Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: Gifts for little girls

Hi peeps,

Today in our series compiled with Cat, it's all about girls.  I may know a few things about girls, being the mumma of two girly whirlies (as I call them) and I was a little girl once too.

My girls love imaginative play and can spend hours together making elaborate scenes with their toys.  The whole lounge room floor is usually covered with their imaginary world, they will include their toy kitchen food with My Little Ponies, Sylvanian Family toys, Little People, puzzles, books, anything they can find. I love listening to these games, they make up the funniest stories and scenarios.

1. Handmade Dolls, cats, koalas and more by A Little Vintage, various prices.  I personally want one of each.  We own a koala, her name is Mildred, and she is adorable.  Etsy shop here.

2. Wooden Toadstool house puzzle by Raw Toys $290 HKD.  We own two puzzles from Raw Toys and love them both.  Madeit shop here.

3. Dress up Rainbow bird wings by Sparrow and B Costumery $520 HKD.  My girls would love these, we adore anything rainbow in our house.  Etsy shop here.

4. Australian biscuits and cakes felt food set by Wombat's Picnic $215 HKD, madeit shop here.  I've had my eye on this set for so long now!

5. Crochet Rainbow bracelet by The Black Sheep Crafts $58 HKD, madeit shop here.  I know both my girls would love this.

6. DIY Tutorial: Make your own hair ties, this tutorial could not be easier.

What else do you buy for the little girls in your life?

Cat xox

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: Gifts for little men.

Hi peeps,

Today in our series Cat and I are sharing some ideas of what to give the little men in our lives....Cat may know a thing or two here as she is the mum of two little boys.

Her boys are creative players, puzzle do-ers, collectors and avid readers and our list reflects the kinds of things they love doing.

Row 1:
Marble Starter Kit by Flower Press by Flower Press $222 HKD - etsy store here.  My girls received one of these last Christmas and they love playing with it.

Pirate Messenger Bag Satchel for Kids Mee a Bee $193 HKD - store here.  Cat's boys carry their crayons, twigs, leaves, small notebooks, toy cars, planes, trains. compasses, torches and all manner of things in these bags (not all at once!) and they're small enough for them to sling over their shoulders comfortably.  My girls both have a Mee a Bee bag, they are a great size for kids.

Row 2:
Dimple Wheel Cushion by One Pear $326 HKD - madeit store here. (Cat's little boys may be receiving these exact ones for their reading corner)

Handmade soft toy superhero "Edwin" by Tiny Morsels Emporium $175 HKD - etsy store here. Someone better snap this one-of-a-kind up before one of us do!  He's adorable.

DIY Tutorial: Circus Paper City by Made by Joel - free! - blog here. Cat has used a number of Joel's tutorials now and they are all great. You could make a beautifully presented gift by pasting on to thicker card stock and presenting in a lovely tin.

Special offer: As a special offer today Jacqui from Mee a Bee has offered free shipping for anyone who wants to order a bag from her store.  To claim this offer just enter: BELOVERLY at the checkout.

Do you have little boys to buy for this Christmas?

Cat xox

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: Gifts for the sweet littlest ones.

Hello peeps,

Welcome to the first in a co-authored series of blog posts with Cat from Wouldn't it be Loverly and I. 

Our series of guides focuses on handmade, homemade, local and also includes some DIY tutorials. Over the coming days we will have some little surprises for you so stay tuned!

On Day 1 we give to you our guide for babies featuring some of our favourite makers and generally clever clogs'.

It seems it's been influenced by our love for clouds but there are some gorgeous pieces to suit any budget here.

Row 1:

Baby Mobile/Owls and Clouds Hanging Mobile/Nursery Mobile $358.28 HKD by Gosh and Golly - etsy store here

Chalkboard onesie by Bubby Makes Three $175 HKD- madeit store here

Baby Bib "Somewhere over the Rainbow" by CurlyPops $108.23 HKD – store here

Customisable world map print by My Sweet Prints $252.55 HKD – store here

Row 2:

Organic and bamboo cloud trackies by the smallest tribe (seriously, you can't go wrong with ANYTHING Kathryn makes and we had to stop ourselves listing her in every category) $288.63 HKD – store here

DIY Tutorial: Hot Air Balloon Mobile e-Pattern (PDF) by Craft Schmaft $71.66 HKD - etsy store here

Wooden blocks alphabet 26 letters by little sapling toys $358.28 HKD - etsy store here

Special Offer: The lovely folks at Little Sapling Toys are offering a 10% discount on any toys purchased in their etsy store.  To redeem just enter the coder LOVELY10 at the checkout.

Do you have anything on your wish list for babies that we need to know about?

Have you started thinking about your Christmas shopping yet?  

Have a great day.

Cat.

Hair Bobbles go to Market.

Hello,

When Raspberry Rainbow goes to Market, there will be a huge selection of hair bobbles to choose from.

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You can buy one pair, or get them cheaper in a three pack.

Take your pick.

They make great stuffing fillers and are available in my etsy shop also, here.

They are perfect for big and little girls.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Cat xox

Wooden Beaded Necklaces go to Market.

Hello,

When I go to Market on Sunday 24th November, there will be a selection of beaded necklaces.

These are some that will be available on the day.

Hope to see you there.

If you want one of my rainbow beaded necklaces, there are three different types available in my etsy shop at the moment.

Have a great day.

Cat xox

Raspberry Rainbow goes to market!

Hi peeps,

Raspberry Rainbow is going to market!  Yes, next month on Sunday 24th November I will be at the Handmade Hong Kong market held at Discovery Bay in the Main Plaza.

I'll be there from 12noon to 7pm with a large selection of my hand made creations.  I'll show you over the following weeks what I have made and been busy making.

If you see any thing you want to buy now and can't be in Hong Kong on the 24 November, let me know by emailing me cat@raspberryrainbow.com or contact me through FaceBook.

If you are in Hong Kong, come and say hello.  Start your Christmas shopping.

See you there or on the interwebs!

Cat

Sausage rolls, quilts and ideas. And a picnic or two.

Hello peeps,

We are back in Hong Kong, it is always wonderful to be home after a trip away, especially after a long one.   Don't get me wrong, we had a lovely time away,  but I missed my sewing machine and crafting time.

Abbey has started school again.  Zoe will start kinder in a few weeks.  We are getting back into our routine.

My week looks like this:

• Cooking: yummy sausage rolls.  I love this recipe so much. It is easy and tasty and we all enjoy them.  They freeze very well (as either completed, un-cooked sausage rolls or the mince mixture by itself)
• Cooking: yummy pasta salad.  I made enough to have it as left overs one night, so yay, a night off cooking.
• Sewing: I have started another quilt, one for the Shropshire boy this time.  I'll share some photos soon.  I may be a little obsessed with it, no other sewing is happening.
• Thinking: I really should sew the binding on to my scrappy trip quilt, it is so close to being finished. So very close (but not happening due to the previous point)
• Eating: A precious bag of Burger Rings, brought back from Australia.  We can't buy them here in HK (probably a good thing!)
• Playing:  with Zoe, lots.  Play picnics, colouring in, puzzles, reading books.  She is missing Abbey now school has gone back.  
• Opening: My Etsy shop is now open again.  I have so many new ideas in my head and written down.  I better finish this quilt for the Shropshire boy pronto, then I can start on a few of these new ideas. 

How is your week looking?  Good I hope.

Take care, Cat xox