It’s been very tempting to head back down my burrow again, this week. Cold weather. Demands on my time. Too long a to-do list. To counteract the urge, I’ve given myself time to be creative and be outside. It’s worked.
Over the weekend, I made my Cleo dress (for non-dressmakers, such as my husband, yes, some dress patterns have names. It’s not me being quirky – this time).
While I sewed, jobs around the house were put on hold. Meals were simple affairs such as pizzas, with extra toppings, thrown in the oven. I was able to start and finish the project in next to no time. Within 24 hours. A satisfying feeling.
Next up, I knitted a pair of gloves from the left over purple yarn. When I started, these were meant to be for me. Not for long. Once my youngest tried on the first finished glove, that was it. He wore it for the rest of the day. They were referred to as his gloves before I knew it and he paid keen interest to when the other one would be finished. So finished I did. A surprisingly big hit with him, as he actually wears them to school.
I’ll have to make some more for me.
Creating something that goes straight into daily use is good for my soul. My new Cleo dress has been worn a few times. Sometimes when I make something, it takes a while for me to feel comfortable wearing it. Not with the Cleo. I could live in it from the start.
It was also fun to use my creativity to set up a themed American diner evening this week. In the short time I had to set it up, I had fun and I know the children enjoyed it too. A good reminder for me that it doesn’t take much to turn the ordinary into something memorable.
Not that I’ve been the only creative one. The children’s music practise is much easier on the ears now a days. I’m grateful for them sticking to it for all these years. Honestly, listening to them play recognizable pieces as they work towards their grades is a real pleasure.
For all you parents out there, listening to plink, plank, plonks and screech, screech at the early stages of musical instrument learning – hold on in there. There is a glorious light at the end of the tunnel, that is worth waiting for.
Getting outside has also helped me fight the urge to burrow.
Wednesday we woke to a thin layer of snow. Not enough to cover the garden. More as a lacey offering. We’ve escaped the snow this winter, compared to the rest of the country, so this made a pleasant change. After dropping youngest off at school, I took my camera out into the garden.
As I wandered around the winter neglected garden, I became aware of something small fluttering in the trees beside me. Took me a few minutes before I could make out a tiny goldcrest, scutterling around and around the closely packed branches of our holly tree. It had a totally different perspective of the tree to me. It saw corridors where it could fly and hop. I saw a tree. I couldn’t help watching its progress. Giving me a fresh perspective.
This week has been restorative. In simple ways. It would have been easy to disappear back into my winter burrow again, but I’ve had a few wonderful moments to restore my soul that make me glad I didn’t.
Joining in with #wotw with the word “Restore”. What word sums up your week?
I love the dress and I do love a good old winter walk X #wotw
Thank you. Yes, me too. Love getting out at this time of year.
You have been very creative and productive. That dress looks lovely and I love that your son stole your gloves! Glad you managed to resist the urge to burrow, sounds like a good week x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Me too. Although the burrow was very tempting at times. Not sure if my son ever saw the gloves as anything but his. Fabulous when they actual claim your hand knits as their own.
Such a lovely post, it sounds like a good week. We like making meals special sometimes, I will have food evenings from different cultures where I’ll make lots of little dishes and let the family have little bits of what they like. We also do this when we have a pizza night, they take a slice or two of whatever pizzas I have and help themselves to side dishes. It may create more washing up, but at least I don’t have to dish everything up!
#WotW
I should do more of these evenings. I like your idea of meals from different cultures. Stretches me as well, which is never a bad thing!
You have been busy. That dress is gorgeous and those gloves are perfect for this time of year! x
Thanks Kim. I’m pleased with both of them. Even if I did miss out on the gloves. Not that I mind, really.
I think that taking the time out to be creative is a great way to restore your balance. I am impressed with your gloves and not surprised your son acquired them (You must surely nearly be at the end of your purple wool?) #wotw
Ha! 😀 You would think so, wouldn’t you? Even I’m beginning to wonder how much I over ordered by. I’m pretty sure I’m down to my last scraggly bits. Not sure I can squeeze much more out of it. Bit of a relief to be knitting in blue now.
Popping back from #mmbc. It snowed here last night and I could have done with some handmade gloves this morning!!
Still not a lot of snow for us, but appreciating gloves with the wind chill we have here. Brr!
I (finally!) received my February issue of British Country Living yesterday, and there I saw your Cleo dress – well, a very similar style but without the hardware – in a cool plum and black plaid.
Ooow. I’m going to have to find a copy, although I bet the shops have moved on to March issue.
Maybe at the library? It was on a page which had an assortment of things to buy, I guess: a handmade pitcher, pillow with wool plaid cover, etc.
I know the magazine section you mean. Yes, I’ll have to try the library.
What a lovely week you’ve had, and so many nice memories to keep from it. I love your dress, and your gloves and your narrative about the bird exploring the tree. Great post x
Nothing out of the ordinary, but extra ordinary in its own way.
I’ve seen more goldcests this winter than in the last four or five put together – sure there must be a population explosion! Lovely birds and quite happy to hop around near humans too. Agree with you about music practice too; my daughter is currently playing her exam pieces *without us suggesting she does them*. Although she much prefers learning alternatives (obsessed with Greatest Showman songs) from YouTube.
Same here. Goldcrests are definitely on the up in our area. Same time period too. There does seem to be a point where music practise becomes more interesting. Less nagging from me, which suits me.
Wow! I am impressed – I am not creative in the slightest! what a great week
I’m sure your creativity comes out in a different way.
Hi Cheryl, you have been busy! Your family are lucky to have such a creative Mum around, you make some lovely stuff. It is good for the soul when what we do is appreciated. My lot are still laughing at my elephant in the making!… When we first moved to our present house the neighbours’ children were learning to play the piano and over the years they really did go from hopeless to proper little pianists.
xx
I am looking forward to seeing your elephant. Yes, good for the soul when someoe else appreciates the time and love you’ve put in to making something. One of our neighbours used to send her daugher out to the greenhouse to practise the violin. It was early days of learning, but at least it was in short bursts.
I wish I can be like you in creating things to wear and use! This is so amazing. You are self reliant on so many things which is the coolest thing ever! #wotw
Thank you Merlinda. I think anyone can do it, if they put their mind to it.
Love your work and it sure sounds like your family are your greatest fans. #WotW
Not always!