Sydney / Melbourne: Sunday arvo
"Evie has well and truly reached the independent toddler stage. She likes to "help" a lot around the house. Whenever I try to do some sewing at my machine she asks to sit on my lap so she can help. I usually have to give up my attempts at this time because little fingers and pointy needles don't really mix.

There are two ways where she can actually help with my crafting. She makes an excellent softie stuffer. She has helped to stuff many a lambykin. Her little hands are perfect for reaching into the opening to shove stuffing in.

She also very good at road testing all the things I make. I don't think there is anything I make that leaves the house without being played with or cuddled by Evie. She thoroughly road tested Elliot's car caddy before we gifted it to him on his birthday. I know we should probably be saving these gifts for the recipients. However, I figure that if Evie likes the gift then the birthday boy or girl will too. It's been given the toddler seal of approval. "

Check out Tash's day at jouljet.

For the handmade part of Elliot's present I made a toy car caddy. Elliot's really into his cars at the moment. I used this tutorial from homemade by Jill to help me figure out how to make it. I wanted to make it more than just a road though. So I expanded the mat and put some different destinations on it for Elliot's cars to visit. There is even a little fuel bowser where the cars can fill up.

We celebrated Elliot's second birthday with a lovely gathering in a local park on a beautiful, warm, sunny day. I love how summer has decided it isn't quite ready to leave yet.

The theme of the party was Hats inspired by the children's book Go Dog Go by Dr Seuss. Clare organised a hat making activity which the kids loved. Evie really got into the hat decoration and still wears the hat she made (almost 3 weeks later). The hat even got an outing to Johnson Park the other day. Evie was jazzing up JP! We don't do a lot of craft at home, apart from play doh and drawing, so I'm glad I have parties, play group and day care to fill the void.



We managed to get a photo of all the kids together with their hats. I made a dodgy photoshop one to get a photo where everyone is looking at the camera. I think it belongs on photoshop disasters though.



More photos (slideshow) on Flickr.

I made a Sock Monkey for the handmade part of Leo's birthday present. The monkey's name is Floyd.

He's sock monkey version 2.0 as I've found a different way of doing the ears and eyes. The ears were super fiddly but I think look more monkey like. I like the button eyes better too although they wouldn't be suitable for a younger recipient. I used to embroider the eyes on using satin stitch and they always came out wonky.

Melbourne / Sydney: Sunday lunch time
"Happy Birthday Leo! I joked with him that it was really the Festival of Leo as he had a party for his friends on the Saturday, an extended family party on the Sunday and then an immediate family celebration on the Monday, his actual birthday.

I generally volunteer for dessert duty so had offered to make Leo's birthday cake. We had such a busy weekend planned so I decided to make him a trifle birthday cake. Trifle is pretty easy to whip up and Leo loves it. I knew it would be a winner with him (he's definitely a Daley when it comes to desserts). I personalised it with an L made out of the leftover jam rollette and chocolate finger biscuits. We also decorated it with some sparklers at Happy Birthday time. Leo was a bit disappointed he wasn't able to blow out the sparklers. "

Check out Tash's day at jouljet.