kids Storage Idea's

 Tree storage at www.eblandar.com

Love the tree it is such a fun piece of useful art to have in a children's bedroom or play room, I would have loved that while growing up it would have been a magical bedroom.

www.petiteliterary.com

My son is too old for this now, but thought it was a great idea.

Found Here

I think this would be good for any age group & looks quite easy to do.

Centsationalgirl.com

I love this, but the window in my daughters bedroom is far to big to create this look I guess I could do the desk on the far side wall instead.

Found Here

Then I could add the window seat, just got to convince my hubby now wish me luck :)

Lainey :)

All images credited

Grease is the word!!

Well I have neglected my blog of late & there has been a reason, I have gotten back to what I used to do many years ago just for a couple of months.

You see I used to be a professional dancer many moons ago & stopped when I was in my 30's to be a full time mum which I embraced & have loved every minute of it, I just got my fix when doing the house work while listening to music I would dance around, its great get's you through all the boring chores :)

I had to put a stop to it when I was doing my creations as I would never get the garment finished, (may be now and again I can get carried away) well I love the feeling of dancing its wonderful to just let go!!!

I never got back to it properly which I trully regrett but as I got on with family life I stopped beliving in myself thinking well its in the past I had my go, move on, I will be no good any more & to old, I so lacked confidence any excusse I would have it.

Well the kids are growing up & my heart was always thinks of that feeling you get when performing I think its always with you, with me I got it dancing around at home or at a Zumba class.

So a month ago I plucked up the courage (with the help of my family) & decided to go to an audition for Grease the musical at the local Amature dramatics company which put on the most professional shows here in Mackay.

I went for the chorus as been 14 years since the last time I performed it was a good place to start we sang first then had to be put into groups of dance ability I just went with the flow danced my socks of my gosh I was having a ball loving every minute of it, the feeling was fantastic.

The next thing I know I am being called up to do another routine with all the young girls my gosh at this time I'm bussing they wanted to decide on the role for Cha Cha, at this point I'm thinking OMG!!

Well I get the call back to read some of the script,  I am overwhelmed, my part of the audition then is over & I get a tap to say thanks for coming & off I go home thinking what a great day I have had & I would just love to be in the Chorus as the feeling of performing again was just a great!!

Got the call at 6pm "Congratulations Cha Cha" OMG!!!! I was amazed well my daughter was laughing at my reaction at this point & so pleased for me.

So now I have 2 months to get my self fit again so stretching & running every day, you see I had to do the splits in the audition Arrrrr  I just went for it didnt think I was 44yrs at that point I was re living the moment of being 20 again, you should have seen the bruise on my knee!!!  It took a few days  for my inner thigh to recover too hee hee.

Rehearsals are going well its a great feeling even if its just this 1 time performing I will cherish every moment & be glad to be a part of the company, as I have become a member now it will be nice to offer my services backstage for other productions, even I know the body can only do so much.

I will try & get some posts together soon, hope I haven't lost to many of you.

Lainey :) x

Image: my own

Mushroom Soup

                                               

This is the best mushroom soup ever well I think so any way!!  

As the weather is getting a little cooler in the evenings  this does the trick to warm you up.

1lb (454kg)  Portobello Mushrooms  chopped

2 cups vegetable stock (hot) I use continental stock pots one little pot makes the 2 cups just dissolve one stock pot in 2 cups of boiling water 

2 onions chopped small pieces

2 cloves garlic chopped

3oz Butter

2 tbs Plain Flour

Cream to server (optional)

I took some pictures to show starting from top left.

Fry the onions, garlic & butter in a large pan stir for a few minutes to glaze.

Add chopped mushrooms & cook for 4 min's keep stirring

Add flour & stir it through

Add hot stock & stir

Cook on stove for 15mins (don't boil) & stir a few times.

I normally leave to stand for 5 mins then put my hand held whisk through just to make sure all the soup is smooth then heat through & serve with some cream (optional)

I also warm a crusty loaf with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese over the top in the oven for a few minutes, tasty to dip this is one of my favourite soup recipes hope you enjoy it as much as I do, it makes about 4 bowls, I will be enjoying it tonight.

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child 

Make Grow Thrift

Just a quick one today & very easy nothing clever at all I just wanted underneath my desk to be tidy it has been driving me mad for ages it just looks awful, I decided it needs to be hidden so this is what I came up with.

One basket cannot remember were I got it from as I had been using it in my kitchen to hold all my plastic containers, need to get a new basket now!!  Spotlight will have them.

To cut out my circle I used a tape roll for a guide as it was big enough for the plugs to fit through, I used a leather man knife so be careful what ever you use.

I am now happy I have nice hidden wires & I can even put in some of my magazines so feeling very tidy!!!

If you have any things you have created grown or thrifted please share it here on Jodies blog  she would love to see you drop by.

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child & The Habby Goddess

Custom Made

Just made a nappy holder  for a lady who is expecting her first child & wanted something in the nursery to keep all her nappies neat & tidy.

Her theme was Mini Mouse so I thought this would really suit.

I really enjoyed making this so will be doing some more just go to HERE  if you are interested in me doing a custom order or my made it shop the link is HERE where I will be adding ready made as soon as possible.

Hope you have a great week what ever your plan's.

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child

Loving Pink!!

I brought this lovely fabric a couple of weeks ago from Fabric Traders I was so excited when it arrived & so pleased with my fabric choice  (its a little brighter than shown here).  

       

I thought it would be nice to make a little cover to protect my book its ideal to carry down to the beach or while lounging around the pool (when I get time of course)  I attached some ribbon in the seam so I could use it for my book mark.

I had some more fabric left (yay) so I decided to make some cushions with out zips for a change, I think the bow is quite cute & makes a change from a zip don't you think??

I will have to order some more of this fabric I hope the girls have some more in stock.

Hope you all had a lovely Easter, I did!! Caught up wth all my family had lots of lovely days catching up with them all, it went far to quickly, looking forward to the next time we can all get together again.

These Items can be purchased Here will also be on my Made it store .


Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child                                                        

My Creative space!

I love making notice boards for people & I try to make them a little bit different this is one of my pieces I created for a little girls bedroom the 3 boards all sit well together I think, & the ribbons all line up with each board.

I embellished these ones with a few fabric flowers I put together.

If you are interested in a custom made notice board please e-mail me as I would love to create something for you sales@calicochild.com 

Hope you go have a look at some other great creations over HERE

Thanks for stopping by Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child

Frilly Skirt Sold!!

SOLD

Yay!!! Whoop wooo!!!! sorry just so excited I had my first sale on my Made it.com today so I just wanted to shout out yippeeeeee.

I have some other cute things too if you want to take a peek HERE or HERE 


Enjoy the rest of the week hope you all get to shout Whoop Wooo!!

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child

Make: Grow: Thrift:

I thought I would show you how to make a little reversible hat,  here are my fabric choices, I feel in a green mood at the moment it must be because I was sat relaxing in my chair looking at the lovely green grass this morning I am even wearing a green top today so definitely in a green mood. 

On paper or card cut out  2 shapes the 1 on the left is for the circle around the base of the hat and you cut out the fabric on the fold as it will open to a bigger shape x2 pieces, you can do in same fabric but I thought I would be different & did it in 2 different one's then sew them together to form the circle. The shape on the right is like a long triangle cut out x3 in 1 fabric choice & 3 in the other, stitch each section together half inch seam allowance.

Here they all are ready to sew I got a little ribbon for the top & I cut out another lot in green gingham just for the inside if you want me to explain better & grab a template just e-mail me or you can buy them from Here. 

Have a great day what ever you are creating & please join in the fun at Jodie's blog & link what ever you have made grown or thrift hope to see you there!!

Haby Goddess

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child, button haby goddess

Relaxing Pod Chair!!

Pod Chair

Well the day has finalli arrived & my Pod chair has got hung yay!!!  I managed to grab an hour to sit & relax yesterday with my book befor the family all gathered for dinner, it was magical just swinging in the shade listening to the birds twittering.

Its made from a synthetic rattan & can go out in the weather so thats a win win for me I will just take the cushions off when the rain appears.

Hope your are all having a great week & can find time to relax with a favourite book!!

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child

"Vive Le Livre"

Well today I am joining in with Felicity from Gifts of Serendipity who on Tuesdays has a link called "Vive Le Livre" where she discuses  books she has been reading, she is such a good writer & talks about it all so very eloquently a true gifter.

You can read other bloggers comments too & add to there conversation, she loves people getting involved with the conversation like I said "a true gifter"

The book I have chosen to read this month is called "The Paris Wife" by Paula Mclain its all about Hadley Richardson when she meets Ernest Hemingway, it starts off in 1920 Chicago, I would love to have seen the roaring 20's all the dancing & party's.

Any way I best get on & start reading this book will let you know how its all going next week see ya, If you are reading any books at the moment please play along & head on over to Felicity's blog she would love to hear from you happy reading.

Gifts of Serendipity

Lainey :) x

Images: Book booktopia, "Vive Le Livre" gifts of serendipity

Make: Grow: Thrift:

A friend asked me to make her a top taking the patten from one of her well worn & loved tops so I cut it up.  It was quiet tricky as had lost its shape & lots of frilly pieces too add.

I did it though (phew) with a few fittings in between as I wanted it to be perfect especially as it had to be identical to the old one, sorry I forgot to take a pick of all the scraps from the old fabric as wanting to get this post done.

It made my day when Fee stopped by the shop wearing the top after having lunch with a friend, I now have 2 more pieces of fabric to create another couple of tops but a different style I have some good pattern's to work from this time so should be a breeze :)

Hope you have a great Make: Grow & Thrift day!! Head on over to jodie if you want to join in with the link

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child

Make: Grow: Thrift:

well I thought I would join Jodie's link party today & here is what I did, this piece of furniture what going to get thrown out (isn't it shocking)?  But I changed my mind & thought I would have a go at painting it as I needed something small out side my kids bedrooms.

I am really pleased how it turned out only took 2 coat's of paint to make it look fresh & new,  I put the battery operated white lights in the hurricane vase so on a night its just enough light shining & not using up any electricity.

I  put on the frames that were cross stitched for me by my cousins wife they have my kids birth dates on so I thought it would be nice to have by there rooms.   My oldest put the vase & butterfly on so I left it as she choose,  I think it looks pretty so why not!!

Hope you have a great day & enjoy looking at all the other lovely items at Jodie's link party.

Lainey :) x

Images: Calico Child

Happy Valentines Day!

I have found out my William Shakespeare book on the art of love which I received a couple of Valentines ago.

Its filled with all Shakespeare's poems & some of his plays so at some point today I will be sat with my box of chocolates (thanks hubby) & a large coffee.

I think I will start with some of the scenes from Love's Labour's Lost, before I start Romeo & Juliet  which is one of my favourites, which one of Shakespeare's plays is yours?

Hope you all have a romantic day with your loved ones. 

Lainey :) x

Image: Calico Child

Pencil case.

Just a little something I made, great for keeping your pencils organised, when measuring the fabric on the width do 1 inch per pencil & go as wide as you want, then the height can be  the length of your pencils plus 3 more inches that's on 2 pieces of the fabric on the short piece of fabric measure less than half on height & same for width.

Stitch the  gross grain ribbon on the small piece of fabric before you join on the larger pieces & leave extra on side to help with when you roll up the case & tie off.

Hope I explained OK just e-mail me with any questions. sales@calicochild.com

Lainey :)

Images: Calico Child

Happy New Year!!

Well better late then never  I finale got myself on to my blog, I have been having so much fun with the kids I could never seem to find the time to sit & say anything that I thought was worth saying, so I just hid away with my family :)

I am back & hopefully will have lots to talk about & show you in the coming months, I might have been off my blog but I have still enjoyed following all my lovely blogging friends & seeing what wonderful things they have had to say & show, you are all amazing!!

So Happy new year to you and thanks for all your lovely comments & e-mails it keeps me going, enclosed a few picks & letting you know a little bit more about what I have been up too!!

Received

I got given these gorgeous little mannequins from a lovely friend I have found a perfect place for them :)

Making

This is a delicious Cheesecake a really good friend gave me a family recipe its just heaven a real traditional cheesecake.

Arranging

My new job working in this fabulous furniture shop where I get to arrange all these gorgeous pieces of furniture its a pleasure to go to work :))

Buying

Thought we would have a go at camping we have talked about it for such a long time so we got the tent & will be trying it out in the real world once the wet season is over, the kids loved camping out in the garden so the real thing should be fun will let you know how we go!!

Wishing 

I really want one of these aren't they gorgeous?  I can never find them at the right price, will have to keep looking, I am sure one day I will find one :) 

Elaine :) x

Images : All Calico Child apart from last one found HERE