And, breathe...

I now understand why some people refer to moving house as one of life's most stressful experiences.

Whilst I still think there are far more stressful things people have to endure - I am very relieved to report we have exchanged contracts and consequently have a fixed date on which to move. At. Long. Flipping. Last.

This week has been a bit up and down, waiting for exchange to happen. I took my mind off the process on Friday afternoon with some baking, and got a friend round to share the results with me. Anyone else find that a Victoria Sponge and cup of tea improve a situation?

I could rant about the process. And, I must admit, I did, whilst my friend was round. Thanks, Annabel!

But, right now, I am relieved and happy with my lot. Okay, so the moving date has shifted. Four times, by my count. The uncertainty has been frustrating. But, we are moving.

Hopefully, the residents of my mobile nursery can hang in there for a little bit longer. Slightly obsessive, crazy plant lady? Yes, I think that is what I am turning into. But, in my defence, I thought we were moving at the start of April, and, now I have bought these little lovelies into the world, I cannot bring myself to chuck them into the big green bin for the council to come and collect and turn into compost.

I'll be sad to leave our house. I really, really like living here. Three of our children have been born here, and the place holds many memories. We've had regular clear outs over the years, in order to avoid moving. But, with baby number four getting ready to join us, the time has come to move on. 

What am I most excited about?

Toilets.

We currently have one. It's upstairs. We've gone through potty training (three times) and the challenges involved. But now, the power struggles (mainly the middle girl hogging the loo when she knows one or both of her sisters are doing a jig waiting) and post school dashes upstairs and regular puddles on the bathroom floor are about to become a thing of the past. And that is a happy thought that wins over any cross thoughts I may have about how annoying parts of the moving process so far have been.

With three weeks to go, bring on the boxes. You don't scare me. 

And heck. Now there has been a last minute delay, I think I have time to make that silk polka dot dress before the move. But first, there are sparkles to be sewn onto a birthday dress for the middle girl in time for Thursday. Four days and counting, Mummy. 

Three cheers to the sun shining and it being a bank holiday weekend.

Hope you all have fun.

The ironing and washing up can wait

Bump portrait - 30 weeks

Today was the littlest girl's first day at pre school. 

If not taking a second look back at me, hearing the sound of her laughter as I walked out the door, and beaming and talking non stop about her morning upon her return home are signs of a happy little girl who was ready for a bit of independence, then that's my girl. Oh, and she fell asleep as I was on the phone to my mum... Smug? Yes. (Well, I will be if she still sleeps properly tonight.)

Does my bump look big in this?

What did I do with my time? Not the ironing. Or the washing up. Oops. (Must try and get the latter done before too long before Lazy Housewife status is confirmed once and for all...)

This morning, I met a friend in town for a cuppa, I didn't share the yummy pastry I had with anyone, and then, I casually browsed in a few shops. Alone. And, having pinned down the only shop in town to sell maternity clothes, I tried on (yes!) a top with butterflies on and bought it.

Whilst there, I also tried on and nearly bought a stripy jersey dress. What stopped me? The horrendous mismatched seams at the back. Even at the bargain price of £14.99, and with a fairly flattering fit, I could not bring myself to buy it. I blame growing up with a seamstress mum, and also, the recent influence of the Great British Sewing Bee, and Stuart's lantern dress. It has planted the idea of possibly making something similar myself, as I think the construction was pretty straightforward (it was basically a long t shirt) and the garment would come together very quickly on my overlocker. Watch this space to see if my "I could make that!" moment comes to anything.

Sanderson fabric ready for my Roman blinds

So, what did I do with my bonus time this afternoon? I got off the phone to mum, and scuttled off upstairs for my fabric. There are two challenging makes I am going to try and manage in the mornings the littlest is at pre school over the next few weeks - those being my silk polka dot dress and two Roman blinds for our bedroom in the new house.

Having been talking to mum about the dress, I was a good girl and washed the lining first. I have decided to go with a very light weight floaty Egyptian cotton muslin, as the only other things on offer in Singers were made of polyester, and, well, I just didn't like the feel of them and thought they would just make me feel even more hot as they stuck to my skin on a summer's day.

The lining for the dress is drying outside in the picture below - right in front of the pile of shirts not getting ironed.

The next hour and a half or so was spent ironing and measuring, and then very, very tentatively cutting out the first of the two Roman blinds for our new bedroom.

Some may well look at this fabric and see Julie Andrews and the curtains in The Sound of Music. I love it. No, I absolutely love it. It has my favourite shades of green all over it, and, seeing it spread out across the table just makes me feel uplifted. That and the beautiful sunshine coming in from outside.

I hope the finished blinds please me as much when they are up and I am looking at them (as I sit and drink that relaxing cup of tea in bed as the sun streams through the windows...!).

In my mind, I can picture how I'd like these blinds to look, and how I'd like the rest of the room to look, too. Simple. White walls, an old wardrobe and a bed (of course there'll be a bed). Maybe even an old chair that I have lovingly restored and reupholstered with some more gorgeous (perhaps red?) printed Sanderson fabric. Not that I have any of the skills needed to carry out that last project, but the optimist in me thinks I could have a go and make a decent attempt. Ha, ha. It might be fun trying.

Anyhow, back to the blinds. No sewing got done. And I am not even confident that I have made an accurate enough job of cutting out blind number one. The kitchen table was just a bit too small. The lesson of today has been that this project is going to take longer than I had anticipated.

Not far from my feet as I worked were more green things - my mobile nursery!

The runner beans are growing quickly. A bit too quickly, as, now the move has been put back a couple more weeks (sigh), I am wondering whether they will be okay for a bit longer in their temporary homes.

I have been a neglectful gardener on the cucumber front. The ones I planted are dead, due to leaving them outside over night when there was a frost. Oops. And worse, the girls are well aware of this reason, and keep giving me gentle reminders and helpful hints about doing a better job of looking after the rest of the green things.

All is not lost though - as well as runner beans (which no one really likes), we still stand a chance of eating home grown peppers (which the biggest girl loves), and, maybe one cob of sweetcorn (they all love this, and so fights will no doubt happen if we get just one cob) before the summer is out.

On the flower front, Borage has made an appearance. Quite exciting. I have mentally named it `Boris' after the Mayor of London. I wonder if the plant will suit the new name I have given it. And, the sweet peas and sunflowers are still alive, too. Plus I have planted more sunflowers, and may even plant more tomorrow just to finish off the pack and increase my chances of a front garden full of them. I do love sunflowers.

And, to round off a nice day, I have just been to a brilliant workshop, learning to crochet basic granny squares at Fancy. Here I am wearing the crocheted scarf my friend Iciar made me for my birthday a couple of years ago, by way of inspiring me and getting me in the mood for some crocheting of my own. More about that another time. Bed beckons!

Baby Quilt Update #3

Time for another update on the baby quilt!

Before the weekend, I added another four of the girls' designs to the applique collection, bringing the total to six super special squares to have pride of place in the finished quilt.

I think these joyful little drawings are simply gorgeous. But then I am a little biased.

The iron on crayons arrived today. Needless to say the artists are very excited about what this might mean - I suggested they start with t shirts, but they are already giving me more potential applications of this new art form... it could make for some interesting curtains/cushions if they get their way!

Anyhow, back to the quilt. I am loving making it!

I resolved to take my own advice that I give to beginners, and not get too worked up over perfection, to enjoy the process and learn from it. This is my first attempt after all. So, I am not worrying too much about the mismatching corners (of which there are many) and applying that metaphor about life and tapestry and the overall picture looking beautiful with all its imperfections. Or something like that. 

I have discovered the people at the local quilting shop, Tudor Rose in Oakley, are very nice and helpful if you bumble in asking for advice on what to buy for making your first quilt. I'll be going back. Regularly. Not least because they have a LOT of nice fabrics there...

I've taken the brave move to hand quilt - a slower option, but I really like the way the hand stitching looks already. That said, I'm hand stitching round alternate squares, making a total of 60 to do - I've done 8 so far. Gulp.

And look what the Easter Bunnies gave me (thanks Mum and Sang!).

Potential new projects consisting of beautiful bags and cakes...

I won't even tease you with images of the cake book. All I'll say is that the first recipe in it is for Jaffa Cake Cupcakes. Look out for regular baking themed posts.

Hooray for some sunshine today. Look - I even got my seedlings outside for a few hours of fresh air. Oh, and to air them in the literal sense, too. I woke to the worrying cry from the biggest girl informing me that the cat was perched on top of the seedlings. Not even going to think about the implications of that and the edible things we are trying to grow, and just telling myself we shooed her off before she had chance to do anything, and, that it was the first time she'd done it. Oh. My. Goodness. Bother that cat!

More reasons to be happy it was sunny today. The girls got to have a peddle on their bikes.

With Daddy having a few days off work, we're setting them the challenge of losing the stabilisers/breaking the walking pace speed barrier by the time the school holidays are out.

And look - with a baby bump stopping me from doing up my coat properly, we need the warmer weather, don't we?

Right. That is it. Must go. Have had a text from Mum reminding me it is nearly time for The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC2. Can't wait!

Just about got time to make a fresh cup of tea and reach for my quilt...

Baby Quilt Update #1

The littlest girl had her taster session at pre school today, ahead of her starting there after Easter. Why am I telling you this? Well, because half a morning of playing with toys and being surrounded by adoring Bigger Girls offering to be her personal guide to where everything was, meant she was tired out by the time we came home. And she slept!

I have lost my enthusiasm for sewing lately. Not sure why. Maybe down to the miserable weather outside, making me want to curl up on the sofa in the evenings. Maybe my mind is full of other things. Who knows. Whatever it is, I haven't felt like whirring into action and being super creative by the time the girls are down in their beds. A big mug of tea, some chocolate and whatever rubbish has been on TV has won the day.

And so, with some rare daylight sewing time dangled in front of me, a bit of hoovering and housework already under my belt (thus easing my sense of guilt at `slacking off') I found myself feeling inspired. Well, mildly more motivated than what has become the norm lately.

What you see before you is hopefully going to end up as a baby quilt for the new arrival. I've never made a proper quilt before (not sure this will qualify as a `proper' quilt either!), so am keeping it simple.

Fabric from FabricRehab

No pattern or particular plan in mind - just squares sewn together. I've got some vague memories of reading other people's blogs about quilt making and think I know roughly how to get started, and will rely on the trusty internet for help as and when I need it.

As you can see, so far I have cut out the squares - good for getting practise at using the rotary cutter (never been my strong point) and mat, and, then randomly set out the squares on the front room carpet.

I think (!) the finished quilt should be about a metre square - this has not been planned, but rather, determined by how many 11 cm squares I could cut out of the seven fat quarters of fabric I'd chosen.

I'd picked up this little tip about piles of rows with post it notes from Even Artichokes Have Hearts, who is also in the process of making her first quilt (a much more complicated and impressive looking one than mine, I hasten to add!).

My Mum is also making her first quilt, and that too is destined for the new arrival. If gorgeous handmade bedding has any sway over how well a baby sleeps (if only, huh?), this new little one is going to be a dream - a knitted blanket made collectively by some of my closest friends and a couple of quilts.

Pencil pot made out of a piece of junk mail from a garden centre

Meanwhile, with snow outside this weekend, the Blue Peter dream lives on in the house. This empty cocoa pot gave me and the biggest girl inspiration for a quick take on paper mache. Much quicker. No messy flour paste or newspaper, just some gentle cutting and sticking with PVA glue. (Am I alone in loving peeling that stuff off fingers?)

And, you guessed it, the others would like to make one, too. And so, well, I suppose we'll just have to make more chocolate cakes so we can get through more pots of cocoa... he, he.

And, far more impressive than sheltering indoors doing cutting and sticking and watching TV, are the brilliant efforts of Alice from TheAdventuresofSarahandAlice, who ran 5 km dressed as `Where's Wally?' this weekend. In the snow. Look at her blog right now. The woman is hilarious. And, although the race is over, I'm sure she'd still appreciate some extra sponsorship for the National Literacy Trust if you happen to have your wallet within easy reach of the sofa.

And the update on the seedlings (never let it be said this does not give you a gripping on the edge of your seat type of read) is that the sunflowers continue to race ahead of their contemporaries. The sweet peas have started to make an appearance, as has the red cabbage and one runner bean seedling. But Borage? Oh, you disappoint me...

The post about the cat spending a penny (or, rather, £89) and other things

Got a cup of tea ready? This is a rambling on for ages about not much in particular kind of post. Ready?

Possibly the most expensive wee ever?

Last Friday morning, the cat developed a strange new party trick. Peeing in the bathroom sink. Nice.

And, as there seemed to be traces of blood there, too, I got on the phone to the vet.

"Can you bring in a sample, please?"

"Really?!", I say (my tone of voice probably indicating that what I am actually thinking is "Are you insane?").

After a ten minute consultation, including a couple of jabs, a brave inspection of the cat's teeth, the vet sent me on my way with some medicine for her and a urine testing kit so I could return with a sample as requested. Oh, that'll be £89, thanks.

If ever I needed confirmation that the cat has well and truly slid down the pecking order in our affections with each child that has entered the house, this recent experience has done just that. Not her fault, but the whole experience made me thoroughly grumpy at the time. Particularly shutting her in the bathroom to wait for her to perform in the litter tray onto her (very expensive) non-absorbent litter granules so I could then be gassed by the stench before diligently sucking up a sample using the dropper thing. As our feline friend normally does all her business outside of the house, I was until that point happily ignorant of quite how much cat wee stinks.

Thankfully, she seems not to notice the drugs I have been lacing her food with, and is back to her normal self. Fingers crossed she doesn't live up to predictions and have a recurring water works problem, or else I will be seriously grumpy.

In other news, my current courses are going along really nicely. Monday nights are all about making little gifts for children (this week it was simple gathered skirts in funky prints with camper vans all over them) and Wednesday nights are all about cushions and big bags in some pretty Cath Kidston fabrics.

Much as I love being able to spend a couple of evenings a week sharing my passion for sewing with others, there is a downside. It often introduces me to even more fabric temptation, as I coo over the goodies the ladies turn up with for making their projects.

For instance, just a week ago, I was unaware of this beautiful specimen (Mrs Bishop, you have a lot to answer for!). After several days of pondering, and dreaming (yes, I do sometimes dream about fabric - doesn't everyone?) of Roman blinds for my new bedroom made with it, I caved, and a parcel has just arrived. The money spent was less than that on the cat and will (I imagine) provide me with a lot more pleasure in years to come as I sit in bed and drink my morning cup of tea whilst enjoying the sunshine streaming through the windows (still dreaming).

As I have done no sewing of my own this week - beyond the proud act of sewing some swimming badges onto towels for my three little girls (yes, even the littlest one who screamed her way through the first half term of her lessons, needing to be peeled off me and dropped into the pool has earned a badge) - here are some pictures to chart what I have been up to.

Monday morning baking BEFORE SCHOOL.

Partly due to necessity of what to put in packed lunches after a busy weekend when you are due to be doing the supermarket shop later that morning...

...it turns out these last minute `Roly Poly Pizzas' as I have called them are "the most delicious thing ever".

If I ever bother to write this up as a Food Top Trumps contender, I think this could be a winner. Nothing fancy that I didn't already have in the cupboard, and made in between mouthfuls of my bowl of Weetabix, this has been a huge hit.

Perfectly runny boiled eggs for lunch, with sparkly Marmite soldiers. Need I say more?

Chocolate cake making with the littlest girl hovering, ready to enjoy the spatula licking pleasure alone as her sisters are at school.

My gamble over winging it without greaseproof paper failed miserably. Readers, please note, butter is not enough to prevent Devil's Food Cake sticking horribly to the bottom of the tins and refusing to come out in one piece.

Much butter icing was needed to cement the crumbs together.

Still, I am taking this as a positive. In times gone by, my inner perfectionist would not have allowed this cake to see the light of day - let alone be offered up to friends coming round for a cuppa. Now, I am content with the pretty sparkly butterflies on top and the hope that the cake will probably taste good anyway.

Not since baking with my Nan has a cake ever left the tin in so many pieces. Baking was not her forte, but she still had a go whenever she was looking after me, albeit with fairy cake kits where you just needed to add milk and an egg and some nice rice paper decorations at the end (always the best bit).

Which brings me on to my next nice thing about the week. Games!

Bedford locals - the bottom game was £1 from the brilliant Emmaus Village Carlton and has all the bits. Cheap toys and a scrumptious cafe that doesn't break the bank either. Get. Yourselves. Down. There. 

My Nan had a cupboard full of games like this, and was always willing to spend several hours playing them with me.

I would love my little girls to enjoy playing these games too - not least because of how much I enjoyed them, but, also, because I can see this as paying off for me in terms of the potential to provide them with something fun to do without too much involvement from me in the times when I am a bit preoccupied with a house move and a new baby on the way.

Connect 4 has gone down well with the girls. They seem to get it. Although quite a bit of coaxing has been needed to stop them each in turn throwing a strop when they lose.

"The next person who loses graciously and says `well done' to their opponent will get a house point," I said. Great. Two smooth rounds of Connect 4 followed, each ending with the middle girl angelically congratulating her big sister. Then came the third round, and the biggest girl pausing as she was about to win again, and turning to me. "But I really want a house point," she said.

Hmm. Good point. I am not exactly sending the right message here, I thought. Okay, if you can all play the next few rounds without me needing to intervene, you all get a house point. Bingo. Worked a treat. Not sure where the fine line between bribery and rewards for good behaviour is, but I am happy with that. Maybe in another universe somewhere there exist similar children who can play games nicely without such bribes or fights, but house points seem to be working for now.

And, keen as I am to find ways to get them picking their stuff up off the floor (as, quite frankly I have had enough of attempting to reach down to do it with a big baby tummy in the way), I am giving out house points like they are, well, very cheap little sticky dots that come in packs of 1000 to be stuck onto their charts.

Small children don't get economics. They don't understand that it is no different for everyone to get three points for completing the tidying up or to just get one. But this week I have realised they whirr into action really quickly when they think they are getting three. So I offer them three. It has made a nice change from being grumpy Mummy threatening them with The Bag of Doom for all toys still on the floor at the end of the day.

We finally finished the pigs!

It took a lot of self control to not step in and assist with the painting process. Especially when the ears on the littlest girl's pig just kept getting bigger and bigger.

But aren't they lovely? I think the sight of these bright pink pigs on our windowsill is a lovely one. (Still not rushing to repeat the experience of paper mache with three small children, though.)

Sun flower update: Day 8 and we have the first signs of life!

And, thank goodness, there are (just) signs of life on all three of the pots planted by the girls on the same day. And everyone who knows anything about small children will know how important that is.

Bye for now!