A good home

Remember after the floods I was coordinating donations of baby things from our Playgroup to give to someone?  Well we found a beautiful new Mum-to-be and she gratefully collected our donations this morning.  She has 7 weeks to go before welcoming a little boy into her family.

Happy nesting new Mummy.  
xxx Kim

Finished!!! The Girly Girly Quilt

It's finished! 

I'm not any kind of quilter but this was FUN.  A lot of work even in this simple construction but fun nonetheless.  I even bound the edges properly with mitred corners and a perfectly joined binding... if I do say so.  I made up the pattern for the top - it's just vertical strips about the width of our floor boards - easy to run your scissors along!  I found this article a lot of help with the binding.  I followed all the instructions except I started at the back of the quilt folding the binding over to the front of the quilt and then top stitching with the machine.  I've said it before, I do not hand stitch things. 

By the way, I did finish it in time for Little Miss Cuggle's 3rd birthday a couple of weeks ago. : ) Kim

Raw Honesty

The Fairy Garden Great Aunty Cuggles Made

Am I just lucky?  How often do we tell our family how very much we love them?   

It was Great Aunty Cuggles' 60th birthday on the weekend and the whole family congregated up the coast for a party weekend.  During the birthday dinner, Granny Cuggles (my Mum-in-Law) got up to tell her sister (the birthday girl) how much she loves her.  In addition to acknowledging Aunty's achievements Granny told some stories about tough times in their childhood that they came through together.  If there were any dry eyes when Granny sat down, they soon overflowed when Aunty delivered her reply.

Aunty had a stack of photos in her hands and as she spoke she passed around a picture of the people she was talking about.  She recalled lots of happy times but also recognised some sad truths that aren't often talked openly about.  There was no negativity, just statements acknowledging different situations and perspectives.  She finished with a photo of her dear Dad.  He passed away a long time ago but remains a solid presence within the family.  I never got to meet 'Papa' but feel as though I know what he was like because he is talked about so often and with such reverence.

I'm feeling very philosophical this week about how lucky I am to have married into such a wonderful family.  I've just written love notes to Granny and Aunty to tell them so.  Yes, I know that sounds corny. : )

PS. Isn't the fairy garden so cute?  We found these minature table and chairs buried under the overgrown garden when we bought the house 2 years ago.  I saved them knowing there'd be somewhere for them eventually.  When Aunty was helping with the new baby last year she put this little garden together for my daughter in between cooking, cleaning and organising us for a week.

xxxKim

Normality? The peasant blouse

After that last post I wanted to start off again with something a bit more 'normal'. 

Complete with sweet little strawberries (thank you for the fabric Great Aunty Cuggle) I made one of these easy tops for Little Miss Cuggle a while ago.  Just thought I'd share. 

There are a few tutes out there but I used this one from Indie Tutes.  

(I'm still going on the quilt but the way, wondering if it's too ambitious to finish it for mid March when Little Miss turns 3).

Kim

Ipswich Part III - The Guilty & the Getting on with it

It seems everyone I know is out helping with the clean up in some way.  With two small children to care for, one still a baby being breastfed, I know it's not feasible to be out there doing the 6 hour shifts.  But I still feel hamstrung and horribly guilty. 

We've helped some friends while they didn't have power, so would anyone.  We've donated some toys, and basic provisions, as so many others have done.  I've baked bickies which I know were a welcome gesture, but still didn't seem like much.  Then a friend said she had met an expectant mother 'Alix' who was only 6 weeks away from having her baby and had lost everything in her home.  So within our playgroup I put my hand up to coordinate a spreadsheet of baby goods that we can pull together for this woman.  Between us we have just about everything she will need, but sadly have now lost contact with her.  There'll be someone else we can help, we just have to find them. 

... But I just feel like I'm fighting inertia doing bits here and bits there.  I baked more bickies today which I'll take to the volunteers somewhere tomorrow, and then I'll just keep baking I suppose.  (Linda suggested I check out this blog about Baked Relief - nice to know others think this is a good idea).

You know what else I feel guilty about?  Moaning about how I feel guilty.  So I'll finish with something funny: Little Miss Cuggles came into the kitchen tonight and tried to take a bickie from one of the trays cooling out of the oven.  I said 'No darling these aren't for us, these are for the volunteers'.  She looked at me as though I was a complete idiot and said 'No Mummy, they for eating'!

Scary times in Ipswich Part II

Feeling shell shocked this evening.  I went to donate some supplies to the evacuation centre after the kids went to bed.  I desperately needed to do something as we are so safe and dry here.  I was driving through the car park and stopped alongside a family who were just tucking their little girl into a makeshift bed in the back of their ute.  She was about the same age as our little one, also with blond curls.  I started to cry as I asked the father if there was anything specific they needed.  We had already given what we felt we could from our own supplies but I was ready to come home and strip the shirts of our backs when I came face to face with this little family.  I'm happy to say they were ok, in good spirits and had already gotten what they needed for the night from the stockpile of things already donated. 

I had included some home baked bickies that some girlfriends and I made together this afternoon.  I felt a bit silly handing over our few little bags of bickies when I saw the boxes and boxes of food that had already been donated as well as knowing they wouldn't go very far toward the 1500 people in the facility .... but it just felt like something positive we could do.  The feeling of needing to 'do something' is too hard to describe for now.    

Everyone I know who is safe is feeling the same way.  We're grateful for ourselves but quite distressed about our friends who have been affected and what the extent of the damage is going to mean now, especially about the health concerns.  There is so much to be done on such a huge scale. 

I came home and bawled on my husband's shoulder when I got home from the evacuation centre.  I keep thinking about that family sleeping in their ute and how positive they were.

Scary times in Ipswich

We are very lucky our house is in a high position here in Ipswich with all this flooding.  We're not far from the evacuation centre, the roads are eerily quiet but every so often there is the sound of a helicopter taking off or landing and the occasional siren.  Even though we're in a very safe position it's hard not to feel very frightened.  I keep wondering how we would ensure the safety of a baby and a not quite 3 year old if we got into any trouble with flood waters.  We heard from friends tonight who had to be airlifted to safety and others who have been evacuated from their homes. 

Meanwhile we have been trying to watch the news without having the big girl watch too much of it and trying to stay sane while trapped indoors with no chance of a trip to the park, the train museum (a favourite place) or even the supermarket.  It's too dangerous to venture out anywhere and most businesses won't be opening anyway.  Tomorrow is supposed to be the worst of it so we'll spend another day checking on friends and family and figuring out what kind of help might be needed.       

Definitely cuppsy tea times.

Thanks Cute as Buttons

Thanks Lisa from Cute as Buttons!  It was very exciting to win your blog comp and even more exciting to open the parcel ...



A custom made tee and hair slide for Little Miss Cuggles



A gorgeous bib for Baby Cuggles





Some fabric and ribbon to play with



...and a brooch for me from Jettas's Nest.

Happy days.



Butterflys, Frogs, Bees and Bugs

A belated and excited 'Thank You' to the talented Giuseppe Poli for these gorgeous cards.  They arrived several weeks ago as a blog competition prize and I love them too much to use them yet.

xxx Kim

Making Fairy Wands

While the Baby Boy Cuggles slept this morning, the Toddler Cuggle and I did something fun!

We started with these Fairy Wands with stars that Great Aunty Cuggles sent up -

Then we traced around the stars onto some scrapbooking paper 

Mummy cut them out

Then we pasted the star shapes onto our wands with homemade glue and a paint brush

...and waited impatiently for them to dry!

While they were drying Mummy cleaned up all the mess and fed the baby while Toddler Cuggle had her lunch and watched a Tinkerbell movie.  : )



Making Glue

The Toddler and I did some craft this morning but I didn't have any kid-friendly glue for our project.  I remembered mum used to make a flour and water mixture and so gave it a go.  It works surprisingly well - here's how.

1) Put about a tablespoon of flour into a jug;
2) Add a little bit of hot water (from the tap) at a time and keep stirring until you have a paste;

3) Add more hot water until you have about 3/4 of a cup of glue, the consistency is similar to what you'd do for making gravy, just runny but not too watery.

I've decided that I'll be saving money and reducing environmental damage by using this glue for all our simple projects.  It works well and is truly non-toxic, so that makes us happy.  : )

Post baby creativity - girly girly quilt

I'm still here!!  Just thought I'd share a peek at what I'm working on for the big girl's new 'Big Girl Bed'.  Our little Girl Cuggle is the kind of child who insists on wearing dresses and skirts to bed over her pj's. 

Must fly, time to feed bub.  All still good here.

xxx Kim

The 2 Hour Labour ...and Beyond



Do you think he's going to be tall??

Yep, a 2 hour labour, an incredible experience.  Our little Blue Cuggle is here, he is gorgeous, he is adored.  I thought I'd share the birth story if you'd like to hear it. 

It was very early, 2.11am when I woke up to realise my waters had broken.  I put a maternity pad on, then crept back to bed thinking I could get some more sleep.  Then, gush!  Back to the bathroom for another maternity pad.  I was just lying down again, being careful not to wake Hubby Cuggles who I knew would turn every light in the house on and start ringing people.  Hubby stirs, with one eye open he asks if I'm ok.  When I tell him he sits bolt upright but I convince him to lie down with me thinking it might be hours yet. 

A few minutes later at exactly 2.31am I get the first labour pain, 3 minutes later the next one and the next one.  They were serious contractions too, there would be no hanging around under the shower at home or pacing the floor.  Hubby springs into action.  He goes to call the hospital and the people looking after our toddler.  He then comes back to ask 'before I ring are you sure your water has broken?'.  I was incredulous.  'YES!  GO AND RING THEM NOW!!'.   I could have drop kicked him. 

Thank God the hospital is only 2 blocks away.  We arrived about 3am and went directly to the labour room.  Directly after the midwife and hubby take a nice moment to have a chat and a laugh that is.  Meanwhile I was doubled over the reception desk patiently waiting.  When we got into the labour room the midwife did an examination and I remember her saying with genuine empathy, 'Oh darlin', you're already 7cm'.  Well.  No bloody wonder I was feeling edgy about getting in there.

I then spent most of the next hour or so hoovering on the gas.  The obstetrician assured me it was distracting me though when it was time to push and I gave it up.  With some reassurance from the obstetrician and midwife and my husband allowing me to crush his hand with every push, I did actually feel confident and in control throughout the pushing phase.  It was exactly 4.31am, 2 hours after the first contraction when our little boy was born and we instantly fell in love with him.  He went straight on my chest and proved he knew his way around a nipple very quickly.  He has continued to be a good little feeder.

He is 5 weeks old now, he is very sweet and calm and is getting beautifully fat.  His big sister just loves him, she often says with a note of urgency 'I need him!'.  Which means she needs to kiss and cuddle him.  She is still adjusting but so far any wayward behaviour has not been directed at her baby brother.

I'm feeling really good in myself.  I'm lucky to have had a straight forward birth and have recovered pretty quickly.  Emotionally I've figured out that the only way to stay sane is to always be 2 steps ahead, so there aren't a lot of spare moments for luxuries like blogging/facebook/email but we are mostly keeping on top of the basics and not feeling stressed.  Life is good in the Cuggle House.  

Thank you everyone for your nice comments and for the facebook messages and well wishes.

Hope to get back here soon.  xxx Kim.  

A Very Special Announcement!!

Hi there friends and followers of Cuggles Creations, its Kylie here from Chasing Purple Dreams. I am honoured to have been asked to make a very special announcement here on behalf of Mummy Cuggles.


Yep, you guessed it; the littlest Cuggle is no longer in the oven!!!! A little blue Cuggle has been delivered safely into the world and all reports have him listed as perfect. Toddler Cuggles has taken on the big sister role like a duck to water and Mum and Dad are ecstatic.

There will be a little break in transmission here at Cuggles Creations as they all enjoy their Babymoon. Then we can all look forward to seeing what new Cuggles Creations this little blue bub will inspire!

Congratulations once again guys and welcome to the world little Cuggle, I can’t wait to meet you and have a cuppsy with your Mum.

While waiting to give birth....

I'm still here!  The Cuggle oven is due to ding in 7 days and I've spent the last couple of weeks offline. 

My belly, last week.

While waiting for bub to arrive, I've been sleeping when the Toddler Cuggle sleeps but also have been caught up with other things...

The Cuggle has been in undies for the last 5 days.  She's doing really well, though when visiting the Art Gallery today we discovered that the bathrooms are 2 floors down from the Kids' section.  Apparently my little Cuggle is not the first to wee on the carpet - derr!

Bunnies salvaged from a stained bib, ready to sew on some training undies.

I got the birds up on the wall last week -

Click the link above for the tutorial

Making my Mum-in-Law's Vegetable Lasagne.  I had planned on posting the recipe yesterday so I could play along with Emma's new segment of Easy Peasy Dinner Winners where you can find and share some really good family friendly and easy recipes.  But, I decided to just be pregnant instead and try another time. 

Layered and ready for the oven

Made another easy recipe, Melt and Mix Honey Cake from an old issue of Donna Hay Magazine.  Toddler Cuggle and I enjoyed some for our morning tea picnic in the back yard the other day.  Definitely another recipe which I'll have to share at some stage.  If you fancy making it in the meanwhile, check out the DH Website. 

Melt and Mix Honey Cake, yes the fruit got eaten too!

Finally, I spent hours on the phone to plumbing people on Tuesday because our hot water system broke on Monday night.  Thank goodness for great neighbours who let you bath your toddler at their house, shower yourself and send you home with an 'American Brownie Fudge Cake'.

Now, back to more waiting....
: ) Kim

My Creative Space: Witchy Woman Tea Cosy meets Scotsman

Remember my mad client who is married to a Scotsman?  She loved the kilt-apron and chef's hat so much she requested a matching tea cosy for him... and one with a witch on a broomstick for herself! 

What a wicked sense of humour she has. 
Oh, and speaking of, this very same witchy woman saw me yesterday morning and predicted the baby to arrive within a few days.  At 37 weeks, I'm not sure whether to question the quality of her 'eye of newt' or to finish packing my hospital bag!

Thanks again Kirsty for hosting My Creative Space.

Farewell Handmade Heaven, for now.

Today is my last day at Handmade Heaven before our newest Baby Cuggle arrives.

I don't really feel sad, the shop is a wonderful happy place where customers are relaxed and in good spirits.  If they're rushing to find a last minute gift they appreciate help and ideas.  If they're in for a play and a looky at what's new they often stay for ages, chatting and admiring all the gorgeous handmade things.

Gratuitous shot of Crayon Roll by Cuggles!Kids.

A freestyle crocheted beanie by Kylie.  I barely took mine off my head last week.

One of many gorgeous little outfits by Rachael.  She finds the best vintage fabrics!

If they're new to the shop, they gush over what an amazing find it is and when they leave, it is with the promise of coming back with their girlfriends, their husbands, their mothers,  sisters, aunties or their kids.... and they do and they become one of 'our regulars'.

Why not visit Liesa's beautiful shop or blog to see so much more.  You can make it into a good shopping expedition with sustenance just next door at di.licious.

Thank you Liesa for your friendship, your vision, your flexibility, your trust.  I always have so much fun here and today will be no different.

Big hugs and kisses,
Kim : )

At My House: Fun Stuff, Trackies, Fire and Scrubbing!

We've had a break in routine today and are staying home instead of doing our usual Monday run around. I've made Toddler Cuggles a colouring book (instructions at the end of this post) to keep her amused while I nest/clean/bake today, ....

We will crack open the cinnamon scented, glitter playdough (purchased from Kylie through Handmade Heaven) a bit later...

And because it's a bit chilly, we have the fire going and have let the dog inside to indulge in the warmth with us.

TO MAKE THE COLOURING BOOK:

Time: 20 mins including time for answering the question - 'What are you doing Mum'? over and over.  

I googled Free Colouring Pages, chose a few images and printed them out. 

Then I covered a manilla folder (tea cup fabric that I've been saving for just such a project).  I sewed the fabric on in the same way you'd attach contact.  I also folded the raw edges over on the inside (see top picture) twice just to make it neat and ironed it before sewing on the longest stitch my machine does.

 

I added some ribbon through the slits where the bendy tie thing would normally go on the inside to hold the pages in place and so we can keep adding to it.    (Again, see top picture).

Must be time to get some more washing out of the machine.  Why don't you visit Lou's to see what else is happenning today.
: )
Kim

My Creative Space: My first Tutorial - Little Birds

Making these little birds is part of my whole 'nesting' thing.  As promised yesterday here's the tutorial.  These are pretty quick to put together, about 20 minutes if you do one at a time, so probably quicker if you do a few in bulk.  I've added pictures and some more detail to an already good pattern which I found here. 

LITTLE BIRD TUTORIAL

1) Download the pattern, print it and cut out the 2 paper pieces.

2) Cut out your 2 fabric pieces, note one piece is on the fold.
I used medium size fabric scraps (quilting cotton).  My scraps are all shoved into bags, so I made sure I ironed the fabric well before cutting.  This made sure my pieces lined up nicely as there is a bit of shaping to be done.  Don't worry, pretty easy though.

3) Right sides together, pin the pieces together along one side. 

Start with the tail and finish where the dot is marked on the pattern.  It's a bit trickier than pinning two straight lines together but quite easy if you do this - pin one small section at a time, not worrying about the next bit ahead.  Bend the fabric over your fingers one way or the other to allow the curved edges to line up.

4) Sew along where you've just pinned. 

The pattern says to use a 1/4" seam allowance.  That's just over 0.5cm.  I used the edge of the machine foot as a guide.  Don't make it too narrow because you don't want the stuffing to bust the seam. 

5) Pin and sew the other side together in the same way as Steps 3 and 4. 

This is what it looks like now.

6) Pin the head seam.  Sew together using the same seam allowance as before - about 0.5cm. 

This is what it will look like now.  *Note that the tail end is left open.

7) You might want to clip/notch the curves now but it's not really necessary.  Turn it right side out and use a knitting needle (or something similar) to gently push out the point of it's beak and all the curves.  

8) Stuff wadding/tontine through the tail little bits at a time:  

I'm no expert but I take off pieces about as big as 1 or 2 cotton balls, fluff it up just to separate the fibres slightly and then push the first bits right to the end to fill out the beak and so on.  I use a bit of a massage technique to make sure the stuffing is firm, but not jammed in there too tightly.  If it's too tight, it will still work but will probably end up lumpy. 

Here's what it should like like now.

 

9) Sew the tail closed:

I'm pretty sure most softie experts would tell you to slip stitch (hand sewing - agghh!) this section however I did no such thing.  I folded the ends in about .5 to 1cm making sure the edges joined neatly, then put it under the sewing foot and sewed as close to the edge as possible.  No picture of this I'm afraid so you'll have to trust me that it works.  It won't be invisible like hand sewing but is probably stronger.

10) Admire your efforts and make yourself a lovely cup of tea for being so clever. 

Hope you found this useful and fun.  Please let me know if you have any trouble and I'll do my best to help.

Thank you Kirsty for hosting this fun game of My Creative Space.

: ) Kim

Nesting: The Woman's Way

You may remember Hubby has been nesting.  Now, at 36 weeks it's time for show and tell about how I've been preparing...

...creating some special things...

Tutorial for these little birds tomorrow!

Pictures from a 20c op shop book, in $1 op shop frames, painted white.

...enlisting help to move furniture...

(Thank you Tash)

.... scrubbing the kitchen in a mad frenzy late at night (not a good sign with 4 weeks still to go).

... and, um, falling asleep at every given ......zzzzzzzzzzz.  Huh? Time for a cuppsy tea?

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the little bird tutorial.  : ) Kim