MT Inspiration

image credits: decorated jars flickr, pin-board  decor8 , diary decor8, orange vase 'how about orange', Rosa wall decor, striped vase and book covers 'the natural wedding company'

image credits: decoarted eggs, MT tape tree, MT taped pencils, decorated storage jars, 

MT tape bunting,  MT tape & feather arrows, Wooden letter art 

image credits: bicycle & mt collage via pinterest, Jenna Templetons studio space (discovered here) discover Jenna's inspiring blog here, cardboard mt castle, bus decorated with MT, cardboard forts.

Get Inspired. Go Create.

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Monday Makery - Circus Creative

Come one come all to the Cirque de Sitting Room

With daughters who want to join the circus, who love nothing more than acrobatics and daring feats; walking imaginary tightropes dressed in tutus and striped tights, jumping hoops, stilt walking, grand introductory speeches standing high on stools, and hilarious attempts at juggling, it was obviously going to become the theme for next birthday. So, in preparation for Oona's 4th Birthday we got busy creating a circus....all whilst she was sleeping.
With balloons, a tightrope, a balance board, dressing up box, a flaming ring of fire and strongman weights it's all the daring fun of the fair with its vibrant colours and promise of performance. The girls woke up, ran away with the circus and were back in time for birthday cake!

Tightrope Walk

Imagine you're far up in the sky walking the wire as you navigate the tightrope.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 wooden plank measuring 160cm L - 10cm W - 5cm D
• 2 wooden blocks 50cm L - 8cm W - 5cm D
• MT tape for decorating

Here's how:

1. Decorate the large piece of wood using MT tape making sure you cover all the corners. Create a stripe down the middle of the length of wood to give it the illusion of the tightrope.
2. Decorate the 2 blocks with matching contrasting colours.
3. Set the blocks under each end of the board and you're ready to go!

Use props, like an umbrella held high for theatrical effect!

Balance Board

How long can you balance for. Try to keep the edges from touching the floor as you thrill the audience and challenge others to do the same with the daredevil balance board.

Here's what you'll need:

• wooden board: 65 cm L, 22 cm W, 3cm D
• MT tape
• pool noodle / foam strips
• cutting knife/blade
• wooden pole / heavy duty cardboard roll: 60cm L, Diameter 6.5cm

Here's how:

1. Decorate your wooden board with strips of MT tape.
2. Measure 2 lengths of foam to match the width of the board and cut into it giving a slot of about an inch deep.
3. Slide on the foam to the edges of the board.
4. decorate the wooden / cardboard pole
5. set the board onto the centre of the pole and be ready to keep your cool as you try to stay balanced.

Strongman Weight Lifting

Who is the strongest of them all. Can you lift the wight above your head and prove to all that you've got the strength of a lion.

Here's what you'll need:

• wooden pole / length of bamboo 90cm L, 2.5cm diameter
• 2 balloons
• marker pen

Here's how:

1. decorate a thin wooden pole or length of bamboo with decorative tape.
2. adhere a balloon either end
3. using the marker pen write the weight of each balloon....... can you lift 50kg?

Ring of Fire

Would you dare take the leap with this death defying act and jump through a ring of burning fire. Roly-poly through the ring of flames and gracefully land upon a cushioned floor.

Here's what you'll need:

• Hula hoop; the bigger the better, ours has a diameter of 94cm.
• red tissue paper

Here's how:

1. Layer several sheets of tissue paper one on top of the other and fold in half.
2. Cutting away from the folded edge,  cut out a flame shape (a wriggly triangle). Repeat along the folded line until you have as many as you need.
3. Open up each doubled flame, fold over the edge of the hula hoop and use double sided sticky tape (or fold over ordinary sticky tape to create doubled sided) and tape the inside of the flames together securing it to the hoop.
4. Hang by attaching a length of strong string to either side to a high point on either side of the room, or if you're unable to hang have someone hold it an inch or two off the floor.

If you can't bring the circus to you; create it!

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Magnificent Mr Printables to the rescue!

This should help for the holidays....

Easter Egg People FREE printable

Easter Egg Truck - FREE printable - hurray!

Giant Easter Egg Colouring Page - I shall be busy with this one!

And this idea on the Mr Printables blog is eggshellent (couldn't help myself!):

Painted Egg Sculptures

All with thanks & credit to Mr Printables.  We love. 

Happy, busy Easter hols....

x

Monday Makery - Paper Cup Shooters

This weekend we've needed some quick, surefire and silly fun. These paper cup shooters are the closest thing to instant gratification of the diy craft variety.
Pinging mini marshmallows and later, once those were either lost or eaten, screwed up secret messages (I know where mum keeps the chocolate biscuits), and woollen pom pons we made on a fork.

These would make great party games, silly afternoon fun and as they're super easy to make you'll be playing a game of sitting room ping-pong in minutes.

Here's what you'll need:

• paper cups (plastic ones will crinkle and crush) 
• balloon
• scissors

here's how:

1. cut the bottom of the paper cup out.
2. cut the rounded end of a balloon off.
3. tie a knot in the end of the balloon, as you would if it were blown up.
4. stretch the balloon over the open bottom of the paper cup.

To shoot: hold the cup, pull back the balloon and release! 

*caution* this shooter can be pretty powerful. NEVER shoot towards people's faces, bottoms I feel are fine, but NEVER faces!

Happy Making!

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Everyday is Mothers Day

Thank you for all your messages since this last post about our Mama. Her strength of spirit is shining through and soon we will be all together at home surrounded by flowers and chatter and our hearts full of love.

To all Mamas and their Mamas and Mamas before them, and all Mamas-to-be too...

Maternite, Chagall

Much Love on Mothers Day and always.  

Everyday as a Mother is a celebration of life.

For our Mama who is....
a woman who makes magic. She is the comforting shawl that keeps me warm, who turns matchboxes into miniature chests of drawers for dolls houses, who can turn tears into laughter and a rainy day into one of the brightest days I can remember. She is the smell of Nivea hand cream, the sound of 3 silver bangles joined together that make music as she moves. She is my friend, my mentor, my constant inspiration, a woman worthy of words i will never be able to find. A woman i admire and can only hope to have inherited part of her strength, her beauty, her sense of adventure and zest for life. She not only gave me the person I am but she gave me you too. She gave me my sisters my brother my untangled love and friendship that is our family, and even though I mother her now it is because she has taught me.  

Cx

Mother. Mum. Mummy. Mom. Mama. Marvel

When I planned a Mothers Day blog series, our Mama was well.  Carrying, marching, making, caring and being the leader of our family. Our Mama is and does everything.  Energy, independence and resourcefulness is what she is.  Without any reservation or hesitation, she gives.

A few weeks ago we 3 sisters became Mamas carers.  The roles have reversed so fast and now our Mama needs mothering.  All the love she has given is flowing back to her from friends and family.  It is our turn to feed her nutritious meals, make sure she's comfortable, fluff her pillows, plait her hair and bring her flowers.  It is our turn to hold her hand and hide our worries. It is our turn to stand tall.

Three Trees Quilt

Mama has made 4 children and in turn 6 grandchildren.  Hers is a body to be celebrated, for sure.  But her body has aged, as bodies do.  The reproductive part of her body has fulfilled its role and is now ill and causing pain.  Tomorrow we will take her to hospital for an operation. A 'procedure' that marks, in a way, the end of the youth of her body. We will nurse her through the recovery and see her back to health again, just as the first blossom, in the knowledge that this part of her journey of Motherhood is fragile. We will cherish and celebrate each moment, as each new season.

So, here I divert from the planned 'Mothers Day Goodies' blog series and invite you to celebrate Motherhood with us - in all its' joy, beauty, pain and magnificence. Motherhood IS magnificent.

The Heart Tree

Mamas are the true heroes, the makers, the marvels, the daily inventors, the force that makes this world so wonderful....so let's celebrate everyday, not just on Mothers Day.

B x