Just before Christmas we asked for 3 families to review the wonderful Busykid planner. Thanks to Simone, Sharon and Alison (and their kids) who have sent in the following reviews:

From Alison:

“Wow is that for us?” was the quote from my 3 boys when the parcel arrived. The kit is bright colourful and contains a large number of magnetic titled pictures that will assist my children in planning out their week.  It has the normal activities such as school and day care covered, but also includes an array of other activity squares for, a number of sporting and afterschool activities, sleep overs,  dentist appointments, doctors appointment, nippers and gymnastics to mention but a few.

They were very excited and had great fun looking at the chart’s activity options and planning the types of things that they’d like to do in the week (bike riding and swimming are popular holiday items). It will prove extremely useful once school returns when all of the normal sporting activities resume. They will be able to Look at the chart, then pack their bags ready for the next day and they will have an idea of what they will be doing and where they will be going making my life a little easier; and assisting them in becoming more independent.

_______________

From Sharon:

We received our Busy Kids Weekly Planner just before the last week of school before Christmas. What a great idea! Sticks well to the fridge, and the magnets sit nicely on the board and are easy to position for little hands. The pictures are bright and colourful and even our 20 month old daughter easily identifies most of the pictures. The ones she didn’t recognise straight away she has quickly learnt.

We have 2 children, a 12yr old and a 20 month old daughter. We have been able to use the planner for both girls, although I think for our older daughter, it is more of a novelty than a useful tool for planning her week. For our little one, it has been a lot of fun. Once she is convinced to not simply play with it, she loves putting each picture under the right day. I think planning their week, giving them something to look forward to, and letting them know what is happening is a great idea. Each day we .look at the planner in the morning and she knows what to expect from the day. I have found this not only fun for her, but also it has helped avoid tantrums, as I can refer to the planner and show her where we can do what she wants to, & we pop the icon in that spot, so its “booked in”!

I think as she gets older, having already learnt to use her planner, that it will be a great tool in helping her organise her week, especially as she starts school and does more activities, although we have already used the preschool, playgroup, swimming, art, music, dancing, shopping, library, playground, and doctor magnets just for our little miss!!!

Overall, the Busy Kids Weekly Planner is a great idea. It is a clear, easy to use and an easy to understand way for kids to see what is happening week to week. It helps kids to learn how to plan their week, organise their time in a fun and colourful way. With an almost 2yr old and another baby on the way, this planner will be used for years to come in this household!

_______________

From Simone:

Wow! What can I say – the Made with Love Markets held last Sunday 28th August

at Novotel Pacific Bay were massive!

We had an amazing assortment of gorgeous handmade items with hundreds of people attending.

There was entertainment for the kids and some yummy food as well.

Enjoy these photos taken by Laura from Captured with Love Photography – our official market photographer.

And don’t forget -the next market is on Sunday 4th December – a special Christmas event. Mark it in your diary it is going to be HUGE!!

The first ever Coffs Creative Mums’ Market was a massive success! Cathy (from Tabatinga) and I were absolutely thrilled with the amount of customers flowing through the doors of Tabatinga and there was such a great atmosphere on the day – it helped that Tabatinga was transformed into a handmade extravaganza!

We had over 27 stallholders with a great assortment of items from cupcakes, photo art, handmade shoes and toys, clothing and cards. We had some really positive feedback on the day and we are already planning a regular market to be held four times a year.

Tabatinga was a great venue as kids were happily occupied playing on the Jungle Gym with entry only $2.  We are looking to expand to accommodate more stallholders, possibly into the carpark outside Tabatinga.

Cathy and I have more big plans for the markets including a dedicated market website to permanently showcase the stallholders.

We are running a competition to find a new name for the market. After having enquires from other areas in the region such as Port Macquarie, Lismore and Armidale we would like to expand the market to include anyone who makes handmade items in towns surrounding Coffs. Also, we are hoping to appeal to anyone who makes handmade (not just Mum’s) such as Grandfathers, fathers, Aunts etc.

We have some goodies from market stallholders, MugArt, Diaspora Designs and Distinctive Kids 123 as a prize.

To enter, email your idea to: alison@coffsforkids.com.

Competition closes 5th June, winning name announced 6th June.

A HUGE thanks to our “official” market photographer, Captured with Love Photography (www.capturedwithlove.com.au/) for taking these gorgeous photos. You will be able to see more on the new website to come!

Okay in our final installment we would like to introduce you to Diaspora Designs, a new local business run by Liz who makes limited edition pieces featuring some gorgeous images of the wonderful scenery, flora and fauna of Australia.

The photos Liz uses are taken by herself, she says: “I try to capture local Australian images that reflect the uniqueness of Australia often using interesting angles or colour to create a design that is iconic yet seen from a  different perspective.”

At the moment Liz makes cotton carry bags, small and large denim shoulder bags, magnets and cards. She has a selection you can view here. Diaspora can also make custom orders or you can send in your favourite photo you would like put on the a bag.  However there is limited stock available so order now! Contact Liz at: diasporadesigns1@gmail.com

We like the cotton carry bags as a handy yet unique Mother’s Day present which are $12 each plus postage. Local purchases can be colleced from Sapphire or talk to Liz for alternative collection arragements. 

Diaspora Designs will also be at the Coffs Creative Mums’ Market on Sunday 15th May.

In case you hadn’t noticed, we lurve Mug Art. So of course they are going to feature in our locally sourced Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day.

If you haven’t come across Mug Art yet then take yourself over to Trish’s Facebook page and have a look at some of the wonderful creations she has done using photos, pictures and printed words on various items such as stainless steel drink bottles, glass chopping boards, mugs and even thongs! Trish is so lovely to work with and will bend over backwards to help you out and make sure you are happy.

Some of the great ideas for Mother’s Day: a picture of your family, kids or family pet on a glass chopping board, a photo or collage on a mug, a pair of one-of-a-kind thongs, a photo on a glass clock and the Mother’s Day special – a photo or picture on a glass chopping board (see the Mug Art ad on the right column for more details).

Get your order in ASAP for Mother’s Day – the absolute cut-off for local orders is the Wednesday before Mother’s Day (4/5) – so find a great photo, pick a product and send it along to Mug Art!

You can see the Mug Art photo album on Facebook here

Today it is exactly 2 weeks until Mother’s Day. I know, I know, Easter isn’t even over and Mother’s Day is going to creep upon us but I am helping you to be prepared and to buy a locally made, unique and very special one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery.

Local Mum, Tracey is the creator and designer of Zyatica Creations – she makes all sorts of amazing items of jewellery, bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings – and my favourite is these hand-stamped pendants.

I got mine done a couple of months ago (top silver pendant) and I adore it. It is very special to me as it has my two children’s names and I know it was made by hand with special care and attention.

You can have anything hand-stamped, go for a layered-look (like the picture to the left) with your children’s names, or make one for Granny with all the Grandchildren’s names on it.

Tracey can also hand-stamp special or favourite sayings or quotes on a copper bracelet. She is very clever so have a chat to her about your ideas or what you need and she will try to work something out.

Have a look at the website  and Facebook page for some more examples of Tracey’s work. She can also custom-make jewellery according to an existing design, colour or to match another piece of jewellery.

https://www.facebook.com/ZyaticaCreations ~~~  http://zyaticacreations.weebly.com/index.html

Zyatica Creations will also be at the Coffs Creative Mums’ Market on Sunday 15th May.

This will be my Dad on Saturday 7th May (the day before Mother’s Day) “ok so what am I getting your Mother for Mother’s Day?” Yes, my Father is just one of the many hopeless husbands, boyfriends, partners and sons out there who have not-a-clue when it comes to a present to buy the Mum (or Mum’s) in their life for Mother’s Day. Not saying that ALL men are like that – but most of them.

So here is Part 1 of 5 in a guide to locally made presents and gift ideas. Some of them require pre-planning and making so that is why I am starting a little early (saying that, it is just under 3 weesks away)

SO first is SMALLPRINT.  

Smallprint Fingerprint Jewellery uses precious metal clay to create original pieces of silver jewellery any Mum will treasure. Once the clay has been rolled out and shaped, the special person’s fingerprint is taken, enabling them to be actively involved in creating the jewellery. Each piece is then individually finished with solid silver settings to create the most imaginative and memorable keepsake on the market.

Georgia, who is our local Smallprint creator says: “Not only is the jewellery very contemporary, but I love that to create Smallprint jewellery we don’t use any moulds. What your loved one touches is what goes in the kiln to become your special keepsake.”

If you have a look at the website: www.smallp.com.au to get more of an idea of what Georgia can create for you in addition to your child’s fingerprint in pure silver jewellery, you can also record a child’s first handwriting, a special drawing or their tiny hands and feet on pendants, charms, key rings, cufflinks and more.

Georgia will be at the Jungle Bungle this Thursday, 20th April to take fingerprints (your last chance before Mother’s Day!)

Smallprint will also be at the Coffs Creative Mums’ Market on Sunday 15th May.