Do you remember last year when I knitted cardigans for Cully May and Rafaella?
Well, this year I knitted one for Charlie David. It's a cross over style that I knitted for all my own babies because they're the perfect snuggly cardie for crawling babies, and as Charlie is now 4.5 months old, it's fairly certain he'll be making his way around the tiled floors at Blossom's by July (our mid-winter).
I'd been working on it for about a month on and off between other things, but yesterday with only the long neckband, sewing together and buttons to attach I sat down with Hercule Poirot and worked until all was done.
Don't you feel a great sense of satisfaction when you complete a project?! I certainly did. In fact this was my second completion of the day.
The first one was to sew curtains for the girl's cubby house, something Cully May has very patiently been waiting for since last year. I had wanted to do this sooner but just never found the right fabric. I'd considered using sheer netting but that seemed too grown up, and quilting cotton wouldn't allow enough light into the cubby (it has four windows), but earlier this month I found the prettiest cream and pink polka dot muslin and knew it would be perfect!
Blossom and the children came over this morning and the girls were very excited (an understatement) with their curtains, and spent ages playing in their little house that Poppy built.
We shared a morning tea of scones and pineapple fruit cake, with vanilla tea for mummy and nana, and chocolate oat milk for the girls.
Afterwards Charlie wore his new cardigan and played next to the girls while they coloured in and pasted stickers.
The cardie is a size 6-12 months so it will see him through the rest of autumn, winter and into spring. I tried to get a photo of him laughing with Blossom but Charlie David is not a boy who sits still! Every photo was blurry except but this one, and I love it anyhow because you can clearly see the love his mummy has for him.
Around home these past days I've done a bit of bread baking, made a delicious French soup (Soupe au Pistou with
this recipe), scrubbed some of the overlooked places - like the kitchen sink, louvre windows in the toilet, and the inside of the microwave - and hung washing all through the house as it rained for a week and we don't have a dryer...
I also gave my new cleaning glove a maiden workout and can tell you truthfully that I love it! We were getting pool salt at Bunnings a week ago and I saw this hanging on the end of an aisle. I'm really not that impulsive with purchases at Australia's largest hardware and garden store, but as soon as I saw this I imagined how easy it would be to dust around those hidden areas...and it really is.
I actually cringed at how much dust I collected from behind the television and along the power cords. It's a Sabco Green Microfingers Dusting Glove and was $7.50, worth every penny. If you're in Australia
HERE is the link to find it at Bunnings just in case you need to easily clean behind things too.
My desk got a makeover as well last Friday; in fact there were a lot of changes made here and there around the house. They would seem small to a guest, but to me they are big because I'm gradually moving out of one style and settling in one that's more me in this stage of life.
One thing that will never change, though, is my love of flowers. I had roses on the table a few weeks back and they lasted longer than I'd hoped, but just before they began to drop I cut away the blooms and popped them in a bowl to enjoy longer.
Cully May held them carefully today, marvelling at how they were drying out yet still holding their shape. She's a flower lover too.
Last week I replaced the roses with huge white chrysanthemums but they did not do well for long - possibly the sudden onset of constant rain as the house was damp and sticky because it's still warm and humid, though the nights are finally cooling.
So I added them to compost heap and bought myself a bunch of old faithful carnations, which never let me down. They actually look lovely against our new tablecloth.
I'm continuing to read every day, and what a joy this is! After finishing The Secret Garden I began another Agatha Christie novel (Dumb Witness), plus a wonderful non-fiction book by neuroscientist Lisa Genova (she wrote the fictional novel Still Alice) called "Remember".
I'm also reading a visually beautiful book on the life and art of Impressionist Berthe Morisot, and have almost finished the first of the Madame Chic series by Jennifer L Scott.
I make mid-morning reading time special by using a favourite tea cup, brewing my favourite tea, slicing pieces of the latest cake I've baked, and settling in for half an hour of total relaxation. Ladies, I highly recommend this; after reducing my Elefantz workload and leaving Facebook, there's more time to keep house, learn new things, read, knit and explore different recipes.
Making one special time each day to simply sit and read and enjoy a delicious treat has lifted my spirit enormously, especially if the day before was busy...and I'm discovering through Lisa Genova's book "Remember" that learning new things is the best way to create more neuropathways in your (aging) brain and thus help you remember.
Blossom made this simply breath-taking dress for Rafaella the other day. You may not know, but children's clothing pattern designers have been enlisting our talented Blossom to pattern test their designs before they are sold to the public. She's been making the most exquisite items but I do think this may be my new favourite. Look at all those ruffled layers!
Rafaella wore it here today and I couldn't stop cuddling her.
Now, as you know, Blossom started her handmade children's clothing business early last year and soon after discovered she was pregnant with Charlie David. This brought everything to a halt and it's only lately that she's been able to carve out some 'me' time to sew again at night. Mostly testing for designers, but gradually making more items for her new Shop.
The winner can choose the size they want between 0-3 months, right up to 18-24 months!
I have seen these darling sets and her sewing is exquisite, you won't be disappointed. Don't you love that pop of red gingham bias inside the sleeve?
All you need do is
go to her Instagram page HERE, follow her and tag three friends. As a young mum, and just really starting out, I'd love for you to help Bloss by bringing her IG page to the attention of friends or family who may love to win one of these delightful Seaside Sets.
(((thank you)))
Oh, and if you'd like to visit her new Lucy & May Shop, it's
HERE and she posts worldwide.
I think you must be tired of reading now. Sorry for such a long post, but perhaps it slowed you down long enough to take a breather from your day? I do hope so.
Tell me, what are you reading at the moment? I'd love to know. Do you read one book at a time or a few? Do you read a mix of fiction and non-fiction or just one type? Post in the comments because we can all get some new suggestions that way.
Bless your dear hearts, and thank you for dropping by here and being an encouragement to me for more than a decade...
hugs
