Linaloo

No Ikea

Like many I’m sure, I have mixed feelings about Ikea. There are many things not to like, too much plastic, the whole mass production element, environmentally not so sound (although they claim to be), I could go on. But the thing is, some of the stuff is just so cool and well designed (even if the execution is not so great) that I can’t help being impressed.

I went there today with the children (the first time I’ve ever taken them and they begged me to leave them in the play area – I hadn’t really clocked how child-friendly Ikea is before). I went to get this, (tencil wire for my kitchen curtains) although I knew I may be tempted elsewhere….

I go in resolute not to spend more than $100 as obviously I don’t need anything. I head straight to the market place, the most dangerous area and pick up the wire. Hmmm that fabric looks good, just a metre please, ok and that one and that one too please.

Oh, will you look at that retro green velvet design on those curtains – perfect for my naked lounge windows, I’ll take ‘em.

And so on.

Until I end up spending just over $200. But, (that’s a shopping BUT) in my defense, I do actually need curtains for my living room and I do actually need a frame for the imminent arrival of something from here.

Pumpkin Overload

I had thought about making this a pumpkin week here, but I think I may have had my fill already. I find them hard to resist. I love their shape and colour, such a quirky fruit the pumpkin, don't you agree? The house is now littered with different sizes and shapes of pumpkin bought in my local market in anticipation of being carved for Halloween. Still to come is our preschool pumpkin picking field trip next week along with an evening of pumpkin tart making (yes that's tart, not pie) with my craft group.

On the craft front, my plan for this week is to make curtains for the kitchen. We have ginormous doors from our kitchen out onto the deck which are fabulous and let in so much light. But, as the nights draw in, I'd like to make the kitchen feel a little cozier and more private. Unfortunately the house came with vertical blinds which, whilst functional, are dreadful. Apologies to anyone who has these, but personally, apart from the Roman variety (of which I have lots), I cannot bear blinds. So office like. So these are going this week. Curtains are my sewing comfort zone - but these will be a bit of a departure, involving embellishment...

Tuesday Treasures - Wood

Tuesday is the day my blog will be about the people, places, moments and general things that I treasure. This seems like a good way of reflecting on what's important to me and sharing (exposing?!) a little more about myself.

My first treasure is wood. I'm sure this is an inherited trait from my Dad who is a serious wood worker. In recent years, my Mum has had to deal with spare wood (mostly rescued from old bits of furniture and skips) stashed all over the house. In his semi-retirement he has built his own workshop in the garden (no ordinary workshop I tell you, it's made from cotswold stone, has a wood burning stove and rural views to die for). Anyhow he has made many things over the years; toys and furniture mostly. He has a lathe, he turns things, spinning tops and bowls! They're beautiful.

My favourite wood is oak. Hands down. I love that its so solid, strong and sturdy, that it seems very English somehow. We used to live in Windsor and my daily commute would take me through the heart of Windsor Great Park where the oak trees were simply stunning. I was thrilled when I realised that the house we recently bought has its very own oak tree.

My parent's wedding present to us was an oak dresser, handmade by a good friend of my Dads. I chose the design and he made it - it took 6 months and the back of it is a dance floor salvaged from an old Royal Air Force station. Handsome seems to be the best word to describe it.

Unfortunately we never got around to the next step of chairs and a table before we started our family. We've been on the look out for a table since we moved to Canada. Finally we have a large enough house to accommodate a grown-up dining room set. I'd not really seen anything that's caught my eye, but last week I stumbled on one in a thrift store not far from where we live. OK, so its oak veneer, not solid, but it feels solid, it's the perfect size (with two extra leaves when we have a full house) and, most importantly, I love it!

Dirty love

I decided that I should start off sewing with things that I’m actually in need of. My laundry room is in the basement and I have a rather horrible habit of throwing dirty laundry (mostly towels and dish cloths) straight down the stairs from my kitchen, fully intending to put it in the washing machine later. Not so bad perhaps, apart from my poor husband works down there and has become a frequent victim of random flying dirty laundry attacks.

So I made this to hang on the back of the door to the basement.

Problem solved.

I love you my darling x.

Organizing

OK, I said no cleaning, but I didn’t mean no organizing. There’s a difference surely? We moved house a few months ago and I vowed to make the most of the all too short summer choosing family fun over sorting out the clutter. I can bury my head in the sand no longer, its time to tackle the chaos, room by room.

I've actually taken to virtual organizing, spending hours reading the routines, schedules, tips and advice here and here.

Truth be told though, I’m more likely to spend time making nice little lists and timetables when actually I just need to get on with it. So, instead of indulging in a list, I’ve simply decided to devote my 2 child free hours, one day a week to blitz the mess in each room. The theory is that then I’ll have a blank canvas for bigger jobs like painting and finishing touches (that is of course, assuming that the house actually stays tidy for any length of time….)

First up: kitchen.