The Peacock Tutu

I've always associated a pinky purple colour with peacocks.  I'm not sure why - there isn't much purple or pink to them.  But when I saw some beautiful pinky purple tulle, the peacock tutu was born.

I've never seen a tutu quite like this - it is shorter at the front and gets progressively longer as it goes around.  It looks just like a peacock tail!  And with the addition of some cute felt peacock feathers, the tutu was complete.

I'm thrilled with it - if it wasn't weird, I'd prance around the backyard in it. It is too big for the kiddo at the moment, but I can't wait until I'll see her running around
in it.

Tutus are incredibly simple to make.  There are TONS of tutorials on the web, so there's no need to add mine.  Here's a good one.  You'll find tutus made with elastic, ones made with ribbons, one that are no-sew, and ones that are sewn.  The peacock tutu is elastic, and no-sew - getting the urge to make one yet? :)

I've whipped up the instructions in a PDF download to make the peacock tutu, as well as the pattern pieces for the felt "feathers".  They can easily be freehanded, but for those that aren't as adventerous, patterns are always nice.  (Please forgive the "roughness" of the patterns - I don't have Illustrator yet, so I cobbled them together in Publisher).

If you have ANY questions, or anything is unclear, please send me a note.  I plan on doing more in-depth tutorials in the future, with photos included.  But I'm happy to explain anything that you need to know.

The materials are cheap, it's easy to make, and you'll have one happy kiddo at the end!  Happy tutu-ing!

*If you make one of your own, add it to the Little Renn Flickr pool!  I'd love to see it.

Peacock Tutu Instructions

Taken before "feathers" were added. And wind is not a tutu's friend!







The Playroom

When I heard we had to move (long story for another post...or several), my first thought wasn't of packing or unpacking.  It was, "Oh no....the playroom."

I have been working on the playroom for months, maybe even years in my head.  It has been a great creative outlet - I've been able to combine my craftiness with my teaching instincts.  I've been puttering away slowly, collecting cool toys, furniture, decorations and more.  IKEA and Kijiji have been incredible for finding deals.

So to find out we're moving, shortly after I declared it pretty much done...devastating.  So I immortalize it here, for all to see.  A requiem on a playroom.

I exaggerate - this playroom will be recreated in some form at our next house, which I will definitely share.  But this was its first incarnation, which will never be fully appreciated, as the kiddo just turned one.  She's happy simply pulling books off shelves.  And I faithfully put them back on the shelves when she's done. Someday, she will appreciate what a great masterpiece her playroom actually is.

The paint colour is called Sunshine (or Sunny...I can't remember).  It is such a happy colour - perfect for a drab basement.

A carpeted "path" leads you into the playroom.  Very inviting right?  These were JYSK bath mats, super cheap - maybe $3 each.





The playroom has an extra-large, hard to find Little Tikes Grand Victorian Mansion in it.  It's HUGE.  A six foot tall person can stand up in it.  It is carpeted, complete with a kitchen, barbecue, fireplace, table, and chair.

Beside the house is the book nook.  Here, although you wouldn't believe it by looking at the picture, houses hundreds of books.  There are two floor to ceiling bookcases just outside the playroom with MORE books.  It's a weakness.  But, a book weakness is not the worst weakness to have...

We stay away from TV, movie, and princess-themed books (also a topic for another post).

Our favourite authors include: David Shannon, Jaime Lee Curtis, Tad Hills, Tom Lichtenheld, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and many, many more!

We also have a great mini-rocking chair (Winners), some comfy pillows (Bouclair & Target), a bench to sit on (Target), which happens to be overflowing with dress up clothes.

The designs on the wall are actually plastic pieces from Dollarama.  2 in a package for $2, some spray paint and they are cheap, beautiful art.




The playroom also has a fully-stocked kitchen.  The table and chairs, as well as the white bin "cupboards" are from IKEA.  The Step 2 kitchen was an amazing Kijiji find (thanks Mom!), with lots of fun electronic features.  You may have spotted some vintage Fisher-Price stuff dotting the room - they just don't make it like they used to!  Vintage Fun with Food and Little People ALL THE WAY.

And finally, a lovely garden to tend to in the summer months.


A rather long post about a playroom, right?  I'm a proud mother. :)


Have a great playroom of your own to share?  Click on Little Renn's Flickr group in the left hand column and post some pictures!  We'd love to see what yours looks like.  We'd even love to see your ideal playrooms (please respect copyrights of others!)

Pink Punch

I hate to tease you with such a yummy summer drink, but it's too delicious not to share.  The internet is full of different takes on Pink Punch, and here's mine.  I dare say, it is a superior version to all the rest.

Ingredients:
- 1 tub of Pink Lemonade Ice Cream (found at Loblaws/Superstore/etc.)
- 1 can Minute Maid Peach frozen juice, melted
- 2 - 2L bottles of Sprite

It's easiest to make big batch of this in a punch bowl, but you can make individual glasses if you so desire. The pictures show an individual glass, but I'll give you the instructions for a punch bowl full.

Prepare yourself.  It's mind-blowingly complicated.  Pour the bottles of Sprite in the bowl.  Pour the melted fruit juice in.  Add a bunch of ice cream (I added about 3/4 of the tub).

This will foam up A LOT, so don't overdo it on the liquids.  You can always add more after the ice cream has gone in.

Some pretty ice cubes will spruce up the bowl.

And, that's IT.  Seriously.

And the best thing is?  The punch is totally versatile. Change the ice cream.  Different flavour, frozen yogurt, sorbet, it doesn't matter!  Don't like Peach juice?  Add something different?  Prefer Ginger Ale?  Go for it!  My only tip is: if you want it to be pink, stick to things that have a pink or red base.

Make it shortly before it's about to be served, and your guests will LOVE it.  I know from experience. :)

Have any combos you'd like to try?  Leave a comment below!

Mery the Mermaid

What little girl wouldn't want a stuffed mermaid?  I want one.  I hope my cousin wants one - she's getting one in the mail!  She's a mom to a beautiful new baby girl, so perfect time to whip up something cute.

I have to admit, it wasn't all that difficult to make.  After making cutting out a cardboard pattern, I cut out and sewed her front together.  Same for the back.  I sewed and stuffed her arms and her ponytail.  I sewed them together.  And voila!  One mermaid!  I think even someone with basic sewing skills could make this.

Now...I got so excited and made this so quickly that it didn't even occur to me to do a tutorial.  I'd be more than happy to whip up a free tutorial and pattern if there anyone out there is so inclined.  Leave me a comment and if at least five people do, a tutorial is in your future! :)

Little Renn has a Facebook group now.  It looks so sad only liked by me. If you join, you might be eligible to win something made by me! :)

A Polka-Dotted Birthday

How to start off a blog is an intimidating subject. Tone, subject, and direction are each critical elements, and to be honest, I haven’t decided firmly on any! So, the inaugural blog post here on Little Renn will be about something I’m particularly proud of. Something I’ve worked for months preparing and crafting for – a first birthday party!

My mother always threw great parties for us as kids and I knew I wanted to continue that tradition. For the theme, I chose polka-dots because there is a classic and timeless element to them (no Disney/TV/movie-themed stuff in our house!).

The Decorations

Tissue paper poms: These are fantastic. They’re pretty easy to make, look amazing, and are very versatile. We hung them above the couch and above the spread in the kitchen.

I managed to find tons of great (free!) printables on various websites, including a bunting banner, water bottle covers, tent cards, thank you tags, cupcake toppers & wrappers and more. I hope to soon create my own printables (and share with you!). It's amazing what people create and give away for free!




The Food

Oh, the food! We still have a fridge full! We had popcorn, fruit salsa with cinnamon chips, salted caramel cupcakes, hummus, cheesecake stuffed strawberries, cookies from Grandma Coco, candy, and more! We had a great 3-tier cake from Simply Delectable cakes. It made for quite a spread.

The Thank You’s!
We had a mostly adult guest list, so I wanted something appropriate and not junk that they would throw away.
I came across a great tutorial on The Cottage Home for coasters. I found some great scrapbook paper at Michael’s, and off we went! I even found little plastic footies at the dollar store. Tip from experience – use superglue to get those babies to stick!

We also gave out pink take-away containers to try and pawn leftovers off on the guests.

Final Note
Party planning is tons of fun, but TONS of WORK.
*Watch out for a comprehensive Polka-dot Party photo gallery!