A rare moment

In amongst all the picking up of stuff and cleaning of surfaces, body parts and clothes that is part of being a mum; there are those moments when time seems to stop and it's just you and them.  I just happened to catch Little Miss L when she was waking from her nap - still in that lovely sleepy state when her eyes look exactly the same as they did when she was a little baby and we have a cuddle and lay next to each other, nose to nose for while, looking into each others eyes.  We share an unspoken joke and giggle; she laughs at my raised eyebrows and wrinkled nose and trys to copy me.  There's another lovely cuddle and we're off downstairs to carry on our day.

These moments last a few minutes, they're getting far less frequent as she grows up but surely, this is what it's all about.

My First Costume Challenge

It's fancy dress at nursery tomorrow, so it's likely that mothers in the area have spent the night just as I have - putting together the costume.  I thought I would start simple given that she's only two and a half, in the midst of potty training and likely to spend the day covered in paint or scooting; I thought it best to avoid tails, wings and other appendages. I have a feeling there will be plenty of opportunities for these in the coming years.  Instead, I've gone for the simple "Incredibles" outfit and mask.

When I suggested this at bedtime, she was happy with the idea, I just hope she doesn't wake up wanting her current favourite....Shrek!  Fingers crossed she will actually where it in the morning.

I did my third craft fair on Sunday - the Duck Pond Market at Ruislip and had a really good day. It was a very late booking on Thursday which meant long hours over the following few days but I think that might have actually helped as I was FOCUSED. I knew what I wanted, what I needed, what I had to abandon for another day and I went for it - it was a bit of a success given that I did the last bit of sewing on Friday night and was able to spend Saturday night just "styling" (oooohh...get me!).

The market is held in a lovely old barn and as it was Mother's Day, there were lots of families out for the day. In my last post, I was feeling all negative about my product pictures and my displays so I put my thinking cap on and raided the house for bits and bobs and came up with this...

This is such am improvement from my last craft fair so feel really positive in the way things are going.  I had to use a lot of props as I currently have a few bag inners with no clasps as I'm waiting for a shipment.

I don't think I've introduced my new bags on the blog yet have I??  Well, here they are...

Hope you like them!

New skills

Do you ever compare yourself with others?  Of course you do, we all do it ...right?  How many times do you come off better? 

Recently I've been going along to other markets and checking out other peoples blogs and shops and the inevitable happens...I start to compare all my stuff with those I've seen and start to sink deeper and deeper into a hole of negativity.  I have a bit a habit of this.....I tend to over think things, reach the conclusion that I can't do it, strop around for a bit and then avoid the whole issue by focusing on something else.  I remember doing this with fractions at school, chemistry at university and tonnes of presentations at work.
Mr L gave me some simple advice..."it's just a skill you'll have to learn".   This hadn't actually occurred to me...but he's right.  So I've been working through this really great book to try to improve my photos:

This book is really useful; it has sections on how to improve your specific craft photos and how to better understand your camera.  So, fingers crossed.

Already, I think there's an improvement...

Next up, improving my displays.  Strop over for now.

A few weekends ago, my Mum and I went along to the Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft show at Bluewater.  This was my first time and I was hoping to be inspired by new techniques and products but we were both really disappointed!!  We left after an hour and a half feeling a little jaded and were caught by a market research lady who asked what we thought...so we told her, dissappointed with all the traditional items and kits available and were hoping for something more contemporary.

So after this disppointment, I felt the need to do something and dug out one of those free kits you get with books and magazines to make....

Ta da, the finished pencil case with cross-stitched flowers:

Only thing is.....it's not very contemporary is it????



Did you go to the show at Bluewater? What did you think?

My new sewing space

I'm excited today - my new sewing space is pretty much done.   I started sewing in June in the dining room having to get everything out and pack away again at the end of the day; a few months back, I moved up to the spare room but still had to pack everything away when we had visitors - this was my workspace (my table is tucked into the corner on the left!):

And now, I have this lovely space....

Everything organised and in it's place - lovely.  Now there's no excuse not to be working...right???



Dear washing machine,

Are you ok? Have I said something?  I think we've fallen out and I'm not sure why - are you playing mind games with me?

Everytime I put on a freshly washed pair of jeans you send me into a dither making me think I have gone up at least 2 dress sizes.  This is just cruel.  I can't bend down properly all day let alone eat a full meal - Day 2 seems to have eased a little (possibly down to the lack of food on Day 1) and then by Day 3, it's comfort all the way however the jeans are now in need of another wash and I'm back to square 1.

I thought we were friends, I use branded washing powder and even water softener to ease your joints but lately you seem to be squeezing me out - literally.   Please, please don't make my jeans so tight and I promise to give you a day off every now and then.

Can we be friends again?
Mrs L. xx