a new year

“Goals that are not written down are just wishes.”

 

image source here: 2013letsdothis

so here are my goals for 2013...( in no specific order!)

 

spend more time with my friends, with and without the kids

go on more 'dates' with my husband

put aside some money for treats to myself ; )

teach the children to be more responsible and help us out a bit more

organise a weekly housework system so I can spend more time doing other things

loose weight

reduce/ manage my asthma symptoms and take the medication daily

walk our dog more often

don't watch crime dramas anymore they make me sad and can ruin my sleep

start the kid's Christmas and birthday shopping in October -not March!

learn to be a better cook

try to worry less 

try not to over think things

begin to de-clutter our home 

write letters

hug people more

 

 

 

do you have any goals for 2013?

 

 

   

 

 

marvelous marbles

I was really pleased when two people gave T some marbles for his birthday, one had made a little named bag for them too. We've added them to thier handed down collection that belonged to their dad- I love the original home sewn smurf bag : ).

I remember when the 'big kids' played marbles at school and all had favourite marbles they'd be really disappointed to loose. There looked to me at the time to lots of rules but it's quite simple really. I want to teach the kids how to play a game of 'ringer' and came across this handy YouTube video.

 

We played an adapted version using a big hoop rather than a drawn circle. I didn't want to be standing on or vacuuming up marbles for the next month! They had lots of fun with this and the game lasted about half an hour- heaps better than tv!

Joining in with Miriam's linky- becoming the mama I want to be http://createhopeinspire.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/bmwb-2-book-bucket.html

a watercolour gift

This year with our closest group of friends we did a 'secret santa' which turned out to be not that secret but anyway, over the years my friend has appreciated handmade pressies so I thought she'd like this. She has two gorgeous boys who are so loved. She's such a fabulous mum to them that I wanted to make her something special with them as the subject.

The idea came from one of my all time favourite pinterest finds. Everything you need to know to make your own is here- and it really is as easy as it looks: http://growcreative.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/easy-watercolor-portrait-tutorial.html?m=1

Here's my effort, I framed it with a white frame when it gave it to her but didn't get a photo of that.

I've missed painting so this will not be the last time I make one of these. Another blogger who tried this diy erinellenberger used words that also describe how I feel when I paint  "... but when I paint, it is all I think about.  My mind easily slips into a silence I rarely know and serenity comes."

that's the altered photo on the left

Joining in with 3xsunshine's show and tell linky

chair rescue!

On New Years day we went for a walk on the beach. We were at the Rangitata huts. Every New Years night they light a gorgeous big bonfire at midnight. Below is the bonfire all ready to go AFTER I rescued 5 ( what I think are lovely) bentwood chairs. I'm going to do them up by giving them a sand and a rub with linseed oil. The previous owner of the chairs noticed that they had been removed and word got around about my 'pre-match' actions. Thankfully, she was pleased to hear that they were going to a good home and like most of the people there had a bit of a chuckle at my 'nuttiness'- but seriously- could you have watched them burn?

I plan to add padded seats too so I'll post pictures when they're done : )

nana's christmas painting

The kid's nana requested a painting by them for Christmas- their first commission : ). One of the  things mum loves to do is walk with her partner and their dog Sadie- so that's what they drew and painted. The canvas was only $5 at Warehouse stationary, we used a black permanent marker for the outline, acyrlic paints and small brushes.

The only input I had in this was to talk them through it when they asked for help and go over the pencil lines with the marker before they painted.

That's my mum on the left in her red hat. We think it will make her smile.

nana's singer sewing machine

A few days ago quite out of the blue my mum arrived at our house with my nana's old sewing machine. I love it. It's the machine mum learned to sew on. I also have mum's first machine ( the one I learned to sew on) and a machine I bought with my inheritance- so it's just nice all around. one day the kids will learn to sew on one of the three- perhaps not nana's though! : ). 

I love how it looks sitting on top of my craft cupboard.