Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!!

I can not believe I have neglected this blog for so long...I seem to start each year with such good intentions....starting with a goal like 'I'm going to post something twice a week' that very quickly becomes one a week...then a month and finally here we are in January with the last post being in early August. Oops!

I am actually considering changing things up a bit & having this a little more personal rather than just for my brand.

I am loving the new 'pinterest' trend which is hitting the web at the mo - pinning links and images to things I like as I stumble across them...I love the idea of sharing these ideas and images with you too.

So...A new aim for this year by means of a blog face lift.

Wish me luck x x x A

First birthday...Pond Party

It is hard to believe that my youngest darling daugther is one year old already!

A dear friend has just had her 3rd, and when I look at how small he is - I can hardly remember Charlotte that size.

She has certainly had a busy first year, and hit most of her milestones well before her older sisters...yet she is not as fast on her feet as they were on their first birthdays I must admit.

I am usually deep in planning for the weeks leading up to one of my girls having a party...but this time I was short on time & budget - so with that in mind...check out the little pond party we had today!

The Cake!

In my usual fashion - I did get a tad carried away with the detail on this one...but love the way it turned out. I might do a tutorial on making fondant toppers a little later if anyone is interested.

Swan Rice Crispies...
There will be either toppers or a pdf pattern for these available soon on my site.

The Pond...

Nice to set a little scene for them to play in at this age - complete with lilypads, ducks and frogs.

It was a great little party - perfect for a first birthday, and this theme can be used for boys and girls. I am going to be making some little frog & swan toys in the coming weeks to follow on from this theme...so watch this space. I promise it wont be as long between posts this time. I have been swamped with orders and with my little kiwis nest site as well as the aptcreationz one, but I am almost on top of the orders again and some very special new designs are on their way. Think vintage chic with lots of lace and ruffles.

To keep up to date on a daily basis - pop over to my facebook page

Knitting up a storm!

Ok, as some of you may know I have recently started to dabble in the art of knitting & crochet. It is something I learnt as a youngster & managed to just about fully erase from the old memory banks over the past quarter of a century.

I just LOVE the look & feel of a well knitted item, and am in ore of those who can whip something up in a matter of moments. I am nowhere near that level...and lets face it - probably never will be. Mine is a labour of love, I find it quite therapeutic and a great deal more social than sewing which leaves me hidden away in my little room for hours on end.

I now have my knitting on my knee while I watch a movie or chat to hubby with a glass of vino - bliss.

I have become quite familiar with the term 'frogging' which is basically the unravelling of rows of work when you discover a flaw.

If you have ever been tempted to try, but are worried about tension as I was (and still am a little), then I highly recommend picking up a loom. They are pretty cheap really & the results are pretty instant.

These round looms can be found at places like spotlight in packs of 4 and only cost about $20NZ.

I am currently working on a baby blanket using my largest circle loom & must say it is turning out very nicely.... touch wood.

Here is a peek at what I have so far...

Tutorials anyone....

Well by now you will have all gathered that I am someone who explores many crafty pursuits...never stopping long enough to catch a breath if truth be told!

I have always enjoyed art and creativity in general, and so it is of no great surprise to me that I fill my days (and nights) dreaming up the next creation. My childhood was filled with art and crafts, I have memories of sitting with my mother as she worked on her latest graphic art project, and knitting scarves for all my toys with my grandma.

I had my first sewing machine when I was about six (similar to the one in the picture) - complete with much needed finger guard to stop me sewing my hands together.

Creative expression is so important to me, and I love sharing it with you all.

I am now wondering if anyone would be interested in learning to make some of my designs by way of tutorials and patterns...and if so....what items are of the most interest?

Would love to hear from you all!

Patterns and tutorials would be available here and through my site some for free and some with a small fee attached.

fashion shoot fun!

I am so lucky that my three little angels help out when I need a model for my latest designs. Here is my middle daughter having fun in the new asymmetric skirt and dotty peasant top combo.

It can be hard to fit in real photo shoots...this one was after breakfast, just before the school run for my eldest.

I love the way the outfit turned out and may even attempt a version of the skirt for myself.

Like a kid in a candy shop....

My work station is attached to our dinning room, which I must admit often becomes engulfed in my design process...lets face it - the dining table is just asking to be used for cutting out and drafting designs! Well at least mine is...and luckily I have a very understanding hubby (though even he rolls his eyes from time to time).

I have my laptop set up on an antique singer sewing table most of the time, though it does get transported to the lounge if there is something good on the telly and I am working late.

I am very fortunate to actually have a room for my sewing in our current house - for the first few years I was in a corner of the open plan lounge/dining - which was not exactly conducive to creativity. Now I feel like a kid in a candy shop with my own room.

I have so many different designs, creations and mediums meaning storage is always an issue. I have lined one wall of my room with shelves which house more fabric than I know what to do with. The other side has a bench desk I made from skirting board panels I found under the house, and shelving units are it's legs.

After finding that the seals on some dry goods jars were not exactly air tight, I have transfered them from kitchen to work room and the 'candy store' comes to life with jars full of buttons, flowers, beads and more...

My machines are far from new, but are in great order. The oldest is 25yrs+ followed closely by a 22yr one and the over locker is by far the newest, being only 6 years old. My dream would be to have a flash new machine with embroider & quilting capabilities...but that is still a long way off for now.

I draw inspiration from everywhere! Sometimes the colour of the sky will trigger me to think of a fabric I have in my stash, or one of my daughters will need a dress, hat, scarf...so off I go designing it. Often I will see something in the adult fashion world and adapt it to suit a child. I am also in love with the Arts & Crafts and Deco eras - shapes, design and fashion.

I draft my own designs & patterns using lunch paper as a template for the future. Hopefully one day I will work out how to create patterns to sell as well (it's on my VERY LOOOOONG to do list).

I have about 6+ design books overflowing with sketches & idea...some have been made and others are waiting in the wings for when I get the chance to bring them to life. With three daughters 5yrs and under, it may be a little while longer yet.

I hope you have enjoyed stepping into my world for a moment.

Amy x x x

Allergy Free Easter...

Easter is a time of year which can be very hard for those of us with little ones who have food allergies. Tracking down something for the Easter egg hunt which is dairy free, wheat free, nut free, egg free, gluten free, etc can be a very difficult exercise.

This year I decided to make some little goodies for my middle daughter for just that reason.

When we think Chocolate we generally think it contains dairy of some sort...and for the most part this is true. However, many dark chocolates (such as those used for cooking) are actually dairy free. Check the ingredients list on the back - you'll find most dark chocolate uses cocoa butter and no dairy.

For my batch of goodies I took some dark cooking chocolate drops and melted them down, then using some heart shaped gluten free marshmallows and ice block sticks I made 'mellow-pops' and dipped one side in the melted chocolate as well as dipping some individual marshmallows too.

Next it was time to dip the plain rice crackers - though you can dip any of their favourite foods really.

Finally I mixed some rice bubbles into what was left of the melted chocolate and using a silicone ice cube mold I made little crunchy heart shaped chocolates. Once they set (which took all of 5 minutes in the fridge), I then wrapped them in tin foil. You can get coloured foils for this, but I just used what I had in the draw.

Now the Easter bunny has some allergy free treats to hide around our place, and my little darling can join her big sister hunting for them.

I hope you will all give making your own chocolates a try, it really is fun.

Have a wonderful Easter everyone x x x

For some non food treats pop over to the site.