It's has been awhile between posts...with so many people to chat t on instagram the poor old blog takes a bit of a back seat sometimes.

It seems I am back in the world of retail and branding. With a retail fit out in progress and tradeshow plan to finalise. Illustrations & packaging. DIY Articles for a lovely blog too . It's a little less about Fiona Kate and more about what I have learned and applying it to other businesses. 

With so many of the icons of australian online businesses like the hip infant and babys got style no longer around. There is no doubt about it online is changing and its exciting. For the little brands like us it's more of a two way conversation. 

My little storage business is still going in a much more personal way. We are stitching, weaving and crocheting our way to storage goodness. Some I find hard to send. The majority of requests are to be made from recycled items. Suitcases relined, baskets restyled or lined. Stylists have worked this way for years asking for the unique to make the shot special.





As a quick note big changes are afoot and if you are hoping to add to your storage from our basic range now would be the time. We are running low on all boxes, crates and folders.

DIY toadstool cushion - 10 mins tops

It's great to be on trend and toadstools are hot right now. Here is a quick diy toadstool perfect for your little tuffet.  It would make a lovely surprise for a little miss after a busy day at school. of corse it is storage also... that's a must.  This tuffet is filled with dads old shirts that are going to be used for something later. many of you have the cushions already and this is super easy


you will need
ribbon
4 safety pins
a stool
spot cushion - we used ours 
but you could make one out of fabric also if you have more time or are a little handy with a needle...

Fill your cushion. push right into the corners so it's lovely and comfy to sit on.

attach ribbon to each corner. Push the safety pin through form the inside to keep it nice and tidy

Place the cushion on top of the stool . Hold both and flip
tie ribbon diagonally tightly

flip again and sit. so gorgeous. This brightened the kitchen and our rainy day easy to undo and reuse the ribbon, safety pins, cushion and stool. imagine 4 around a table with tiny cakes and pink lemonade. Just lovely

red spot cushion... 2 for 1 this week! order 1 receive 2

gifts for comment - and some magic too

Tell us more... and be in the running to receive a lovely gift for comment....
What would you like to see on our blog? or even in our store
organising ideas? 
interviews?
home decor? 
or are you liking a little bit of everything?

Would love to hear from you....shout out what you would like... ... we are aiming for 200 responses by the end of the week... pop your answers on our facebook page 
all answers go in the draw for a


WIN a  gorgeous mini thank you gift


for yourself and 4 friends.... you won't even need to say you won them just enjoy handing the surprises out! 

Tip - 5 2 year olds to entertain? this is the way to do it. the minieco magic potion #2 We tried this today... so much fun we made many and for once I had all of the ingredients in the cupboard. Each little one could add a drop or scoop of something and watch it grow. Mini eco is an amazing site for things to do. The photos are gorgeous and easy to follow.

a gorgeous bunting to make - it's lovely to be back

Sorry about the abrupt departure. It was all a little dramatic and we had to suddenly move out of the studio & our home not for 2 days as expected but for an additional two weeks. I assure you alot has been going on. 


On monday I had  fun at flower child in Collaroy. Sal the owner asked if I would be interested in styling her windows... absolutely. I hadn't styled in awhile and was really excited at the prospect. The theme being autumn a visit to the flower markets was a must. As was a quick trip to Vinnies for a couple of golden books. autumn... windy... kites... willows and leaves. At the end of the season the kites will go to any customer who bags them first.


Not that we stopped at the windows we also did floors ceiling and a wall... oh and a white picket fence. From the golden books I folded the pages to make 8 metres of kite bunting to drape in the windows. really easy to do and so gorgeous. It will all appear somewhere shortly a bit hush hush but I will let you know soon


and now I have a lovely winter one to plan too. I am thinking wool chunky needles....endless possibilities

it's a sailors life for me

yes it's cos we can time again. this time and inspiration was a little lacking. i have wanted to collage for a long time but it all seemed to daunting. lots of stuff to get out and where to do it, why and what to apply it to.... and then CWC was due. so i set myself a 10 minute challenge.

I did grab a glue stick first though ( it wasn't on my very post filled bench)

continual rain inspired a boat

and there you have it. it didn't take long but it was fun creative& i had actually finished something

now the kids want to do more

last days for sculpture by the sea. our picnic is packed and we are just waiting for the school bell. so we can have a lovely walk, dinner & a bit of a play by the ocean.

a fun & easy thing to do

We had a fabulous day during the holidays. Noah asked me to run an art class for his friends. Am I a teacher um no. I didn't want to say I can't so we did. I was nervous but it was fantastic.

We had 14 children in total ( all my mothers group kids over 5) around the kitchen table. I limited it to 2 hours just like a usual school holiday activity. I thought I would blog it so you can see how easy it is.

Pick a topic - have ice cube trays and a few jars for water plus a brush for each child

We concentrated only on water colour primary & creating secondary colours.

•Professional paints are so vibrant it is best to use these as you only need a little.

( I had left over ones from my uni days a long long time ago)

• watercolour paper. we used rough as it really catches the colour and is different from most papers the kids use daily

I printed a circle template for the colour wheel. This way the kids can paint in the blue, red and yellow. Pop a small squirt of each of the blue red and yellow in the paint trays.

encourage freedom, I just let them go. don't worry too much about keeping in the lines etc.

then 2 primary colours together to make the secondary. it's great to hear oh yours is dark orange mine is light etc . Dry on the laundry floor or similar. then ask the kids to label the colours. these they can keep for colour mixing in the future.

hand our small blank pieces of paper to test washes, dry brush, loading the brush etc . Just different techniques. each child tends to discover something new. set aside to dry

hand out an A4 piece of watercolour paper and give a subject. I had some poppies well past their used by date and put them in the centre of the table. the painting was to be inspired by... and the artwork that resulted was amazing.

the 5 year olds were much more free and the results were begging to be framed. The 7 & 8 year olds were more concerned with getting it right . So had lost a little of that freedom but the artworks are lovely.

For us it will be a regular holiday activity

even better it was such a success one the other mums is a science teacher is planning a wonderful day of science experiment next holidays.

sign me up I am definitely doing this again...

simple sweet storage

After 8 years of birthday parties I am finally getting the hang of it. Keep it simple...these lolly bags were a hit today and seriously took less that 5 mins to assemble using items from around the house. Easy to fill , no opening and shutting. Once the treats have been consumed float the boat in the bath - trust me after this party everyone needed a bath

1 piece of A4 paper ( I did print some starts on them to make it more interesting) each plus lollies.

so simple & gorgeous storage for lollies.... sorted.

Diy advent calender

I love christmas and tend to think of little things to do and make all year. it seems I am not alone. This is our advent calendar for 2008 a lovely reader popped by our site today to ask for instructions. It very simple & looks lovely.

Use double sided coloured paper - we used spotlight scrap booking paper. 12 sheets is plenty

collect match boxes or buy some and empty the matches out.

Cut a large circle or two out of the coloured paper or you can use a square if it is easier ( the final cone just has a pointy finish) . Varying sizes looks best. We traced around saucers and side plates from the pantry. Roll into a cone shape. secure with magic tape ( clear matt sticky tape)

we used the celebration decals without letters ( 1 sheet per pack) to print the numbers on. You can print your own or ask you kids to make their own numbers also) chalk dots look great too

Wrap the match boxes using the remnants of paper. just wrap the top and two sides leaving the ends open so you can still slide the matchbox drawer out.

Cut and deleaf a branch found or from your backyard. Add ribbon to cones to hang from branch.

we placed notes for the children to find in each of the days. best to do it as you go otherwise they cheekily check them all.... simple things that will make you smile. Wake dad up by singing jingles bells etc. Also the occasional gift.

and the countdown begins....

a simple gorgeous storage chrstmas idea

We recently had a special birthday here at HQ. The night before one of my little ones decided they wanted to make a special present. No time to run to the shops for supplies - just a black pen & creativity. The present turned out so well & makes us all smile. We hung it in our the kitchen & everyone who notices it smiles too. From afar it looks great and only when you are close can you read my dad is..... not all of the spelling is correct or the grammar perfect but the enthusiasm is contagious and dad likes to think he is cubbly too

Don't forget tomorrow is the last day for free shipping

We love birthdays at the little blue house. we had a wonderful birthday afternoon tea this weekend and kept it super simple. You can and it's fun.

I made 2 dozen basic cupcakes plus 3 dozen smartie cookies. Not tricky recipes just very simple. We had 25 under 7's on a rainy day...with so many eager helpers we formed the birthday boys name in cakes and cookies. decorating the cakes with a little whipped cream and a smarty on top. Plenty of candles all the way along for every one to blow out.

it was so much fun... and a little chaotic that the pics are very blurry... but I thought we would share anyway.

the guests took home a ball of homemade playdough just wrapped in plastic wrap with a little ribbon. simple inexpensive and a load of fun.

perfect pressies

gorgeous and made by a 6 year old.

a quick sketch cut in 2 then copied. These fabric crayons are wonderful. 5 mins ironing and you are done. wrapped in ribbon and given to grandma and grandpa for their 40th wedding anniversary ( I was a little reluctant to hand them over to be honest) The crayons were from Riot and under $7.00. I am going to do some bed sheets next stay posted. Perfect for the second pillow.

tomorrow I am going to start to post pics of a renovation that was supposed to be finished by christmas...and now is almost there

easter

This year we had some real little ones to celebrate easter with. It's difficult not to go over the top with eggs so this year we made little bunny egg warmers? egg beanies? I'm not too sure what they are called... no I can't knit really but followed the directions in a magazine and learnt each stitch ( only 2 required both v v basic) on u tube by someone called the knit witch. Absolutely fantastic & simple. I feel a little proud of them too there is something about making a present that makes you feel good. I do feel a little nana though..

we are going easter camping we will be back in a week. Happy Easter

easter

We like traditions at our house. Especially when we can decorate.There is a bit of ritual to it also. We do not put up any decorations until the chooks are out (see pic)... if I don't remember someone else always does.

after painting pictures of eggs on the weekend. I went to start putting them up on the walls. "oh we can't decorate yet the chooks aren't out." I was informed.

These chooks were bought for a photoshoot pre kids. Each year the easter bunny fills them up

their heads come off to reveal a basket in the tummy

so when we arrive home from camping after what is usually a long drive we have something to look forward to .. this has sometimes involved me being let out of the car first running toward the house in a discreet fashion..

our huge egg- sparkles

we did it we made our huge egg as mentioned last week. we have finally covered & hung our gorgeous easter egg. You need to wear sunglasses if looking at it in direct sunlight too. it was so easy and fun to do. lots of egg eating involved we handed out eggs to the neighbours plus I had to a lot of late night snacking.

keep all wrappers no matter how small.cut a piece of cardboard and old box will do it is going to be completely covered. We used corflute from an old sign. Arm yourself with a glue stick and get sticking smooth wrappers over every inch of the surface. Wrap around the edges too before sticking the back. Your egg has to look fabulous from all sides.

iy does take awhile so you may need to have another egg with ice cold milk to keep you going.

we added letters over the top to say happy easter and hung it in the window facing the street.This is one craft we will be keeping. the photo doesn't do it justice trust me in the sunlight it sparkles