Small things make super fun

Hi again,
For Christmas I was given some foam card a.k.a. foam board (this may have different names in different countries). I intend to make basic miniature buildings and furniture and have tried out a few simple ideas. It cuts quite easily with a sharp craft knife and glues with pva or a hot glue gun. In my dabbling I made a few small scale buildings for Sean's Lego Star Wars figures games. He then requested some barricades and so a few minutes later he had some new scenery.




It really didn't bother him they were untainted. I suppose it just looked like it was from a desert planet like Tatooine.




I won't pretend these models will last forever, but with reasonable care they will last a fair while, and it cost about a pound or two to make about seven small buildings and barricades. The best bit is that they can be rearranged easily and encourage free style play.

I really like the sense of adventure and imagination he used to make up new games and missions. Best of all he had a lot of fun... Who says kids only like expensive computer games all the time- I don't think so!

Until next time
Gillian

Getting older

Each birthday means I'm another year older and I've been thinking- do I feel older? I have aches and pains more often now, and I definitely need glasses to read with, or much larger font size, but overall...?

In my teens I didn't like to follow the crowd (OK so theres not much change there). In today's language I would probably be called Emo, with purple jeans and long outrageously patterned skirts. Thank goodness I can't find any photos!

In my twenties I went from graduate to worker to wife and mother, a lot of change in just a few short years, and it was certainly a lot to go through!

In my thirties I was still primarily a mother, but one who was studying part time for the degree I'd always wanted in Earth Sciences. I was so tired and constantly busy.


In my forties I now work full time in the school term, I am still a mum but whilst it is still intense, it is not so all consuming. I now make time for me (even though life still feels too busy most of the time) to read each day, and for a variety of hobbies. I have more interests and, frankly, more friends who know me well (and still like me!).




So do I feel older? Biologically and physically yes; but emotionally no. Definitely not. I'm happier and more settled than at any other time in my life. I'm busy and still tired a lot, but I'm in control and I like that. I do what I want and just enjoy life more. I have more fun than ever before and don't think I'm ready to properly grow up yet!

Until next time
Gillian

Great Day for Getting Things Done

I've had the most wonderful day today. My darling husband, of course, has spoilt me with chocolates and cooking a gorgeous meal tonight, something I haven't had for ages, mousaka followed by home made waffles---- yummy!!!

Perhaps it sounds weird but the biggest treat was letting me have the kitchen to myself to sew all morning- once the ironing was done of course!

So with 3 hours of sewing time I decided I would finally make the cute little owl I found in the Buttons and Blooms book by Whimsicals  (the book was expensive but is absolutely stunning). I was so thrilled to actually finish it before lunch! There were a few moments when seams appeared to be impossible on my sewing machine because I could not get them over the sleeve arm of my machine, but somehow I managed in the end. So here is dear little Olivia Owl- isn't she fabulous!

I think some owl brothers and sisters will be needed soon...


This afternoon has been perfect too, watching a DVD of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers- one of my favourite films- with my youngest son. As some of you may know I never just sit and watch TV though, so I managed to finish off my Harvest Awe quilt whilst watching it.


It really is outrageously bold for one of my quilts- I am usually much more restrained and avoid such bold colour and pattern variation in a single quilt.


Unfortunately the lighting was awful this evening (overcast skies and taking photos indoors just doesn't really work well). The square that looks purple in the photo was dark purple brown with a beige middle but the rest are pretty colour accurate- so why is one square the wrong colour... and why only one square??? Oh well I'm sure it's the flash causing it but to be honest I don't really care today- I just wanted to show the finished quilt.


One thing I particularly like is the back of the quilt... I used all the leftover  jelly roll strips to make some stripes that make the back match the front (again the purple where it should be dark brown---arrrrrh!).


So two projects finished in one day and all those chocolates to look forward too...


Until next time 
Gillian