{ Mu'Mu }

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***

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.

Knitting :: The beginning, The Middle, and The End

A day in the life of a skein of yarn in our house. Quickly and enthusiastically balled up and on the needles before you can blink.

The recent cold weather had me thinking of winter woollens earlier than normal this year. Usually it isn't til mid September or later before I start scouring Ravelry for hat and mitten patterns, but here we are at the tail end of August with the first of the winter knits already off the needles! I like to think this makes me ahead of the game... hm..

And the photo shoot? The midget had very definite plans of standing with his flag. His England flag. He was very insistent about it and styled it in his own unique way.

And now, to stay ahead of the game, I still have a whole skein left to make mittens and gators - matchy matchy...

Back home

We've been back home a little while now, and it's been more than a few days of unpacking and defunking the house (let me say this :: a guy in a house on his own, friends around the corner and a cement mixer thrown in for good measure, and perhaps some of you will understand the devastation that met me on returning home. Needless to say that I feel like I need a holiday after this holiday).

The house is still funky, so moving briskly on I will show you something pretty instead::

This is the quilt I made my Mother for Christmas last year. I alluded to it in several posts and there were little glimpses of it here and there, but honestly the deadline was so tight and I didn't want to ruin the surprise by posting pictures here before the big day, and, well, I just plain forgot to take pictures of it.

Some people have asked to see it, and so I thought I'd share for all - taken  whilst we were back at my mother's house. I couldn't get a good shot, and the colours really are a lot more sumptuous in the flesh.

I chose every single colour knowing exactly what colours my mother loves - lilacs and lavenders and pinks and pastels and everything in between. I am happy to say she really, genuinely loves it and actually has it on her bed. Which speaks volumes. I had no idea when I was making this whether she would like it or merely tolerate it, but knowing that it makes her happy and puts her in a good mood every day when she wakes to all these colours is really satisfying.

Put a Hex on You

It happened by accident.

One minute I was minding my own business, and the next thing I know I had pieced one hexagon.

Then another.

And another.

And, well, it just went on and on.

And now I think I might be a lil deranged. I just can't stop and I'm enjoying it so much, and it kind of took over. 

I'm thinking maybe a charm quilt.

In hexagons.

By accident.

...

Nurse!

Knitting Roll

Whilst it has been too hot for knitting for the last few weeks, one thing I have done is make my needles a comfy place to rest a while.

Using upholstery weight fabric (remember the box?) and batting I quilted a sturdy roll strong enough to take the weight of all the needles I have accrued over the years. I also took some plain canvas and stamped a range of sizes in millimetres to sew onto each pocket. Sewing top and bottom this left a gap for cable needles to be hung through creating a place for all sizes.

It is so so easy now to find what I want, without having to rummage. I can't wait to be able to get back to the rhythm of knitting again; I miss my yarn!

Peeping Out From the Covers

Well, hello there!

Did I mention that a while back I was asked to contribute towards the sewing magazine Sew Hip?

One of my children's quilted animal cushions caught the eye of the editor and I was asked if I'd like to share a tutorial on how to put one together. Why yes, yes I would.

And I'm happy to say it did actually make it into print, and you can find my Flamingo Quilted Cushion tutorial in this month's copy, issue 18, of Sew Hip.

So why not give one a go? Hope you brighten up a corner or two! And as an extra helping hand I'm offerig the Flamingo Template free for your personal use!

Flamingo Template

No excuses! Get sewing!

Real Simple Patchwork Blankets

We've been lucky enough recently to have had some real summer days. Hot, hot sun. Perfect summer weather with no complaints from me!

Following on from the hot days are sometimes some rather muggy nights and in an attempt to aid restful sleep I made the babes some summer weight patchwork blankets for their bed, just in case it got too hot for their duvets.

I can't sleep without  covers - the summer patchwork blanket I made for our bed last year does me very well on those nights when it's too hot for real blankets, and too cold for nothing, and with the same plan in mind I whipped these up.

4x5 12 inch patches, blanket back, sew right sides together, turn, and finish by stitching all around the edge and tying for good measure. That's it. Just real simple patchwork blankets.

And I can confirm the boys love them. And if nothing else it adds a lively splash of colour to their room

Weekending :: quietly celebrating

Organised Chaos

In an attempt (please understand the importance of that word 'attempt') to bring this household to order and instill some kind of method to this madness I have attempted ('attempted') to craft our way to organisation, the granny chic way. Which, I'm sure you'd agree, is the best way to go in matters such as this.

When it comes to organisation I will freely admit I'm useless, ney, pathologically resistant. I hate living my life to a timetable. I hate big clocks. I hate schedules. I hate committing to an agreed time, hate booking tickets in advance, hate having to write in a diary that three months hence I will be doing xyz in the land of abc. It's weird. It would be therapist fodder for years, I have no doubt. But I cannot live this way any longer!!

My goodness I am a homeschooling Mama winging it on a daily basis and now the babes are older we need structure, we really do. And so, like most things in my life, I have had to get a grip for the sake of the kids and try to get a handle on this mothering gig.

Enter The Board...

A doilified board isn't really a Board is it? I mean, it looks so harmless. Jazzy, but harmless.

I have it in mind to get all my brain onto flashcards and have them pinned up on The Board in the glare of full light of day to aid in this new found Mama Me; shopping lists, things that need doing, what we will be doing every day of the week in terms of learning and commitments, and best of all - meal planning and chores *falls over* yes, meal planning and chores. I think perhaps I may have over-stretched myself in this department.

But not just chores for me! Hurrah! I have also now included an organised way of including the boys in this torture too. Everyday they check The Board and get going on helping with the work of this home. And let me tell you - these boys of mine are GOOD workers masha'allah. They really are. I have been so impressed by their eagerness, commitment and quality of their work, and I can't tell you how much of a burden has been lifted off this tired mama's shoulders.

So far chores for them have included : vacuuming, dusting, monitoring the bookshelves, monitoring the toy baskets, monitoring the art and paper supplies, cleaning the kitchen cupboard doors and fridge, cleaning the bathroom sink, washing some dishes, putting dishes away, filling and emptying the washing machine, sweeping the floor, folding towels and putting their own clothes away. Have I missed anything?

So there you have it - the whole of my life in a doilified cork board. Hopefully, HOPEFULLY, I will crack this homeschooling Mama gig. Hopefully before my children leave home.

Lap Blankets

A couple weeks back I rustled up this lap blanket in the lilac colourway, and it reminded me of the other lap blankets I made way back in winter, sitting waiting for spring, which I had forgotten all about!

So a show and tell of sorts. Lap blankets, no batting and a crochet edging instead of bias, which are great as summer weight bedding or picnic blankets!

I love the old, vintage fabrics in these. They feel so soft and each one is unique.

Why not give them a go?

Lounge Pants - Take 2

Remember the (garish) lounge pants of mine from last year? I managed to make the most comfortable pair of pants from two thrifted pillowcases. Well, here I have gone one better by making a pair of lounge pants from only one pillowcase - for the babes.

They humour me.

WIP :: Something New

Will say more when/if I can.

Back from Memory Lane :: Sew where were we...

OK, I hope you all enjoyed the ramble down memory lane for the past couple weeks? The old blog is closed now and I'm sufficiently refreshed from the blog break to get back to it.

Quilts. The orange, hand pieced, hand sewn, hand quilted thing I started for my Firstborn when he was almost seven is STILL sitting there, not even halfway done. But progress has been made - a bit of inspiration on the inspiration board is getting me piecing the bits little by little, giving me the push to keep going.

Weirdly enough, it is the prospect of making the midget's hand sewn quilt which is making me want to get this one out of the way! I have ideas of a log cabin in vintage fabrics for him. With eldest it had to be orange, and with midget a variety of colour I think. Plus I love log cabin quilts.

Hopefully a show and tell when a little more piecing has gone on insha'allah?

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend!

xx

Ode to Dottie Angel

This is my 'Ode to dottie angel' and her ecclectic boho style. I am not ashamed to say that I have been looking longingly at the little bags she sells in her store and rummaging in my button and baked bean and fluff collection to see if I have enough for a Dottie Angel special. Alas, there are always so many more pressing matters, like food, which lays claim to the pennies -  I know, like the kids ate only yesterday, but they do whine so...

So I thought I'd take matters into my own hands by having a stab at a tote of my own.

It has the pillowcases, the doilies, the linen and the love, and I really do love the bag, but I don't know. I just can't carry off the ecclectic boho thing the way Tif does, and instead of compliments, I get 'oh you made it yourself I see...interesting'.

Does it matter that in my attempt to be boho I come across as bag lady? I suppose not. And I really do love my little Dottie Angel tote.

Even if I look like a mad twelve year old wearing her latest creation...

Sorry!!

Gosh, what can I say? Where are my manners? Sorry for just bailing out like that. Life just took over for a while, y'know?

So. Where were we? Well, I've been hit by the painting and decorating bug AGAIN - just corners of our home badly neglected that needed some well-earned TLC. Firstly, our old lobby area (you thought the bathroom was small? Oy...), which with a lick of paint, a new light fixture and some re-arranging of nooks and crannies, has now been officially designated the laundry niche. Yup. I got me a utility space. Kinda. More a futility space. But pretty colour.

I have some (new to us) furniture requiring several layers of paint pencilled in for these coming days, as well as various other things, and if that wasn't enough hopefully a shop update next week insha'allah.

Busy, busy, busy....

Have a great weekend, people!

x

Season Opener :: First Picnic of the Year!

Oh we have waited a long, cold winter for this moment. We have endured Crazyville Central to get to this sweet spot. The first picnic of the year. The first crazy warm day eating outdoors. It just doesn't get better than that in my book.

The picnic blanket I made years ago had been washed in advance of the coming season, and stands at the ready at the back door for more adventures insha'allah; and what better way to kick off the season than down at the allotment after a roasting morning's hard work?

Bliss.

Selling Myself

If any of you have ever tried to sell in the handmade craft market you will appreciate how hard it can be to break into as a serious contender for making any money. Why?

The first reason is that the general populace don't know and care even less about having individual handmade items in their home. The only thing many people think about is cost, and let's face it, when you are up against slave workers from the developing world who live in cardboard boxes and have maybe one meal a day, you can't compete with that. Items from China are cheap for a reason.

Secondly, people place no value in handcrafted beauty or individualism. We want magazine spread homes which reflect nothing of ourselves, and for many this is simply because there is no personality for them to impart into the home in the first place...

Anybody who thinks making money from handmade is seriously deluded. So why do people bother??

For me the answer lies in my need to constantly create ; it is the only thing that centres me, calms me and inspires me to joyful living.

The second reason, like the reason I do anything in my life, is for my two boys {from whom the name Mu'Mu is derived}. They are my driving force for everything I do and for all the choices I make.

When I create for Mu'Mu I stop and ask:: what would my boys like to see - what are they into - what would make them happy and excited. That's my benchmark. And when I have an idea it is they who product-test it for me - what works, what could be better, what they like, and what they would like to see. In short, if it floats their boat it is a success. Period.

Right now? Well they are into animals (they're vets, remember), and trucks (no brainer), and so that is where my work takes me. First to animals, and on the worktable, trucks (to follow insha'allah).

But the other reason my boys inspire me to do this? I'm not ashamed to say - for the money (the very little that I make). I'm being honest.

I am not trying to claim world domination, or corner a market, or become a name in the field. Nope. I am making pennies so that this little homeschooling family get to make it to the theatre, the concert, the ballet and for days out, where little minds are stretched and wings can soar.

Mu'Mu stands squarely by and for my children, which is why, even though this handmade craft thing is so ludicrously low-paid, I stick with it. I love beauty, and I love my boys.

Shop is now re-opened, in case you didn't quite get it. And I'll be updating with new things next week insha'allah

Sew Storm

A few ideas brewing in my head; some things that are halfway into reality. Some new colours and themes for a spring opening of shop Mu'Mu in the upcoming week insha'allah.

Feels good to be sewing again.

Animal Hospital

Despite the begging, we have no pets. Unless you count my husband. And the pet mould behind the wardrobe. But apart from that no animal passeth here. And as far as I am aware my children have no knowledge of vets, nor had they shown any interest in vets. Vets just weren't in our vocab.

And yet, here we are in a 'vet phase'. It's unfathomable.

It's amazing to watch your children bloom. Had we a TV or sent them to school I would have assumed that this obsession had been inculcated by an outside entity, yet here they are blooming in their own peculiar way. As vets.

I smiled as I remembered Amanda's post on her little animal doctor, as I had already thrifted a doctor's bag with a similar plan in mind.

Stuffed to the brim with "real doctors things, Mummy!", stethoscope, otoscope, penlight, thermometer, face masks, empty medicine boxes, some sticking plasters and bandages, I then set about making a lab coat - in this case a (thrifted) woman's blouse with 1/2 length sleeves - by adding huge pockets and applique medical sign with wool felt.

The play it has instigated has been a joy and a privilege to watch. The animals that have been saved! Oh my! The hearts that have been checked, the temperatures that have been recorded, the plasters that have been, erm, plastered. A lot has been learned by the questions this play has raised. White blood cells, vaccination, germs, health, blood, the questions never stop.

And I hope they never will.

These two boys of mine are the reason I do so much, and the reason I learn so much.

They learn through play, and I learn from them.

Getting Re-acquainted

I don't like unfinished objects hanging around my house. It niggles me. I can't settle happily into any new project knowing there is one waiting to be finished. I suppose I am result-orientated, which until I started crafting, I never knew I was.

I have actually only one UFO in my stash - and if you have been reading me a while you will recognise this as the handsewn quilt I pledged to make for my eldest son. It has been sitting mocking me for over a year. A year. This is simply terrible, but given that every stitch is handsewn I think totally understandable, right?

But I cannot stand it any longer. This quilt must be worked on!

I have taken it out of the dark corner I tried to hide it in, and am flaunting it provocatively within eyeshot, hoping that at least the very sight of it will remind me to at least keep at it.

Here's hoping. And do keep nudging me on this occasionally will you?

Rising

There is something deeply soothing about starting the day with bread making. The rhythm of the kneading, and the zen-like state it brings about can zone me out and restore inner calm. The waiting for the rising also demands a patience, for you cannot rush an ingredient like 'time to rise'; and it's within these imposed waiting times, when I feel wholly present, that I am more than a little bit glad that I took the time, made the effort, overcame my tendency for convenience over home-made.

In a way I cannot really describe I feel completely whole.

Carrying On...

... from the first flush of spring-like weather yesterday is the subsequent rise in energy levels that I, and I am sure you, get at this time of year. The winter sloth is brushed aside as I greet the day with an attitude of wanting to squeeze every last precious ounce out of the day. If winter is my great challenge in pessimism, then spring surely has to be my reward for wading through that treacle. masha'allah.

Energy = planning in this house. Planning, preparing, gearing up for Outdoors livin' and fun times insha'allah.

Patterns have been rummaged through; fabrics have been ear-marked; ideas that have been slow-brewing over winter have been draughted and I am enjoying the planning of summer clothes, beach bags, new picnic blankets and other odds and ends which add beauty and ease to our lives.

It's an enjoyable past-time - planning for a new season!

Tooled up

The first day the midget fell sick he spent all day whimpering in pain, wheezing, and basically trying to break my heart with his hound dog eyes. It was pitiful. After putting him to bed whimpering, and wanting to do something to make him happy, I set about making something I've had in mind for a couple of weeks now after a friend gave me some wonderful bits of fabric - a tool belt.

This little one loves powertools, and Bob the Builder, and screwdrivers, drills, and anything manly like that. He already has a toolbag which I made some time ago, and which he takes everywhere, so I thought that there might be a good chance that this handyman belt would be another dressing up hit.

It was a relatively straight-forward make; facing was cool tool fabric, corduroy backing and batting for extra sturdiness, with a strip of elastic sewn at serveral intervals for tools to go through, finished with a thick elastic band for the waist.

And yes, he loves it masha'allah. He has only taken it off to goto bed, and seems proud of the fact that his Mummy made it especially for him at night when he was sick to make him happy (he keeps telling people this fact over and over again).

It's a  simple make which reminds me once again why I make the effort to make things for my babes - nothing gives you a feel-good factor like seeing your child happy because of something you have done. A tangible object which symbolises so much unspoken love.

Orla

About a month ago I was pretty sure that the new-to-me-sofa of my dreams was just around the corner, just waiting for me ever-so patiently to find it. I was so sure about this that I fretted that my new-to-me sofa needed some new things to make it look just 'right'.

I ummed and ahhed and then aha-ed, and immediately, for I am prone to sudden movements when endowed with a good idea, purchased a set of Orla Kiely pillowcases in the multicoloured stem print.

'Why did you buy pillowcases for a sofa, you nutter?' I hear you ponder. Well, dear reader, it was because my brainwave was to use the fabric to make myself a couple of cushions and a lap quilt for the new-to-me sofa of my dreams. Anybody who has actually set about buying a ready-made Orla Kiely cushion will appreciate what a hefty gap in the finances such a purchase leaves, and whilst each to his own, I am not that stupid. Or maybe I am. Or maybe I'm just a wannabe with little or no taste. Or a little taste and no money. Or both. Who knows. And by now, who the hell cares. Short story - Orla Kiely fabric into something beautiful for my new-to-me sofa at a reasonable cost.

But the sofa of my dreams wasn't there. She is playing hard to get. In fact she is playing SO hard to get, that we may have moved into a new game of Don't Get. This is irksome. I have great plans for the Sofa of My Dreams which involves a lot of feet up and snuggles and cups of tea and cold rice pudding and Orla Kiely lap quilts.

So, whilst I patiently wait for her to tire of her silly game I have piled up the lovely presents waiting to adorn her in my bedroom, out of the grubby reach of my menfolk, because They of the Chromosone Disadvantage will not appreciate the beauty of the Orla-ness of the new goodies. No, they will simply not understand, and will say things like 'HOW much did this cost??' and 'Can't we just make covers out of Tesco carrier bags??!' and 'Stop fussing, it's only mud'.

So we wait, the Orla goodies and I, and really hope that she is worth waiting for...

And another lady with good taste and good sense is Karen over at Blueberry Park! Great minds, and all that...

The Kind of Mess I Like...

Done

Ta da! My first ever (albeit small) crochet thing. I had wanted something to cover the back of The Chair and nothing was working, so as I set to work figuring the granny out, I had an idea in my little noggin about what it would be when it was finished - a lil tiny blankie to cover the chair.

I edged it, AND I even blocked it.

It isn't perfect, I know. But I now feel confident for bigger things!

GIP :: Granny In Progress

This is my first ever attempt at crochet - my first crochet project and my first (but hopefully not last!) crochet throw/blanket/thing. I have a lot to learn. But I have learned a lot.  I have actually enjoyed the process a great deal and being able to granny square? Dude - I've joined an unformed club of women across our planet who now have the ability to turn our living space into the 1970s interior from hell.

Uh, and weaving in. Should do that as I go along shouldn't I? Yeah, I thought so...

The Forecast For the Next Few Days...

Occasional sporadic sewing showers followed by bright afternoon crafting in sunlight. Temperatures will range from moody morning fog to light hearted glee.

Following brief squally bickering calm will blow in from the North followed by some pleasant humming from the sewing corner.

Following on from a weekend of crafting temperatures will once again rise on Monday with a brief show and tell.

Does that sound good? Oh, and if you are very good I might even have decorating piccies to share sometime soon as well!

Have a peaceful weekend!

xx

Feeling kinda crafty...

This weekend has been kind of full, but without really knowing what has been achieved. Just full. And tiring.

I'm busy painting and decorating - I get these 'good' ideas into my head and I have to do it THERE and THEN. It involves a lot of primer and coats of paint and new handles and, oh my lord, drilling and polyfilla, and scraping gloss paint off lino, and, well aren't you tired just thinking about all that? I'm still not finished, and I've got a bee in my bonnet about cleaning and rearranging the shelves in the kitchen because the jam might be mixed with the tinned beans *hyperventilates* and I don't remember the last time I scraped the marmite off the shelving and *hyperventilates* tea stains from the insides of the cupboards (animals, I live with a load of ANIMALS I tell ya). It all has to be pristine and clean.

On the upsides I cleaned the fridge without having to be told...

Add to that ferrying children to classes and a frigid Sunday morning beside a rugby pitch and the MUD this left in my lobby and it's safe to say I am through with the weekend now.

Oh, but the saving grace of crafting! Sweet sewing machine of mine, how I love thee... a little bit of stitching and I can feel the tension and tiredness lifting, and even though I still might be a bit weary, after a good dose of making, it's all good. A good, satisfied, achieved-something, tiredness.