building family traditions

I made an advent calendar for my little chick this year. At 16 months, she is a maybe a little bit too young to fully appreciate it, but she knows what it is and she knows that she gets to open present from it and that sometimes it is something to eat and sometimes it is a toy to play with. I asked her where it was today and she pointed at it. A success then!

We'll keep the stars for next year once all the presents have been opened. A new family tradition in the making.
I love Christmas time. There is just a few more weeks of juggling work and being a mummy and then we can all sit back, relax and enjoy it.
Would a small sprinkling of snow be too much to ask for? Maybe in a few weeks time?

Putting the magic into Christmas

now then, am I going soft? or is this just an amazing bit of wobbly lip, lump in throat advertising that just makes you want to watch it again and again. And with a soundtrack from Lily Allen too. Thank you, thank you, thank you John Lewis.
Meanwhile I'm sat here at my desk sanding a huge pile of painted stars destined to become Christmas decorations. Dare I say it, it's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas.

Getting back in the saddle

Hello. Is there anyone there?
I have been gone an awfully long time haven't I. Being a mummy is an all consuming business. Days, weeks and months just seem to meld into each other and before you know it, 14 months (to the day) have passed since she came along and I wonder where all that time just went, in the blink of an eye.
Luckily I still think being a mummy is the best job in the world, but I do feel a yearning to reconnect with the designer in me, and slowly but surely, I've been getting back into the design saddle.

My NOTHS shop has been open a few months and I'm slowly starting to fill the shelves again. I'm not going to open my Etsy shops for a while yet, but I'm doing a bit of freelance here and there (whilst the little one sleeps, and on the days she is in nursery)

Some stuff that has happened/is happening:
I am published! My designs are featured in the new Print&Pattern kids book - whoop! I love the Print&Pattern books and feel so honoured to be featured amongst some of my favourite designers

My new hand painted hand stamped wooden Christmas star decorations are now available to order here

I now have a facebook page for my business. I finally caved - please do pop along and 'like' me.

Sadly, within the last week, we said a final goodbye to our beautiful Mellie cat. We are saddened about this beyond words. We will miss her with all our hearts.

I'm instagramming! It's kind of been my mini blog whilst I've been away from my big blog. Come and say hello, but be warned, I post lots of pics of my cute little chick  :)

And in the time I have written this, the chick has had her nap and woken up. Time to go and be mummy again.

still here, just ticking along

I didn't really mean for it to be so long between posts. Being a mummy for the first time is an all consuming experience. It's been a great 5 months. It's definitely the hardest job I've ever had but without doubt the most rewarding too.
In one respect, I wish I had found or made some time to continue with my blog, for the sake of documenting 'on paper' the first few months with our lovely little Maisie. In another respect it was nice just to spend the first few months just being a little family of three (+ our 2 moggies) and adjusting to our new way of life.

I probably won't return to regular blogging again until I return to working full time, which won't be for a few more months yet. If you want to get in touch please use the form on the 'contact' tab.

Maisie's first Christmas