QUIET TIME

As 2016 began the realisation that my baby goes to school THIS YEAR hit me (excuse me while I pause to weep a while). With Phiney at nursery three afternoons a week, plus Thursday at my Nan's house, we only have Friday quiet time - two hours when Coralie's sleeping, after lunch - where it's just Josephine and I. I made the decision to spend the first half an hour at least of this time creating, baking, reading, puzzling or playing something specific to ensure some real quality mama/daughter time. It can be hard with two children (especially when Coralie's still very much into destroying puzzles and eating colouring pencils and sequins!), meeting friends, nursery and park trips to find the time, but it's vital for both of us.
Josephine loves her quiet time. It's her opportunity to play, read or watch her favourite film without the attention of her (adored, of course!) baby sister, so I didn't want to take all her time. So having something planned ensured time was well spent.
A couple of weeks ago I ordered some of Cotton Twist's kits, which I've been long admiring on Alexis' IG. They're sweet and simple and take just the right amount of time to create. I went with the Pirate Catapult and Football Game, and Alexis was kind enough to pop in a couple of others to try too.
Last week Josephine picked the Football Game to try out and I can't recommend these little packs enough. They include everything you need and Josephine was able to do it all (except tie the string to the goal posts) herself, which left her feeling very proud. Perfect for our Miss Independent. She loved moulding the clay, personalising the little goalie and constructing the goal posts.
And the best thing about all Cotton Twist's crafts are they offer plenty of playtime once they're made. We took it in turns to flick the pompom ball at the goalie and we even had a penalty shoot out (Josephine won.) It's been living on our dining table since Friday and we've all been playing with it. Phiney is really excited to make another this week, and I can't wait for more precious allotted time to sit down and do this with her.
Time goes so fast, and carving out these moments is so worth it. We both had a lovely time, laughing and talking and creating. The perfect mama/daughter date.

This is not a sponsored post, just a lovely product I wanted to share :)

PARK LIFE

When the sun is shining on a Saturday morning, the only thing to do is pack a picnic and head to the park. Sandcastles in the sandpit, walking-practice and (when you're the small one who loves to eat said sand) cuddles with Mama and Daddy.

Oh and that dragon head?! Josephine and Ben got crafty before we went to the park (while I slept in...heaven!) and made this absolutely brilliant mask. It's even better in real life. A keeper, for sure.

DREAMY ARTWORK

A few weeks ago, Josephine and Ben got messy in the bathroom (our painting room of choice...it's huge and has easy to wipe clean laminate floors!) and created some amazing pieces of artwork. One is hanging in her bedroom and the other is still taped to our living room wall while we find a frame big enough to house it forever.

Phiney got so many amazing crafty bits and bobs for Christmas and her birthday, she created this piece using some foam stamps and to begin with we just loved the colours. Then, after we taped it to the wall, we realised it looked like a tree on the left. A few days later, it occurred to us that the bit on the right hand side looked remarkably like a man and woman, flying away from the tree; her wearing a bonnet with a trailing skirt, and him in a suit, both wearing sunglasses. Fairies, in the forest; Titania and Oberon.

Can you see it? I hope so! It's such an amazing piece. We will cherish it forever.

HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS: one week to go

This time next week, Christmas Day will be coming to an end. We'll be sat on the sofa, looking through all our lovely presents, tummies full of the most delicious food. But with one week to go, there's still plenty of festive fun to be had. Over the last month or so, Josephine, Ben and I have been putting our hands to some Christmas crafting and I thought I'd share some of the best in case you're looking for some quick, easy and cheap ideas to do with the children. Or, just by yourself! 

What did we do before Pinterest? Both the hand print Christmas tree posters and finger print Christmas tree cards were inspired by the site and have both been greatly received; by both Josephine and our friends and family. The silver bells (cut up egg boxes, wrapped in foil and threaded with ribbon) is a must-do for all infant schoolers in the UK and I remember making them when I was small. It's wonderful to have our first Phiney-made decoration on the tree and I can't wait to see what the coming years will add to the stash. 

The Father Christmas face cards were Ben's idea, and were completed while Mama was spoiled to a lovely long lie-in recently. Ben used pieces of scrap felt and cotton wool and Phiney did all the gluing and sticking. Those Santa faces are the cutest I've seen this year.

Ben and Josephine also created the sweet little tree for her doll's house. They collected some fern from the green in front of our house and, after Ben fashioned a base from this and that, they adorned it with tiny sprigs of flowers from the garden, brightly coloured strands of wool and a little star sticker for the top. 

Finally, the best Christmas craft, and one every age can have fun with (if you don't have a nearly-two year old in the mix think rows of triangle potato stamps or polka dots in neon) is stamping your own wrapping paper. Josephine and I collected huge leaves in the park one day and, after we dried them out, we smothered them in poster paints and stamped them on lengths of craft paper I found from Ikea. Ben also cut holly leaves and star stamps from potatoes for a particularly festive design. We've wrapped up as many presents as we can using our own paper, all tied with pretty ribbons from Mama's ribbon jars, and we think they look pretty darn good. 

What have been your favourite Christmas crafts this year? 

THE HOMEMAKER SERIES: CRAFT

I have loved the process of crafting since I was small. There's nothing more satisfying than starting a project, choosing which materials to use and creating a design, then learning new skills and processes and ultimately completing something unique. I've made cushions and clothes, laundry bags and toys, all for the fun of it. 

But right now, more than anything, I'm loving practical projects. Crafting for a reason. When time is short, it's good to know that what I'm making is fulfilling a purpose. And to be honest, with a deadline that often accompanies such projects (birthdays, mother's day, Easter, the need for new baby clothes after Josephine has had a growth spurt) I'm more likely to actually finish the piece. 

My current crafting obsession is making cards. If you're looking for a simple, yet oh so satisfying new hobby, making cards like these will have you hooked in no time. My beautiful friend Laura gave Josephine one of the best first birthday cards (a simple '1' in red stars on crisp white card) and then made the sweetest thank you cards to send friends and family for the presents they received after the birth of their second baby (brown paper baby-gros on a washing line of stitching). She's the card-making queen and I totally stole this idea from her. We've been known to have in-depth text conversations about this hobby. We're cool like that. 

There are many reasons why this hobby is so pleasing. Firstly, I love sending cards so it's very handy having a stash ready to give. I think it's a habit I've inherited from my Grandma, although my lovely Icelandic friend Bibi said that it's a very English thing to do too. As well as birthday cards and thank you notes, there are cards to welcome babies to the world and cards to keep up with penpals that make their way across oceans. And, as my sister (a fellow card-giver enthusiast) and I were discussing in a card shop a few weeks ago, cards are so reflective of your style that finding the ideal design in a shop can be a real mission. Making your own ensures a piece of stationary that suits your aesthetic tastes perfectly and is totally unique.

And secondly, cards are so blooming expensive (I could easily spend £4 on a card; finding anything cheaper yet pretty is near to impossible) that making my own fits very happily in our living on a budget. Plus, while some new crafty hobbies can take a bit of an investment financially, this one instead offers the perfect opportunity to use all those fabric scraps I've accumulated from other projects. 

HOW TO
1. Fold and cut your card into the size and shape desired. 
2. Get designing with all the scraps of fabric you've kept but have been wondering what to do with. Small, cute babies are very helpful with this part. Seriously, it's a great one to do with the kids. Phiney spends ages happily rummaging through my fabric box!
3. Use a small dab of fabric glue to attach your design to the card, to ensure it doesn't slip while you're sewing. 
4. Using a zigzag stitch (or something similar) stitch round the design, remembering to keep it as neat as possible; you'll see the stitching on the inside don't forget. 

I think my favourites so far are the bunting designs (they would make the sweetest invitations too) and the flower birthday card I made for my lovely friend Amy. You should definitely give this craft a go. So easy and simple, yet really effective and fun. 

ps. In my mind the only thing as good as handmade is vintage. So if you're looking for the perfect card but don't have the time to make your own head over here. Emily has just opened her store and it's so good. SO good. 

THE HOMEMAKER SERIES: CRAFT

For the longest time, I've always strived to make the presents we give. For Christmas, birthdays, Valentines Day and Easter; for my family and friends, from the young to the old. I believe there is something truly beautiful about crafting something unique and made with love for the people I love. I get so excited about the giving of these gifts, and am always so happy and touched to see how well they are received. To see the samplers I've stitched hanging on the wall, the cushions I've sewn sitting on a sofa, the booties I've knitted keeping little toes warm. 

Ben and I, as far back as I can remember, have always handmade the majority of our gifts to each other and when Josephine came into our lives, we decided to keep up this sweet tradition. To ensure there was always at least one present we'd crafted for her under the Christmas tree or to celebrate her birthday. How wonderful to have a home full of such treasures. 

For her first birthday, we knew we wanted to create something extra special. Something that Josephine would adore, would use for years to come and would always remember with fondness as something her Mama and Papa made with their own hands. 

The Internet is a marvellous thing for a whole bunch of reasons, but if you love craft and DIY, it offers a scrapbook of the most amazing ideas. I have spent hours scrolling the pages of blog after blog, inspired by insanely cool projects, although the girls over at A Beautiful Mess are hard to beat. And when I stumbled upon their Make Your Own A-Frame Tent tutorial, I knew I'd found exactly what we were looking for, and Ben instantly agreed. After all, what one year old wouldn't love their own little house; somewhere to hide away with their favourite toys and host tea parties with their buddies. And what Mama and Papa wouldn't love to get in there too and visit the little world of their little one. 

If you're stuck for ideas as to what to get the special kiddo in your life, I urge you to head to your DIY store, get out the drill and get creating. They'll love you for it, believe me. Josephine spends a good chunk of every day in her tent, as do I, and it's the sweetest thing to find her in there sharing her raisins and chatting with Teddy.

And don't forget - you can save a pretty penny making the gifts you give. Josephine's tent cost us under £20, including the cost of wood, material and trimmings. A beautiful bargain. 

JOSPEPHINE'S A-FRAME TENT - THE DETAILS
For Phiney's tent we used a huge scarf I bought about five years ago in H&M and had never used because, well, it was absolutely huge. It was the ideal thing for this tent though, as it was slightly see-through so ensured the tent was nice and light inside and that Phiney could see out. Some bobbled trimmings added some sweet detail and we put some tape (green washi tape in our case, so much more aesthetically pleasing!) on either side of each join to ensure the pieces didn't slip at all.

MY FAVOURITE PICKS
The A-Frame Tent not for you? Here are a few other awesome tutorials from A Beautiful Mess that we love. That kitchen? Most definitely on the list as a future present for Josephine.
^^ DIY drums
^^ DIY kitchenette
^^ Play Teepee

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Finally getting round to posting some of my beautiful Christmas presents; this year I really scored, with pieces from lovely shops and designers.

It's not hard to work out what my two favourite colours are right now, although I have to admit it wasn't until I gathered everything to take these pictures that I realised to what extent. And the blue velvet cushion? I bought the makings for that with some Christmas money after this lady inspired me with these beauties. I would have chosen it in green or pink (I'm also loving a bit of neon right now) but the fabric shop near us is hardly velvet central. The blue looks pretty rockin' on our bed though I have to say, and I'm pleased with my first attempt at a round cushion.

The Boy did especially well with my awesome Donna Wilson cushion and Scandinavian style wooden bird, but my favourite present has to be Rob Ryan's A Sky Full of Kindness. I read it on Christmas Day morning as we lazed around in bed and it's the most beautiful story. I am thankful everyday that I have Ben, now more than ever, and can never quite believe that I lucked out in finding him. A girl has to treasure a boy whose present choices are so spot on.

AND still to come ... a few Paumes books and the new Milk Decoration from this newly discovered and absolutely brilliant online store, courtesy of my Mum. I like to spread the receiving of gifts out a bit!

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These are a few of the crazy felt creatures my sister Dora and I spent Wednesday and Friday evening crafting. Two for our nephews for Christmas and one for the bub, plus Dora made one for her god daughter Zen and Zen’s brother Edyn, who’s due next month. What a rabble of friendly monsters for the kiddos in our lives.

The templates and instructions to make these are by the genius Felt Mistress in this month’s Mollie Makes magazine, one of my new favourites. Packed with ideas, patterns and interviews from crafters, bloggers and generally very clever creative people, it’s a darn good read.

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It’s been a crafty old place round here over the last few weeks, what with mammoth Happy Circus orders, quilts, pillows, presents and what not all being made. Most recently? Some crazy felt creatures my sister and I have been making for nephews, god-daughters and unborn babies.

Next on my list though, and maybe one for when Maternity Leave starts, is a cloud. And there’s some amazing inspiration out there on the cloud front, believe me. Colours and faces and falling raindrops; how’s a girl to choose what to include? I do love Kristi’s though. It’s utter simplicity is so calm and lovely, don’t you think? And now I’ve mastered the blanket stitch (something I got very excited about – overly excited you might say) I’m good to go…

These clouds? A whole host from the always wonderful Donna Wilson.

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Back in August, when we weren’t soaking up the sun in St Ives, hours were spent around the table in our little Cornish cottage colouring with these two monkeys. Some amazing artwork was created let me tell you, and then and there B and I decided that a piece by our beautiful nephews was a must for the nursery. Of course there needed to be a bit of planning involved, otherwise it would turn out as a Transformer shooting fire out of a laser (see Ty's picture currently stuck on our fridge). So thanks to an article in an old issue of Frankie (cheers again Bianca) we were inspired to come up with a collage of sorts.

Flip to this afternoon and chaos with the colouring pencils had broken out. We all had so much fun. Those boys are imaginative and hilarious. What a lucky baby ours is to have such cousins. I reckon they’ll all be pretty good buddies.