Linaloo

Change

I'm starting a job on Monday. Yes. A job. One of those things. It's been a while. Five years actually.

I wasn't really looking...it sort of happened. I've been back and forth since before Christmas over whether to do it or not and it's been the source of considerable anxiety. Finding good childcare, leaving my babies, slow erosion of self-esteem of the "home with the kidlets, no brain left" kind, you know the regular stuff. Anyway, the job is interesting (marketing - I'm an "arm waver" as my Dad calls them) and the company has been very accommodating to my request of part time hours. So I'm taking the plunge and reminding myself how lucky I am that at least I have a choice in the matter, for which I have always felt extremely grateful.

As well as excited, I'm absolutely bloody terrified, although I keep telling myself the anticipation is probably much worse than the reality.

So now you know.

A weekend of distractions is just what the Doctor ordered.

Wing along

I've been following Amanda Jean's quilt along for a while and picked six of my favourite blocks to make a baby quilt for my friend's fourth daughter, born less that two weeks ago. I'm no quilter. I've made one or two things before, but I really want to do it. Amanda Jean's quilts are fabulous, she churns out works of art with impressive regularity - I love them, especially this one.

This is the final pieced top which is extremely wonky (but isn't is supposed to look handmade?). No need to adjust your colour controls, it really is that frighteningly pink. I'm not overly thrilled about my choice of fabrics, but in my defence, it's all from my stash, no new purchases required. Since my post about sewing tips last week, I have subsequently purchased both a 1/4 inch and walking foot for my machine. It's a bit late for the 1/4 inch foot to do any good, but I'm expecting miracles from the walking foot.

I'm off to buy batting tomorrow, then I'll baste, quilt and bind. It's sounds so easy doesn't it? I know the theories behind each of these steps but I'm really guessing at the how part.

Winging it.

Refreshed

That's better. A little time away always makes me happy. I love how even the shortest trip recharges my batteries, allows a little perspective on my own life and renewed focus. This was a very fleeting trip to Toronto. 500km driven on Friday afternoon and back again on Sunday. I would consider this length of drive completely preposterous in the UK for such a short time but we're all getting used to such marathon journies.

There was lots of overindulging, late nights and catching up with family.

A trip to one of the children's favourite places: The Ontario Science Centre.. They had a blast and could have stayed there all day.

Ice skating. Somehow in my mind I've pegged Ruby as a creative rather than a sporty type and she's totally blown me away this week. She's taken to skating like a duck to water and loves it. Wonderful how they can constantly suprise you.

Back to reality. Piles of washing to do. Dirty house to clean. See you later!

Knickers

I never thought I'd be posting underwear on my blog, but how cute are these? I can only seem to find vile pink disney/barbie/dora underwear for Ruby here so it's refreshing to have a change...I wonder if they do these in grown up sizes? Thanks to my big sis' for sending these and lots of other goodies from the UK.

And, then there was all this loveliness from Kaz, my Valentines swap partner. Cards, buttons and ribbons - great springtime/Easter colours in this lot.

And the main attraction is this beautiful key chain. With a dotty heart of course - just my cup of tea! My photo doesn't do it justice, but it really is very special. Thank you Kaz I love it. And the children apparently love Cadbury's creme eggs too!

We're away for a few days...a much needed break from our lives here for a while. Toronto here we come.

Til next week friends!

Eight

I’m not sure how long this will take to reach its intended recipient, it's really meant to be a surprise. But I'm no good at those so I just wanted to let you know that my eighth bag is my favourite yet.

By number eight I finally know what I’m doing and can put a simple tote together fairly quickly.

By number eight I’m rather enjoying the quietly confident process of making, rather than stumbling along blindly, fingers crossed that it will all come together in the end.

By number eight I like knowing how a snip here and a tuck there will make a difference to the end result.

I’m especially pleased with this one as it’s made entirely from thrifted fabric. Purchased simultaneously, they seem to compliment each other perfectly. I used an embroidery hoop for the first time on this project too. Normally I scoff in the face of seemingly unnecessary gadgets and equipment, preferring more simple methods but it finally dawned on me that sometimes, other people really do know better. So I bought myself a hoop and, lo and behold my embroidery looks so much better.

It got me to thinking, what’s the most useful gadget or tip that you have gleaned through your own sewing experiences? I’d love to hear.

Ten things

Following Amanda's lead, here are ten February things that are making me happy right now.

1. Monkey love - a sock monkey made for Tommy this weekend as he was feeling a little neglected on the made-by-mummy front.

Thanks to Lucy for the tutorial link.

2. Rereading a childhood favourite.

3. Trying something new and loving it! This rink is a five minute walk from our house and as soon as the snow melts it will be converted to four tennis courts.

4. A new haircut, less 4 inches! A weight feels lifted, literally.

5. My favourite Greek food, Boureki, made by my mother in law.

6. A completed sewing project.

7. Playdates with good friends.

8. A video conference with my parents before they jet off on a holiday of a lifetime to South Africa. Hope you have a fabulous trip!

9. Passing the mid-winter point and enjoying more daylight.

10. Looking forward to a trip to Toronto this weekend. A long overdue visit to family.

A week of hearts :: Friday

Sweethearts

This is what I found under my pillow last night. In fact, similar notes have been left all over the house this past week. Tonnes of them. I can't imagine anything sweeter. I love the stamp and address - 142 is our house number.

Here's the peace offering that lead to forgiveness from my husband.

And a beautiful package arrived in the mail yesterday; goodies from Emily's giveaway which I won last week. How appropriate - thank you Emily.

Happy weekend all.

A week of hearts :: Thursday

Happy Valentine's Day!

Despite all of this hearty goodness, we're not really big on celebrating Valentine's day in this house and have no plans for this year (I'm in the dog house, see yesterday's post). Last year we splurged on a romantic dinner at a local, but pricey restaurant. The food was wonderful. The weather was awful - we were right in the middle of a big freeze and the temperature was around -20C or so. The restaurant was so cold we had to wear our coats whilst eating dinner - not exactly condusive to lighting the flames of passion!

But I digress, back to the hearts. Today is all about the hearts in my sewing. They keep popping up everywhere, I just can't help myself.

To date this is the only quilt I've ever finished. Machine pieced and hand quilted, this was a present for Ruby on her first birthday. Fortunately, she's still very fond of it. Tommy's still waiting for his...perhaps I'll have it done when he's eighteen! Poor boy.

Then there's this cute little birdy.

Actually, I could go on...but I'll save the rest for another time!

A week of hearts :: Wednesday

A taster from my not-so-small collection.

My favourite is the Welsh love spoon I bought for my husband after a "I've just had a baby, I'm exhausted and you don't understand" argument. Sound familiar? We were visiting friends who have a holiday home in the Mumbles, Swansea (where I went to University) for new years 2005. Tommy was only 4 months old and Ruby wasn't even 2. I have fond memories of it now but at the time I was in that horrible, tearful state brought on by countless sleepless nights, a colicky baby and constant breastfeeding. My poor husband often bore the brunt of my exhausted temper.

Yesterday night I reversed out of the garage straight into his car. I didn't tell him until today, but the evidence is there, plain to see on both cars. This time his forgiveness might take more than a love spoon.

A week of hearts :: Tuesday

It's not just me. Apparently my obsession is a genetic trait.

Ruby's drawings are full of hearts.

So are her favourite tights.

Valentimes cards for les amis at preschool. (I've yet to meet a preschooler who doesn't say Valentimes!)