Blue fence 01

 Tonight as the kids went to sleep I began to think what I would do with myself before my own bedtime. The options were...
:: Watch 'The Voice' and feel like I had wasted my evening
:: Go for a walk, but no one seemed available
:: Watch a movie but I knew that would also mean me eating a whole lot of junk food in 90mins
:: M suggested we do a jigsaw together, but we didn't have one
:: My normal evening would have been to 'make' something and I have many things in the pipe line such as making Lj a summer hat, covering an old lampshade, a baby keepsake for a friends new baby etc but unusually I didn't feel like 'making'. This was mainly due to a frustration over not being home when my new laminator and pouches were delivered today. Anyway back to the 'options'! (also on a side note...MJ informed me today that we use a '!' only when the sentence is something interesting, such as 'my house is on fire!'...my 5yo has me rethinking my use of '!'s' now)

After this discussion with M, I'm not sure who came up with it but we decided to get started on painting our fence blue. It was a warm and light evening so we set to work.

This is the children's corner of the garden...they had been busy pulling out lots of toys this afternoon...so we had a quick tidy up to do before we got started.

One panel is painted, M and I had a fun 'date night' and as M tired I got some alone time. Outside in the fading light I had peace of mind to reflect on why the simple issue of not being able to use my new laminator should unsettle me and why I am always so slow to realise that everything happens for a reason and we have an amazing creator who cares for our every movement.

I enjoyed my Saturday evening...what did you do?

Pretty placemats!

 

While at Centre Parcs last weekend I noticed pretty personalised place mats in the shop. Feeling inspired by the idea I thought I would have a go at producing my own. I used a variety of craft papers and pens on an A3 sheet of paper. I have just ordered an A3 laminator so they can be a little more durable at meal times. I can't wait til it arrives and I wonder if I will be able to keep this til June before giving it to Lj for her birthday.

Bon Appetit.

Make Summer Bunting Workshop 02

Workshop Number 2...After enjoying 'Make a summer skirt' so much I thought I would get cracking with another workshop.

It is funny the feelings I go through from initial excitement of posting a new workshop, the fear and nervousness as I wait for people to sign up and the delight and relief I feel as places fill up. Is this what you feel when running a business...wishing people to enter your shop, wishing they purchase and then relief as they do?

For me it calls for a lot of trusting and patience...with an impatient, 'get the job done' personality like mine this is a test of faith!

A Peasant dress for Lj

Inspired by the 'Great British Sewing Bee' I wanted to make Lj a dress and try my hand at ruching once again and french seams for the first time. This is a basic peasant style dress which I fitted using a little ruching at the back and front. I also like the little sleeves as they will keep Lj's pale skin covered up when the sunny days arrive!

A weekend in Centre Parcs

We have just returned from a weekend in Centre Parcs with the lovely Snowdon family.

Memories...

:: MJ learning to use his bike lock
:: Lj scooting far to fast down hill
:: Six baby ducklings at our window
:: Spending precious time with our little niece/cousin
:: Drinking champagne in the evening
:: Sweet pancakes at the Pancake House for lunch
:: M, MJ, Lj and I plunging down 'Grand Cascade' in a rubber dingy
:: People watching and planning time, alone in Starbucks
:: Watching MJ read to his Auntie

and many more...thank you Snowdons for a fun weekend.

A wild adventure

MJ decided he was going on a 'wild adventure'. He packed his rucksack with binoculars, compass, hat and moneybox. I asked him where he was going so he brought me his globe and said he was walking to catch a ferry which would take him to Denmark, then walking across Europe and into Asia, down through China and Malaysia until he reached his friend Freddie's house in Singapore.

We decided it was maybe not best to go on his own so he agreed to Lj and I tagging along. With Atlas under his arm we set off!


He took us off down a path we don't often walk and within minutes we reached the Harvest Moon Pub/Restaurant where he decided we should stop and get something to eat (with the money in his money box!). After a little persuasion we kept going. Every few minutes he would get his binoculars on and check we were going in the right direction...I found it hard to keep from laughing. He also kept asking Lj and I if we were okay...it was just so cute. He took his leadership very seriously!

In the end Lj got tired and I didn't want to stray too far from home so we did a circle at which he was a bit disappointed. As we walked down our road towards home I asked how far we had gotten and with a serious tone he said 'Mum, we didn't even get out of England'.

While I made the dinner I watched as he sat out in the sun with his rucksack, notebook and pencil...goodness knows what he is planning for our next expedition!

'My little artist'

Lj and I took a trip to Homebase to get some MDF and saw blades. Then we had fun cutting, drilling, sanding and painting in the sunshine.