great big stitched postcard swap: celebrate

First things first, thank you all so much for your well wishes for our little man.  He has bounced back to health and will be returning to school after mid term break and we are so relieved.

A few weeks ago on instagram I found a link to the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap organised by Do What You Love for Life.

"The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is a global swap of stitched postcard love, where people across the world make a postcard-sized piece of art using any materials they like. The only rules are that it needs to include some kind of stitching, and it needs to fit with that quarter’s swap theme."

As I love happy mail, I didn't hesitate in signing up.  The theme was celebrate so after being assigned my swap partner, it was time to get creative and make my postcard.

I loved playing around with different ideas and really enjoyed creating my postcard.  I sometimes become a little paralysed by uncertainty.  Will my partner like what I make, is it good enough but this time I just took the bull by the horns, didn't overthink it and made this.

I love nature and in particular all things floral, and as autumn had just arrived I thought 'celebrate every bloom' was an apt choice.  A reminder to cherish every flower before winter sets in.

I used origami paper, painted cotton and scrap booking paper for my card, drawing the blooms with ink and pencil.  I then used machine stitches for the border around the words and added bunting for a hit of happy.

I parcelled it up and popped it in the post to Julia my swap partner.

I was fairly pleased with my efforts but after visiting the Flickr group I felt a bit amateur.  There are some really beautiful tiny works of art.  You should take a look.

Swaps like these are always creative, fun and bring much happiness.  I was delighted to receive this beautiful postcard from Julia.  I love it!  I think I might have lucked out on this one.

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap was a whole lot of fun.  I'm looking forward to the next one.  What about you, are you tempted?

saturday stitching

With the weather forecast promising a weekend of rain and wind I decided to play with some pretty fabric, needle and thread.  The perfect way to spend a stormy Saturday.

I chose some fabrics to make a bunting for my baby nephew, a cute train print and a yellow geometric fabric.

The bunting is double sided and has seven triangles.  The applique letters were cut from felt and hand stitched on before making up the triangles.  I used some cream coloured bias binding to attach the flags.

I loved making the bunting but I think I've had much more fun dangling it from various walls, door frames, the stairs, trying to get a half decent picture. Bunting is a nightmare to photograph.

Now I need to parcel the bunting up and deliver it over the weekend.  I'm hoping to get some baby cuddles in exchange.  Not a bad deal, I think.

Apologies for my disappearance lately.  We have had a stressful few days since Sunday.  Our second little man has been very ill resulting in a stay in children's ward.  We are home now and he is on the mend thankfully.

So I will eventually get round to catching up with your lovely blogs.  Wishing you all a happy weekend.

52 weeks of happy (51/52 & 52/52)

So the last of my posts for 52 weeks of happy.  I have loved this series created by the lovely Jen at little birdie.

It all started over a year ago with these simple words,

'the happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything'

We have had many happy days and moments lately and two special celebrations. Our nine year wedding anniversary and a little ones sixth birthday.

Spending time with friends and family, enjoying good food and whiling away the hours outdoors has brought much happiness these past few weeks.  In fact, this seems to be a pattern in my happy things over the last year.  Those simple things are what we appreciate most as a family and for that I am so, so glad.

It has been wonderful to record the many things which might easily have been forgotten in the everyday buzz of family life.  All those moments of happiness which make the everyday special are worth remembering.

So thank you Jen for your wonderful idea.  You are brilliant. And, also thank you for reading and commenting on my happy posts.  I loved hearing what you had to say and reading all your thoughts.

I have decided that I won't continue with 52 weeks for another year but I do want to find a way to remember the happy moments I hope to encounter soon.

So on that note, that's all for now folks.  Nothing left to do but send happy vibes your way.

six

Today our little man celebrated his sixth birthday.

Our adorable little boy is another year older.

We love him so very, very much.  The life and soul of our family.  Full of fun, mischief and an amazing sense of humour.  He is adored by all.  His perfectly cheeky grin is his passport into unsuspecting hearts.

We are so proud of our beautiful boy who arrived into the world at great speed and who continues to bound around with endless energy.

You are cherished little one. 

weekending: 52 weeks of happy (50/52)

What a truly beautiful October weekend we've had.  The sun has shone and we have been busy, busy, busy.

I had been wishing this weekend away as I raced around preparing for all our plans but thankfully I slowed down and took time to enjoy all it brought.

On Saturday, I made a lampshade at a workshop I went to with a friend.  After, we had lunch, a good natter and visited a craft collective's pop-up shop.  All in all, a very lovely day.

When I got home, Mr F, the little ones and I popped out to Florence Court for a walk.  We spotted signs of autumn everywhere.  Leaves on the turn, horse chestnuts beneath the trees and an abundance of berries weighing down the branches.

The little ones kicked up the leaves, collected shiny conkers and played in the park.

And today, we went to the christening of my gorgeous little nephew.

Quite the whirlwind and it doesn't end there.  Tomorrow is the birthday of our second little man and on Wednesday we celebrate our nineth wedding anniversary.

So we have had lots of happiness here.  Linking up with the lovely Jen for the 50th week of 52 weeks of happy.