Christmas is here!/ Craft it forward

Christmas is rapidly approaching and I am a million miles behind where I should be (I blame the unseasonal weather tricking us into thinking it was still summer) I still have to...

• Buy, write and send Christmas cards
• Make about 20 presents
• Finish making decorations
• Decorate the house 
• Throw two Christmas parties
• Bake and brew for said parties
• Make special surprises (see below)

I think next year I need to be more organised... Aaaargh! I don't know how it snuck up so quickly. I feel like my head is going to explode when I think about all of the things I have to do. Help.

Oh and next year we're getting a 10 foot Christmas tree, the seven footer looks tiny against those high ceilings. 

This little package of loveliness from Kerry arrived through my door today...

(gorgeous, isn't it?)

(Bean and Mordecai definitely liked it)

Meaning it is time to play Craft it Forward! The rules are simple the first five people to comment on this post will be sent a small package of loveliness all of their own, they will then blog about said lovely package offering their readers the opportunity to Craft it Forward with them, and so on and so forth, geddit?

Now I'm still a budding crafter, I was once an avid child crafter but it got lost somewhere at a hedonistic party in my late teens, I'm only just rediscovering it. So my skills may be a bit rusty but I do whip up a mean idea so I promise you something very special (and a wee bit Christmassy) will be winging itself your way if you choose to join me!

Let the crafting commence!

x

Bean

My little bean has just turned 10 months. I keep meaning to write about her, about us, about our adventures, about our lazy days. But I keep not doing it. So much has happened, already slipped past us and I am starting to feel afraid that I am losing it all. My brain keeps losing the amazing moments we have had, they are being devoured by new ones.

I struggle to put into words the feelings, the experiences, the moments. I don't think I will ever be eloquent enough. But I have to start before it is lost forever.

So ala Kellie I will write for my love every month. This blog was supposed to be for her. I think it is time I got back to my roots...

Where to start?

You have never been a good sleeper, my beautiful bundle of energy. You don't switch off. You crawl about in your sleep, last night you kept head butting me as you lifted off and then flumped back to rest. The night before I found you sat on the floor in front of me smiling with your eyes still closed. Sometimes I have to sleep with my leg and arms wrapped round you to stop you crawling into the wall and waking up crying. Through all the angst and sleeplessness when I feel you relax into my arms all is instantly forgiven.

We took our first walk on the street yesterday. Your stumbling walk like a drunken goose step, trying to chase the people walking past. I wait, quietly looking forward to the first pair of shoes and the first time I let go of your hand in the park. We have so much ahead of us and it makes my head spin with excitement.

We tied to the Christmas tree to the wall. As soon as you saw it you got right in and tried to take it for a walk with you. Your little hands all sticky and smelling of Christmas. We had to clean sap off of your bottom.

I keep trying to take pictures of you. It was so easy when you were stationary. Now all of my photos are a blur of you getting closer and closer until your face is just a looming smudge reaching for the lens. But I promise I will keep trying.

There is too much to write. I don't know where to start or stop so I will leave it for now. Perhaps every month won't be enough. Maybe every fortnight or every week or everyday. We'll see.

x

Recent Finds

I've been having lots of fun finding cheap and lovely goodies to fill our new home. I've been meaning to share them for a while, so...

Gorgeous sewing box and Ercol chair. The chair (of which there are two) needs to be re-upholstered, I was think maybe a turquoise or sea green (my favourites) what do you think? 

Ercol table and chairs, they need a bit of TLC hence the very low price, but I fell head over heels for them and they match her highchair. Score!

It never fails to astound me the things that people just throw away. Beautiful planter found dumped in the street now repurposed as a toy trough.

This isn't really new, it's the type writer hubble has had for years tucked away in his parents loft, rediscovered. Loved by me (for the colour) and loved by Bean (for the noise) -especially when she has her bum out!

I hope the official start of the Christmas season is treating you all well, I don't know about you but I am starting to get very excited! Off to buy the Christmas tree on Saturday! I can't wait to see Bean's little face :) 

x

All grown up...

I'm officially a fully blossomed blogger, I've popped by guest posting cherry! And with the beautiful Gaby, hurrah!

Pop over and have a peek at This Little Port, I'd highly advise that this be done on a regular basis as it is a truly lovely blog, one of my absolute favourites.

I also have to apologise for being a bit of a Houdini at the moment, we're having a few sleep issues (to put it politely) it took me two hours to get my dear sweet baby to sleep tonight and she's been awake every 40 minutes. Ah, life as a Mummy, eh?

Swings and roundabouts.

I don't know how you other Mummy bloggers do it. Tis a daily battle to wee alone, let alone blog! Hopefully we will settle back down again soon.

x

Also...

Bean is officially a walker. Scary how quickly they grow up.

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Craftacular!

On Sunday we ventured out for the first time in ages to the Bust Craftacular  in Bethnal Green, man oh man was it packed. I tried to take a few photos but I get shy taking photos in public, I think everyone is looking at me and thinking I'm silly with my fancy camera taking very mediocre photos (I promise I will get over this and figure out how to use my camera soon, scouts honour!) so I don't really have many photos of the event to show you. What I do have is a list as long as my arm of things I want! So time to share...

Fox cushion by Caroline Dulko

 Deer clock by Kate Sutton

Knitted necklaces by A Alicia (the chunky cream plait is my favourite)

Love the lion's faces by Handmade to Measure

Now I am not normally drawn to sweatshirts but for some reason I just couldn't get enough of them there. The two I may have to sneak on my birthday list (it's a bit late for the Christmas one *sad face* )

Dark is the night sweatshirt

Running fox sweatshirt

If it hadn't of been so busy I could have spent hours there (crowds don't agree with me or Iris) and if I wasn't so poor I could have spent a fortune. There are about a million things I haven't mentioned but it's getting late and I need to go to bed because Iris has decided it is very important to wake up at every given opportunity in the night and I am much like the walking dead at the moment.

Before I go I must mention these guys, they make the most beautiful (and fun) silk scarves and collars I have seen and if I had the money I would wrap a dozen of them around my head and neck. Not only that the chap I spoke to who makes them was impossibly sweet and beautiful (I should have taken a picture!).

Source: cleoferinmercury.co.uk via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: cleoferinmercury.co.uk via With Bells On on Pinterest

Love, love, love them.

x

Success!

After years of knitting squares and half finished scarves I have finally knitted an actual finished thing. Satisfying chunky bamboo needles, gorgeous wool and endless love for my sister was all I needed apparently.

One big, long, chunky, snuggly birthday scarf finished. And it looks like an anemone!

Woohoo!

x

Hard Times

It's been a tuff few days but hopefully we're through the worst of it now. I have my fingers crossed as I type this. I am exhausted, Bean is a mess but it's been over 12 hours and no more fever. Hurrah!

I'm still having to force feed her antibiotics. I don't think anything makes me feel quite as guilty as the look in her eyes as I'm making her swallow the yucky chalky gloop.

So here's a picture of my two bestest people during happier times. Lets hope the happy times return again soon.

x

Overwhelmed

Totally.

Thank you so much for all of your comments about my last blog. It means so much to know that you are out there!

Sorry for my scatty attempts at posting at the moment, Bean hasn't been too well (the first fever = scary stuff) and I can't find the lead to download pictures from my camera. AARGH! We still have so much unpacking to do.  And decorating. And cleaning. And gardening. Blimey, why did no one tell me how much work moving house was?!

It's still the best thing ever. And I am super excited about when it's finally ready to share!!

I will come back properly soon.

Promise
x

Re-instated

I've been hiding something from you all.

Because I've been ashamed. Because I've been embarrassed. 

It is something that I have felt needlessly bad about, worrying about, thinking about. 

But no more...

My follower count.  It isn't very high. In fact it currently only stands at 12. It's strange how some things can revert you to feeling like you're a child again, needlessly measuring yourself against others. Worrying about how 'popular' you are.  

What a fool I've been.

I'm not embarrassed any more, I'm proud. There may not be many of you, but by gosh what you lack in size you make up for in sheer loveliness. And really, what does it matter? It's not a popularity contest. It's a platform, for sharing, for teaching, for learning, for building relationships. I realised that as long as I was looking at it in any other way I was missing out on all the great things it could be doing for me. 

So it's back. In all it's glory for the world to see. 

So a thank you for all of the love, advice, compliments left on here. Not one goes unnoticed and not one is read without a bucket load of gratitude. 

But, if there are any lurkers out there watching from the shadows with an urge to google connect with me, please do. 

There is a button just down there... 

x

Image via here.

In theory...

I'm back! We are mid unpack and reattach. I promise I will update soon with lots of lovely pictures and tales of moving.

Thank you for my wonderful comments whilst I've been away! What lovely people you are :)

x

Dining Room Desires

Source: meyerlavigne.dk via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: skeppsholmen.se via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: lamaisondannag.blogspot.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: romantiskretro.blogspot.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Some more interior pleasure for your eyes. Things are still moving along at what feels like a snails pace, but we are well on our way. Hopefully we will be in by the end of the week. Poor hubby has been working so hard, I'm worried I might have broken him for good, but I finally have white painted floor boards! Hurrah! What a spoiled young lady I am.

These two room below are my dreams rooms. I want my dining room to look like these...

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Ah, heaven.

I have a question for you... I have managed to get my hands on a Kartell Fly emerald lamp shade (amazing cheap ebay find, such a result!!) . I am considering both the living room and the dining room as contenders to be graced with it's beauty. I know the traditional place seems to be above the dining room table but I think it would look amazing in the living room too... Help, I'm torn!

x

Elimination Communication

Oh how we try.

We are not fans of disposable nappies. Pretty much since Bean was born we have been trying to EC part time. We giver her 'pottytunities' when we change her nappies, when she wakes up and after she is taken out of the carrier. We catch a few wees. We catch most poos (the grunting noises and little red face make doing this much easier!). We're doing ok.

The book says you should be able to read the signs before they need to wee. I've been doing it on and off for almost 9 months! Yet I still struggle to tell.

Yesterday I let her wander round in her oversized jumper and nothing else. I thought I she wanted to wee. I sat her on and made the noise to encourage her. Left her to sit for a while. Nothing. I stood her up and took the potty away. She proceeded to look me straight in the eye with a half smile on her face and wee. Everywhere. Seriously it was like a horse, I've never seen a child so small wee so much.

Lets just say it's a good job we're getting new rugs when we move.

x

One bite at a time...

My life has gone awry. 

I have endless to do lists. The flat is a mess. I need to de-junk, um, well, everything (me and hubble are both hoarders- not good). My days are without rhythm or rhyme, full to burst without getting anything done. Spending money without buying anything. 

Aaargh! Help!

I need to make my life simpler...

Hooray for Simple Mom. I am a massive fan of this site but I never find the time to go back over the reams of incredibly good advice let alone put it into practice. But clever Tsh has made a book for all you people just like me. One bite at a time puts together all the best advice to make your life simpler, greener, cheaper, even happier in one place broken into easy to digest bite size chunks. 

There are 52 project in all, all of which I will be trying to complete. 

Starting with No.1 eat your frog!

Wish me luck

Images courtesy of Simple Mom

x

Lounge Lover

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: mobelpobel.blogspot.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: convoy.tumblr.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: ohdeedoh.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: ikeafamilylive.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

So, the house is taking a wee bit longer to get sorted than anticipated and my thoughts are turning to decorating. I am really struggling with which direction to go in. I had been thinking bright and bold but everything that I find and love seems to be a lot more subdued which small splashes of colour. I have a general idea, but I am just itching to get in there and start fiddling with furniture and seeing what to add and where. I am so impatient. I hate having to walk out of there and trudge back to our little flat. I can't wait for the day it is really ours.

Soon, soon, soon.

x

I don't know how they do it

I am exhausted. Worn out. Monologued out. Played out.

Hubble is over at the new house. He's been there pretty much since dawn and will be there until long after dusk. He is working so hard. But the stress is getting to me.

I love being a Mummy. I really do. Bean is the most amazing child and is, pretty much, always a delight to be  around, but I'm baby'ed out. I am just longing for a snippet of baby free time. To go to the toilet without her gorgeous little face appearing from around the corner to check that I'm still there. Not to be on alert for the first cries from the bedroom. Not to be clearing up her food or making more of it. Even, just to get some of the housework done!

Just. To. Stop.

For a moment.

I have a new found respect for single parents. In my moments, when full of anger, in an argument, I've thought I'd be happier going it alone. I now know how wrong I was. Without the tiny little things, helps and breaks that seem so insignificant, it is like scaling an endless mountain. It makes me love and respect my own mummy all the more for the never ending time, effort and love she gave us. Also, I thank the stars for finding my sweet, kind (forgiving of my mad ravings) man.

So, to all the mummies and daddies climbing a mountain alone, my heart goes out to you. You are so strong and so brave. I hope one day your babies will look at you, see that too and be thankful for all that you have done.

x

Image by Honeycomb

Getting my craft on

Whilst pregnant I managed to get my bee-hind back into gear and started making and doing again.

I had some failures and I had some successes.

Enough time has now passed (almost 8 months, eek!) it is very much time for me to jump back in the crafting saddle. I still have a list as long as my arms (true, my arms aren't that long but they are long enough!) to beaver my way through.

First things first I have a half finished monkey eating cake languishing in my drawers. Wish me luck!

x

Our prayers have been answered...

We are moving! Hurrah!

This...

Is to become this...

It is definitely what you would call a fixer upper, but it's a house. A whole house, with stairs all of our own. I can hardly imagine such a thing. It is only being rented so we don't have free reign over it, but what we do have is two floors, three bedrooms and a whole heap of space to fill. Oh, and a garden, A GARDEN! I can't explain how incredibly happy this makes me.

Hopefully this means Bean will start sleeping again without the constant sirens; no longer sleeping next to the kitchen. I may get more than 40 minutes at a time to myself. Such things are surely just fantasy. But I can dream and, gosh darn it, I will! Hip hip hooray!

x

Pop up Poundshop

The pop up Poundshop is back again for the 2011 London Design Festival and this time they're online. Hoorah! In all 48 designers have taken part and are this year selling items for £1, £5 and £10. If you're in East London pop down and take a peak, if not get yourself on the web!

We will be purchasing the boy/girl pilliowcases, dog day print and ice lolly cards. What do you have your eye on?

x

Our Home

I want to love our home. I really do.

But every time I think

"It's alright, we can do this, we can live here"

or

start planning to make it beautiful, to stay, to settle.

I am reminded; my plans and plots fall way to despair again.

As I type this another siren blasts past our window.

I can smell unknown youths using our stairwell as a smoking den.

The thumping beat from the balkan dance party happening on a floor below us.

 I can also hear my daughter stirring again as the intruders break her sleep. Again.

Not all of our neighbours are so selfish or loud.

The other flat on our floor contains someone much nicer, a constant reminder of what this place once was, lovely Molly. It used to be Molly and Wally until Wally recently passed away.

Now we see Molly for tea a lot more.

Wally was the Mayor of Waltham Forest. They lived here together for 60 years, they raised a family, they watched people come and go. They watched the community around them change, their family raised a family. Now that family is raising a family and still they were here. Now it is just Molly. With her tales of the residents, the concerts thrown by the children who all lived, grew up, played, learnt together in this block of flats. When once everyone knew each other. When everyone cared, looked after and was proud of these flats.

How I am nostalgic for a time I never knew. How I want to walk out of my front door and greet the many people I know on the stairs. To stroll down to the bakers to buy bread without the harsh glare of strip lighting and aisles.

These are just fancies, impossible dreams. I can not alter the world beyond my door in this fashion. I can not expect the other residents to change their lives to suit mine or to alter the routes of policemen and ambulances. So I will look behind my door for now.

There is so much that I love here. We have been here for many years. In many ways Hubble and I have grown up here together. We were so young when we bought it. Just babies really. We made so many mistakes when buying it. We didn't know what we were doing. It was just a starter place, never intended as somewhere to start a family. We treated it as a place to crash, to bring friends in the early hours of the morning and drink until late in the night. To be the unruly neighbours.

No matter how beautiful it is on the inside, the outside will still be there. No matter how much I ice it, it will still be what it is.

We need to find a home. One where I can step outside and smile. One where I can feel safe and cosy when I walk through my front door.

It's time for a change.

Where do you live? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Why?

x

An early start to the day

With autumn came the assumption that darker mornings would equal sleepy baby.

This is not the case.

x

Today we did nothing but play

Mother, O' Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth.

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due,

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek - peekaboo.

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew,

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo.

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

 Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Poem via here

x

Shhh!

Don't tell my Hubble I'm in love...

I think this may be the most splendid coat I have ever seen. A little bit out of our price range at £88, but definitely worth it if you have the cash to splash... It is the coat of my dreams- for me and Bean! Matching outfits perhaps- I wonder if they could make one in my size?!

Belle and Boo have a whole range of super sweet goodies, the cutest clothes, beautiful illustrations, wall decals, lunch boxes and much more. I think I best start a Christmas list!

You can buy the coat here.

Found via here.
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