Introducing: monday mamalogues.

 I've been tossing this idea around my head for the past while now.

Wondering if I should run with it.. or from it.

So I'll just blurt it out and see what happens:

I'dlovetohostalinkupforotherbloggermamastosharetheirhearthere.

Sorry: "I would love to host a link-up for other blogger mamas to share their hearts here".

Here's what I know: there's a gazillion blogs out there hosting link-ups... with just as many mamas taking part.  I'm not pretending to be anything unique here.

Here's what I hope: that this lil' nest could collect a diverse tapestry of stories and images about motherhood to encourage each other with.

Here's what I fear: that I won't stay committed to every monday(!), or that the very theme itself will ostracize those who aren't mamas.
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But, for better or worse, let's just give it a go.

So here's where you come in...

Starting next Monday...(as long as I master the technical jargon of 'linking tools') I will be starting this series called: Monday Mamalogues.

Sharing simple stories, silly moments, profound ponderings, crazy confessions... or just a photo that represents this wild world of Motherhood.

So whether you're a crunchy mama or a militant mama.... or somewhere in between, 

I'd love for you to join me here!

Because really, what mama out there doesn't love a chance to gush, groan or giggle about their children?

Hope to see all you lovelies linking up here next week... otherwise you'll be stuck just reading my lil' old input monday after monday. ha!

 (P.S... this is the link-up button I'll have set up by next week too!)

mama Mel ;o)

SHOP the nest: wooden pendant earrings.

 It's that time again, another dose of handmade goodness is going into the SHOP.

A celebration of those elements I adore: turquoise, wood, and doilies!

This week it's some of the earrings I've created:

 These beauties feature a turquoise pendant dangling atop a lightweight natural wooden disc. (approx.1.5" diameter).

$20 PayPal.

(FREE shipping!)

These delicate darlings feature a tiny white crocheted doily/snowflake atop the wooden disc.

$20 PayPal

(FREE shipping!) 

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**The $10 doily earrings (larger) are still available in the shop as well**

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So, if you want to start celebrating the weekend with a new purchase for your dainty earlobes... just give me a shout:

needleandnestdesign[at]live.com

Have a beauty weekend, friends!

Mel ;o)

those boys...

 Don't mind me, friends... I just have to gush about my guys a bit (more) today!

 That boy on the right?  Well, I'm wrapped completely around his pudgy finger.

That man on the left?  Well, he's sweetly wrapped around mine! har-har!

But seriously, I'm one lucky lass to have these two guys in my life.

They are both sources of such.deep.delight.

I can't get enough of them.

Lately, we've been spoiled to have Ben home more often.

Not that this helps our finances... but our time spent together as a family is rich.

I seriously love that man.

If you know him, you know why.. he's just that guy.

That guy who's too humble to endure me gushing on about him here...

And omygooodyness... our lil' hunk o' Hudson.

If you know him, you know he's an absolute heart-melting delight!

He's mastered the flirty eyes with everyone now.. (the sideways look and adorable grin).

He's a mini-Santa I guess... jolly, chubby and rosy-cheeked.

(Side-note: look at the crazy cranium eh?  His skull is like a cinder block!  If we train him to sit really still he'd make a great coffee table...).

But I'm his mama, I'm allowed to say that.  Because I love him to bits!

Granted, if anyone else ever teases my boy.. I'll knock their 'block' off.  Ha.

All this to say,

I thank God for such wonderful guys as these.

They are my favourites.

Who's the special dude(s) in your world?

Mel ;o)

here + there.

darlin' dinosaur

chicken eggs + cat eyes

lil' red

beauty breakfast

cosy nook

bed o' books

peek-a-mew

sparkling view

Another week, another peek... into the moments that filled our nest.

Happy mid-week everyone!

Mel ;o)

a week in my closet...

 Well hey there, lovelies!

So here's a weird thing.  I attempted to document what a 'week-in-my-closet' looked like.

Turns out I got bored/distracted/apathetic about the idea after only four outfits.

The days that I did remember to shoot a couple poses may give you a better glimpse into my sense of 'style' (ha, now I'm laughing...)! 

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Day 1: feeling fancy.

If my hair's down... it means I've showered.

Throw a lace collar on with a cozy owl sweater - a re-fashioned polka dot dress - and cable knit tights.

This was my 'lets go shop for art supplies' outfit.

 Day 2: feeling funky

Hair up in a messy bun.

A big bold scarf... my crazy homemade vest with a belt, a shirt with hip-zips... and some cardinal red skinny jeans.

This was my 'time to go to Church' outfit.

 Day 3: feeling 'fatigues'

I've said before that I would join a boot-camp just for their wardrobe.

If it's army green.. I'll wear it.

A vintage scarf, light loose cardigan, army shirt, khaki zippered skinnies and some favourite wrist cuffs make this my go-to-style.

This is my 'stay at home mama' outfit... (you know, when I'm not in sweat pants and barefoot in the kitchen).

Day 4: feeling friendly

This is how I dress if the possibility of social interaction presents itself... (i.e: I may escape the house!).  Hair down, another vintage scarf, my leopard print wrist warmers, purple cardigan over a plum dress/shirt and my gold corduroys.

This is my 'ready to go' outfit.

Oh yes, and I really was talking on the phone... bet you didn't think I could multi-task!

I can also chew gum and walk at the same time, folks.

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Hey look at this - a bonus shot:

Turns out I managed to take 5 shots this past week.

This is my essence-of-Mel shot:

I'm a bit frilly (handmade lace infinity scarf)

a bit frumpy (old man sweater with added elbow pads)

a teensy bit girly (coral tights)

a touch grungy (ripped jeans c/o my ben's closet).

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What I realised in doing this post: 

I'm always wearing a scarf.

I have an eclectic style.

Most of my outfits include something I've made/re-fashioned. 

Also, I feel 80% dork, 20% vain and 20% vapid posing for these shots.

That's 120% premium awkwardness right there.

Let's all breath a collective sigh of relief that this is NOT a fashion blog.

Don't get me wrong.. I love seeing what other bloggers wear... but I think the only time I'll be doing loads of posing around here is just to show what upcycles I've been creating! 

the frumpy funky fashionista...

Mel ;o)

pondering: the present.

Sometimes wisdom peeks out of unexpected places.

Did you know I did Kung-Fu?

No, no.. not the real stuff... but the made-up moves with my daughter and I.

We call it Kung-Fu Panda, and it's awesome.

But I digress, if you've seen the movie you may recall a beautiful quote:

"Yesterday is history,

tomorrow is a mystery,

today is all we have... that's why it's called the present".

See, sometimes I'm guilty of nostalgic hindsight... thinking 'if only things were like they used to be...".

Sometimes I'm guilty of distant dreaming... thinking 'if only things were over with now.. and we were a year/two ahead'.

A lot of these thoughts can be chalked up to raising toddlers currently.

Mainly, the dream of what it used to feel like to get a full nights sleep!

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What is it about human nature, that we struggle so much with being content in the present?

Why do we only appreciate things when they're taken away?

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Some days, when I'm feeling a bit sunk in an exhausted heap.. it's hard to see the present as a 'gift'.  Something larger than me needs to bring perspective.

Grief is large.

Families in Newton.

Gratitude is large.

Poverty.

Suddenly my discontent is exposed as complete rubbish.

So what if the kids sleeplessness makes us all cranky... we at least have them to hold tightly another day.

So what if the banking account is like a moth convention... we're still so rich compared to most of the world.

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Remember how I wrote my 16yr old self a letter?

Well, sometimes the 'future-me' wants to write this present mama a letter.

Saying: 'today is a GIFT.

Stop complaining and commit to gratitude.

Hold those lil' dears closely... tantrums, tears and all.

Love more, worry less.

God has this.'

 ...

Holding this one precious and wild life,

like a sparrow in my hand,

Mel ;o)

 

D.I.Y: fabric scraps infinity scarf

 Here's a scrap-happy easy sewing project for all you lovelies.

If you're looking for a funky way to upcycle all those strips of leftover fabric you may have... here's an idea:

A fabric scraps infinity scarf.

 Maybe I'm just too Scottish... or a hoarder... but I tend to stash my fabric remnants in a bin after every sewing project.  Considering that half the pile are ridiculously miniscule shards of cloth.. it's no surprise they just sit there unused.

Until today.

 This is messy, fast, carefree sewing friends.

Simply grab strips of random fabrics and twist them to contain the fraying edges (you can wrap smaller 'accent' pieces around them too) and feed it through your machine.

I used a 2 degree zig-zag line.

Just keep twisting new strips into the preceding pieces as you go.

The longer you make your scrap scarf the more layers you'll have in the final product.

Mine was almost 10' in length!  Then, I sewed both ends together to make a large 'infinity' loop.  In less than twenty minutes.. a new funky scarf/fabric necklace is created!

I really like its messy, fraying, eclectic vibe.

You could use this approach for creating fun wrist 'bangles' or hair bands too.

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(But, if you prefer a more clean-edged version of stacked-fabric scarves.. you may recall this past d.i.y project).

*And, if you want to do a no-sew option.. just cut various t-shirt strips and knot them together.*

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Scrappily happily yours,

Mel ;o)