give aways

This is a quilt that I started for little Isa. I am hoping to finish it buy Christmas. We will see. At the moment, she is lying next to me on the floor playing with her elephant and making some serious gurgling noises.

I am doing a big clean out and am sorting through the craft and jewellery stash. I have found so many half finished projects. I think with most of them I'll have to take them apart and start over. But I found a lot of finished things just lying around, not being worn by anyone. So, since they didn't sell on Etsy and I can't be bothered spending the time to re post them up there, I've decided to give my knitted cuffs away. If anyone is interested, just leave a comment with your name and the colour you like and I'll announce the winners on Friday.

four season scarf

I sent my sister a parcel for her and the kids birthdays in July. I necklace for Oona, a school bag for Aiden and a 4 season scarf for my sis. I embroidered 4 sections of the scarf with different flowers keeping the season theme in mind. I don't know why, but I enjoy embroidering. I guess it's because it's fiddly, intricate and takes forever to finish.

To be honest, I wish I had kept this scarf for myself. I think I unconsciously made it with myself in mind, not my sister. I know it's not really her style, but I hope she still enjoys it.

I went on an early morning (7:30) walk with the dog and Isabella. It's pretty cloudy but not too cold. I would love to role out of bed and have the motivation to do this every morning, we will see.

birthdays

It was my birthday yesterday.I had a lot of surprises in store. One of them being a little party with some close friends. I enjoyed the good company, afternoon champagne and watching the children playing outside in the 'rain' with their umbrellas.


A few months ago I had seen this blue guitar in a shop window and had mentioned that I would learn how to play if I owned that guitar. The last thing I expected was for my hubby to get it for me for my birthday! But what a lovely surprise. Now I have to hold up my end of the deal and learn how to play.


I also got some really lovely gifts from my lovely friends. These flowers have reminded me that Spring is my favorite season. I think flowers can change the whole atmosphere of a room. I'm going to try and have fresh flowers in the house over the next few months.


Yesterday has restored my faith in birthdays. I haven't really had a good one for a few years. After being pregnant for last years, I had come to terms with the fact that it will most likely just end up being another day. But it was more then that thanks to Matt and good friends.

stars and crescent moons

Isabella has finally learned how to sleep. Well, really, I finally learned how to tell when she needs to sleep. This means that I get a few hours in the day to myself. I know, you're all saying 'sleep!' but I do get a good nights sleep and a rest during the day. So, I had time and the motivation to make something. I made this stars and crescent moon thingy to hang over Isabella's cot. And she loves to stare at it as she drifts off to slumber. All the sleep she has been doing lately has her and I in a much better mood. She is such a happy baby now the she's not over tired all the time. Who knew babies her age are only supposed to be up for an hour or so at a time? Not me.

A quick catch up

One big mess that I would love to organize.


One finished glove, the other, hopefully knitted before winter ends.


One beautiful baby girl enjoying a sunny Sunday.

Again, I have taken a long break from my blog. One, we have little Isabella to keep us busy. Two, the spare room that the computer lives in is frigid at best. And three, we had a few weeks of visitors. My mum came from Oregon to visit the new grand baby. I hadn't seen her in almost 2 years and I had such a nice time with her. She gave Matt and I some much needed tips to try with Isa and a lot of calm to some frantic situations. And Matt's mum came to stay for a week, too. I hope that the Nana's had a good time with us.
I have not even thought about crafting. The table I work at is under a huge pile of things. I don't think I'll get to make anything anytime soon either. I am still trying to get Thank yous and announcements written out. I had to register Isabella's birth and it took me a week just to get my first name on the form! Having a wee one is amazing, but wow, time exists in a whole new way. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a single mum or to not have the support of my hubby. Thinking about it makes me appreciate what I've got.
Oh, and thanks to Helen and Rachael for the surprise parcel. So many lovely things, I will have to post about them another time.

Well, Isabella is due today. I wonder what it would have been like if she had decided not to come early. Would my labour still have been 37 1/2 hours? And would the medical side of things been such a factor? I have had a few reads of the hospital report and it brings me to tears to think about how we could have lost her. But all is well. The first week was a bit to serene, not much crying and heaps of sleep. This week, little Bella has found her voice and has opted for less sleep, for both her and us. She has already put on more then half a pound, which is great for a wee thing like her. I know I will just love watching her grow up, see who she becomes. One of the best things about newborns is when they do adult things, like sneeze or yawn. And they say they don't know what a smile is, but I reckon I 've already seen a few on her face.
Not much crafting, can you imagine why? I have been trying to make her some booties and a hat, but it is taking me longer then I had expected. Thank you everyone for the congratulations on her arrival.