Monthly Archives: October 2011

5 Great Finds: Halloween Edition

Posted on by Mika
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This week, I am showcasing some of my favourite Halloween finds.

Enjoy! Mika xo

Edible Worms!

Halloween Decorations made out of Rubbish Bags

rubbish bag halloween decorations

Source: How About Orange

Printable Halloween Paper Craft

halloween paper craft

Simple Witches Hats

Printable Halloween Banner

halloween Banner

Source: The Paper Nut via Skip To My Lou

(Plus ONE MORE: Don’t forget the cool treat bags that I blogged about, by Cheri from I Am Momma – Hear Me Roar.)


Make your own themed loot bag

Posted on by Mika
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As part of Family Home Evening on Monday, we watched the final of the Rugby World Cup, All Blacks vs France. Guess who we were supporting?!

These are the treat bags I made for the kids.

I was totally inspired by the adorable bags that Cheri from I Am Momma – Hear Me Roar made for Halloween. Check out the photo from her site, cute! She includes a really easy to follow tutorial on how to make them.

Halloween Treats | I Am Momma – Hear Me Roar

For my treat bags, I put the logo of the All Blacks, but you could print anything on them! I was thinking they would make great themed loot bags or prizes for birthday parties.

Themed Loot Bag Tutorial

Copy and Paste the image of your choice onto Publisher, Word or whatever equivalent you use.

Adjust the size of the image to fit the size of your paper bag, leaving enough room for the stitching and a slight border. It does not need to be exactly centred, because you are cutting the image out.

You may find that you need to tape the paper bag to some paper or cardboard before putting it in the printer. My printer caught the bottom (flat part) of the bag, just fine without taping it to paper.

Carefully sew around the image, leaving an opening.

Depending on how you printed it, and where you left the unsewn space to place the lollies in, you may need to cut your bag to access it. As you can see from my bag, I printed it so I could use the opening of the paper bag as my entry point for the lollies.

Sew the opening shut. (This is where you find out if you have over stuffed your bag with lollies! You may need to eat a few lollies to close it, but that is the price you have to pay, ladies!)

Now, all that is left is to cut out your shape, and you are finished!

I am linking up with:

Our Creative Space

Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple

Made by You Mondays at Skip to My Lou

DIY Under $5 at A Little Tipsy

Talent Tuesdays at Vintage Wanna Bee

5 Great Finds: Info on Toddler Activities, Rapunzel Hair Tutorial, Bread Bowl Recipe, Homemade Gift Guide, Crochet Ripple Tutorial

Posted on by Mika
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I’m excited about the various guides and tutorials that I get to share with you this week.

Toddler in Tow has lots of information on fun things to do with your children. They mainly cater to Porirua parents, but quite often they list events in other areas. Their school holiday listings, for example, covered activities in Wellington through to Upper Hutt.

Skip to My Lou has created a great resource for those homemade-present-makers out there.

I have now added crochet ripple blanket, Rapunzel hair, and yummy bread bowl to my ‘things I want to try’ list. (Which is growing at a rapid rate!)

Enjoy! Mika xo

Toddler in Tow

Rapunzel Hair | The Weekend Homemaker

[via Valerie from Family Fun Blog's Pinterest Board]

Bread Bowl Recipe | Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Handmade Gift Tutorials | Skip to My Lou

Crochet Ripple Tutorial | Attic24

[via Kate from Mummy Adventures]


Rugby World Cup 2011 Baby!

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Source: Belfast Telegraph

We were set to win against the French in the final. The All Blacks were the only team in this year’s tournament that were unbeaten. We even defeated the French in the pool match with ease.

It was supposed to be a great game to see the All Blacks do what they do best – WIN.

But……we were told over and over again, “do not underestimate the French”.

“They are unpredictable”, commentators and players from past and present repeated.

Unfortunately, we got to see it first hand in the finals of the Rugby World Cup.

To the All Blacks credit, we hung in there….

….but we weren’t supposed to just “hang in there”, we were supposed to topple the French.

That just didn’t happen. What they all said was right, the French were indeed, unpredictable. The team that came to play in the finals, was a different team to what we have seen throughout the tournament.

They made us work. There was no room to move. Both teams wanting to be crowned, the World Champions of 2011.

In the end, there was only ONE point in it! ONE POINT!

And it was OURS!

Source: Getty Images

When other teams would have lost focus and discipline, the All Blacks dug deep for the entire 80 minutes, and made us proud!!

It seems too crazy to be true… the first-five eighth, who kicked the crucial penalty kick to ensure we stayed in the lead, was not the replacement for our injured Dan Carter. No, he wasn’t even the replacement for the replacement. He was the FOURTH choice!

Stephen Donald came in, after all THREE first-five eighth were injured during the tournament (poor Aaron Cruden was injured in the final). The legend goes, he was fishing in the Waikato 2 weeks ago, before he received the call to join the All Blacks in the World Cup squad. Just look at where he ended up! The hopes and dreams of New Zealanders on his shoulders in the Cup Final! Boy, did he deliver!

Rugby World Cup Champions!! Sounds sooo goood! **happy dance**

The irony:

In 1987, we played and won against the same opponent, in the same (upgraded) pitch, when New Zealand and Australia hosted the first World Cup. We had not won the Rugby World Cup since.

I was 10 when we won the 1987 World Cup. My oldest daughter is now, 10.

Favourite Part of the Game: Prop Tony Woodock scoring an amazing try from a set move at line out.

Worse Part of the Game: Being ONLY 1 point ahead for the majority of the game. I mean, talk about nerve-racking!! If they scored a try, it was over. If they got a penalty goal, it was over. Aarrrgghhhh!!

Favourite Part of the Night: Richie McCaw getting his hands on the Webb Ellis Cup. As we like to say in New Zealand, “YOU BEAU-TY!!!!”

Did anyone else feel sorry for the French after their defeat? They looked sooo gutted (another kiwi term?)

Maybe it was because we KNOW how they feel? Unfortunately, we have been where they are, and it is oh so bitter. The feeling of anticipation and hope, followed by crushing defeat.

We have become experts, because we have lost the last 5 attempts at becoming World Champions, since our win in 1987.

This year was our year, and we are so proud of the All Blacks for delivering! Our win is dedicated to all the All Blacks teams, who were number one in the world leading up to the World Cup, but weren’t able to take home the trophy.

Richie, Graham Henry and the boys, as a nation, we sure are proud of you!!

Source: Getty Images

 

And how cool is this photo!

Israel Dagg & Cory Jane making snow angels in the confetti

 

Source: Facebook

What super power would you choose?

Posted on by Mika
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As I finished getting the kids into bed last night, a thought popped into my mind:

“What super power would come in handy as a mother?”

Here are some things that I came up with:

  • Mind Reading Power: I can imagine this would come in handy with teenagers.
  • Super Patience: Just when you think you’re going to lose it, you get a huge whoosh of calm energy to last to the end of the day (or until your side kick arrives).
  • Super Energy: Two hourly feeds during the night or the witching hour before dinner, is no match for the super hero who never gets tired.
  • Super Intelligence: You will no longer be stumped with what to say or do when faced with sibling rivalry, toddler tantrums or teenage angst.
  • Mary Poppins Power: The specific power I am referring to, is when she clicks her fingers and was able to clean a room “spit spot”. Nice!
  • Power to Turn Back Time: This would be helpful in sooooo many situations!
  • The Ability to Clone Yourself: Perfect for when you have 3 kids talking to you at one time, or when you have to breastfeed, play with your toddler AND get dinner ready, all at the same time! Phew!

I am curious….if you could have any super power, what would you choose?

My Creative Space: Felt Owl Keyring

Posted on by Mika
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This cute little owl key ring was inspired by the owl ornament tutorial at Juicy Bits by Jessica and the lovely turquoise felt that I had in my felt stash.

I drafted up a pattern, because I had a different look in mind for my owl.

Then I stitched it together while listening online to the fab Gen Conf talks, when hubby was out of town.

The felt and key ring were all purchased from Spotlight.

Happy creating, everyone at Our Creative Spaces.

Hello..

Posted on by Mika
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Hello my poor wee neglected blog…

Gosh, it’s been a while, but then again, time seems to be whizzing by lately.

Life has been really full with things that ‘need’ to be done (house stuff, Playcentre stuff, etc etc) as well as lots of fun things like meeting up with friends and family (two words: chocolate buffet! yum!) and trips to the beach.

I have a new calling/position at church. I am part of the Relief Society Presidency in our ward/congregation. (The Relief Society is the women’s organisation of our church.) I feel really good about this calling, and really excited about it!

I’m looking forward to the next 2 weeks. A break from school/drops offs/pick ups and hurried pace of life.

Has anyone else started thinking about Christmas?? 2 of my kids are born in November, so I have birthdays on my brain. (PS if you have already finished ALL your Christmas shopping, please lie to me and tell me you haven’t started! hehehe)