{How to} Make an awesome alien headpiece

Last week Miss TikiBoo had her school disco.  The theme was Aliens.  I was initially a little stumped, until I found this website: 7 Layer Studio, where an awesome mum made alien costumes for her entire family last Halloween.
The headpieces looked so effective, so I based my idea on hers and came up with this.  We had so many comments about it that I decided I'd share how to make one.  It was really quite simple - no sewing required!


Step 1. You will require the following items, most can be purchased at your local el cheapo shop or Spotlight.
1. Glitter foam
2. Polystyrene balls in a couple of sizes
3. Pipecleaners
4. Stick on felt (although a black marker will also work)
You'll also need elastic, scissors and probably a hot glue gun.


Step 2. Find the centre of your foam and roughly draw the shape of your design.


Step 3. Fold the foam in half (don't press the centre fold) and cut both sides together so you get a nice symmetrical design. You will need sharp scissors for this.


Step 4. Unfold, and neaten up your cutting.  Hold against your child's head, and check that you are happy with your shape, adjust if required.


Step 5. Cut out a hole in the centre for your big eye (or a couple of smaller eyes if you prefer).  I was lucky enough to get this one almost perfect, unfortunately the one on the actual costume was cut too big and needed a lot of glue to remedy!


Step 6.  Push your polystyrene ball in from the back.  The foam does stretch a bit, however don't force it or it will rip.


Step 7. Using either a circle cut from stick on foam, or a black marker, add a pupil to your eyeball/s.  Glue in place from the rear.


Step 8.  I had to use a lot of glue, which looked very messy so I glued some offcuts over the glue, both on the front and back.


Step 9. Glue your small eyeballs onto the pointy ends.


Step 10. Carefully make a small incision and thread elastic through.  Be super careful during this step so you don't rip the foam.  I glued some more offcuts over the elastic so it couldn't be seen from the front.  These sit perfectly above her ears and look like pointy spock additions.


Step 11. Add your final details - we added eyebrows, and some earrings made from our pipecleaners. Whip up an alien costume (with the help of Grandma if you're running out of time!), and you have an awesome Alien!

If you have stopped by, it would be lovely if you could leave a comment or just say hello so I know that you've been here. Thank you!

How much fun it is to be 4.

We are having fun playing with outfits right now. Next year Miss Boo will be at school, so I'm letting her explore her creativity with her choice of clothing before she has to be a clone in uniform. At this age she can get away with wearing pretty much anything, so letting her decide what she wants to wear is usually safe.

I picked out the navy Ouch dress, and told her to find things to wear with it. She's a bit obsessed with the Seed bow headband at the moment, so she started with that and went from there with the stripey red socks (I can't recall the brand, but they were from Urban Harmony) and long sleeve top. Once she had these on she decided it wasn't warm enough and the leggings were a last minute addition. The necklace is from Shanghai Ruby. The shoes are Converse Chuck Taylors.

As an aside, I've just realised that I didn't purchase any of these items online, they were all bought locally, a little unusual for us! The dress, socks and necklace are all from Urban Harmony in Coorparoo, the Seed headband I bought in the city and the converse from Harbourtown.

It may be a little chilly...

It's getting pretty chilly, even here in Brisbane! Given our rather mild climate, we don't tend to pack away our summer clothing, just in case a warm day happens to come along. Even if it doesn't, I'm a big fan of layering and putting summer dresses or pretty blouses over jeans and a long sleeved top or skivvy.

Miss Boo is a big fan of the over-dress look. Winter clothes tend to not be quite as pretty or flowery, so this way she gets to be warm as well as pink!

For those on a budget, this style also has benefits. Many summer dresses tend to be a roomy fit, so while they may end up being a little too short, often they will still fit in the top area. This Samba Blush dress is a size Small - designed to fit a 2/3 year old girl. Miss Boo typically wears size 5, so this type of dress would give you a few years of wearing - all year round! Starting as a dress alone in summer, then over jeans or leggings in winter - then the following summer, once your little one gets taller, it becomes a top to be worn over capri pants or shorts.




There are only a handful of Samba dresses still available, this pink Samba Blush is available exclusively at Georgia's Garden. There are also other designs at our current retailers.



These stunning images were taken by Love Bytes, check out the web site and blog for more of Tan's gorgeous images!

Knit one...

I can't knit.

Well, that's not completely true - I can knit, however, when I do, my hands swell and get itchy. Luckily, Miss Boo's Grandma is very clever and does not suffer the same affliction.

Here is the sweet cardi she recently knitted, complete with Liberty covered buttons. Miss Boo selected the wool herself. I wish she'd make one in my size!

Yes, being a model is very boring work. Luckily it pays well - lots of clothes and lots of hugs!

For the love of...Liberty

click to enlarge

Some of you may already know about my little obsession with Liberty fabric. It's always been something I have loved, but I've never really been able to justify the cost - but things change when you have a daughter!

I have a couple of projects involving liberty fabric which are at the stage of needing to be hemmed, but in the meantime, here's a sweet little outfit Grandma made for Miss TikiBoo last year. It *just* still fits her, though I don't think she will be able to eat very much while wearing the skirt!

This fabric actually has a history. It was the first liberty I ever purchased, about 20 years ago! I made it into a blouse, which I never really wore, so it stayed in the wardrobe for a few years until I cut it up and made a cushion cover. When I removed the cover, it was a little worn and weary, with patches of mildew, but there was certainly enough useable fabric to be more useful than a tatty old cushion. I'm certain the fabric was waiting for me to come along and find it a new home. Liberty does that, you know...
Last year, when I purchased the Oliver + s Sunday Brunch pattern, I had the inspiration to repurpose some of it as trim on a lightweight denim. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think Grandma did a lovely job.

Covered buttons:


Inside the collar:


Cuffs and inside the pockets (the cuffs are actually meant to be turned up):


It will be sad when this sweet suit no longer fits! I'm not sure if I should find it a new home or keep it for the day I have a granddaughter of my own.

If you're a fan of Liberty fabrics, I'd love to see what you've created, leave me a comment with a link to your blog!

Polly in Paris at All You Need

It has been a long time since I added new items to All You Need, but I have finally found the time!
There are some gorgeous new skirts, we call them "Frilly Milly"! Here is Miss TikiBoo showing her favourite - Polly in Paris. It is the most adorable print.





There are several other designs, so I hope you find one you love! I have also added some sweet Tiki's Kitchen apron & oven mit sets. On Monday I will let you know where you can win one! Stay tuned!

Don't forget our little bunny giveaway, drawn tonight.

Sweet summer blouse

Another of my sewing attempts. This one was a pattern of my own creation. It does need a bit of tweeking before I cut up the Liberty I plan to make it in!
It's a light cotton lawn, easy to wear and perfect for the Brisbane summer, or can be worn over long sleeves for summer.
Miss TikiBoo was happy with it, although as usual it wasn't pink enough!

Sewing for MY girl

When your business involves sewing as much as I do, finding time or inspiration to sew for your own children isn't easy. I find myself buying fabric to make things for Miss TikiBoo, only to have it sit in the cupboard for next season, or the next.
So, finally, I took a few days off to make some things for my own girl!

The past weekend we headed up to Spicers at Hiddenvale for Daddy's birthday lunch. So, this outfit was created with that in mind - my little country lovin' girl. A sweet peasant blouse and linen skirt. The much loved boots are Walnut, from Design Child.



She had heaps of fun feeding the animals, and meeting a rather overfriendly labrador puppy!



I made a few other things which I will show later in the week.

Kathryn