Craft - Shadow boxing

Months ago my aunt gave me a shadow box (or an old printers drawer) and it has been leaning against a wall in the guest room ever since. Every time I walked past it I could hear a little voice whispering "Pssst, Look over here, look at all my empty spaces", "I feel so alone and empty" or "I'm just a shell of what I could be". So yesterday I decided to silence those pathetic little voices.

I grabbed my girls and dog and went to the beach at the end of my street, Scarborough Beach. Armed with sandwich bags we scoured the beach for interesting shells, stones, worn glass and anything interesting enough to catch our eye.

Then we went home, rinsed our stash and sorted it into piles. Then the girls to start putting pieces into the shadow box. Once we (I) were satisfied, I used some craft glue to glue pieces into place. I am not sure if it will hold but I'll find out soon enough. I know it's not strong enough to hold onto the coral when the dog is trying to steal it. She loves the coral.

Now when I walk passed it the little voices say "look at me", "don't touch that" or "Someone get this dog away".

Keeping busy...and a Giveaway

It still raining here in Brisbane and we have been stuck inside for days. I can't tell you how excited my girls were when I showed them some gorgeous Goose Grease craft kits I received from Finlee & Me. I love that these kits include everything you need for an art activity. As well as the main craft item, they include the brushes, paint and the topcoat (and 2 hours of silence) all in a neat little carry bag. They are great to use now or to pack away for a rainy day or holidays.

My girls have been busy making wooden versions of our family. I am not sure why they are giggling so much while they are decorating the version of me. If I was a more arty mum, I can imagine it would be fun to cut up fabric, use sequins and little buttons and glue them on.

Next we are tackling the DYI Yo-yos. I think I am more excited than the girls. I think I will break out the sequins for this, it'll look more impressive when I do 'around-the-world' or 'walk-the-dog'.

Giveaway
To add to the excitment, Finley & Me has offered three lucky people the chance to win one DYI kit each. The three prizes are One DYI Family kit, one DYI Top kit and a DYI Yo Yo kit. It is so easy to enter, you need to like Finlee & Me and Redcliffe Style on facebook and comment either below or on facebook to register your interest. Make sure you do this before 6am on 6th February 2012. How easy is that??

We will announce the winners on Monday 6th February.

Please visit Finlee and Me, this is a wonderful site with so many fun and great products for children.

Miss 6 review - "It's all good, I like the painting and the brushes are really good"

Miss 8 review - "It was fun and creative, I liked painting the daddy"

All things Papier Mache

You would be amazed what you find when you walk around the Peninsula with your eyes open.  In Jetty Arcade, I came across a space that made me rub my eyes and check again.  It was full of large colourful, happy, sculptures.  You can't walk past and not smile.  Everything is made from recycled products.  There was a full-size dog playing the piano, a complete man-sized chess set, a beach bum pinata, a gorgeous ethereal mermaid.   It's hard to believe these are all papier mache.  The time and effort that Lynette and Michelle have put into these sculptures is amazing.

They will make items to order too.  Imagine a life size nativity scene for next Christmas, or a George Clooney sculpture standing in your bedroom corner or even a Julia Gillard pinata at your next election party. The possibilities are endless.

They also specialise in items for stage or theatre, 3D paintings and murals, themed parties and so much more.  Keep them in mind.

Big Papier Mache Things
Jetty Arcade
139 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe
0404 491 096
0404 153 494