Peek-a-boo!

..it's Pook-A-Looz! I do think most kids (and big kids, for that matter) have a favourite Disney film or character - I always adored the Aristocats myself. I was browsing around my local supermarket today searching for a birthday card, and found these little guys dancing around on one!

Image via here
I guess they are like a fun, stylised version of each character. I love how soft, cute and friendly these toys look :)

Image via here
Image via here
I think my favourite is probably this one though:

Image via here

Oh and look - there are Muppet ones too!

Image via here

Yarnimation

This lovely little animation by Charlotte Blacker is called The Little Red Plane, is aimed at children and features hand knitted characters and scenery!



Find out more here (image via the University of Central Lancs).

Sock Pals!

Here's a couple of fun Easter break projects, suitable for small kids and big kids alike! :D

You can use an old sock (maybe its partner has been eaten by the sock monster?) to make a sock friend:


...or even a sock pet! Choose from snake, sock dog, crocodile and even a doggy draught excluder:


The possiblities are endless, if you have as many socks lying around that are no longer in a pair or have holes in them as I do. Check out the Pet Pooch Gallery too!

The Big Draw

I recently found out about the Campaign for Drawing, which I think is a fantastic idea, and not just for kids. For one thing, I think it's a real shame that many people worry that they are just not 'artistic' enough to draw. I think folks should just have a go, and have fun...it can be quite liberating. It's also great to experiment around with different drawing materials - pens, pencils, felt-tips, markers, ink...and then there are all the different choices of drawing 'surface' - not just paper, you know. The list is endless!

The Big Draw is a celebration of drawing - for those who can, and those who think they can't - that takes place in October every year. There are lots of events taking place all over the UK next month, which you can find out about on the site.

The Owl & Lion Gallery/Boutique in Edinburgh is running some free workshops for children as part of the Big Draw - details here - including mask making, owls and other animals. All they ask is a small donation (which goes to their chosen charity, the World Wildlife Fund for Animals). Places are limited though, so if you're interested, I'd suggest booking very soon!

...and, just for kicks: here's an interactive, online version of that game we all play(ed) at school - Draw & fold over.

DIY Duvet!

Having been under the weather in recent weeks, I've had rather a lot of duvet days lately. So I thought I'd tell you about this fantastic idea for kids - or big kids for that matter!


What better way to stave off boredom than by doodling...on your duvet. Yes, really! It's called the Doodle Duvet:


This is a stroke of genius by Stitch Designworks - the 100% cotton duvet comes complete with a set of colourful pens using ink which washes out at 40°C. I also like the fact that it's printed to look like a sheet of file paper :)

Back to School Cool

I am off to college myself this week...so, with that in mind, here are some rather lovely 'back to school' finds on folksy I thought I'd share.


'The Alphabets' print by Indira Albert


Stitched blackboard bookmark by Millicent


Birds fabric covered notebook by Rama and Jude


Cute printed 100% organic cotton pencil case by Love from Beth - will also be available soon in kit form for any budding sewers!


Keep those crayons tidy with this pretty polka-dot crayon roll by Stitch Me Lane


Send them off to a new school with a card illustrated by Rebecca Lancaster Designs

Petite Purls

All images: Petite Purls
I recently discovered this treasure trove of knitting, crochet and sewing projects, nicely packaged as an online magazine at www.petitepurls.com.


It's great to see such a nice collection of patterns (the majority of them by indie designers) aimed at children, including toys, clothes and accessories. In addition to this, they have a sprinkling of articles which would make great tea break reading. The best part of all? It's free to use, you simply print off a copy of the pattern you wish to make.


Petite Purls is published seasonally in March, June, August and November.

Love Mum

Here's something a little different for Mother's Day...



I'm a big fan of Emily the Strange, (the skateboarding comic book girl with several black kitties) and recently discovered the Emiwee range. Not just a cute name, they have t-shirts for little kids and toddlers as well as sleepsuits for babies with Emily prints on them.