I recently discovered an area of handmade stuff that is so addictive; the making of softies.

There is something about wool felt used in softies that make it so tempting to touch. Softies are endearing in a way that they are imperfect with their wonky looking eyes or noses and features slightly off center. Plus they are a fabulous way for me to use some of my stash of fabrics.

Here's Little Red, for Pauline's little one, Joyce

This is pajama-wearing Brian, whose name has been given by Kyle.

Kyle wants a cat girl friend for him, he has even specified that she has to have yellow fur and wears a pink dress.

Meet Charlotte, the feline which tries to look a little more sophisticated.

It was my first attempt making a dress for a softie and I realised that I still need lots of practice.

Oh…you must see her shoes. The lace is from my mom's collection of vintage laces, hoarding fabrics apparently is in the genes.

More handmades done these last two weeks…

An embroideried wrislet for my MIL for her birthday

A big hat lady on a simple wristlet.

Was supposed to continue my Asian dollies project, but I realised I get easily bored with bigger projects. I like my hand-mades in bite-sizes like these, as I don't need to wait too long to see the finished product…so no quilts ever for me for sure.

Related posts:

1. Kyle's World – "I don't want to share".

Learning how to share is a socio-emotional development that Kyle seems to be lagging in. I suppose it is a challenge for an only-child, especially when he does not need to share his toys most of the time at home. 

This afternoon we had a conversation about sharing in school. It started with him telling me that he and his friend were the only two that cried in class today, as he got scolded by his teacher for snatching a toy from the latter. I reminded him that it was wrong to snatch from his friend and he had to share. And that the reality of life is that we don't always get what we want all the time, even when we ask nicely.

He still insisted for a while that "I don't want to share." I had to explain to him all about social norms and how one has to share to be a friend and to play with friends. Later he admitted to me that he didn't know how to share, and found sharing hard to do. We said a prayer together and ask God to help him to share with his friends and learn to be a kind and giving friend.

With time, I am sure sharing will get easier for him.

Homework, for the first time from school.

Dh was shocked to hear that Kyle has brought homework back from school. I wasn't surprised. Even for a school that learns through play, the principal probably felt that it was time to start introducing the concept of homework at Nursery. He needs to start somewhere, I guess.

2. My World

2010 was really a year that I focused alot on Kyle's home-learning and his development. Reviewing through the year, I realised that the closest thing that I did for myself was start up myplayschool.net with Pauline, sharing our knowledge and passion about home-learning with other moms. However, the nature of it is still rather Kyle focused, in the sense that it afterall revolved around what I was doing with him at home. Caught in the busy-ness of planning home-learning activities, I had little time to think about what else I wanted to do. I dabbled a little in photography, but really had no time to be out exploring other subjects apart from the boy.

Being 'kid-focused' is surely the role of every SAHM, but it does get a tad bit unhealthy when the mind is only occupied with 'what to teach, learn and activities to plan.' Besides true domestication happens only when the SAHM's obsession moves beyond the child and goes into either whipping up wondrous meals for the family (which I have yet to achieve), or being able to use the hand-made craft to beautify the house (I am on the way!).

Until I discovered the craft of sewing in end November. It started out with my fascination with felt, making felties for Christmas gifts and using felt for appliques. I realised that I could really enjoy doing this long term. I went on to explore embroidery, then got myself a sewing machine as I figured I needed a proper canvas for my appliques and embroidery. These 'canvases' came in a form of linen, my love for printed fabric, which were then put together to form wristlets, clutches and totes. Plus it helped that I had a sewing mentor, Pauline, who generously shared tips and tricks with me. So my learning curve wasn't too steep

From wool felt;

To an eclcetic mix of 60’s-70’s-inspired, modern conversationals and kitschy, whimsical woodland features, animals; owls, birds, deers, foxes, bunnies, monkeys, cats. I tried to group them in colours, but since there seem to be quite a variation in the styles and their shades, so this was my best attempt.

In greens and teals,

In beige. citrus, yellow and browns,

In blues,

In reds and pinks;

In blacks and greys…

I tend to get a little 'gollum-like' with my fabrics. I can't bear to use some of my favorites ones and taking them every once in a while to admire them, so I have plans for more use of fabrics around the house. Starting with the table cloth, table liner, and a couple of sofa cushions. Sewing has been a really enjoyable hobby so far and there is so much I want to do. Pity I only have a pair of hands and limited time

Note : If you are one of those moms who are focused on nothing else except your child's development and intellectual development, go and get a hobby! Be it cooking, baking, drawing, photography, shopping, sewing, whatever. Your life will be more varied and u will not be overly obsessed over your child's development or his/her well-being. And if you write a blog, do give yourself and your readers more topics of interest to read about, apart from what your child has done, can do or what u plan to do with your child. Being a parent really shouldn't make you lose your individuality or not have time to pursue your passions.

Related posts:

One small section of a felt/embroidery project that I have recently started, that took an abrupt hiatus when I was feeling groggy from fever these 3 days. Another 4 more parts to complete before this project can be wrapped up…and I have like 5-8 others that I have lined up to do next.

Realised that crafting bigger projects like this, is excellent to build up my perserverance, which I have little of.  Maybe I should take on more bite sized projects?  Regardless, this will be eventually completed, just have to focus my distractions (with the other projects) with whatever pockets of time I have when the boy takes his naps.

Related posts: