Didn't he do well?! I got a smashing card from smudge ink, a fantastic Boston-based letterpress design studio (cards available at Dream Designs shops).
And some delectable little incense leaves which seem almost too lovely to burn (though I will).
Boo and I performed a (decidedly girly) makeover on the window trees.
Boo loves her 'family heart'; she's planning to put some small bears (?!) in the pockets.
Big love to you all.
Boo has been saying those three little words a lot to me in the last few weeks. When she's not hugging me and showering me in terms of endearment, however, she's tearing around like a wild thing, stomping her feet and screaming and generally being about as obstreperous as her nearly-4 year old temperament can muster. It's such a time of great change and challenges to her sense of how her little world works, I know, but we are struggling to find a way to help her deal with all this in the face of her unpredictable behaviour.
Mama can return the protestations of love, however, that is one thing that she must need right now, a whole heap of reassurance. So, I sewed her a new heart as a gift for Valentines' Day on Monday. It's based on Amanda Blake Soule's 'family heart' in her book 'Handmade Home', but I don't have a copy at home right now, so I kind of made it my own way too, adding 4 pockets (for Mama, Dadda, Beth and Arthur) for love notes or trinkets (... or heart chocs for monday). Its made from scraps I had in my stash, with some of the pockets made from offcuts of felted sweaters.
I hope Boo will feel the love of the family in its new 4-person composition.
A little friend for the wee one.... a knitted rabbit from Debbie Bliss's 'Special Knits' book, finished just in the nick of time for his arrival. Oh, and those nursery curtains did get finished too. Phew.
Thanks to Dadda Boo's company for the lovely flowers which I have been enjoying looking at during feeding times.
... why things have been quiet here recently...
Arthur Edward McLoughlin, born 22nd January 2011, weighing 7lb 10 oz
A good reason don't you think?
I'm taking a little blogiday for the time being, until things settle down into some kind of rhythm at home, but will be dropping a few pics in here from time to time.
Feeling incredibly blessed with my two beautiful children.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/483
Play is vital for the sound development of our kids, but we shouldn't forget its importance for our continued well being and innovatory capacities, so says neuroscientist Stuart Brown.
I'm not going up to the wire with christmassy-making this year, as tempting as it may be. 'Project Baby' is making itself felt, with the swelling of my belly (and some serious huffing and puffing yesterday when I attempted some usually-easily-accomplished canyon steps on one of our favourite trail walks), some sharp jabs in the ribs, and some reminders ('when exactly are those nursery curtains going to be made?). So, the eight-week deadline (God, is it only 8 weeks?!) has become more imposing than the next-week one.
However, before the elvish streak abandoned me, I put together these wee felt gnomes for Boo. Gnomes have been her only request this year, no doubt inspired by the gnome fun she has at school. I also picked her up some of these wooden ones from Natural Pod for a bit of variety.
I used the instructions for felt gnomes available here which are very clear. I really would recommend using 100% wool felt - the quality/feel is so much superior to other felts, and it doesn't get that nasty bobbling polyester felt does.
I made some even-more-wee gnomes too, to create some family dynamics. I should probably make some little babies to go with them too!
This would probably make a great sewing project for kids too - its so simple.
Boo and I have had a couple of other elvish moments too of late, but I'm keeping them under wraps for the time being so as not to spoil any surprises... and by the way, exactly how do you get a 3 year old to keep secrets?!
