Crafty Projects No 1 Headbands

Katherine is desperate to learn to sew and wants to hang out in my studio so I have been looking for simple projects we can work on together. She's too little to actually use a sewing machine but she likes sitting on my knee and watching me sew!

First up for 2010 is a head scarf from the Lena Jansdotter "Simple Sewing for Baby" book. I got some great fabric in the form of two pairs of curtains in a local charity shop a while back. One pair has been turned through 180 degrees and new header tape attached to fit Katherine's room. (thanks mum!).

The other was too faded to use as curtains so I cut this up to make some headbands. The pattern is very simple and is either for a dribbler bib thing or a girl's headband. I did though have to cut Katherine's pattern again as the pattern in the book is definitely toddler sized. Or maybe my daughter has an extra large head?

We put Sarah's on her head and she seemed quite happy with it. I think though when I make more dribblers I will use some velcro rather than tying it around her neck. Faster on and off then!

Bloggers Block?

Is there such a thing?

I certainly haven't had the inclination to write anything for a long time! I've found online selling so time consuming too. Why do etsy, folksy, MISI, Trunkt etc all require different photo sizes, file sizes etc etc etc! It's driven me mad.

However I am much more motivated now after an online break where I have been concentrating on new designs and just doing some sewing projects for the hell of it!

On the home front too there will be a new littlechook arriving early June and I must say the first and second trimesters were pretty hard going with constant morning, noon and night sickness.

My little lady is very excited at the thought of having a baby sister. When my sister was born I used to try to sell her outside our local shop while my mum was shopping. Hope history doesn't repeat itself but then times have changed and there's no leaving the little 'uns outside now while you shop!

where are the children?

A little hungover today after a lovely anniversary meal at La Bota in Crouch End last night. Still trying to unpack everything from the pop up shop too!

So I'm avoiding this by flicking through Living etc and Real Homes.....

Living etc has a featured house this month belonging to Sara Berman. On the floor plan it does show a playroom so I can only imagine she locks her kids in there in order to keep the rest of her house so 'stylish'.

I had an interesting conversation recently with a woman who works in child health and development and she said she is seeing more and more children from middle class families who are not allowed to be children as they live in these perfectly styled homes with no consderation to their needs.

She said many are not allowed to use paints or play with water toys in case the house gets dirty or heaven forbid the kids get anything on their clothes. The kids have their lives totally managed with 'play dates' and 'french lessons' but they never get time just to lounge about or to just play outside.

I find that really really sad.

In another conversation with a woman who used to work in primary schools I found out that many schools hardly teach art, sewing or music anymore. I strongly believe that everyone is creative in their own way and that in children this should be encouraged and supported.

Without creativity I think our society gets smothered and the world is a greyer place. Thank goodness for etsy and folksy so I know I'm not alone....

Ok rant over.....

Carter's Steam Fair Today

No post last night as we were out gallavanting in Hoxton at lil sis's leaving do drinks which was a nice change for a friday night. I'd forgotten how many people go out for drinks after work on a friday.

Today we took the little lady to Priory Park in Crouch End to the Steam Fair. All the rides were lovely old fashioned affairs especially the fairground carousel. The little lady surprised us be being a bit of a speed freak! She loved the horse and also went on another ride with me that went really fast (I was a bit worried!) but she had a ball.

Tomorrow we have a yoga picnic on hampsted heath which I am hoping the weather holds for. I must also try and do a bit of sewing as I have some ideas for t shirts using some applique.

The Geffrye Museum

To round of our bank holiday weekend we visited the Geffrye Museum near old street this afternoon.

It's collection comprises textiles, furniture, paintings and interior objects from 1600 to the present day. I particularily liked the 50's interiors and the Jessie Tait ceramics.

The victorian rooms were fantastic too as it was interesting to see a house similar to my own home and how it would have been laid out and used in the era it was built in. We did laugh at the description of the women of the house spending afternoons sewing, playing cards and receiving callers. Would beat working for a living we thought.

I bought a really fab book too on 50's design which I will try and feature some pics from this week. The museum has a great shop and a nice cafe too. And no one minded a small child pushing a pink pram at great speed round the museum either luckily for us!

I also got to sit in a Balzac chair by Matthew Hilton for SCP and it made me want one even more. Can't remember whether it is in Elle Dec or Living etc but one of the homes featured has a Balzac chair and the owner says she saved for 10 years for a Balzac. I can see her point but I am hoping for a lottery win sometime soon!

We rounded the day off with a fantastic vietnamese meal near old street tube too. Lovely!