London Market - Old Spitalfield

Lately I've been visiting some of London's wonderful markets. The vibe at each market are so different, and certainly more intriguing than the usual high street chaos. Last weekend my husband wanted to stay home, celebrating the World Cup, so Mia and I took the opportunity to go out exploring on our own. On Saturday we went to Portobello Market with my friend Nurul while her husband, my husband and Adam went to another friend's house to watch football together. Portobello Market was awesome, a lot of vintage fabric and haberdashery this time and I got some great wooden toys for Adam...no photos of Portobello though. The next day I went with Mia to another market - Old Spitalfield.

It's a covered market, so great for rainy days. Yesterday we had sunny weather though..

This market is full of handmade items! it was so inspiring...most sellers won't allow any photography though, some of their patterns are copyrighted. This particular lady however was really friendly and let me make her photo with her creations. aren't those skirts/dresses beautiful?

you see that pebble-looking face? the stall owner makes them herself using paper? fuh..taktau camne..she makes the pebbles, then draw faces on them, then make the applique, then stick the pebble on pins so it can be pinned on the applique. cute!

This guy was selling old album..with old photos in them! kinda weird but i thought it was interesting..

I liked this old typewriter..i was day-dreaming how nice it would be if i can buy this then me and Adam can type on this, maybe make up stories or write love letters to Daddy :) tapi it's a bit expensive so tak jadilah...

a stall selling hand knitted baby clothes...that old lady was sitting there knitting more stuff..

i love london markets..sigh..who wants to come with me next week?hehe..

About being creative

Do you remember this post? Ummi Saeed was right on point with her comment. I was reading this amazing mama's blog. After some reflection, I decided that instead of feeling intimidated and avoiding her inspiring blog, I should make use of that inspiration and actually do something about it.

I bought her book, the Creative Family. This book is great! Full of great ideas on creative activities with children. The ideas are simple, and could easily be implemented in our own house. I wish there were more photos though, photos could be so inspiring without much words. I mean, look at that front page photo, I am totally making those yummy linen pants for my kids!

I've scanned through the book whenever I get the chance and I've decided to start with the part about making art with children.

We don't normally draw in our house. We live in a rented house with rented furnitures and we're afraid to get it dirty. So usually Adam's drawing and painting are limited to when we're at the children centres.

But not anymore. I'm making a change. I bought some wonderful non-toxic, natural, environmental friendly art supplies recently. According to the book, when drawing and making art with children, use the good stuff. Choose few high-quality materials instead of a lot of cheap materials that will soon break. I struggled with this idea since the good stuff cost a lot and there are a lot cheaper options. But I proceeded anyway with some of the art supplies that the author suggested. I am so glad I did because these tools work! The colours are vivid and the resulting artwork is beautiful..in the process I also realised that the children centres actually use the high quality, more expensive tools too! bagus betul government diorg ni sponsor...

Adam was thrilled! He went to work right away...I love watching him concentrate..

I also sat and worked next to him. I don't think I'm very talented, drawing-wise...but I'm taking hints from the book..just sit and let it flow. Adam will watch and learn and we can both be inspired by each other. After some time he came and sat on my lap and tried to draw on my paper.

Me: Adam, I'm drawing this. Why don't you go and draw on your drawing book there?

Adam: No Mommy, Mommy ajar Adam...

OMG.....silly mommy... of course!

trylah jugak nak ajar Adam...hehe..though i think he's probably more creative than i am..children are inherently creative. There's a lot we can learn from them. I feel so privileged to be able to relive childhood through my children's eyes..

Of course as a hardcore train-lover, anything can be turned into trains..literally.

It's just a small change, but it's a step forward. We have a lot more to learn. I need to learn to let go of my need to control for example thinking about the mess i have to clean up etc, and focus on just enjoying the moment and being creative with my child. Adam needs to learn to respect the tools and not try to destroy them. I'm planning a Family Drawing Time soon and to make it a regular session that everybody in the family can enjoy. My husband is actually a very talented artist, though he hasn't drawn in a while- he once drew a full sized portrait of me and it was beautiful. I think Adam can learn from him. And we can learn from Adam and his overflowing creativity.

I realised that if I can fit a little bit of creating in my my daily life, i can feel myself becoming calmer, more centred, less easily upset, more in tune with my children and just overall more happy. So now I'm making a point to make time for creating...I've taken out my knitting again (I stopped after giving birth to Mia), I'm sewing more, and now i'm even drawing! And it feels good...Also, in this beautiful summer weather, I'm also consciously making a point to enjoy the beauty of nature..it feels good..alhamdulillah...

Sewing season is back!

Finally! I'm getting back in the groove now and it feels good! The sun is shining...summer sewing is here and I've got to thank Adam for it :) I think he's finally at the age where he can almost participate in the sewing. He still tries to climb all over the machine, run over the needles, grab the scissors, stain all the fabric etc...but at least now he listens when I tell him - 'No Adam, instead of climbing on the machine why don't you sit next to me and help me push this back button while i'm sewing?' Or ' No, not the big scissors, take this small one and you can have these fabric scraps to cut with'. (of course he calls scissors SNAKE for reasons i can't yet comprehend but that's beside the point). Now i can sew while Mia is having her morning naps..Hopefully soon I can let Adam learn how to sew for himself too...

Anyway, here are the recent results of my sewing sessions;

Another wardrobe makeover for Mia - The top was her long sleeve onesie that doesn't fit anymore..pretty soon a lot of her onesies are not gonna fit anymore..these dresses are soo easy to make and takes very little time..does anybody want a tutorial? But it's way too easy, you probably don't need one to whip this up..

Here's an action shot of the little princess..she's now happily rolling all over the house by herself. We love watching her!

and another one cos she's too precious ;)

An apron I made for a friend. She doesn't read this blog, i don't think so, so this shouldn't spoil her surprise. She's my very good friend here..she loves cooking..even when she comes visit she'll bring us lunch. During my husband's birthday, I went to her house to bake my husband a birthday cake..she taught me how and let me use her fancy baking equipments..I hope she likes this apron..

more sewing projects coming (hopefully) and also there's another crafty family project that i'm very excited about coming into place in this house...well, not a big deal or anything but i'm really excited about it. I'll update tomorrow...

Adam..Adam...

Adam this morning...

He woke up early...i don't know, maybe 6 ish...my husband took him out to the living room, while I slept with Mia..Then he came creeping back in bed with me. My husband had fallen back to sleep on the couch. Adam tossed and turned next to me. Couldn't really sleep. 'Mommy selimut?' 'Mommy selimut lagi?'. After some time..

Adam: Mommy, poop?

Me: Adam poop? Nak tukar pampers?

Adam: Ha...jom..

And I got out of bed. Went to the bathroom. I'm a sucker for everytime he asked me to change his diaper because he VERY RARELY is willing to have his diaper changed.

Me: jom Adam

Adam: No, ni nak main...

Me: ??? *pulak daaaah budak ni...*

I went to make a cup of coffee. A toast. Checked my mails. Then he came to me, probably bored playing by himself.

Adam: Mommy, nak kung

Me: Hmm..tanaklah...tadi Adam cakap ngan Mommy nak tukar pampers kan? Lepas tu tanak pulak?

Adam: Ha'ah *nodding* Ok2..Sorry? *looking really sorry*

Oh be still my beating heart. I love that boy.

Tutorial: Nursing Top - wardrobe refashion

When you're a nursing mom, every time you shop for clothes you've always got to think about whether you can breastfeed in any clothes you buy. You probably have to reorganise your existing clothes too, put away all the other tops that are hard to nurse in. Whenever i say to my husband ' bang, i like this top a lot..but..i can't breastfeed in it!' He always replies ' It's ok, you can alter it later. Turn it into a nursing top'. And i'll roll my eyes..mcmla his wife so clever boleh tukar semua top jadi nursing top...but deep down i also take it as a challenge...nursing tops are expensive! it would be great if i can alter my existing wardrobe...

So this is my first attempt..i'll share it here because it's so easy i bet anyone can do it too..

Start with a couple of t shirts of the same or coordinating colours. Dig into your old clothes. Or you can get these cheap anywhere. This project work best if you use cotton knit shirts. These shirts I used were actually one of mine and one of my sister's that i accidentally brought to london because they are identical. (sorry Acah, klong gunting baju Acah! hehehe....)

Cut the extra shirt into strips of 3.5inch width (If you're not making a nursing top you can use narrower strips). I have 3 strips here but I actually cut 4 (the fourth not in photo).

Cut away one of the seams and open up the strips.

Gather your strips. To gather, use a long stitch on your machine and pull one of the threads.

Pin you first ruffle around the neckline.

Sew the ruffle on. The great thing about working with knit (t-shirt fabric) is that knit doesn't fray. So you don't need to hem, or finish the raw edges of your fabric. Put the shirt on and mark two horizontal lines where your breasts are. You probably have to enlarge the photo to see my lines there.

Pin your second ruffle on and sew.

Continue with the third ruffle. Cut the horizontal line that you marked earlier (remember knit doesn't fray but you can sew zigzag around the 'hole' if you like). I didn't and it's holding up great. I also added a fourth ruffle underneath but didn't have any photo of that.

Here's the result;

Very feminine, girly nursing top that is very easy to nurse in discreetly. You can make this pretty top even if you're not nursing. Try it!

Yum yum!

Enough moaning about my parenting skills (or lack thereof). I'm moving on to happier things. Last night, 2 special guests came to our house. I don't have their photos yet...but look at the goodies they brought for us...

Cute little Japanese camera for Adam..

Cute little kimono pyjama for Mia...

Gorgeous authentic Japanese fabric for me!!!!!! waaaa nak nangis!!!

and more fabric for mommy!!!

and more yummilicious fabric for me!!!

did you think that was all?

nooo there's more! OMG.....i have never been given (or bought for myself) so much of fabric in one go. Thank you so much Yumyum.....you have no idea how much this means to me....i want to roll around in these fabrics all day...they are so beautiful!! thank you thank you thank you!!!

it was the first time i met Yumyum and her lovely daughter Ayra, so I held back a little and didn't jump up and down like a maniac when she gave me these fabrics but rest assured, i wanted to ;) arigato!! They're staying in Japan now and little Ayra dah nampak mcm anak jepun pun...cute sgt!

they're staying here for a few more days...photos to come...

I'm having a parenting block today...

I want to be a wonderful mother. I want to be a mother that my children can love and respect. I want to be gentle and treat them with respect too. I want to be selfless and giving. I want to raise creative, thoughtful, kind, well rounded children. I want to be as natural and nurturing with them as I can be. I want to cloth diaper, breastfeed and wear my children. I want to make handmade clothes for them and cook wholesome home made food. I want to tend to my children whenever they need me, and not fall into the common trap of 'leaving them to cry'. I want to discipline them without having to yell and force. I want to homeschool my children and teach them about life. I want to snuggle and kiss them and enjoy every precious moment with them. I want to keep a beautiful, clean and cozy home, full of handmade items that my family will be comfortable in and one that they will treasure for life. I want to enjoy the outdoors with them and teach them about the wonders of God's creations.

I want to be the mother that they deserve.

But instead...

I am not always gentle with them. I can lose my temper in an instant. Sometimes I get frustrated and cry or yell. Sometimes I'm selfish too. I get tired and let my husband take over. I let them watch tv. I stopped cloth diapering Adam a long time ago and only started cloth diapering Mia a week ago. I don't really enjoy cooking, especially with Adam climbing all over me and trying to grab the knife out of my hand. Sometimes I have to leave Mia by herself crying while I tend to Adam. Sometimes she fall asleep while crying and although I feel some relief, I also feel like I want to cry because I feel so sorry for her. Sometimes I have no idea how to discipline Adam. I also have no clue how to homeschool. Sometimes my home looks like chicken coop, and I just don't have the time nor the energy to clean let alone sew handmade things. I find it hard to handle the two of them outdoors by myself.

I am not (yet) the mother that they deserve.

Sometimes as I watch them sleep, I feel regret...I apologise to their soft angelic faces...but i don't think that is enough. I need to change before it is too late. Please someone show me how.