An apple a day

We've been thinking about the end of the school year and looking forward to a new chapter in our eldest daughter's life as she starts school proper in reception in September. She has spent the last school year in a school nursery so I am hopeful that the transition to full time school won't be too much of a shock for her. Unfortunately she is going to be at a new school rather than staying on where she is now. Something that brings its own anxieties,  though more for us than her I feel!

So this week I've been looking into presents for the teacher.  I don't ever recall doing this myself so it must be a new thing. It's quite a nice idea really. But it does get the brain working. ..what on earth do you buy them that hasn't all ready been done? I suppose the simplest answer is something handmade. I was therefore quite pleased to be directed to an article in the Guardian about crocheted apple cosies. (Unfortunately the link is not active now so I can't pass it on) and I thought it was something quirky and different and plays on the old giving the teacher an apple tradition.  So thats what they are getting :)

I've spent a bit of time behind the sewing machine too and I'm hoping to have something to share with you from that soon. Its not quite finished yet and my sewing time is limited. 

I'm off to bake a cake now to take into work tomorrow when i visit (I'm sure they are missing their regular Herman cake while I'm not there!) but I will leave you with the link for Wendy's blog hop for

 handmade Monday 

Til next time!

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You know you're a mum when. ...

School gives you a week's notice to come up with a costume for something / colour scheme / handmade item etc ( as well as a donation for the privilege! ) Last week was no different for us when we got a letter saying the whole school was doing a Gangnam style dance in aid of the Meningitis Trust. A very worthwhile cause I'm sure you will agree. The children have to wear something yellow. And Caoimhe doesnt actually own anything yellow! After a desperate and fruitless hunt around the shops on Friday night,  armed with yellow yarn, a hook and the Internet (god bless  Ravelry ) I made her a yellow headband,  decorated with yellow polka dot buttons.  It didn't take long, just a few hours which took into account a fractious baby and having to make 2 to prevent world war 3! And I enjoyed my crochet time too. Its been neglected recently but I will have to rectify that I think!

I haven't neglected the sewing either. I've been busy hand sewing flowers and buttons on to polka dot fabric and I have some more cutting out to do before I can sew it all together and reveal the finished product.  Those of you who have seen me on Facebook might have seen the sneaky peek I posted up over the weekend!

It's time to bimble over to  Handmade Harbour for Handmade Monday.  Hope you have a great week!

Til next time!

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The big reveal

You might remember I told you about something I was in the process of making last week. Well here it is completed.  It was fun to do even though it left me quite frustrated at times. No matter what I did I couldn't get the loop to turn (it wasn't just me 3 of us tried and failed! ) in fact I ended up using some of my own similar fabric that was thinner. I also chickened out of doing button holes! That's something youtube is going to have to teach me at some point.

We had a lovely day at Tatton Park at the medieval fayre. And I came away with some leather offcuts to play with. Not sure what they will become yet.

I've also been doing some wet felting this week. I made some beads. Again no idea what they will be used for although I have a few ideas.

I hope everyone has had a lovely fathers day. What did you get for the men in your lives?

Its that time of the week for a visit to Wendy's blog for Handmade Monday to catch up with the latest goings on in the crafty blog universe.  Hope to see you there :)

Til next time

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Sunny holidays

Well what fabulous weather we have been blessed with for the school holidays. I hope if you have kids you've managed to get out and about with them and make the most of the sun. And if you dont have kids, or if they are bigger, I still hope you were able to enjoy the sunshine. I just hope that this isn't our summer and that the sun stays for a little while.

We have had a really busy fortnight and part of me is quite pleased that nursery reopens tomorrow! We have been to lots of lovely places - really this is a beautiful country and there is so much to see and do. We even discovered  geocaching ,a great way to explore, and  50 things to do before you're 11 3 / 4 another fab way to get outdoors amd enjoy the world. So I'm sure you'll forgive me for not having a make to share this week.

I have been behind the sewing machine, but my project isn't finished yet and I don't want to share it til it is! I was lucky enough to get a copy of Cath Kidston's Sew this week from my hubby who thought it would be a good idea to inspire me. The project I'm attempting is from this book...all will be revealed soon. Those of you who visit my Facebook page will have seen a sneak preview. Do you know what it is??

I did want to share something with you though and so here is the proof that one of my recent makes has come in very useful. You may remember I made a ring sling, mainly for my son, but to be honest I've got more use out of carrying my tired middlest around when she's had enough walking. This picture was taken at Cleveleys when poor Tig was shattered from all the fun playing in the sea and sand. I think it does help that she was worn quite a bit untill last summer when got too big for the stretchy wrap I had, and she does love being worn still. I am definitely pleased with myself for making it now. Even if I could have got one cheaper on ebay!

I'm linking up with Wendy as usual for Handmade Monday and hope you'll join me over there to see what else has been happening in the crafty blog universe!

Have a great week! Til next time :)

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Daddy got involved too.

What a lovely weekend we've had. Lots of lovely sunshine. I hope you have all been able to make the most of it. We've had a great day at Dunham Massey on a teddy bears' picnic. If you have never been to Dunham Massey I can definitely recommend it. It's a lovely place, with beautiful gardens as well as a lovely house to wander around too. We recently became National Trust members and we're really looking forward to discover more great places just like this.

This week my hubby had a bit of alone time with our middlest this while I took the biggest to her dance class Obviously I had to take littlest with me since he doesn't like to be away from mummy for long. Well at least not my mummy milk anyway. I was quite surprised to come home to a lovely smell of baking. In the 45 min we'd been out my hubby and Tig made some ginger biscuits. It was nice that Tig got some on her own time with one of us, and she really enjoys baking, just like her older sister too. And they were very tasty too.

I managed very little making thanks to the school holidays as we have been trying to cram lots of fun things into the holiday while the kids still want to be around us :)

I did manage to make a bandana bib as you can see in the picture. It didn't turn out perfectly, the fastening needs tweaking to make it lie better, and I need to decide whether to try poppers rather than the velcro I've used on my first attempt. You might recognise the material. It's the remnants of the fabric I used for Caelan's taggie. I used an old flannel cot sheet for the back. Both should be quite absorbant for when the dribbling starts.

I'm linking up with Wendy for HandmadeMonday. Have a look at the great bloggers who have linked up too and have a great week.

Til next time.

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