Craft swap...Part 2

If you have arrived here and haven't yet read my previous post, Craft swap...Part 1, please scroll down and read that post first.
So...a few months back I signed up to do my very first craft swap, at a fabulous blog called Craftaholics Anonymous. It had been arranged by a lovely lady called Linda, she is based in the US and very kindly matched us all up with various people / Craftaholics worldwide. And what a fabulous job she did. Thank-you Linda. xx
I had a fabby swap buddy named Ros, another funky mama who loves to sew. Check out her fun blog here. And leave her a comment, trust me..she will LOVE you for it.
So here is what I made for Ros.

A tote bag and a zippered pouch, which fits in the tote bag. And these gorgeous patterns were from a lovely blog called Noodle-head, which was created by the talented Anna Graham. If you would like any of these patterns, and others, pop over and see Anna and her blog.

Well, that's it for tonight readers, must get back to the sewing machine, I hear it's sweet call.

xx manda

Craft swap...Part 1

Yesterday...I heard the crunch of footsteps coming up my path....I raced to the front door...for I had been awaiting a special arrival....and there it was on my doorstep...the package from my Craftaholics Anonymous handmade gift swap buddy! And I actually squealed with delight when I saw it there, lying suggestively on my doorstep ;)
I raced back inside and ripped it open..to find the most beautiful handmade delights from my new found blog friend and funky mama, Ros.
And here they are. A gorgeous handbag with beautiful big button (vintage I think?, which is my absolute favourite kind of button!), a gorgeous Christmas apron, or pinny, as my mumma would have called it (can't wait to swoon around in this little number on Christmas day, it is sooo gorgeous!), and a very cute felt and button Christmas tree decoration, which is taking pride of place on my tree this year.

Thank you so much Ros. This was my first swap, and this has given me the desire to do more. You are a gorgeous funky mama with so much talent. xx

Please check out Ros' blog Sew Delicous, leave her a comment to let her know that you dropped by via Nanny Kate. Trust me, we bloggers absolutely squeal with delight when we get a new comment. Listen closely and you just might hear a funky mama squeal tonight.

xx manda

A little something for a rainy day

Well we have had a little something for a sunny day...now here is a little something for a rainy day.
For the last few days here in Sydney the rain has been steadily coming down. I don't really want to rug up in winter style clothes, as let's face it, Christmas is just around the corner. So today I threw on a scarf and added a little brooch from Nanny Kate which has added a little sunshine to my rainy day.

x manda

A little something for a sunny day

Here are some little sundresses that I have been working on here at Nanny Kate. And I must say, that I have enjoyed making these. Just selecting the fabrics is enough to bring me out in "the happy dance"

As you all know by now, I absolutely ADORE fabric! And the fabric prints for these dresses needed to be different to the fabric prints I may usually use, for say, my little dollies or the lining of my big and little sister bags, this fabric needed to suit a big dolly...a real life dolly...a little person!
So I ran these up...let me know what you think.

They are currently available in my made it store in sizes 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4
And are priced at $28 + postage.

frilly pant-a-wear

Frills, frills, frills...now who doesn't love a pair of frilly knickers, or pant-a-wear as my little girl calls them! (too cute, not that I am biased or anything)
I have had so much fun making these beauties, it is actually really hard to stop thinking up all the combinations of fabric I could use. Such a great way to use those little treasured pieces of fabric up, that you just couldn't possibly part with, because they are just too gorgeous and one day surely you will find a use for them ;)
Enough of my day-dreaming / (dare I say) fantasising about fabric..mmmm
Onto the frilly pant-a-wear..these particular ones are all sized to fit the 12-18 months, but I will be making more in other smaller sizes, and am very happy to make to a particular colour combo and size requirement. Just message me if you want to order any of these, I am yet to put them up on my MadeIt site, but will get around to it. They are priced at $16 a pair or two for $30, plus postage.

xx manda

school holiday fun..and a bit of sanity

Here is a little something which I did with my kids today. I found the idea on this blog.
When I saw this idea, I put it in my memory bank, and those of you that know me well, will know that my memory bank isn't always available for withdrawls ;) But today was the day I needed this one.
It is only day 2 of holidays here, and the kids were starting to climb the walls already, and therefore drive this mama around the bend! So I dipped into the memory bank and remembered this little nature palette which I saw a while ago.
All it takes is some cardboard, (my weetbix box came in handy here) a marker, some crayons or textas, and some double sided tape...just a few of the usual things a crafty mama has at her disposal.
Draw the outline of a painters palette on the cardboard, then mark some circles for the colours and write the name of a colour under each one. Then set the kids to work on colouring in the circles with the relevant colour (this is where the big ones that can read, can help the little ones who can't quite just yet), then when they have finished that, you can stick on some double sided tape into each now beautifully coloured-in circle...then put the kettle on...open the back doors and "set the monkeys free"
Where upon they will (hopefully) happily roam free in the garden/yard and pull leaves off plants, petals off your flowers and dig in the rocks to find the bits and pieces they need to complete their nature palette.

Give it a go...you might even get some time for a quiet cuppa ;)

before...

and after.

xx manda

Happy Anniversary

Well, this isn't strictly a Nanny Kate thing, but I thought I would share it with you all anyway.
Last Wednesday was my 9th wedding anniversary, and this is the card I made for my much loved hubby.
I really enjoyed making this one, and I think he quite liked it too ;)
The products I used are from stampin' up, with the exception of the 2 light blue rub-ons. If you want to find out more about stampin' up and their gorgeous products go and see my friend and stampin' mama Juliette. She is a very talented and very lovely lady, she even has classes, where you can go along and make some cards or a project. Go on, treat yourself, you won't regret it..it is sooo much fun, and trust me, anyone can do it!

xx manda

Yummy chocolate truffles

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend and are ready to take on Father's Day tomorrow (for those of you who are in Australia that is)

A couple of weekends ago I shared a lovely weekend away for 30 or so other stampin' mamas in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. And it was all organised by a gorgeous lady who is beautiful both inside and out..Marelle Taylor (find her blog here)
And on that weekend away we were all asked to bring a little something to share for morning / afternoon tea. I decided to bring some yummy choccies truffles. Now this recipe was given to me by my very dear friend Mel, a truly inspirational woman.

Now Mel assured me, as I will assure you, that they are so very easy to make...and very hard to stop eating!

Here is the recipe:

300g Oreo cookies
250g block of cream cheese
dark or milk chocolate (for dipping)
white chocolate (for drizzling)

-chuck the cookies in the food processor and whiz until finely crushed.
-chuck in the cream cheese and whiz again, until it is all nicely squished together.
-roll mixture into whatever size balls you like (I like to do mine slightly larger than the size of a macadamia nut, but it is totally up to you)
-then I put them on a tray and throw them in the fridge for about an hour.
-then you can use a toothpick if you like for this step, dip them into the melted chocolate.
-if it takes your fancy, you can drizzled some white chocolate over them (I like to do this, because it hides any choccie dipping boo-boo's and makes them look pretty!)

Have fun making these yummy treats...maybe even some for dad tomorrow? If he is lucky enough.

x manda

A rose for a rose

Just a quick one to share with you all today. I wanted to liven up a little denim pinafore I bought for my daughter and thought I would try my hand at making fabric rolled roses...and I must say they were so very simple to make, and a good reason to save those little strips of fabric offcuts, not like I need an excuse though ;) And I love how there are all the little raggy bits show up too, it gives it a fun, casual feel. Oh, and of course, I had to make her a matching hairclip! Which she refused to model for me so I could take a photo. Those of you that know my little girl, know that she is strong willed and won't change her mind until she wants to, so sorry, no photos of the little one with the golden curls today.

What do you think? Have any of you out there made these little beauties before? Any tips or tricks?
Would love to hear from you all, please share what you have been up to in the crafting room lately.

x manda

made it..

...the online store that is.

Today was the day that I took the dive and finally set-up my madeit.com.au store.
It has been ages since I have meant to get my backside into gear and list some things on made it.
Please check my store out, look around and see if there is anything you would like to take-away with you!
This is the link www.madeit.com.au/NannyKate

Before and after

Hi there everyone! Well we have been blessed with another beautiful day here in Sydney. The sun was shining and the washing was drying.
Today I thought I would share with you the before and after pics of my desk. Where all Nanny Kate products are made. My lovely hubby designed and made the fabby set of shelves over my desk. Which helped me get all the 'stuff' off the floor under my desk.
As you can see by the photos, I have A LOT of stuff that goes into creating all the things I love to make.
And the photo doesn't show the cupboard full of fabric and felt that also makes up my supplies for creating.
So now I have a more workable space. A place where I can create my work and have all the bits and pieces I need within easy reach.
Thanks gorgeous hubby!

I would love to see your workspaces. Please leave me a comment and a photo of your workspace and one lucky winner will receive a Nanny Kate prize!

x manda

Getting ready

Here are a couple of clips that will be coming with me on the journey to the market in Glenbrook on Saturday 16th July.
I am returning to Glenbrook after a four month break, and I must say, that I am looking forward to going back there. Not the freezing cold early morning start mind you, but the experience of the day. The natter that Emma and I have, she is my market buddy, she is the designer/maker behind Chitter & Chatter, and seeing our "regulars", the people that come and visit us every market, whether it be to pick up something new from us, or just to pop by and say hello. Both Emma and I love these little interactions and look forward to them each and every time.
I am looking forward to seeing you all up in the beautiful Blue Mountains on Saturday, don't forget to drop in and say hello. Any of you who stop by and let me know that you follow me on my blog will receive a free little gift!

Felt necklaces at Purely4Kids

Here we are inside on a very windy, wintery Sydney day. As my mum says, "it's a good washing day"...but that is about all the kids and I can manage to do today outside.

It really is a day for staying in, and maybe doing a bit of blogging, playing with play-doh, colouring-in, baking, and maybe even some buying from the latest great kids website, Purely4Kids 

Today I wanted to share with you these felt necklaces that I have for sale over at Purely4Kids, a website that is supporting local Australian designers and makers, and providing fabulous products "for babies, teens & in-betweens"
Please follow the link I have provided and see what this fabulous new website has to offer. There are a whole range of beautiful products to peruse, not just Nanny Kate.

xx manda

Edie and Marty

Meet the latest additions to the Nanny Kate family, finger puppets 'Edie the Elephant' and 'Marty the Monkey'. And no, I haven't forgotten to add an extra 'd' in Edie. She is a...well...a 'she', and has been named after my best friends little girl Edie.
Ever since the day this little girl arrived into the world, (a whole 13 days before my boy Jack), I have fallen in love with the name, and also this very wonderful little girl. She is such a gorgeous girl who is stacks of fun, and we are looking forward to catching up with her and her yummy mummy during these school holidays.
You see, before Jack and Edie started school they were pretty much inseparable, we spent on average one day a week together the four of us, the kids and us two mums. We shared endless cups of tea, coffee, and juice, many cupcakes and bikkies, and all sorts of other mischief.
Hope you all enjoy the school holidays and find some time to catch up with the people you love the most but maybe haven't had much of a chance to spend time with in the last few months.

xx manda

Dollies

I thought that today I would share with you some of the latest additions to the Nanny Kate family that are now in the hot little hands of the lovely ladies over at Purely4Kids
Please go and check out this fabby new website that 3 very lovely and very funky mamas have put together. I am sure you will find something that tickles your fancy.

xx manda

More clouds

I promised these a while back, and here they are. Some more clouds, these ones have little coloured satin ribbons coming from them, and I must say, I quite like them. What do you think?
The first image is of brooches, and the second is of a hair-clip, which after the photo, my daughter didn't want to take out of her hair...It has 'little one' approval, that must be a good thing.

xx manda

A cloudy day

These are the latest creations for Nanny Kate. They are the first two, so stay tuned for the following clouds...

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

manda

Anyone for a cuppa?

Hello there, I hope you have all been having a lovely weekend. Today saw us celebrating our daughters 3rd birthday, with a party at home. It was an all girl occasion, except for daddy and big brother, who were both a great help, particularly big brother who was in charge of "Oli's Lollies", a little lolly shop we set-up so that the guests could make a selection of their favourites to go into their lolly bags, which our son then got to spoon into the lolly-pink lolly bags. Needless to say, he relished his role and was fantastic at it too. (Thanks buddy...you really are a "super-dooper-helper-trooper")

I thought I would share one of my favourites with you today. These little ones are called "tea-for-two"..they come as two fun tea bags and two yummy bikkies. I have lots of fun doing these, even though they are very time consuming, (every little hundred and thousand is hand sewn on) but I still love the look on peoples faces at my market stall when they see them, it makes all the hand stitching worthwhile! Enjoy!

Take-away treats...

that is the title of these little lovelies. Take-away treats of a healthy kind that is.
They are just another little addition to the felt playfood I have been making.
I must say, I absolutely love making the apples, they just look super yummy!
And they are a lot of fun to make.
I sell them in a set of one apple (colour of your choice), two small strawberries, and one carrot, topped off in a little take-away container. Hopefully it might encourage your little one to desire more healthy treats...well a mum can dream can't she?

Feel free to email me if you are interested in purchasing a container of
"take-away treats"

xx manda

This one is for you Ailsa...and all the others!

Hello Ailsa and everybody else that has been missing me! Firstly I must apologise for my total lack of blogging in well... too many months to mention really :(

Life in "Nanny Kate and family land" has been pretty busy and also very fun. To be honest, I have been enjoying life so very much lately, that Nanny Kate Design has fallen by the wayside a bit. But as always, I have been creating lots of different things, just not necessarily Nanny Kate things. Card making has taken my world by storm,(am thinking I should actually start a bit of a side blog with all my other creations? Let me know what you think. xx)

And my lovely group of friends, both school and pre-school mums have become a constant source of laughter, support and love. Love you girls! XXX. Actually...the school mums and I are heading out tonight for a ladies/sassy mums dinner tonight, and I know that each and everyone of us is looking forward to it greatly. And then this Saturday night sees me hosting a "ladies night" at my place for my pre-school friends, another group of yummy mummies. They are such a lovely group of ladies all of whome I love very much. We have such a fun time sharing with each other, whether it be a favourite recipe, a walk, a zumba class or just a chuckle, we love spending time together.

And just over a week ago our family joined in celebrating my hubby's gorgeous and very lovely...did I mention gorgeous! little sister's wedding. It was such a beautiful day here in Sydney and the happy couple were just so...well happy! You just couldn't wipe the smile off their faces if you tried. They both absolutely shone on the day and a great time was had by all, including my two little people.
We also really enjoyed having so many family members come over from New Zealand and New York.

So here are a few pics for you all.

My baby girl...so very pretty

My boy and I

Daddy's girl

Thanks for stopping by...and let me make a promise to you all...I promise to return to blog again in the next 48 hours! Yes that is right...believe it or not!

xx manda