Project #2

Rowan has a tiny waist and still wears a size 12-18 months.  However, since he is tall it can be difficult finding clothes that fit him properly.  I usually have to add a temporary stitch to the waist to hold them up until he goes through another growth spurt.
He's had one particular pair of jeans since he was 9-10 months old and remarkably they still fit (just - they are becoming ankle-biters) but they have been battered through constant wear!  It was time to patch...

 Just a simple denim patch. It's going to be 

a sad day when these jeans finally give up

I also patched a second pair of jeans Rowan had worn through.  I sense that I'm going to get really bored of patching knees over the next few years.  Still, it's a good way to practice my hand-stitching as it's not the neatest it could be.  

 Patching is a great way to use up scraps

of fabric remnants

Hand stitching practice.  Best to do it on something that no

one's going to scrutinise too much!

A visit from Nanny and Grandad

My parents came up to visit us but they could only stay for the day since they had left their dogs at home.  Rowan is fond of their Yorkshire terrier, Molly, but the feeling isn't mutual.  Molly is 10 years old and would rather be left alone thank you very much. Since Rowan is too young to understand the concept of someone not wanting him in their face, my parents are sticking to day visits until he's a little older. Rowan is generally good with dogs but can be over-exuberant when he is over-tired (or simply showing off).
Mum and Dad kindly took us out for a pub meal. It was a really nice afternoon out, and Rowan was generally well behaved. There was some of the usual toddler throwing things on the floor that inevitably accompanies public outings, but overall I was proud of how he conducted himself. He occupied himself playing with ice cubes, completely ignoring the paper and crayons that were specifically for him.  However, if my Mum had brought her walking stick I expect Rowan would have invested all his time trying to get at it!

After a treat of brownie and ice-cream for pudding, Rowan had a lot of sugar to burn off. Fortunately, Grandad was an obliging accomplice to this veritable maelstrom and swiftly became Rowan's best buddy!  He even demanded Grandad at bath time, and told me to go away (usually it's a battle letting anyone else do the bath time routine in place of me).  He then insisted Grandad read him his story.

I'm glad all Rowan's grandparents live reasonably close.  It can be a bit challenging to visit in a day as it's a fair amount of driving but he's lucky that he gets to see them all regularly.

Rowan playing in the park outside the pub

Gareth told him we were leaving now. Rowan

wasn't on board with this suggestion 

 Fun with Nanny and Grandad!

 Grandad holding Rowan still for a photo -

the boy can't keep still!

Clifton Downs

Gareth and I enjoyed a rare day together today.  I enjoyed a long lie-in (10am!  I haven't slept in that late in, well, I can't actually remember) while Gareth got Rowan up and ready for nursery.  We then decided to go for a walk around the Clifton Downs.  It's very rocky and steep in places, so we took the opportunity to go toddler-free so we could get a bit closer to the edges without worrying about Rowan wanting to do some impromptu bouldering down the rock face.
It was a really overcast day, and since I'm still figuring out my camera the photos weren't fab.  It was also really windy and cold, so I didn't take too many pictures since I wanted to keep moving to keep warm!

 When we got home, we just vegged out and watched a film together and generally enjoyed some time off. 
Rowan had a good day at nursery, and was in a good mood when we picked him up so we had a pleasant family evening before his bedtime too.  In summary, an excellent recharge day!

A day with Grandma

I attended a workshop at work that fell on one of my usual days off, so my Mother-in-Law came up to look after Rowan for a couple of days.

Rowan had great fun with his Grandma and got to go to the park, the shops and generally wear out Grandma's energy reserves!
I was thankful for an extra pair of hands too, as lately I've been exhausted!  I recently got a promotion at work, so I've been getting to grips with my new role.  So, thank you Grandma Lynn for all your help!

Cuddles with Grandma

Project #1

My first completed project for 2015 was a new duvet cover and pillow set for Rowan's cot bed.  I have some fabric my Mum gave me, which included a large amount of blue gingham.  I wasn't sure what to do with it at first as it's probably not a fabric style I'd have picked out myself.  Since toddlers can leak a lot, I figured I couldn't go wrong with a spare duvet cover.

I found a double sheet for £2.99 in a charity shop which I used for the bottom layer of the cover and for the pillow case.  It was in fairly good nick, and just had a small grease stain on it (pasty in bed anyone?).  I added a fleece strip to the top of the cover to make it more cozy (and to make sure the visually stimulating gingham pattern wasn't by Rowan's face whilst he slept!), and another strip to the pillow to match the cover.

It was a bit 'sew it and see' as I didn't work from a pattern.  I took my measurements, fold and sew lines from an existing duvet cover, and hoped for the best.
It turned out well, although I think I might replace the metal fasteners I used with buttons at some point in the future.

These aren't the best photos to show it off, but I was attempting to photograph it with Rowan (fresh from his nap) eager to help.

The completed duvet cover and pillow set.  Ironing is clearly 

not on my radar 

Chilling in Rowan's room

This was a very straight-forward and quick project.  It would have been a lot quicker if I had used my overlocker instead of using zigzag stitch to finish the seams.

It also turned out very cheap too.  I used fabric I had been given, spent £2.99 on a sheet which was enough to make two duvet sets (almost finished that one too - post to follow!) and used thread/notions I already had - I estimate that cost maybe £2.50 max.

In total I reckon it cost £4.00 to make (plus my time and the cost of using the sewing machine, but I'm not that pedantic. Actually, I'm absolutely that pedantic, but that's not the point).

Rowan likes his new bedding, and particularly likes the fleece top.  With this cold weather snap I think it's a welcome warm addition to bedtime.

Rowan's theme

Rowan's favourite song is Green Day's Good Riddance. He often sees my phone and asks for 'music.' At first I thought he just wanted any old song, so I used to put kids rhymes on.  Nope, it's definitely Green Day he wants; he gets upset and continues asking for music until it's on.

Green Day and other lullabies

 Personally I think he has a good taste in music so far.

Morning sunrise

Just after sunrise there was a vibrant red hue to the sky, but by the time

I got my camera it had subdued to this equally nice (if subdued) view.

Resolutions

I'm not a massive fan of New Year resolutions.  I think if you want to change something in your life don't wait until the 1st of January, do it now.  I also think it's easy to overlook the accomplishments of the previous year by focusing on what you want to improve. However, I do love makin' me some lists so here are 2 goals for 2015:

Make/upcycle more sewing projects
Inspired by my friend Amy over at craftandthrift, I would like to do more sewing this year using stuff I already have stashed away.  This also nicely links into another aim of learning how to use my over-locker, and the embroidery software on my sewing machine (seriously, that thing is more computer than sewing machine and I've been scared to use it!) 
I've set myself a flexible target of 1 making item per month (flexible in that I may make 3 things one month, and then nothing for 2).  That might just be sewing a few bits of ribbon or buttons onto a tired old shirt to restyle it, but it still counts.

Decorate the house
We've been in our house for 2 years now, and the decorating progress has stagnated.  Except for Rowan's room, the whole house needs decorating. Frankly, it can be overwhelming when you list the jobs that need doing (and remember how I love lists?).  So much so you end up doing nothing.  I'm going to break down the jobs so they are more achievable, and accept that sometimes I can't complete the whole project in a weekend.  For example, this evening I finished putting a second coat of gloss on one of the doors.  I ran out of steam for the second door and just packed up.  Normally I'd push myself to complete the last coat as I hate half finished jobs.  Sometimes it's better to conserve your energy for another day.  I'm hoping this change in attitude will help maintain motivation.


I'm not making a massive list of self-improvements. I think that sort of thing is a continual process anyway (e.g. improving fitness; do more for charity; declutter; attain Nirvana etc.).  Plus, who knows how much spare time I'll have in the next year with a 2 year old to entertain!  Especially as I probably have potty training to look forward to this year. Yay to no more nappies! Boo to the inevitable wet bedding and accidents!

More of this in 2015, and less wasting time on social media!

Is this a trick question?

Rowan and I were reading one of his counting books (Margaret Wise Brown's "Count to 10 with a mouse" which was given to him by his Great-Nanny) a couple of nights ago.  This has become quite a regular read lately, and Rowan loves asking about the pictures on the pages.

This is a lovely book with a good rhythm:

'There was a little mouse, no bigger than a mole

who lived in a round place that he called a hole'

Number 6 is illustrated with six cats playing with some wool. Rowan pointed at each cat and said "that one?" which is his version of asking "what's that?"  The conversation went as follows:

Rowan: "That one?"

Me: "That's a cat."

Rowan: "That one?"

Me: "That's a cat."

Rowan: "That one?"

Me: "A cat."

Rowan: "That one?"

Me: "That's another cat."

Rowan: "That one?"

Me: "That's a cat."

Rowan: "That one?"

Me: "What do yo think it is?"

Rowan: "Cheese."

I'd love to understand the logic of a toddler.