Get your skates on!

Does anybody else remember these?

The skates that strap on to your shoes, they're adjustable in size?
I remember them so clearly. Cumbersome and awkward. We would skate around under our house for hours.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the way kids grow up today, compared to when we, their parents did.
We had just a few toys, if we were lucky.
Our kids have everything. Way too many toys.
Too much of EVERYTHING.

As a kid all of my clothing and shoes were second-hand or hand-me-downs.
My children have loads of second-hand clothes, but they have new clothes too.

As a kid, I was allowed to just be a kid.
I wish the same for my own children.

I want them to play and dream and be happy, without exposure to adult concepts, thoughts and worries, for as long as they possibly can. You would think that every parent would want this. But sometimes it seems that it's not much of a priority for some people.

Even looking through store catalogues sometimes, I get annoyed.
I see childrens clothing. But it's not. It's mini versions of adults clothing.
Why do people want their kids to dress like little adults?
I don't understand.
I love vintage childrens clothing because it could never be mistaken for something that might belong to a petite adult. 'Back then' there was clear definition between childrens clothing and adults clothing. Now, not so much.

Anyway, I'm rambling and I could go for hours with no direction, waffling on, and reaching no real conclusion.

Cut the waffle.

I found two pairs of these skates in the op-shop today and it made my soul happy.
Didn't know if my kids would feel the same but you know what? They do. They were so excited when I showed them to them, and had a blast mucking around when they got them on.

Score one for me in my battle to see kids being kids.

A Simple Scarf - from old sheets

This is the easiest thing in the world to make, but still, it's cute, I think. I have oodles and oodles of old sheets in my fabric stash, this did not even make a dent on it.

 Just grab a few different prints, cut out some squares and sew them together. This is backed with a piece of flannel sheet, a very well worn flannel sheet which makes it so super soft and snuggly.

That's it. It's simple and adds a bit of cute to your day.

 It's not exactly scarf wearing weather here yet, so I was sweltering a little taking these pictures.

 It will be perfect for autumn.

I have another one cut out and ready to sew up, I want to add a teeny little pocket to the end of it, just big enough to pop in a sprig of lavender so I can squish it up and enjoy the smell of lavender all day long.

Japanese Craft Books

Like so many others I am a serious lover of Japanese Crafting books. I first became aware of their existence 5 or 6 years ago and I've been smitten ever since. Simple things, beautifully made.

 Presented in the flawless, simplistic style that Japanese crafters seem to have running through their veins. I treated myself to a few books at the end of last year and I don't think I will tire of looking at them for a long time to come.

 The way they showcase each piece just makes my heart go pitter patter (and the models are adorable too).

Look at these two, they are sweet enough to eat.

 And this!!

 I desperately want to make this cape and have been working on one for the last week or so, it is frustrating me no end. If you are not familiar with Japanese Crafting books, the instructions are entirely in Japanese (imagine! how strange?) and I do not read Japanese.

 Just can't figure out how to attatch the hood to the cape, the pattern seems an odd shape. But I'm still working on it. Haven't given up. Yet.

 I love yo-yo's (or Suffolk Puffs as my mum calls them), and would love to make one of the necklaces. So cute.

So much cuteness. I want to make all of them.

Please wait here.

Please wait. I'll be back soon.