crafting

Crafting, Decorating and a Royal Weekend with Bounce

May 21, 2018 by Anne Sweet 7 Comments

Crafting

After a busy week last week I don’t seem to have much planned this week. I guess I’ll have to focus on my crafting.

I’ve not made any new cards yet but I’ve been working on a drawing that I’d like to include on one I need for next month. I really want to practice with my die cut fairies though, I’d love to create a fantasy scene.

I have started on a new blanket, it consists of many diamonds that will all have to be sewn together. I’m not keen on the sewing bit so wish me luck. My CAL blanket also consists of many pieces that will have to be joined together, but that won’t be until next year! I also have to make another soft toy.

Decorating

I want to make a start on the family bathroom this week, I’ll be able to do some myself but I’ll need the help of Graham to get most of it done, and he’s not keen on decorating. There isn’t really that much painting to do but the door and skirting board need doing and I get headaches when using gloss paint. I also want to paint the hand rail on the stairs, but as I need it to get up and down it’s difficult to find the time to do it. I guess I could paint it myself but I’d have to start at the top and work my way down. If I’m honest I don’t know how safe I would be.

It’s so frustrating not to be able to do these jobs, they are not the jobs I would have shied away from before I was sick. I remember painting the living room ceiling when I was heavily pregnant with Star, and I loved paper hanging. Do you like decorating or do you leave it all to someone else?

A Right Royal Weekend with Bounce

We stayed in on Saturday because I really wanted to watch the Royal Wedding. I made sure I’d done everything before hand so I wouldn’t be disturbed, and I even put a frock on. We didn’t have any banners or flags though. I watched it on television with Star and my eldest son, no-one else was interested.

On Sunday I asked the kids if they’d like to go out somewhere or if they’d like Daddy to put up the trampoline (which we’ve had since last December!) They opted for the trampoline and the girls have loved it. We have to limit Star’s time bouncing because of her condition, but she’s really good at limiting herself.

Sadly though, the Little Man started experiencing back pain shortly after his first bouncing session. He said he didn’t fall and the pain just started. It’s been 48 hours now and he still feels it when he goes on the trampoline, but otherwise he is okay. It’s very strange, and very sad. I hope it passes. What worries me is that he is now at the age that Star was when she had problems with her neck. I hope he doesn’t have spinal problems too, but maybe I’m just overthinking it. I’m going to book him an appointment with the GP for after school tomorrow just in case he’s done any damage.

What have you been up to this week?

Word of the Week

May 17, 2018 by Anne Sweet 5 Comments

This week I’ve spent a lot of time indoors but I’ve been really busy.

Clear Out

I’ve managed to sort out the kid’s wardrobes. It took me about an hour to sort out the girl’s and ten minutes to sort out the Little Man’s. I think I might need to buy him some more clothes.

I was really fed up of all the clothes that no longer fitted them properly so I had a real good clear out, giving a huge bag to charity and saving some of the unworn or barely worn clothes to put on Ebay. Knowing me, these will be in charity bags soon too.

The clear out was quite satisfying but even more satisfying was getting to the bottom of my washing basket. As a family of seven this rarely happens. But I had two days of regularly filling up the washing machine and making full use of the weather by hanging it out on the line so there was not waiting for the tumble dryer to finish. I bought myself a little washing trolly, it’s like a net bag on a wheeled frame which I can push into the garden and reach my rotary line (which is not far from my door.) It feels so good to be able to hang my washing out by myself.

Blogging and Social Media

Apart from that I’m getting through all those blog posts that I’ve had waiting in draft for far too long and my Pinterest schedule is full up until Sunday evening. I’m afraid that Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are feeling a little unloved but I’ll catch up with them too I’m sure.

Crafts

I’ve also been very crafty and I’ve crocheted two more squares for my CAL blanket as well as finishing Star’s fox soft toy. I did a couple of small projects too, like my tape measure Jammy Dodger.

I’ve made my first papercraft card and have been busy making the bits and pieces for my next projects. I seem to have loads of ideas but not enough time to put them together so I really need to arrange my time better to fit everything in.

Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness

Finally, I’ve been busy setting up a Twitter account for Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness. This is a collaborative venture between myself and some other sufferers over all social media channels. We are aiming to raise more awareness of Stiff Person Syndrome for lots of reasons, including letting people who are newly diagnosed that they are not alone, giving people an idea of what help they can get or should expect, explaining what treatment is available and hopefully raising awareness among the medical profession as well. I’m thinking there will be a lot more involved and I’m excited to be part of it, but we are still in the talking and planning stage at the moment.

So, that’s my week. What have you been up to?

Why Does Half Term Go By So Quickly?

February 26, 2017 by Anne Sweet 18 Comments

It’s now Saturday affernoon and on Monday the kids will be going back to school after half term.
I love having them home, we can chill out, we don’t have to rush in the morning, we can do lots of things together.

So why do I feel like we’ve just wasted a week?

Last weekend we went out both Saturday and Sunday. We browsed the shops on Saturday and bought some new craft supplies. Then on Sunday we spent the whole day at Cosford Royal Airforce museum.

But, we haven’t been out since. Monday the weather was kind but the weekend had taken it’s toll and I was in too much pain to go out. The Little Man and his big brother played in the garden for over an hour which was nice. The girls stayed in all day but they didn’t mind.

The rest of the week has passed so quickly and I was feeling upset that we hadn’t achieved much. Maybe that’s not a bad thing. I mean the kids are stuck to a routine all week at school, they are out every day and busy all the time. Maybe, it’s okay just to chill out and not do much for a week?

Then I got to thinking of the things we had done in the week. We baked a lovely cake for Daddy for his birthday. In fact Boo did most of the work on this cake all by herself!

We also baked chocolate cookies, you can never have enough cookies in the house!

The kids had their arts and crafts stuff out and instead of telling them what to do I left them to just use their imaginations and create what they wanted. Boo made a book, and Star and the Little Man made some lovely art work.

I also bought the kids some new notebooks when we went out last Saturday and they have been filling them up with words and pictures all week.

We have had some lovely books to review this week and the kids have enjoyed doing lots of reading. Boo has also been learning Spanish with a book and audio. I reckon she’ll pick it up really quick like this.

We had some books from Lonely Planet Kids which were full of stickers and activities and the kids have spent ages filling them in, they are so much fun.

sticker book fun from lonely planet kids

We’ve watched movies, played board games, and the kids have played with their toys.

Star has been trying to make slime at every opportunity after watching YouTube videos, she’s not had good success yet but I’ve just ordered some stuff online for her so watch this space.

Today we are back to one of my childhood fun activities and making some pom poms!

So, is it bad that we only had a couple of days out and have spent the week indoors?

Maybe, if it’s nicer weather tomorrow we can go out and blow away a few cobwebs. I don’t like staying in all the time but if the kids are happy and occupied then I suppose it’s okay.

The Ordinary Moments

Black Friday Super Deals

November 25, 2016 by Anne Sweet Leave a Comment

It’s Black Friday and love it or hate it there are always some great deals to be had.

I’ve been asked to share a few really good deals with you today.

Printerpix

PrinterPix Have some fantastic deals on site with up to 75% off, just think of the lovely Christmas gifts you can create! You can also purchase now and add your photos and create your products later, so it’s a great time to take part in this promotion.

Lakeland

Lakeland is one of my favourite shops so I’m thrilled that they have some lovely offers with 50% off! A big shout out to my future hubby or anyone wishing to buy me a wedding present tomorrow hehehe.

My Geek Box

My Geek Box have some fabulous offers for you.

Shop:

· 2 for £35 on Christmas Sweatshirts, or £19.99

· 10% off full price lego (selected lines)

· 3 for £20 construction kits

· 3 for £18 gifts

· Up to 80% off Tech

· 3 for £22 on Pop Vinyl

Subscriptions:

· £3 1st Lite Geek Box – Code: LITE3

· £10 1st Geek Box – Code: GEEK10

· £10 1st Kids Geek Box – Code: KIDS10

Claire’s

Claire’s are offering a fabulous 40% off so lots of lovely gifts to be had there, and don’t forget all those accessories for the Christmas parties.

Create and Craft

Maybe you like to make your own gifts? Create and Craft is a brilliant craft supplies shop and they too have some fabulous Black Friday Offers.

I really hope you enjoy these offers that I have shared with you, it would be great if you let me know of your fab buys in the comments.

The links provided in this post are all affiliate links and will bring me a little bit of profit if you use them. Feel free to check out the site separately if you don’t wish to use affiliate links. If you do, then thank you.

Creating a Book of Memories

February 24, 2016 by Anne Sweet 4 Comments

I’ve kept a diary for many years. I’ve also kept journals, pregnancy diaries and baby diaries.

I’ve kept them in notebooks, pre-printed books and even online. I guess you could say I like to record things.

I love that I have this selection of memories at hand. It’s wonderful to look back on the things that have happened from the joyful to the mundane, from holidays to a trip to the cinema. And also the sad memories, they all have a place.

I can look back to when my older children were born and their school days and compare them to my younger children.

I can look back to times when my family were still together and my mum and nan were still around.

The complete account of my days of trying to conceive Star after a 16 year gap and secondary infertility still makes me cry when I get to the part of a positive pregnancy test.

You can keep memories in your head or you can write them down. If you write them down they are more permanent, more accurate and can be shared with others (if you wish, I do still have ‘private stuff’)

Earlier this week I was thinking of how fragile life can be. This year I’ve lost a relative and spent time in hospital with a life changing illness. I thought of all these memories of mine and how my children will perceive them.

Then I had an idea. I was going to write a new journal especially for my younger children. This one is going to be filled to the brim with all the happy memories, accounts of all we do together big or small. I want to record it all.

First up I needed a notebook, I couldn’t wait to buy one so I mooched around and found this one.

I made it last year at a crafting session with some bloggers. It’s actually covered with window blind material. It’s not the best, but I made it myself so it’s perfect for recording my happy memories.

I’ve started already by listing all the fun things we did last summer. Thankfully I’d already noted everything in the back of another journal. I will continue to use it, noting everything down and making it something my children will love to read when they grow up. I’ll include special little messages for them along the way.

When it’s all filled I may just go and get one from Paperchase, I love their notebooks.

Image courtesy of Paperchase

This lovely elephant one would be perfect.

While I was browsing I saw this one