Lulu Carter

quilty love

I finished Charlies quilt the other night. Putting the top together was fast if you remove the enormous indecision (if I put this print here,will that over-ride this one and does that blue really work against this one and are there too many rabbits). Hmm. Stitching all those rows was not so fast. I am SO pleased with it though and glad I quilted more than I had originally thought I would.

I'm waiting for the big boys to ask where their baby quilts are. In my head??  They were seven before they got their first quilts. I always thought a baby quilt lifespan was too short to justify the fabric usage. Perhaps more a fear that I would use loved prints, the quilt would become too small in break neck speed, and then I would be unable to get much loved fabric anywhere at all. This time around I intend to make all the things I wished I had for the other two. Charlie is in danger of being swamped in handmade motherly love. Mel made the beautiful remark that this quilt is so very "me" that it will be as though he is all wrapped up in a mummy cuddle. Isnt that the most gorgeous thing to say? For me thats exactly what a quilt is for. Something to keep someone warm and safe and wrapped in love.

The big boys are now at the stage of more mature quilts for their beds. Especially Henry although he disagrees. Maybe I'm the one ready to make a more mature quilt?

I really find fabric turnaround waay more stressful than trying to keep up with fashion. Ive learned my lesson-if you see a top you love buy it. Fabrics I'm a little slower to remember not to wait. But it and but several yards because when its gone-poof. Gone. The back of this quilt is AMH garden party.You might remeber that I was hunting desperately for it last year to finish off our quilt? Well theres a discount fabric store that I didnt know existed! Isnt that always the way? Amy seems to know where to find pretty much any fabric i think. 

This quilt is also less gender specific. I couldnt help but think that it will never be used again once Charlie's done with it so I'll put it aside for his babies. Thats the Aquarian in me. Its diabolical this 'over thinking' business.

Next on my list is a hexagon garden quilt for my niece, then the Swoon quilt. Yes I will actually be following a pattern with that one. A miracle.

Are any of you swooning? Katy has a Swoon-along going if youre interested.

How are you enjoying my other blog? Anything youd like me to hunt for sepcifically of see less or more of?

If you need me I'm here.

I cant believe I just put this photo on here. It makes me realise how desperately I need to go to the hairdresser!

xxx

It was bound to happen

Cake decorated for me by my beautiful boys.

Cake eaten by all.

xx

3 Months

Its like hes always been here. Chuckling in his sleep, frowning when he chats or coos in the most delightfully earnest way. The way he loves us all so blatantly and gets loved back tenfold. The little dents in those thighs and arms that you can hide your fingertips in and the way he has worked out that the kisses being bestowed on his feet or his tummy belong to the person who then plants one on his forehead. The helicopter arms when he's really excited and the legs racing on the spot as he tries to get up closer. How he has begun stopping mid feed for a grin and a chat before finishing. He is joy all over.

My greatest wish is that he finds a life path that allows him to remain as excited and as happy and as loved. 

 

And that he will grow up most forgiving of his mother for her gratuitous use of toadstools...

 

my other baby

You may have noticed a new button on the side? Its my new 'other' blog. I'm not cheating on this one I promise. This is where I tell you things/ask you things and show you things. Its wonderful and I love you for allowing me to do that.

In Alfie's Room is a childrens lifestyle blog that I have been thinking of starting for some time. The name 'Alfie' made sense as it was so very nearly Charlies name (and would be if I hadnt been out voted!) and I wanted to showcase things more for the boys. Thats not to say it is exclusively for boys but it will be boy heavy. 

I won't be letting you know where to get a spiderman costume as I'm sure we've all got that down pat. More where to find lovely and unusual products. How a boys bedroom might look if he likes things a little more eclectic and hopefully some peeks behind closed doors of some real life families with boys in their own unique environment.

I love girls and all the product available to them but I want to find the beautiful things out there for the boys in our life. 

So pop on over, have a look, let me know here or there what you think and feel free to point me in the direction of something you think is gorgeous for the boys that I might like to share.

See you soon xx

 

photographing feet

Twelve week old feet. 

patchwork my way

Random squares in two different sizes. All colours in as usual. I must admit this was meant to be more of an 'aqua and red with splashes of orange' quilt. Somehow that green grabbed me and pulled me along. And the yellow. I should not sound suprised should I? Always happens.

Have a wonderful weekend.

xx

Doing it yourself

I used the timer. Do you use it to get photos of you with your children? I find as the one who take the photos I am never in them. This is the only way I'm going to have a chance at some photos of me with this little guy.

It took no time really, but can be awkward getting into the right spot. I was trying to capture the way he looks at me. Remember the way your young baby looks at you?  I didnt get it but I did get some sweet shots which I'm very happy with for my first attempt. Every time we have a moment and I stick the camera between us, of course 'the look' goes. He chats to the camera with a frown on his face. Gorgeous. If I then turn the camera onto video mode he stops chatting. Of course. Trying to capture those magical moments are like trying to make the water boil faster by standing there and watching the pot. It doesn't seem to work.

The timer is my new favourite toy. Next up photos of me with all my boys.

Hello timer. Its nice to finally meet you.

Thank you

 Thank you so much for being wonderful and sharing your own moments or just understanding. I still havent heard anything so I expect I won't now. We just suck these things up dont we. Moving on.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend. School goes back on Monday. Woohoo!!

Nope.

That was not me ; )

Aaand....the gratuitous baby photo. This little bug is getting more and more fun. He is giggling at his big brothers here. Lifes a party.

xxx

stickers and babies

Firstly the stickers.

Just after christmas we took a drive up to Brisbane and spent the day at the galleries. They are set along the river with the library in between and it is so beautifully laid out I instantly wanted to live there. Just so I could sit on the grass by the river and step inside a gallery. Priorities in tact I'd say.

We went up to look at the Matisse exhibition which was wonderful. The exhibition is of his drawings which was quite interesting to see with the boys. We were counting how many lines he could draw a face in at one point. When you come out, they have a drawing space set up with life models, violinists seranading everyone and people everywhere sketching. They also have drawing tablets which is a terrific idea for our digital age children. Everywhere you were you could draw a still life or a model and, for those who had not brought their own sketching equipment with them, they had clipboards, paper and pencils around the room. I have honestly never been to an exhibition so well thought out before. Even the cafe was set up for sketching, reading his books and sipping a coffee. Magnificent.

Afterwards we wondered into this room by Yayoi Kasuma. Every adult was instantly transformed back into a child as we grabbed sticker sheets and set about covering every surface we could find. Tall adults were happily popping stickers on te ceiling. We had to be checked at the exit though for stickers as you werent allowed to remove them from the space. Even if they were stuck to your bottom from the piano stool as Henry discovered.

The childrens book illustrators exhibition was on at the Library too so we had a full and inspiring day.

When we came back outside to the real world, we were greeted by this cloud mountain rising above the Art Gallery. We had never seen anything like it. It was thick and solid. Quite fantastic.

And now our baby who looks so much fuller than he did that week away. These photos were taken over the last few days. His last days as a nine week old I might add. Today he hit double digits. 

I honestly have not taken his ten week photo yet as when he's awake I spend that time pulling faces and singing and being a completely smitten mother. Its a miracle anything gets done around here with this little bug of ours.

And he would sleep anywhere. Yesterday he had an entire nap being held and passed around by my friends up at the park. Any cuddle is a good cuddle clearly. And he is getting squishy bits! He's over 5 kilos (about 11.7 pounds) now so it wont be long before he is literally twice the baby we brought home from hospital.

I'm knitting another Milo. The lovely grey one is a little bit like trying to put him in sausage casing now.

xxx

a bag for the big boy

We started out with a shiny polyester satin camouflage print.We ended up with linen. Close call.

I rather suspect that he chose this because he knew I would like it but I also know for sure that he likes it so thats ok. I never thought he would want the spots on the outside though.

This boy of mine is very opinionated. He even chose the top stitch thread.

Then he inisited that it be big enough for his Macbook Air.

He doesnt have a Macbook Air.

He says its a matter of time and given that he will have the bag for, like, ever it needs to fit.

We compromised and made it to fit his Tintin book collection. I suspect that he will like Tintin for, like, ever too. Win.

He then had me make the straps too long so that when he is fully grown I can lengthen them. Yup.