:: Colour and Cheer :: Flickr Faves

1. Buenos Aires - Retro Phones, 2. little retro flower mugs, 3. anston retro, 4. retro shop 11, 5. Retro Gadgets: Color TV by RCA, 6. retro children, 7. Let's imagine Colors:), 8. Colorswirl Bear, 9. from the top, 10. Color My Frozen Custard

:: Here's What I've Been Doing...

Hi nice peeps,

We're just making lots of nice food and doing things and soaking it all up this weekend. Last night I made a really delicious fish curry (as well as mussels). I don't like fish, but I do like fish curry. I'm a bit weird like that. We watched Ratatouille and drank bogan drinks and ate cheese and I did some joiny-joining of the 4ply merino granny squares. Today I got up really early and made :: potato latke, roasted tomatoes stuffed with the paella from Friday night, mushrooms with garlic and herbs, poached eggs, hot coffee, toast and tea. I think I am dealing with this whole sad thing by feeding everyone way too much. There is such a comfort in cooking, though. And I always think it's a great way to make other people feel looked after and thought of. Do you think? I can't really explain the domestic over-drive any other way.

Today I made this cute video for you. I have been doing lots of cleaning today too. And I made some pom-poms. But back to the video. I hope you like it! You can make banana bread or chocolate cake or fish curry if you want to. You can. Yes! What are you doing this weekend? Do tell. Say 'hello!'

xx Pip

:: A Week of Hello and Happy :: Happy Making Music

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

:: A Week of Hello and Happy :: Happy Pillows

These are happy, aren't they? Yes they are.
See more like these here.

xx Pip

:: My Place & Yours :: That's Nice, That's Different, That's Unusual

Notes by Naive image (above) click to see more


image found via the ace


Image via the gorgeous



images via


Okey doke! Here we go! It's time for a new theme on My Place and Yours. The Theme Queen for this week is Toni from Little Suitcase. Her theme is 'That's nice, that's different, that's unusual*'... she puts it a little better and more authentically than I do, however! Read on....

Being the foxymoron that I am, I decided on the theme - That's nyoice, that's different, that's unewesyewl!*

Does your home have a quirky feature or several? Something you throw a strategically placed coat over if people are visiting or avoid telling the real estate agent about? You might be very proud of your house flaw. Maybe you have issues with plumbing, and give the Meryl Streep toilet speech from Mamma Mia, "Now about the toilet. If it doesn't flush right away, just go, then take a walk and...." with a hand wave.

We live in an old home and we have more nyoice, different and unewesyewl features then normal ones, but this light switch tops the list. It's a switch with no light. Just stuck to the wall with no light to turn on. A bit like being dressed up to go out for a night on the town, except your date doesn't show up.

We have thought of many scenarios, obviously being that the electrician maybe took a plummet from the roof when he went to install the light and didn't finish the job. Then we think maybe we have a prisoner under the house and we are turning his light on and off, or maybe it's a switch connected to the neighbours tv.

One day we will fix it, but for now it's too much fun to watch our visitors looking skyward and confused.

If you would like to play along, go and visit the lovely Pip and pop your name on the list. I know I would love to see your nyoice, different and unewesyewl home feature or secret, and I won't tell anybody I swear.

*That's nyoice, that's different, that's unewesyewl here

Do you have something Nice, Different or Unusual at your place? Sign up below to play along with us all! Thanks again Toni for a fun theme - can't wait to see what sort of quirksville y'all come up with! Go wild!

Next week's Theme Queen (always chosen from the previous week's players!) is Myrtle and Eunice! Hurrah for Tania! Click over there on Saturday (or here) to see NEXT week's theme! Yay! Highlights from last week can be found here.

:: My Place & Yours :: My Collection Roundup

Hi you guys. I thought I'd post about some of my favourite collections from the past week's My Place And Yours theme. Kate chose the theme. You are great Kate! What a wonderful Theme Queen. You must visit her blog!

Here are some of the lovely collections that you all posted :: of course there are many more! We'll be back with a new theme for this week super soon, too! Little Suitcase will choose this week!

Thanks for your kind thoughts yesterday. You guys are nice. xx












Teacups via Melbourne Epicure :: **
Business Cards via ChubbyHobby :: **
Hankies and heaps more cool stuff via Idle Pines :: **
Paper Toys via MachinToy :: **
Super chunky coloured Glass via Shagpile :: **
Brooches via Handmade Romance :: **
Cute characters via Midge and Judy :: **
Crockery and things via The Writing Hive :: **
Christmas Decorations via Maybe Next Week :: **
Apples via Pilgrim :: **
Pretty linens and embroidered things via A Whim of Mine :: **


There was another lovely MyPlace & Yours that featured gorgeous RED things! Who posted that?! Comment here and I'll edit you in - I looked for half an hour and I can't find you!


And via Hugo and Elsa :: A list of fruit trees she has planted/collected! Ace!

kentish cherry
morello cherry

cats head apple

sturmer apple
mutsu apple
cox's orange pippin apple
bramley's seedling apple
geeveston fanny apple
pine golden pippin apple
fenoiullet gris apple
espopus spitzenberger apple
pomme de neige apple
calville blanc d'hiver apple
court pendu plat apple
smyrna quince
van de man quince
beurre hardy pear
blood orange
lisbon lemon
black turkish fig
pomegranate
peacans
pine nut
chestut
frantoio olives

huonville crabapple
john downey crabapple
white mulberry
damson plum
golden drop plum
greengage
sloe (for gin)
juniper (for more gin)

Here's the list of people who played 'My Collection' this past week ::

:: Dave. You Are Ace.

Because this is my diary. It's important to record things that are happening in our family here. Because one day the kids will read this. And it will form part of their family history. Cam's dad, Dave died last night around 7pm with the family on hand. We will miss you. You are the best guy we know.

xx

:: A Week of Hello and Happy :: Happy Menu

Planning the menu for the week = Happy! What are you having this coming week, I wonder?

Saturday :: Mussels with tomato broth
Sunday :: Roast
Monday :: Chicken and Rice a la Movida
Tuesday :: Potato Tortilla, Tomato Salsa and Crusty Bread
Wednesday :: Mee Goreng
Thursday :: Tomato, Potato and Orrechiette Soup
Friday :: Maybe go out?!

:: A Week Of Happy and Hello

1. paper flower hat, 2. rest, 3. balkong, 4. the perfect Thanksgiving snack, 5. Untitled, 6. sweden_countryside4, 7. Untitled, 8. All this Christmas tree balls found at fleamarket, 9. Cups, 10. Untitled, 11. granny squares, 12. Christmas in Sweden: Christmas yum!

Don't forget to say 'Hello' this week!

xx Pip

:: My Place & Yours :: My Collection(s)

This week's theme on My Place and Yours is My Collection. Thanks Kate for the chance to do a mini show off! I have a lot of collections, surprisingly. I thought I would use the cute usb video camera to film some of them. You can play along with this theme until Saturday by signing up here.









Filmed on the Flip Mino by a very impatient and unsteady hand!

:: A Week Of Hello and Happy :: Who Do You Love?

Anja's Image

Hello! Who makes you happy, I wonder?

Max is quite upset that Robbie Williams is coming to the Arias. He thinks he is crap. I think he's a charming rogue, myself. He makes me laugh. He's such a bratty, funny guy. I love him. I do.

I also read this week a bit more about celeb love. I read that Stacey loves Jane Kennedy, as well as Phil and Kirsty from Location Location Location.

Cam loves Julia Zemiro. I think she's a bit snippy myself and she wouldn't give me the time of day when I met her. But hey. He can love her. I'm totes okay with him liking someone that thinks I'm a dud. Gulp. He loves 'Any Minogue' apparently. I don't know which one that is. He also like the feral girl with the gap teeth on that Wild Cooking show. Well. She's not so feral. But she kills things.

Ari doesn't really love anyone like that yet. So that's good. But I'll be okay if he does one day. I'm good like that.

I love Amy Karol, Myf Warhurst, Zooey Deschanel, Anna from 'The Best', Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Johnny Depp, Karen O, all of the Beastie Boys, the guy that sings for Art Brut, Bill Murray, James Nesbitt, Jack Black, David Tennant and probably a lot more people, actually. I'll think about it today and add the rest later. Obviously I'm a bit of a skank in the celeb crush department.

Edit #1 :: Mel from Flight of the Conchords. And of course Gemaine and Bret or however you spell their names. Arj Barker is lovable too, I think.

Edit # 2 :: Richard Stubbs and Sam Pang

Edit # 3 :: Toby Stephens and Keira Knightley

Who do you love? Do share. Make us all happy!

And don't forget to say hello this week! Go on! It's been 3 years of blogging excitement at Mikes, if you read, DO say hello! You can click the button on our blog if you are too shy to comment!

xx Pip

:: A Week Of Hello and Happy

Hello! Happy! Here are some things that make me happy at the moment. It's kind of the HOT part of Loobylu's Hot and Not!

HAPPY/HOT::

• That Lucky (our doggy) has made friends with the hungry magpie.
• Giving to Brenna & Clem are Broke :: help fund their Comedy Festival registration :: they need to raise $450 quick smart! They are totes funny. They can make you happy.
• That Ari really loved the show about the unlikely animal companions - especially the giraffe and the possum, because the possum got leaves for the giraffe.
• The ballet workout I did the other morning - it was on cable telly - I promptly bought the NYC Ballet Workout DVD so I can plie and first position myself into shape. Happy!
• Rum and Coke - I have discovered a belated love of Bogan drinks. I like them even more then the fancy rum drinks we had last week. I am a trollop. But a happy one. Probably not good with the ballet plans though. Or could be extremely, very good, depending on your point of view.
• Twitter and Facebook - I'm a bit of a social media junkie. Oh well. Shoot me. I like to chat to nice people. It's happy making.
• Making a quilt. I'm making a quilt. I am. It's coming along nicely and I'm doing a wee bit each day. I like to work like that, sometimes. It's meditative and methodical and that's calming and nice.
• Granny squares - I am making TWO blankets at the moment - one garish, solid and nanna-esque, and one soft and sweet and baby-yarny
• Marmalade for Cam :: what a lovely thought!
• The Breakfasters on 3rrr : we listen every day and I love Fee B-Squared a huge amount. We have been listening for the last 10 years at least, I reckon. You can listen online too, if you are not in Melbourne.
• The House on Hill Road - they made my Mirabel the Owl from the book Quilting for Peace and talked a bit about Softies for Mirabel too! How fantastically happy making is that?!
• Ari and Cam riding a vintage Tandem bike down our street :: so cute and funny. It is yellow!
• Potato curry on a bit of toast. Carb on carb. I don't have it often, but when I do, I LOVE it
• Music :: via LastFm. Click the music tab up top here, if you like! I listen to music all day long. Can't live without it.
• The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - I watched the BBC production starring Toby Stephens on the weekend and now I simply MUST read the book.
• Family
• Twilight Park :: nothing to do with vampires. The park over the road is always full of kids right up until dark. Mostly African families having fun times. We are going to try the nearly dark park tonight. Because we want fun times and exhausted children too. Fun times = happy, right?
• Friends

NOT::
Let's not dwell on that a ce moment. Because it is the Week of Hello and Happy!

Join in with your happy and hots over here at Loob's blog.

xx Pip

:: A Week Of Hellos and Happy Things :: Happy Flickr Faves

1. study of Paul Klee, 2. Untitled, 3. vrolijk pasen, 4. milano è un'installazione., 5. collection, 6. Untitled, 7. Untitled, 8. too much closeness, 9. Untitled, 10. Untitled, 11. Untitled, 12. Vintage Find: The Happy Owls by Celestino Piatti, 13. Friday Bouquet, 14. Saturday Bouquet, 15. Sunday Bouquet, 16. Sneaky

Flickr is such a great site. It's like an insta-dose of inspiration and optimism for me each day. I love the way people share their stuff over there. It's nice. It's not too competitive. People usually leave nice comments. People favourite things. You can download other people's images. You can join groups. You can document things. You can archive stuff. It's just a nice community I think. Are you on Flickr? Leave us your link (below) so we can come visit you over there! And don't forget to say HELLO this week! Comment here or just click the Hello Poll on the blog if you are shy!

xx Pip

:: A Week Of Hello and Happy :: Giveaway Central!

above happy image via

Hello!

Three is the magic number. We are 3 years old this week! Would you like to celebrate 3 years of writing and reading and fun times and friends made and stuff learned on the Mike's blog?! Maybe you'd like to do a giveaway on YOUR blog to celebrate along with us?! Well you don't have to, nope you don't, but if you WANT to, then pop your link in below! Make sure you link to the ACTUAL POST that details the giveaway! That will make it mucho easier for everyone who is clicking about! We'll be doing a really cute giveaway later in the week too!



xx Pip

PS :: Hello. Happy!

:: A Week Of Hellos and Happy Things

Oh Paul! This video makes me happy. Do you remember this?! How funny are Paul and Linda. So cute, I reckon, such an ace couple.

We are celebrating 3 years of our blog this week! Make sure you say hello if you pop in! You can just click the little poll in the middle column of our blog if you are too shy to comment! Please do say hello! If you have some happy things to send us - please do that too! Click the 'contact' button above and email us!

Back soon with more Happy. And more Hellos!

:: A Week Of Hellos and Happy Things

Little Ari, originally uploaded by meetmeatmikes.

I live with 3 fellas. My blog is 3 today. Woooh. It's all about 3s. The 3 fellas make me pretty happy most of the time. Apart from the crunchy socks. The toilet seat issues. The way they file everything on the floor. Apart from those things I am very happy to have them.

Actually, I take that back. Even WITH those things I'm happy to have them. This one is Ari. He's a bit older then this now, but when I look at these photos I feel all wobbly and happy.

The other fellas will be popping in this week too. I'm going to get them to write a post each. But in the mean time, here is Ari. He's Happy. I'm so happy to have him. Say hello!

xx Pip


A Week of Hellos and Happy Things :: To celebrate 3 years of the Meet Me at Mike's blog :: Hurrah!

Send us your Happy and Hello contributions this week, if you would like to! Celebrate with us! We will publish our favourites!

:: A Huge Amount Of Crafty Links!

1. Hankies for the Heartbroken & HayFeverish, 2. Gadget Cosy from a Vintage Napkin, 3. Sausage Dog, 4. Made A Florally Summer Throw..., 5. A Granny A Day, 6. Making Finger Puppets, 7. Mikes Fabric Bangles, 8. Woodland Granny Square, 9. Baby Felt Bunting, 10. Tortoiseshell 'I can Fly' Brooch, 11. Ari and Pip's Fox Embroidery, 12. Foxy, 13. Blythe's quilt, 14. Ike Rosen inspired cushion, 15. ed roth's stencil book tees, 16. Pile o Granny Squares, 17. The First Ever Peaky Beaky Bird!, 18. Appley Button Earrings!, 19. where the wild things are embroidery Max, 20. Max : Where The Wild Things Are : Christmas Stocking, 21. Little Felt and Fabric Babushkas, 22. TeePee Girl :: Christmas Embroidery, 23. Citrus Potholder, 24. Meet Me at Mike's Book!, 25. gocco prints x many!, 26. Crocheted Coasters and Doyley :: Matchy Matchy, 27. gocco print - still to add some ink!, 28. Mary Blair Wallet, 29. Noice cloud!, 30. Sunday Afternoon Knitting Needle Bangles, 31. Making Granny Squares, 32. Pear Pincushions, 33. My Shippy Stitching, 34. My Little Notebooks!, 35. Falcon Chair and Ari's Blankie, 36. Gingerbread!

There are all sorts of good tutorials and instructional sites out there! Here's my big list for this year :: maybe you might like to make things too?! Here are some good places to start...

Crochet Some Hearts!
Make Some Embroidered Bug Keeper's!
Crochet Some Snowmen!

Granny Squares for Beginners

• Lesson 1 : How To Make A Slip Knot
• Lesson 2 : How To Hold Your Yarn Right
• Lesson 3 : How To Crochet Chain Stitch
• Lesson 4 : How To Start Your Square
• Lesson 5 : How To Make The First Round!
• Lesson 6 : How To Make The Second Round!
• Lesson 7: Change Your Yarn Colour
• Lesson 8 : How To Make the Third Round!
• Lesson 9 : How To Sew In Your Yarn Ends
• Lesson 10 : Joining Granny Squares

• Max Embroidery
• Wild Thing Crocheted Finger Puppets
• Max Christmas Stocking Tutorial
• Dapper Fox :: Embroidery How To
• Christmas Embroidery :: TeePee Girl
• Make a Patchwork Summer Throw
• How To Make a Gadget Cosy from a Vintage Napkin
• How To Print Gocco Onto Fabric Hankies
• How To Make Cute Soft Toys
• How To Make Nanna Style Tomato Sauce (Ketchup)
• How To Make Home-made Ginger Beer (Non-Alcoholic)
• How To Make Nice Rustic Pane Toscano Bread
• How To Crochet A Granny Square
• How To Embroider Back Stitch
• How To Use Embroidery Floss
• How To Use An Embroidery Hoop
• How To Trace An Embroidery Design Onto Fabric

• Edible Christmas Gifts - 35 Things To Cook and Gift This Festive Season

:: The Pioneer Woman's Christmas Cookies - here - they are cute!
:: 3 different spice mixes to shake up and plonk in a jar - here - or make up your own mix
:: Walnut and whisky Christmas cake - here - totes boozy and nice, methinks
:: Nigella's Christmas cookies and pinwheels too - here - I have never made pinwheels, but they look good!
:: How about Alicia's version of Nigella's Banana Bread? You could ice it and wrap it in wax paper and candy-striped string. It would be a nice thing to take round to someone's festive house.
:: Amy has some ideas about fudge over here - yum!
:: Kinda in a similar vein, Hazelnut Truffles would be gifty too, right? Here
:: Home made cranberry sauce could be good. Here
:: One of my very favourites, Food In Jars, has a great Blood Orange Marmalade recipe here
:: What about Brownies? Kitchen Diaries Challenge does Nigel Slater's (amongst other things) here
:: Ginger beer, perhaps? Here
:: Chocolate hedgehog slice is nice. Here
:: These gingerbread townhouses are gorgeous. Ack.
:: Bloody Mary mixer? Yes thank you Martha
:: Old Fashioned cakey gingerbread is super delicious. Recipe here
:: Australian-style tomato sauce? Here
:: French style Chocolate Macaron - oh they sound great - here
:: And some more pretty coloured Macarons here
:: I like the idea of jars of spiced nuts. Recipe here. Maybe could go with the Bloody Mary mix?
:: Almond toffee. Yes. Please. Here. Pass the toothbrush.
:: Personally, I am a huge fan of coconut ice. I love the colours and the weird way you have to slice through it with your teeth. Pretty and festive.
:: Raspberry lemonade would be delicious and refreshing. Maybe some vodka in there too?
:: I love these a lot. Very retro and delicious. Chocolate dipped apricots. Mmm.
:: Roasted red pepper mayonnaise. Fantastic with golden roasted potatoes or on a sandwich.
:: Marshmallows! Here
:: Make some bottles of herb vinegar for extra good salads. Here.
:: Or homemade horseradish would be great too.
:: Toffee Apples wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon?
:: A huge jar of marinated mushrooms would be welcome at my house!
:: Or make some lovely grain mustard here.
:: Shortbread is always a winner
:: Or these peppers would be a great gift and delicious on an antipasto plate or pizza
:: Cordial is very Enid Blyton and wonderful
:: Chocolate orange reminds me of my childhood
:: The kids will love these Chocolate Christmas Trees!

• How To Make Stuff With Old Jars - 25 Great Links
  
  1. A cute tiny terrarium! ***
  2. A sewing kit ***
  3. A much nicer jar ***
  4. Some lanterns ***
  5. Mosquito scarers ***
  6. A jar of chai mix ***
  7. Cowgirl cookies ***
  8. Chalkboard gifts ***
  9. Hot chocolate mix ***
     
  10. Kitsch glitter globes ***
  11. A jar of inspiration ***
  12. Jars of weeds! ***
      
  13. Fizzy bath salts ***
  14. Cute Jams ***
  15. A jar of grapefruit ***
  16. Atlas topped spice mixes ***
  17. Pendant light fittings ***
      
  18. Sriracha style chilli sauce ***
  19. Pie in a jar ***
  20. Pretty candles for a wedding ***
  21. Gumball Party Favours ***
  22. Cake in a jar ***
  23. Sippers ***
  24. Sprouts ***
  25. Memory jars ***

• How To Make Crocheted Amigurumi Animals - 20 Great Links
  
  1. Cute Red-Riding Hood-esque Sleepy Sarah Doll pattern by Owlishly via Whipup
  2. Also at Owlishly - these cute 3D hearts
  3. Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba how to here
  4. Adorable Dr Who Doll via Snuffykin
  5. And a cool Eel via Snuffykin as well
  6. Susan Whitlock's Hummingbird pattern here
     
  7. A sweet snail over at Knotty's
  8. Circus elephant and HEAPS more over at this site
     
  9. Totoro amigurumi here - argh! Too cute!
  10. A koala bear - via
  11. Look! A sausage dog!
      
  12. Maybe a lobster would be good? Crochet one here!
      
  13. Adorable Bear with Honey Pot from Ana Paula
  14. Bunny Boo and lots of Amigurumi help over here - including smiling 3D hearts!
  15. Oh look at these monkeys! Via Molly Chicken
  16. Lion Brand Yarn have Birds in Nests, Polar Bears, Wolves and more! Here!
  17. Trois cute piggies here
      
  18. An armadillo would be great, no?
      
  19. Platypus amigurumi and more via Craftster
  20. Find a crocheted donkey via Stuff Peasie Made
  
  
• How To Make A Picnic Blanket and More - 25 Great Links
  
  1. A picnic rug with little pockets for rock weights (so it doesn't blow away!)
  2. Design Sponge has a waterproof backed picnic rug tute on their lovely site
  3. Not to mention this fantastic 6-pack turned picnic caddy!
     
  4. This one has loops on the corners so you can peg them down
  5. An oilcloth version of le picnic here
  6. Use an existing blanket : but insert grommets and make some cute tent pegs for it here
  7. An Argyle Throw would make a cheery picnic seat, no? I think so.
  8. A simple patchwork picnic rug here
  9. Make some matching napkins too!
     
  10. Learn how to line your basket with the ubiquitous oilcloth, perhaps?
  11. This is a cute Zakka style picnic bag too.
  12. How about this denim picnic-blanket-a-long? Cute.
  13. These are useful and cool too - Summer Sit-Upons!
      
  14. If you forget your basket you could tuck your picnic in this Amy Karol cuteness
  15. Or make this super fancy picnic basket (from an existing beat up one!)
  16. These cutlery roll/place mats would work well on Le Picnic
  17. Or try these fused ones via Whipup if you like melting stuff together in a positive way
  18. Whipup also points us to this fancied up disposable plate tute
      
  19. Take this homemade Pin The Tail On The Donkey Game for entertainment!
  20. Or make a cuter version of this Twister blanket! Fun!
  21. You might need to make this kite?
      
  22. Make sure your friends can see you! Tell them to look for this bunting!
  23. Or try this no-sew bunting instead!
  24. If you've got all that stuff, you might even need cushions, huh?
  25. And for when the sun sets and it gets a bit chilly... these shawls would be good, don't you think?
      
      
• How To Make A Book By Hand - 25 Great Links
  
  1. Okay. Not a papery book. But a needle book. The cutest ever via Skebba
  2. Make a cute cahier (or notebook - if you're not frenchy fancy!)
  3. Super cute 'lift the flap' kinda book via Instructables
  4. A bedside journal sounds like a good idea...
  5. Make your own moleksine-type notebook
     
  6. A paint sampler notepad :: LOVE this one a lot - kinda like a matchbook!
  7. A vinyl or leather covered wrap-around-tie-up notebook here
  8. A teeny cute book from business cards here
  9. Really awesome bingo books via the famous Erinzam :: supreme
  10. Martha has a pretty serious tutorial here
  11. A hardcover handbound journal here
  12. For those pushed for time : the five minute notebook
      
  13. Skip to My Lou has a how-to-make a notepad tute here
  14. Postcard and Junk Mail notebooks here. Cool.
      
  15. And more notepad knowledge here - it seems you need a clamp, though
  16. How to convert a lovely old book into a blank journal here
      
  17. A total kit : tutorial and supplies to tackle Japanese Stab Binding
  18. These ones with fake 'cloth tape' are beautiful
  19. Whipup points us to this tutorial. Make Playing Card Notebooks
      
  20. Heart Handmade shows us how to make these mini books
      
  21. This book is bound with a stick!
  22. This book is bound with a chopstick!
      
  23. The Small Object Notepad Kit and How To :: buy it here
      
  24. Super in love with these Charlie Harper notepads :: how to make them
  25. Everything is cute when it's tiny :: super-teeny-tiny-very-very-small composition books
      
      
• How To Make A Tea Cozy - 25 Great Links
  
  1. Oh Cute! Sew this squirrel tea cosy from the Zakka Sewing Book :: here
  2. Martha's Monogrammed tea cosy - for your weekend in the Hamptons :: sew it here
  3. Cute and dinky vintage Knitted tea cosy :: here
  4. Fantastic crocheted scalloped pot warmer :: here
     
  5. You could crochet this one via Craftzine :: here
  6. This one has lovely piping and is padded for extra warmth.
     
  7. I know. It's kitsch. But I love a tea cosy that looks me in the eye :: Cat tea cosy :: here
  8. Look at this ROSY Wild tea cosy! :: here
  9. Strange, yet cool Robin tea cosy :: here
  10. A simple embroidered cosy - you could customise this one easily :: here
      
  11. A vintage style knitted cottage circa 1950 :: via craft bits
      
  12. Or Cross Stitch a Cottage Cosy instead :: here
  13. Knit yourself an Elephant tea cosy :: here (front on image here)
      
  14. Hilariously good Poodle tea cosy :: here
  15. This breakfast set is adorable : tea cosy and egg cosies too!
      
  16. Planet June shows you how to sew her kinda tea cosy :: here
  17. This one with the checks and stripes is good
      
  18. Not a pattern, but amazing inspiration here
  19. This one is lovely : simple and stylish
      
  20. Or sew this ace OWL tea cosy :: here
  21. I love this pom-pom topped one
      
  22. A cute lidded tea cosy (knitted) via Whipup :: here
  23. Knit this Koala warmer :: although I'm dubious that it will look as good as the image ;)
  24. I like this knitted one :: cute and colourful
  25. You could even sew a tea cosy from some potholders :: via Craft Gossip
  
  
• How to Make a Lunch Sack And More - 25 Great Links
  
  1. An awesome list of lunch bag links from our favourite Australian craft resource Whipup
  2. Tumbling Blocks made a lovely paisley oilcloth lunch sack : and shared her how to as well
  3. Ms Martha Stewart's oilcloth lunch sack tutorial is here
  4. Betz White's re-usable fabric sandwich wrapper is here : what do you think of that?
  5. The Purl Bee's cute lunch carrier via The Long Thread
  6. A fancy schmancy cute water bottle tote via Pink Chalk Studio
  7. And a cute simpler version at The Long Thread (again!)
  8. This cutlery roll is good for eating on the go
  9. Urban Organica has a cute bento bag and place mat here
  10. Super gorgeous canvas and embroidery lunch sack here
  11. And another cute kid-friendly bento bag here
  12. Twelve22 has some lunch bag and sandwich wrap inspiration here
  13. Some more cute oilcloth ones here
  14. Hobo tie-up style lunch bag via Crafster
  15. More FUN than practical - but so adorable - felt lunch bag via Skip To My Lou
  16. An eco-friendly velcro-sealed plastic wrap alternative for sandwiches here
      
  17. Craftzine points over to this really ace sandwich wrap by The Small Object
  18. A lunch sack from a fat quarter here
  19. Oh Fransson! has a great pattern for little bags that would be cute for lunches too!
  20. A patchwork Furoshiki to wrap your lunch in here
  21. Zakka style linen and patchwork lunch sack here
  22. This one has a zip top and a strap - practical and sweet
  23. A pillowcase lunch tote here
  24. Loving this lunch bag styled on a regular grocery bag
  25. Snack pouches and matching napkins seem like a good idea too
      
      
• How To Make A Tote Bag - 25 Great Links
  
  1. Cute SuperEggplant shows you how to make a simple lined tote.
  2. A colourful colouring book and crayon tote how to here.
  3. I like this really clear, simple colourful tote tutorial A LOT!
  4. Learn to make gingham totes for your undies and socks here.
  5. A cute bag featuring a sweet kid's drawing here.
  6. Over at the Purl Bee you'll find this EXCELLENT how to.
  7. Print your own Apple Tote with this guide on CraftStylish
  8. Some suggestions and resources on screen printing your own totes here.
  9. Tiny Happy whipped up a shoulder tote and shared her how-to here.
  10. Amazing Tote inspiration over here : a Charlie Harper embroidered delight!
      
  11. You could stencil your blank totes with freezer paper a la Angry Chicken
  12. Fantastic, clearly explained tea-towel tote how to here.
  13. An adorable stitched tote here : why not customise it with your own stitching?
  14. Spruce up a tired tote here : so cute!
  15. A Cath Kidston-esque tote tutorial here.
  16. Carriebee shows us how to make a cute one-handled tote here.
  17. Martha makes a sling style bag from a pillowcase over at her place.
  18. Knit yourself a lacy string tote, perhaps?
      
  19. A mega-sized Market Tote via Whipup here
      
  20. Not quite a tote, but a laundry bag fashioned from a pillowcase here.
  21. A cute granny square tote how-to here
  22. And another pattern for a granny square tote here
  23. A handkerchief tote here : you could also use a doily or a napkin, right?
  24. A whole lot more Tote action via Martha
  25. Burdastyle has a lovely polka-dot tote over here with a clear photo tutorial too!
  
  
• How To Make A Wallet or Pouch - 25 Great Links
  
  1. A cute travel wallet made from a map and a clear acetate covering - here
  2. A wallet from a thrifted leather skirt - here
  3. A paper and vinyl wallet to stow your Met ticket in - here
  4. A wallet that turns into a shopping bag - voila! - here
     
  5. A paint chip wallet - so clever and colourful too - here
  6. A quilted fabric wallet - fancy and lovely - here
  7. A tea wallet for your tea bags - ingenious idea - here
     
  8. A vintage cassette zip pouch - a bit rock and roll - here
  9. A nice fabric wallet for someone nice - here
  10. A cool tea-towel wallet - i really love this one - here
      
  11. A magazine page card holder - papery and practical - here
  12. A pouch made from tape-measures - pretty AND useful - here
      
  13. I like these wallets - i do - here
      
  14. Another cute fabric wallet tutorial - options are good - here
  15. Passport wallet/cover - zakka style - here
      
  16. A romance novel wallet - for cheeze lovers - here
  17. A lovely PVC covered wallet - fabulously executed - here
      
  18. A fabric wallet with a zip compartment - zippity doo dah - here
  19. A cute charm square wallet - made from teeny bits of fabric - here
      
  20. A super simple crayon wallet - to keep les kids happy in le cafe - here
  21. Ace vinyl zip-pouch - for money, pencils or cosmetics perhaps - here
      
  22. A super cute, super quick wallet - super adorable - here
  23. A cute frame purse to stow your coins in -such a great site too - here
  24. Maybe size an envelope clutch down to wallet size? - here
  25. Kid friendly juice pack coin purse - try those pesky ribena pouches - here
      
      
• How To Print Gocco - 20 Great Links
  
  1. What the heck is Gocco?!
  2. How to choose (and where to buy) a Gocco printer
     
  3. Save Gocco website
  4. Australian home of Gocco - retailer and wholesaler NEHOC
  5. This book has a great Gocco Tutorial in it
  6. Fantastic Gocco Prints here
  7. You can find a great video tutorial on YouTube here
     
  8. And another video here
  9. Fading Flowers has a Gocco lesson over here
  10. Print simple fabric designs with this tute
      
  11. The Small Object posted a wonderful How-To-Gocco tute some time ago
  12. The Flickr Gocco Group
  13. A DIY Hack alternative to the Gocco here
      
  14. Shelterrific has a terrific Gocco-How-To on her blog (under the Gocco guidance of Kristen Chick)
  15. Another basic Gocco tutorial over here at Get Crafty
  16. Ways to use the Gocco without Riso/Gocco parts here
  17. Print baby tees with the Gocco stamper here
  18. And you can make your own Gocco Stamp Kit - to use with your existing Print Gocco over here
  19. Fantastic tips from Lab Partners about print quality
      
  20. Hailed as the 'new Gocco' - see the Yudu print system here
      
      
• How To Be A Good Penpal - 20 Great Links and Printables
  
  1. Pick up this Penpal Pack from All This Is Mine! (above)
     
  2. Join Postcrossing - send and receive postcards from all over the world!
  3. Get inspired by this post over at Chronicle Books
  4. Adorable printable Penpal Labels that wrap around your envelope here
  5. You can print out Aerogramme templates at Felt and Wire
  6. Get some cute Letterpress stationery via Bespoke Letterpress
  7. Fashion some tiny envelopes at Paper Source
  8. Tap out your letters on a typewriter like these ones!
  9. Buy cute glassine envelopes via Jena Richards
     
  10. Make an envelope purse with Maya - perhaps don't mail that one.
  11. Visit the Hello!Lucky blog - or buy their book! It's all about cute letters!
  12. Follow the Design Sponge lead and make cute fabric envelopes!
  13. Shop at Able and Game
      
  14. Print your own stamps...
  15. Fancy your letters up with cute Library Pockets and Borrowers Cards
      
  16. Make cool string envelopes!
  17. A really cute DIY mailer tutorial here
  18. Adorable printables like Patchwork Mailing Labels and other gorgeousness here
  19. Martha has lots of ideas, of course
  20. Or shmooze lovingly over at Cavallini and Co
      
      
      

:: Just For Some Dancing Around....

:: My Place & Yours :: My Collection

Image via Mike GK

Yay! My Place & Yours has rolled around again (so fast!!!) This week's Theme Queen is Ms Kate from Fox's Lane. All bow to Queen Kate. Thank you! Here's what Kate says about her chosen theme, My Collection...

I want to see a photo or photos of what it is that you collect.
Then if you feel like it you could let us know what your collection rules are;
Does it have to be green? Does it have to be from another country? Does it have to be second hand or a gift? Does it have to be old or complete?...
What constitutes a collection for you? Is it more than three of the same thing? Is it rare things?
Is your collection ongoing or is it complete?
...what's your story?

So maybe you'd like to join in? For the first time. Or maybe you've played before (thanks!) Or maybe you were going to play but didn't get around to it? No matter! Try try try again! To play along just sign up below and post something before Saturday to suit this week's theme :: My Collection.





And who is the Theme Queen for NEXT week? Drum roll...NEXT WEEK'S Theme Queen is..... Little Suitcase! Hurrah! Toni is such a sweet and gorgeous gal. She has a lovely blog too. She'll post the new theme over there on Friday or Saturday. Pop back here on Saturday to join in! If you'd like to be in the running to be Theme Queen, just join in! The Queen is chosen from the previous week's players.

Below :: Just a few of the lovely 'Through My Front Doors' from last week.
Thanks to Shelley for a really ace theme! You are rad Shelley!






La Chica Mandita :: through her caravan's front door!
Checks and Spots :: yellow doors! yes!
Flossy P :: tropical turtley doors!