Laundry & Other Challenges

For the first time, I'm joining a linky party!  I love the Freckled Laundry... and this weekend's party is all about textiles.  Hence the title of my post.  Does folding your own weight in laundry count as "textile related"?  It sure isn't very creative, I can tell you.  Apart from folding the queen-sized fitted sheet from my bed.  That requires a high degree of creativity. 

Apart from folding 7 day's laundry in 1 evening, I've also tackled a bit more sewing this weekend.

This cute person was on her way to an Ice-Skating party...

And of course, we needed a special gift for her sweet friend.  Turning 7 is a big deal.  My 6-year-old is already planning her party.  She turned 6 at the end of March.

Here's one excited party-goer modelling the gift I whipped up - a rib headband with yellow rib flower, and a handy-dandy apron for baking with Mum.  Complete with yo-yos for crafty style.

I've had this apron in mind for some time now.  I wanted a curved neckline and curved hem.  It's hard to see on the denim, but there are two little pleats along the waistline for shape. 

This is the best close-up I got. 

I didn't have time to tie it up nicely - we had to get to the party!

Little People

I adore newborn babies.  You can just pour your love on them. 

I love one-year-olds.  They're sweet and routined, and easy to care for. 

Two and three year-olds?  They can be a challenge, let's be honest! 

There are tears... and tantrums.  Their language hasn't caught up with their brain, so they find it difficult to express themselves.  And even if they did - would we really want to know? 

I'm not going to list this child's misdemeanours - he has had a challenging toddlerhood.  As a baby he was practically perfect in every way... he slept and fed like a dream.  Then he woke up and realised that everyone else could move, and he couldn't.  Frustration set in, he was so determined to move he taught himself to roll all around the house - he even rolled down the stairs (ouch!). 

A similar thing happened when he turned two - everyone else could talk and he couldn't.  He's spent the past 18 months screaming at us. 

He never stopped being cute.  He just wanted to be in control.  He does give the best hugs in our whole family - if you can get one out of him!

Lately his language has flourished.  He says some extremely cute things.  I tell him he's cute.  His response is "I'm not cute - I'm happy!".  So cute!!

We had a brilliant day at home together today.  I was cleaning the girl's room - it was long overdue for a proper blitz.  My little helper found the window cleaner and the dish brush, and scrubbed the windows for me.  We went to the shops and he didn't run off or throw himself on the ground once.  I was so delighted I had to feed him iceblocks.

Every season comes to an end eventually.  I can see we're beginning to turn a corner.  It makes all that consistent and (sometimes) patient discipline worth it. 

Raise your teacups with me friends, here's to a new day!

Miss 5 Turns 6

Here's a little something I threw together... literally, in less than a week!  I was keen on a sweet, simple tea party, not many children, raspberry lemonade in the teapot.  But my girl was totally into this cute party from The Tortoise and The Hare, and had her heart set on a Supergirl Party. 
She invited six close friends, rather than the usual 12 or so... we asked them not to bring gifts.  I made them all capes, and they decorated their own masks before heading off on a secret mission... to rescue someone very special. 

Decorating masks

Searching for clues in the big rescue

The rescue mission included hidden easter eggs...

...and it led them right down the garden path

And eventually found...

a brand new friend!

What party is complete without a cake covered in lollies?

Did you like the bunny?  He was a gift from our lovely friends Spike and Dizzy (not their real names, obviously, but that's what we all call them!).  Spike and Dizzy got married recently, I'm going to do some posts about their beautiful wedding. 
You may have noticed Spiderman was there... my boys weren't having anything to do with their capes!  After the party, Spiderman changed his mind and asked me for his cape.  Typical.
The boy's capes are denim, the girls are from whatever fabrics I had lying around.  I made the decision to raid my stash rather than buy in (although I was sorely tempted). 
Sometimes limitations force creativity to blossom in unexpected ways.
Goodnight, lovely little cyber friends xxx

Robot Wallet Tutorial

Hey friends!  Thought I'd surprise y'all with a little tutorial. 

Disclaimer: I am not a very professional sewer, more a "whipper upper".  Perfect is not my middle name.  Neither is Tallulah.  Just so ya know.

This is the front pocket of my son's school shorts - they were getting a bit thin in the backside, so I cut all the pockets off - thought they might come in handy!  I decided to make him a wallet, just in case he suddenly springs into a fit of chore-completion.  I'm prepared.  Any time, son...

I found some nice pale blue corduroy for the backing.  Here's the tutorial bit:

Cut backing to size.  Cause ya couldn't figure that out on your own!  Don't worry, it gets better.

At this stage, it's very important not to spill your Earl Grey tea. 

If you did spill your tea, or like me, just plain finished it, go make another.  While the jug's boiling, whip out your handy-dandy bar of soap, and mark your preferred width of wallet - most pockets are too wide.  So you just cut that bit off.

 Decorate the front of your wallet.  Boys can be tricky, but we like robots.  I thought about arms & legs, and realised that it could be the very last thing I make if I attempted them.  So - this robot has button wheels.  Beware - most children will ask "where are his arms?".  Prepare answer while completing robot.

Then fold your wallet up so you can make sure Mr Robot's in the correct place.  This is a very important step - don't skip it!!  Press your fabric before fixing Mr Robot in place. 

                            

I drew his face on with permanent marker.  I was going to glue him down, in fact, I did glue him down.  Then I remembered the monsters and teapots incident, and stitched him on too.  It really didn't take that long, and alleviates future frustration. 

Now with right sides together, sew around your wallet.  Leave a generous gap for turning your wallet right-side-out, especially if you're using denim - it's really thick. 

Take a break while you make a very nice ice-cream sandwich, for a child who ate two dinners and was still hungry.  Ballet and tennis today - makes a girl peckish!  She has a wiggly tooth, can you tell?

While you're making dessert, turn right-side out, trim seam allowance and snip corners.  Then stitch closed.

 

Stitch on some snaps.

 

Make another ice-cream sandwich - this little shooga boog got the ballet trophy today.  The boys were too busy to eat dinner tonight.  And I was too busy to make any more ice-cream sandwiches.

And voila!  Here is our cute robot wallet!  He may not have arms, but he doesn't need them.  He has LASERS.