Making

Party bags and pom poms are now ticked off the list.

Well one pom pom - I have another five to make.....planning to make as long as time doesn't run away from me which at the moment 'whoosh' is how it's feeling.....whooooosh.

I've had a really lovely relaxed 'making' day. To be honest Tuesdays are normally my day off from everyone - just me pottering around in my own little world, left to my own devices.

Sounds lovely doesn't it?

But what normally happens on a Tuesday is this ::

I crank up the music - really really loud - and crack on with 'most' of the weekly housework - in one fell swoop. Just trying to declutter as best as I can, but knowing in the back of my mind that it will all slowly fall into disarray as the week draws on.

Anyhoo - not today, not this Tuesday - I had only one thing on my mind (well two actually) making stuff and more importantly making stuff for the up and coming event of the year.

The glitter girl party which I'm hosting (being mum) at the end of this week for our girlie girl.

So out came the paints along with the polymer clay, tissue paper, washi tape, cutters, roller and bakers twine.

Today our dining room table looked more like a scene out of Play School rather then one of domestic bliss, but honestly - I loved it.

Pom poms (one) tick ✓

Pink party bags all made up with name tags crafted and attached - tick ✓

Just another five pom poms to go as mentioned above, presents to wrap, house to tidy (as I didn't do that today 'ooooppps) 'oh' and the baking to uuuummmmmm - bake.

But that's fine, the fun part for me really. As long as I remember not to overstretch myself and then (hopefully) I won't get too stressed out......I hope.

All is good so far though....................

I'm trying not to jinx myself.

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xXx

Counting down

This is a fairly big (important) week in our little household of five. It is the count down week for a certain six (soon to turn seven) year old.

Bounding around, up and down and out of bed in the mornings - well just this morning - with a massive grin on her face announcing that there are so many more sleeps until her birthday............her actual birthday 'oh my word' her excitement is intoxicating and some might say (me) infectious to the other under twelves in the household.

But I'm on track - I think. Crowns have been accomplished - all seven of them - girlie pink with polka dots all backed with contrasting paisley teal fabric. I think it's Michael Miller, but I can't be sure as the name escapes me. And as requested I've posted the pictures.

Though not for the birthday girl. Her crown is lined with a beautiful off cut of gorgeous red velvet I had left over from another sewing project I made for the girls at Christmas. I'll share that one with you soon.

But the crowns have been accomplished.

Now all I have to do is organise the decorations and possibly some party games - I'm not too sure how long the nail art and a dance off are going to last so it's probably best to have a back up plan!

And then there's the baking. With a couple of little ladies allergic to different things I've already highlighted various items that will hopefully give the girls a happy mix of home cooked goodies from maize tortillas and flourless chocolate cake to the favourite traditional - like Cadbury's chocolate fingers and butter cream filled fairy cakes 'phew!'

Wish me luck.

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xXx

Cheerfulness

It's been pretty miserable in the weather department around here this week.

I've lost count the amount of times I've been drenched, stepped in puddles, splashed by cars, hung dripping coats and umbrellas up to drip dry, warmed socks and gloves up by the wood burning stove or the opposite and dried them out.

I hate soggy!

And watching the weather forecast last night I sat in dismay wondering why so much rain. I must of said that a little too loudly rather then keep the grumble inside my head because hubby replied 'well what do you expect..........it is January!'

I have to say - that tipped me over the edge.

'Wellllllll' - I replied.

How about some lovely fresh crisp, crunchy, frosty mornings so you can see your very breath in the air with sunlight that nearly blinds you...............for a start. It is January - don't you know!

Of course all these things have a knock on effect.

With the rain we have the mild air, but it's so blooming grey. And with the cold it is just that - cold 'oh so cold' that you end up with back ache from all the hunching over. And possible a cold from all the getting warm, getting cold, getting warm again malarkey..................!

As I said - I think he tipped me over the edge.

But today is a new day - sod the weather and just walking around the house I've found lots to be cheerful about today.

Even if it is a bunch of daffs in a pretty vase with a piece of red gingham ribbon tied around the handle or a tiny little tea light lit and held in a pretty spotty candle holder or a lovely set of cups and saucers all joyful and flowery with their gorgeous pastel colours.

All these things bring cheerfulness into my life, even though they may seem daft and all the other stupid stuff is just that...............silly, stupid and self indulgent.

Have a lovely day and I hope you find some cheerfulness in your day.

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xXx

ps. thank you for all your encouraging words over the messy situation I've got myself into. It's so good to know I'm not the only one out there with so little time to get organized. I blame those life laundry programmes that make it all look so simple. But that's a whole different spout for another day I think.

Creative mess?

......or just a mess!

I'm in the latter box, but then again - it is my mess.

I've ignored this little creative sewing space of mine for such a long time. There are literally piles and piles of fabric and sewing stuff......everywhere.

I'd like to say it's an organized mess, but apart from visibly seeing the last thing I was working on (still birthday crowns at the moment) - I can't find a thing.

Especially taking into account this is the room where I spend most of my creative time in, but it is also my Achilles heel in the housework department.

And as for my temper 'phew' - this room does not do much for that either.

And still I ignore it!

The only thing I can seem to find on any one of my given out bursts because I can't remember the last place I put my scissors down or foot 'A' for my sewing machine is missing......again - etc, etc - is the rescue remedy which is nicely (and neatly) tucked away in a little corner of a shelf close to hand to help cool my anger.

I have no sympathy for myself or my creative mess - it is all hand made.............by me.

And the poor old piano hasn't seen daylight for at least a year now.

But here's the weird thing. The messier it gets - the less incentive I have in trying to sort through it, clear out and reorganise. You'd think I'd be a bit wiser to this by now.......you'd think.

So every time I sit down to do some sewing I either add more stuff to an already almost toppling over pile or make a new pile and most definitely create more mess.

So what would you think if I told you that for the past two weeks we've been having a major clear out. Bags and bags of stuff have already found there way to the charity shops.

Now this isn't me squandering 'nope' this is me being a hoarder and thinking 'I know, that shirt with a rip in it - I can cut that up and make something else' or 'that old duvet - I'm sure I can do something with that'. 'Old curtains, sheets and blankets - I'll just hang on to them, no matter if they have holes in them or are sun bleached'.

Toddler clothes - sentimental, old buggies.......why? Cushions without covers - do I really need any more. And so the story continues - so on and so forth. I just couldn't get my head around passing on and letting go so someone else could enjoy any one of these items, get some use and maybe even pass on themselves when finished with.

I guess it came to the point where I was just so overwhelmed with all my hoarding that I would rather put my blinkers on and ignore the whole over cluttered issue rather then actually do something about it.

But no more because I really can't bare that feeling of ground hog day any more. What is the point if you can't actually get past the tidying away to do some good honest cleaning.

And how can I wax lyrical about lovely homely stuff if I know my home is cluttered which is making my mind cluttered. I really don't want to become the lady with jars of string too short or too small for any sensible use or purpose.

But this blooming room!

Up until this morning I was still skirting around the issue of 'how' I was going to tackle it. Finding other 'boring' things or stuff to do rather then just get stuck in......until this morning.

It's not brilliant, but it is better and I still have a long way to go and 'yes' I still have piles!

But neat little piles all organized and waiting for a mission. Whether it be off to the charity shop for someone else to make good use of, or folded and tucked away all neatly waiting for another day.........another craft. Or off to the rag bag where I'm sure someone would love my long overdue hoarded fabric.

I am getting there and to be honest I'm starting to find a little bit of inner calm knowing that I'm dealing with all this mess.

An uncluttered home makes for an uncluttered mind.

I am, most definitely, in the hoping box.

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xXx

Ballerina

We have another little ballerina joining the ranks.

For such a long time this little girl has sat in the wings, watching, waiting - patiently - learning all that she can from her big sister and about the wonderful world of ballet.

She's tagged along, been ferried, whinged how 'it's just not fair' and even dragged along (on occasion) to all that her big sister has participated in, but now it is her turn and 'oh boy' how excited is she?

Oh-my-word 'or' O.M.G. - which is the girls new saying at the moment, spelt out and exclaimed in that way rather then saying 'oh my god'.......she is fit-to-burst.

And I think she has fitted into her dancing (ballet) shoes just perfectly.

So here's to double ferrying around - just call me mum the taxi from now on!

But how can I complain - my two little ballet dancers growing up way too fast and looking far too adorable all decked out in pink.

I think I'm just one big grown up girl 'fit to burst' for her little girls - minus the pink......for me.

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Happy Monday and have a beautiful day.

xXx

From my phone

Before my phone completely grinds to a holt I thought it would be a good idea to upload the vast quantity of silly and odd pictures I've captured - between Christmas and the New Year......I kid you not - to free up some space for some lovely new apps.

In no particular order.........but I'll try.

:: I made a little brick fire for the allotment out of the reclaimed bricks from our old fireplace - the girls have already filled it for me.

:: Wave gazing from the jetty.

:: The big bonfire at the allotment we had just after Christmas from all the cutting back and 'stuff' we had gathered from the clear up - hence the new 'little' brick open fire.

:: Waiting for waves.

:: A brisk walk along the seafront wall at high tide.

:: Jump! Almost caught by a wave.

:: My Christmas cuppa filled with lovely hot chocolate. My justified treat after all that bracing sea air.

:: Mulled wine in the New Year. The only way to warm the chills after a damp canal walk to Cromford Mill.

:: Muddy wellies from our walk - see above.

:: Carrot the cat - a top notch kitty cat.

:: Fairtrade roses - £3 for a bunch of twelve. My bargain of the week.

:: Inside the shed at the allotment - for all you curious folks out there. These are contents we found inside and this is how it looks after the tidy up and the introduction of a kettle and camping stove.

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Have a wonderful weekend and I hope the rain and grey clears with you.

xXx

From my home

I'm using all my free time to make pink polka dot birthday crowns at the moment - all seven of them.

Three done, four more to go - I started yesterday lunchtime...........with a little Boo watching carefully over my shoulder, instructing and tidying up after me all the way of course.

Now you may be thinking 'pah' a couple of hours job done!

But my free time is so sporadic and broken up into teeny tiny pieces - five minutes here, two minutes there. Honestly I dream of having just an hour to myself most days - and it's always the way, as soon as I park my backside down I normally get a 'muuuuuuuuum!'

Sometimes it's not even worth bothering with as I can't bare all the interruptions.

But with a very special, select (hence all seven) princess party looming - with a birthday so close to Christmas I always find the emphasis on celebrating a grand girlie party in style rather then another stack of presents - I need to get tough and maybe not feel like I'm the only one that can only do it all.

Give my little ones a bit more responsibility.

So who cares if the orange juice ends up all over the floor- it'll clean up. Or if an argument is about to irrupt. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of good old sibling rivalry - they need to learn how to sort out their own fights at some point!

Unless of course it involves fisticuffs......which is very rare in our household to be honest. Just the odd (occasional) sneaky poke to the ribs, but kids will be kids.............right?

And I need to learn to let them just get on with it and try to say 'no' a hell of a lot more.

That part doesn't come easy for me - I hate letting anyone down. But I must be strong! If only for the next couple of weeks 'or' until I feel all has been accomplished and I'm happy that a princess party will run smoothly (until the day) with all my little 'done' boxes ticked.

Three down, four to go. Three down, four to go - that's my mantra for the next week or so, but with the first number getting higher and the second getting lower until I can finally say..........job done!

Have a super day.

xXx