The winter has been busier than usual with exams and papers, our visit to Lebanon and Prague and my work with Women in Focus. I have been really looking forward to some slower days in March to create and play and revel in anticipation of this new baby in the family. Our daughter-in-law isn’t due until May but if handmade is a priority, and it is, then planning is a must.
The taking stock and stocking up in anticipation of this little one had me at the fabric store yesterday buying flannel at 50% off. An afternoon at the sewing machine, a quick hem and I have 6 perfect receiving blankets. I went through a lot of these with my babies and definitely designate them as a staple. They’re handy for nursing cover-ups, for swaddling wraps, for spit rags, and for summer blankets. The remnants, cut in 6 inch blocks and sewn in rows of 5, with a little sashing added as a border makes a matching quilt, just the right size for a stroller or car seat. Can you tell I had fun?
On the same outing, I popped in at Mad About Ewe, a boutiquey little knitting store that carries variegated washable yarn. I bought 6 skeins with the rest of my Christmas gift certificate, enough to make 2 newborn hooded cardigans. My daughter gave me the pattern book when her daughter was born so the pattern is all ready set to go. Sure to be next on my needles.
The theatre on the left is one I picked up in Prague where they make the most adorable toys; wooden and hand painted! I had one of these when the kids were young and they literally played it to tatters. Every intuitive grandparent knows to stock favourite toys for the grandkids. This one is a delight to add to our collection. I love it because it lends itself so beautifully to imaginative play.
With baby projects underway, and a hankering for more creativity I turned my attention to painting. Watercolour, that is. My son finished his thesis for his masters degree and I have been looking for a gift that would suit the topic and celebrate his major accomplishment. My husband and I walk past a Ladysmith store front every day that displays paintings of a series of tugboats and they are stunning. They are also expensive! Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say and I’m no Rembrandt but with a family of artists, I thought maybe I’d be lucky and find it’s in the genes. I’m not brave enough to photograph my work for you quite yet but I will report that it’s coming along nicely.
So, it’s been a creative week, intermittent with spring walks, tea, sleep, reading and rest. While winter hangs on with frosty fingers, spring is verdantly near.
Inspiration is in the air and I am reminded that play is not just for kids.
