Shine Bright

And I leaned over and whispered to her 

'You're gonna shine bright like a diamond,

Shine bright like a diamond,

You're beautiful like diamonds in the sky'

School Mum

Tomorrow I will have two children in school.

As I expected, I am troubled.

Nervous even.

But it's a different feeling this time round.

I am not worried that she won't cope without me.

I am worried that she will.

I am worried that she will make friends and learn more and grow up and slip out of my grasp.

She is a free spirit kind of girl, and I think about how I will show her love as she needs me less? 

I suppose I will stumble and fail and try to listen to her heart and learn some things myself. 

Perhaps school is education for all of us.

(I remember the words I whispered to myself two years ago...)

Love is an evolving thing.

And so I smile at the future.

Fabric Book Cover Tutorial

 

School book covering has come a long way since brown paper. 

Contact has come and (largely) gone.

Now plastic book covers are the new black.

But they aren't cheap when you have to buy a pile.

So last year I tried my hand at making some fabric book covers. 

I used largish scraps so they cost me nothing.

I'm pleased to say that they handled the in-out-in-out of the tidy tub well and, after a quick wash, are being reused on school books this year.

Since I could explain how to make them by saying 'wrap it like a gift and sew where you would put sticky tape', there is probably no need for me to show you a tutorial.

But, just in case you'd like to see, here are my instructions: 

 Lay your exercise book out flat and cut a fabric rectangle about 3cm larger on all sides. 

 Overlock or zig zag the edges.

Optional: cut a 10x10cm square of clear plastic and sew it to the front of the book cover, leaving one edge open (for a name tag to slide in later). I find it easier to use a walking foot with my machine, and to leave a 2cm edge when sewing, which can be trimmed down later.

Lay the book in the centre of the fabric and, yes, wrap it like a gift. 

Pin and sew the book corner together. I find hand sewing easier (and more therapeutic!)

 Do the same for all four corners. Remove the book. Press.

 Pop the book back in. Add a cardboard name tag if you have made a window.

Repeat for 25 books (or more if you have more than two kids in school!)

Giveaway of the Triple Century!

It's my three hundredth blog post!

That seems, to me, a lot of little moments I've shared with you. 

A lot of small time wonders I've written about. 

A lot of photos and musings and blessings.

I've blogged pink, red, blue, and yellow!

I've blogged fairy wands, sandpits, robots, and pencils.

I've blogged Albert, Abby, and Calico Jack.

I've blogged slices, cakes, and cheesecakes.

I've blogged marriage, babies, and big kids.

I've blogged about God, dreams and loss.  

I'd like to celebrate with a giveaway! 

Leave a comment on this post, sharing one of your own small, wonderful moments from the past week (like seeing your gorgeous girl walk around in her piggy nose?), and I will randomly select someone to receive a package of small and wonderful things!

(This time, I am only able to post to an Australian address. If you live elsewhere, you may enter as long as you have a friend in Aus to receive the package! Entries close on Jan 31st, 2013)

The Ironman Flower Cafe

We had some spontaneous holiday fun this week, opening up a cafe in our home.

Morning: Elara, India and their cousin Rayya decide on the cafe name. 

Next we announce our enterprise and send out a few texts to potential customers.

Then five clever chefs in the kitchen make gingerbread men and caramel slice, while local artists create cafe signs and menus.

Afternoon: Tables are set and waitresses are prepped for service.

Customers arrive and are greeted with 

"Welcome, let me show you to your table". 

Menus are perused, orders and money taken, and drinks and treats served with a smile.

Finally, tables are cleared and the days takings are counted. 

These four delightful children raised $26.70 (which they decided would go towards better health care for poor and marginalised families, through TEAR), and they had a wonderful day!

Popsicles

Blackberry and lime cheesecake popsicles.

These were fresh and summery and a little bit tart.

And very easy to make (here's the recipe)!

I layered mine in baking cups and slid in some paddle pop sticks after an hour or so in the freezer.

I love making popsicles this way because you can make ten 

(or thirty) at a time.

And because you can colour coordinate them.

And because you just peel off the paper to eat (no hot water required).

And, let's face it. 

The quicker you can eat ice cream, the better!

Gelati Party

Back in 2007, to celebrate the impending birth of our second child, we organised a gelati party baby shower. It was in my pre-blogging years so I haven't ever shared it, or the few photos I have.

We decorated in (unisex) gelato colours of lime, lemon and orange.

Our friends and family gathered and made predictions about our soon-to-arrive bundle.

I bought an ice cream maker, and spent weeks stocking our freezer with icy delights.

The first course was 'A Trio of Fruits': blueberry sorbet, lemon gelato and watermelon sorbet served in a hollowed out orange.

The second course was 'The Cone of Indulgence': double chocolate gelato with pistachio gelato or mint ice cream, served in a crispy waffle cone.

The third course was 'A Tropical Tempter': coconut lime gelato served with sweet tortilla chips.

It's lovely to remember this relaxed day. 

And those 9 months that I carried our sweet and delightful daughter, India!