It's all about boobs!

That wasn't a typo. This post is dedicated to boobs. So if boobs offend you, then please walk away now!
As some of you may already know, I am currently training to be a breastfeeding helper with the Breastfeeding Network, with the hope that once my training is finished, I will be able to volunteer in breastfeeding groups, and even on the postnatal ward, supporting mums who are breastfeeding their babies, and may need a little bit of help or support to do it. The numbers of mums breastfeeding in the UK is quite poor really, when you consider that Mother Nature designed our bodies to perform this function for our newborns. I don't want to get into a whole political debate about the reasons behind this, nor to comment on it further really. Those of you who know me 'in real life' know how I feel about it all already, and really women should be able to make their own decisions, for their own reasons, on how they choose to feed their babies.

That said, I am obviously 'pro-boob' I couldn't deny that even if I wanted to. I am 7 months into my breastfeeding experience with my son, having fed my two daughters to 14 mths and 15 mths respectively. And the very fact that I want to be a Breastfeeding Helper kind of makes it a bit obvious how I feel on the subject!

So this week I want to use my blog to just promote the work that the Breastfeeding Network do. And to show you my boobs. Ok, before you get worried, I do not own a single photo of my boobs, or of me breastfeeding any of my children. So I don't want to show you my actual boobs. Just the ones I made. Phew.

 

The Breastfeeding Network is a charity whose aim is to offer independent information and support to breastfeeding mums and the people who care for them. In collaboration with The Association of breastfeeding Mothers they run a helpline, as well as running their own helpline too., and offer a range of information leaflets on a variety of subjects to do with breastfeeding. They also provide training in some parts of the country for mums, like myself, who want to help support other mums on their breastfeeding journeys. The training I am doing is also in association with Homestart, which is a family support organisation.

 

So why have I been making boobs? BfN helpers and supporters use them with mums to demonstrate hand expressing and also positioning and attachment with the cloth dolls. We were given the knitted boob pattern during a class, but me being me, I had to look and see if I could find a crochet version too! Apparently the charity is always looking for knitted boobs. Each helper is given their own boob during their training) so if anyone would like to help out then you can get in touch with the BfN or comment here, or email me (bluekasha@aol.com) and I'll put you in touch with my course tutor.

I have been looking for a pattern for a 'boob beanie' whilst searching the interweb for crochet patterns. I don't know if you have seen them, but they are for babies to wear on their heads while having their lunch in public. A very clever (and irritated I should think!) Australian  mum came up with the idea due to being sick of all the negativity when she wanted to breastfeed her child in public. You can see it here. It basically resembles a boob. It is getting a bit cooler now, and I'm sure my little boy is in need of a new hat.... ;)

I am sure there are lots of other uses for these fabric bazoomas, especially since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month too. Boobs are amazing things, let's celebrate them :)

 

I'm linking up with Wendy for Handmade Monday as usual. Please spend any spare time you have having a look at the wonderful blogs linked up over there.

(just a quick note to my fellow bloggers... I have had a fair few problems with logging into google this week, so although I have been reading your blogs, I have been unable to post comments. Hopefully that will be resolved this week!)

Have a great week,



A Belated Happy Birthday...

...and also a belated blog post. I originally wrote this blog post this morning (whilst on the school run, I am such a multitasker!) but the blogger app on my phone decided it didn't want to do as it should, and my post was sent into the ether, never to be seen again! So here it is again...

I have wanted to share this week's make with you for several weeks really, but it was a birthday gift, and I wanted the recipient to see it before the Internet did. We have only just managed to get together, so my friend's present was fashionably late in getting to her. But at last she has it in her possession, and I can show it to you.

(Please excuse the picture quality. I wasn't really aware how rubbish the picture was until I have tried to upload it here!)

My friend is a talented jewellery maker, and I know she enjoys handmade things too. I decided to make part of her present for her, and wanted to do something I haven't done before. I have a pattern for a crocheted necklace, which I have had for a few years, and never attempted...in my defence I bought the pattern because it had a lovely flower brooch pattern, not for the necklace, and I have made the brooch a couple of times) I had some lovely pink and pale purple (I guess you could call it lilac!) cotton dk so I dug out a crochet hook and set off to make it. Each of the flowers is hand sewn on, with a button at its centre, I initially was going to use the same buttons, but decided in the end that a variety would be more effective, and I'm glad I chose to do that. I am also pleased that I didn't make as many flowers as there are on the pattern as I think I got the balance just right, more flowers would have looked too heavy I think.
I like the effect of it overall, and I think crocheted jewellery is something I might look into doing again. not sure I'll go for the wire version though, as pretty as it is, I think I like the soft look that using cotton gives.

Of course I will be linking up with Wendy for handmade Monday and as soon as I get a few spare minutes I'll be having a look at the fab blogs showcased there. If you have liked what you have read here, then you will definitely like the bloggers who take part in Handmade Monday, so do yourselves a favour and have a look!

I am hoping to have a new little venture up and running in the next few days. It is in response to a few requests from friends, as well as a new direction my family life is taking...more will be revealed soon.

Have a great week!

A very clever lady :)

 

Not me, I have to say! But my very good friend Angela.  The beautiful boy is admittedly made by me (guess that makes me a bit clever, eh?!) But the changing mat he's lying on was made by Angela as a present for Caelan for his baptism yesterday.  I love it!
I have to admit that this time round I've really not bothered with a changing mat. I tend to use a muslin or towel on the floor (third baby syndrome. .. how many of you double/triple mummies have done the same??) I always carry muslins as they really are the most useful tool in a mummy's arsenal, fab for so many uses, I've even made makeshift sunhats out of them! But since I have frequently had to change one child or other on a cold toilet floor having a nice padded changing mat will probably be a relief for little bums!

Angela also made the cake, and I was thrilled with that too! I just want to say thank you again, you're a very clever sausage :)

 

 

Continuing the mummy theme I have recently started a  breastfeeding helper course with BFN/Homestart which I am enjoying very much. For those who know me this will not come as any great surprise as I am definitely 'pro boobs' Formula milk has it's place for those who can't/don't want to breastfeed but I don't think enough is done to support mums-to-be to make an informed choice about how they feed their babies or support them to actually do it successfully.  I am looking forward to being able to play a little part in changing that and hopefully attitudes towards breastfeeding will change in the future.  It's really been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I will be quite sad when Caelan decides he doesn't want boob anymore.  Maybe helping other mums might make that a little bit easier.
I'm linking up with Wendy at  Handmade Harbour  for Handmade Monday even though I'm cheating and didn't make anything this week (except the food for Caelan's baptism! ) and when I get chance I'll be having a wander over myself.
Have a great week. Til next time!

Breakfast with Peppa Pig

Like many little girls, my daughters both love Peppa Pig. And pancakes.  In my local supermarket they sell a pancake mix in a bottle with the little cheeky piggy on the front. You may have seen them.
I'm a purist when it comes to cooking I'm afraid and I really do roll my eyes at a lot of the 'instant' products you can buy. Some have their place, don't get me wrong. I have been known to pick up the odd bread mix and the little cupcake kits for the kids. But some just encourage laziness (ready made mash? Really??) and quite honestly save you neither time, money or effort. Pancake mix comes into this category for me. What can be easier, or cheaper, than flour eggs and milk whisked together? So I have always steadfastly walked passed pancake mixes. Until a couple of weeks ago. I bought a pancake mix in a bottle.  The one with the pig on the front.
In my defence it was in one of those bargain shops so was well under a quid, and i bought it to take away with us so we could still have pancakes. They were obviously a hit, as is anything remotely chocolaty. When we got home, I had to try it out myself.  So I did, and they were enjoyed by both girls (anyone with kids will understand the importance of that!) This is how I did it.
I make no excuse for using American measurements by the way despite disliking the Americanisation of our culture (don't start me off on that!) But using cups as a measuring tool when you need to be quick and/or have toddlers pulling at your leg nakes things so much easier.
Mash a ripe banana, the riper the better, and add an egg and a generous dollop of honey. Mix well and then add 3/4 cup of flour (whatever you have to hand) and a desert spoonful of cocoa powder. Add 1/2 cup of milk and mix well. Be aware you will have some lumps - it's the banana! Pour small amounts of the mixture into a preheated frying pan. And treat as you would any pancake. This is a little thicker than the pancakes we make for Shrove Tuesday.  Cook until bubbles form on the surface and flip over to brown the other side. Serve with fruit, syrup or whatever else takes your fancy. The mixture makes about 6 pancakes depending on your generosity,  and 1pancake with a helping of fruit is enough for my 2yr old, while my 4 yr old will often have 2. 
I suspect this will make a good weaning food when my son is ready for food, but obviously if you are making this for children under 12mths old you must omit the honey. It's not good for their bellies. The banana is sweet enough not to require additional sweetness I think.
Give it a try :)

A little holiday project.

I couldn't come away without bringing a little bit of something to do, even though I've not managed to do much yet. So I brought the little bag I made (and shared) a few weeks ago, which I've turned into my 'little project' bag...it's just the right size to hold a few balls of yarn and a hook. Inside there are several balls of different coloured yarns, a hook and scissors and yarn needle. I am making a granny square throw,  something I've said I'll make for ages but not quite got round to. I'm know I'm not alone with the planned-but-never-quite-started project! What's yours? I'm aiming to make squares as and when I can, in between other things, though being honest I do seem to have a few unfinished projects lying around. ...

I've also brought a little project for Caoimhe to do. We watched Kirstie Allsop together a month or so back and Caoimhe was fascinated by the cross stitch she did. So I searched for a little child's kit for her, eventually finding one for a couple of quid in Wilkos. We've made a little start on it but really need to get time on our own to do it I think as Tig was desperate to get involved too. It has been some time since I last did a cross stitch too so I am a bit rusty!

It's time to have a look at  Handmade Monday  and see what everyone's been up to. And we should get ready for a (rather wet) day out in York. Have a great week.

Til next time!

End of an Era

My little girl finishes nursery this week, ready to stqrt in reception in September.  I know I'm not the only mum wondering where on earth the time goes, as clichéd as it sounds, it really does seem only 5 minutes since those two little lines appeared on that stick, and now here she is, ready to start school!

Although she's at a school nursery already,  she is moving on to another school in September and sadly she will be leaving some of her friends behind. I am probably more aware of this than she is (she is very excited about the 'big adventure she is starting) and though I don't want to make a big deal of it, I did suggest that perhaps along with her teachers, she might like to give little gifts to one or two of her 'very best' friends.  She was very happy with that so I set off with my hook and yarn. I had to limit her to two friends as I ran out of time... Unfortunately we all got hit with a sickness bug over the last week so I just didn't have the opportunities to do as much as I wanted to. But you can see the two finished headbands. You might notice they are 'genius' headbands again (the pattern is available on Ravelry) it's a lovely pattern and I'm sure I will be making many more. This time I have embellished them with simple crocheted flowers and a button. I hope the two little girls like them!

I have learned today that Caoimhe's new school has a craft club, teaching them knitting and crochet amongst other things. I'm really pleased about it, obviously,  and will definitely be enrolling Caoimhe as soon as she has settled into school life. You don't hear much about knitting /crochet classes for kids and I think it's a fab idea.

As well as the headbands for her friends,  and the apple cosy teachers presents I managed to fit in a bit of time today with Caoimhe to make the teachers cards. I think she did a lovely job, with minimal input from mummy. Pics to follow on another post. I haven't made many cards at all recently so it was nice to get some of my cardmaking 'kit' out for a change and lovely to spend a bit of time making something with Caoimhe (even if her brother did decide he wanted feeding in the middle of it! )

I'm a bit late to the party this week but hopefully I will make it in time to join Wendy for



 handmade Monday 

Hopefully I will get chance to read some of the lovely and inspiring blogs linked over there.

Til next time!

Posted via Blogaway

Party planning

How wonderful is this weather!  Even though it's a little bit on the warm side for me really (I don't *do* hot sticky sun probably because I am so fair and I burn so easily) and the nights are a bit uncomfortable for sleeping...but the sunny days just make everything seem happier, don't you think? :)

I'm hoping it sticks around just a bit longer as it is my middlest' s 2nd birthday soon and to celebrate we are having a teddy bears' picnic. Although we've made alternative arrangements in case of inclement weather,  it would be a shame not to have it in the garden. So please cross your fingers that the weekend of the 28th july is a nice one!

Plans are under way for a fun party. Lootbags have been collected and i have an idea what food I'll be servinh too. The cake will, I'm afraid to say,  be a bought one. I was hoping to make it myself but I don't think I have the time. I have managed to finish the bunting for the party after a couple of setbacks - I misread the pattern I had planned so didn't have enough blue flags, then I realised that by rectifying that I would end up with 13 flags which obviously would never do! And finding time to sit behind my sewing machine was difficult too. But over all I really enjoyed making it.

I used 3 different fabrics (one you might recognise as left over from my sling) some scraps of fabric cut into flowers and buttons from my button stash and a long piece of satin effect ribbon.  Amd I'm quite pleased with.the end result.

I'm linking up once again with Wendy over on  Handmade Monday Have a look over there at all the lovely blogs and I hope you have a great week.

Til next time!

Posted via Blogaway