Gardening with Giraffe's

Still here awaiting baby's arrival.

I'm not in any rush...but it would be nice to know when they plan to make their arrival.

I've been super uncomfortable the past couple of days, and yesterday I was up at 2am and failed to get back to sleep.  So yesterday was spent on the sofa, being lazy (I've been told I'm allowed to be a bit lazy!), watching the House box set (which I am thoroughly enjoying!), and doing a little bit of crochet on one of my new projects. 

Here is a sneaky glimpse of my new project...

I am hoping it will be ready for autumn/winter...but no doubt as I've started a project I would like to finish, family life is likely to get in the way.  I fear I may have forgotten about the demands of looking after a baby...and I have a toddler to contend with too now!

We have had at least 2 weekends in a row of being at home, which has meant we have been able to get on with some much needed chores.  The garden being the most important in order to get it wrapped up ready for autumn/winter.  We have done a lot of pruning/weeding in the front and back garden.  There's still plenty of jobs to do, but at least we are looking tidier for a while.

My little man has been very helpful...

These little critters have been not so helpful...(can you spot him?!)!

 A rather large black legged one scuttled across our new rug under the sofa the other day before the husband could jump to his feet and dispose of it...he is lurking sure to come out again soon!

We have bought a new rug...something to warm up the lounge, and to offer us a comfier space to play with our little man and our new arrival. It has made the lounge look much bigger and is so comfy/warm and our little man is enjoying rolling around on it already...a big hit!

So on to some crafting.  

 

I mentioned in my last post that I had done some more crafting for a baby girl expected to arrive in December.  The couple had recently been on holiday and had fed some giraffes...so I thought I would embark on a giraffe taggie for their baby.  There are lots of patterns etc available if you google giraffe taggie...I decided to go off pattern and just wing it.

 

I picked my fabric, and then drew my giraffe template...

I then cut out 2x giraffe pieces (material doubled over so they would match!), and put right sides together...

 I chose my ribbon taggies...my ribbon selection is quite limited, and this pink/yellow ribbon fitted best.  I would have done different colours if I had some good coordinating ribbon.

So the tag ribbons were pinned in place, and then I stitched around the giraffe, making sure not to stitch the tags down when sewing down the opposite side of the neck!

I left a small hole for turning, and then turned inside out and stuffed.

I have sewn closed things before, but I thought I would try and learn how to do it professionally to get the "seamless" look.  I found this tutorial for invisible closing seam...I am informed this may be a ladder stitch?!?  I tried...and it worked! 

Look at this.

Very professional even if I do say so myself! I am pleased with it as my first proper attempt.

So here is finished giraffe taggie...

I am pleased with it and it has been well received.

I am going to try and buy some nice boy fabric to make some stuff for my men...they are overdue a make!

Speak to you soon.

Love from me and my little man x

Baby Lola!

An excuse to make some girly things at last!

My friend whom I had made skinny bear for has had a baby girl!  Lola Olive!  Brilliant news to receive on a morning, and pleased to hear mum and baby are both doing so well.  I can't wait to meet her, but until my growing bump decides to arrive, I cannot make plans to visit and cuddle her as they are about 2hrs away.

So time to set about crafting for a baby girl!  I wanted something that I could personalise for her and as I was trawling through my fabric stash, I found some lovely colours that were begging to be used.

I did consider leaving the green out, but I thought it was a nice bright addition. 

 They are quite bright, busy florals, and I wasn't sure how to personalise them...fabric or felt applique?! And what colour for the letters to stand out enough?!  I personally prefer using felt for appliques as it tends to look tidier and amongst the materials I had I picked  a light pink felt which seemed to look okay against all of the fabrics and thought I could do a contrasting running stitch to bring out the letters.  A cream bias binding was chosen for the top.

Firstly to cut out all the flags or "bunts".  I thought 6 would be big enough....4 for her name and one either side.  This way it could hang above her cot for example without being too long, and also I wanted her name central without having a "swag" separating the letters in her name.  Once all cut, to start the personalisation...

Not looking too shabby!

Now to pin and stitch....

The stage I then love... to turn them all inside out and iron them to get them looking smart ready for the binding to be sewn on.

 Completed!

Now the bit I'm not so good at...photographing the finished work!  

I hung it in the conservatory so we could get an idea of it hanging up and the length, but it turned out such a dull picture...probably as it looks so bright and sunny outside!

 So the only other option was to lay on the cream rug and take a photo from above...

Well that's the best of a bad bunch...

I couldn't hang around taking photo's all day...this bunting had to be sent to mum and baby!  (well...and the dad...but dad's don't really appreciate pretty flags...do they?!)

I have heard that it has been well received so I am happy it is another project completed.

I have been making more girly makes for another friend expecting a baby girl in December...I'll write about that one soon.

I am over 39 weeks pregnant now, hospital bag is packed and I am enjoying the calm before the storm before my baby decides to make his arrival.

Bye for now.

Love from me and my little man x

Skinny Bear

One of my lovely University friends is also expecting a baby, about 2 weeks before me!  As part of a gift, I thought I would put my hand at crocheting something for the baby so that it would be unique.  She doesn't know the sex of the baby which, although exciting, made colour choice a bit more difficult.  I decided to opt for red with a navy stripe for the teddy's tee shirt in the end as I thought that was acceptably unisex!

This is the pattern I followed from Crafty Rah Rah.  I loved the teddy when I saw him so thought I would try. 

Well the head and the ears worked up well - I used Sirdar baby bamboo wool.  The legs also seemed okay, although when attached looked a wee bit wonky and not quite right!  The body I struggled with!...I did it twice and it ended up as big as a hat!  I was convinced I was interpreting the pattern right, but it was so disheartening I admit I lost my mojo.  I drafted in my sister to help with the body and arms and she helped explain the pattern instructions to me.

With all pieces made, I lightly stuffed, and sewed on all appendages!  Here he is...

 Sorry for the poor photo but you get the idea...can you see his legs look wonky...maybe one bigger than the other?!

He was well received and has now been aptly named "Skinny Bear"...hmmm...maybe I did stuff him too lightly!!!  The wonkiness adds individuality...and I explained that when he's being shook (which babies do to their teddies) he looks much better all wobbly a little bit like Mr Bean's teddy!  I did also explain that this has not been tested for safety...so they can't sue me if his legs/arms come off!!!!

I may even attempt another...at some point....

Love from me and my little man x

Deck the Halls

It’s DECEMBER!!!!

That definitely gives us the go ahead for putting up the Christmas Tree!

We had help this year from my fab friend, although our approach to tree decorating is quite different.  Hers motto is “less is more” with a strategic placement approach.  Mine is a more whack it all on approach!  Together we’ve created a monster….

Note my little mans home made stocking hanging on the wall waiting to be filled.

Now our Angel is not in the middle for a reason…my little man felt something else had to go up there too…

…his stripey elephant!

We’ve had an amazingly festive weekend.  A visit to Beaulieu Village Christmas Evening which was brimming with people, twinkling in fairy lights, and full of yummy food and drink.  The air was awash with smells of chestnuts, mulled wine, and hot chocolatey goodness!

My little man loved dancing to this music wagon, and he would’ve been quite happy to stay there all night for sure.

 

 

 

 

A merry evening indeed. 

We have also done a lot of crafting this weekend and making presents.  Here’s my pal working away…(we set up in the lounge for warmth)…

We’ve both achieved a lot this weekend with presents ready to post out.  I’m itching to show you them all, but I’ll keep my lips zipped tight in order to keep the surprises under lock and key!

More things soon!…I  truly love this time of year.

Love from me and my little man x

Wellies and Willies….

We went for a lovely walk last weekend for a bit of fresh air.  We are so lucky to live with the New Forest on our doorstep and lovely countryside just a 5minute walk from our house. 

We came across a few creatures and critters… some big and some small…

Blue skies and countryside.  I love that crispy fresh biting air, when it’s cold, but the sun shines warming you through. 

On a slightly different note, this weekend I’ve been on a hen do of one of my lovely Uni friends.  We went to Milton Keynes for an afternoon of sledging and an evening of 80s fancy dress partying!  Sledging was hilariously good fun requiring quite a lot of energy to run back up the slopes.  The little kids made it look effortless. I felt like I was a snow queen…but had more style than speed. Actually it was less style and less speed! There were a few collisions, none were life threatening thankfully!

So after an afternoon of extreme sledging, out came the heels and legwarmers, the back combing and hair spray and we were ready to Parrrrtay!  Here I am in my 80s gear.

There had to be a surprise appearance from someone else for this hen do…remember my post here…it was the tales of an adventurous lone willy crafted by yours truly.  Well, true to form, I was obliged to get crafting again…

This time I chose to crochet this Willy…tediously amusing.  Here he is…a slightly bigger, fluffier version than before…

This is when he was presented to the bride to be…he stayed cosy there all night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a fabulously fun weekend, and I feel I need a weekend to recover!  I have one of my Uni friends left to get married next year, so I’ll have to start pondering my next version! Hmmm……

Love from me and my little man x

My Birthday!

This week I have celebrated my birthday! The last year of my twenties so I’d better make it a good one.  Is it downhill after 30?!  Some people said they felt a bit unsettled/uncertain when they turned 30…so I’ll put those thoughts behind me and try and make the most of sounding younger for one more year! (Although some work friends actually put me straight and said I’m already living in my 30th year…oh yeah that works out right…Humph!)

Our house has been bursting at the seams this last weekend.  My parents, my sister, brother-in-law and nephew, and a surprise visit from my brother for the weekend.  We went to a local farm for the day, ate lots of food and cake, played games, went for long walks, saw the fireworks, shopped…. It always ends so quickly.  It’s important to make the most of the times we can spend together.

My birthday is on the 5th of November…those fireworks are all for me! Oh Yes! And anyone who doesn’t get me a birthday present gets volunteered to be the Guy for the Bonfire! (ye…that bit is a joke…but maybe my family are secretly scared as they always spoil me with lovely gifts!)

Here are some of my most fabulous presents…

• Some wonderously whiffy bath treats from my brother.  I love a nice hot bath as long as there are nice bubbles/smells to make it feel indulgent.  I don’t seem to make time for my baths as I used to, so these essentials are for indulgent ‘Me’ time and they shall be implemented ASAP!
• A gorgeous Cath Kidston ceramic rolling pin and flour shaker from my sister and her family.  I shall now have to get rolling some pastries and what-nots and make sure I use them rather than stare at them in a cupboard keeping them pretty.  They are so gorgeous they will make any of my cooking attempts divine for sure!
• The most marvellously stunning leather cross-body satchel from my parents.  LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! It smells of scholarly leather and it is just…LUSH! Funnily enough I had spied it in a local shop to my mum on their Facebook page and enquired re: price…she’d only gone and blinking bought it!  I am going to buy a nice small purse to go in it and then it shall follow me everywhere….*contented sigh*….
• Hearts galore from my little man who had spent his hard earned pocket money on that swish White Stuff scarf.  It will look so nice, and I will think of him as I wear it.  I wonder who helped him buy it…hmmm?!?!?….

Lush.

Lots of cards from friends and family…some lined with silver which will help me buy that purse…and other goodies….!

The one on the far right was designed by my nephew.  The one with flowers popping out of the card was from my little man who had adorned the inside (and out) with decorations and scribbles.

Birthday flowers from my man….

 

….and also

LUSH NEW BOOTS!

I love my new boots.  Apparently I now sound like a morris dancer as the buckles jingle a bit…but I love them jingle and all! My man did good!

Working on my birthday, I opened my presents and cards in the evening and then my husband cooked me a birthday tea and he got me a birthday cake too…

I have been well and truly spoilt!

I’ve always believed that I can stretch my birthday bossiness and privileges for at least a week around my birthday.  This week though I have been struck by some sort of something which has left me with the worst of headaches, tired and achey.  My eyes feel they may fall out at anytime and getting to the end of this week and through the weekend has been tough and fuelled by Ibuprofen!  Not the end of the birthday week that I had hoped for, but I have been looked after by my two men.  Maybe this is the sign that I am getting older…

Love from me (the birthday girl) and my little man x

Time to refocus.

Refocus looks incredibly wrong.  Re-focus looks much better…but who am I to argue with the dictionary?! I am struggling to accept that my last blog post was back in August.  People have now started to comment on my quietness…so I’d better get blogging again!

We had a brilliant time in Portugal in August. Hot sunshine and lazing around make the perfect combination.  My little man did well with everything new that comes with travelling abroad and settled amazingly well.  A daily holiday ice cream was also definitely a winner!

Me and hubby managed to sneak off on a much needed “date night” which was one of my most favourite parts of the holiday.  Having time out to recognise who you are as husband and wife, rather than mummy and daddy.  That makes sense right?! We still make each other laugh, we still have lots to talk about, and we can simply just ‘be’ together…almost 5 years married…and I still love him. Pics from our date night… (a very small one of my husband as he will probably sigh, roll his eyes and not thank me for putting his picture on here!)

Another fun thing that has happened (which has even included a tiny bit of crafting) was a work camping trip.  A bit of team bonding in the ways of 2nights camping locally.  It was much fun and definitely to be a yearly event for sure.  The rain poured the first night and it was a tad chilly but we embraced the onesies to keep us warm! I was one of the pretty pandas!

What crafting was needed for camping I hear you ask?!…A team Flag! I whipped this up so quickly, but it did the trick…

 

As well as fun times we’ve also had sad times over the past few months…we had to have our pesky Timber cat put to sleep.  He was quite poorly and it was the kindest thing for him.  You can read a little about how we came about having Timmy here.  It was the saddest thing we’ve had to go through in a while and I still don’t think we’ve come to terms with the fact that he’s not around.   

To do something nice for Timmy, I have painted a marker for where he’s buried (a grave-stone just sounds too morbid…).  I was never very good at drawing/painting…but I’m pleasantly surprised with how this turned out.  I have popped it in the garden, and we’ve planted lots of bulbs around too.

I think Tim’s just catching lots of slow worms wherever he’s gone to…!

To regain the blogging/crafting mojo I have taken in lots of deliveries of gorgeous fabrics in order for me to get crafting again. Admittedly the majority are Christmas presents in nature so how much I will be able to show you on here will be debatable.  Maybe some sneek peaks, and if not some quick crafts to keep my hand in!

I hope you are all well.

See you soon.

Love from me and my little man x