Fabric Headband Covers go to Market.

Hello peeps,

All ready to go to market are my fabric headband covers.  They are removable, interchangeable and best of all, washable.

They are made with a printed fabric on the top and a solid colour fabric on the bottom.  There is an opening to put the plastic head band in, as shown in the photo below.

They are quick and easy to change.  Wear a different one every day to match your mood or outfit.  Or if you are 4 years old like my Zoe, change it a few times during the day, just because you can.

They are now available in my etsy shop in a 4 pack.  You choose which 4 fabric covers you would like and one plastic headband is included.  The 13 different fabrics to choose from are below.  If you are after a different colour, please ask.

If you are in Australia, I am happy to accept payment via bank deposit.  Email me for details, then you can pay in Australian dollars and are not effected by the fluctuating exchange rate. (I'll email you the amount, I now have an Australian price list to make it easier).
I hope you are having a great day.

Cat xox

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: Gifts for teen girls.

Hi peeps,

Teenage girls are so fun to buy for! We've included a variety of ideas in this guide to cover young teens through to older teens.

1. DIY Miniature Embroidery Hoop  by Dandelyne - $142 HKD. Sonia from Dandelyne is one cool and clever lady.  Her stitched pieces are so beautiful.   We have a family portrait stitched of us, you can see it here, Sonia really captured us all perfectly. 
This little kit is a fairly new addition to Sonia's etsy shop here.  Now you can create and stitch a design of your own, go get creative!

2. A three pack of choose your own hair bobbles by Raspberry Rainbow (me!) - $99 HKD.  I give my hair bobbles as gifts all the time, I love choosing just the right colour or fabric to suit the person I am gifting to, I often spend way, way too much time choosing.  You can see my etsy shop here.

3. Set of 3 journals with lovely detailing by Buntmal - $159 HKD - etsy store here.

4. Cosmetic Bag by Cloud Love Baby - $112 HKD - etsy store here.

5. DIY tutorial: DIY Painted Tribal Bracelets - tutorial via Dismount Creative here - again, this DIY is totally achievable for even a crafty novice.

6. Clutch purse in grey and yellow (super on trend yes?!) by byMART $254 HKD- etsy store here.

And now to our GIVEAWAY...cue the trumpets!

Sonia from Dandelyne has offered up two of her five packs of DIY necklace kits (you can see them here) to a couple of VERY lucky people! Each pack retails at $45 AUD!

One kit will be given away via our blog comments and another on instagram. To win via the blog all you need to do is comment on either of our posts saying which item you've liked most in our series to date.  Winners will be picked at random at the evening of Friday November 22nd.  International entries are most welcome.  For details of our instagram giveaway check our profiles later today - you can find Cat at cat_beloverly and me at raspberryrainbow  GOOD LUCK!

Cat xox

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: Gifts for teenage boys.

Hi peeps,

Today's gift guide is all about teenage boys, a category notoriously difficult to buy for .... because there are only so many video games (do they still call them video games?) a young man surely needs!

Our ideas embrace the quirky, geeky and we have two awesome DIY options too.

1. Hangry cushion - from My Bearded Pigeon $373 HKD - etsy store here

2. Black leather handmade notebook - via Buntmal $238 HKD - etsy store here

3. Dalek cross-stitch (this is super dooper cute for the Dr Who fan!) - $181 HKD made by This Grand Life - madeit store here

4. Wallet designed and made by the awesome folk at Kitty Came Home $411 HKD - etsy store here

5. DIY Option - an Ice Cream Care package + online movie voucher of your choice.  This idea is from The Misadventurous Maker (see her original post here) and also appeared on Fat Mum Slim here - cost is up to you as to how fancy you make it.

6. A DIY gadget cover tutorial via Curlypops here - I would be very surprised if a teenage boy didn't have a gadget of some type!  I have made a few gadget pouches using this tutorial, it is very easy to follow.

Have you got a teen boy to buy for? What are they in to?

Happy Monday to you.

Cat xox

Felt Squishies go to Market.

Hi peeps,

Eeekkk, only one week to go until my very first market.  I am nervous and excited, I have no idea what to expect.

On the day, I will have a big bowl of squishies available.  I must thank my mum who made most of these for me on her recent visit.  What are squishies?, I hear you ask.  They are hand made little felt love hearts, for your child to squeeze if they are feeling anxious or missing you.

We love squishies in our house.  They have saved the day on so many occasions when Abbey has been upset before school.  I find one in her school uniform pocket most days if she is having a challenging week.  Some weeks she won't use her squishies at all (she has two of them).

Her squishies have been through the washing machine a few times too - and survived.

We have been using these little felt squishies for years now, they really offer comfort to children.

Have a great weekend.

Cat xox

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.