Check this out!

Sorry it has been a while since my last post - I will try to get back into the flow of weekly posts.

It was a lovely surprise to receive an email this morning to tell me one of my products had made it onto the homepage for felt.co.nz - I have only had a few products on their site for a couple of weeks, and was over the moon to get the exposure so soon.

Check it out for yourselves, this will be where I put creations for big kids like me: http://aptcreationz.felt.co.nz

For a full children's range by APT go to my little kiwis nest store: http://littlekiwisnest.co.nz/store/2

New pups and so much more...

A new litter of sausage dogs has now arrived!

These adorable little silhouette softies in the lil' luv'd ones line, are sure to win the hearts of many!

Available in two sizes and an array of plush, soft fabrics - pictures will be coming soon!


The list of new products in progress continues to grow daily.... I am now working on some hand painted puzzles, the babushka nesting dolls, fabric books and so much more!

For daily posts and updates - please join my facebook page:
www.facebook.com/aptcreationz

x x x

New Competition!

I am looking to boost my facebook fan base and so have started a new competition! If you want to be in to win then simply go to:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/APT-CreatioNZ/127465683794?ref=ts

Become a fan - then invite your friends to join! Get them to write your name on the wall when they join. The person who gets the most friends to join by the time we reach 100 fans will be the winner!

Good Luck x x x

New Logo For APT...

After many drafts, and different designs....finally I have managed to find a logo design that works. Over the past week I have made many logos, and the next day have found fault with their layout. This one which was done at 1am is still ticking all the boxes.

I would love to hear your thoughts/feedback on this design before I go ahead and add it to all my packaging, business cards and so on.

x x x

Some new creations...

The past couple of days have been high on ideas and low on time to create. I managed to steel a few hours when the children were asleep last night ( although the actual sewing had to wait till the waking hours - as the machines are a touch on the loud side).

There are so many more items to come - but here is a quick peek at whats new....

Fox Mask - still waiting for its whiskers
Cat and Pig Masks - waiting for sewing and paint details
Parrot - needs some final hand stitching around the wings - otherwise he's done.
Roll out felt dress up doll is finished and waiting to be loaded to my store
Under the sea play mat - needs its binding and edges sewn - then it will be finished.

There will be many more roll out scenes to collect, and I am still working on my beloved nesting dolls. Also in the wings - are more taggy tails, picture blocks, puppets (both finger and hand), more sock animals, fabric books...lets face it the list is endless.

Oh to have a week to shut myself off from the world and just focus on creating prototypes! Dreams are free! x x x

So many ideas....so little time!

Wow - the past week has gone by far too quickly. I had so many creations I wanted to make - and am amazed I was unable to start even one.

This is not a complete surprise really - as I have been busy with orders for 'made it baby' and getting advertising done for little kiwi's nest, as well as looking after the girls, house, hubby, and a family birthday lunch etc...

When the idea is there and wants to be made - it is so hard to accept that other things must be done first - especially when those things are the mundane household chores!

I am therefore setting myself the challenge of completing one item a day for the next week - so fingers crossed.

Watch this space!

History of the Russian nesting doll part one...

'Russian nesting dolls' or Matryoshka (are often incorrectly refered to as a babushka doll - I found out & will then respectfully now change the titles of my ones accordingly), have quickly become the most famous Russian toy.

The first one was made at the end of the 19th century - and has been said to be connected to a similar style of doll produced in Japan earlier.

The word “Matryoshka” comes from one of the more common names for female/women in Russia. Provincial Russians often called their ladies “Matryona” or “Matryoshka.” This name was derived from the Latin “ma-ter,” which means,“mother.” The name was associated with the image of a strong, healthy, woman of a big family.

Today, the name has become the symbol of motherhood and fertility. The dolls which nestle inside one another and have been beautifully hand-crafted and hand-painted represent the family and are considered to be a symbol of motherhood and fertility.

The meaning of the word “babushka” - in Russian language is “grandmother” and many, by association, believe that “babushka” stands for a “little grandmother doll”.

Babushka step three...

My first necklace is now complete - though I don't know if I will be able to remove it from little Ash - she has become quite attached to 'her necklace' - Either way it looks like I will be making one for her and Chloe.

The first Babushka nesting doll set is nearly finished too - the largest and smallest dolls just need a few final touches. The middle one will need the most work. Hopefully this set will be available for sale in my store by the end of the week. I will then also add a custom order option for other sets.

These little treasures are still alot of fun - though have definately taken a tad longer than I first estimated. Hopefully I will get faster as I do more. Will have to figure out the pricing now - always the hardest thing to do.

I will post a link and final images when they are done and listed on little kiwi's nest. Might even run a promotion???? as a launch.

x x x

babushka step two...

Adding base colours has been so much fun...the girls have been helping Mummy pick the colours and patterns to use. The first of the minis is almost ready to string up - just the final details to go.and then it can become a necklace. Pirate set is coming along nicely too. Now to decide what colour the traditional style ones will be....

Babushka step one...

Ok, I have finally set about applying base coats and basic pencil designs to a couple of sets plus some solid minis which will become pendants. I can't wait to start adding colour and design elements to these little cuties. The first set is going to be done in a traditional style - the second is a pirate theme - so we will see how they turn out. Fingures crossed!

Taggy Tails!

These adorable little birds have a squeak in their tummy and a fountain of ribbon tags as a tail.

Clip-its!

If you have ever been driving along with the kids - thinking they were safely harnessed into their carseat...only to look in your rear veiw mirror and find they have wriggled their arms out - then this is for you!

Wrap each padded piece around the strap and velcro closed - then simply clip it open and closed as required.

This design has the added bonus of padded comfort for the child too. Also ideal for use in a buggy or push chair.

These will be available in a selection of funky fabrics very soon.

Please Note: Clip-its are not to be used in place of safety approved seat belts - but rather as added protection against children releasing themselves from their seats while the car or buggy is in motion.

This is an original A.P.T. CreatioNZ design, and is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved

http://www.littlekiwisnest.co.nz/product.php?VP=672

Facebook fan page

I have finally created a facebook fan page for A.P.T. CreatioNZ (see the link box at the bottom of this page to join).

I will be loading albums of my past and present creations, and welcome all feedback. It really helps to see what people think and if improvements can be made.

From time to time I will also run competitions where fans could have the chance to win some of my products.

x x x

Coming soon...

I have always adored Russian nesting dolls, ever since I was a little girl. My Nonna had a set of display cabinets as I was growing up which contained glamorous dolls from around the world. The Russian nesting sets were always among my favourites. As the years past and busy adult life took over, simple treasures such as these had slipped from memory.

On our last trip to visit Nonna at her home - I rediscovered these wonderful treasures, and watched as my two little angels played with them just as I had. The wonder and excitement on their faces as they discovered layer after layer of little dolls was a joy to see.

As a result I have searched and found a source for unpainted nesting dolls which I will then decorate in both traditional and modern designs - I can't wait to get started!

The shipment is due at the end of next week, so all going to plan I should have images of works in progress loaded soon after that.

New Logo for APT...

I am also wanting to create a new logo for APT CreatioNZ to relate better to my creative spirit - I welcome any and all suggestions!

New products coming soon...

I have so many drafted designs and there are just not enough hours in the day to make them...
I am promising myself that I will set aside some time to create, and will post everthing on here as it evolves.

Everything I create will be available through my little kiwi's nest store - so keep an eye out!

x x x

A.P.T. CreatioNZ Online...

My creations can be purchased online at...
http://littlekiwisnest.co.nz/store/A.P.T.+CreatioNZ