KID independent - handmade for kids

Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta #1 Hits by Katherine Dines

{MS} indi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:51:37 +0000

In the KID household we listen to our fair share of crazy beats and madcap music, but we also like to mix in a healthy dose of laid back tunes with a bluesy flavour and a calming influence. Today I’d like to share a new album from Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Music, called #1 Hits: Music for Growing Families.

A few of my top picks from Katherine’s CD include “The Goobaws” which has quickly become a new catchphrase around here… and tells the story of an unruly bunch who “turn into animals, when it’s time to eat…” I dig its funky melody, and it’s fun storyline which paints quite an amusing picture in your mind! I also love the song “Goosebumps”, which is fun for a sing-a-long, “Are We Ever Gonna Get There” and “Backseat” for car trips.

For chill-out time, I like the song “imagination” which is a lovely lullaby with a magical message. Lastly, I love the rockabilly beats of “Sheet “Shakin’ Bed Quakin’ Belly Achin’ Wide Awake Blues”.. in fact I think this one’s my favourite!

Katherine Dines has been creating children’s music since 1993 and has 11 CDs in her Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Music series. Her songs have been featured on a Grammy award winning album, plus she has several other awards under her belt and clearly adores creating stories for kids.

You’ll find Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Music #1 Hits: Music for Growing Families online at Katherine’s website where you can listen to some song samples.

A new look at bibs…

{MS} indi — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:00:41 +0000

Oh, the loveliness of it all! Just when you thought that bibs were nothing more than an essential item for dabbing drool and catching crumbs, along comes Happy Find and their range of deliciously modern handmade bibs…

Giveaway – Awesome Art + Accessories from Love JK

{MS} indi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:00:13 +0000

Hi folks, are you ready for another fabulous giveaway? Today I’m delighted to introduce Jennifer from Love JK and her collection of pretty, pretty things! The Love JK collection is made locally in Melbourne and includes a range of stationery, wall art, invitations, bunting and giftware.

If you take a little stroll through the Love JK store, you’ll enjoy adventures to the moon, sail the high seas, pat some pretty horses, feed a few farm animals and make friends with a robot. You’ll have fun decorating your kids living space, planning a birthday party, or picking up something pretty, just for fun.

Love JK is available for purchase online, or you can visit them on Facebook to keep up with all the latest news.

Now that you’ve fallen in love with the Love JK collection, we’d like you to win something for your little lad or lass! We have one boys gift pack and one girls gift pack to giveaway. To enter, simply visit Love JK and then tell us in the comments section below which design (from any collection) is your favourite. Two winners will be drawn on 8 February, 2012.

Are you super keen to win our Love JK prize? You can score an extra entry into the prize draw by sharing this competition on your blog, twitter or facebook page. Please leave a separate comment for each so your extra entries can be counted.

Girls Prize

Dala Horse Cushion is valued (rrp. $34.95)
Small Lovey Dovey Dala Horse Print (rrp. $34.95)
Dala Horse greeting card (rrp. $6.95)

Boys Prize

Mars Explorer Cushion (rrp. $34.95)
Small Off To The Moon (rrp. $34.95)
Cheeky Monkey Greeting Card (rrp. $5.95)

Market Angel – National Search for Market Reporters!

{MS} indi — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:12 +0000

Do you love to slip on your favourite pair of ballet flats and skip merrily along to your local boutique market? Armed with a giant shopping bag and a pocket full of cash? Ready to soak up all the scrumdiddlyumptious handmade delights? How would you like share your finds with the whole country?

Our friends over at Market Angel are hosting a nationwide search for an ‘Angel on the Street’ in each state to report on the best market locations, fab market finds and uncover new markets.

Each reporter will be armed with a prize pack of tools valued at $200 and be signed on for 12 months as the ‘Angel on the Street’ for their state, with the opportunity to have 12 articles published on ‘Market Angel’s Cloud‘, the Market Angel Blog.

Are you intrigued? Click here for details on how to enter!

Designer of the Week – Furious Kingston

{MS} indi — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:00:17 +0000

Hi folks! If you’re lucky enough to have a few stylin’ little guys living in your household, I’m certain that today’s post will put a little twinkle in your eye. I was thrilled this week to have the opportunity to road test a Vintage Hipster Cardi from the Furious Kingston collection. I’m also excited to share a sneak peek at the Autumn Winter 2012 collection.

There’s a ton of things to love about the Vintage Hipster Cardi. It’s exceptionally well made, with quality workmanship and old school tailoring. It’s a mid weight cardi which makes it great over a tee in Autumn, or layered with a button up shirt or long sleeved tee for winter. Each cardi is handmade from the highest quality up-cycled wool and cotton knits, with feature panels in tonal prints.

However, let’s be completely honest… the reason I love it so much is that it’s just so freaking cool! We paired our hipster cardi with a plain white tee, greaser jeans, and a pair of slip on vans. Let’s put it this way, Dad was jealous.

Furious Kingston was launched in mid 2010 and has been gathering a loyal fan base ever since. A creative project of Jim and Cherry, a duo with 20 years combined experience in fashion, design & marketing, Furious Kingston is an expression of an obsession with retro styling and awesome threads.

It all began after the birth of little Kingston (a.k.a. The King), and the subsequent realisation that there was a huge void within the Australian clothing industry for unique and stylish boyswear. Cherry resolved this dilemma by creating clothing for Kingston herself out of the ever expanding sewing room of their Melbourne house.

Cherry explains…”It was only after it became a daily experience to be stopped and asked “where did you get that?” by strangers that the decision was made to create the label”… and we’re so glad she did!

Cherry is Mum to Master Kingston Indiana Godzilla who has just turned three. She is heavily inspired by vintage menswear from an era when men were men, and everyone dressed well. She also draws inspiration from her favourite illustrators and artists. Lastly, she has an amazing knack for choosing fabrics and designing outfits that celebrate rockabilly flair and bring back the “handsome” in boys clothing.

Here’s three fascinating facts about Ms Cherry…

I can write and draw with my left hand almost as well as with my right. I play roller derby with the Victorian Roller Derby League (although I’ve been away from training due to cracking my ribs twice in succession). I am a proud aspie.

Furious Kingston make hip clothing for little boys aged 1 – 6 years. Cherry and Jim are currently working on their Autumn Winter 2012 collection which promises to their best yet. It will be launched in mid-February, and here is a little taste of what you can expect!

Heavenly Hue – Turquoise Tomfoolery!

{MS} indi — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:34:57 +0000

I’ve always been a fan of blue, in all of it’s incarnations. However, one of my favourite bluey hues is turquoise! It’s unisex, it’s modern, and it plays nicely with so many other shades. Today’s feature theme was inspired by a little pair of turquoise felt shoes by Vinnova Lab that tickled my fancy recently. You can see them pictured here on the top left, aren’t they just the sweetest thing?

Nuno Felt Baby Shoes by Vinnova Lab
Turquoise Applique Bambi Singlet by Bubby Makes Three
Embroidered Giraffe Pillow by Kate Durkin
Aqua Red Slouchies by The Raisen Did It
Whale Baby Quilt and Cushion by Alphabet Monkey
African American Handmade Rag Doll by Sugar and Spice
Wee Elephant Pouch in Pink by Blueberry Bandit
Handmade Owl Hair Clips by Madeleine Designs