Keeping the sewing machine ticking over

I always find that I am constantly trying to get a perfect balance of lots of things and whilst I am nearly always succeeding at some of these things I am nearly always failing at something else. 

These things being:

- doing meaningful, stimulating and educational activities with the kids,

-keeping on top of the housework,

-spending time on my faith,

-feeding the family with nutrional, home cooked unprocessed foods,

-being and kind and attentive wife,

-doing enough exercise, 

-doing things for myself to make me happy and fulfilled. 

Of course there are a million other things that could go on this list and some are important than others but I do sound a little like a 1950's housewife. 

Especially considering I have myself a sticker chart for housework (I honestly kid you not...) 

This week i have managed to take the children out lots, and have done lots of sewing and score half points on most other things. 

I have made some things I can't show you yet but am particularly proud of yesterday's achievement. I managed to source some jersey material cheaply on the Internet (though it took a while to arrive from Germany) and yesterday I managed to make my own pattern for Nemo and Pebble leggings by looking at a pair of leggings they already had. 

(Pebble's pair were my first so they are a bit wonky!)

Nemo not wanting to model them. They aren't as tight as they look here but I still make make the next pair a little bigger for future growth. Shortly after this photo was taken he weed in them....I love potty training....

Definately made room for growth in Pebble's! She has been in a much better mood for modelling today!

The weather has been glorious here in Northumberland and we have been going for nice long walks. We've been visiting Ross Sands quite a bit but have been shocked to find up to 20 cars parked. It's usually very quiet as you have about 1 mile walk to get to the beach so you will always find it deserted but this years appears to have been discovered :( 

Nemo and Pebble love the sea so much it's crazy. Pebble will just walk straight into the sea up to her tummy without even seeming to notice the temperature. Nemo loves running in and out chasing the waves. 

Nemos potty training seems to be stalling a bit, he's struggling with number 2's and at times he's reluctant to go to the potty even though we know he needs to go. I rang up the health visitor who seemed very sensible and practical p for some tips. Of course she's on annual leave so I ended up talking to another lady who told us to (and I quote) "bin it" to go back to pull ups/ nappies and try again in 3 months. 

I really do wonder sometimes why I bother asking for advice sometimes, we've been doing this almost a month and have made a lot of progress I really think it would confuse Nemo putting him back in nappies now. 

This morning I received a very exciting package, this is my material my Mum kindly sourced for me for my apron. 

My mum has made one and the idea is that you make the apron and then use embroidery to make it all pretty. (The plain fabric goes on the outside the pretty one is the lining.)

This will make me even more housewifey then before-eek I'm only 27! It will also mean some more evenings sewing!

Luckily with the luxury of having a craft room (which my husband calls a study...) I can do some sewing whilst my hubby works on his laptop or plays on his Xbox. This actually means we've been spending some lovely time together chatting away in here 

Well I'm off now but just in case you didn't believe me here is my sticker chart (it's my third I've been doing this 3-4 months now!)