Grateful for Mum... and Strawberry Shortcake

It seems like most days lately I have been thanking my Mum for keeping me sane, for helping or surprising me - but I was still blown away by her unearthing my original Strawberry Shortcake dolls!

Recently I got nostalgic about these childhood favourites, and tracked down some bargain replacements (see previous post here). Mum said she didn't know what had happened to my dolls, which is hardly surprising as it was a VERY long time ago. But somehow she found them!

They needed a bit of a wash which was a great holiday project for me and Miss 4 one day while Mr Toddler was having his nap. Soon we will get all the dolls together for dress-ups and a berry nice tea party!

p.s. My mum is so awesome that she made some of these clothes herself, and they are gorgeous. Thanks mum  :)

Linking up with Maxabella Loves 'I'm grateful for'

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Berry Obsessed

If you were a little girl (or a mum!) in the 80s you may recognise this little lady - an original Strawberry Shortcake doll, complete with enormous hat and berrylicious smell.

Recently I started obsessing after I saw these ridiculously cute hats by susyq19 on Etsy. My daughter has a couple of the recent little dolls but they do not have such over-sized heads and cheeks, or fabric clothes.

I had two Strawberry Shortcake (SSC) dolls when I was young, Strawberry Shortcake herself and Lemon Meringue, who with her big yellow curls and pretty little face was my idea of perfection. So I searched Etsy (did you know they sell vintage as well as handmade?), eBay and TradeMe looking for these relics of my childhood (I have no idea what happened to my ones...)

Now that they are 'vintage' of course, they can be pricey, but I think the fact that they have lasted so long means you can compare them to what is new in the shops now. My new SSC friend (pictured on my strawberry fabric stash, another obsession of mine!) was $18 on TradeMe, including postage, and she is in great condition, with all her clothes and only a little fading on her cheeks.

After a little research I found out she is actually a first edition, which means she was issued in 1979! You can tell by her flat hands, and she didn't have her pet cat Custard until the second edition, so she isn't missing anything. I am quite chuffed   :)

My second purchase will need a bit more TLC, the seller thought it might be Angel Cake but I think it is a Lemon Meringue... hopefully she will arrive in the post today...

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Baby Bites Column: Kiddy Sings!

Babywearing has come full circle and is being enjoyed by a whole new generation of mums these days. Whether by sling, front pack, or mei-tai style wrap, babies are riding high and safe with a view of the world every place you go. There’s no better view for a little one than up at shoulder height! As a dedicated sling wearer myself, I am often asked by my four year old – “where’s my sling mum, for my dolly?”

So I had a big smile on my face when I saw these mini-sized slings from Furchin and Unido.

Furchin’s mei-tai sling is a mini version of their adult-sized baby carrier, but simplified by using a clip to secure the waist straps. Designed to fit most children from around 2-8 years, the waist straps are adjustable and the shoulder straps are 50cm long. Handmade from quality, hardwearing 100% cotton canvas, it’s totally machine washable.

Likewise Unido’s patterned and colourful child slings are made to order, and can made to match your adult-sized sling when you order yours. Their website has a fantastic function where you can literally mix and match their fabrics to choose your own unique combination. Creative and cool! Unido also has a great ‘resources’ page where you find links to the best babywearing websites in New Zealand, including Slingbabies, which has safety tips and full instructions on how to wear all types of baby carriers. Check them out today.

Read my original column on Kiddy Slings over at http://www.babybites.co.nz/ online magazine!

PS: Check out my other post on slings for the top five reasons you should try one - go on, it will change your life!

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Babybites column: Haunted Halloween fun!

Most families in New Zealand can take or leave Halloween. Mine could mostly leave it. But when I saw this cool paper ‘haunted house’ idea, I got in the spirit!

A few months ago US blogger Sarah from Dolls and Daydreams spent hours designing and drawing a downloadable PDF of an ‘eco friendly’ paper dolls house that you can print, colour-in and stick onto an ordinary cardboard box. It teaches kids about recycling and ‘upcycling’, and was a massive hit, with bloggers around Australia and New Zealand being drawn to her website. She quickly followed it up with printable themed accessories, ‘wraps’ for clothes pegs to make little people, and different patterns for a ‘big red barn’ and a ‘school house’.

Her latest design is a haunted house for Halloween that is filled to the brim with bats, cobwebs, spooky ghouls, a mummy, and a scarecrow in a field of pumpkins outside. It’s exactly the right kind of (non) spooky for little kids, and the best part is it doesn’t require staples, glue or tape. It simply slots together and can be taken down and stored flat, ready for next year. If the kids ever let you take it down!



Happy trick or treating this weekend! x


NB: Read this column again, and all my other 'handmade heaven' columns for Baby Bites at: http://www.babybites.co.nz/

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Christmas spoiler alert: heirloom dolls

I really hope my children, Miss M and Baby L, don't see these on my computer screen - nor my niece Miss T. If they do, my Christmas surprise from their Gran will be spoilt! Check out what the amazing Jennie @ A Little Vintage has done for me! Dolls made especially in their image and 'upcycling' some very special fabrics. Read Jennie's blog for the full story of how and why they were made the way they were.

Thnx Jennie - this means so much to me! xoxo

(And thanks Mum - Gran - for parting with special sentimental family fabrics xoxo)

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