good times

The big one went back to school today, the little one starts nursery on Monday, and I've been looking through the holiday pictures. This is what we got up to...

loved the recycled sculpture trail at Teignmouth beach

we baked, and made, and played, and started on some pompoms, we're going to pompom bomb the allotment, or the park or maybe our garden, inspired by this

it hasn't been a fantastic year at the allotment, many things just didn't grow, but we did get lots of flowers and it was still fun

 

a day out at the Southbank, where we caught the last of the Festival of Britain and the Liberty Festival, and browsed through the booksellers stocks

all polished off with delicious birthday cake the girls made for me and some last minute sewing, a new P.E. kit bag


now I'm wondering if it would be wrong to stuff in the last of the cake before school pick up?

Tea With A Tiger

I'm quite sure you all know the slightly barking, but wonderful book The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr. It's a favourite with lots of little ones.

And of course her other books, the Mog stories. If you're a fan you should get yourself to The Museum of Childhood quick smart. There is an exhibition of the original illustrations for the books, and a giant hungry tiger waiting to be fed in Sophie's kitchen. It finishes next weekend - so hurry!

It's one of those places that has been on my 'visit this' list for ages, the museum is fantastic fun, with lots of activities on throughout the day for little ones and a trip down memory lane for us oldies as you weave through all the displays of toys from yesteryear.

 

It was quite a magical day, it was a sharp reminder just how quickly childhood goes by, and how children really always come back to the simplest toys, anything is fun with a dose of imagination. 

These wise words on a blind sum it all up perfectly.

"There is little that gives children greater pleasure than when a grown-up lets himself down to their level... and plays with them as an equal"  Sigmund Freud.

Enjoy the rest of the holidays, playing. I intend to. x

 

new treasures

I've had these old printer trays for a while,  I mentioned to my brother that I had been looking for some but with no luck. I casually also mentioned the word typewriter too. He likes a challenge at a car boot sale. Though their local one sounds so fantastic I think this was a little easy. Ours are all full of junk that no-one actually wants.

We finally got one on the wall, it's slowly filling up. I will share another picture when it's looking glorious.

This new friend needs a new ribbon, and a name.

I think next time I'll casually throw in the words 'vintage diamond brooch' and 1950's Dior Couture.

More treasures at Sophie's Flea Market Finds.

 

a family portrait

My creative space is enjoying some quiet time, sewing with my girls. Not sure if days get better than this? 

Missy Big is doing the cake from her Made By Me book.

Little Missy stitched a boat with oars, on a pink sea.

I saw this idea over at Feeling Stitchy  by Detroit Mommy  and thought it was the perfect way to preserve those tiny hands. This is my version.

What are you up to? Get inspired over at Our Creative Spaces.

time to stitch, time to think

There is something very calming about sitting down and hand sewing. The slow repetitive rhythm, the peace, the texture of the fabrics, the colours working together and a new piece coming to life. And thinking time, time to process all that is whizzing through my mind.

I made another brooch, this one was made for my Mum's birthday. She likes purple, and French Knots and Liberty fabrics, so this was a winner in her eyes. I'm a bit hooked on making them too, I feel a few more coming on... 

I feel like I'm finding my feet too, when I started this blog, it was with a plan to discover 'what I do'. Since having the children I have lost my way a little. Before they were born I worked in fashion and designed and made evening wear which sold in boutiques. 

That doesn't fit with my life and passions anymore. I don't have the time to work on new patterns and collections twice a year and neither do I have the inclination. 

But I do want to work again, and to be able to do something creative would be a dream .

I have taken part in a few swaps on blogs and this has made me work in new ways and think differently about what I do, what I know, and has helped me to channel those ideas into new designs.

I'm brimming with ideas now, I just hope I get to make some things and get them 'out there'. My poor little Etsy shops have been neglected lately.  However the little one starts nursery school in September - my goodness I have big plans for those free mornings! 

the wedding

Get comfy, there are lots of pictures coming.

So my brother and his new wife have now tied the knot. It was the loveliest, handmade, gorgeous, casual, friendly, happy wedding. They have a great bunch of friends and have terrific values. I wish them a wonderfully happy life together.

You are a patient bunch, I have been teasing you with talk of the wedding dress I was making for many months. But finally I can show you - doesn't she look gorgeous! Thank you Anna for trusting me to make your dress, I whipped up a couple of bridesmaid dresses too (thank goodness my girls are still small!)
 

 

 

There was lots and lots of twirling, and a little sulking too.

 

They grew their own sunflowers, made booze and cordials, the brides Mum did all the flowers for the tables, friends made them bunting (miles of it), my Mum knitted the flower napkin rings, relatives sourced crockery and dressing up outfits for the children's yurt (we had great fun in there) and friends made cakes. It was all so special.

We had a tractor ride around the farm and got to feed some pigs, I got to wear my dress, the children danced to the best busker in town and it was all so magical as the darkness fell. Such a happy day.

Thank you Mr and Mrs for making it such a wonderful day, now enjoy some rest!! (There are more pictures over there too if you fancy a nose.) 




Have a great weekend, and stay safe out there. Lets hope we've seen the last of the trouble over here in the UK. x

   

... and rewind

These last few weeks have whizzed by in a blur, so now I am back home and slightly rested and almost on top of the laundry I can stop, and rewind, and take a look at what we've been up to, and share some pictures...

...there was the end of term, with homemade shortbread buttons for the Teachers and Teaching Assistants (thanks for sharing the idea Nora).

Missy Big turned 6, SIX!! where did that time go?

 

... so the dolls blanket got finished and a fairy party was planned and enjoyed. 

We coloured in fairies and made bookmarks with a little Fairy magic (shrinkies)

 

we had team hunts for fairies...

and then put them together to follow the clues and find the lost treasure

 

Hooray for Children's parties - exhausting, but soooo much fun!

Then a couple of days later we headed off to my brothers wedding in Devon. Prepare yourself for lots of pictures in my next post - and you finally get to see the wedding dress!!

I will be heading round to your place soon to see what you've been up to, oh it's good to be back! x