Installment #2 - CAUTION:Contains mild crafting

Twice in one day. I have much to tell. :)

Do you remeber way back when I mentioned something very exciting had come up but I couldn't say anything right away? Well now I can tell you (although now it's a little late thanks to our lovely internet connection). I was asked if my crochet hair bows could be in Inside Crochet Magazine! Woo hoo! Someone likes me!

First page of the spread.

Second page of the spread. Look! Look! There we are! Bottom left.

I ofcourse said yes, and the issue that is in shops right now has a feature called "things we like" and there I am! Well, actully, there the small person is, modelling my large aqua crochet hair bow. The very sad news of this is, I can't seem to get hold of a copy! If anyone has any idea where I might be able to find one, please let me know!

They did send me a pdf of the spread (jpegs of which I've posted above), but it's not the same as having the solid paper there in your hands to grin stupidly at.

I also have more new exciting news that you'll have to wait and see about in a few more weeks time! I hope you like being kept in suspenders! :)

Other crochet type crafting that has taken place includes this cushion cover I made for the small person's bedroom to match her new bed covers and curtains (that I still haven't finished). She loves it, I love it, Mr Bogert just about gets it, so it's all good. I love crocheting bobbles! I would cover all the soft furnishings in crochet bobbles if I didn't think it would look odd and people would think I was crazy.

Bobble front of cushion

Back of cushion showing pink star button fastenings.

As you may or may not remember, I helped teach my mum to crochet last year and then bought her a set of crochet hooks and made a roll to keep them in for Christmas. Well she's really taken to it and has started to collect "the art of crochet" and make the squares for the throw they give instructions for. It's going to look great when it's finished. I thought I'd like to have a go at making a throw the same design, so she's lending me each installment when she's finished with it. So far I have 2 squares, but would have had 5 if I could work out where I'd put my pink yarn. I found it, I thought "that's the colour I need", I put it somewhere ready to use and the house pixies hid it again! (It's probably with that elastic I never found).

Apologies for this interuption in services.....

I know, I know. Where on earth have I been? Mainly swearing at the internet (or lack of it) we seem to be back up and running (hope I haven't spoken too soon) although at a much slower speed. Yay to technology (again). Perhaps it just doesn't like me?!

Lots of things to show and tell to catch up. I thought perhaps it would be best to break them down into bitesize chunks. It'll stop me gettting confused and wandering off to a completely different subject. Trust me on this one or just ask Mr Bogert.

So first things first. Well done Bessy Bear! She did go through with the zip wire leap if faith across the shopping centre roof and we were all very proud of her. £45 raised by Alexandra and Bessy Bear will be handed in shortly ready to go to the NSPCC. We did however forget to take the camera, so the only picture we have is the one taken by the shopping centre staff that we was emailed to me this morning.

We had a little hiccup after the daring event. The small person insisted that Bessy bear needed the toilet an couldn't wait. I thought this was code for Alexandra really needs the toilet and can't wait, so told Mr Bogert we'd see him on the car park level above in a minute.

I found out that Bessy bear needs the toilet was not code for anything as I found myself having to hold Bessy bear above a toilet in pretend wee mode. The things parents do.

Anyway, we got to the escalator to take us up one level to where Mr Bogert was waiting for us, I had her hand tightly and I said ready, then I got on and the small person didn't. I tired to step backwards to get back to her, but had heels on and couldn't move fast enough, so I let go of her hand because I was going to pull her over. I then turned fully around to try to make my way back down the steps, and she decided to get on on her own, but out her hands on the glass/plastic siding that doesn't move and it pulled her over onto her bottom, but because the steps were still moving she couldn't get up and rolled, and to my horror she just kept rolling on the bottom steps. She started to panic calling out for me, I was completely panicking trying to get back down the steps and then a member of staff at the shopping centre ran over and hit the emergency stop.

Never before have I been so scared! My hands were shaking (and I even had a little cry when we got back to the car!) She was unhurt, but I just kept thinking what if her clothes or hair got caught in the steps? It was a horrifying moment that seemed to take ages, but in reality was just a few seconds.

Both the small person and I did recover from the escalator incident and so the week carried on. She took Bessy Bear and the certificate into pre-school last Thursday to show everyone and tell them all about it (bears in the air, not the other). She did such a good job she got a special gold star sticker award in her record book. She's extremely pleased with herself.

We also had confirmation of Alexandra's school place ready for September. She's got a place at our first choice school. (Yes Heather, it's St Nicks). Not sure what I'll be thinking in September when my small person leaves me to start school life. I'm not going to know what to do with myself!

We have also been drawing up a list of wonderful things to purchase for toddler group. I asked the mum's, childminders and nan's who bring children to toddlers, and I also asked the volunteers, especially Sheila, who used to run the group for many years. We chose things based on what needs replacing because it is old broken or unsafe, and also things that we don't have to offer the children. There were certain areas we were definitely lacking in (such as baby floor activity mats and role play items). Now I just need to type it up and see which is the most urgently required, then work towards the rest. That I do feel optimistic about.

So that's catch up installment number one. Come back for part 2 later today. There will be something I was ver excited about in that post!

Snakes alive!

Today at toddler group I stuck to my plan and we printed patterns on cardboard snakes.


We used red, orange and pink poster paint and we printed with some rollers, sponges, bottole lids (including the large ones from the top of fabric softener bottles) and cotton reels.


There's loads of other things you could try printing with - vegetables (potatoes, carrots etc), scrunched up paper, bags and old tights, bubble wrap, stripped corrugated card, household utensils (potato masher, washing up brush/sponge) the list goes on and on!

Next week we're going to decorate some paper fans and cardboard dragons ready for Chinese new year (starts 14th Feb).

Can you help me feel brave for the NSPCC?

Hello everyone! My name is Bessy Bear and I belong to Alexandra.

I know you're normally used to Mrs Mummy writing about things she makes on here, but today she's letting me talk to you all. You see, the thing is, I'm doing something very brave next Sunday, and I'm starting to feel a little bit nervous and scared.

It was Alexandra's idea and because she's so nice to me and plays with me and looks after me, I wanted to make her happy, and now she's so excited! The shopping centre in our town is raising money for the NSPCC which Mrs Mummy said helps lots of children who aren't as lucky as Alexandra. So I said I would join in to help. It's called "Bears in the Air".

I'm being sponsored to fly across a zip wire at the very top of the shopping centre!

Now you can see why I'm getting a bit scared. What if I'm too scared of how high I am? What if my knees turn to jelly? What if everyone can see under my dress as I fly across? I told Mrs Mummy (because I didn't want to worry Alexandra) and she tried to make me feel better, but she also said whenever she feels upset or nervousor worried she can always talk to her lovely friends on here to make her feel better. She said I could try the same thing, so do you think you could all make me feel a bit braver? I don't want to let down my sponsors or Alexandra.

Mrs Mummy has just given me one thing to make me less scared and a bit more brave.

Pants! Not just any pants either. She says they're super pants! Now I don't need to be scared of people seeing under my dress!

Winners, Yup, More than one!

Well the time has come to announce my give away winners. There are 3 (for reasons that become obvious if you read the original post!) so well done to Natty (also known as Natalie) of Nats Nest who said

"ooo, ooo I want to enter! (super cute brooch)I'm really proud of the doll I made for the momiji contest last year (she didn't win, but I love her, and it was my first attempt at a doll). You can see a picture here http://nataliebwilson.blogspot.com/search/label/momiji%20couture"

I thought the doll you made was super cute, and the name was perfect!
and well done Mrs Woo (also know as Felicia) of Made for you by Mrs Woo who said

"I am so lucky to have wonderful crafty people in my life, I always have done, so there are lots of amazing things that have been given to me, but the one I treasure most is my Union Jack pincushion made by YOU! I was thinking about it in my sewing box the other day and dreaming of how I'll still have it and be able to remember what it commemorates and how lovely it was to get such a thoughtful gift as a total surprise! I love it, thanks so much for the special keepsake Vicky! I really do treasure it a great deal and am looking forward to passing it down {and the accompanying card} through my family x"

Which of course made me blush! (Very pleased to have made something which was so well recieved and loved.)

and thirdly to Heather (yes, potato salad Heather), one of my oldest and dearest friends who lives far too far away for my liking, who said

"This giveaway is intriguing...especially the mystery one, though that brooch is gorgeous too! Now for my crafting...I think I'm probably most proud of some of the x-stitching I've done. I first started x-stitching when I had depression; it helped somehow, I just don't know how! Isn't crafting ace?! Anyway, long after the horrible 'd' word left me, I carried on and have now done quite a lot including 2 birth samplers and a huge wedding sampler. One of the birth samplers is probably my favourite though; I stitched it to celebrate the birth of my second cousin and upon receiving it, my cousin and his wife decided to decorate the baby's bedroom in the colours of my sampler so it all matched...I can't tell you how touched I was. You know, I think maybe I'll have to start my own blog to show off my x-stitching (and occaisionally other crafts too)!"

I really think you should keep a blog, Heather. Then I can keep up with what you've been up to too. Not sure where you'd fit it in time wise, but.......

So your goodies will be on the way to you 3 lovely ladies very soon!

Ho hum. Tomorrow I'm back to dreary work. Today I am getting organised so that I'm ready for it! I have made soup to store, tidied and cleaned, caught up on a huge pile of washing (but not the ironing - oops!), put out clothes for tomorrow, filled pre-school bags (there are many), made lunches and have made decent headway with the bed cover for the small person's room.


This is (very) obviously un-ironed and again in poor lightbut you can see how it's coming together and the colour of the stitching I'm using for the appliques. I'm quite enjoying it and the small person keeps popping over to the sewing machine and saying things like "Wow mummy!" and "That is just so good, mummy" and "I think that is mine and I will show everyone that you made it". It's nice to have a fan.

Now I'm going to come over all housewifey again and cook pork goulash ('cos the beef was icky with too much gristle and fat) with tagliatelle. Got to make the most of it. Once I'm at work I make cheat dinners! :D (But shhhh, don't tell anyone!)

Owls made by small people

As promised, here is a (terrible because of poor light) photograph of one of the owls created at todays toddler group session. It is of course Alexandra's owl, and isn't it absolutely fantastic? She did a really good job, so much so that she then went around telling all the other children "You have to do it like mine!" That was a calm (know-it-all) order, not a suggestion or exclamation.


We used empty cereal packets for the main head and body shape and also the face shape. Felt was used for the eyes and beak, and then lots of pieces from our brown collage tub around the body. We also used some dark brown lentils to fill. The front was made from sawdust and wood shavings. Next week we're printing snakes! :D

Well, I had hoped to have some of the sewing for Alexandra's new bedroom things done today, and although I was more organised than I recall ever being, and I was up well before the small person, I have to confess I have neither switched on the sewing machine nor picked up a needle and thread. My defence is this "lots of people have wanted to talk to me today". I've had 3 house visitors, 1 person stop me in the street on the way to toddler group to give me some very good news and 2 people want to talk to me at toddler group. Busy busy, very popular me ;)

I think I might try and get a bit done once the small person has settled in her bed, especially seeing as Mr Bogert has gone galavanting on a photo shoot.

The good news delivered to me in the street is that a local motorcycle gang/group have regular fundraisers and donate the money to charity, but this time they'd like to donate some to our little toddler group! How lovely is that of them!? They gave some to the air ambulance already, I just need to speak to the mum's and other organisers at toddler group about what we might like some money to go towards. I just thought it was so nice for our group to be thought of. It made me all smiley :)

So, on the one hand I've been very popular with all my visitors and conversations today, unfortunately not so popular with my give away :( I feel a bit like the last kid to be picked for the sports team at school! (which had I have taken part in any sports, I'm sure I would have been) So, if you're just feeling shy, you've still got time to enter! Draw wont be taking place until tomorrow 3pm GMT. Here's the post you have to comment on to enter. I promise it's painless and maybe even fun :D

Speak to you all tomorrow!

Preparation

Ok. I think I've finally (begrudgingly) dragged myself into 2010. Only a couple of weeks late, but I've made it. I'd much rather be back in 1950 something where I'm sure I would have felt much more at home, but as that's not going to happen I suppose I'd just better get on with it.

Today "it" is mostly preparation. I have owl shapes to cut out and an example owl to make with the small person ready for toddler group tomorrow. I also have fabrics to cut. You may remember this post from way back when about fabric I bought for the small person's bedroom. (No? Well I'm not surprised. It is a while ago) So much for having the small person's new bedspread and curtains up before the Autumn. I should be sacked. So today I have been cutting curtain pieces and cutting bed linen pieces. I still have a few more to do. I would really like to try and get some pieces sewn today, but I also have a heap of the boring stuff to do (Housework).

The cut out pieces for the small persons bed cover (with and without applique pieces)

I've also been trying to find out more about the UK health and safety laws and trading standards rules and how they apply to handmade. I'm desperate to make certain items, but I'm not sure it's going to be possible especially items intended for children. I'm really struggling to get anywhere. I'm probably not looking in the right place, and if that's the case and someone could point me in the right direction I'd love them forever! Does anyone out there in bloggy land have any information that could help me?

The reason I'm looking for rules and regulations is I really want to take Alexandra's Wishes further this year and unfortunately that means taking some time to look at the boring side of crafty business, so that I can do it "right".

So you see, it's all preparation in the Wishes house today. Preparing new bedroom items, preparing for toddler group and preparing to make a real go of something I love.

Don't forget there's still time to enter my giveaway to win one of my crochet hair bows and new valentine heart brooches (below) and a little surprise extra. The give away will be drawn on Wednesday. I'd really love to read some more about handmade things you love!


Back tomorrow with toddler group wood shaving owls and hopefully some progression on the bed linen or curtains. I'm not fussy, either will do!