Bath toys

Bath toys... Who hasn't had the problem of toys that get mouldy inside because it is near impossible to empty all the water?

Recently I came across a brand Olie&Carol that makes bath toys from 100% natural latex. I am very much interested in those toys and I'd love to get a boat and a duck:

 But I still need to find a shop close to me, or at least an online shop in Germany that would have both in stock.

In the meantime I am getting rid of the other toys and I am not buying new ones. The other day though, I decided to make some new toys for the children's bath time:

T. (2,5yo) tried to practice cutting in a straight line while I made some more advanced stuff ;)

In the end I did not get time to get much done, but at least they have a few elements to play with for now. Elements that include numbers from 1 to 5. At some point I'll make more numbers and letters, as well as signs: + , - , = etc.

What do your children play with in their bath?

The SC & more n°289: Mini-cupcake necklace

I had planned on making something bigger for this week's challenge (MY! challenge), but I am lacking time, so I whipped up something this afternoon just before dinner: a mini-cupcake. Wouldn't that look sweet in a doll house? I am toying with the idea of making more actually as it only took me about 15min to make it.

The Museum is one click away

How do you like it?

The chain is a little small for me and my daughter was hoping I'd make it for her... I still haven't finished the doll I was supposed to give her for her birthday, so maybe I'll give her the necklace to make buy her patience? ;)


Check out the others' participation there and to know what next week's challenge will be, visit Isabelle on Friday at 8h!

Nightgown refashioning

Before

during

After

This nightgown was handmade by someone... I don't even know by whom... and somehow it found its way into our wardrobe but I really did not like the collar. It was far too wide. So I cut it, added a bias tape around and a small ribbon in the middle. N. asked for it to be pink before seeing that I had already chosen the right colour ;) - now she rather like the nightgown and is looking forward to cooler nights to be able to wear it.

The SC & more n°289: Birthday!

I am hosting the SC & more this week! It is quite exciting, I loved to see what everybody was making of the theme I gave them the first time.

This week I say: BIRTHDAY! 

This cake was made by my mother, G. and my sister, B. for my daughter, N. and my nieces, L. and M. The three of them are Frozen fans ;)

This summer was full of birthdays among my family and friends, so let your imagination flow and make something related to that theme! 

Have fun!

Edit: i had forgotten the square picture for the museum. Sorry! I am sorry for the quality, but I am away from the computer...

Frédérique & friends

En Vaudou en Voilà
Isabelle Kessedjian
Ma Fabrique by Karo
Ferulitablog
Nathalie Aime
 Madame Cerise

Annie 2 mailles

 L'Antre de Coccinelle
Le Crochet de Marjolaine
Les Babioles d'Aurélie
Letis & ses bêtises 

Crochet with raffia

 This summer I've kept on crocheting even when in France. I had a deadline coming: the birthday celebration for my nieces and my daughter together. Often my fingers were hurting, but I kept going (will be posting the result soon, keep an eye on my blog for the "Pony Frenzy").

At some point I bought a bunch of raffia. I was curious to give it a try and see if it was "crochetable". It is! I made only a tiny basket, I just wanted a break from ponies on one day. My daughter loved it.

 

My apologies!

Good evening everybody!! 

I do apologise for all the ads that are suddenly appearing on my blog. I am currently in the process of installing AdSense to my blog but having some difficulties.

I am doing my best to sort this out as quickly as possible!

The SC & more n°288: Pencil case

Children are going back to school! Next week in France, this week already in Germany! This is the occasion for Isabelle to give us a challenge theme which is quite "common" BUT that leaves room for a lot of various interpretations. Every year we can "re-invent" the pencil case. 

My own children are not going to school yet and already have many cases anyway, so I was looking for an idea. Suddenly I remembered that my brother (currently visiting us) is using a washing mitt for storing his toothbrush and toothpaste when he goes on his scout camps and travels. It is quite good because the fabric absorbs the water, but on the other hand it is completely open and doesn't hold the brush and tube so well. 

So I made this for A. and even machine-embroider (with my basic sewing-machine) his initial:

Material used:

- old jeans

- terry cloth

- thread

- Snap button

I broke a needle in the process, two layers of jeans + 2 layers of terry cloth was a little much. the two sides at the bottom are not completely sewn for several reasons: first, my machine would not even go there! It was far too thick. Second, I thought a bit of "air" coming in was no such a bad idea. And finally I decided to pull a cord through, so that A. has the possibility to hand it somewhere if he likes. If he doesn't want to use it, he can also just easily take it off.

So what do you think? Like it? My son has already begged me for the same :)

Check out the other cases there.

The SC & more n°287: Souvenir

This week the SC & more challenge is hosted by Ma Fabrique by Karo, she is asking us what we did or will bring back home as a souvenir of our holiday. I have two things in mind:

*The rodent skull that my father found in the garden in France. We took it back to the Kindergarten, the children and educators were quite excited about it! Unfortunately I cannot show you a picture, I was sure I had taken one but I cannot find it.

*The other (and much prettier) souvenir I have is a great picture of my two children and my two nieces in their made-with-love nightwear (see post there):

The four of them were delighted with their gowns and pjs. They also had a great time together. Now that they are all above the age of 2, they can have conversations and play very nicely together. Their chattering and laughing is the best souvenir I could bring back from our holiday ♥♥♥♥

Take a look at the Museum to see the other participants' souvenirs.

The SC & more n°286: Sweet Rose

This week Isabelle has a thing for roses. I love those flowers and their various colours and sweet scent!
Attic24 is one of my favourite bl9gs dedicated to crochet. Always full of vibrant coulours and easy to follow patterns. I tried her May roses pattern today and I am delighted with the result!
I used a 2mm hook and embroidery thread for the rse and petals. For the ring , I used my imagination, a 3mm hook and mercerised cotton yarn. I love the result!!

 Visit the Museum for all the other rosy creations!

The SC & more n°285: Self-portrait

This week, Les Bleues Mirettes is asking us a self-portrait. My daughter made one of herself so that's what I am sharing today. She got pink trousers and a "Frozen" t-shirt for her birthday. She loves them! We are having a small holiday and she sent a postcard to her friends. She drew herself in her pink clothes, she even outlined the figures of Elsa and Anna. I find it really sweet.

Square picture for the museum

I apologise for the lack of font colour, page set -up and lack of hidden links, my phone won't let me do what I want, how I want.

Sweet Apple "Pizza"

A while ago I posted a picture of a sweet "pizza" and some of you asked for the recipe. I am sorry it took so long, but here it is! Finally! 

The dough (for about 500gr):

190ml of milk

60gr of butter or margarine

1,5 egg

260gr of flour

6 Tbsp of sugar

A large pinch of salt

1/4 tsp of dry yeast

We used the bread machine to make the dough.

After putting the dough on a baking sheet, we put apple pieces on it and sprinkled rather generously sugar and cinnamon on top. 

In addition we put "crumble" dough:

150gr of soft butter

200gr of sugar

1 sachet of Vanilla sugar

250gr of flour

Don't hesitate to be generous with apples, an alternative can be to put a small layer of apple sauce. Then bake it until the dough looks nice and golden. Bon Appétit!