FREE Printable Circus Party Invites

Soooo, here are the Circus Party invitations I designed for Hugh's birthday. 

Like them? Hugh certainly does. He likes them so much he's been passing out "tickets" to what seems like everyone he knows and we're now sitting at 20 - TWENTY!!!!! - friends for the bash. (That's just his friends too - not counting their parents or our friends). Is that excessive? It seems excessive to me. All I can say is thank god it's not at home! Can you image? Twenty 5 year olds running around my house high on sugar and cake? Nuh-uh! 

Anyway, I was so pleased with them I thought I'd share, so if you fancy having your own circus themed soiree the invites are already taken care of and the come FREE!! Just click the image below, print them onto nice card and fill in your details (if you want your details printed onto the invites just import the image into your editing/design program and type in your info on top). My only advice is don't print 40 like I did or you might end up baking the biggest cake in the universe for the entire neighbourhood!

FREE Printable Alphabet Flash Cards

As we tend to do with our first child, I spent a lot of time with Hugh when he was little, teaching him his colours, his shapes, and of course - the alphabet... Not so much with Noah. Funnily enough I haven't the time! But one thing I have found, is that a set of these are super handy. Not only are they useful for wee ones, but they come back into their own at pre-school age when kiddos start learning to put letters and sounds together and they want to start figuring out how to spell phonetically.

This set of Alphabet Flash Cards isn't only cute cute cute - it's FREE FREE FREE! Just click this link to download your very own set. Print them onto heavy card for a longer lifespan or laminate them if you can so they can be wiped clean, OR if you're feeling creative, they'd make a great display either framed or hung as bunting! Go ahead, play, create and learn!

Free Mothers Day printables

Last weekend we stopped to spend time with our families to celebrate Easter and pay tribute to the men who lost their lives fighting for our freedom. Next weekend we stop again to spend time with our families, but this time it's to acknowledge the incredible selflessness that comes with being a mum. Here's a little something to pass along to dad (let's face it, he might need the help), or to print out yourself for your own mum perhaps. They look great as a set on the breakfast tray or just as a tag to attach to the chocky box and new slippers...

Note: These are an original Noosh design. If you'd like to share them on your blog, please feel free, but don't forget to link back to Nooshloves.

FREE Printable Easter Tags

Look what I made for you! Easter Tags! 

It seems to be becoming a bit of a trend to give gifts at Easter instead of chocolate (not necessarily a trend I agree with or follow too closely, but a trend nonetheless...). And so, to go with your Easter gift, be it chocolate or something else, some lovely tags! Share the love around and send them to your friends! To download, Simply double click the template image below and hit print! Enjoy! x 

This is an original Noosh Design. 

We're happy for you to share it on your blog, but please link back to NooshKids.

Thanks! And Happy Easter!

Laurence Pasquier Giveaway thanks to Pretty Dog!

Guess what? Pretty Dog's new online store is opening on April 22, so no matter where you are you'll be able to strut your stuff in their goodness! Thanks to the gorgeous girls at Pretty Dog, you have a chance to win this DIVINE Laurence Pasquier deep lavender silk blouse (below), valued at $350! And that applies to everyone, everywhere because, you guessed it, they're happy to ship the prize internationally - whoo hoo! (I wish I could enter!) 

To be in it, just like their Facebook page, sign up for their emails here or follow their Tumblr or Twitter and then report back in the comments below to let me know you've done so. Competition closes next Tuesday (29th) at 12.00 PM (EST). What are you waiting for? Quick! Go!!!!!!!!! 

FREE Printable Bookplates

Remember old fashioned bookplates? Like the ones printed on the first page of Golden Books? I got to wondering why such a lovely idea was allowed to die - I mean, how many books have your kids taken to school for show & tell only to come home without them? A few at our house already and they're still at pre-school! So, I made these for you! There's 3 to choose from - pink, blue and grey. Just double click the picture  below that you want to download and it'll open at A4 size. Then save it to your folder of other lovely Noosh printables I've found and made for you! Finally, stick them in every book you own and make your contribution to operation "Bring Back Bookplates!" And don't forget to forward the link to your friends to get them on board too! x

FREE Printable Love notes

Cute cute cute. Jess over at Epheriell Designs has created these sweet cards for Valentines Day. Click. Print. Cut. Send. The only hard bit is choosing who deserves one....

$100 Gift card up for grabs!

I know!!! And it gets better - not only are we talking US dollars, but the voucher is for the incredible online store ShopBop! Wow, wow and wow. Okay! Okay! The incredibly generous little lady offering this piece of bliss is my dear friend and fellow ex-Dolly-girl, Louise over at TableTonic. To enter, all you need to do is click on this link and leave some feedback for an entry!!

But wait! Before you all go racing off to enter, I want to tell you something very important about Miss Louise - see, her TableTonic blog baby is a FINALIST in the incredibly prestigious 2011 Apartment Therapy Homie Awards. More wow. So, while you're over there entering her comp, have a look around, it's a lovely blog - her house is D.I.V.I.N.E. and if you like what you see, jump over here to throw a vote her way. It would be so so so so great if an Aussie blog took out the prize! Okay, you can go now...

FREE Love-ly Printable Valentines Cards

Via

I know I'm a little early, but something about Valentines day gets me excited. Every year, the cynic in me wages war against the optimistic side of my nature. And every year I hope optimism will win. That the cynic will be squashed by something lovely. Click here for something lovely, send it to someone lovely and make them smile, so optimism can win...

FREE: Wish gift card printable

Today I had an urge to make something for you so I got myself comfy at my desk (AKA the dining table) and set to work designing a gift card that you could print and use free of charge for any occassion. It might be to thank someone, wish them a happy birthday or even just to let them know you're thinking of them... it's up to you! I've even done them in 2 colourways in case you're feeling pink and pretty or blue and fresh. 

Double click the image below for the print file

Share them around with your friends, but remember these are an original NooshKids design and they are for personal use only, and if you'd like to post them on your blog please remember to credit where they came from and link back to NooshLoves. Thanks! Enjoy.x

Make it: Chore chart for multiple kids with FREE printables

This is a great DIY project! It's the best looking chore "chart" I've seen. We tried using a whiteboard for a while but it didn't work very well when chores got rubbed off by shoulders walking too close... I'm not going to lie to you - this doesn't sound like the quickest and easiest project, there is drilling, and Shelley (AKA "She" from How Does She) has a lot of band aids on her fingers. But if that hasn't completely put you off - read on...

Chores are written on paddle pop sticks and are colour coded by degree of difficulty and estimated time required to complete the chore. The way it works is the kids choose their chores like you would choose a card for a card trick (with chore cleverly hidden by mums hand), they get the same number of chores each and those selections are placed in the hole in the block with their name on it. Once the job is completed the stick moves to the smaller "home" block on the end for reselection next week. I love the subliminal message on the base of the construction that chores are fun. I wonder if that works? It's a great idea and much more attractive than a messy whiteboard that often ends up being drawn on... Check out the instructions and downloadable templates here.

FREE: Australia Day Party Printables

Fancy a little soiree to celebrate Australia Day? I'm organising a family "reunion" of sorts. Our extended family is too big now for us to all get together at Christmas, so it's been a while since we had an opportunity to spend a day together. Australia Day seems like a perfect opportunity to me. It's a public holiday - so no excuses there for anyone and no one person has the weight of responsibility to cater and clean for the event. Perfect!

So to add a glamourous touch to the festivities, I found these gorgeous printables Style Guide

Click here for tags, click here for envelope liners 

Click here for invitations, and click here for signs

And this simple hole-punched stars in red, white and blue threaded onto pretty red and white twine makes an effective and easy garland that would look great in the trees.

Party theme of the week: Back to school

It's almost time for the wee ones to head back to school... (cue squeals of delight from exhausted mums). And here's the perfect remedy for a reluctant student. A Back to School Party! I know what you're thinking, a party? Noooo!!!!!! But look how cute this stuff is! Go on.... They'll love it!

Back to school cupcakes

These cupcakes earn top marks for sweetening even the most reluctant student's return to school.

Ingredients

Yellow, green, and white frosting

Cupcakes

Red Skittles or M&M's

Small plastic bag

Rubber band or twist tie

Tim Tams - halved

Tic Tacs

Instructions

Cover the cupcakes with yellow frosting and allow them to sit for an hour before decorating. Dab each red Skittle or M&M with a bit of green frosting for the apple's leaf, then set them aside.

Put a tablespoon or two of white frosting into a small plastic bag for piping. Cut a very small hole in a corner of the bag, twist the top of the bag closed, and secure it with a rubber band or twist tie. Piping the frosting gently out of the hole, write messages on the Tim Tams. Leave space at the bottom of the cookie, where it'll be stuck into the cupcake.

Cut a groove in the cupcake's frosting with a knife, then fit a blackboard into the groove. Add one Skittle or M&M apple and a piece of Tic Tac chalk, as shown.

Via Kinser Event Company via Family Fun

There are even some free printables for your decorations and favours....

Click here for your free back to school banner and loads more decorative bits to zshoozsh up your soiree.

And click here for even more free back to school printables

Free: 2011 Calendar Printable

Not many things in this world of ours are free and stylish. Agreed? Well I've done some digging and I've found one. It's a 2011 calendar. It's printable. And it's FREE! Click here for your own piece of Mod design style...

Via Babble

Resolution radar

We're well and truly into a new year now and it's time to make good on the resolutions we (perhaps drunkenly) made on friday night with that glass of bubbles in our hands. I know mine were all not only achievable but necessary, and it seems the delightfull Miss Maddie from Lil Magoolie is on the same page as me. She's whipped up these lovely printables to keep in view all year round so we can stay on track. I suspect Maddie has a connection to my brain somehow because she's so often on the money with what I need or think, and this time is no exception. I need to do every single thing on this poster and it's now hanging in my kitchen so I can get it all stamped into my head all year long... Click here for your own download - it even comes in two pretty colour palettes for you to choose from!

BOREDOM BUSTER #3: Top 7 -mostly FREE!

In Sydney: Kids in the Park 2010/11 

Kids in the Park is massive fun for kids of all ages – whatever their passion! Check out the amazing range of FREE activities on offer at Sydney Olympic Park these Summer holidays! 

*Australia Day celebrations

*BMX and Mountain X

*Brickpit Ringwalk

*Clue Trail

*Crack the Code

*Disc Golf

*Movies by the Boulevard

*Sports Star and Dancing Star

*The Amazing Chase

*Medibank International Kids Day

With over 50 activities to choose from at this year's Kids in the Park Summer holiday program, be sure to check out the other listings for more info: SPORTY activities, ADVENTURE kids, PLAYFUL kids, CREATIVE kids

Date:18 Dec 2010 - 30 Jan 2011

Location:Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW

Ages:All Ages / Family

Cost:FreeEvent 

Visit Website

In Melbourne: The Enchanted Party Fairy workshops for kids at ACMI

For little princes and princesses!

Princess Lilac and Princess Blossom take children on an enchanted adventure to undo a mischievous spell that's been cast over the garden. Activities on this spellbinding trail include craft, games, dancing and magic bubbles to help undo the spell. Each workshop runs for 45 minutes. Suitable for children aged 4-10 years.

Date: 21 Nov 2010 - 14 Jan 2011

Time:11am & 1pm

Location: ACMI, The Cube, Federation Square, Melbourne, VIC 

Ages:All Ages / Family

Cost: FREE - please register for your preferred session on the day

Event Info: (03) 8663 2583 Suitable for children aged 4-10 years 

Visit Website

In Sydney: Medibank International Sydney - Kids Day

The Medibank International Sydney 2011 promises to be one of the best tennis experiences in the nation. The eyes of the tennis world will turn to Sydney Olympic Park from 9-15 January as Serena Williams, Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils, Samantha Stosur and many more serve up world class tennis action ahead of the Australian Open.  And Monday 10 Jan is Kids Day, where all children 16 years and under get access into the grounds and all the exciting activities on-site for free!

Date: 10 Jan 2011 - 10 Jan 2011

Time: From 10amLocation:Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre, Sydney, NSW 

Ages: All Ages / Family

Cost: U16s entry is FREE - Adults $9.90 Ground Pass

Event Info: Exciting on-site activities for under 16s and their families!

At home: Make an Erupting Volcano experiment

What You Need: Flour, salt, cooking oil, water, large bowl, plastic bottle, baking pan, red food colouring, liquid detergent, baking soda, vinegar, water

Activity: Mix 6 cups of flour, 2 cups of salt, 4 tablespoons of cooking oil and 2 cups of water in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together with your hands until the mixture is firm. Stand the bottle in the centre of the pan. Mould the salt dough around the bottle in a cone shape (like a volcano) but leave the bottle top uncovered. Fill the bottle almost to the top with warm water. Add a few drops of food colouring. Squeeze 6 drops of detergent into the bottle. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Slowly pour vinegar into the bottle. Your volcano will fizz and spurt red lava! Why? Mixing baking soda and vinegar makes a chemical reaction. 

Sydney & Melbourne: (Not free - but kind of amazing!)

Roar & Snore at the Zoo

Taronga Zoo's unique accommodation experience, Roar & Snore, has been re-launched. 

Roar ‘n’ Snore guests wine, dine and sleep where the elephants once walked, in the Historic Elephant Exhibit. After dinner in the Elephant House, guests explore the mystery of the Zoo after dark. Hear, smell, and see nocturnal creatures and share the passion, knowledge and stories of your camp hosts. 

After supper, retire to your safari tent for a restful night’s sleep. Wake in the morning to the calls of gibbons and birds and enjoy breakfast before a chance to meet the keepers and experience up-close animal encounters and life behind-the-scenes.

Cost includes snacks and nibbles, buffet dinner, dessert, tea and coffee, buffet breakfast. Twilight tour, behind the scene tours and fantastic photo opportunities. The chance to preview this unforgettable experience is truly once in a lifetime opportunity.

Vicitoria's Melbourne Zoo runs a Roar & Snore Event over the same period. Ticket prices are the same - See the web links below for details...

Date:1 Sep 2010 - 31 May 2011

Time:6:15pm - 9am

Location:Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW & Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne VIC

Ages:All Ages / Family

Cost:$195 Adults 

$145 Children (5–12 years)

Visit Melbourne Zoo Website

Visit Taronga Zoo Website

Honourable mentions...

Sydney's Powerhouse Museum is always good for inexpensive, educational fun. At the moment they're running Tinytoreum - a collection based exhibition featuring Australian artists and authors. Have a look here for more details.

The Peats Ridge Childrens Festival - it started today and runs until New Years Day - jam packed with fun activities and performances for kids as well as their mums and dads. Have a look here for more details.

Via Kidspot

FREE Noosh Christmas Gift Tags

So I was feeling a bit creative tonight, and seeing how much you liked the free printable gift tags by Camilla Engman, I thought I'd make a little something similar of my own for you...

Do you like them? All you have to do is click on the image and download the file and print them out!

Merry Christmas from Noosh! Enjoy! x

FREE printable christmas tags!

Firstly I have to share with you a blog I've been meaning to tell you about - Creature Comforts. So many beautiful things! But don't go there yet... I have something lovely for you - and it's free!

Camilla Engman free printable gift tags! That's right - no cost! Nudda. Just download and print! And they are cute cute cute! Camilla is an incredibly talented Swedish artist. You might have seen her work - she's been commissioned by Google, Converse and the New York Times to name a few...

Oh, you might also like the gift tags she did for 2006 and 2007

Found it via Creature Comforts