Cinderberry Stitches

Creating something from nothing.

The best kind of sewing days are the ones that make little one's smile a little bigger - where the little one chooses from Mummy's fabric selection and wonders what Mummy is going to whip together while she watches.

Learning, dreaming, watching, making, creating something from nothing.

and then I tell her I am making a little something for her dolly, and she looks at me like this and giggles, with wonder in her eyes and a smile that could get her nearly anything (shhh... don't tell her that).

then she gets to help, learning, dreaming, watching, making, stuffing

and just like that, in a space of an hour you can show a four year old that something can always be made from nothing,

and that makes me smile.

Oh - have you noticed, I'm loving taking photos with my phone at the moment they are the images I would never normally take, it's within reach and captures the day just as it is with no frills and whistles.  They are not perfect images, sometimes blurry, low quality, taken one handed on the run, nothing like what I adore from my SLR  - but it's just everyday life with a bit of crazy thrown in for good measure and the best camera is the one that's in your hands.

Yes, I love that.

Till then,

Natalie x

Crafting with kids

Truth be told I am a sucker when it comes to crafty things and kids.  I love being crafty with my daughter and we have an entire craft box full of fun things to keep little fingers busy during the day or even if only for just a few hours.

She loves it.  I love it. Perfect match.

This week I found the ultimate Mummy & Daughter crafty thing. Fancy being able to buy a best friend in a box, I would have LOVED this when I was a kid.  I was excited, Isabelle was thrilled & so this morning the two of us sat down for our first stitching craft time.

There were loads of sweet colors inside the box & Isabelle sorted out and matched the legs, arms, dress parts and chose her favorite hair color - bright red of course.

Yep - she was excited.

Cute stuff.

I loved the pink plastic saftey needles and the pre punched holes in the felt pieces - perfect for little fingers.  I will be honest, at 3 1/2yrs Isabelle managed a few stitches on the arm but found it much more fun to sit and watch Mummy while her new best friend was stitched together....you know I didn't mind one bit.

Less than 2 hours later....

'Pink' was complete and there was one very happy girl in the house.

I think Izzy & Pink will have fun together for at least the next few days - maybe weeks, and I might have to go and find a few more to store away in the craft box - she was loads of fun to make and less than $7 (from Aldi)....... a crafty bargain makes that makes me beyond happy.

Till then,

Natalie x

 

Step by step guide to patchwork.

Step by step guide to patchwork, simple as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

1. Choose fabric and set iron to cotton setting.

2. Press fabric square and select additional squares, be sure not to leave iron in one place too long.

3.  Turn off iron and lay fabric squares on the floor, any which way you like.

4. Measure once.

5. Concentrate. Measure twice.

6. Leave mess behind while you break for morning tea.

Patchwork, it's childs play.

I love it,

Natalie x

Play doh. make it. squeeze it. love it.

I know, it's a blog about sewing.

But it's not Cinderberry Stitches until I share some of the ways I entertain my little one while I work.  It's not always easy to entertain a little one for hours but it is all about finding the one thing they love most of all (even if it only works for one day).

I have decided to write out the playdoh recipe and post it here for two simple reasons.

1.  So I can find it easily, next time we make it.

2.  In case you have children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews/friends or family visiting and need to find something fun to make that will give you both loads of enjoyment. 

You will need:

1 cup - plain flour.

2 tablespoons - cream of tarter.

1/2 cup - salt.

1 tablespoon - oil.

1 cup - water.

1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon - food colouring.

1. Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and mix together with a spoon.

2. Once the ingredients are mixed together place the saucepan on the stove top.  Use a medium heat and stir continually until the mixture thickens (about 3 or 4 minutes).

3. When the ingredients begin to thicken and clump together remove from the saucepan and place the dough on a floured surface.  Once it has cooled enough to handle, knead like bread dough.

4. Remove from the floured surface when the dough is no longer sticky and continue to knead until the dough is soft and pliable.

Place dough on a lovely white plate and take a photo....

before the little one squishes her fingers in the dough....

and finds a new home for her animal farm.

Wrap the playdoh in glad wrap and store in an air tight container.  (I'm happy, finally I can use all that Tupperware in the cupboard).   Now one container lives at Nanny's place for future play dates with my nieces and one stays in our kitchen cupboard.

I have tried a few different versions (no cook type / cook type / buy it in the shop type)  but this is the one we like the most and it seems to last for ages, or at least long enough that all the colours become one big blob - then it's time to make a new batch.

You see - playdoh is very therapeutic.

Till then,

Natalie x