look what i made!

a sewer would whip this up in 30 minutes. it took me two hours. it's a bit rough around the edges (literally!) but i made it. i'll make a a couple more before venturing on to something a little more complex. ;-)
and here is another shot of her. a girl after my own heart!

two posts in one day?

why not?

given my brief reflections on one day having grown up kids, i thought i might add a few more pictures of them now and then.

while i use this blog to jot down my own random thoughts, i know i have family who look here now and then and they'd probably prefer a few more updates on the kids. so as my first post reflecting on my kids right now, here they are today, A's 7 month birthday, with messy hair and pumpkin on her face!

yesterday i was racing around at lunch trying to get a few things done - buying cotton so that i can start sewing... buying a birthday present for Nicholas to give at a party this weekend... i went to Borders bookstore as they have a fantastic children's section and bought a puzzle and also a book for A. actually they have a fantastic everything section and i tried to tear myself away from browsing as i had to get back to work. i thought that if i had an entire day to myself, and if i didn't have to be home at any particular time, i'd spend the day at Borders browsing. and i'd take my very neglected written journal, sit with a coffee and write. then i'd browse some more, read, have lunch and then maybe buy something. to me, utter decadence would be walking into a bookstore and walking out with a PILE of books!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

years ago i read this quote:

'Come to the edge,' He said.
They said, 'We are afraid.'
Come to the edge,' He said.
They came.
He pushed them... and they flew.

it is quite well known, but i thought about it recently in terms of my children. wondering about that day, when it comes, that they are truly out there, on their own.
then it made me too sad, as i'd rather they be three and six months forever. although the lack of sleep would surely kill me! ;-)

what's your craft?

one thing i love about art and craft, is the diversity there is of it! i enjoy seeing the satisfaction and joy different crafts bring to different people:

Leigh - folk art, patchwork
Cheryl - patchwork
Kylee - scrapbooking
Frances - stamping /cards
Ruth - cupcakes
Melanie - {various}

that was one of the things that interested me when studying cultural heritage management. the things (tangible and intangible) that identified who a person was and where they were from. whether it was food, clothing, blankets, music... and what interests me most is how those things are passed on.

as for me, the lover of many things, not so much a practitioner to date...


here is the stash of fabric i am slowly building up. amongst this fabric is two library bags for D's nephews, three Kitty dolls, some pencil wraps, bibs for A and a needlecase. i am sure people think they will never see them, but they will - i even bought scissors, a tape measure and some pins this week! can you believe i have the machine but until this week nothing else?? not even thread. :-)

the reality is...

i like blogging about the little things i enjoy in my day to day life. moments with my kids, dreams and plans i have - the things i hope to make! but today i thought about the other reality - the days i spend, seemingly picking up the same toys and bits of clothing or scraps of paper. again. and again. and again... the days i am at work and think about what to have for dinner that night, and will we manage to get the kids to bed at a reasonable hour. the nights i feel as though i am walking the hallway every 10 minutes to the other two bedrooms, to settle one child or another. pleased to have all the washing looking lovely and fresh hanging on the line, to feeling dispondent when i then have a pile of ironing that i don't look forward to! it's all part of life!
but i am happy to report on the "making" side of things, that this week i will edge closer to starting something as i buy some of the essentials. while i have had the sewing machine for a little while, and have been stashing away some gorgeous fabric, i don't own scissors, thread or pins! so hopefully time will be on my side and i'll soon have one sewing project finished (assuming i can drive the machine!)

pretty industrious??

well, i am proud to say, this is my loot from the craft fair. i was very disciplined. i decided i would save buying fabric for a day when i can think clearly and walk into a store and browse comfortably.

but, i did buy a pattern for a softie (probably to be a present for the kids of many friends...), a couple of journal pads and some crocheted flowers for scrapbooking. i'll also sew the flowers on A's clothes where suitable. (not a good pic as i need to play around with the camera to rectify a few things)

saw Kirsty there - i'd love her to share some of her fabrics and things she makes on her blog.. hint, hint. :-)

i am now off to write a realistic list, prioritising my craft projects.

at our local library story time, while N was sitting quietly on the mat listening to the "library lady", i noticed Pea contentedly watching the cardboard stars hanging from the ceiling.
that gave me an idea and that night when everyone was in bed i cut these butterflies from scrap paper...

and hung them from her bedroom ceiling.

speaking of paper craft, some things are too good not to share. check out these paper toys i found this morning - animals, dolls, cars... i can see as soon as we get some more ink for our printer N and i will be busy!!
and of course, the craft fair is currently on. i am sure there will be more than my eyes or imagination can cope with, but i am going to be good (ie: disciplined) and limit myself to a couple of purchases (i have a pattern and some fabric in mind) and enjoy the opportunity to window shop...

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist,
but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
—G. K. Chesterton