{ Mu'Mu }

lil announcement ::

Moved:

Here

{this moment}

Crafting Again

A little more energy for crafting after a somewhat slow month of fasting.

I can't tell you how much I enjoy having this creative time back.

This Bag

This bag of mine has been accompanying us on farm trips and road trips the tail end of summer. I don't think, until now, that it has made it's way onto the blog though. Which is amazing and deplorable.

So I would like to rectify that right now! Because where would I be in this coming harvest season without this amazing tote that is large enough to hold a small child, let alone pumpkins, corn and the last of the season's fruit?!

The pattern can be found in Cath Kidston's Sew! {which, incidently also contains all the materials to make that bag shown on the front cover} which was gifted to me by a dear friend a season (or two) ago, and which has been begging to be made.

The tote, although amazingly simple to construct, is truly a genius design, having the capacity to double it's size with breath taking ease. Perfect for those times that I buy a little bit too much stuff than is really humanly possible to carry.

The pattern called for home dec weight (upholstery fabric), and given that it is so large that the weight of it's content might call for strong fabric I went with some light canvas weight Denyse Schmidt in mustard, which I have been saving for just the right project.

If I were to make this bag again, though, {and I can't see why I wouldn't - I mean, beach picnics, for example, require stupid amounts of items which two bags might just cover!} I think I would modify it to include an inner lining, for added strength, and an outside wrap-around pocket for easy access to purses, keys, phones and things that don't want to be crushed under a gross weight of organic vegetables or lost in sandy, wet beach towels.

All in all the pattern is terrifically easy and the bag so very useful. And the fuller the bag the more amazing it looks, which, I'm sure you'd agree, is a totally valid excuse to go shopping!

Yes, it really is.

***And for even more bag heaven stay tuned for my very own bag pattern  - a bag which I designed for myself for this coming harvest season called, appropraitely, Mu'Mu's Apples & Pears Harvest Bushel Basket - soon insha'allah***

How we rocked it

What a busy and FULL few days this happy, masha'allah, family has had! The boys have declared this the best Eid EVER, and as I happily played, cooked, knit and sat and watched it all - tired and so very grateful - I asked the boys to tell you about their Eid.

This is what they considered important to share ::

:: celebration ::

We have a little bit of celebrating to do in this house over the next few days, so I'll sign off now for a long weekend and hopefully see you in this space next Monday insha'allah.

For those celebrating :: Eid Mubarak!

Back At the Farm

Another trip to the farm, this time for plums. Plums, plums and more plums. As well as a stash of good old fashioned organic vege for the table.

Some really late raspberries and blackberries are also still available, and I know there will have to be a few more trips to the farm before pumpkin-picking season. Sweetcorn ready for picking will be a couple weeks away, and I have a lot more jam I need to make first.

Oh and that crazy dog. What trip to the farm would be complete without that silly mutt and her doggy friend joining in the fun? She thinks she's human you know.

Busy Making

Sometimes when I have holed myself up making things, one by one the babes find their way into my den to poke around.

It usually ends with them making straight for the scrap bag to rummage around, cut and sew, and when Mama vetoes sewing, they sellotape instead.

I sometimes don't really know WHAT they are making (shhh), but whatever it is, they're really happy making it.

It's a very satisfying kind of work, one which I feel privileged to watch.

Forest Foraging

Well, I'm glad to say that summer has made a welcomed reappearance again in these here parts. It was getting decidedly autumnal at one point, so having some late summer days to play in is a really welcomed treat.

And better late than never! Berry picking time, a whole month after schedule, in one of our favourite forests. Wild blackberries, although smaller than their commercially grown cousins, are a lot tastier. They also happen to be abundant and free. Elderberries were also foraged and destined to become Mama's much anticpated Wild Berry and Apple Jam.

It's definitely canning season, people.

{this moment}