget to visit Mel's blog too.

AND LASTLY......

HAPPY EASTER!

Wishing you a safe, happy and relaxing time with your family and friends. Hope the Easter Bunny visits.

Cheers

Fiona

x

mini moopy bunnies and a RAK

Thank you to everyone who has left gorgeous comments about the felt mini moopy bunnies I have made in the post below. I have read them all, and appreciate you taking the time to leave a message.

I also mentioned that my bunny making partner was Melissa Goodsell. I'm please to say Mel has now completed a couple of her bunnies and you can see them over on her blog.

Soooo, to spread the bunny love around, Melissa Goodsell and I (well it was Mel's idea originally) have decided to each give one of our bunnies away as RAKs. I'll make one up over the weekend, so not sure what the colour combination it will be, but I'll have one similar to the bunnies below.

All you have to do is leave a comment, either here or on the post below, and I'll put everyone's name in a hat on Sunday night and pull out a winner. If you've already posted a comment, no need to leave another comment, your name is already entered.

Don't forget to pop over to Melissa's blog and leave a comment too. That way you'll double your chances of winning a bunny!

Also, a few people have emailed me regarding the mini moopy bunny pattern. The pattern was originally available on the Nest Studio blog. It doesn't seem to be there anymore. This is not my pattern and not my original design and, therefore, I'm not in a position to distribute. I hope you understand. All I can suggest is you contact the talented people at Nest Studio with any questions you have about the mini moopy bunny.

Edited 5 April 2007: Carly from the Nest Studio blog has updated information about the Mini Moopy Bunny Pattern. She has it available through her Etsy store, see her blog for details.

Good luck and thank again for visiting my blog.

Fiona x

felt, buttons and thread

That's what we surrounded ourselves in this weekend.... felt, buttons and thread.

It all started several weeks back while exchanging emails with the gorgeous Mel Goodsell. She reminded me of the WEE WONDERFUL bunnies we made Easter last year (see here and here). We decided to go searching into the big wide web world, looking for bunny patterns to make this year. We found two patterns we liked. I chose the Mini Moopy Bunny from Nest Studio, and immediately thought it would be fun to make out of felt.

On Saturday Emily and I went to our new local-ish Lincraft store up at Belrose. Armed with our bunny pattern we picked out our felt in several coordinating colors, matching buttons for the eyes and embroidery thread.

Emily, Phoebe and I have all been busy sewing our Mini Moopy Bunnies over the weekend {well, in between soccer games, band rehearsal, cricket trophy presentation, school disco and an endless stream of friends over for play dates}. The girls are getting very good at straight stitch, they stitched around the arms, legs and ears of their bunnies.

So, I'd like to introduce to you the latest additions to our bunny family. Emily's two are the red/navy bunny, named Sailor Sally, and the purple bunny who is called Cindy. Phoebe's two bunnies are yet to be named (the pink/brown and the blue bunnies). Despite being nameless, the blue bunny did marry Marty bear over the weekend.

And of course, all bunnies need a tail....

I have some more already cut out, ready to be sewn. So we could have a bunny population explosion here over the next week. Just in time for Easter!

Thanks for visiting and reading this far.

Have a great week.

Cheers

Fiona

x