here’s some ideas for pom-pom crafts: pom-pom flowers, garland, wreath, apples, animals, bookmarks

Another fabulous and really popular present idea has just been restocked: the Clover basket making kits. Pictured above (and embellished with a Clover kanzashi flower, no less!) these kits come with 2 frames, ready for you to produce practical and pretty creations!

Clover have made a video to show you how simple this craft is. Make baskets from yarn, ribbons, fabric, raffia or jute – or get creative and repurpose plastic bags or worn out t-shirts and clothing! Once your basket is finished you can embellish it and display it for all to admire.

Fresh in store this week are a colorful range of fingerless mittens for the 3-6 year old crowd. Hand crocheted here at Little Sparrow, from extra soft pure Australian wool, these mittens are guaranteed to help those busy little hands stay cozy this cold season. There are lots and lots of colors to choose from, so call in and pick your favourite soon!

Smaller sizes are coming soon – so tiny hands, hold on!

The fabulous Anorak magazine is back for 2013 with an issue dedicated to the art of inventing! Covering the most brilliant minds behind the most brilliant inventions and the modern-day inventors who delight us with their fun creations. You can also learn the essential tools you need to become an inventor: dreaming gums, a no disturb sign and a cup of imagination tea amongst other things.

You’ll also find plenty of colouring pages, word searches, counting games and a recipe for the yummiest toffee cake ever – who could resist?!

New to Anorak Magazine or not sure what its all about? Anorak Magazine, the ‘happy mag for kids’ is aimed at boys and girls aged between 6 and 12 years old. Its published five times a year, and is sold all around the world. A more vibrant and engaging kid’s magazine is hard to find – my son treasures his issues and they’ve been read and re-read many many times! As well as the ‘Inventions’ issue we also stock a range of back issues which are timeless and guaranteed to amuse Anorak newcomers.

Fresh to our shelves this week is the enchanting new book from Jaquelyn Muller “I Love You 5 Lollipops”. Elizabeth Rose loves her whole, fascinating family – all in different ways. Meet them and find out what this giggly girl holds dear! Kathryn Zammit’s lively and high spirited illustrations bring Elizabeth Rose’s fun story alive.

Jaquelyn Muller lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and two daughters and ‘Millie’ aka ‘The Worst Best Dog in the World’. Of “I Love You 5 Lollipops” she says:

This story came about thanks to a throwaway line by my youngest daughter Elizabeth Rose… Like all mother’s needing reassurance from their children, I asked Lizzie when she was about 3, ‘how much to do you love me?’ I don’t have to tell you how she responded. What I loved about Elizabeth telling me that she loved me 5 lollipops is that, never in her short life has she ever consumed more than 1 lollipop in one sitting, so for her to tell me she loved me five of them must mean she loved me more than she can imagine – I am just going to run with that!

Playing dress up is such a fun time for children, and with the fun outfits made from “Dress up Your Dolls” they will have so many options to mix and match clothes to suit every occasion. All of the essentials are covered: dresses, pants, jumpers, hats, scarves, hair bands, and even shoes. The patterns, which are ideal for 30, 38, or 45cm dolls (12″, 15″ and 18″), can be easily combined and modified for customization and variety. The 90 patterns offer 33 complete outfits and includes everything from princess dresses and a safari outfit to winter wear and pirate costumes. Needle and yarn conversion charts are also included.

These pouches fold down to an ideal handbag size, and tie up with some matching satin ribbon. And did i mention the pouches are sold complete with a high quality set of Japanese bamboo handle crochet hooks? All you need is some yarn and you’re all set! Pop in and grab one today, there are just a handful so these won’t be around for long!

There’s no time like the present to learn a new skill or refresh an old one! Join our May workshops and enjoy discovering a new passtime in a friendly environment.
Bookings are essential! Payment in full must be received to secure your booking. A minimum of four people is required for the class to run, and a full refund will be given if minimum booking is not achieved. You are very welcome to bring any equipment required, use the workshop equipment during the class or purchase anything you will need from the shop. Unfortunately due to the timetable no make-up classes are available.

To book, visit us in store or phone us on 90410103 or you can book in online in our webshop too.

Classes run for 4 weeks a session. 4 x 2hrs.

Everyone 10 years + welcome.

Want to be the first to know when we schedule new classes? Enter your email address in the E-newsletter sign up, in the sidebar to the right. ☛

Term 2

Waldorf Toy Making

Wednesday, May 15th – June 5th 10-12pm

Thursday, May 16th – June 6th 10-12pm

$100, materials not included

In our most popular class you will have the opportunity to explore toy making in the Waldorf/Steiner tradition. Make small felt animals, create a doll or try your hand at needle felting.

Machine Sewing

Wednesday, May 15th – June 5th 1-3pm

$100, materials not included

Always wanted to use a sewing machine? This class will run you through all the basics, from threading to the tension, which needles to use, how to make a ruffle, to line a tote bag, to add a zip. we will make 4 simple projects along the way too! Sewing machines provided.

Knitting & Crochet

Thursday, May 16th – June 6th 1-3pm

$100, materials not included

In this class we’ll learn to cast on and off, a variety of different stitches, increasing and decreasing, changing yarn etc. Start your lifetime love of either of these cozy and practical crafts. By the end of 4 weeks you’ll be making squares, toys and more!

Mother’s Day gifts can be hard – so choose one your mum will love and one that has been made locally, by hand, and isn’t headed for the landfill in the near future. Choose from a range of  elegant M2Matiz t.lighthaus designs and help mum create a relaxing and beautiful environment with the soft diffused glow of a tea light lantern. Pair it with a pure Australian beeswax candle…

image from Queen B Candles

Queen B make 100% pure Australian beeswax candles which are gentler on our planet – smoke free, non-toxic and non-allergenic. They are made of natural beeswax, not petroleum based wax, so they are effectively carbon neutral.

image from Mainichi Design

Treat mum to a stunning accessory by Mainichi Design, a mixed textile brooch or a wonderfully tactile bush wood necklace.

The Cath Kidston scarf kit is perfect for a crafty mum, and don’t forget if she’s already an accomplished yarn artiste she may appreciate something from our yarn shelves, or range of hooks and needles!

And of course we have Little Sparrow gift vouchers, always gratefully received and are good for purchases in store as well as for our workshops and classes!

Mark Wilson will be holding workshops at Malvern, Prahran, Phoenix Park & Toorak/South Yarra Libraries as part of the Stonnington Literature Live Festival, from May 13 to May 25. Contact Stonnington Library for Details.