Returning to the real world

When I logged on and realised that my last entry was the 14th May it seemed so very long ago. Everything normal seems so long ago. Doing any real sewing seems so long ago. Life has been so full with other stuff.

The move went really well considering how late we stayed up packing boxes the night before, why do we never get ourselves better organised?! Our decision to delay our move until a week after completion to get the bedrooms decorated was definitely the right decision. On the first night to be asleep in a freshly painted room, with colours of our choosing, felt a real luxury. The girls rooms both look great. Mr B found a fab wallpaper for Niamhs rooms by Harlequin so we had one wall done with the others just white. 

When we have the main computer up and running and I can download the photos from my camera I will try and show you how it all looks.

Cait's room is all white and looks lovely and airy. We've managed to fit a lot in without it feeling cluttered and it's a room that will suit her for some years to come. She's really pleased with it and once I've got my sewing bits unpacked there are some cushions to make for the finishing touches. Cait wanted some bright accent colours; red, green, blue etc and I've got some fab fabric from Ikea that will be perfect.

The loveliest thing about this house though is how quickly it felt like home, despite the half unpacked sensation with more boxes full than I would normally like - out of necessity for when the works start. It feels like we've lived here for far longer than we have. When Mr B went away for 6 days with the lads to celebrate the beginning of the world cup I felt wonderfully at home, more than I had ever felt in the rented house, even towards the end.

So the confession is that I missed being able to do the sale with Cait that we had been hoping to. All too much going on at the same time with the house move but I have my eye on some others in the autumn which may be better timed.

And the other little update is that Niamhy turned 4. I had hoped to be able to do a little party for her at home in the new garden but with the move so late in May and her Birthday being the 2nd June it was one thing too much again. She had a fab time in a sports hall with bouncy castle though and I've 12 months to plan a homely treat for when she's 5.

Mr B and I also enjoyed a lovely day at Chelsea Flower Show. A little bit of down time in amongst the madness. We'd been last year so knew the form and were able to walk around this year with lots of purpose gathering ideas for our garden. It is a complete blank canvas apart from the Summerhouse at the end. Affectionately now known as 28b, it's a fab space..a real room at the end of the garden. Mr B's retreat if he gets his way... although Cait has already booked it for her 13th birthday sleepover.

There is loads more to tell and lots to show so I'll be back soon,

Moving

So we're homeowners again! We're packing our boxes, tidying, cleaning and organising again. It's a little boring when we were only doing it less than a year ago but this time it's our own house we are moving to and we shouldn't be doing this all again for quite some time.

Packing has to be one of the dullest jobs in the world. I know that I will either be unpacking it all again within days when we get to the other end or it will be shut up in a box for a few months and I will have to live without my treasured possession. (Although it has to be said that when you've not needed to get it out of a box for 6 months, you possibly don't really need it anymore and you can therapeutically pass it on for another happy user).

So as I decide how to pack up my craft supplies in order that I can still dabble a little whilst the works go on  I  may just disappear for a little while.

x

Making

Have been busy this evening making up a small supply of crayon rolls. It's Niamhys birthday soon and if I don't give them away in place of party bags then they'll go to stock supplies for a sale. I'm having to begin packing for the move in two weeks time so there has been an incentive to use up some scraps from my log cabin pillow. I'd normally spend far too much time trying to get the perfect pattern and colour combinations when really you should trust your instinct. I'm really quite pleased with them all. When the sun comes out tomorrow I'll take a snap to show. Just need to get some more pencils to put in them now.

Beautiful in pink

And how could I forget this. We were in the garden last weekend with friends and I snapped the magnolia before the wind and rain stole the show. They are such beautiful trees. (I'd love to have one at our new house will just need the patience to let it mature).


And then something else beautiful in pink caught my eye and I managed to sneak a shot before she looked. (proud mum moment - sorry!)

It's arrived

With everything that is going on, with our imminent move and building works, it's been easier than it might have been to distract myself. When I had my owl doorstop project accepted for Sew Hip I was really excited. It seems so long ago now and having to wait for the June edition felt like it would take ages. So in between the day to day stuff and talking to architects and builders what should drop on the doormat this week!! And my little old owl is even a cover star.




The pictures inside look really good and I'm even more excited now to see if anyone makes one and sends in a photo!

The house project is going well too and we'll be moving on the 21st May. The girls rooms will be both done which will give them a lovely sanctuary to retire to. (Building works don't come without some disruption and I think it's really important they both have somewhere calm and settled).

I also want to start thinking about Niamh's birthday which is the 2nd June. I always try to decorate the house to make it feel special... it's possibly as much for me as I love the excuse to get creative with a real purpose.... but isn't that one of the joys of motherhood you are allowed to indulge in?! I've kept lots of her olf clothes to make a memory quilt but I might just use some for some bunting or something similar. I need a train journey to give me space to think!

Tunic Time

I finished it! Had a night in on my own, so once Niamhy was in bed I grabbed a bottle of beer and said hello to my sewing! Even after a bit of a hellish week at work an evening pottering is just the ticket.

I decided not to make the matching belt as wondered if it would be one step too far and then, as I put it on Saturday morning, I remembered this belt that I had.

pic to come



I have some wonderful bright red and pink fabric that might just get used for a second one... could work really well with some white linen trousers I have.

Oh and how could I forget.... we've exchanged! As of the 17th May we'll be living in our own house again and I can't wait! We are going to do a fair bit of work, shaping it as we want it but hey... it's ours.... I just can't wait.

The chocolate fest is over

Easter. What a fab time of the year. At last we have signs of spring... flowers in the flower beds and sunshine in the sky. It's amazing how these two simple things lift everyones spirits. And with that thought, and a few days off looming, it was time to get some flowers in the house. A gorgeous bunch from the local greengrocer graced our tables over easter. Cait and I wondered at the papery leaves, how they fitted around, in and out of each other. So very delicate.





All that without even mentioning chocolate!

Anyway, a few days off to recharge the batteries is very welcome especially with everything that we have going on at the moment. It seems that our house purchase is moving in the right direction and all of the conversations with the builder and planners are really quite exciting. It's a home that I hope we'll stay in for a while so to be able to shape it a little feels good. To create something that we can enjoy living in is a treat that I shall make the most of. We work hard and enjoy the sanctuary of a nice home... and the best bit is that it even looks like I'll get to have my own space.... A space for my clutter or my creativity... depends how you want to look at it...they are so closely linked! Mind, lots of people say clutter stifles creativity.

Creativity has been in the air though as I finally cut out the rest of the Toadstool doorstep and enjoyed a few evenings of hand sewing on the sofa to create this.



I half filled with stuffing and filled some of the canopy and all of the stalk with rice. It's worked better than I thought it was going to and makes a great doorstop... though almost wasted to be down so low on the ground out of sight. Think it might have to live on a shelf in my workroom!

I've also been working on a tunic top for myself. It's an Amy Butler pattern but I've not made clothes for a while and thought I'd refresh my skills. Cait has got the clothes making bug at the moment which I think is where I've got it from. She made a fabulous skirt using a pattern she created in her head and did it all herself. It was a six panel skirt but she had worked out how to shape and measure the panels so that it would fit her waist and she had a zip run the entire length which I thought was really clever. She has a creativity at her age that I didn't and has so many wonderful ideas. I took her off to one of our local fabric shops over Easter and we've both got some fabric to make a halter neck top for the summer.

In a couple of spare moments I did make up a mobile phone sleeve and a tote bag with some felt applique. Sometimes you need a little project to lift the spirits.



I made the inside really neat and tidy by finishing with some cute cotton ribbon I had.



They might also be good prototypes for a stall at a fair that Cait and I are hoping to do together. Cait wants to raise some funds for a big spend she's planning and I've been meaning to do one for ages. It's shortly after our planned move but I'm sure if I put my mind to it, and do a few late nights if needed, I can get enough merchandise together. Cait's already spent a day making some things that she wants to sell so there's no way I want to let her down.