After a couple of weeks working on some new bathroom designs and octopus illustrations I decided to put together this quick kids craft project. It’s the perfect way to practice basic scissor skills with some simple straight lines to cut along.

Instructions:

1. Visit the free download section of the shop and print out the PDF template

2. Cut around the outside of the template (parents may want to do this for smaller children) then cut along the dashed lines to create the legs

3. Glue or tape the tab into place

4. Curl the legs out so you octopus can sit down

You might even want to decorate him a little more and add googly eyes

When it comes to decorating a kids bathroom you probably don't want to be altering tiling and fixtures that will become out dated once the kids grow, but there are plenty of quick ways to inject a little fun and colour into a family bathroom.

1. Shower Curtains. So simple and easy to replace as the kids get bigger, or you just feel like a change. Like this orange octopus and rainbow bunting design. 

2. Mirrors. They don't have to be boring. Paint the edge in a bold colour or try something like these multiple mirrors that are not only fun, but they can be positioned at different heights meaning littlies can see too. Pic Doherty Design Studio.

3. Art. A quick and easy way to brighten up a space for kids and these prints are great for teaching bathroom responsibilities.

A thumbprint or fingerprint guest book is a fun alternative to your usual guestbook. It can be used at baby showers, weddings, christenings, birthdays and more; and rather than being tucked away in a drawer, after your event it makes a beautiful keepsake to display in your home and cherish forever.  

In the guest book shown above, the flamingo, guests place their fingerprint on the paper to represent a balloon as a symbol of their attendance. The guests could also then sign their name next the fingerprint. Below are a few tips we've picked up over the course of 15years creating fingerprint guest books.

Ink and pens 

To leave a fingerprint guests just press their finger onto a coloured ink pad then onto your design. Our favourite ink is momento dew drop ink. It is acid free, water based and fast drying and even comes is a cute little droplet shape. This is great for a leaf or water drop so in some cases you might prefer to just touch the ink pad straight onto the paper instead of using a finger. It can be nice to have a few different shades for guests to choose from too. Another brand to consider is color box. Fine art and scrapbooking pens are good for guests to sign with, try Faber Castell and Memory Marker. Sharpies are always popular or a dual tipped momento pen. 

Clean up 

Just have a pack of wet wipes and a towel handy so guests can remove the excess ink right away. In many cases that may be all that's needed, sometime, especially with darker inks, guests might need to wash their hands with soap and water at some point to remove the tint. If you're still worried you can as mentioned above use the stamp straight onto the paper or consider a signature only guest book.

Fingerprint guest book top tips

1. For a big even like a wedding start things off yourself or ask your bridal party and family members to. A big empty guest book poster might be a little intimidating to have the first go on. Once a few people have left their print it will be easy for others to follow. 
2. Have a test bit of paper handy. Just an ordinary blank bit of paper guests might like to try their fingerprint out on first. 
3. Display instructions. Let guests know the process or just that it's your guest book alternative with a sign. We have a selection of free signs to download here or you can purchase a printed one along with your guest book. 
4. Consider backup ink or pens. We've been using the momento inks for years and have never run out of ink at an even yet - but, if guests leave the lids off for too long they could dry up. So you may want to consider more than one ink pad or pen just in case. Inks are water based so a tiny dab of water may get them going again if they do dry up. 

I'm so excited to release my latest illustrations. At the start of the year I set myself a goal to finish off an Aussie animal nursery art set before Australia Day and they're here! A cute koala, cuddly wombat, cool kangaroo and cheeky possum. Also available as a set or individually.

And just because illustrating wombats was so much fun (and because 90% of the time I've seen them in real life they are on their backs lounging around) I have a cute new lazy wombat print too.

Unicorn cakes have sprinkled magic into the world of baking, and they're more fabulous than ever. Traditionally, the were all about pastel perfection, but now they've taken a cheeky turn towards the sassy side.