The First Birthday Party

I have some beautiful memories of the Little One's first birthday party, held last weekend in the Village community centre. Walking through the gate to the courtyard, holding her on my hip, her tutu sticking out from under the baby belly, a crocheted crown on her head, and feeling a little teary as her little cousins called her name in excitement. My doting, big-hearted parents and my mother-in-law hard at work, preparing food and greeting guests. Watching friends and family (re)connect. K's heartfelt speech. Her little cheer as everyone hip hip hoorayed for her. Our little cuddle in the midst of the party, in acknowledgement of such a special occasion. Sass and her little boyfriend Archie, chalking graffiti on the courtyard walls.

It was a big party, an enormous amount of work, but oh so worth it. She is so very loved, our Little One.

We made the classic mistake of not taking many photos on the day (I am thankful for friends and family who picked up our camera or emailed through their own captures). Above are the party left overs that are still scattered about our home. I just can't bring myself to put them away, just yet...

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Dipped glass vases inspiration (vases are recycled)

Tassel garland tutorial here and tissue paper from this Etsy store

Photo timeline monthly dividers sewn with Spotlight fabric and typewriter font stamp set from this lovely shop (I'll reuse these in Saskia's baby book)

Paper cups from Woollies (stamped with rubber tips on pencils, ink pads from Spotlight)

Giant balloons from here

Recycled Papel Picado banners from our engagement party bought from this Etsy store

Fabric and ribbon party hats - template here

Fabric favour bags inspiration

The Saskia skirt (how could I not?) and gold mouse Mary Janes (again, how could I not?)

Made: dotty invitations

In Brazil first birthdays are a big event. Almost on par with weddings. We haven't had a wedding yet - just a beautiful, simple engagement party in the these Rose Gardens. When it happens, our wedding will be intimate and it will speak of the two of us, and Saskia and maybe another little one.

So we have decided to throw a Brazilian first birthday. Although I felt nervous about this at first, I am happy that we will have the opportunity to celebrate with all our dear family and friends who have played a special role in Saskia's first year. After all, it takes a village to raise a child...

I can't even bring myself to type out the number of people we have invited...it's pretty enormous though. So I made some simple and fun invitations over a few nights in front of Goonies, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Call the Midwife. It was quite a therapeutic process - how great are menial tasks after a day with an 11 month old? They are so easy to make it's laughable. I was inspired by an idea on Pintrest (naturally).

I used these ink pads from Spotlight, a couple of rubber tipped pencils, some translucent paper from an art store and some heavyish watercolour card. Of course making invitations was just another way I could add to the washi tape collection.

*Speaking of parties, there's a lovely series to celebrate spring at Che & Fidel and a pretty ace little giveaway. I'd be happy with just the pillowcases or the beeswax candles...

Prioritise

I feel like a have a lot to write about in this space, and would love to try out a few little ideas...but here's that same old tired excuse coming...no time.

At night I am trying to keep up with sew school, or reading a book. Now that I can read in bed at night I find I'm more likely to do so, much cosier or something? We've moved the Little One to the cot for the first sleep of the night (more on that later), so it's a bit of a novelty to have the bedside light on. And on Monday nights K and I watch this on TV. It has me itching to read the papers. But I find myself making crepes, or spying on Sassy and her Papa at play on a weekend morning instead.

During the day, Sassy is having two short naps so I just get enough time for a cuppa, a quick blog trawl or some emails, and maybe a spot of gardening if I'm lucky.

So there's time. I just find that I'm prioritising other things at the moment. And that's fine. A tricky (but ultimately rewarding) side of mamahood.

*A little lined zipper purse I made from a beautiful embroidered doily from the oppie. Broke my heart to chop it up. But it is enjoying a new life as my sewing bits and pieces bag.

Sew, Craft

A while back I won an online sewing course on Cintia's fun little blog, and started Sew School last week. Jodie uploads weekly notes, videos and projects, and is around on the school's website or facebook page to answer any questions. It's such a great idea. We made nifty little drawstring bags (shoe bags for travel?) for our first project. I was a wee bit proud. (Baby steps, folks, baby steps).

I think I've been stuck on cushions for way too long, so it'll be a good chance to learn some new tricks. I have a stack of sweet books with lovely projects (this one was a present for my birthday and this one I've just borrowed from the library) - and a growing stash of new and vintage fabric.

Now that I've finished hand sewing the Little One's quilt (hours of love in that thing, I tell you), I'm working on a few other little crafty projects before I begin the next (and final!) stage, the binding process...

Mama's making me a quilt

So many lovely things coming in the mail lately. I'm such a fan of ordering online - the anticipation of a parcel is so much better than the instant gratification that comes with lugging a plastic bag out of a store, wouldn't you agree?

The Ink & Spindle Allsorts Quilt Kit is one of the goodies that arrived in the past week. So beautifully packaged too. I admired it unopened on the coffee table for a while! My mum promised me she'd make a quilt for the little one, but had given away a lot of her old fabric a few years ago as her quilting days (she thought) were long gone. I'd been keeping my eye out for patterns on the internet - something that could look a little wonky and imperfect, given that Mum was protesting that she might be a little rusty - and came across this beautiful kit sourcing the link for one of my previous posts.

I love that Ink & Spindle hand screenprint their fabrics and make efforts to ensure they are ethical and sustainable. Plus they just seem like really sweet ladies having fun in their studio. I wish I had the time at the moment to create a little stash of my own screenprinted fabric, but I'm not a superwoman and think my time is best spent in a non-toxic environment (i.e. at the sewing table!). Am sure it'll be a lovely project for Mum and I to work on together in those last few weeks...if the hormones stay in check!

Ps. Thank you for all your lovely supportive comments on my last post. We had a scan at the hospital today which came up clear. In fact the little one looked very cosy and happy in there, pouting and blinking and curled up like a yogi. Apparently the little one is a little one (at this stage), being on the 'petite' side of the scale - but still well clear of the danger zone. Phew!

An old friend

I've had this lovely Klippan fabric that we bought in Sweden tucked over a cushion, masquerading as a cover, ever since we moved in (November last year).

Finally I dusted off the old Janome and, using a very basic pattern saved from an Ink & Spindle kit, I whipped up a little cover. Even found some sweet spotty fabric for the underside. Think I've got my sewing mojo back.

Ordered some of this beautiful fabric which arrived in the mail last week...Another cushion and perhaps something sweet for a friend's little girl, due end of August? Will suit a Spring baby, no?

24 weeks

Well hello little bump. Have you decided it's time to get a move on? It certainly feels that way.

After another hectic week and an eventful weekend I'm welcoming the wintry weather so I can cosy up in the evenings and do some solid relaxing. Last Wednesday I had a theatre date with a friend (on a 'school night'!) which was a lot of fun but left me feeling a little exhausted. After a day at work it's really hard to find the energy to do much else in the evenings other than run a bath and crawl onto the sofa with a mug of soup - although it did feet great to get a little dressed up and go out for dinner in town.

I'm excited to join a knitting club with some lovely ladies from work. Our first 'meeting' is this Saturday and one of the knitters is going to lend me a book about knitting projects for children. The last time I clicked needles was probably in Grade 5 so I hope they'll be patient with me. Now there's a lovely project for these wintry evenings.