making something of nothing

The other night I read to the kids from a 'new' book called Fern Hollow. I got this book second hand when they were too small but only at Christmas time did I flick through it and realise how wonderful the pictures are and how gorgeously simple and elegant are the stories and characters.
So, I was reading to the kids, Hugo and Georgia, as they oohed and aaahed away with each turning page. It must have been magical for them, all these new, colourful creatures coming to life before their eyes. Yes, we love good books in this household. Some, a little too much, I'm afraid.
Hugo asked to keep the book with him while he went to sleep, as he often does. We oldies went outside to continue a little window renovation work while the sun was still up.
Minutes later, screeching from the bedroom.
Georgia,
"Hugo's ripping the book!"
There was the book in absolute tatters. (No photo of this, too mad)
I was so mad (as I said)*.
I took the paper and the book and threw it in the bin.
An hour later, I took it out of the bin.
I slept.
I woke up and started cutting, then an idea formed and an hour later we had

this 

hanging in the kids' room. 

Yes, making something of nothing. And we managed to rescue most of the book (it's a collection of stories).
*But my heart was singing too because my small boy had loved the book to pieces, literally. He's done this before, yes, but only ever a little rip, usually the cover. And as I surveyed the ripped pictures I could see he had ripped his favourite pages of the train-ride, the sandcastles and the birds. Singing.

paper pompoms

 Here's a fun and easy way to make some decorations for a party.
You need some tissue paper, a stapler and some way of stringing them together. I used ready to assemble present bows.
The tissue paper usually comes in a pack with 8-10 sheets.
With the 10 sheets I had, I separated 3 from the top and cut them down the middle, joined again to make 6 sheets. With the remaining 7 sheets I just cut them down the middle to have two stacks of 7 sheets. So enough paper to make three pompoms.

Start folding, like making one of those paper fans we all make as children. Fold about an inch down, turn and fold the same amount back on itself.

When you have folded the entire length, put a staple or two in the middle to secure it.

At this stage, if  you plan to join them together with string (or in this case, ribbon), you can staple the ribbon/string to the paper at the same time. I also used cellotape for extra strength.

Now, with strong scissors, cut a petal shape (pointed or round) into the ends of the 'fan'.

When you have a string of 'fans', you can transport them easily this way and fluff them out on location. To do the fluffing out, carefully tease away each layer, trying not to rip the petals. I find it best to do from the middle out.

I haven't got a picture of the final product, it was at my Mum's for her birthday.
Anyway, they look really effective. Give it a try!

Russian doll invitation inspiration

Mum's turning 50 and I wanted to create something special for her invitations.
Several false starts later I fell upon the idea to use my Russian dolls (and they are the real deal from a Kyrgyzstani friend for our Wedding) as a backdrop for photos of Mum.

One doll for each decade.
The hardest part was finding the right photos, scanning and resizing and even colour-setting them to fit.
Tracing paper for sizing, masking tape for sticking.

I photographed them - was quite hard getting the light right to stop a reflection interfering with the images...
Tomorrow we'll be printing them and sticking to orange cards with message inside. Then sending them immediately as the party's a week away!
(I am in two photos, middle and second from right)