Modern Sampler Bee: Block for Juliet

I was so happy to get my blocks in the mail to the other Bee participants last week.  Juliet has just revealed her one, and better yet - she likes it! :)

Told you I had fallen for hexies!  Initially I only completed the 5 blocks for the other bee members... but yesterday started working on mine.  Whoopee!

Happy Thursday everyone.

xx

Linking up with clever people here.

Book Review: The Odd Egg

The Odd Egg
Author: Emily Gravett
Dummy, Paperback, Hardback, US


Synopsis:
When Duck finds an egg of his own he's delighted: it's the most beautiful egg in the world! But all the other birds think it's a very odd egg indeed and everyone's in for a big surprise when the egg hatches. Children and adults alike will love the witty outcome and Emily Gravett's playful watercolour and pencil illustrations.

Last year I discovered Emily Gravett and I have fallen in love with her books.

This story is charming, sweet and we enjoy it immensely.  What's not to love about a duck looking after an egg about 10 times its size!  You know how it will end but the journey is fun every time.  Her illustrations are timeless.  We all love this book but it is probably better suited for children 2+.  A real treat.

Happy Reading
xx

Thank you very much...

After Anya's birthday we sent out wee thank you cards to all who made her big day special.

They're simple but we liked them a lot!

Linking up with clever people here.
xx

Book Review: Orange Pear Apple Bear

Orange Pear Apple Bear
Author: Emily Gravett, Illustrated by Ben Cort
campbellb, Paperback, Hardback, Board book, US


Synopsis:

Available in difference book formats, this simple book featuring an orange, a pear, an apple and a bear is extremely clever. By rearranging just four words, Emily Gravett creates a series of playful images which are a sheer joy - and intensely satisfying. The loose energy of the pencil and watercolour pictures will be irresistible to adults and children alike.

I dont know what it is about this book, but I was enchanted the minute I started reading it.  And there is not much to read at all.  Everyone joins in, though it is a bit basic for the 4 year old.  She still likes the pictures and finds it amusing.  Clever and simple - it is pure joy.  

Happy reading.
xx

I ♥ Hexies

I've recently discovered Hexies.
And I have fallen hard...
They are time-consuming and require quite a bit of effort but... once you stand back and look at them...
Ahhhh ♥

My 1st (and only) to date: size 1cm

xx


Linking up with crafty peeps here.

Book Review: Aliens Love Underpants

Aliens Love Underpants
Author: Claire Freedman, Illustrated by Ben Cort
Simon & Schuster, Paperback, US



Synopsis:
"Aliens love underpants, in every shape and size, But there are no underpants in space, so here's a big surprise..." You probably thought aliens came down to Earth with a view to taking over the planet - but, no, they simply want to steal your pants! This zany, hilarious tale, delightfully brought to life by Ben Cort's vibrant illustrations, is sure to enchant and amuse the whole family. With a madcap, rhyming text, perfect for joining in, this story is fantastically fresh and funny - you'll laugh your pants off!


A delightful rhyming story with bright and fun illustrations.  It is a little more wordy than the last few books I've written about but all 3 stay engaged with and enjoy this story.  Ideal median age would probably be 3.  It's bright, fun and funky.  What's not to love? 


Happy reading.
xx

My heart in a card...

Valentines day...  Hubby and I aren't big on the occasion but will often at least exchange a card... and I didn't really realise that it was today, until yesterday...

Thanks to my good friend Pinterest though, I had seen this fantastic idea/tutorial/template a few days ago...

Hubby discovered it this morning at work when he opened his laptop up... I'm sure there are little hearts stuck in the keys now...☺

Happy V-Day Everyone
xx

Cake Anyone?

Having spent a bit of time researching cakes for the last birthday I have fallen in love (again) with rainbow cakes... And then the universe showed me this pattern...

How could I not give it a go?

I didn't have poly-fill pellets around so I cut out a cardboard triangle and popped it in the bottom for stability.  And I added a pink cherry on top!

Good enough to eat :)

Nom nom's
xx

Linking up with crafty cats here.

Book Review: Stomp!

Stomp!
Author: Ruth Paul
Scholastic, Softcover, New Zealand



Synopsis:
A dinosaur follow-the-leader story! Follow Ruth Paul's colourful dinosaurs as they HOP, STOMP and ROAR their way through the pages of this beautifully illustrated book. On the outward journey the largest dinosaur leads, until they can go no further ...then on the way back, it's baby dinosaur who gets to lead the way!

This book is delightfully simple.  Few words and gorgeous pictures.  The girls love it and it's especially suited to little ones like my >1 and 2 year old girls.  The words are easy to follow, the pictures clear and beautiful, and lots of things to name and point out - dinosaurs, other animals, actions, etc.  We Love it.

Happy reading
xx

C-r-o-c-h-e-t

Last year my lovely juvely friend Cat and I became Hookers...

Christmas Baubles - Pattern @ Greedy for Colour

Like true ladies of the night, we learned the basics on Friday nights during November 2011 from the very talented and funny Natalie.  Once we got into the rhythm we were hooked!

First Hat - Lesson 2

Since those first lessons full of innuendo, jokes, frustrations and the odd expletive, laughter and scrummy food, we have become more bold and daring in our projects!

Mastering the "Ripple"

I don't have nearly enough time for all my little projects but from Friday night we'll be having monthly crochet/craft nights which should go a little way to scratching some itches!

Cutie Cupcake - Pattern Here

You can read about our lesson evenings here, here and here.

Christmas stars - Lesson 4, just for fun.

Ohh the possibilities...

Stripy Dutch Christmas Bauble

Gifts, decorations, fun...

Granny Square Cushion Cover

I'm working on another new item...just for fun...

I highly recommend it as a hobby!
Go wild, go crochet!
xx

Sunshine ♥

Trouble Anyone?
3 Rays of Sunshine on a dreary day.
♥

Book Review: Mind Your Gramma!

Mind Your Gramma!
Author: Yvonne Morrison, Illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson
Scholastic, Hardback, New Zealand


We recently gave this book to the girls' Granny. She is referred to as the "grammar police" from time to time by family and friends, so this seemed a rather brilliant book for her to share with the grandchildren!

Synopsis:
Gramma asks me about my day, and I say, Me and my friend played soccer. She says, My friend and I played soccer. I say, At your age? Kids and adults alike will laugh aloud at this series of hilarious misconstruals between a child and her grandmother as Gramma corrects the child's grammar!

We all absolutely love this book - it is hilarious.  Even the littlies at 2 and 4 enjoy it - or maybe they just enjoy the rest of us getting a kick out of it!?  A funny (or alarming) reminder of what's becoming of our language skills.

Gorgeous illustrations accompany this hilarious story.  We will be sharing it with many people and it's already a firm favourite.

Linking up with Remaliah hosting this months' Book Club with a fantastic review of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 


Happy Reading
xx

Pink is for a birthday girl ...

My biggest baby Anya turned 4 last month.... sob sniff...  So we had a wee party for the big girl and invited some kindy and new friends to celebrate her special day - it's not every day you have a party that doesn't consist of only family friends!

She requested a pink cake (her favourite colour), she loves butterflies, dresses, flowers and fairies...
Pinterest was a great source of inspiration and ideas. 

The Invitations:

The cake:

Paper bunting, butterflies, balloons, cupcakes, food and pink:

Swings, bouncy castle, lanterns, windmills, chalk, ride-ons and climber...

Presents:

A great day for my lovely, sweet, kind and caring Angel.

xx