August 18, 2006

Well Needed Break

Tomorrow Emily and I are jetting off to stay with my mom in England (the flight is less than hour, its unbelievable how quickly it is to get there - if you don't mind paying the extortionate domestic flight prices!). We will be staying for a whole week and W will be staying here in Belfast, working and probably playing lots of Nintendo (hmm lovely new DS and Super Mario). So maybe for a short while he can pretend he is living the life of a bachelor, but I'm sure it won't take long before he misses us!

I can't begin to tell you how much I need this break. To have another person around with me in the daytime for company, moral support and to be there if I desperately have to sleep or lie down. Not having to struggle will be just bliss. Hopefully I will have the energy to do some thrifting, make the most of the end of car boot season and visit a few places. But if all I can do is sleep then thats good too.

So I may not get around to blogging next week (although my mom has a shiny new imac so you never know) so just in case I am going to leave you with a few lovely blogs that I have started reading, but I haven't added them to my list yet.

Dolliedaydream
Allsorts
Hop Skip Jump
Needlebook
Mayfly
Confessions of a Blueberry Bandit
Echoes of a Dream
Spiralling
Cotton Strudel

I wish I could refine my RSS list and not have so many to read but I just can't help it. You guys have me hooked! Not sure if I have missed any out, I am sure it is very likely so I will try and update my list with more precision when I am back, but that should keep you going! Enjoy and see you soon. x

Posted by Maxine at 06:04 PM | Comments (5)

August 15, 2006

Something To Make Me Smile

It was perfect timing that these arrived this week, I really need some things to bring a smile to my face right now and these do the trick. I have been coveting all the lovely Decole loveliness around the web for a while now, there is something about its simplicity, innocence and down right fun that makes me want to snap it all up. But as you Decole fans may know its not that easy to get hold of in the UK. So when I stumbled on Velda's blog, then her Flickr set and discovered that not only did she sell these lovely pieces, but she was also from the UK I couldn't be happier! If you visit her blog make sure you check out her Flickr pages too for lots of extra cuteness.

I think I am just gonna have to call these two happy houses 'Sally' and 'Paul'! So I will be reminded of you two everything I look at them! I think I need more Decole happiness in my house...

Posted by Maxine at 05:18 PM | Comments (8)

Birthdays, Anniversaries & Stuff

This past weekend has been hectic to say the least. What with four kids birthdays, one friends birthday two birthday parties and our 5th wedding anniversary, it has been hard to keep track of them all! Here is part of one birthday present I made for Ellie (who is just a bit older than Emily). I packaged it all up with a little wooden spoon, a ginger breda man cookie cutter and some ready made cake mix. I was going to make a little headscarf to go with it as I thought it would be really cute, but the past week has been a bit of a nightmare for me and I haven't felt well again.

I have an ante-natal appointment this week so I will check things out then but all the signs point to anemia (not that I like to self-diagnose, but from what I can tell from talking to other people and I already have an iron supplement). I don't eat enough iron rich foods, hardly any red meat or eggs and other stuff so I am sure it would help if I improved my diet too. Its so frustrating though cause the tiredness is unbelievable and I can only do small short tasks. I get really breathless if I stand around for too long and that leads to me feeling faint, so its not good. I feel bad for Emily though as she is watching constant TV at the moment and I don't have much energy for entertaining her. I am just glad I am going to stay with my mom next week, it'll be good having someone around to help in the day, something I could really do with right now and she is great with Em - I know they will have fun.

Here she is enjoying one of the birthday parties from the weekend. Taking advantage of the bouncy castle when all the older boys had got off. I love seeing her have fun and she had a ball.

Also, as I said it was our 5th wedding anniversary (which we spent at birthday party!). We were hoping to go out for dinner but everywhere closes early on a Sunday so it didn't work out. We just lounged around and watched a film instead and we are going out for a lovely dinner tonight. Have to make the most of this as once junior is born we'll not have much of a chance for a while. We also purchased a wonderful photo-intaglio print by Deirdre McCrory, who is a member of Seacourt Print Workhop as a present to each other. It was a hard choice when trying to choose at the gallery but we are really happy. I will have to try and get a good pic to show you. I have my eye on an Esther Brimage print too, but I think that will just have to wait!

Posted by Maxine at 12:22 PM | Comments (1)

August 11, 2006

Tea for Two

I thought I better get something creative up before the end of the week, otherwise I will get the jitters thinking I'm doing far too much rambling and not enough creating! Well, this is a bit of a cheat as it is a screenprint I did a while ago. But like I said, I really want to get more of my artwork on the blog as this seems to have been taken over lately by all the crafting and sewing.

This is one of my favourite prints called 'Tea for Two', it mixes one of my fave things to do (sit around and drink tea) with my love of background patterns and wonderful contrasty colours. I have this framed and up in my dining room, but there is an edition of 7 in total (2 of which are sold). It is printed edge to edge and measures 37cm x 27cm.

I will be putting this in my shop so if you think it would look just as wonderful in your dining room, or kitchen, or any room in fact then you can buy one of the limited edition prints here!

Posted by Maxine at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)

Book Swap Parcel

Do you know I think I am spending more time posting about what wonderful things Mr Postman brings me than actually doing anything creative! I received this beautifully parcel from Caroline over at dolliedaydream (isn't that such a great blog name?!). Even the outside of the parcel was so neat and well packaged I was very impressed. If there is one thing I love its great packaging and attention to detail and Caroline you sure do have the knack!

The book she sent looks very interesting. Its not something that I would probably pick myself, but on reading the cover it sounds exactly like the type of thing I would enjoy, so I have bumped it up my reading list! Just to let you in on the story:

'When painter Roderic Kennedy meets Julia Fitzpatrick, twenty years younger and also an artist, it seems as if the crises that have troubled his life are finally over. But when Julia meets William Armstrong, a middle-aged lawyer, it sets in motion a chain of events which has dramatic consequences for all three of them.'

Sounds intriguing doesn't it?! She also sent lovely Charlie & Lola notebook and Clarice Bean stickers for Emily and This wonderful embroidery book for me too. I haven't done any proper embroidery before but I bought a hoop for 10p at a car boot sale a while back and have been meaning to give it a try so this is just perfect - and with floss too. Look at this lovely detail. It also has advice on stitches too, which is just what i need. Another project to add to my list!

Thank you so much Caroline! Yours will be in the post soon! Thanks to everyone taking part in the swap too! I don't have a pro Flickr account and can't fit any more photos on at the mo, otherwise I would setup a group set for our swap. So please let me know when you all get your swaps, I can't wait to see how it turned out. :)

Posted by Maxine at 03:58 PM | Comments (2)

Parcel from a Panda

Emily and I had a lovely surprise the other day with a HUGE parcel from my friend Tamara, who lives in Canada. I don't know who was more excited, me or Emily! She sent the most wonderful cushion which she had woven herself - as you can see from the pics Em took a liking to it straight away and any photo I took of it doesn't do it justice, it really is amazing. Also in the parcel were so many goodies, books for Em, choccies, zoo animals and even some mounty socks!!

In case you are wondering about the title of this post, Tamara and I, for many years have had kind of pet names for each other. Its really quite funny and not as sad as it sounds! We met years ago, when she was travelling and we worked at the same place. Neither of us fitted in and so we kind of bonded as allies and then became very good friends. One day, at work we were extremely bored and spent most of the time playing the game 'if they were an animal, what animal would they be?' This caused us endless amusement and satisfaction with pairing each member of staff with their animal counterpart. Suffice to say Tamara became Panda and I became Bunny. I can't quite explain it but it was funny at the time and somehow it stuck!

So thank you so much Panda - you spoiled us! Can't wait to see you in September x

Posted by Maxine at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)

August 08, 2006

The 'Craft Blog as a Domestic Fantasy' Debate

I have been sitting on this post for a while as I really felt impelled to write something about the subject and join in on the debate that has appeared on various blogs. I read about it here and she has links to other sites, maybe even where the subject originated.

I have thought about the whole process of blogging and the crafty community and what exactly is its purpose on many occasions. Reading this current debate has come at an appropriate time for and was slightly uncanny as Nigella's 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' was just bought for me by husband the day before. Whilst reading this wonderful book it did occur to me that domesticity has become more in vogue than it has been for years and we need no longer be embarrassed to say that we are stay-at-home moms (for some reason the notion of being a 'housewife' somehow has previously given the impression of us being inferior and less able than those with 'big careers'). It gives an opportunity to explore who we actually want to be outside the confines of the commercial world. Although this in itself is not an easy task if you have demanding toddlers or screaming babies to contend with - no-one can push your buttons like your child can they? Not even the arrogant co-worker can raise such feelings inside you as a defiant child - but thats another story.

Blogging for me has come in two separate passes. My husband suggested we start a blog about 3 years ago when I became pregnant with Emily, our first child. I was a bit dubious at the time as blogging was new to me and it did seem odd, keeping a kind of journal online. But its purpose was to keep our distant friends and family (my mom lives in England) up to date with my pregnancy and our journey into parenthood. This has been invaluable to us and will become a precious record in later years - I often think I haven't kept enough or written down enough over the past three years of Emily's life and I often forget just how much is contained on Two Blue Lines. In fact, being pregnant for the second time I am able to look back and compare my experiences.

Noodles and Doodles was born out of a desire to be more creative and my primary goal was that it would give me the motivation to get things done, whilst providing me with an outlet for my creativity. I am a bit lacking when it comes to motivation and being productive without deadlines and timescales has always been a bit tricky for me. Over the time I have kept the blog I have become more aware of just how much of a community it is and I think this is a wonderful aspect of craft blogs. Everywhere I look there is inspiration on many different levels and new people to meet, my RSS list grows daily and its hard to read them all. Who could've know such a network of like minded people existed?

But I do see where other people are coming from and sometimes those wonderfully successful crafty girls can be a real inspiration and other times the green eyed monster can set in and you can become envious of their 'super mom' ability. I know myself I can find my confidence drop quite easily and if I am in the wrong type of mood reading these blogs can make me feel more of a failure than a success. I have had many a conversation about how the hell some of these girls actually manage to do what they do. Firstly their talent is amazing and secondly how do they fit it all in? But then I stop and realise that we only see what they want us to see and of course we only show what we want to show. Who knows how difficult it is, how much childcare other people get and what their financial situation is?

I suppose the craft blogs could be considered a domestic fantasy in a way and really I don't see anything wrong with that. I never delve too deeply into my feelings and I only ever complain about things when I am pushed, because who really wants to hear about that part of my life? Lets face it, that would be pretty dull and depressing! I used to read Dooce a good while back and whilst I found her honesty refreshing at first, it just become a drag and I got a bit bored with reading about her most intimate feelings - I am sure a lot of people know the site as it has a big readership. I found it to self-indulgent - but then isn't that what all blogs are really? Including mine? Whilst I don't want to see everyones lives through rose tinted glasses, there is a limit to how much depressing reality I can take! Is that bad? I don't know. I sit here writing this, while Emily sits in the other room watching a film, the laundry needs doing, the house needs tidying in practically every room and I wonder when I will have the time or energy for my next creative endeavor.

I have many friends who have perfect houses and have the whole domestic thing down to a tee but then, thats all they do. I can't help being the way that I am, being interested in many things and so the house gets fuller by the day with fabric finds, boxes I can't throw out 'just in case', wool, thrifty 'junk' etc. I would love to be perfect but I'm afraid its just not possible. We all make our choices and sacrifices and this is mine. I like to tell myself that Emily's life will be enriched by it all!

So bring on the domestic fantasies that what I say! I need them keep me motivated and inspired and if we looked at all the dark sides of each other we may never want to blog again.

Posted by Maxine at 10:15 AM | Comments (9)

August 04, 2006

Magazine Swap

I just received my mag swap package this week and just look how generous Vicki was, not just one but three mags! It puts my package to shame thats for sure. Unfortunately Vicki doesn't have a blog so I can't direct you there, but she is really into journalling so I sent her a scrapbooking mag which had lots of projects and printed papers to use for things.

These are all wonderful magazines. America just beats us hands down on magazine production. I have already read Adorn (a crafty mag) which has given me lots of ideas and I have read Everyday with Rachel Ray which is a wonderful foody mag, with lots of simple to follow recipes and ideas, which is perfect for the Supper Club (which I am way behind posting about, so I need to pull my finger out there!). As for 'Wonder TIme', this is such a wonderful magazine about parenting and childhood experience. I still have to get through this but I am quite tempted to subscribe!

Thanks so much Vicki, you got it just right.

Posted by Maxine at 11:27 AM | Comments (4)

Garden Progress

Look at my pumpkin! I am so excited! I just hope it carries on growing so that I can actually use pumpkins I have grown myself this halloween - how cool would that be! There is actually 3 growing on the plant so fingers crossed they all grow lovely and big (how strange, I have just looked out the window and saw a black cat sniffing around them...spooky).

The strawberries are finally beginning to materialise too. The one on the left, in the basket I thought was never going to flower, but this week it has flowered and there are even little strawberries appearing. The one on the left is a wild strawberry plant that Sally gave me. It travelled all the way back from Dundee and wasn't too happy when it got here and had all but died. But it looks like it is having a new lease of life at last.

Also I don't normally like putting photos of myself on my blog and I am a bit pasty looking with no make-up in this shot but Emily took it herself! I was so impressed at what a good photo she had taken I just had to share it, so there it is.

Posted by Maxine at 11:17 AM | Comments (5)

Spoon People

Yesterday Emily and I had fun making spoon people. This is such an old thing to do and I am sure I remember doing this when I was a child (in fact I think I might have even made spoon wombles!!). I have been meaning to do this with her for a while and although she had a lot of fun, I think it is something to do with an older child, as she need a lot of help and couldn't do much of it on her own. But it was an interesting exercise in using different materials and exploring a variety of textures that she hasn't used before for craft. That and of course making puppets!

Emily picked all the materials herself and I let her decide exactly what was going to happen to them, so that it was her project and not just mine! We then stuck materials onto card and made pictures of the spoon creations, so as to expand the experience.

The spoons are called 'Mrs Spoon' and 'Stiggy Spoon' by the way! Stiggy is a made up Emily word that she has used ever since she been able to say more than a few words. Usually it is a living thing rather than an object and is so funny when she uses it. I asked her once what we should call baby and she said Stiggy of course!

Posted by Maxine at 10:51 AM | Comments (2)

August 03, 2006

Help!

This is a cry for help to all your lovely knitty blog friends I have out there. I am pretty useless with knitting and this is about all I can manage - well I have knitted a ribbed scarf before. But scarves are my limit - nice straight lines (even these turn out wonky!). But I just love the therapeutic value that knitting has and I really fancied getting out the needles last night.

This is a ball of wool I recently thrifted and it is actually more green than blue - its weird how its photographed. Anyway my problem is - I don't have a clue about what needles to use with what wool and tend to use whatever I have lying around. I decided I was going to try knitting a skinny scarf and so far its not too bad. But I would like to be able to knit it really loosely so it looks a bit more holey and is nice and soft (and also quick to finish!). What should I be doing? The above needles are a size 6 and the wool isn't particularly thick. If I want to do this would I need really big chunky needles or am I just knitting too tightly. I am a bit heavy handed and I can't help but to pull things nice and tight.

What do you think? Any advice would be greatly welcomed. I am not looking to knit wonderful items just yet but it would be nice to get a better grip with being able to knit in a straight line and get the result I want.

Thanks knitty friends!

Posted by Maxine at 10:23 AM | Comments (2)

Let The Book Swapping Begin

Ok, well I think I have left a reasonable amount of time to see who's interested in taking part in the Book Swap. There turned out to be an odd number of people so I will swap with two people to make it even and if anyone else is interested in the meantime, it means there is a spare swap partner!

I will send everyone taking part an email with your relevant swap partners email address and then you can contact them to get their address. Also if there is a genre of book that you absolutely hate then don't be afraid to mention it - better to get that sorted at this stage! Apart from that I think we should it leave it free and easy.

The only rules I would say would be to make sure there is at least one book in the swap (I know thats pretty obvious but hey, this organising is new to me!!) but if you want to add more or anything else that is entirely up to you - the object after all is to get rid of an old book for something we haven't read. If you and your swap partner feel happier choosing one of each others books via email first then do that, otherwise leave it as a surprise - I just love surprises!

Other than that, I think we should have a deadline of the end of August to get things in the mail. I know this is a long time, but the summer holidays are busy, with people being away and entertaining children, so at least it takes any pressure off.

If you have any questions let me know but otherwise happy swapping! :)

Posted by Maxine at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)

August 02, 2006

Button Bounty

Look at this fabulous package of buttons that I received today from Donna today! Thank you so much for picking me such a wonderful and generous selection, I am so pleased. My favourite has to be the green wooden knobbly one, there peaking out from the other ones. I swapped Donna one of my monkey purses for being such a sport and agreeing to give me some of her precious buttons. I am going to have so much fun with these...

Posted by Maxine at 08:01 PM | Comments (4)