Monday, January 16, 2017

A birth notice and some project tutorials...

Would you like to see what I gave Blossom and her DB for Christmas?



In celebration of their first child's arrival last August I designed and stitched a birth notice, something 'just for them'.





They had no idea about this gift so their delight on Christmas Day upon opening it was spontaneous and heart warming.





Blossom re-arranged their home over the weekend and sent me a photo to show it hanging above Cully May's cot in their room. This time it was I who received the blessing.



Don't you get the most wonderful feeling when you make a gift for someone you care about? 

One of my daughters, Anita, was very taken with all my door hangers when she and little Aminah came to stay last September so I'm planning to make a couple for her in the next week or so. 


She especially liked the positive messages I stitch on the ones displayed around our home and as I have scores of completed stitcheries in my design box that have not yet been used in projects they will be my starting point. 

When I stitch a design I cut my background fabric 4 inches wider and higher than the size of the stitchery so there is enough space to trace and stitch the words I want to use. From there I can finish them as lovingly made door hangers. 

I'm also going to make some as a gift for my daughter Aisha. She and hubby Tim celebrate their wedding anniversary in February so I will make sure the messages on their door hangers focus on 'love'.



Tomorrow morning I'm off to babysit Cully May for an hour or two while Blossom does a deep clean of her bathroom, but then I'll head home to give my kitchen an even deeper clean. You see, every January I give my kitchen a makeover.
Creating a 'fresh' kitchen early in the New Year is something I look forward to once Christmas has passed, but to be honest, with Mr E  home these past few weeks the timing hasn't been right and I've delayed my plans a bit. 
However, this delightful chore can no longer be put off and tomorrow I will begin removing items no longer needed, re-organising the pantry and drawers, laying fresh lining paper on the shelving, sewing a few pretty trimmed tea towels, sorting through all the recipes I've printed up from the year before and filing them in a newly bound recipe folder, scrubbing the oven, and washing the fridge inside and out. 
I'll also do a check of all my spice jars for freshness and a purge of anything out of date in the pantry and refrigerator.
Once all that is done I can clean the hard surfaces and windows, vacuum,  mop, and lay a new kitchen mat.

By the time Mr E starts his new job on Thursday the kitchen should be just right and I can begin working on a 4-week rotating menu and baking plan. 

I should also make a new apron...yes, that would be nice. 

If you're needing a little 'kitchen inspiration' perhaps these older tutorials and blog posts of mine will come in handy?



















What will you be doing around the home this week?

hugs



11 comments:

Shortbread and Ginger said...

It's always a great feeling when the cleaning is over! Love the little birth sign - gorgeous!

Julia (Grammy) said...

I've been doing the same to my home a little in everyroom. Cleaned behind the stove and inside the refrigerator yesterday with the help of dear husband. I just love your stitching, used your flower alphabet applicate patterns to make my granddaughters a Christmas present this year. http://kitchgarden.blogspot.com/2017/01/christmas-2016.html
Belessings to you and yours.

Maureen said...

I'm also in the deep cleaning mode. I don't necessarily enjoy it, but I do love the satisfaction when it's done! The birth announcement is so pretty. What a special way to welcome Cully May.

Debra said...

I just deep cleaned my bedroom this morning, so I am in that mode as well. Now, having read your post, I feel the need to tackle my kitchen. I usually do that right before the holidays, but somehow that got delayed. Paring down and reorganizing is such a good feeling! Also, I have eagerly awaited your "reveal" of Cully May's Christmas gift, and i must say that it is charming!

Bilbo baggins said...

Love the birth announcement, beautiful. I thought you were going to share the pattern. Did I miss the post?

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Bilbo Baggins, I shared Cully May's quilt pattern a couple of months ago, that must be what you're thinking of. It's in my shop as a free download.
The birth notice is for her, not something I'll be sharing.

Motherdragon's Musings said...

Such a beautiful gift. Heartfelt and every stitch, stitched with Grandmotherly love.

Anonymous said...

Mostly, I expect I'll be sitting and working - for money, not fun. =) I love what you did for Cully Mae's birth notice - a lovely frame, even. You really are such a homemaker. What I'd like to do is have a dumpster in the driveway and dump most of the contents of my house into it, except fabric and machines and my bed. I could use a complete start over, paint the walls, recarpet, buy different used furniture. LOL But reality is there's no money for any of that. So maybe I'll make a couple of dish towels instead. =)

Createology said...

Your week sounds very domestic and productive. Today hubby and I cleaned our home. Fortunately I only have a few things to complete in the morning...like the kitchen granite counters. We got a call late this evening that our Real Estate broker will be showing the house tomorrow morning. Whew! Love what you are doing and creating dear. Gentle Domesticity Bliss...

Ondrea said...

WEll, I shall be putting things back in a corner kitchen cupboard for the 3rd time after the hose to the dishwasher leaked and I had water dripping out onto my wooden floor! Meanwhile I have thrown a few things out that I haven't used for about 10 years. I am having difficulty bending down to the bottom shelf these days and need to come up with a better idea. I cleaned out the pantry last November and went though all the herbs and spices like you. Hmm, the fridge is a problem as it has been leaking for a few years now and I think it is about time we bought a new one.

Love your beautiful birth stitchery for Cully May. I must think of something to make for a boy.

Have fun with your cleaning. I usually do mine when hubby is out of the house too.

Anonymous said...

The birth notice is just lovely, what a perfect keepsake! Your ideas for a clean our and deep cleaning of the kitchen is a wonderful inspiration. I've never considered getting new towels or an apron when doing a cleaning. This would be a great way to freshen up the room. - Diane from Minnesota