Creative Mama

2 years on

Creative Mama 4 comments

Today we take a minutes silence and I try and hold back tears as we remember back to the day when for me it was so very scary. I recalled that day in this blog post -all those memories and feelings.

Photo taken 22nd February 2011 (our car- boot and lights- is the one on the far left under the tree)

Today 2 years on I feel sad. Sad for the loss of loved ones many others experienced, sad for the loss of property, homes and workplaces, sad for the loss of normal and safe, and now that sad is turning to frustration and anger as 2 1/2 years on we still have a daily detours and house that looks like we have had earthquakes and feeling stuck in limbo land and anger as they say after waiting 2 1/2 years for action from insurance and eqc who say well last year we would have paid for this and that but we don't any more and anger they are just doing a patch up job and not really fixing anything long term.

So today I feel sad and today I also feel so very blessed and thankful I have my family and all those near and dear to me. I remember the strength of communities and friendships who have helped, listened, laughed and cried together and so very aware of the resilience of my children and all those I know.

Photo Friday

Creative Mama 1 comment

Love the smell of these old machines! Happy Friday!

Making time together

Creative Mama 8 comments

After doing our marriage course we now make time one night every week for date night. This had become habit for us and now- Sunday night date night now just automatically is part of the week and really a nice end of the week and much needed time together.

(This has worked for us- setting some guidelines to date nights makes it more fun- no cell phones or phone calls, no work, no craft, and ideally no talking about children or the appointments or tasks for the next day/week or nagging about tasks that haven't been done and no excuses for not having the time)

Mr B and Me!

Date ideas at home

* Make dinner together (this has been meals we enjoy that we wouldn't make with the boys)
* Do a Puzzle together (we do a puzzle swap with the library)
* Rent a movie (or borrow a movie) and pop popcorn
* Have a dessert night- this can be as simple as making something from a cook book together or pick something up from the supermarket
* Eat dinner with having candles and the table set
* Go to bed early
* Read something to each other (take turns reading chapters or pages of a book)
* Breakfast in bed
* Order dinner and have it delivered
* Games night (pull out some cards or a board game)
* Write a few questions each- and read and answer each question (here are some examples for conversation starters and they can be random or serious)

What would like you like to accomplish this week/month?
What has been your favourite date since we have been married?
If you had a day alone what would you do?
What is your favourite song at the moment?
What is your favourite movie of all time?

Date ideas for going out

* Go for a walk together around the city
* Drive somewhere you wouldn't normally go
* Go out for dessert and share what you order
* Go to the beach
* Go for a suggested walk in your city
* Pack a picnic basket and go for brunch/lunch/dinner
* Go Rock climbing/ Mini golf/ bowling

At the end of the day making a conscience effort to spend time and talk to each other is the main goal of date night. As we have found that things like children, family, craft, money, unfinished projects and lots of other things get in the way and become easy excuses not to do things together. The time spent together now builds a healthy marriage relationship and creates wonderful memories together to remember and look back on.

Would love to hear any ideas you have for a date night or things you have done to spend quality time together!

crochet gift

Creative Mama 5 comments

I have a friend who loves all things retro or anything with spots! She loved the dishcloths I had made but they were not the colours she loves- and you have to love it. Her table wanted a set of 3 groovy doilies so I adjusted my dishcloth pattern still using a 2.5 hook and used a finer green and white yarn- still a cotton/acrylic mix so they can be washed and will last. I have made for her 3 large that are 13.5cm wide and 2 small ones that are 10.5cm wide.

large coasters

mini coasters

I have just made a set of 4 in white with green trim and listed them on felt.

Photo Friday

Creative Mama 2 comments

Colours of Summer

Loving the warm weather! Happy Friday

~LOVE~

Creative Mama 5 comments

The Make Cafe has a Look of Love Challenge on their blog for the month of February. I made a block to go inside of a hoop. "Love in a hoop"

I choose a fabric I like and used the small hoop 14cm wide and embroidered something that has meaning for me and Mr B.