6 weeks.

I have been looking forward to this week as I remember Amelie and Harry giving us their first smile and life getting somehow a little easier. Well, we haven't really had proper smiles yet and life doesn't seem any easier !! I am busy with French this week and the sleepless nights are starting to get to me. But I am not here to complain, Violette is a star during the day and she really is an easy baby, she just likes to sleep with me!! 

 and here she is a 6 weeks...

 

 and since she never wants to look at the camera when I take the weekly picture, here is her little face.

Not much on the crafting side of things. I am going to a big show near me on Friday though, called Make It. I don't really like the show, and I never really find anything interesting there, oh, yes, I bought some masking tapes last year, but I still like to go in the hope that one year, there will be something I really love. And I could do with some basic items like double sided sticky tapes and stuff. And talking about craft, my sister and my very good friend, both made me gorgeous blankets for Violette. I had hoped to take great artistic pictures of them, but the weather isn't helping so they will just have to be normal pictures !!But still both blankets are truly beautiful.I use the one my sister knitted me in the cot and the one Claire crocheted in the pram.

 

I hope you all have a good week.

 

          Anne.

5 weeks

I haven't forgotten! just busy with the kids at half term.

Here is Violette at 5 weeks.

 

These little thighs are getting chubbier and she can stay awake for much longer now. We are still waiting for real smiles, although she has lots of practise ones as she falls asleep. And no.. still not sleeping through the night! So just stop asking !!


Have a lovely week.
Anne

Lovely weekend

It started on Friday night and I went to see Les Miserables with a friend. I cried the whole way through, singing along the famous songs I had heard so many times before at the musical in London. (It was my favourite show when I was young and working as an Au pair.). I thought the actors were amazing and all deserved an Oscar but I was the most touched by Fantine's solo. Truly fantastic.
Then on Saturday I went for a day scrapping with some lovely ladies. I must admit, I did struggle leaving Violette behind for a day, well, from 10.00 till 15.00 but I still had a great time and as usual I ate far too many cakes and chocolates, hence I am starting my diet today ! ( hmm, how long is this one going to last !! ).
The gorgeous Lisa taught us through a class in the morning. Again, I was taken away from my comfort zone with some serious misting and scrunching and general mess but I like my page and it will be a lovely souvenir. Firstly because of the hidden journaling but also because I will remember this page as my first day away from my baby and I must confess, Andrew and the kids did manage well without me. ( sadly !! ) ( It is hard admit that your baby can be happy without you ! ). But anyway, here is the page...

I also got time to add a few pages to my mini book. I am really enjoying this and hopefully Violette can look back and see what a gorgeous baby she was. ( Am I been biased here !! ).

 

 

 

Talking about Violette. ( This is all I seem to be doing these days, when I am not finding myself talking about poo !! ) , she is 4 weeks today, horray, and growing nicely. She can now hold her head and focus. She enjoys her baby gym and can stay awake for up to two hours. She is still not sleeping through before you ask, but it won't be long before she only needs feeding twice between 19.00 and 07.00, so I can't complain. Well, ok, I will because last night was not such a good night and I feel and look like ... today !But here she is..

 

 

 

 

Have a good week everyone. It is still snowing out there so hopefully it will settle and we can have a quiet week off school !!

 

Anne

It is a start...

ok, it doesn't look like much but I have started scrapping again!! And what better project to start with than a mini book on the arrival of Violette. Now it is only a start and I still need to embellish the pages and add some sewing, but we are getting there. We have a crop next Saturday in the village so I should be able to add to it then.

 

 

And to add to the picture collection, here is a picture of Violette today, celebrating three weeks with us. If anybody asks me again if she is sleeping through the night yet I might just decapitate them with no notice but apart from that, we are enjoying every day we spend together and still feel very lucky to have her.

Have a good week.

Anne

2 weeks

I can't believe Violette has been with us two weeks already. She is a real star and fits in the family perfectly. She is a great baby, she sleeps and eat well. She loves cuddles. ( a good thing really since Amelie and Harry and even daddy never leave her alone !) and she has a good long afternoon nap that gives me a chance to scrap again. I have started a kind of mini book. Nothing to show yet but it is definitely working progress and it feels good to be creating again.
But, it must be time for a cuddle while she is awake, so I leave you with a new picture.

Take care

Anne

The nursery

I did it ! I managed to take a few pictures of the nursery.

 

So you might see the tree that I bought in Paris when I went for a girly weekend. I used decopatch on it. I am still not convinced about the colours but in fact, it brightens up the room and I am getting used to it. In there is also a litle patchwork that Amelie made with her meme. A big patchwork on the wall that my sister made for Amelie when she was a baby. There is also a mobile that Harry made at school and looks perfect in that room. A wreath that I made out of willow at a Christmas craft evening and a little bird that I made last year as a Christmas decoration. And the curtains that were a joined effort between my mum and I.

 

I love this room and I hope that Violette grows to love it too.

 

Anne

Oh well...

I was meant to take pictures of the nursery to show you all of our crafty creations but guess what .. I haven't had time ! How can such a little thing take so much of your time !! Where does the day go?! I am not complaining, everything is going well. ( well, it is today anyway ! I will probably be crying my eyes out tomorrow ! ).


So instead of crafty pictures, here is a picture of Violette, one week old.

 

And now, back to trying to do the housework without being interrupted, not that I mind the distraction really!

 

Anne

New arrival...

Baby Violette Zara Cockburn was born on Sunday 13.01.13. She is the sweetest little thing ever and we all  have alreday madly fallen in love with her.

 

 

The nursery is looking really good. ( even if I say so myself !! ). We all had a go at making something and it makes it even more special. I will take some pictures today and you can see our handy work !

 

Take care

 

Anne

And the bump....

gets bigger and bigger. Only 6 weeks to go and looking rather big now !!

I am very lucky that I still feel very well and very much enjoy being pregnant. I only have one more week to work so I should be able to slow down a little before Christmas and finally sit down to finish all the craft projects that I have started !

1. I still need to finish my mobile. Well actually I am thinking it might not be a mobile after all but kind of a garland !
2. I need to finish sewing the curtains for the baby's room. That was going very well until my sewing machine decided to stop working.
3. I need to finish the high chart I have started. This alone should make a whole page on this blog ! I went to Paris last week with 5 girly friends to check the MarieClaire craft exhibition and enjoy my last bit of freedom for the next 18 years ! And I bought a MDF tree, around 150cm high that I then had to carry around Paris while we ate out and went sightseeing ! It will worth it in the end, but at the moment I have started decorated it with decoupage but I am not convinced of the result so I might have to rethink that one before I can show it to you.
4. I still need to make the teachers' Christmas presents.

That should keep me out of trouble for a while !

Last night I went to a willow workshop near my village. It was a very belated Birthday present from a friend  ( my birthday is in May ! )and we had a lovely evening . For once, I can say that this won't be my new hobby but I did find it very therapeutic and I loved the smell of it. I made a few Christmas decorations.

I can add decorating the wreath to my list ! I will show you the result soon.

Off the yoga.

Have a nice week.

Anne

Happy Birthday !!

My baby boy is 8 today !! We have been busy making cake and party bags for the party . Remind me, never to make a lego cake again, that just took forever !!

Now, let's party !!

 

Have a lovely half term and halloween.

Anne

It is conker time...

and Harry and I have been busy playing !! Where do we find the time ( and the talent !!! )I wonder !!

 

 

Anyway, time for the next challenge over at Sketches in Thyme. It is sadly the last one I have done for them as I have decided to stop being a designer. I am finding it hard to find the time to scrap at the moment, working hard and becoming increasingly tired with pregnancy. I am sure I will be back some times soon but for now, here is sketch 91




and here is what I did with it...

 

I am so glad how this page turned out. I really love it. Most of the papers and bits and pieces came free in a magazine and I think it is one of my favourite pages, ever ! Nice way to finish yeh, I hope that you all like it and it will give you all inspiration. And don't forget there is a chance to become a designer at the moment, so why don't you give it a go.

 

Time for work unfortunately.

See you soon.

Anne

Let's party !!

Amelie's birthday seems to go on and on !! On her actual birthday we went to her favourite restaurant and had a lovely meal. Last night was the barn dance at school and she had the time of her life.( The same girl who said " I won't be dancing, it isn't cool ! " actually never stopped ) and she looked the part too.

 

And this afternoon, she is sharing a birthday pool party with some good friends. Julie and I have been busy making a cake ! Now, I am not a very good baker but I will try any craft and this was soooo much fun !! Not sure how many e numbers are in this cake or even if it is going to taste any good but it does look COOL !! Check this out !!

 

Maybe this will become my new Hobby D'un Jour !!

Have a great weekend.
Anne

 

My baby girl is ten today !!

Where has the time gone ? !!

 

 

Happy Birthday !!

 

Anne

 

Something I have been hiding !!

There is something I have meant to say for a while but I have had to wait until last weekend. We are having another baby ! And as you might have guessed, it is a baby girl, hence the mobile ! And the reason I couldn't tell you about it, is because we were having a big family gathering in Paris at the weekend and I wanted to keep it a surprise. So I am now 6 months pregnant, growing everyday but feeling fine and healthy. We are all getting very excited and looking forward to welcoming a little one in our house ( that is not quite big enough as yet, but we are working on it !! ) .
So here is what I look like now...

 

When I look at pictures I don't think I look THAT big, but I do feel it !!. I have always loved being pregnant and this time is no different. It is magical and special and I can't stop being amazed every time I feel a little kick.

And the best bit about having a baby... having my gorgeous sister knitting me the most adorable little things !! Like these...

But back to reality and once again I have missed the new lay out at Sketches in Thyme. I loved the sketch this month and had real fun playing with it.

here is the sketch..




and here is my page...

these pictures were taken on the first day of school this September. Not that long ago but it feels like ages. The weather has now turned to winter and we are now getting ready to celebrate the kids birthday and Halloween.

Why don't you have a go this week and don't forget the designer call, you have to be in to win it !!

Anne

Not very much to do...

with scrapping but I am in the process of making a mobile for a baby girl's room. I had this idea from a necklace I wear a lot which a lot of people comment on. I bought it a long long time ago in Asia somewhere, at the time I was a stewardess. Looking back I should I bought hundreds of them as I could have sold twice as many ! Anyway, I have decided to embark on this project, using mainly a Moda Charm Pack called Wing It. I think it is actually discontinued now but a friend of mine had a few bits and pieces left, enough for me to get some ideas. I also got inspired by a wonderful lady called Chloe Owens who has published a great book full of easy projects using applique, embroidery and more. The book is called All Sewn Up and I really recommend it, may be you could put it on your Xmas list?
So here is the famous necklace.

and here is what I have made so far..

 

 

 

I especially like the little clouds ! Now, I am not sure how I will attach them all together, may be a wooden circle at the top. I still need to make another 3 dangly bits so I will keep you updated !!

 

Still nothing to do with scrapbooking, but this month, we are celebrating Amelie and Harry's birthday. I am not a big fan of birthday parties when you feel obliged to invite the whole class and all of your friends kids even when you don't like them, and I have always managed to convince the kids to have a small gathering at home. In fact, it has always been quite a lot of organising and thinking about how to entertain 5 or 6 children for two hours. But this year, Amelie has decided to share a swimming pool party with some friends born on the same day and Harry has decided to take a few friends to Laser Run. So I don't have too much thinking to do !! I didn't even have to make Amelie's party invitations as the other mum made them !! Perfect !! ( well, not quite how I would have made them myself, but perfectly adequate !! ). So, all I had to do was to worry about Harry's invitations . Because he is a huge fan of Legos, it had to be something related. I found the perfect inspiration on Pinterest ( best site ever !! ) and here is what we have come up with. It was a team effort, although, I ended up having to really work at it and all Harry had to do was give his ideas !!

 

 

the idea is that you can change his outfit by just lifting the flaps !! I know pretty cool hey !! Especially like the gold necklace ! I would like to take all the credit for this realisation but in fact, I only copied an idea, it wasn't ours in the first place, we just loved it !

And finally, go and check Sketches in Thyme. The have a designer call at the moment. Come on, give it a go. The team is lovely, all you need to create two lay outs a month and comment on a few blogs, and you get to vote for your favourites ! What have you got to lose ?
See you soon.
Anne

 

 

 

Sketches in Thyme

Hello everyone,

There is a new sketch on at Sketches in Thyme this week. If I am honest, I struggled a little with that one. I am not too sure why, I just did and kept putting it off! But I have finally made a page, clean and very simple, but it does the trick. I  made it last weekend when I met up with some friends at our local crop. I got quite a lot done actually, not that I can show you any of it yet. Sounds very secret, doesn't it.
So here is the sketch this week. See if you get more inspired than me, I am sure you will.



and here is my take...

 

I love the colours and I am please with the stencil that my friend Lesley made me on her clever machine. I can see me using it a lot. The pictures were taken during our holiday in Brittany. The water was far too cold for me to get in but the kids always enjoy it, whatever the temperature.

 

A friend is coming tonight for some crafty time. I am not sure what I am going to do yet. I was thinking of trying applique, although I still don't have the attachment on my sewing machine. Probably won't get much done other than chatting !!

Have a fun week.

Anne

I am back...

I know, I am very much like buses. You don't see one for ages and then they all come at once ! two posts in one day, my life is back to normal, so I should have more time to write.

I went to a wedding in France during the summer. It was really beautiful. The weather was wonderful, the venue was trully amazing and the bride looked gorgeous.

See how I am sad enough to coordinate us all !!

Anyway, I decided to make the bride a little present she could keep with her at all time. I wanted something small enough that would fit in her hand bag for all the occasions when people you meet say, oh, have you got any pictures?!! I wanted also something personal where she could add her though, more pictures or kind words. So i cam up with the idea of a bound fabric book with lots of pockets and tags.

 

 

I did the binding as I learned on TV last Christmas. I am  surprised I still remembered !!

 

and as you can see ( if you have a magnifying glass that is, I added numerous journaling tags and pockets for her to fill.

I enjoyed making it and I hope she enjoys filling it with treasures and sharing it.

Anne

 

 

Oups, I did it again !!

I forgot to post my entry for Sketches in Thyme last week ! I really liked the sketch, I had loads of ideas, and ended up choosing the idea of making a fake little book. I like the page, although, I would probably change the bottom. what do you think? here was the sketch:



And here was my page




Why don't you have a go.

Back to school for me too today! busy busy.

Anne X

Back to school

Well kids are back at school today. It looks like they were looking forward to it but I wasn't !! I am one of these sad mums who misses her kids when they go to school. Still the sun is shining so I should make the best of my week off before I have to go back to work !!

 

I am making a mini book for my friend who got married this summer. I have decided to make the cover out of fabric so I'd better get sewing !!

 

Anne XXX