Amy Karol: Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew
Susan Salzman: Rooms to Grow In: Little Folk Art's great rooms for babies, kids, and teens
Shmuley Boteach: Parenting With Fire: Lighting Up the Family with Passion and Inspiration
Elizabeth Keevill: Quick Quilts for Kids: 20 colorful projects for babies and children
« August 2007 | Main | October 2007 »
Whats the best way of chasing away the blues on an autumn night when the kiddies are in bed...tackle another hoodie - which requires all of your concentration!
and here is a (very bad) pic of little man modelling it the next morning, with his jammie bottoms still on!
Today I finished a project which I have wanted to do for the kiddies for some time...matchy matchy craft aprons - complete with pockets and hand embroideries.
I also sewed up a few more panels, which will eventually be quilted and end up on Maddy's wall. I really like this concept - a quilt wall by the inspirational Hilary Lang...
I have mentioned before that the quilt I recently finished for Maddy - was the second one in short space of time that I had made for her - because of her dislike of the first quilt I made...
The long story goes like this: I ordered a quilt book to get some inspiration to make my first *real* quilt for Maddy's bedroom. When the book arrives, Maddy picked out the pattern she liked best and late one night - when the kiddies are in bed, I go shopping for fabric.
I know exactly what Mads likes - ballerinas, butterflies, flowers, fairys and basically anything remotely pink or girly...however, once in the fabric shop I am seduced by some rather cute retro fabric - which then takes me into a completely different reality - which doesn't involve any of Maddy's favourite things.
The quilt is time consuming and about half way into the project I start having the feeling that I have just got it wrong - not least because Mads is not the slightest bit interested in *her* quilt.
Anyways, I finish it and show Mads 'Maddy - your quilt is finished...what do you think?'
Maddy: *looking confused* 'oh...........can I tread on it?'
So that is just what we do! It has now become a rug in their little play area of my sewing room:
...and I have learned my lesson!
Oh and waaaaayyyy off topic, I saw this on Flickr today and had to share!
Inspired by the need to finish decorating Maddy's bedroom - I have been sewing up some mini quilts/pictures for her wall...these are the two I pieced today:
Since Maddy has been talking about Christmas so much today (and her NEED for a bike!) I got fired up to sew my first santa.
There are a wonderful bounty of different days as a parent - there are those days that just go smoothly and you feel like you are doing ok in the balance of being a parent. There are those days when you long to even just to go to the toilet alone - because even that would mean a whole 60 seconds of peace! Without little hands trying to shove toilet paper down the toilet whilst you are wanting to *go* There are those days when all you seem to do is play mediator to end the battles which happen because "MUMMY!! JOSHUA IS PLAYING WITH MY WORMAID" (aka MERmaid)
And there are those days like today, when your heart just literally melts.
Maddy's teacher presented me with this today...
In the 3.5 years of me becoming a mother - this is the first time Maddy has ever drawn a picture of me, her Mum. The fact that I have a VERY happy face with a happy smile, just makes me want pick her up and cuddle her forever - which is exactly what I have been doing today. My first-born is growing into a remarkably sweet little girl and I feel honoured to be her Mum.
We had a relaxing day today - spending our time playing, eating and reading.
I have been finding myself experimenting with small embroideries in my quiet times. There is something very calming about just creating without an end vision. I also find embroideries good to attempt when the kiddies are up and playing happily, as they are so portable and I am able just stop when I need to.
We made a trip to the library this morning and I ended up getting a few more books than I meant to! (This little pile does not include the books that the kiddies chose either!)
I am finding that I am being drawn to getting baking and cookery books more these days. Perhaps its because I am able to find just a teeny bit more time to cook without having a child hanging off me, or perhaps its just because its getting very autumnal and I am subconsciously trying to fatten us all up for the winter.
Anyhow, I picked up some cracking cookery books, including one very large book on breakfasts....oh breakfasts - it has to be (hands down) my favourite meal of the day. I must admit 5 days out of 7, we don't tend to do it justice in this house and opt for cereals, toast, muffins and other easy stuff. But when we are able to enjoy breakfast - proper breakfasts, I love them..we all do.
My absolute favourite time of the week happens on a Saturday morning when we all head out early (depending on what time the kiddies wake up) down to our favourite breakfast spot and have some good food and good coffee with wonderful company - just the four of us.
It really gives us some wonderful family time - even when Joshy is slightly irritated by the length of time he is having to wait for his sausages, or when Mads decides to draw a big smiley face on the wall whilst we are focusing our attention on ordering *sigh* It really sets the tone for our weekend - being together.
No great strides in the craft stakes here today - lots of inspiration and thinking, but not much action!
I keep being reminded right now about the fact that I am bombing towards being 30 in a few months. I must admit, its not a big deal for me...It used to be, not so long ago - I used to think it was going to be kinda wierd to be out of my twenties, when I still only felt about 21.
Its kind of a cool birthday though because it really has made me reflect and really count all of the blessings which have happened - especially over the past 5 years.
In my twenties, I:
Met and married my soulmate, someone who really does complete me (How I wish I had met you 5 years earlier!)
Carried and birthed our two children - and who inspire me everyday of my life. Nothing has taught me more about myself and inspired me more than my Jay and my babes.
Morphed into a more chilled version of myself. My late twenties has really heralded a new, happier and relaxed era of my life.
Was able to give up work (for the time being) to be able to be a full-time Mum, a complete dream come true for me.
Follow my passions and dedicate some time to the things I always wanted to do - like crafting and photography.
So, I am ready for my birthday, complete with a new outlook, zest and passion for life that I never had when entering my twenties.
Turning 30....amibovvered? Not one bit!
I finally got round to sewing up the VW skirt to finish Mads set - and she even tried it all on - then prompty took off the shirt after voicing her distaste for it - ho-hum, perhaps she will like it better when its colder!
and I have been working on something very special - and even though I am gagging to put a photo up of it, in all its glory - I can't, its a gift, a surprise gift, so here is just a little corner!
Maybe its because my *newborn* has suddenly started to get so big and talkative maybe its just *mummy-hormones* hitting me hard, but today I fely very sentimental and dug out the following little videos, so that I could look at my babes in times-past
and My Loves
We really have to do a new video as they are so different now!
Joshy was actually a willing(ish) participant in trying on his new jumper. So here is a shot of my little cutie - complete with bed-hair.
And here is his big-sis getting in on the action - never to be left out of a photograph!
I think it is going to be a relaxing day around these parts today - both kiddos seem to have snotty head colds and an afternoon at home - with perhaps a short trip to the library to stock up on new adventures, may well be the order of the day.
There is definitely a touch of fall in the air around these parts - the soaring (and sometimes ridiculous) temperatures have given way to a gentle breeze and manageable heat on most days and autumnal clothing for the kiddies is definitely on the agenda.
I seem to have been focusing all of my time, resources and inspiration on the little princess of the house - because it is soooo easy to get inspired and make girly clothes. All I have to do is walk into a fabric store and see some cute fabrics and the inspiration for multiple outfits will pop into my head (with very little chance of actually getting round to making them all!) Clothing for my little man, is sadly a different story.
Thats why, when I get excited and motivated to make my boy something - I pick it up and run with it...fast. The pattern for this jumper arrived in our mailbox in the latest Ottobre, at 2 pm this afternoon. By 2.10 I was tracing the pattern whilst my little man happily tucked into his (late) lunch. and Ta-daa...its done...almost (needs some top stitching in the morning - when I have more than one eye open!)
I liked the pattern because it is unusual and it looked like it would be a challenge to do - the sewing of it all went pretty smoothly, it was time consuming because of the cover stitching and details, but I did enjoy it. Its kinda got me fired up about getting some more clothes done for my little man.
I will attempt to get an action shot of Mr Joshua in it tomorrow...but my little guy is a bit of a grump at the moment - he is doing the important, tiring (and very uncomfortable) job of working on his incisors and it takes little to upset him. I will tread carefully - and there may (or may not) be an action shot of him in it tomorrow!
Tonight as a break from the norm, we headed out to the Zoo after dinner, to take advantage of a special *members-only* night. The kiddies approved of our change in routine and loved seeing the animals - especially because we were able to get closer then ever before to the elephants...and...the turtles!
Joshua has a HUGE love of all things turtle. He has a toy turtle that is taken everywhere with him and was able to get up close and personal with one tonight.
Had one of those days that I had the unfortunate ability to see my house for what it really was - a mess. Whilst I can handle a mess (I was very tolerant of mess when I lived alone, hugely tolerant!) I cannot tolerate anything that feels not cleaned - so a mess is ok in our house (and inevitable with Mads and Josh) as long as it is a clean mess...make sense, thought not.
So I cleaned today - proper cleaning that involved rearranging and organising and not just putting things out of view, so that I didn't have to look at the mess anymore. The first space to be cleaned - the cupboard under the stairs (an obvious choice, no?) which contains a lot of my fabrics and stuff...which have all been crammed in there for the past 6 months. They are all lined up like little soldiers now..and I have found a new pastime - just staring at my little army *sigh*
and with my new organised stash, I stumbled across some fabric that I bought last fall to make Mads clothes - then completely forgot about them (out of sight out of mind, kinda thing) This top (unfinished and needs the seams doing once I have tried it on Mads) is from Ottobre Winter 2006. I am also planning a matching pair of trousers for her winter wardrobe.
I did finish something today - this top for Maddy using this pattern (again) and the Heather Ross Camper Vans Fabric. I also have some cuuute pink corduroy to make her a matching skirt, but I am currently hunting for the right embroidery to go on it...
..and here is my divine little reading pile - totally inspiring and I am loving flicking between all of them...
Today I had a little accident…which sparked off a chain of events which actually seemed to make the day just ….flow…..
This morning, whilst getting up off the floor – I ripped my pants – or more precisely my PJ bottoms…straight down the bum. Whilst it was a good comedy moment (not even half as good as Jays comedy classic, that still makes me laugh even typing it now – when he managed to rip a pair of jeans down the bum – seriously, a pair of jeans…how thick is the material on those bad boys!!)
So – a little bit miffed that my Marks and Sparks PJ’s had given up the ghost (and in fact the last pair of PJ’s I had) I decided that all was not lost and I could make them into a pair for Maddy – which is exactly what I did.
Mads didn’t quite *get it* at first when I showed her the pair of jammies I had made her, from my old jammies – ‘no Mummy, the’re yours – there’re too big for me’ So I made her little lamb a matching pair also – and she has been happily wearing them ever since.
So here is a photo of Mads (and Little Lamb) in their new recycled Jammies.
Later on in the day - call it kharma, or devine intervention, or just damn good timing, but what should arrive in our mail box – but a new pair of Jammies for me, which I had ordered a few weeks ago – fantastic!
So this them prompted another little project, to make Mads a matching pair of camper van PJs with the Heather Ross material I bought…so here they are in all their matching glory! Love the fabric of Mads Jammies and I am working on a cute autumn top in the same fabric.
Maddys PJs on left - Mine on the right.
And here is a shot of the little Fairy Bunny who visited us for dinner today….
This weekend, we have seen a lot of therapeutic activities...
Art, courtesy of Maddy...
Creativity with dinner..
Jewellery Making
Photography (courtesy of Maddy, who is using the remote)
...and lots of reading/chillin'
Let the new week begin....
Number of hours of alone time for sewing - 5
Number of projects started - 5
Number of projects completed - 0
Number of sewing machines broken - 1
Number of times I wanted to give up and never look at this pattern again - 14
Number of pieces of Banana Walnut cake eaten whilst agonising over said pattern - 2
Number of pulls in satin dress made from said pattern - 11
Number of times I thought of my Mum whilst sewing - 15
and I have still got the worst bit to do...the zip, joy.
Today has been a green day - starting with the arrival of our recycling bin which was in response to my wake up call back in England. In addition to our new green bin - the kiddies and I headed out to the local farmers market to take advantage of the produce we have right on our doorstep. Undeterred by the (very heavy) rain, we picked up some home-grown fruit and veggies and my personal favourite - some *home-grown* maple and pecan scones (I have got to get me one of those special trees!)
We then stayed close to home because of the deluge of rain we had all afternoon however, we did venture out tonight to go to a magic little shop...as a special treat for Maddy, who has overcome a big issue/fear this week - regarding toilet training...and is now basking in all its glory!
Today has been one of those days that could very well go down in our family history...It started off with the wonderfully relieving news that I have got the all clear after the surgery...it then continued on its way up with the arrival of these little fabric beauties in the mail. The Heather Ross Camper Vans and Dogs are both earmarked for jammies for the kiddies.
I then got some inspiration whilst driving back from the park, that I needed a little bin for the car to hold all of the receipts and gumpf that we seem to collect on our journeys...and made one whilst the guys napped. This is it hanging over the drivers side door handle. (click on picture to enlarge it)
I also managed to start Maddy's autumn wardrobe with this cute retro apple print on a really fine corduroy. It needs the addition of 2 buttons, but I am having a hard time deciding which kind/colour right now.....
I used the Burda 9645 pattern Its difficult to see on the photo, but the sleeves have elastic in them to gather them as does the back of the shirt.
All in all, a successful and wonderful day....
Its Labor Day over here in the States (well it is tomorrow) so we get an extra long weekend - yippee! We have celebrated this time by eating followed by a bit of eating...eating some more...and then finishing it off with eating (or is that just how it feels?)
We managed to put a stop to the eating for a couple of hours to get out with the kiddies and go for a leisurely walk...
Jay with the kiddies...
Joshua found a new friend on the bridge.
and just for comparisons - a photo from a walk on the same bridge in October 2006 (10 months ago!) Mads looks so young to me here!
I thought it was about time that I got around to photographing the baby quilt I finished (whilst dosed up on heavy-duty painkillers!) for a friend of mine who is expecting her first.
I can see errors when I look at these photos - but no matter how many errors there are, it has been made with a whole lot of love and I pray thats what he/she feels when they are wrapped in it.
A shot of the backing fabric (which I backed Maddy's quilt in too) because I ADORE it and have practically bought the whole fabric shop out of it now - its so cute, like little yellow apple-blossoms...love it!
Anyhow - we still have one whole day of labor day left and I am sure we will fill it with even more eating!
Blimey - how can I possible forget to show this - my new obsession (like I needed another one) little purses...this one is to save me the continual embarrassment of tampons flying out of my bag when I grab my purse...now I have a discreet little purse to put them in.
