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Hooray! Today I get to indulge my obsession with summer playsuits again! This adorable collection from Smoochy Kiss is just too delectable to resist and even though I’m truly trying to resist buying everything in sight {writing this blog can take a serious toll on one’s willpower…} there’s a Bambi Romper en route to my house as we speak.
Smoochy Kiss is a handmade kids collection designed and sewn by Melissa Murphy. Melissa draws her inspiration from many sources including Trixie Beldon, Nancy Drew, skimming rocks at the beach, climbing trees, homemade jam, Disney movies and Noddy and Mr Plod! She is also inspired by her children…
Melissa says… “I understand that they need always be ready for a fairy tea-party, a ballet concert or an emergency dash in their cardboard-box-fire-truck. Smoochy Kiss aims to create clothing that is practical, pretty and easy to get on and off; while at the same time being appropriate for a Princess Ball or a Fork-lift ride.”
Melissa’s love of sewing and design was inherited from her Mum, and her fond memories of hand-knitted and crocheted Barbie doll outfits. Most of the handmade kids items in her store are made from designer cottons, but she also has an ever-growing collection of vintage and eco-fabrics in her tool kit.
She works from her original Holly Hobby sewing basket, which not only serves as a constant reminder of her childhood adventures, but also, in her own words “evokes a sense of freedom and silliness in me, and makes me want to run down a hill littered with yellow daisies, reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie”. Ahhh… good times!
In the Smoochy Kiss store you’ll find rompers, dresses, bloomers, tops and tees, and a range of handmade accessories for babies and bigger kids. New additions are popping up in the store all the time, so be sure to check in to see what’s new.
For those of you who are in Brisbane, you may be sharing my exasperation at the weather this past week… hot days, freezing nights..!? Come on Mother Nature, pick a season! Teehee.. Today we celebrate the official beginning of spring with a few fabulous fresh baked handmade kids items from Hot Fudge.
Hot Fudge designer Robyn Dixon has been sewing up a storm in preparation for this weekend’s BrisStyle Indie Designers’ Market. The Party Knot Dress {pictured in the top row} is one of my favourites. It features heavenly 100% cotton voile fabric from the Little Folks range by Anna Maria Horner, adjustable straps and a fully lined bodice. I’m also very fond of the reversible swing dress pictured below {bottom row}. The fabrics are from the Amy Butler Love collection.
You’ll find the Hot Fudge collection of handmade kids clothes online at Etsy, but if you’re in Brisbane why not drop by and meet Robyn at brisStyle this weekend?
The BrisStyle Indie Designers’ Market will be held on Saturday 4 September at St Augustine’s Church Grounds, Racecourse Road, Hamilton, QLD.
I’m on such a high today from yesterday’s first of the month posts that I’ve decided to keep the giveaway fun going just a little bit longer with a special delivery from our friend Katy at Little yoyo Styles… let’s get accessorised! Forget about bills, forget about junk mail… we want brown paper packages, tied up with string!
These Kanzashi Bloom Flower Hair Clips are a new addition to the collection at Little yoyo Styles. Each one is handmade by Katy, from bright cotton fabrics and soft silks. Katy, like me, is addicted to online shopping and so most of her fabric is sourced online from all edges of the globe. She sews and shops at night while her kids are in bed… I’m sure a lot of you can identify with that!
Katy decided to try her hand at the Kanzashi Bloom clips after seeing a performer wearing one at a Japanese Kimono Dance performance. Inspired by the beauty, she set her sights on learning the traditional process… Katy describes her process below.
- First I design the shape of my flower
- Then I cut the fabric into pieces of the same size (i.e. 2″ each)
- I use these pieces to create the petals, and sew them together to create the bloom
- Next I attach either a crystal or a button to the centre of the bloom
- The last step is to decide whether the bloom would look best as a clip or a headband
- … and I hope that you’ll love my creation as much as I do!
 This week one lucky reader will win a hair accessory pack featuring ten hair clips from the Little yoyo Styles range. That’s enough to accessorise your whole wardrobe! To enter, visit Little yoyo Styles to check out the handmade range and tell us in the comment section which one is your favourite! Winner drawn on 9 September, 2010.
On 3 October, 2010 the folks from Fairy Floss Markets will be holding their debut event; a boutique handmade baby and children’s market. You can expect to find a beautiful selection of handmade products from local Victorian artists and designers. The first event will be held in Melbourne, and then followed up with a market in Geelong on 14 November, 2010.
Fairy Floss Markets is coordinated by Kirsty McEwan, a woman on a mission to support local and emerging talents and to provide them with a forum to showcase their crafty wares. Along with handmade gifts, art, toys, clothing and accessories, you’ll also find delicious cupcakes, and fabulous coffee!
Entry to the Fairy Floss Markets is $3 {children under 16 free} with 50% of proceeds donated to Very Special Kids; A Victorian based charity that provides counseling and support services to families caring for a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Please visit the Fairy Floss Markets website for venue details and future dates.
Hello friends! This month I’m very excited and honoured to be collaborating with Despina from Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids on the Project Underpants campaign. Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids provides much needed essential & personal items to children in the foster care system. Our goal is to collect 500 pairs of brand new knickers to donate to the cause, and we need your help!
What we’re asking you to do is to pledge a few pairs of undies during September towards our 500 pair total. The undies will go into care packages created by Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids, to be given to children going into care. Underpants should be brand new, in sizes 3 and up and either for boys or girls {or both}.
In order to encourage you to make a pledge, we have a series of prizes on offer that have been donated by our fabulous friends and sponsors. There will be three new prizes released each week during September {starting on 9 Sept}, so check back each Thursday to see what’s up for grabs!
To be eligible for the prize draw, your undie donation must arrive at the Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids office on or before 30 September, 2010. For each pair of undies that you pledge/donate you will get one entry into the major prize draw. Plus, the person or group who donates the most pairs of undies will win a $150 shopping spree from our friends at Whimsy Child. Hooray!
- Start collecting your knickers today …
- Add “underpants” to your weekly shopping list …
- Tell all your friends about the campaign …
- Share on facebook, twitter, blogs, etc …
- Get your Mum’s group, or work place in on the action …
- Package up your undies and make your pledge before 30 Sept …
- Wait with baited breath to see if you’ve won!
*Special thanks to our friend Amanda from Style Collective for her assistance in promoting this campaign, and to all of our prize sponsors for their awesome prizes. Don’t forget to drop by and visit them to show your appreciation for their generosity.
Happy 1st of the month! Can you believe that we’ve already made it through Autumn and Winter and here we are on the first day of Spring!? September will be an action packed month on {KID} independent with giveaways galore including the Great Cloth Nappy Hunt, the Project Underpants campaign, our September subscribers prize and our weekly newsletter competitions. Woohoo!
First up, It’s time to announce the winner of our August subscribers competition. A huge congratulations to Natalie Souprounoivch who has won a Flights of Fancy Ruffled Neckline Dress and Matching Reversible Headband from our friends at Bee and Me. I’ll be sending a winners email your way!
Next up, info on our subscribers competition for September! This month we have a $50 gift voucher to spend on delicious stationery, party products, wrapping paper, cards and gifts at Paper Scissor Rock Stationery. To enter, all you have to is subscribe to our newsletter and you’re automatically in the draw. A winner will be chosen at random from all subscribers at the end of the month.
 Get an extra entry into the prize draw by tweeting this competition, sharing on facebook, and/or visiting Paper Scissors Rock Stationery and telling us in the comment section below which items take your fancy from their beautiful collection.
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