Bears, Beads and Bits

Minimising

bronmlee — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:28:04 +0000

Don’t get me started.
I love my stuff. I do. I have way too much of it and I have been looking at ways of reducing it. My sticking point is my books I love my books but i have them stashed in boxes and cupboards all over the place.

I also am one of these odd people who reads and rereads her books. I read fast i can finish a novel in 2 nights so saying that I won’t get to them doesn’t wash. I have made a decision not to add any more physical books to my NOVEL collection. Novels that I purchase I will buy in ebook form so I can pop them on my ipod and read them. Not quite the same as a book but still it will satisfy my desire to read. I know I should go for library books but I forget to return them and end up getting fines so… Another thing is I like them at my finger tips when I want to read them. I have managed to let go of quite a few books and the rest will stay.

As for craft books well everyone has their weaknesses.

Jewellery dreaming

bronmlee — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:47:56 +0000

Haven’t made much for a while but the bug bit. Only have a picture of one the lighting just isn’t helping. I love these sliders a piece comes together so easily.

First Swing

bronmlee — Mon, 03 May 2010 04:51:57 +0000

Click Here

Went to a friends house yesterday. They were running a little late and so we went to the park across the road. Miss A was taken on the swing for the first time.

She had a fabulous time

Eggsciting Stuff

bronmlee — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:16:10 +0000

Never leave an egg basket on the floor when your baby is now mobile.

And while fumbling for the camera and laughing she spread it a littl further

A quick swipe to the left and there we have it.

Cheats Place Mats

bronmlee — Sat, 01 May 2010 03:41:25 +0000

So I have a new (second hand) table. A big 8 seater wooden table. Love it.

The jug set was my grandmothers and we use it every night at tea time. The girls feel very special using it. The blue and white placemats I cheated with and chose some lovely material which was sent to me and I didn’t know what to use it on, but I love the colours on the table.

So I cut the material into placemat sizes in this case a little smaller than A4

I actually ironed the material and then fed it through the laminator. I think the material is gorgeous and the placemats look lovely. I am going to use up my stash and what better way then to have it on display and be used all the time.

you never know next time I may try to sew the placemats… maybe.

Changes Abound

bronmlee — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:05:19 +0000

Nude night was a success. No tv, BBQ food and games went down a treat. Clothes were optional.
An odd thing happened today music went on instead of the tv.
There are no arguments when the tv goes off at tea and we chat over our meal. A nice habit and one that will remain.
We stay at the table until everyone is finished although sometimes when bubs cries i have to tend to her, but the girls stay with each other and that is lovely to see.
I purchased a lovely large wooden table and chairs that seats 8 because there are still 6 of us and the future always holds hope.
I am going to make place mats for the table, cheat placemats but still placemats and maybe some coasters.
my attitude has changed towards stuff as well.
My grandmother had a lovely drink set with a jug and 6 different coloured glasses. It has sat unused for years gathering dust and since my change of heart I realised my grandmother gave me things to enjoy. I used them when she was alive with her and so now I use them with my girls. the girls were fearful at first, what if they broke one?
I told them as long as they are used in love it doesn’t matter they should be used and enjoyed.
The girls are happy to use them and I am happy of the memories they will bring my girls. Sure there will be melancholy moments as they break as things do but the joy they bring will be worth it.
Some items will stay and others will go.
And items will be rearranged as well until it fits me. My girls wish to share rooms and so I will make that possible for them. I will get a spare room and my sewing room back in the process. No doubt it will change again in the future but I am flexible and it really doesn’t matter change is good.
My future holds hope and love and the rest is just stuff.

And a reason why life is still good

bronmlee — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:07:04 +0000

Who couldn’t look at this and know life is good.

gorgeous personified

she has no problems in the world at all. The way it should be.

The things that make you smile

bronmlee — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:23:01 +0000

Conversations with Kids

“Hey Mum”

“Yes dear”

“If dad is leaving does that mean the cats can learn to sleep inside?”

Pause…
“Yes dear”

“Cool”

and

“Mum”

“Yes dear”

“My friend who’s dad left them gives them whatever they ask for. Will that happen with dad?”

“Errrrr?”

at least they can see the lighter side between the clouds.

Guess Where we spent the afternoon?

bronmlee — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:29:52 +0000

Yep back to the hospital with the same child. this time it started Monday (kinda). She came out complaining of pain when she went to the loo. This is not a good sign as 2 of our girls has kidney reflux and it looks like she could as well. Hoping not.

Anyway we went to the Dr Wednesday, who gave her antibiotics and once finished we have to have further tests. Problem over.

No.

Thursday night she looked up at me and said i’m tired. Alarm bells. This child does not like going to bed one moment earlier than she has to. But I smiled and let her go. 9.30 she wakes up crying from a nightmare. I go to comfort her and as I touch her I realise she has a temperature. A hot dry almost crisp feeling to her skin. 38C (100F) a wet cloth didn’t help nor did the paracetamol.

by morning her temp reached 39c (102F).

Very unhappy. Back to the Dr who changed her antibiotics as she is now displaying symptoms of tonsilitis. He tells me if she gets worse to come back. Sure enough 2 hours later she is vomiting and we are back at the Dr and then up at the hospital.

Not much to say, the hospital looked her over, ruled out an ascending bladder infection thinks it could be gastro with tonsilitis and you can go home now.

Err thanks.

So now the poor possum is sleeping (again) and being dosed with drugs., my main concern is trying to get fluids into her as in the heat and the fact i can’t get her to drink means dehydration could occur. Tonight before she fell asleep again I managed to get an icypole into her. Anything to get fluid into her.

With any luck these new antibiotics will kick in and she will improve by tomorrow otherwise back to the Dr again.

A Shirred Dress

bronmlee — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:04:15 +0000

Well Miss 6 is having her birthday next week and in a moment of insantiy I decided to craft her gifts not all but quite a few.

the pup is one and i made this one today

So Miss 6 chose the material a year or 2 ago I have been very slack busy and it was placed on the back burner. And I decided to try (retry) bias.

And so using this tutorial I set out on my intrepid adventure.

So I didn’t follow her tutorial exactly as I added bias. I used lots of pins to make sure that the binding didn’t slip. I adjusted my sewing machine so that the needle was to the right. This made it easier for me not something you would have to do.

And away you go. With the amount of pins I used it was slow going. And then the other side leaving me with

Two nicely bound edges.

Sew up the sides to form a tube except I didn’t have 2 sides I just used the fabric I had as it was the right size.

back view

Only one seam. Easy. Add the shirring, steam and voila.

One little dress. still need to add straps but that may not happen till her birthday so I can size it properly.