tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18266589693665825532024-03-06T12:00:42.098-08:00Sew now we are four.A sewing, crafting, family blog.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-41651591233989744502013-05-22T04:39:00.005-07:002013-05-22T06:07:57.018-07:00Sale in my Etsy Shop! and Day 22Just a quickie - I am joining in with my networking friends to offer different things every day - and today its WEBSITE WEDNESDAY. As such, I am offering a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SewNowWeAre4">10% sale in my Etsy shop</a> if you quote the code:<br />
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SALE10WEDNESDAY.</div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SewNowWeAre4">Only Today!</a></div>
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When I have time I will update you with whats happening on other days.<br />
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Day 22 Change:</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoel3j_vdUK2T_j14g4_pVloYtkv1Io0g37xg28QnR5AI9shjnLthagO9nGsBb55khW1jkifM-B5Cn5keWthC7ELINg3q0ikQ_80KpAax4C7a6cAUgoO_1iZtIbY6cVubN-4O1lMW7q891/s1600/DSCN5094_3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoel3j_vdUK2T_j14g4_pVloYtkv1Io0g37xg28QnR5AI9shjnLthagO9nGsBb55khW1jkifM-B5Cn5keWthC7ELINg3q0ikQ_80KpAax4C7a6cAUgoO_1iZtIbY6cVubN-4O1lMW7q891/s400/DSCN5094_3453.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I need to work out what to change on my embroidery machine to stop it doing this - a habit it started last night, and I am not a happy bunny!</div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-19508787653507233172013-05-21T12:44:00.001-07:002013-05-21T12:50:13.562-07:00Photo a Day in May days 20 and 21Following the Fat Mum Slim photo a day challenge (although I have missed a few days).<br />
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Day 20 Light</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aR4qAK2nkWxiNXKJL1LJpYYJGTX4AoTEe6dWOjOxeyteNmcGpkqjHUTLhcX_hFoxNsZS6jMdKn7hzD4eP6ifhyphenhyphenBcdWC3NndxVqRKIQ7Ad0zhWzMIf_YL1rZ3smBSrlWSJ05wcKTCdKsu/s1600/DSCN5035_3394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aR4qAK2nkWxiNXKJL1LJpYYJGTX4AoTEe6dWOjOxeyteNmcGpkqjHUTLhcX_hFoxNsZS6jMdKn7hzD4eP6ifhyphenhyphenBcdWC3NndxVqRKIQ7Ad0zhWzMIf_YL1rZ3smBSrlWSJ05wcKTCdKsu/s400/DSCN5035_3394.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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This was actually taken on Saturday (day 18), but we didnt really have any light on Monday, so I am pushing it a little by including it. No editing in this photo - the light in the sky just looked this gorgeous!</div>
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Day 21. I care about this...</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG56vo0uZ4WTXV7OvbR7KdIKQtTgVFDZJLLcrdqNo7U5yqZ1TyMoVY1oKw-z1qoHXotqD7k-IpZK_TKMYnFNEWlUsPOfTf48zMqUQ3nMlH0NbTYF_hT1aUSQg8r-BiAwIJch648TSPAbAM/s1600/DSCN5088_3447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG56vo0uZ4WTXV7OvbR7KdIKQtTgVFDZJLLcrdqNo7U5yqZ1TyMoVY1oKw-z1qoHXotqD7k-IpZK_TKMYnFNEWlUsPOfTf48zMqUQ3nMlH0NbTYF_hT1aUSQg8r-BiAwIJch648TSPAbAM/s400/DSCN5088_3447.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It occurred to me (obviously) to photograph my children, my husband, and I almost chose a photo from the Charity I run (Called Common Sense - details <a href="http://commonsense.org.uk/">here</a>), but that wouldnt be a today photo - so I thought about my business, and what I care about - and its this: <b>I care that all my dolls and toys and softies are made and tested to comply with all safety regulations (EN71-3)</b>. Its not the easy, cheap route, but its important, and its something I am very proud of! I know they are SAFE and legal to sell!<br />
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Love SarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-82281291683621781272013-05-20T02:58:00.000-07:002013-05-20T02:58:01.804-07:00Grommets and Festivals <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBuwgnScuDXegP8zMjhi5-Hn7xKSXOBLs5NDbuxpNystTuA8odbLQj2pivcJ4okHocoxZEltg1Gjj3zNZrewH8QZ160BnHO3JdfFLT21_d3QWNaae9Jv5gVg8ENsF-uIJcWGKtgvPMfab/s1600/DSCN4935_3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBuwgnScuDXegP8zMjhi5-Hn7xKSXOBLs5NDbuxpNystTuA8odbLQj2pivcJ4okHocoxZEltg1Gjj3zNZrewH8QZ160BnHO3JdfFLT21_d3QWNaae9Jv5gVg8ENsF-uIJcWGKtgvPMfab/s320/DSCN4935_3294.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Grommets</h3>
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Its been a busy old week for us this week. On Thursday, Isla had Grommet surgery (her second time), and was an absolute superstar! She was given a Monkey whom she called "Grommet" the night before to help her sleep (we had many sleepless nights leading up to the surgery as she has a great understanding of medical procedures, due to Lucas' special needs), and other than a few wobbles when talking with the anaethetist as she wanted to convince him to put her to sleep with gas rather than with a cannula (which he agreed to), she was incredibly brave - visibly shaking, but holding it together tremendously. When we got home, I gave her a supersoft toy rabbit which a friend had made her. Her recovery has been great - you can tell when she is next due painkillers, as she gets really grumpy, but she has gone back to school this morning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-W3uRXsgfSJioHeQuCZFdcIsmu_mujZrlWA6ImHiagZq_vb_7VF0Zg0XHgakJb-KQUjgTucTMdzMEOWDZo14IsbeAbCAwux4rqN7zaPeX5C6_HSOJLI8FBLBLa0M53F08Q0jOKudjjI-/s1600/DSCN5082_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-W3uRXsgfSJioHeQuCZFdcIsmu_mujZrlWA6ImHiagZq_vb_7VF0Zg0XHgakJb-KQUjgTucTMdzMEOWDZo14IsbeAbCAwux4rqN7zaPeX5C6_HSOJLI8FBLBLa0M53F08Q0jOKudjjI-/s320/DSCN5082_3441.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tamar Barn Dancing!</span></td></tr>
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<h2>
Tamfest!</h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">On Saturday, a Family Friend of ours had a festival to celebrate her 40th Birthday! It was a truly awesome event - with every kind of entertainment you could imagine. There will be hundreds of pics, but here are our experiences. Lots of people camped overnight, but we thought that Isla might still be a bit fragile for that.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw194-L1h4EybagP8O8XZMIt0LFigZgiNaNHjMmfOY0HGrVZd_tdyDOTOFQMHVE7B7RmITw6AXQ9SBXH-JsYvZctFTPhD4S2cJk_es1mmClws9sLUGd0-0VcgA9XjMgu5YTXepWq2M1iwz/s1600/DSCN4946_3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw194-L1h4EybagP8O8XZMIt0LFigZgiNaNHjMmfOY0HGrVZd_tdyDOTOFQMHVE7B7RmITw6AXQ9SBXH-JsYvZctFTPhD4S2cJk_es1mmClws9sLUGd0-0VcgA9XjMgu5YTXepWq2M1iwz/s320/DSCN4946_3305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Birthday girl in a Sumo suit!</span><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXWoUCyAH1Vo5yG8hYpano0P-gctR087xExvgqvj8g-tbiRRhQx_jKMwiFptpTFgPecrZVcvYcYzYvrnfpX7WIg1CpGsR7GP4ZJDg7V8DrKvrDU3W_J08UD3705u9Z-ChZotQxQmbbDym/s1600/DSCN4953_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXWoUCyAH1Vo5yG8hYpano0P-gctR087xExvgqvj8g-tbiRRhQx_jKMwiFptpTFgPecrZVcvYcYzYvrnfpX7WIg1CpGsR7GP4ZJDg7V8DrKvrDU3W_J08UD3705u9Z-ChZotQxQmbbDym/s320/DSCN4953_3312.JPG" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Balloon Animals</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYiAgtCyNNdHMdjcVKevKYPmGDSeHS4VSOO_F5Qn5PiFsnGz_MgGIa-BubBz9Fpv4ov5jjMWyUzdft78paUIJk7EU8BzpS5dd743huwXIaOm4-80jzqOzGBKtxnc4kONlhTmV0NF5v17E/s1600/DSCN4957_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYiAgtCyNNdHMdjcVKevKYPmGDSeHS4VSOO_F5Qn5PiFsnGz_MgGIa-BubBz9Fpv4ov5jjMWyUzdft78paUIJk7EU8BzpS5dd743huwXIaOm4-80jzqOzGBKtxnc4kONlhTmV0NF5v17E/s320/DSCN4957_3316.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">2 bouncy castles!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipjE6_DBLenHR5wLiono80LnVOZt4ALo3_aQklOjIzl65BKcoQ5D_hYawmUHILN27L3iBDABqSYkVlDSj60dxjwHPvZu2TnHkUxiC73gCopU59elvt9oWAk3b9ldfBXmKfQwvQFi4oiNv/s1600/DSCN4982_3341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipjE6_DBLenHR5wLiono80LnVOZt4ALo3_aQklOjIzl65BKcoQ5D_hYawmUHILN27L3iBDABqSYkVlDSj60dxjwHPvZu2TnHkUxiC73gCopU59elvt9oWAk3b9ldfBXmKfQwvQFi4oiNv/s320/DSCN4982_3341.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Rockers/soft play</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPPASzJGIzBf6zTY8l_m4PDiFe8zprG-c-2zcoPgWo-1gNvn5MuDwrtRn5iVmOZ3NedZboe2e6BQMI2_bFDHp4aehniNLu_6jlIjj3WMmpz4xT5Py8htvfqAIJJxCYf1WgA1e4iu0N6L-/s1600/DSCN4976_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygbUzZwhiBa8iHuMlMf1n-goNPee1orld3DuNJ7o6lCXZ-Vp3soHrrB8Wjh_AQ7l_cVGlw9IUGh9rfGQrVAZiP8sR_sX3R5bDytf9gkrd-mykFN9ISJVTtj_8V3uG_KbXP23PWrugRjh_/s1600/DSCN4998_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygbUzZwhiBa8iHuMlMf1n-goNPee1orld3DuNJ7o6lCXZ-Vp3soHrrB8Wjh_AQ7l_cVGlw9IUGh9rfGQrVAZiP8sR_sX3R5bDytf9gkrd-mykFN9ISJVTtj_8V3uG_KbXP23PWrugRjh_/s320/DSCN4998_3357.JPG" width="215" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPPASzJGIzBf6zTY8l_m4PDiFe8zprG-c-2zcoPgWo-1gNvn5MuDwrtRn5iVmOZ3NedZboe2e6BQMI2_bFDHp4aehniNLu_6jlIjj3WMmpz4xT5Py8htvfqAIJJxCYf1WgA1e4iu0N6L-/s320/DSCN4976_3335.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMl0da0dOiqCkX-pNRfa0t5KV01jbPK44I3RJr5Ni5mjb0VYaNmTZnLNIsyVtLbnLqC-0RlHXYc-bwCVl_LjmGZyMoqcP9-KNwsWi5Fn-K7ym2W_gBrYxx6PMxY-Yy-ZFUdFYBdX_w6mw/s1600/DSCN4978_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMl0da0dOiqCkX-pNRfa0t5KV01jbPK44I3RJr5Ni5mjb0VYaNmTZnLNIsyVtLbnLqC-0RlHXYc-bwCVl_LjmGZyMoqcP9-KNwsWi5Fn-K7ym2W_gBrYxx6PMxY-Yy-ZFUdFYBdX_w6mw/s200/DSCN4978_3337.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkFv_2G8YyD-dlHM-CGtBKait-mXXuhGcYdbh56Iqevq56LMf4yeBLy2Xrc7XhItbpxSnvskKJ4E3J8zeRMN7e2mQqrV83pNPBvkI-hKTxeZDNW4kuHoM0sh4jH32q6UeKxZ4xdQWBvJM/s1600/DSCN4991_3350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkFv_2G8YyD-dlHM-CGtBKait-mXXuhGcYdbh56Iqevq56LMf4yeBLy2Xrc7XhItbpxSnvskKJ4E3J8zeRMN7e2mQqrV83pNPBvkI-hKTxeZDNW4kuHoM0sh4jH32q6UeKxZ4xdQWBvJM/s320/DSCN4991_3350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Connect 4</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHnLtmJbRzofn5wOOs-RIB5F0J9md-5PhbX2P8ge8-YPSV7ReX47zFbwemdQlU2lZU9R-jgfbxijYU3E0f2BdEIfjyvMdaJGmZwIcmpC1e-4JqezK3Pf4MGlw73EcpVJNgvHBqs1xqiOn/s1600/DSCN5002_3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHnLtmJbRzofn5wOOs-RIB5F0J9md-5PhbX2P8ge8-YPSV7ReX47zFbwemdQlU2lZU9R-jgfbxijYU3E0f2BdEIfjyvMdaJGmZwIcmpC1e-4JqezK3Pf4MGlw73EcpVJNgvHBqs1xqiOn/s320/DSCN5002_3361.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDKDfnU8C9Dexwi49AvrriSyPahkJNzQKxrkcvle4leBpnP-FviKY5dtNIdThsZ3PiV5Gx9JZJFu8Br4ksCA5VNeESR4yXdyX1ihyphenhyphenRqh0i6N19sIuq4KUTlW5TBykVaxXeM71y_Wj8eHC/s1600/DSCN5011_3370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDKDfnU8C9Dexwi49AvrriSyPahkJNzQKxrkcvle4leBpnP-FviKY5dtNIdThsZ3PiV5Gx9JZJFu8Br4ksCA5VNeESR4yXdyX1ihyphenhyphenRqh0i6N19sIuq4KUTlW5TBykVaxXeM71y_Wj8eHC/s320/DSCN5011_3370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Various crafts</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2hCDhChDDqTaCAA9ZK0uHyxWKOG9Ea7qByRN-y_7mMYRdC45e2hmQ5g99k84DictQXKHq-LgsEqT1_Bp-A0Tnw5Hb6IWatvB6L_G4g-0hH4iRgcbGHLn-eRfOkBaXxfFsSJNUlym-WES/s1600/DSCN5006_3365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2hCDhChDDqTaCAA9ZK0uHyxWKOG9Ea7qByRN-y_7mMYRdC45e2hmQ5g99k84DictQXKHq-LgsEqT1_Bp-A0Tnw5Hb6IWatvB6L_G4g-0hH4iRgcbGHLn-eRfOkBaXxfFsSJNUlym-WES/s200/DSCN5006_3365.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH1Xl9a2AwSkp1D8VeChpQYxY3m9GlLUQu7bA-nQfhDErVfj99D9VrU6uisRFjR9ejsmsgWC07LrKUCYcJirHW_be7ZHZb_vM8Jz_NEq78VXmm9fYy_h-lRt2BLzQYpLXuo56NfdD7K9K/s1600/DSCN5012_3371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH1Xl9a2AwSkp1D8VeChpQYxY3m9GlLUQu7bA-nQfhDErVfj99D9VrU6uisRFjR9ejsmsgWC07LrKUCYcJirHW_be7ZHZb_vM8Jz_NEq78VXmm9fYy_h-lRt2BLzQYpLXuo56NfdD7K9K/s320/DSCN5012_3371.JPG" width="153" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Magic show!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Face Painting</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0PgsKkwO1JLuCkzBu3vqrOEzYEASohJi7KctQ7lbTku2Yqt40dVxbKnMsvYDzUcueyOJr6e2AaoJ0OkaZxr2UEp-JIUAsEvTskoGfkd7F45Vre8OPdewn6E2dS_h73KYzFtTWRGPHmSc/s1600/DSCN5032_3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0PgsKkwO1JLuCkzBu3vqrOEzYEASohJi7KctQ7lbTku2Yqt40dVxbKnMsvYDzUcueyOJr6e2AaoJ0OkaZxr2UEp-JIUAsEvTskoGfkd7F45Vre8OPdewn6E2dS_h73KYzFtTWRGPHmSc/s320/DSCN5032_3391.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Ts4WPJoyf46-Y-cD6Sw-7HEVos0e6-bxnJLFt-ofxr6Z8J3bvf2b2Gd-zYMYhITP-9p_IKDGWnUT6NVBGGaXkzqPC2GrsMqJjG19TuiL-9y6j9qlG5mU-sBE910gC5mvz1G7GhbO53Y/s1600/DSCN5034_3393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Ts4WPJoyf46-Y-cD6Sw-7HEVos0e6-bxnJLFt-ofxr6Z8J3bvf2b2Gd-zYMYhITP-9p_IKDGWnUT6NVBGGaXkzqPC2GrsMqJjG19TuiL-9y6j9qlG5mU-sBE910gC5mvz1G7GhbO53Y/s320/DSCN5034_3393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tug of war</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTvl0l4ck0P-Z0iUVm0BhcOuTs93jqY8PmATERU_IdM8j3-292a55pOUBylVKJx3iVntk_E57ugbua4vNU2b-mgFy3rAmjIzc7dB_rxS1LJmOsk5s3A7GRiMNa56O1Y8oo3SChzR-AJt9/s1600/DSCN4993_3352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTvl0l4ck0P-Z0iUVm0BhcOuTs93jqY8PmATERU_IdM8j3-292a55pOUBylVKJx3iVntk_E57ugbua4vNU2b-mgFy3rAmjIzc7dB_rxS1LJmOsk5s3A7GRiMNa56O1Y8oo3SChzR-AJt9/s320/DSCN4993_3352.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Talented band!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOHRkN-NyaG5X89tVXOOrYs52B3OEBRI-6fqPvS-p0ZqZf-VLhgm5_S8L6_A-KsDc_44ZuGzDc6S5IldtZ0WiV7MzX_enGY2FZ8qQlEGV9pFGfeybcyd2WeTJP0NDo5bZrQ9SkpQDG2Zm/s1600/DSCN5042_3401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOHRkN-NyaG5X89tVXOOrYs52B3OEBRI-6fqPvS-p0ZqZf-VLhgm5_S8L6_A-KsDc_44ZuGzDc6S5IldtZ0WiV7MzX_enGY2FZ8qQlEGV9pFGfeybcyd2WeTJP0NDo5bZrQ9SkpQDG2Zm/s320/DSCN5042_3401.JPG" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lucas got to announce supper!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcll8DRqH_CM1C_2bk2T3X7fyLXSEe_eqneLCr7XyOcsSjty8VagEXHGfKcVaxv04HVoaMHK2IFeudv3HGlM6MiOLD9c7WcV_ETCHacSstngHrbLUNOLdRxq-uf0eusMRB0a0hiLLbmNM/s1600/DSCN5045_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcll8DRqH_CM1C_2bk2T3X7fyLXSEe_eqneLCr7XyOcsSjty8VagEXHGfKcVaxv04HVoaMHK2IFeudv3HGlM6MiOLD9c7WcV_ETCHacSstngHrbLUNOLdRxq-uf0eusMRB0a0hiLLbmNM/s320/DSCN5045_3404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Fish and Chip supper!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhg5kvGCeg3fCK4IGKNYUdVwAsIf_7LZiMW4fuxiMZjd3kC22Yp5VWBwNwOvYrMGlG5XgDIkDlhac8-3sARecdW6Ydo4RoTo5BP7uRXZbwTiOY2jwpuz9yzFVRHqGjyKDb6DG0fuvceMvb/s1600/DSCN5083_3442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhg5kvGCeg3fCK4IGKNYUdVwAsIf_7LZiMW4fuxiMZjd3kC22Yp5VWBwNwOvYrMGlG5XgDIkDlhac8-3sARecdW6Ydo4RoTo5BP7uRXZbwTiOY2jwpuz9yzFVRHqGjyKDb6DG0fuvceMvb/s320/DSCN5083_3442.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Barn Dance</span></td></tr>
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It really was the most amazing party we have ever been to, and Tamar and her family are beyond awesome to have pulled it off! Thanks for letting us be part of it all Tamar!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">My favourite photos of the day:</span></h3>
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My Festival girl:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yia59XBDUcEdsHtPPFe5PUn-vmc1xi6RReBQGBr4EkUq73THP7cES5_-yysZ8yx2qrApWTgE3mY2wpVsQxPOtHCD6P0KyiicKDpYJnEY13hKjihO9avqfXhcylLjSxhKObqFCoCYxMwA/s1600/DSCN5003_3362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yia59XBDUcEdsHtPPFe5PUn-vmc1xi6RReBQGBr4EkUq73THP7cES5_-yysZ8yx2qrApWTgE3mY2wpVsQxPOtHCD6P0KyiicKDpYJnEY13hKjihO9avqfXhcylLjSxhKObqFCoCYxMwA/s400/DSCN5003_3362.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Lucas laughing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLu01LRttyTTfsLHxuuov4YM2N7B0u8yngCKKxEhH0IbKVmLWCHfnRhGKOxB9P__WnEW7anVXdWauv2kQH2-j_81x3iYR1MyjoUTOduVPV4n1Ecp9GCacCILOiDYEwXqmeyYPol3CrYpo/s1600/DSCN5018_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLu01LRttyTTfsLHxuuov4YM2N7B0u8yngCKKxEhH0IbKVmLWCHfnRhGKOxB9P__WnEW7anVXdWauv2kQH2-j_81x3iYR1MyjoUTOduVPV4n1Ecp9GCacCILOiDYEwXqmeyYPol3CrYpo/s320/DSCN5018_3377.JPG" width="222" /></a></div>
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(For local people who want good people - the magic show was <a href="http://www.okeydokeyentertainment.co.uk/">Mr Merlin (and Okey Dokey the Dragon)</a><br />and the amazing Face Painting was done by <a href="http://www.diamondfaces.co.uk/">Diamond Faces</a></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-21924609379836008532013-05-14T11:43:00.002-07:002013-05-14T11:43:56.968-07:00Day 14<h2>
Photo a Day in May Challege Day 14</h2>
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Need</h3>
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This has been going round my head all day - and I have had so many trite thoughts about what I need: Various sewing machines (obvious), Children (ditto), To clean my sewing machines (had a malfunction - took the cleaning brush to all 3 and had an embarassingly large pile of fluff that I couldnt quite bring myself to photograph), Sleep (really bad few nights - but wasnt sure whether to just take photo of my haggard face?!), Time, etc (you get the idea)</div>
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Its been a rough day - I have felt pulled in all directions, almost all of my own making, and it has come to this. </div>
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What I really need is Balance!</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwg2G8833cIZUi7YulsWdHLfqOKphVA3Dx_0NsFHkQwF1U6NOWkbJcRBDwLAc6z2lUwYCycCm4s2TTMDeh37A05OJZ0P2bQInsjkyJi7WvhTOtixY-Wf32yN4S0EGg82PKztYUleiCgdA/s1600/Need.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwg2G8833cIZUi7YulsWdHLfqOKphVA3Dx_0NsFHkQwF1U6NOWkbJcRBDwLAc6z2lUwYCycCm4s2TTMDeh37A05OJZ0P2bQInsjkyJi7WvhTOtixY-Wf32yN4S0EGg82PKztYUleiCgdA/s320/Need.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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I am trying desperately to keep my business moving forwards - and it feels at times like I am getting somewhere, but in order to keep it moving, I spend every evening on the computer uploading, marketing, networking and so on, and then I spend very little time with Iain. I spend all day sewing, without really taking a break which means that by the time I pick the children up from school I am grumpy, hungry and have a headache, so they get the worst of me. Lucas has medical appointments and admissions coming up, and I am getting stressed working out how to fit work around them, when really he should have all of my time. Isla has an operation on Thursday, so will need my undivided attention for a few days - in which case Lucas, Iain and work suffers. I literally have no idea how to create balance. I know its possible, and I know the sewing thing is my decision - I am doing it because I want a role, a purpose, and because we need money, but I wonder almost every day what I should be doing differently to make things work better for me in my roles. No one gets the best of me right now, not even myself. I am often on the verge or tears or screaming, and there is no reason for that except that I cannot create this balance that I so desperately need!</div>
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Love Sarah</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-73346426491702729482013-05-12T13:23:00.000-07:002013-05-12T13:23:31.189-07:00Photo Day 12 and a Craft FairDay 12<br />
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Mother</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgBqJhpdGtuTF3VFjn3ZLg2vzLiU1IHGxlPdtDOhOch0T-VAZaLO8R6D3u6xZkdZo34pbJVwFs20W87tQnfRq1CxPzWKn9CRcyHAE4vclzMoZRkczFh5lQFcV5wE4enwSXwXdMTjpPWae/s1600/248_26254366182_6912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgBqJhpdGtuTF3VFjn3ZLg2vzLiU1IHGxlPdtDOhOch0T-VAZaLO8R6D3u6xZkdZo34pbJVwFs20W87tQnfRq1CxPzWKn9CRcyHAE4vclzMoZRkczFh5lQFcV5wE4enwSXwXdMTjpPWae/s320/248_26254366182_6912_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This photo was taken 10 years ago the day after Lucas had open heart surgery. It was the first time he had his ventilation tube taken out and I was able to get close to him. This absolutely isnt all that being a mother is to me - there are more good days, and more happy moments than there are hard, and yet - always, every minute and every day I have memories like this, and thoughts of equally hard times (or worse) in our future. We dont know whether Lucas will live longer than us, whether he may any day become very ill very quickly, so motherhood is always so incredibly precious and so scary every day. Never for a moment do I take being Lucas' Mum (nor Isla's of course) for granted, because I may not get to be his mother for as long as I would like.</div>
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The Great Wimborne Craft and Bake Sale</h3>
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Found a link to this fair yesterday on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatWimborneBakeandCraftSale?fref=ts">Facebook </a>. Persuaded the children to go because I mentioned cakes about a hundred times, so we did that thing where we say we will get ready, then about 1.5 hours later we are actually all in the car with picnic packed. God - it all takes so much time at the moment!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuQIpK8PD1Utn12W9ru73RhIvR-j54QEvxF7YmLp6QoHzUBzgEBLsbg_TLxIfW-B9CZP0rn8nSO_5BJPW9DpweXv4AIphZrjUJEru_9m6C0uXmbYUJYWlWMt_-jv5G5DmlSx9QzHpncQS/s1600/DSCN4854_3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuQIpK8PD1Utn12W9ru73RhIvR-j54QEvxF7YmLp6QoHzUBzgEBLsbg_TLxIfW-B9CZP0rn8nSO_5BJPW9DpweXv4AIphZrjUJEru_9m6C0uXmbYUJYWlWMt_-jv5G5DmlSx9QzHpncQS/s320/DSCN4854_3213.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9PagulYfj3RYvi8uHR5rPBq5CvbNbjPSQcgirGQACAv5QLxQA5NeML1DWCv338pNmOHyTlrcWQxksJAY6JLeptTKFHoPeWd3apQr6Qqpok8_DzvJaiMArkL7rsYgLqKc1UUlnQVdWIog/s1600/DSCN4866_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9PagulYfj3RYvi8uHR5rPBq5CvbNbjPSQcgirGQACAv5QLxQA5NeML1DWCv338pNmOHyTlrcWQxksJAY6JLeptTKFHoPeWd3apQr6Qqpok8_DzvJaiMArkL7rsYgLqKc1UUlnQVdWIog/s320/DSCN4866_3225.JPG" width="172" /></a>Anyway, the first (and best) thing we did was pay £2 to decorate a teacup and saucer. Lucas was very hesitant to start with (the story of his life atm tbh), but eventually joined in. Isla was so incredibly intense the whole time, and took around 45 minutes to decorate a tiny cup and saucer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Sq6jIaQ8aslhnuqLg4tHdHMWrb6fdwdqE9ZiuipACsWPjbfk3xLK60ILDzzXoFrRMOaa5vrsYP7wFRFgG88ZFF_b9IP0ksEc6nQGRbEQPMH7KcGr0GO4hM-6-ZmiZIY4GMUs5YAuuNcS/s1600/DSCN4857_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Sq6jIaQ8aslhnuqLg4tHdHMWrb6fdwdqE9ZiuipACsWPjbfk3xLK60ILDzzXoFrRMOaa5vrsYP7wFRFgG88ZFF_b9IP0ksEc6nQGRbEQPMH7KcGr0GO4hM-6-ZmiZIY4GMUs5YAuuNcS/s320/DSCN4857_3216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lucas did this! Complete fluke obviously, but fab!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTKAw8lwcc8tPUkj_SAMaR8yfVEAcFTmGk6QjC5cED0pIiN02u1DOKYVhyrnWdxkOpKorqeuXvLWmv-1RviMoOQbcIvu8hoxIQALlvTViKK5qkQOR8OsTIvEoTiFbBoyn3fGaJXdsMMyT/s1600/DSCN4872_3231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTKAw8lwcc8tPUkj_SAMaR8yfVEAcFTmGk6QjC5cED0pIiN02u1DOKYVhyrnWdxkOpKorqeuXvLWmv-1RviMoOQbcIvu8hoxIQALlvTViKK5qkQOR8OsTIvEoTiFbBoyn3fGaJXdsMMyT/s320/DSCN4872_3231.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61tef6lRBArQxuk-502ZbGX16cuFm1A_1um1MTYilJSUDlDvD6kkPbu9GdtMauQ1XMF54LrIv0fKt9xpd3j94NriziWCHm-knesQYGKDCYT0BjFJstAfdccnpKeeFD6aK16SCyGn9Jif_/s1600/DSCN4873_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61tef6lRBArQxuk-502ZbGX16cuFm1A_1um1MTYilJSUDlDvD6kkPbu9GdtMauQ1XMF54LrIv0fKt9xpd3j94NriziWCHm-knesQYGKDCYT0BjFJstAfdccnpKeeFD6aK16SCyGn9Jif_/s320/DSCN4873_3232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lucas drew the spirals, and Iain got stuck in colouring in the gaps!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna6e9tbPXGlssDQi2tCKpyriVuc_fia29Qv8BthZGrjqiJqjhQnddUdst2aroPhsGikygiordsWQMsLqttvRTtcQGfE6mKg8blKYInY636S2IAkzphjyVvJIjjRHsMOQlBFBE-sZnEg39/s1600/DSCN4867_3226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna6e9tbPXGlssDQi2tCKpyriVuc_fia29Qv8BthZGrjqiJqjhQnddUdst2aroPhsGikygiordsWQMsLqttvRTtcQGfE6mKg8blKYInY636S2IAkzphjyVvJIjjRHsMOQlBFBE-sZnEg39/s320/DSCN4867_3226.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Very busy work - painting a rainbow!</span></td></tr>
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We did the decorating with Sharpie pens, then when we got home had to put them in a cold oven, turn it on to 180degrees, then leave to harden in the oven for 30 minutes (if you fancied having a go). They look fabulous actually, and has convinced me even more than lots of pins on Pinterest that I really need some Sharpies in my life ;-)<br /><br />
Then we had a look at other stalls, and bought some fabulous cakes from a stall called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BakeryBoxx?fref=ts">Bakery Boxx</a>. We took the cakes and went outside for our picnic. It was, honestly getting bloomin freezing by this point, and Iain and Isla seemed to suffer the most. Iain put on every layer he could find in the car, and Isla decided that she needed my hoodie as well as hers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fAF2iH6XuJdxicbXhFik5brdEp_4Y6t-S-p4dWEPuhVQgJmb67JC05EGQ_0iAnggI0QAX2q0ohQQvymvTw9F5ArlKrEjqbV_KfW_ojwX3by6JE_xMHwIDDyLSbGzUUpeRLrrUHysl17q/s1600/DSCN4880_3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fAF2iH6XuJdxicbXhFik5brdEp_4Y6t-S-p4dWEPuhVQgJmb67JC05EGQ_0iAnggI0QAX2q0ohQQvymvTw9F5ArlKrEjqbV_KfW_ojwX3by6JE_xMHwIDDyLSbGzUUpeRLrrUHysl17q/s320/DSCN4880_3239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7ZXU_D-LTzrOqExjFruWyvM5Myu14P2TIw1Ve68-ENSak5L_hal2VgCW_1_6ZSf2zdqPJYTKGrJrBRRK42Mot3WFezHi6MTPUBx2CN6q2LpuFkj8I9f5Rv4VcUS7YFIT4wiYlflUXEDZ/s1600/DSCN4881_3240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7ZXU_D-LTzrOqExjFruWyvM5Myu14P2TIw1Ve68-ENSak5L_hal2VgCW_1_6ZSf2zdqPJYTKGrJrBRRK42Mot3WFezHi6MTPUBx2CN6q2LpuFkj8I9f5Rv4VcUS7YFIT4wiYlflUXEDZ/s320/DSCN4881_3240.JPG" width="193" /></a>We had pretty much just finished eating when the rain came, so hurried indoors to get a last look at the stalls. Isla spent her pocket money fairly wisely on two lucky dips, and Lucas decided that his would be best spent on one more slice of amazing chocolate cake from the Bakery Boxx, which they shared for pudding. The fair seemed to have a large footfall (most of whom were carrying bags of goodies) a good choice of stalls, and nothing quite like I make, so I will certainly make enquiries to have a stall at the next one.</div>
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Love Sarah</div>
xxx<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-40824200503397690942013-05-12T12:42:00.000-07:002013-05-12T12:42:34.874-07:00Photo and Fortune TellersDay 11 of Photo A Day in May:<br />
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Smile</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DUyc_NI73GnQ4ENFyPutlLjhgDQHpccwXVqsJM8mRZ04PraW33AhhVemdFSNVx7_OSCNic30LZhp-kuFy3rrCIvod0i2Mgxwv02SH9jriF1xvd-cJdK0sVXiHZI2oOCoWpF_WCfI_7Ml/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DUyc_NI73GnQ4ENFyPutlLjhgDQHpccwXVqsJM8mRZ04PraW33AhhVemdFSNVx7_OSCNic30LZhp-kuFy3rrCIvod0i2Mgxwv02SH9jriF1xvd-cJdK0sVXiHZI2oOCoWpF_WCfI_7Ml/s400/073.JPG" width="400" /></a></h3>
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Slightly cheating today on this one, as I have used two photos and because Its not 'work/business' related in the slightest, but both my kids blessed me with great smiles today - so it seemed unfair to make me choose whose to share. </div>
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Fortune Tellers</h3>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EO00o7iR07E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>So - Isla has got really into paper aeroplanes, and so I was pondering some easy and fun origami for her. Then my mind wandered back to my childhood, and I remembered paper "fortune tellers". I asked friends on Facebook who knew how to make them, as it was very vague for me, and got linked to this fabulous Youtube video. We set to work, and had a marvelous time working out how to make them. To start with, we had some trouble getting our folds accurate, but we improved, and got some made. I managed to make mine work well, but it was just too big for Islas hands, so then we made some teeny tiny ones, which worked better. I had vague notions of writing things inside them, so started with vague 'yes' 'no' parts under the flaps - and then remembered colours for the top flaps, numbers in the middle, and 8 different options underneath. I havent got a good photo of our final design, but if people cant remember how to make them, and want to give it a go, I can go and get it out of Islas bed where its resting at the moment ;-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwtXWWUyRtS85Qf9NDCJqCpBmvBQ3CTzETsRaYURpDn-9Mqy9SNpj3EHh_O0csXwtdKJRnCN7eXlt3bdU3mA0yKiUKcvtdJQanG4o7IvVNRpRrXaxrAoI0bRTYTBffQEhG5UQHx_dTRF-/s1600/DSCN4833_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwtXWWUyRtS85Qf9NDCJqCpBmvBQ3CTzETsRaYURpDn-9Mqy9SNpj3EHh_O0csXwtdKJRnCN7eXlt3bdU3mA0yKiUKcvtdJQanG4o7IvVNRpRrXaxrAoI0bRTYTBffQEhG5UQHx_dTRF-/s320/DSCN4833_3192.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8l5C1-J17QbuHF2z134egb1hofJ2LOEIQwOq3iXW1FXF-53wb61SHEiGtjhZiFIkxPaLqXOrM6zkO1hJyLhi0kLanOgQ_gtI63EF4LVTKDS-rfHU53e5GYLiGM5jhOxbkPxb8eEnIndx/s1600/DSCN4843_3202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8l5C1-J17QbuHF2z134egb1hofJ2LOEIQwOq3iXW1FXF-53wb61SHEiGtjhZiFIkxPaLqXOrM6zkO1hJyLhi0kLanOgQ_gtI63EF4LVTKDS-rfHU53e5GYLiGM5jhOxbkPxb8eEnIndx/s320/DSCN4843_3202.JPG" width="193" /></a>Many amusing questions followed - with Lucas throughly getting in on the game and the action. We even did that thing where you write the names of who you might marry on them (with one horrendous option), and the kids each did it. We let the Fortune Tellers decide what we would have for supper, pudding, if Iain was smelly, if trains were boring and many more things. Great, easy activity for a rainy day - cant recommend it enough!<br /><br /><br />Love Sarah</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-41760738512984497662013-05-10T13:20:00.000-07:002013-05-10T13:25:27.331-07:00Photo a Day In May Challenge Day 10So - todays theme is STARS.<br />
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Took forever to get any inspiration from this, and some peoples photgraphs I saw posted on FB were so amazing that I just didnt feel it. Was going to stitch out a star on something of Lucas', as have been meaning to do that anyway. Then I looked across at Lucy (embroidery machine) working hard, and realised I had been a numpty! It was literally star(r)ring me in the face!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(apologies if the colour is a little off - my screen has gone bonkers, and I cant seem to mend it without pushing "auto correct" again and making it all bright and garish all over again)</span></div>
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Will keep at my Tweeting lessons with Iain, and hopefully actually tweet this with the correct Hashtags, and not make a faux pas of some kind (which I have been doing a lot, so he tells me!). Take it easy on me if you see me in Twitter land though guys? </div>
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Love Sarah</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-86073697021401481172013-05-09T21:03:00.000-07:002013-05-09T21:03:25.613-07:00About a (blind) boyUpdate: I wrote this post last year as a guest post for Rachel at <a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.co.uk/">Imagine Gnats</a> but I realised looking through my blog that its not easy to find information about our journey with our son Lucas, so thought I would reshare it tonight, as he is filling my mind with concerns and complications for the future. We are dealing with new issues, and I will attempt to blog about them in the coming weeks, so wanted to remind my older followers, and inform my newer followers before I get stuck in!<br />
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So, I am really excited to write a guest post for Rachael at <a href="http://www.imaginegnats.com/">Imagine Gnats</a>, and have spent a long time wondering what to write. Do I write about being English (I think most of the other guest bloggers aren't), do I write about something crafty that I am up to? Or maybe even a tutorial?, but it is the Easter holidays here, and the thing which is most on my mind is my son Lucas - so here goes:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About a (blind) boy: </b></span></div>
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Lucas was our first child, born in June 2002. He is the most incredible, funny, talented, magnetic boy in the world. He also carries a huge list of diagnoses, which don't describe him, but they are a huge part of who he is - here goes:<br />
<a href="http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/101.115/optic-nerve-hypoplasia-septo-optic-dysplasia">Septo Optic Dysplasia</a><br />
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia<br />
Panhypopituitarism<br />
Epilepsy<br />
Migraines<br />
<a href="http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-asperger-syndrome-an-introduction/what-is-asperger-syndrome.aspx">Aspergers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cafamily.org.uk/Direct/a27.html">Partial Agenisis of the Corpus Collosum</a><br />
Agenisis of the <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/septum%20pellucidum">Septum Pellucidum</a><br />
Migratory Brain Cysts<br />
Retinal Aplasia<br />
<a href="http://www.chfed.org.uk/information/heart_conditions/fallots_tetralogy_tetralogy_of_fallots">Tetralogy of Fallots</a><br />
<a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/179937-overview">Low Gut Motility</a><br />
<a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html">Sensory Processing Dysfunction</a><br />
<a href="http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/146/precocious-puberty.html">Gonadotropen dependent precocious puberty</a><br />
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He is blind (he reads and writes Braille and uses a long cane and echo location to move around), he has life-threatening and life limiting medical conditions, which require medications from 7am til 11.30pm everyday. He has intramuscular injections, sub-cutaneous injections and can never be left in the care of someone who isn't medically trained.<br />
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Having a child with severe disabilities is an incredible journey - it challenges your ideals, your parenting, your belief system, definitely your marriage and family relationships and your ability to cope. I don't always cope - I have intermittent depression and anxiety, I don't sleep well, I eat either too much or not enough, and I am going grey! My husband and I have survived - although we have times when we become insular, when we don't communicate and when we just don't like each other very much! I question my parenting almost on an hourly basis and am known by professionals and other parents as a control freak. If it weren't for the support of other parents, then we would not have had the confidence and understanding that professionals aren't always right - and our son would not have survived if we had not found the amazing team at Great Ormond Street Hospital. I am truly thankful for the National Health Service in this country every single day. without it I'm sure either Lucas would be no longer be with us, or we would be bankrupt.<br />
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We are so busy trying to get help, support, advice, provision and medical intervention for our children, that often it is hard to have our own personal voice - but being Mum to Lucas is an enormous part of who I am. I have learned a lot medically, I can read and write Braille, I am now a Mobility Instructor and we run a charity loaning out long white canes to Visually Impaired children across the UK (and are the only people to do this).<br />
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People ask how I cope - and the answer from me isnt that different to the answer my friends with disabled children give - because I have to, and mostly I really enjoy it. For me, firstly study (I earned a BSc from the Open University) and then crafting are essential for my well-being. I craft, I think, because it is something that I do just for me, something that isn't connected to being Lucas' Mum. I am not the most skilled crafter in the world, nor the most unusual or original, but it is my thing - and crucial.<br />
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Here is a poem which is known to most parents of children with disabilities, but not so much by other people. I think it is brilliant!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">WELCOME TO HOLLAND</span></h2>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">by </span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Emily Perl Kingsley.</span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.</b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.</span></div>
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And here are some through the years shots of my truly remarkable, one-in-a-million boy:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfVjgf1f_XkvKD-qcY7mRa5oHi18xkg2qDOqiUnW_ImG4I0PQV_F6cr7AWW6JD7tFPdmBcI6jw5IFneDRnv212Aa2KH1OQlM1vOXvZOpnzsTZD0lDUnWaiXkRUT99YjvPhkB3u1H6x0oI/s1600/Lu+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfVjgf1f_XkvKD-qcY7mRa5oHi18xkg2qDOqiUnW_ImG4I0PQV_F6cr7AWW6JD7tFPdmBcI6jw5IFneDRnv212Aa2KH1OQlM1vOXvZOpnzsTZD0lDUnWaiXkRUT99YjvPhkB3u1H6x0oI/s320/Lu+smile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love Sarah xxxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-25827124918415507912013-05-09T01:49:00.000-07:002013-05-09T02:21:25.674-07:00Photo a Day in May days 8 and 9, and Twitter!I have belated started this challenge from<a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/"> Fat Mum Slim</a>, and its really cool to be able to (in my case) look round your workspace in a new way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeTxqJ5fsrIsACa2o86YEqkN_BWJmtMXqUCIRfBYl9uEME8EhNk2IZDSI96azYxzJvWJr0rwHvSdV-pBuVffecE4nQ8eyh6D99rgIs_yku0Wf3Nuo8FTteXA9H-V-tDdIca3Hu1U0HzkS/s1600/MAY-PHOTO-A-DAY_zps15a0483f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeTxqJ5fsrIsACa2o86YEqkN_BWJmtMXqUCIRfBYl9uEME8EhNk2IZDSI96azYxzJvWJr0rwHvSdV-pBuVffecE4nQ8eyh6D99rgIs_yku0Wf3Nuo8FTteXA9H-V-tDdIca3Hu1U0HzkS/s200/MAY-PHOTO-A-DAY_zps15a0483f.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Day 8. Shape. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Blq4cZtltymf6TfoWXRHMw2eq2bcSTotWjqCFiz86ddT3nbijmRDMa6ccvje94qwyVAUAs7ls6IYh6odfjJVRLynL6ZtB_mLhH7YWRxInKm34f7oND1JjVTWvTWgXeR9vJcNROL_bRbI/s1600/DSCN4773_3132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Blq4cZtltymf6TfoWXRHMw2eq2bcSTotWjqCFiz86ddT3nbijmRDMa6ccvje94qwyVAUAs7ls6IYh6odfjJVRLynL6ZtB_mLhH7YWRxInKm34f7oND1JjVTWvTWgXeR9vJcNROL_bRbI/s400/DSCN4773_3132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I love looking at the quilting ruler/lines on my cutting mat/and my tools on there - it is such an empowering feeling to be able to create and use exact measurements for things - something up until I started sewing I really struggled with.<br />
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Day 9. A Snack</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRRXf8ofOe17UwTHXDKYQ0NCGVJbwCM_hA3HIrKGxV03RVopevBEf-YDWanXXftwDB_q2TnhBCa3T6vK4-Bdzm6gCsq7Jycfxh-Skwcd_q3CDrUfRNPQrHckkCy1HpWlX6IkaCtagS_Wg/s1600/Fast+diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRRXf8ofOe17UwTHXDKYQ0NCGVJbwCM_hA3HIrKGxV03RVopevBEf-YDWanXXftwDB_q2TnhBCa3T6vK4-Bdzm6gCsq7Jycfxh-Skwcd_q3CDrUfRNPQrHckkCy1HpWlX6IkaCtagS_Wg/s200/Fast+diet.jpg" width="200" /></a>So - I have been following a new diet plan (about 100 years after most other people) inspired by some crafty friends, and am doing intermittent fasting. I have managed almost every other day fasting - some easier than others, but today is a fast day, so my 'snack' today until supper time looks like this. Some nuts and LOTS of Green Tea (Lemon flavoured this time), water, and the always present in my life Pepsi Max. I have found it much easier to do than other weight loss plans - achieved target weight on Slimming World twice in the past, but get sulky and stroppy whe I have to stick to it for ever, this way works for me - I fast on busy days, and then get to east regular food with the family on other days. Since starting last Monday I have lost a Stone, which I am thrilled with :-) Here is the book for anyone who fancies giving it a try. Let me know how you find it?</div>
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Twitter</h3>
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Feeling very modern (lol) - I ust set up a Twitter Account!<br />
Not really sure how it all works, ut if you want to follow me, I am under the Twitter name <a href="https://twitter.com/SewNowweare4">SewNowweare4</a><br />If you would like me to follow you, drop me a message or comment.<br />
Wish me luck!<br />
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Love SarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-43920942994539842013-05-07T13:50:00.000-07:002013-05-09T20:57:00.634-07:00ClothesSo.....Did I mention I got an overlocker (thats English for a Serger) for my birthday? Well I did, and I LOVE it! Massive Kids Clothes Week Challenge fail aside, I have really started knuckling down to make clothes for my chids. Now Isla is WAY easier - age 5 (more patterns), a girl (more patterns), and a fairly normal shape ;-) So she has more things atm, but I have plans to remedy this up my sleeve.<br />
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For now though - here is Isla in some clothes I have made her this week:<br />
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This was a pattern that I designed myself, and trialled with this supercute hedgehog fabric from Ikea. It has poppered shoulders to help with dressing/undressing.</div>
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This gorgeous pattern is the first I have tried from <a href="http://www.tiedyedivapatterns.com/">Tie Dye Diva</a> - I have bought others and am looking forward to trying them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi7nP-GLivOCKgpR7BEEnUyEEMsiHzcn8P2i5Q_qDs3uCNOkiQQiHbw01dm0rFSnH3cOPj4L_cTJR3rZz-wDxgkMbcZ7ZEgSyzISM6H725jk7n6LoCmbzZXG-LIbSYBTqruH87wEAgxDu/s1600/skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi7nP-GLivOCKgpR7BEEnUyEEMsiHzcn8P2i5Q_qDs3uCNOkiQQiHbw01dm0rFSnH3cOPj4L_cTJR3rZz-wDxgkMbcZ7ZEgSyzISM6H725jk7n6LoCmbzZXG-LIbSYBTqruH87wEAgxDu/s320/skirt.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
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A Line skirt designed by myself again, and trialled with Ikea fabric. This skirt has an enormous poppered pocket in the front that Isla is having fun filling with "treasure". I will be making her more of these, as she loves it - so will attempt to get some good pics of the skirts, and even jot down the pattern if you are interested.</div>
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Oh, and rather predictably my <a href="http://pinterest.com/sewnowwearefour/sergeroverlocker/">Overlocker/Serger Pinterest Board</a> is filling up nicely too ;-)</div>
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For geeky information - my Overlocker/Serger is a Brother 1034D</div>
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My sewing machine is a Janome 6600P</div>
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My Embroidery machine is a Brother 750E</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-55978053921800262632013-05-07T01:32:00.002-07:002013-05-07T01:33:33.500-07:00A Photo a Day in MayI am belatedly joining in this challenge with friends from a business network called Mouse House who are taking a picture a day in May centered around things they use for their businesses.<br />
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The themes and idea stem from <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/">Fat Mum Slim</a> who has posted a list of themes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNATY5Od6TlB3u7C5TKgEbQH6yENTmA0kFkG-u6NnMi71yQxIb7_4lSqx9A9_Kn-YsoexndY-V4t1cWgE0URNE-sv_SloMtyF7t3CB6WqZOwiEh7x1el0uAADCjImDBQMgmLAsTZaQc7Nv/s1600/MAY-PHOTO-A-DAY_zps15a0483f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNATY5Od6TlB3u7C5TKgEbQH6yENTmA0kFkG-u6NnMi71yQxIb7_4lSqx9A9_Kn-YsoexndY-V4t1cWgE0URNE-sv_SloMtyF7t3CB6WqZOwiEh7x1el0uAADCjImDBQMgmLAsTZaQc7Nv/s320/MAY-PHOTO-A-DAY_zps15a0483f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have belatedly joined on day 7, so here is my photograph for the theme "F".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgFyn4P0QcVz0RLjvRMkwBozXsGPeB4SwnuQVe-MpaJVD-7U7L4bYYIQ53Emrsz7hz3mm90Q8sMAeJX9j46J9ByTuNXIq3FTz6zMYDuGzwiRg-t3qk1V4eahfutkdcewcPqgY7ASGNQu3/s1600/DSCN4723_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgFyn4P0QcVz0RLjvRMkwBozXsGPeB4SwnuQVe-MpaJVD-7U7L4bYYIQ53Emrsz7hz3mm90Q8sMAeJX9j46J9ByTuNXIq3FTz6zMYDuGzwiRg-t3qk1V4eahfutkdcewcPqgY7ASGNQu3/s400/DSCN4723_3082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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These are my embroidery Frames, which sadly always look a little sticky like this as I use a magical spray glue when embroidering. Various ways of cleaning it have been suggested (the weirdest one being Mayonnaise!!!), but I tend to just use baby wipes.</div>
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I am planning on catching up with the other days.</div>
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If you fancy joining in, or are already doing this - please do post your links below and I will link you in daily for the rest of May!</div>
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Love Sarah</div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-79707334399805931872013-05-05T01:24:00.000-07:002013-05-05T01:32:38.571-07:00Kayaking and Business Thoughts.We actually have some SUNSHINE here in Poole this Bank Holiday Weekend (interspersed with cloud, but I'm not complaining!) and I saw Lucy advertising the hire of her kayaks to raise money for a Kilimanjaro Trek in aid of CLIC Sargent (a childrens cancer charity). Her page is <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=LucySuddaby">here</a> - please donate if you are able.<br />
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So - yesterday we met Lucy first at a very windy harbour with massive waves, and panicked a bit she agreed to instead follow us to the Poole Park Lake with the kayaks on a trailer, and we were ready to set off!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMo1a6MoTKSJxeqV0cnWprH9Ch7Uo5FibeQOYzRW20sKZ7YQ-83elDG4vXDjqSV1mvGBx1kqw8XJQtRfz4SoT1TFCjTvhyphenhyphenBle5LAQdXOxrdN6wTofKzKtUR6oA8ija29koi3wN9cLSLJe/s1600/starting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMo1a6MoTKSJxeqV0cnWprH9Ch7Uo5FibeQOYzRW20sKZ7YQ-83elDG4vXDjqSV1mvGBx1kqw8XJQtRfz4SoT1TFCjTvhyphenhyphenBle5LAQdXOxrdN6wTofKzKtUR6oA8ija29koi3wN9cLSLJe/s320/starting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was pretty cold to start with - and the lake looked deceptively calm. Isla chose the blue boat, and she and I were a team to start with. The paddles were pretty big and heavy, and honestly Isla was a menace with hers to start with - just getting it in the way of mine, dragging it behind us and nearly losing it. Iain and Lucas were in the orange boat, and their weight meant that they sat very low in the water! The children were fully waterproofed up (as you can see), but in a moment of madness Iain and I chose not to put on our waterproof trousers. Iain was sitting in a massive puddle within 5 minutes, and moaned more than a little about it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FFPpM5OXaBtsjTDvcqM-Z7dp2R7kM98DOQHQXLQe6WjtbWqiV5D13dvqtC135VYE1iL0RIPCC7XZa7Y7eiRZX3ne2aFfgG5WyG7zdvi_HU0eo3H_xdWC2vRBkgR5CdzlbDeEzozPoiMS/s1600/startins1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FFPpM5OXaBtsjTDvcqM-Z7dp2R7kM98DOQHQXLQe6WjtbWqiV5D13dvqtC135VYE1iL0RIPCC7XZa7Y7eiRZX3ne2aFfgG5WyG7zdvi_HU0eo3H_xdWC2vRBkgR5CdzlbDeEzozPoiMS/s320/startins1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We found the edges of the lake were gentle, and we managed a fast pace - but then midway across the waves and wind really kicked in! Lucas was happiest of all when we were paddling madly against strong currents, and the boats bounced and lapped and splashed. Isla made little half excited, half scared shrieks, but seemed cool. Wasn't long before we were reminded of how exhausting Kayaking really is - but it was fabulous fun. We had our picnic in the boat, so stopped and refueled.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI9oU74uZSClwCctZOuReumR0aGOvPGUXy-DMAsy52tCVR3S91-ZzHxtwXVRRtay_Cz545QcXVvsKdp5Tghust3dbRuMww44Uh4e_1Q5QvXO7sOTpTWfMhJBibNMzI_Pmpcg4d2ED5H1e/s1600/s2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI9oU74uZSClwCctZOuReumR0aGOvPGUXy-DMAsy52tCVR3S91-ZzHxtwXVRRtay_Cz545QcXVvsKdp5Tghust3dbRuMww44Uh4e_1Q5QvXO7sOTpTWfMhJBibNMzI_Pmpcg4d2ED5H1e/s320/s2.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT7KZfQ_ldZRGQ2boSTrKOPpHAREz8-LKIXJEkY-O5qPaGNTsuJKENeKHjz44VjhZnEsswZgvGVZFHhAMCD-Dya4B1AoO8LdkwOU8zIWHV67MIuiqfk1Sz7zKnIv6YUmYgOtn1qxwQ-jx/s1600/s4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT7KZfQ_ldZRGQ2boSTrKOPpHAREz8-LKIXJEkY-O5qPaGNTsuJKENeKHjz44VjhZnEsswZgvGVZFHhAMCD-Dya4B1AoO8LdkwOU8zIWHV67MIuiqfk1Sz7zKnIv6YUmYgOtn1qxwQ-jx/s320/s4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Then was saw the sun, and it was really really amazing! Isla moved to the orange boat with Iain, and Lucas in mine. Iain and Isla disappeared round the lake investigating and exploring and I convinced Lucas to have a go at paddling (my arms and thighs were suffering, and I wanted him to try!). His coordination, especially across his body isnt great as he is missing parts of his midbrain, so I figured he should use just one side to begin with. He managed really well, and could feel his efforts succeeding when the boat moved faster. He took occasional breaks, but he was fabulous, and I havent seen him smiling and enjoying an activity so much for a long time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9dzMWpRNSzar4zABHTvdeQeHsqlsrD0EQhH11MgObUsLL28uluDHzO-8X4qIzp16Dpj30RmgJup9zJQosp9sYhP9O1VpaKrPyNLzOvdNqwqgR7QGAOhCqT4FF9KDnMNIk_1C4IQTpK-v/s1600/s6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9dzMWpRNSzar4zABHTvdeQeHsqlsrD0EQhH11MgObUsLL28uluDHzO-8X4qIzp16Dpj30RmgJup9zJQosp9sYhP9O1VpaKrPyNLzOvdNqwqgR7QGAOhCqT4FF9KDnMNIk_1C4IQTpK-v/s320/s6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQETFmY-5HeWttiy9IpFMgoxRyeiBgmMx2t671Mmd1Up3Lm8MGQdALlfh5V55KheMhw9_59oNahMq2CmXb2GMxjMP6jpgTQ2qL2mkeTXYeHqLU1_XdYixD0D7uOLUNERvN6KQfVe24iRw/s1600/s8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQETFmY-5HeWttiy9IpFMgoxRyeiBgmMx2t671Mmd1Up3Lm8MGQdALlfh5V55KheMhw9_59oNahMq2CmXb2GMxjMP6jpgTQ2qL2mkeTXYeHqLU1_XdYixD0D7uOLUNERvN6KQfVe24iRw/s320/s8.jpg" width="320" /></a> Isla was getting a tad twitchy at this point, so I brought out some bubbles which were a huge success flowing across the water. Then she had a go at paddling, and actually managed to do both sides, which was brilliant.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dJdsXG6Te49JrkY34aJF1u4a0OjBCJmSaHVeUO63sMziWneiudc7XUdI-ZY9KrnvYSDFBvl5yqaIwY6so7sXZs6wx7rKKHLKtohsRDM13VRMytV6PxVTpY2xP3LzUKMD021p_8P0RHIT/s1600/s7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dJdsXG6Te49JrkY34aJF1u4a0OjBCJmSaHVeUO63sMziWneiudc7XUdI-ZY9KrnvYSDFBvl5yqaIwY6so7sXZs6wx7rKKHLKtohsRDM13VRMytV6PxVTpY2xP3LzUKMD021p_8P0RHIT/s320/s7.jpg" width="289" /></a><br />
All in all, we had an amazing day - and may possibly be looking on eBay for 2 or 4 men kayaks for sale incredibly cheaply!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rznr2ZqsxEoksgVpKEK8KZs-SIQ_NYBK6jO3g3dZfbmxTIPtRSRot3-SKMkh_R1zPOxXh_vqpyK0PqCcx7J125aCDjes4v4ZRhcpzcPWBgdQjRoWBI0RR7puTKNTMs9WI8ZxaIwfSsfg/s1600/doll+logo+small+doll+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="42" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rznr2ZqsxEoksgVpKEK8KZs-SIQ_NYBK6jO3g3dZfbmxTIPtRSRot3-SKMkh_R1zPOxXh_vqpyK0PqCcx7J125aCDjes4v4ZRhcpzcPWBgdQjRoWBI0RR7puTKNTMs9WI8ZxaIwfSsfg/s320/doll+logo+small+doll+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On a business note, whilst last year I was managing to receive enough orders through my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sewnowwearefour">FaceBook</a> page alone to keep me busy, the changes in Facebook have lead to my posts not being viewed by many people, and a marked difference in orders, and so I am wondering about the next step. I am thinking that I should build a proper website to go alongside my blog, and it has been suggested that Twitter might be a good idea. I would welcome and thoughts or suggestions successful WAHM/D's may have!<br />
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I have also set up a <a href="http://pinterest.com/sewnowwearefour/things-i-make-and-sell-at-sew-now-we-are-four/">Pinterest board</a> showing some of my work and links to buy it, as I get a lot of Pinterest traffic, so this is a new avenue to explore and I have joined a lovely closed group of crafters on Facebook who are trying to boost each others and their own businesses, and have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/sewnowwearefour/amazing-products-from-crafty-friends/">new board</a> showing their amazing work too. If you fancy having me pin some of your work, please do get in touch.<br />
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Love Sarah xxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-73837119352123962802013-04-29T14:01:00.002-07:002013-04-29T14:01:58.665-07:00Been busy - but not sewing.I have been busy making my workshop (lovingly built variously by my Husband, my Father in Law and my Dad) into a great place to work.<br /><br />So - the positives are clear to see:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI-wRekrCS7pzU71TeFBY3zxAM8Oamp4LEnHIWQdKxGVyuCmQ1wSIskhemKJM-odNzSfAAKw9MJp0D0YwNP1Q2ftbuW2W5-QzK8Nq0WEBPiomPNzl1catd-OZjgwhdpaFT2yznX7mQKXt/s1600/workshop+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI-wRekrCS7pzU71TeFBY3zxAM8Oamp4LEnHIWQdKxGVyuCmQ1wSIskhemKJM-odNzSfAAKw9MJp0D0YwNP1Q2ftbuW2W5-QzK8Nq0WEBPiomPNzl1catd-OZjgwhdpaFT2yznX7mQKXt/s400/workshop+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But the negatives are:<br /> Naked children because I dipped out of Kids Clothes Week Challenge!</div>
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(Ok - so that was last summer, and I did make them both a pair of pyjama trousers and Isla a dress and a skirt, but I am not pleased with myself really).<br />
Love SarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-36201278676419036172013-04-14T14:57:00.001-07:002013-04-14T14:57:28.215-07:00Theatre, Puppet Theatres, and Kids Clothes Week Challenge.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd3A9kjuf3Un7KV8qhgq-TG9hb55gfH_bu_R9ZgL_zQV3aakYOnpIb78dUwNDOd_ud2gsIHdkEINbwUhgVRfxz3kaFm_C963g39obOwX98gffiD8MZETT2OkEkkSNrGN46T5bLUb1fWga/s1600/rain.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd3A9kjuf3Un7KV8qhgq-TG9hb55gfH_bu_R9ZgL_zQV3aakYOnpIb78dUwNDOd_ud2gsIHdkEINbwUhgVRfxz3kaFm_C963g39obOwX98gffiD8MZETT2OkEkkSNrGN46T5bLUb1fWga/s320/rain.jpg" /></a><br />
<h3>
Theatre</h3>
<br />
This weekend has been wet wet wet!<br />
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Iain works every other Saturday at 'The Bank', so I try to find activities which wont require an extra pair of hands. This week we went to <a href="http://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/">The Lighthouse Poole</a> to see a <a href="http://www.minibso.co.uk/">Mini Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra </a>show of 'Myths and legends'. They do a lot of these, and they are really good! Very paired down group - percussionist (Lucas' fav), French Horn (my fav as I play it), Violin (Islas fav - really hope its just because she is the only female performer, not a sign that we will need to invest in violin lessons. I do not do strings!), Bassoon and Trombone. They are shows for kids generally - about an hour long - lots of quick explanations about classical music/how the instruments are played etc, combined with silly songs, actions, popular tunes and more traditional classical pieces. Its always packed, and lots of the kids are desperate to be chosen to get on stage and play the percussion (which around 12 kids per show are allowed). My two sink down as deep as humanly possible into their seats jic, even though both are great musicians (especially Lucas of course who is 'Gifted and Talented'). We took my Mum "Grammy" with us this week, and also a school friend of Islas. She was absolutely gagging to get onto the stage - so I held her as high as I could so that she was picked - and it worked! She spent most of the piece waving inanely at us, which made for lots of chuckles, but was a great experience for my kids to see that it is fun, and for me to see what its like to have a confident, gregarious child.<br />
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Then home for some dry clothes, lunch and some crafting (hurrah!!!). Lucas very quickly decided that a wet afternoon spent with myself and two 5-year old girls was not his thing - so ate and legged it upstairs to his room, and we started making:<br />
<h3>
Puppet Theatres!</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtCRRJkTyhE6p1tpqduKYmIbmTTxPQVBSfZMu0d86aM6kuktOEgLboguK2K0sRcmElIv6zNfxqM7OO4OnmCWJUTHLmggDBddL6l3RTL_5RU2ykqYf7QHuhL3SujKLAYMY0FrDZjbsgeCD/s1600/girls2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtCRRJkTyhE6p1tpqduKYmIbmTTxPQVBSfZMu0d86aM6kuktOEgLboguK2K0sRcmElIv6zNfxqM7OO4OnmCWJUTHLmggDBddL6l3RTL_5RU2ykqYf7QHuhL3SujKLAYMY0FrDZjbsgeCD/s320/girls2.jpg" width="320" /></a><u>Equipment:</u></div>
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Large sturdy box (multiply for each child - and try harder than me to find ones the same size (doh!)<br />
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Kebab skewers/wooden sticks and bluetack<br />
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Cardboard<br />
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Fabric/yarn/googly eyes/felt tips/glue/etc etc</div>
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I found some toys of Islas in largish sturdyish boxes, and basically chucked the toys on her bedroom floor. The I gathered as many crafty fun bits and pieces as I could find (I have a lot - surprised?), and then I set the girls making the puppets. They started off asking me to draw a puppet outline. Then they saw my paltry efforts, and decided that actually perhaps they might draw their own people! Isla's friend Grace proved a STUNNING artist - and I think Isla and I were both a little jealous. (Quick question - is it possible to teach Isla to draw better I wonder? - half her gene pool is against her, but it would be a shame if she didnt achieve more than me). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZMPonzYzV8KK9FQMj_rh40WAqTMJAuSUw7cVA_yABJuSG5hsLQyFeu2UxO-IxUzG-w6PfB7I-yZG1581vZFAE-vIPAtdD1tgGni7OosV051W7YLfls2vV2QptCk7EhyphenhyphenJtHZ8EjfJWzDX/s1600/isla.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZMPonzYzV8KK9FQMj_rh40WAqTMJAuSUw7cVA_yABJuSG5hsLQyFeu2UxO-IxUzG-w6PfB7I-yZG1581vZFAE-vIPAtdD1tgGni7OosV051W7YLfls2vV2QptCk7EhyphenhyphenJtHZ8EjfJWzDX/s200/isla.jpg" width="114" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5xlTmZikuj7Msyb7FS1O5sPNI5_snLj5_zRcwMmAoTOUzt6I8zXIIizNdBWD9ADaAUNT9IuywcMzvY6pM0ww97JSa3HpDsZlzRMAWwlVIgsfTusmYLMrO6ztLJrIuEevxRUCyFV2ufkV/s1600/grace.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5xlTmZikuj7Msyb7FS1O5sPNI5_snLj5_zRcwMmAoTOUzt6I8zXIIizNdBWD9ADaAUNT9IuywcMzvY6pM0ww97JSa3HpDsZlzRMAWwlVIgsfTusmYLMrO6ztLJrIuEevxRUCyFV2ufkV/s320/grace.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z5DyncHgBSWOU5xG20DA0hKlDS7fjb4xTA2ECZn0hBGfutrhDXpF3OxHEMOPP-rdX3N9O_PRt5uZVhK9cQskbBr-mpxztZsl-gahCMN81WwdSElrK6SY8ds8d1avUmZgJMv-31GiwElV/s1600/grace1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z5DyncHgBSWOU5xG20DA0hKlDS7fjb4xTA2ECZn0hBGfutrhDXpF3OxHEMOPP-rdX3N9O_PRt5uZVhK9cQskbBr-mpxztZsl-gahCMN81WwdSElrK6SY8ds8d1avUmZgJMv-31GiwElV/s200/grace1.jpg" width="126" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88cBj94vZ0nfv2EzLkfCA4GkjPOAYWJo4bbih_rstMVjOLPgmTVsFpjSHe40qzuKv4Ax13UcmjXO5J-izNfwgtVBh9AY-YSrWR5pQygEbEqweezRbRz2C0TEcOpn2EW4od6tx7kBRBpZx/s1600/puppets.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88cBj94vZ0nfv2EzLkfCA4GkjPOAYWJo4bbih_rstMVjOLPgmTVsFpjSHe40qzuKv4Ax13UcmjXO5J-izNfwgtVBh9AY-YSrWR5pQygEbEqweezRbRz2C0TEcOpn2EW4od6tx7kBRBpZx/s320/puppets.jpg" width="278" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile - I sellotaped the flaps of each of the boxes so that they were more sturdy - and then cut out a 'front' for the stage, and holes in the sides for the girls to poke their puppets. Then I helped them plait wool for hair, cut out their puppets, choose fabric for 'clothes' etc. I then cut the pointed bits off the skewers, and we bluetacked the skewers to the back of the puppets.</div>
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Then we chose 'curtains' which were just taped on, I gave the girls bits of paper for scenes, which they chose to fix on with bluetack so that they could change them as required (which impressed me a lot), and we decorated the boxes a bit and covered the 'stage' bits with paper. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOfZXwjdmQ4BiaFNBfgItyZaiyzKd2zV1adHQy2s9WMfEQGYLwcRjhvtxIGjLI9uC8oCcUxVu9YcS4vDym-BeQ3896gd1_LmEDBjNtDEhUEFmKEWJP96Mk6qJQX2HH0EAdBUbdvtho_cK/s1600/girls1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOfZXwjdmQ4BiaFNBfgItyZaiyzKd2zV1adHQy2s9WMfEQGYLwcRjhvtxIGjLI9uC8oCcUxVu9YcS4vDym-BeQ3896gd1_LmEDBjNtDEhUEFmKEWJP96Mk6qJQX2HH0EAdBUbdvtho_cK/s1600/girls1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOfZXwjdmQ4BiaFNBfgItyZaiyzKd2zV1adHQy2s9WMfEQGYLwcRjhvtxIGjLI9uC8oCcUxVu9YcS4vDym-BeQ3896gd1_LmEDBjNtDEhUEFmKEWJP96Mk6qJQX2HH0EAdBUbdvtho_cK/s1600/girls1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOfZXwjdmQ4BiaFNBfgItyZaiyzKd2zV1adHQy2s9WMfEQGYLwcRjhvtxIGjLI9uC8oCcUxVu9YcS4vDym-BeQ3896gd1_LmEDBjNtDEhUEFmKEWJP96Mk6qJQX2HH0EAdBUbdvtho_cK/s1600/girls1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOfZXwjdmQ4BiaFNBfgItyZaiyzKd2zV1adHQy2s9WMfEQGYLwcRjhvtxIGjLI9uC8oCcUxVu9YcS4vDym-BeQ3896gd1_LmEDBjNtDEhUEFmKEWJP96Mk6qJQX2HH0EAdBUbdvtho_cK/s400/girls1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">At this point Iain came home and demonstrated superior drawing skills which had both girls asking for lots of his help and none of mine anymore (see 'Daisy cow' puppet below), and we played! </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdChOtIyBHVX-t6oqFxXF1X9KmoyFXFCuZZDPRlzVZSRiMSq2ZSzQre4Ab6gSrlG3P320A9O-zLoaZEAmI_BKwSsN7fpVllWRIWn7Uy3uLIDHLuX5B9txn84rpdpZBhprdSp4Mz9ewNlOR/s1600/theatre1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdChOtIyBHVX-t6oqFxXF1X9KmoyFXFCuZZDPRlzVZSRiMSq2ZSzQre4Ab6gSrlG3P320A9O-zLoaZEAmI_BKwSsN7fpVllWRIWn7Uy3uLIDHLuX5B9txn84rpdpZBhprdSp4Mz9ewNlOR/s320/theatre1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Islas Theatre - quirky?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU36vDEnglG377qiATjVUwuH4P70GwxX6lbbKHbe2U5Gxh5v4dkXn-xVkpOevFe64zu2f3KiEGt5vjw3Q0ne38_CvARIdAN2-_upUDk1vtapMgK8KtXm-8qgBDxJRUL9tLHGT5TM3sdps/s1600/theatre.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU36vDEnglG377qiATjVUwuH4P70GwxX6lbbKHbe2U5Gxh5v4dkXn-xVkpOevFe64zu2f3KiEGt5vjw3Q0ne38_CvARIdAN2-_upUDk1vtapMgK8KtXm-8qgBDxJRUL9tLHGT5TM3sdps/s320/theatre.jpg" title="Graces Theatre. Accomplished and more traditional" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Graces theatre. More 'Traditional'</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVJsNYYtk7lTb7fUKRI5yvAA2Z6fR7wVwmrmPvXmOK86oG9BLRWtkalzBsJfyvlBdUSkora4fv1-mfEZfx4mua5YmRGaGFrAef77rOH_yiPtajiS3A2Q0CGwoc3t0VNjXaWfPpmvWiVTm/s1600/isla1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVJsNYYtk7lTb7fUKRI5yvAA2Z6fR7wVwmrmPvXmOK86oG9BLRWtkalzBsJfyvlBdUSkora4fv1-mfEZfx4mua5YmRGaGFrAef77rOH_yiPtajiS3A2Q0CGwoc3t0VNjXaWfPpmvWiVTm/s320/isla1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;">Islas face here makes me melt - she is SO chuffed!</span></td></tr>
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Best picture yet! Isla is working on using different voices for her characters - as clearly shown here. Actually nearly makes me pee my pants laughing!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4XqsuqnxL26PuCIUomXa34Csb9dc8LFrWhQ9xOQNX4LeYHTRLu3l_vUF_yZsKrCJszlAZTj-w1tm3tLDs7L2MTXpqc8XEaLkdAfdfJqKpxKzCCu0CpCJfjNjDUPrsh9ukJ0YC4DYpngn/s1600/funny+voice+face.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4XqsuqnxL26PuCIUomXa34Csb9dc8LFrWhQ9xOQNX4LeYHTRLu3l_vUF_yZsKrCJszlAZTj-w1tm3tLDs7L2MTXpqc8XEaLkdAfdfJqKpxKzCCu0CpCJfjNjDUPrsh9ukJ0YC4DYpngn/s400/funny+voice+face.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<h3>
Kids Clothes Week Challenge.</h3>
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I am on a commitment roll at the moment - and I wonder if reblogging is part of this process. I have been discussing a little with some online friends about why I blog - and will look to consider this properly sometime here on my blog. Anyway - since last year I have wanted to take part in <a href="http://blog.kidsclothesweek.com/2013/03/kcw-spring-2013/">Kids Clothes Week Challenge</a> whereby you agree to spend at least one hour a day for seven days making clothes for your own kids. I have wanted to do it but 1) I am scared, 2) Life always gets in the way - but this year I am going to bloomin give it a try! </div>
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It starts on 22nd April, so I have ordered various bits of fabric, looked through the patterns I already have, spent some time looking through the chids wardrobes with them to see what they need most, and of course started a <a href="http://pinterest.com/sewnowwearefour/kids-clothes-week-spring/">Pinterest board</a> ( predictable? Procrastinator? Me?).</div>
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The way it stands at the moment - the wish lists dependent on time are:</div>
<h4>
Lucas - </h4>
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*Cord trousers/shorts (he likes the noise cord makes when he walks - need to be elasticated waist as he has bowel issues that mean his stomach shrinks and grows a lot).</div>
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* T shirts - especially long sleeved. If I can embroider or applique train/underground/transport things on them then he may love me for ever!</div>
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*Pyjamas.</div>
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*Cool scarf/buff thing - not wool or fleece as he has a Static phobia.</div>
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<h4>
Isla-</h4>
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* Baggies trousers (she is a Mini Boden addict - wears mostly boys clothes, and hates anything fitted or 'skinny'</div>
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* A dress or two (Not sure I should call her bluff on this - she sometimes seems to feel the need to conform and try to wear skirts or dresses, but only once, then they get hidden under the baggies and shorts).</div>
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* Scarf thing - see above - may do scarf/hat combo.</div>
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A plan?</h4>
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Honestly I dont know - my Pinterest board has way too much on it - I need to break it down to manageable chunks and commit to the specific items I will attempt.</div>
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I am also a little thrown by it being a 'Spring' challenge - yet our weather here is truly shite at the moment, so I may need to be a wee bit flexible.</div>
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I would love to hear any ideas/patterns/thoughts about my lists, and actually whether you think its a crazy list?!
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-9112347828866195002013-04-12T15:29:00.000-07:002013-04-12T15:44:47.136-07:00Adventure Wonderland and Lego Marble Mazes<h3>
Adventure Wonderland.</h3>
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For the first time ever, we have committed to buying Annual Passes to something! For a commitment phobe like me, this really is momentous!</div>
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Adventure Wonderland used to be called The Alice in Wonderland Theme Park when I used to work there circa 1998 when I ahem...played the part of Alice. (So wish I had a photo to post here, but can't find one. Before the digital age after all -but I will keep looking.)</div>
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Anyway, I digress - its a lovely smallish theme park near here, a place where I can take the kids on my own and not need a stiff drink by nightfall (as parents to 'special needs kids will understand - this is really rare) and posted on the <a href="http://www.adventurewonderland.co.uk/">Adventure Wonderland</a> Facebook page was a super dooper deal on passes, so we did it!!!! </div>
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The kids adore it, and so do we now that we have managed to convince them that they really and truly dont need an adult to go on the sick-making Ghostly Galleon or tummy curdling teacups!</div>
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There will be many picture like these in our family photobook for the year, but to celebrate our minor investment, and so you can see what its like - here are some of our recent pics:</div>
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Lego Marble Mazes.</h3>
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On the home front, I have been looking for ways to help develop Lucas' spatial awareness, and understanding of representation through tactile maps, and came across this idea via Pinterest by <a href="http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/22645/kids-activity-for-thursday">Kids Activities Blog</a>. You create a 'maze' through which you have to guide a marble. (Note: I adapted the idea from Kids Activities Blog because Lucas only likes certain cars, and would get very upset if the car didnt drive 'properly' through the maze - a marble has no 'baggage'!)I made the first so that Isla could see how to construct one, and Lucas could have a try with a simple one, then Isla built one, and then Lucas had a try rollng/pushing the marble through the maze. He didnt find it that easy, as obviously the marble didnt roll as such on a bobbly Lego mat, but he did it, and he got better at it! I am wondering if building a larger maze channel would help or hinder, but I can definitely see the possibilities for using Lego which Isla adores to bring play for us all together, and to help with tactile skills, mobility and much more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRpoCx2arZf4pEZe5Vcscalzt-PZnX9RoxFAZkDw3FCQ6mwymOz872XVw928XuWy2w8TV2hFoLC4Vl1d61QY0_mPSYO5YriJ3Z0IE9hRuvf0iwRnhyphenhyphendzRGU11VlAOytocUBYHh2mgk-Pa/s1600/DSCN4338_2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRpoCx2arZf4pEZe5Vcscalzt-PZnX9RoxFAZkDw3FCQ6mwymOz872XVw928XuWy2w8TV2hFoLC4Vl1d61QY0_mPSYO5YriJ3Z0IE9hRuvf0iwRnhyphenhyphendzRGU11VlAOytocUBYHh2mgk-Pa/s320/DSCN4338_2697.JPG" width="252" /></a>Then Lucas astounded me by asking if he could just 'play' with the Lego! From a boy who doesnt enjoy building tasks, and finds them insanely difficult due to blindness and various brain abnormalities which mean the two sides of his brain dont communicate, I was blown away by his representation of what Isla suggested was a "Traffic Signal" to which he concurred happily.</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-90900880357219897302013-04-10T19:17:00.000-07:002013-04-12T01:09:22.508-07:00Family and Balloon RocketsIts Easter holiday time here in the UK (although you wouldnt think it from the weather!), and its been a real mix of highs and lows so far. Maybe part of that is down to my fluctuating mood pattern (looonnngg story), but also its been a hard time with Lucas so far. (Lucas has complex medical and behavioural issues - for more info see <a href="http://sewnowwearefour.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/little-absent.html">here</a>). Lucas is struggling with holding it together at the moment, which is leading to us staying at home more than I would like.<br />
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However, we have had family staying nearby, and so far it has been wonderful. My amazing sister, he husband, and my gorgeous niece have been around a lot - which has been great. Isla and my niece are the same age, and are doing just what we hoped for when my sister and I both found out we were pregnant at the same time - they are "growing up together" - shutting themselves in Islas room for 'secret things', playing, giggling a lot. It really is a thing of total beauty. Wish they lived nearer.</div>
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So - we brave the park as often as we can in this freezing weather - the chids (and I) get exercise, and its an activity I can do with others, and when I am on my own with the kids without too many tears or too much swearing from Lucas, and hence less of both from me ;-)</div>
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My other main aim has been to involve Lucas and Isla in activities which are home based (to keep Lucas calm), but which they both enjoy (again - hard task - Lucas is completely blind with a ton of sensory issues, and Isla is an insanely bright tactile 5 year old). Pinterest has been my friend in this task! I even started <a href="http://pinterest.com/sewnowwearefour/blind-child/">a board</a> with Lucas-friendly ideas and links. We started off with:</div>
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Balloon Rockets! </h3>
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An Idea I got via Pinterest from <a href="http://discoverexplorelearn.com/">discoverexplorelearn.com</a>, Simple task - and SO much fun!</div>
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You see how much fun we had? We started off making a fairly small length of yarn (as our house isnt that big!), but all of us got excited very quickly, and wanted to try the idea further, so we then made a yarn line through the whole of the inside of the house, and then attempted down the stairs, and for our finale we went upstairs. It wasnt fool proof - it didnt always work, but the kids worked brilliantly as a team, taking turns without being prompted, I got Lucas fully engaged in a task, and he worked on equal footing with us. As a bonus, he also got over his fear of balloons as he loves the noise they make when you let them go and the air comes out, and Isla discovered inner reserves of puff and managed to blow up a balloon all by herself.</div>
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Next step: <a href="http://afewshortcuts.com/2012/03/pinterest-pin-of-the-day-316/">Balloon powered Lego cars!</a></h4>
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It is now 3.20am, and I am awake with a really nasty cough trying not to rock the house - so hiding in the kitchen, but as always I will be expected to be on full power tomorrow, so will attempt some Lemsip/paracetamol drugged sleep.</div>
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UPDATE:<br />
My lovely friend Lerryn at <a href="http://jellybeanboom.blogspot.co.uk/">Jellybean Boom</a> tried this, and made a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWzUBFs8DYo&feature=youtu.be">video</a>.<br /> </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-72224756155396984732013-03-19T04:43:00.002-07:002013-03-19T15:40:18.393-07:00Since you've been gone.....Ok, so its me who has been gone, but I guess everyone reading probably has too.<br />
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I am now in a space where blogging will be fun again, and I have had a kick up the bum from the lovely Leah from <a href="http://www.sewtobed.blogspot.co.uk/">Sew to Bed</a> and Gemma from <a href="http://www.bugandsquish.blogspot.co.uk/">Bug and Squish</a> who I have 'met' on Facebook - and we are going to work together to try and blog more often.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">So - what have I been doing since I last posted? I feel a MONTAGE MOMENT coming on:</span><br />
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Okay, so thats a taste of the way things have been going work wise. Some of these are ongoing projects, some are for sale, and a lot of progress has been made. I will probably spend the next few weeks going through some of these with more pics, descriptions etc,<br />
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And here is a recent shot of my gorgeous chids who are growing up super fast - this was my daughter Isla's 5th birthday(!!):<br />
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I have so much to say, so much to tell, so much to do....so I WILL BE BACK!</div>
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Love Sarah xxx</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-44612478343195616222012-07-16T03:53:00.002-07:002012-07-16T03:53:33.966-07:00Horribly absentDear Blog, I'm really sorry for my absence. I have been very very busy making things for my Facebook page, and for my first Craft Fair which is on Saturday (gulp). Please forgive me?! I will be back, but in the meantime, to catch up with what I am up to, visit me in person on Saturday 21st here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/398486216853563/"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Southampton Vintage and Artisans Fair</span></b></a><br />
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Or anytime on my Facebook page here:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sew-Now-we-are-four/347951725245716">Facebook</a> </span></b></div>
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Much love, Sarah xxx</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-70083139828000190222012-05-28T03:56:00.000-07:002012-05-28T04:08:53.661-07:00Facebook Hop.<h3>
Linking up my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sew-Now-we-are-four/347951725245716">FB page</a> today,
in Mom 2 Memphis and Rubys Meet and Mingle Facebook Hop!
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<center><a href="http://mom2memphisandruby.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mom2MemphisandRuby" src="http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n624/Mom2MemphisAndRuby/Blog%20Main%20Images/200x100buttonlena1.jpg" /></a></center>
Co hosted by<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hernandezfamilyof4">Our Reflection</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/White-Lights-on-Wednesday/248934851815064">White Lights on Wednesdays</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Absolute-Mommy/143318535691981">Absolute Mommy </a></div>
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and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Absolute-Mommy/143318535691981">Row House 14</a></div>
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If you have some time today, why not visit some new, and brilliant pages?!<br />
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Also linking up with <a href="http://brookecoveredingrace.blogspot.co.uk/">Covered in Grace</a> for a Monday Meet up:<br />
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<center><a href="http://brookecoveredingrace.blogspot.com/search/label/monday%20meet%20up" target="_blank"><img alt="Covered in Grace" src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/tayskye3/covered%20in%20grace/page%20elements/mondaymeet-cig.jpg" /></a></center>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-88083537569753922802012-05-17T12:21:00.000-07:002012-05-17T13:52:29.930-07:00Pirates!<h3>
Its "Pirate week" here in Poole. No idea why - the children seem none the wiser, but Lucas had to dress up as a pirate for school tomorrow - so of course, then, did Isla, and also - it turns out - Teddy!</h3>
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The trousers were the biggest success, I think - the first time I have properly followed a pattern that I didn't make up (although both my chids seem to have super short legs - I had to lose a lot!). Lucas is a difficult shape to dress - so I feel pretty good that I can make him lots of pyjama trews now, following this basic pattern. I thoroughly enjoyed making these, and they both (all including Teddy, I guess) seem happy! They can wear the star trews at other times, and if I make some tops too - they will have super cute matching pyjamas!</div>
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<a href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/make-it-wear-it/" _mce_href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/make-it-wear-it/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/miwi150button.jpg" _mce_src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/miwi150button.jpg" border="0" alt="150x200"></a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-30759445675889924392012-05-16T12:33:00.001-07:002012-05-16T12:33:16.968-07:00Apple Cozy's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">As is my way, I have become a bit obsessed (albeit temporarily) with making Apple Cozys (ideas for teachers pressies etc). I have been through a fair few patterns, some of which I have enjoyed more than others, but nothing quite hit the spot for me. Then I decided that the issue I had with them is that they felt a wee bit flimsy. I wanted something that felt solid and like it really would stop the apples from bruising. So - I combined ideas from a few patterns, and what I have picked up working on amigurumi recently, and came up with a quick pattern for this:</span>
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I will write up the pattern in the next few days, but if you dont crochet, or just dont have the time, I am selling them from my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sew-Now-we-are-four/347951725245716">Facebook page</a> :-)</div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-51360255894798811982012-05-16T01:56:00.000-07:002012-05-16T01:56:43.969-07:00Bits and piecesIts been a weird couple of weeks here. Isla has been unwell with yet more ear infections, then I ended up in hospital after having an anaphylactic shock to a dentist injection, plus we are trying to make some life decisions about our future.<br />
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That said, I have been crafting bits and pieces. I am going crazy making crocheted granny squares for a blanket for Isla (managed about 35 in hospital attached to the drip), I have made lip balm holders for the kids (our weather is bonkers - windy then sunny - they both have super sore lips), and its "Pirate Day" on Friday - so apparently I have to make costumes for Lucas, Isla, and a teddy.<br />
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Will post some pics tomorrow when the outfits are made.<br />
xxxxSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-79805043586080317112012-05-03T12:54:00.000-07:002012-05-04T13:30:29.281-07:00Covert Robin<br />
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I signed up to take part in the <a href="http://imaginegnats.blogspot.co.uk/p/covert-robin.html">Cover Robin</a> competition hosted by Rachael from Imagine Gnats, and enjoyed it thoroughly!<br />
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I was asked to make a gift for Brandi from <a href="http://jubeescraftbox.blogspot.co.uk/">JuBee's Craft Box</a>, and was a wee bit stressed that her two main talents were the things I attempt too (sewing and crochet), but I was going through a Polymer Clay phase, and after stalking her pinterest and so on, I noticed a Dr Seuss love and a teal/aquamarine love, so made these:<br />
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Hair clip in teal/aqua - the colours Brandi seemed to love and 'pin' most</div>
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Dr Seuss charm bracelet - with a fish, hat, teapot, cup, ball, and a red and blue fish</div>
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Necklace again made in Brandi's colours.</div>
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I think she and her daughter were pleased :-)</div>
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I also was very excited to receive my parcel all the way from The US from the lovely </div>
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Valerie at <a href="http://theknittedchick.wordpress.com/">The Knitted Chick</a></div>
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The children and I were absolutely thrilled with our gifts!</div>
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2 knitted chicks (one purple which Lucas chose and called Henry, and one yellow which Isla well and truly adopted and called Holly)</div>
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and the most stunning apron for me (please excuse the photo- had to do it in the bathroom mirror!)</div>
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Thanks Valerie!! </div>
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I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in The Covert Robin, and would like to thank Rachael and everyone else for their hard work. </div>
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I am also really hoping that the brilliant Brandi and the lovely Valerie will guest post here soon!</div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-72903648831715693832012-04-29T12:20:00.001-07:002012-04-29T12:34:16.607-07:00Feather Your Nest Competition<a href="http://stumblesandstitches.blogspot.com/2012/04/feather-your-nest.html"><img alt="Feather Your Nest with Stumbles & Stitches" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7025345011_8991a9aa22_o.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://stumblesandstitches.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/feather-your-nest.html">Stumbles and Stitches</a><br />
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The Feather Your Nest competition came to my attention through the ultra talented and on-the-ball Rachael at Imagine Gnats, and it really interested me.<br />
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The rules:<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Requirements for Entry:</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">The item(s) you enter in the contest must meet the following requirements:</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">1) Made by you, for <i>your own home</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">. This includes all sorts of practical and/or decorative items, housewares and artwork. As long as it is for use in your home, it works.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">2) Made with stitches.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> It can be machine-sewn, hand-sewn, embroidered, knitted, crochet-ed, felted, etc.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">3) Made with some repurposed or upcycled material.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> As little or as much as you want. The options are endless! Get creative and think green.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">4) Made in 2012.</b><br />
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You can enter up to 5 times. Some of mine have already been posted, but what the heck - if they fit in with the rules, why not show them again? ;-)<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br />
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<u>Night light</u>. Made from a plastic Ferrero Rocher chocolate box, old fairy lights (LED is essential!, an offcut of fabric Isla adore. Plus some super glue, and some sellotape for luck. Fabric is stitched, so thats how it qualifies!<br />
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Got the idea from the brilliant Crafty Love (who used tissue paper rather than fabric, but her brill tute is here), and was just waiting to find a Ferrero Rocher box. Luckily (and very bizarrely) and friend at my Wool and Wittering clss have one in her car, so her presto:<br />
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Entry number 1:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVj9hJy1ih90zf2euhFQhp7SwP6vTslqy5tXUIQmfOzbPYx1J6qy6LqKzNxa1Pr3qDw6VeOrHQ1h9Ft-JM58vn7qFnXQ2-I16BlcbiD_gIhbLBfHoos2b864DQ1TsscUiY0yBHoREzUAZ/s1600/Nightlight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVj9hJy1ih90zf2euhFQhp7SwP6vTslqy5tXUIQmfOzbPYx1J6qy6LqKzNxa1Pr3qDw6VeOrHQ1h9Ft-JM58vn7qFnXQ2-I16BlcbiD_gIhbLBfHoos2b864DQ1TsscUiY0yBHoREzUAZ/s320/Nightlight1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgCpGWuzqJgNSAbqs_D1Jg2ZwGrZlR850YcQmwIm_k-U4o8-FBuo5R1IPBH5QCQkZBSGke49D14a2SFiQBxnU-GY7-5X68brRrZhQEeWZw99bESnWdFtco9LV9OOSm_FfYfCU7YWM8Tdp/s1600/nightlight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgCpGWuzqJgNSAbqs_D1Jg2ZwGrZlR850YcQmwIm_k-U4o8-FBuo5R1IPBH5QCQkZBSGke49D14a2SFiQBxnU-GY7-5X68brRrZhQEeWZw99bESnWdFtco9LV9OOSm_FfYfCU7YWM8Tdp/s320/nightlight2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Also wanted to enter my bunting made from webbing from <a href="http://www.dorsetscrapstore.org.uk/">The Dorset Scrapstore</a> and a 70's skirt which I have hung onto for years, even though it was about a metre too long for me, because it is stunning!<br />
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Entry number 2:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WDBOIw94IJQj2oBctTyiCNegj2Jadmq7sSAX9-1j5lRKDWP8qWK9uTdVbLeAlgcEQfTFTBJVmfnybonvYjDUsmkNfcnAUew0QJp4X-wNyK2c7XSFibumAsJjk9ZAVc2t-cxxMJSWDg7b/s1600/living+room2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WDBOIw94IJQj2oBctTyiCNegj2Jadmq7sSAX9-1j5lRKDWP8qWK9uTdVbLeAlgcEQfTFTBJVmfnybonvYjDUsmkNfcnAUew0QJp4X-wNyK2c7XSFibumAsJjk9ZAVc2t-cxxMJSWDg7b/s320/living+room2.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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Also a crocheted jam jar cover (obv. a recycled jam jar) and a recycled paper flower arrangement.<br />
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Entry number 3: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqXQugMg8xLuYg55rlDxlfehfB4_YS4uqe1WxOc6AwEpYhlPmias43QDUE_hFo5iafPA_sezJfBY0YQP1k_O5_uOZzU52un1Pks2Wthhm0FuA5bf-bDoc0Xi4Bh4-3iYycEmdHMFAcQzC/s1600/holiday+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqXQugMg8xLuYg55rlDxlfehfB4_YS4uqe1WxOc6AwEpYhlPmias43QDUE_hFo5iafPA_sezJfBY0YQP1k_O5_uOZzU52un1Pks2Wthhm0FuA5bf-bDoc0Xi4Bh4-3iYycEmdHMFAcQzC/s320/holiday+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And lastly, selection of cushions made from vintage or repurposed skirt, curtains, jumpers, buttons and wool. The circular one was made following an excellent tute from <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/">Attic 24</a>.</div>
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Entry number 4:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iwhjO85VkNqxqVLEmTfkJLx4O6GeMp7HDRlu9Ou1rPQKG9m1tWDZfwlKG3Ty3qo7z-rykyDPiAqtY2YmRBsFvTKmvVVnjHXolQ2Zx36gq9FVb3k6pE7DRC8kOUgI3N_FFRG3HUaPuc2D/s1600/living+room7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iwhjO85VkNqxqVLEmTfkJLx4O6GeMp7HDRlu9Ou1rPQKG9m1tWDZfwlKG3Ty3qo7z-rykyDPiAqtY2YmRBsFvTKmvVVnjHXolQ2Zx36gq9FVb3k6pE7DRC8kOUgI3N_FFRG3HUaPuc2D/s320/living+room7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The reverse of them:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pkWQu_kbKSimokzjMe-iYY8zmDCYa9CfQtqY5Sv6tvsSgrMCiU6KHCTyHs8uvlO91-SfzHlTFj0d2eWdjW2-fxzTcueGn9ki9CvChWcL6Wwh3jn343htsCaJsO75cJnRwbn4N36ZhGLM/s1600/cushion+reverses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pkWQu_kbKSimokzjMe-iYY8zmDCYa9CfQtqY5Sv6tvsSgrMCiU6KHCTyHs8uvlO91-SfzHlTFj0d2eWdjW2-fxzTcueGn9ki9CvChWcL6Wwh3jn343htsCaJsO75cJnRwbn4N36ZhGLM/s320/cushion+reverses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and lastly, a pin cushion made from that same stunning vintage skirt, and a teacup given to me by Rose, which was her grandmothers. I adore it!</div>
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Entry number 5:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBjCYPuPRZQw76YPfIETNMAcrWQa_py-GqWzFV24rVGqFyBAlah76lSLBSPMeNCC399ktEoQ4GJlfyxG0v0OZlPmHaD9lxfKzCo4FDxdBR_lqNNIYvIinqnVZUYpBTvYEpZ58tAY_8SYt/s1600/cup+pin+cushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBjCYPuPRZQw76YPfIETNMAcrWQa_py-GqWzFV24rVGqFyBAlah76lSLBSPMeNCC399ktEoQ4GJlfyxG0v0OZlPmHaD9lxfKzCo4FDxdBR_lqNNIYvIinqnVZUYpBTvYEpZ58tAY_8SYt/s320/cup+pin+cushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What a lot of fun! Do pop over to see the other AMAZING entries :-)</div>
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Love Sarah</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826658969366582553.post-35644121382303767672012-04-25T13:02:00.003-07:002012-04-25T13:02:57.892-07:00A little absentJust wanted to explain my recent lessening of blog posts.<br />
My son Lucas is going through a tough time at the moment. He has entered into <a href="http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/146/">Gonadotropin Dependent Precocious Puberty</a>, which has meant that we have started horrible intramuscular injections. These are basically a massive dose of Gonadotropin - the hormone that starts puberty - so at the moment we have gone from a basically sweet, gentle boy just slowly having some pubertal symptoms into a 9 year old boy, developmentally and emotionally delayed in some ways in full blown puberty. He is hurting his sister, he is hurting me, he is miserable and furious most of the time, he is tired and cant concentrate, and he flips out without seemingly any pre warning, and he cant be left with his sister alone at all at the moment. His Aspergers is through the roof at the moment, and I am finding it really really difficult. I love him so very much, and I am trying to take it easy on him, reminding myself that it isn't 'him' acting like this - its hormones, and he cant help it, but when he grabs his 4 year old sister by the neck and rams her head against a door, its hard. She adores him, infact started crying and screaming at me when I told her that she really couldn't marry him when she grows up, but I am scared that she will start to become frightened of him.<br />
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I was supposed to do the <a href="http://www.elsiemarley.com/category/kids-clothes-week-challenge">Kids Clothes Week Challenge</a> this week, but haven't sewn one thing. I am trying to be ok with that. They happen quite often, and my children have lots of clothes.<br />
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I also have cushions to sew, a bedroom to sort, work meetings, and we are awaiting results of tests to try to explain what Lucas' seizure episodes are.<br />
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So - put bluntly - I am just about getting by right now, but know that things will improve. If you fancy popping by to visit, I will post, just not with quite the ferocity that I was.<br />
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Thanks!<br />
Love SarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361759667482925577noreply@blogger.com5