Recycled crafts: toilet paper rolls.

Over the last few weeks we had requested friends and family collect their toilet rolls for us and we had amassed quite the collection. I'll admit that Nick Cave's 'Red Right Hand' was playing continuously in my head as Elli and I covered ourselves in paint got crafting.

We decided to roll with the 'royal' theme (are you sick of hearing about this party yet? Because I'm nowhere near sick of crafting for it!) and create some activities for the kids to do at the actual event.

These little guys are destined to become mini royalty, with customisable faces and fancy garb to boot.

I shall share some photos after the part (which is still over a month away... I fear I may be going a touch overboard on this one.) But in the interim, here are some of the wonderful toot-roll inspired arts and crafts I found while searching for inspiration.

Heavily influenced by these angels by Alisa Burke

Yuken Teruya - aren't these cutouts AMAZING?!

Anastassia Elias - also incredible!

And this 'family portrait' over at Attic 24 is just too cute for words.

I'd love to hear how you've seen 'rubbish' used creatively!

Crafty Happenings

I have been doing a little crafting here, a little crafting there over the last few days - Something made entirely more difficult than it needs to be by 90% of my craft stash being in storage. First I'll fill you in on the craft I've managed to take photos of (with my camera, so sorry about the poor quality) and then I will explain the living out of boxes saga...

So I have been trying to fit in some solid birthday party crafting around my everyday activities - this has included cupcake wrapper flower garlands while watching 'trueblood' (anyone else disappointed with the season 3 finale?!) There is over 20 of these and I shall be making more as I watch more trashy television (I'm thinking I really need to get a copy of the second season of 'Pushing Daisies')

cupcake wrapper flower garland

I also made some cupcake/food flags out of the 'E' circle graphic and more cupcake wrappers.

food flags

cupcake flags

And I've made a start on some party favors - well, these are actually just the party favor box labels, they will have each child's name on them so there is no 'awww but I wanted THAT one' (or at least, there is less..)

I will use much less glue on the next batch, so much excess!

I think I shall explain the house shenanigans in a second post, as it could get long winded...

Sewing Cards

Check out Mini-Eco for the tutorial and printable image

I love this idea as another craft station for the kids at Elli's party - the designs don't fit with our party theme, so I will be creating my own (I love being a perfectionist and making myself more work!). If you're not quite as pedantic as me and want some fun crafts for your little people to enjoy head over to Mini-Eco for this cute tutorial!

Healthy Party Food

When it comes to children's party food it seems you either fall into two categories: 'delicious sweets and treats laden with sugar, fat, artificial flavours and colours' or 'yucky healthy snacks that nobody wants to eat'. Is there an in between? Can something appeal to kids AND be nutritionally sound?

I've started on my quest for party foods that tick both boxes - don't get me wrong, there will be good old fashioned lollies and cake on hand, but I am going to try and create a more balanced spread that the kids will enjoy.

So far I have found a few hints and tips online:

I'll definitely be making some of these 'Sushi Sandwiches'

• This from kid spot - which has links to healthier party food options.
• over at taste.com.au they have a whole swag of kid's snack recipes.
• I found the Cheap Healthy Good guide to party food

I love that 'Fresh for Kids' has 'funked up' fruit!

  I am not going to be serving 15 different variations of fruit platters for the kids, that's not how I roll. I know processed foods aren't fantastic but I have an 'everything in moderation' philosophy to those sometimes foods... And I think a birthday party is definitely one of those 'sometimes'

Where do you stand on the 'sometimes foods' issue? Do you have any healthy recipes that kids go nuts for?

Things I want to make...

Poppies at Play Tutorial

I think Elliotte's birthday present this year will involve lots of little handmade gifts, if I have time around the monster birthday party I seem to be planning! High on the list of 'gifts to make' is a bunch of cute accessories for the little miss, like this measuring tape headband I saw over at Poppies at Play.

The struggle I used to have to convince her to wear pretty things on her head has decreased and I want to capitalise on it with this gifting opportunity!

I am sure she will adore a pretty basket full of pretty things to decorate herself with, so this could be a sure bet for a winning present for the little lady. Throw in a few purses and a lip balm or two and she'll be in girlie heaven!

What are some of your favourite easy, handmade gifts for little people?