Little eco footprints

What would you do if you had wings?

I know what Little Eco would do.

Fly, of course.

Perch on a fence.

Sit in a tree.

Perch some more. 

And join a flock.

I added this tutorial for dress-up wings to my 'love to make' list as soon as I saw the gorgeous wings Christie made. I had plans to make them 'one day'. But then I spotted the magical wings the Artful Jen made her children and decided I had to make a pair this weekend.

I made our wings out of a few old t-shirts. I've thankfully built up a bit of an op-shop-sourced stash after falling in love with the reinvention skirt. I used knit fabric so that the cut fabric won't fray and the wings are washable. I'm so thankful that they are washable because it seems Little Eco has decided the wings are 'every day' wear.

To be honest, I got a little tired of cutting and sewing on the feathers, but am so glad I persisted. Little Eco absolutely adores her wings, and I could easily watch her 'play bird' for hours and hours.

Anyone else have any good dress-up refashion ideas?

My first pillow case dress

I finally got around to making Little Eco a pillow slip dress.

I haven't had much time for sewing recently, and then last weekend Little Eco woke up and asked me to make her a yellow dress. She was a little surprised when I agreed. She excitedly chose the pillow case and we worked together sewing in our PJ's before breakfast.

I was going to try and pretend that the point of this post was to motivate the beginner sewers among you to try making a pillow slip dress. There's loads of tutorials online. I used this one, and for beginner sewers I think a video tutorial would help. They're quick and easy and the perfect introduction to refashioning. You don't even have to sew side and bottom seams. But i'll be honest, really this post is all about me celebrating just how sweet and cute my little girl is ;-)

My favourite quick handmade girls gift ~ The reinvention skirt

I've found my favourite handmade girls gift: maya*made's Reinvention skirt.

I LOVE this pattern! It's quick and easy, and best of all, you use pre-loved t-shirts. 

I've now made half a dozen of these skirts as gifts and i'm certain i'll make plenty more. They only take around an hour or two to make, so are perfect for those 'whip up on the night before' gifts.

For more creative spaces head on over to Kirsty's.

P.S. I recently discovered Tiny & Little. It's a super cute free e-mag about 'parenting, living and celebrating' that's definately worth sharing. Check out it's launch issue here.

Gift tags made from recycled christmas cards {and a guest post}

I took down our christmas cards yesterday. Rather than throw them out I recycled them into gift tags ready to use next christmas. I was actually a bit sneaky this christmas and recycled many of this years cards as tags before christmas was even over. At least I won't have to do that again next year.

I simply cut a gift tag shape out of the front of cards, making sure there wasn't any writing on the back so that I have a blank side to write a message on. I then punched a hole ready for twine, wool or ribbon.

A guest post: Yay! I'm now part of the team over at Childhood 101

I was thrilled when Christie of Childhood 101 asked me to be part of part of her new team.  My first post is up today. I write about my new years resolution to facilitate more unstructured outdoor play for Little Eco.

Speaking of New Year's resolutions, you have to read about Meg and Patrick's New Year's resolution. The've gone car-free. And they live in the country! I'm inspired.

Also, if you are quick, you have time to enter a giveaway for a gorgeous Little Jenny Wren doll. Entries close 1pm today.

Adding a touch of handmade to a not-made-by-me gift

I resorted to buying a birthday gift for one of Little Eco's friends today. I just couldn't find the energy to 'whip something up' like I usually do. So I did the next best thing and bought someone else's handmade goodies.

I popped into Blackbird Corner and bought some hair clips by Sheeps Clothing and elastics by Oopsidaisi.

I thought it was a sweet, practical and ethical gift. But it didn't look like much. So I made a simple draw-string bag out of a vintage sheet. The bag took less than 10 minutes to make and made the not-made-by-me gift a little more personal. Don't you think?

I also made a quick gift tag by sewing the same fabric onto a piece of recycled cardboard.

Whats your favourite 'last minute' gift?

For more creative spaces head on over here.