Just

Well, I did it. I survived another long school summer holiday. My ears and my nerves are battered and shattered but I survived.

Just.

Anybody else find being a parent hard sometimes ?

Good, I thought so. I'm just going to stop typing for a moment and give all of you Mamas a great big hug.

(((   )))

Did you feel it ?

Anyway, at last I can feel my crafting mojo returning, I sat in the garden yesterday and sewed a little sewing,

mini tissue holders for Molly and her friend Ellie to put in their school bags. I could say that I made them mini size to fit in their pockets, but that would be a lie. They are mini because I completely buggered up the measurements and had to fold the tissues in half to make them fit.  They do fit in little girl's pockets though, so it's a happy accident as opposed to a complete f*%^ up. ( Do excuse my bad language - thats another thing I'll blame on the school holidays).

I also at last had time to peruse the pages of my latest Cotton Time mag,

I love these simple embroidery ideas,

and there's some lovely linen work too, nice linen seems so hard to get hold of in the U.K, anybody know any good suppliers ?

Some nice applique,

and lots of shopping bag ideas.

There are also some very cute softies

there are pattern pieces for Red Riding Hood, but no instructions, but I guess she 's simple enough to put together. Cute eh ?

And how about this little sweetie

I love his little apron.

Available from e-bay  amazonjp and  Superbuzzy usually stock these mags too.

Have a great weekend !

Comments

[raspberry]

I get my linen, irish at that, from a place on eBay - http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/hussainfabrics, very nice quality fabric indeed :)

And yes, thank god school has re-started, sorry to any teachers :)

[Sarah]

If only my half pint were big enough to go to school! :-)

Mothering is hard for me because it is pretty relentless. With a 2 year old there just are no breaks. :-)

[Lesley]

Thank goodness it's not just me - I've really enjoyed being on my own again this week. Tidy, peaceful house, good crafting time and I've got thinking space in my head again. I feel inadequate when I read some other Mum's blogs and they seem to enjoy every single second with their kids. I love mine so much but I don't seem to be that type of Mum.
I've got to get that magazine. I'm a UK girl too so will follow up the linen link :)

[Lesley]

Whoops - just ordered it off ebay - how impulsive am I? You're a bad influence!!!
I'd better do some ironing quick to make up for it :0)

[Vanessa]

I know what you mean about getting the kids back to school. I have to admit I am no mother earth, I even forgot at what time my daughter needed collecting from Pre-shcool. They have then gone and given me a newsletter today with all the inset days on it! How rude!!

Vanessa x

[Kate]

It truly is a relief to know I'm not the only mother out there enjoying the fact that my kids are back in school. I've spent most of the week drinking quiet, uninterrupted cups of tea, and trying to gather together the few remaining bits of my sanity!

[Christine]

Well, they are back to school but only during the day - what about the afternoons!?!?
I really needed that hug, thank you! ((( )))
I absolutely adore that little keyholder bear!
Sometimes one can find vintage linen (bed and table) but ususally it's very pricey. I thought it would be easier in England where there are so many charity shops, no?
Good luck and strong nerves!

[Christine]

Oh, the tissue holders are very sweet. I also made a couple of them too small and did you know - there are small tissues available!

[Mama Urchin]

Love love love that little red riding hood. Preschool starts next week and I think I'm more excited then the kids. It's been a long summer.

[June]

I'm so glad you survived the time and have still retained your lovely sense of humor.

The mini-tissue holders are so adorable and the cat buttons are such a sweet detail.

The new magazine has wonderful ideas and I'm going to visit your links to see if I can get a copy of that issue, too.

[Laura]

Hi! I've secretly read and enjoyed your blog for a few weeks and now I must speak up and say: GREAT,YUMMY STUFF! Thanx for the peeks into your creative inspirations and process! I love love love your work!
Come see my babies at etsy and tell me what you think ... biz is slow so I'd love any hints!
I'm a homeschooling mom so I don't get summer and holiday breaks. Before you think I'm some kinda supermom - DON'T! My 11 and 15 yr old have learned to be self-learners! They go to school online and know that when mom is making Art she has "left the building"! Anyway, moral of the story is - it get's better! Although you lose the cute chubby hands getting into everything(and I do miss my sweet girls as babies!), you begin to settle into a kind of understanding where you get periods of quiet mixed with times of snuggling up as friends! I know you'll find a way to have fun all along the way!
Hugs, Laura
coconutannies.etsy.com

[Cindy]

Thanks for the hug. Yes, my 4 kids are in school and I have to admit, I am enjoying some free time!

I love that magazine. I traveled 40 minutes to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles to find it without success. I don't want to order it and pay shipping because I am cheap!

Love your crafts!

[Florence]

Your post today made me laugh a lot - thank you!

Thank you also for putting the links in for the magazine - it looks excellent. I'm assuming you already know about www.kitty-craft.com as I'm sure your tissue holder fabric is stocked there, but if not then they would probably do nice linens. (tissue holders are gorgeous, by the way.

And while we're on the subject of trying to source fabrics, does anyone know where in the UK stocks Heather Bailey's freshcut? - I can only find one place - www.quiltroom.co.uk, but I want to pick my fat quarters individually rather than buying them in packs.

[Helen Shields]

Your blog makes me laugh and feel human for NOT being a super Mum! I have three children, 7, 5 and 4 the youngest started school this week but will only go mornings until christmas because of her age?*! if she is old enough to go to school surely she can go all day please! Everyone keeps asking me what I am going to do with all my free time and all I can do is laugh, they definitely cannot be crafters! Keep up the good work of inspiring, humouring and generally making us feel good and wanting to create.

Regards Helen Shields

www.springchickendesigns.blogspot.com

[lucykate crafts]

the only problem i've had is first week back, there have been lots of tears and overtiredness, and that's just me!! : )

we did a really daft thing though, spent all summer trying to entertain the kids, only to finally cave and buy a trampoline last sunday, on the last day of the summer holidays. at least i get to go on it all by myself when lucy's at school and luke is napping : )

[Dawn]

I really like this place for hemp linen. http://www.hemptraders.com/ It looks delicate but it's super tough. I'm so glad that one of them is in school! One down, and one who still naps some days :()

[Sarah Lewis-Newton]

You swear away lady!!! I love the buttons - are they ceramic ones?? I bet its lovely and quiet in your house now - apart from the cat that is!

[sarah]

I am SO glad my eldest is back at school, I find being a good, gracious, calm parent very hard and I find it disheartening to read about all the perfect parents out there, so thank you for your refreshing honesty!

[sabine]

Ah, I love school!!
I always thought small children were hard to handle, but you ain't seen nothing yet! (mine are 14 and 17).
Thank you for the lovely pictures, I love the wolf and the cute teddybear!

[Jeska]

Hi there, Great pics from cotton time! Cute tissue holders, I think everything you make is great, My favorite has to be the wolf baby!

I discovered a good linen supplier recently they stock plain and pattered weaves, not cheap but lovely!

http://www.volgalinen.co.uk/

[AJ]

I love the fabric you used for the tissue holders, very cute! And the keychain softie is adorable!

[Joanie]

I find the best linen (especially for embroidery) are antique sheets and table cloths. The weaves don't look mass produced and they're nice & tight. I buy at village boot fairs & antique shops (not expensive ones). It's more time consuming, but I get better quality linen, very, very cheap. As thanks for your help and your fantastic blog, I will gladly send you a bit from this recent haul http://ninimakes.typepad.com/nini_makes/2007/09/encountering-vi.html
just email me your address. And thanks too Lyn for your lovely comments - you're a star!

[carolyn]

Yes always so many cute softies.

[Melanie]

My lot have been tired from starting back. My daughter fell asleep on the lounge floor with one of the hounds last night (I have pics!) curled up in a fleece blanket. I've not had much time for proper crafting as I'm still going through the house tidying. I think this w/e came a bit soon as they're back and I've still got a chaotic messy house! Need an extended week. LOL

[stacey]

I just have to make some of these cute little tissue holders - so sweet. And thank you for the sneak peek into Cotton Time.

[Samantha]

I know just how you feel! I homeschool, so I barely have one day every couple of weeks without kids! I have just finished writing a book, and boy was it hard with kids sitting on my arms!

[Christy]

Thanks for the hug!

I'm thrilled that DS has started Kindergarten. The first week was tough on both of us, but he is doing wonderfully and I'm adjusting to time alone in a quiet house!

[gena]

Oh dear, Lyn! I have just been laughing because I have been celebrating the first day back at school and having gotten through the first whole week! I never thought I would be woman that celebrated the day her child went back to school, but I also never thought I would be the mother of a child who celebrated the first day of school either. I assure you I am not "mean mommy" even if that's what she currently calls me, but I do believe in the benefits of a "boring" summer. So funny, I have a similar post on another blog! Hurray for our crafting mojo coming back!

[gena]

Oh dear, Lyn! I have just been laughing because I have been celebrating the first day back at school and having gotten through the first whole week! I never thought I would be woman that celebrated the day her child went back to school, but I also never thought I would be the mother of a child who celebrated the first day of school either. I assure you I am not "mean mommy" even if that's what she currently calls me, but I do believe in the benefits of a "boring" summer. So funny, I have a similar post on another blog! Hurray for our crafting mojo coming back!

[lisa/milkshake]

((( )))
Some hugs right back at ya :)

Hopefully my daughter will be going to preschool in January, but for now I'll have to cram my craftiness into her rest time (formerly known as nap time).

Love your blog!

[Jessica Daisy]

Yes I completly agree, I'm am certainly better with my 3 year old back at nursery, and I think she is too, we drive each other crazy, especially arguing over what clothes she's going to wear (she wants to wear the england football kit that my husband bought her on a daily basis, and I want her to the funky little clothes I buy her from H&M and Zara!) and I can ever get any work done because of the constant 'muuuuummmm!! can I have, I want, etc etc..........'.
I have an alarming amount of wine bottles stacking up in the kitchen, and down the side of the house, when I eventually get round to taking them to the recycling, I'm sure I'm going to get funny looks!
Loving the mini tissue holders very cute, glad I'm not the only one who f***** ups the measurements though.
Jessx

[Tammy]

What are you talking about - beinga parent hard?
You mean the sleepless nights? Car-shuttling? making lunches (that come home squished in the bottom of the bag b/c they decided they didn't like it anymore)? the pre-teen long list of hormone inspired agony? the constant hemming of pants? um - did I leave anything out?

[Tammy]

Not to be so negative sorry about that - I love the photos of your little tissue holders & putting up the Cotton Time picks - it's very inspiring and a nice escape to have crafting to unwind with.

[Steph]

I'll go a step further and say, at times, parenting is the hardest thing I've EVER done. =)
By the way, I just noticed the category on your sidebar titled "Posts that contain mild swear words-Warning"............too funny. =) I love your blog.

[alisonb]

If you're after a bargain then I understand that Ikea stock natural coloured linen. I LOVED going to Ikea but since relocating to New Zealand, the closest one to us is Sydney, Australia!!!!

[ayu]

is Cotton Time or cotton paint much interesting for this issue?

[Daphne]

I don't know if they ship to the UK but I've heard wonderful things about Gray Line Linens in NYC:

http://www.graylinelinen.com/

[raggyrat]

eeeeh, int it piecful now the childlers have all gone back? how old are your lot lyn - have you got any growed-up helpful ones? the twins may not go to school but they do nap twice a day, and if they refuse to nap they are 'put down' anyway... but that wont wash with my 9 year old, yegads she's nearly 10! i have been known to pattern-cut just on the other side of the baby gate too, and fling them large scraps to hit each other with. thanks for the hug. crafty mums are the best as they know how to keep sane - just. [i'm also feeling very green and knackered and not very cretive even tho im posed to be sorting out an exhibition this week - im expecting baby number 4 - im crazy right? exciting and ermmmm ... wow ! now please delete that bit and a HUGE thankyou for deleteing my typos the other week and making me look cool. ish ...or it might be more twins ...eeek! ] love you, cat xxxx

[Katy]

Thanks for that hug, I needed one....my little boy pooed on the floor today :( I have spent a good while sniffing the rug to make sure I picked it all up!!!!

[Kelly]

Where do you get your lovely fabrics from. And how easy is it to applique??

[Isabelle]

Oooh, lovely mini kitty tissue holders!
Of course you didn't mess up. That was a creative departure from the original plan.

[Passions & Distractions]

I love the little bunny and bear in that one picture! how tac ky would it seem to buy the magazine just for them! Not that I'm not idgging on the other things, but they make my heart sing!

[RI]

YES I AM GLAD FOR YOU ALL THAT THE CHILDREN ARE BACK AT SCHOOL ...ALL THE MUMS LOOK MUCH CALMER GOING ROUND THE SUPERMARKET,WITHOUT THE LITTLE HELPERS IN TOW...BUT I AM MISSING LOOKING AND LISTENING TO THE CHILDREN...I KNOW ITS VERY DIFFERENT WHEN ITS YOU BEING THE MUM...BUT ONE DAY YOU WILL LOOK AND REMEMBER...AND SMILE

[Diana]

The mini tissue holders are adorable! That print would make cute coin pouches as well. And arent those japanese craft books the best? I just got one on felt mascots and everything is so darn cute!

Diana

[dottycookie]

My little one has been after me for a tissue holder to take to school as well - I love the buttons on yours.

Very cute softies!

[Swirlyarts]

Yeah to the end of the school holidays! My elder daughter only goes to nursery in the morning and my younger daughter is 14 months old but I was so glad when it was September again! A little more time to try and craft!

[Tanya Whelan]

Thank you for the info. on where to get those beautiful magazines! Just found your blog, fantastic!

[Linda]

You are a dear for posting these. I would like to go into a shop and buy up an armful of Japanese craft magazines and books, but 1) I can't afford it and 2) we have no such place in the backwoods town I live in. *sigh* So I am dependent on kind internet souls who take the time to scan and post their own. I *love* the Little Red Riding Hood. The bear is very cute too.

[Kat]

I know just how you feel,but if you can read Japanese AND sew in a straight line I want the wine that you're drinking please!!!!LOL
Best Wishes Kat x

[Anne]

Hard being a parent? You've heard your mother exclaim how tired she is etc but you never believe it till you get there yourself!

[wendy]

You are so clever -- my cute softies didn't turn out so cute, they turned our to be lobsided, and seriously deformed!

[pippa]

I get linen from www.fabricland.co.uk, the shops are local to me (Bournemouth) but they do mail-order too. I can't get the website to work right now, but from memeory its £5 per metre which is v good value. Quality is ok, but obviously not up there with the really expensive stuff....
Love your blog btw, Pippa x

[Sandra]

Hi! Hope you have a nice week and thank's to share this beautiful images. I unsderstand your words, I'm a school teacher and at the moment all parents say the same! :)Greattings from Portugal

[Anne]

Hi there, found your blog whilst doing a search for Japanese Craft books. What an absolute lovely blog...all the georgeous pictures. All those yummy things to make!!!

[Elaine Blackbird]

Copeland Linens have - linens (for starters)not obvious was it - and other bits and pieces.

[Sam]

Merci de partager vos si jolies et poétiques créations !