Sick Days

Sick days. They come with the territory of winter, somewhat.

We try to count our blessing through the stress of it regardless. We have medicine, warmth, comfortable sofas and chairs, a mama sitting standing by, cups of tea, cuddles, stories and, let's face it - an iPad. Alhamdulillah.

With every hardship comes relief. This too will pass.

The Ripple Effect

I'm not much of a fan of the art of crochet, really. I'm definitely happier with two sticks rather than one. But you would hardly think it to look at my crafting recently, with a slew of granny squares cascading off the hook at a rate of knots.

I do however like the effect of crochet when other people do it - I'm just not so sure mine is very neat.

One thing I do like about crochet is the way it grounds me firmly in my childhood and memories of my nana (who was a queen of all forms of crafting - you name it, she could do it) who crocheted a number of things I still possess in our home. Nothing says 'granny' like a crocheted blanket does it? And nothing says 'granny chic' like a ripple blanket.

And that's another thing that makes me think 'home comforts' - blankets. I have a stack of them - woollen ones, quilted ones, handknit ones, crochet ones. And still I find room for more - home comfort is snuggling and lolling around with a blanket.

So as well as the blankets already made, I'm in the process of making yet another for the sitting room in granny squares, and a buzzing in my head about yet another hand knit log cabin one too. Gah. I know - Scott of the Antartic needed a mama like me. I didn't really want to commit to another blanket just yet, but did so want to have a go at a ripple blanket - what to do?






Well I came up with this :: a ripple cowl, long enough to twist twice into a snug cowl, or long enough to hang as a snood (just like the Honey Honey knit up a while back which has been draped around my neck constantly these last few nippy weeks (er,hello June)).

Using Lucy's very clear and precise instructions I was up and running with this pattern in no time (seems complicated to start with but one row and it's plain sailing) and this snood was finished in an evening. Which is another thing to endear me to crochet - it is so very quick.

If you would like to whip up a cowl like this yourself then hop on over to Attic 24 for the pattern and start with a chain of 213 like I did for the same length. And then hop back on over here to tell me about it!

Happy hooking.


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Colour Blind

So. We had discussed it over the winter months - the time to redecorate the boys' room was fast approaching with Springtime around the corner. Their room had been slowly sliding into a midden for a while and an overhaul was long overdue, and this weekend winter plans were dusted down and made real.





In my mind I had envisaged duck egg, or antique silver with cream trim. Maybe a manly mint and grey combo?







Yeah... and that's the thing with raising freerange kids - they have, like, minds of their own, and can be mighty firm in their identities and decisions... short-hand for :: the boys didn't want duck egg blue or antique silver with cream trim. Oh no. They wanted cardinal red, bermuda blue and tropical lime green.

I managed to talk them off the cardinal-red ledge but they were not budging on the blue-green combo...







On one hand I'm impressed with their ability to compromise, make decisions, know what they want and be grateful for the redecorating. On the other hand? Well, on the other hand, I have tropical lime green in my house, people.







Come on in!











The boys were VERY happy - pleased as punch - giggling and hopping on one foot kinda happy. I am accepting it gracefully - I mean, not everybody has a room that matches a LeapPad do they? I have plans for one or two accessories to add to the room - art on the walls - a couple of cushions, maybe another floor quilt - perhaps I'll get to finish off those mama-made hand-sewn quilts that are STILL on the WIP pile (and as an aside - a bright orange quilt really will match this room nicely yes?).

It has a carnival feel to it, and the fact that it makes my babes happy is more than enough reason for me to love it too.



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Bake 'Til You Drop

I've been away. Away from home and blog and family too!

Last week I went home to my parents' house and left the boys and their Daddy alone to party like it's Nineteen Ninety-Nine hold the fort until I could make it back.

It's true that with three males alone in the house there was a certain degree of funk to shift upon my return. But it didn't really bother me. Life is short so why sweat the small stuff, especially when important stuff like baking needs doing.

Home is :: Mummy making cookies and scones and goodies for tired, hungry babes after playing outside on their bikes in the hot spring sunshine.

And even though I'm tired, sad, heavy-hearted and planning a speedy return up North, I'm glad to be home.

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Healing Pillows

Last weekend I took the time to finally get around to making something that I've intended to make for, um, years :: healing pillows.



For a long time I have been meaning to make these simple pillows to place in our 'healing basket' to bring ease in time of pain. Either heated or frozen these simple items can reduce swelling or give sweet relief to aches and pains.

Quite simply they are bags of uncooked rice with lavender and chamomile with an outer cover made, in this case, of vintage woolen blankets. The perfect little project - both repurposed and purposeful to bring a home comfort to those I love.



It took the plight of someone I love to be in pain for me to jump into action, cursing myself all the while as to why it is that it has take a catastrophe for me to be prepared.

I need to make a couple more, smaller ones for the freezer, for the inevitable bumps and bruises that are part of the territory of boy life. And perhaps a slender one with a silky cover for the eyes to aid relaxation in stressed babes (and their mama!).



Such a simple object that brings such comfort. Why not make a couple for your babes too?

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