As soon as I started to make another decorative journal (trying to get make some bits and pieces for my Etsy shop) with some of the recently acquired lace and buttons,

I heard the familiar shout. Silence. Another shout. Silence. Waiting to be “rescued”- there is always a stampede when he wakes; a very warm, fuzzy baby is a rare delicacy indeed

(This cardigan is on loan; made by Ann, with truly vintage buttons: they were buttons from Pats’ cardigan (Pat-the-Bat-man) when he was a baby. Like all handknits, it is warm, practical, and wears so well)

We spend a lot of time looking out waiting for a dry spell to wrap baby up in the sling and go for a walk arond the garden.

Today we got a lovely hour of looking at the hens and delighting in the signs of new growth in the garden: our first raspberry leaves in the polytunnel, and the willows, beautiful in their vibrant bare-leaved yellows, reds, purples and oranges are showing signs of tiny buds.

That makes me so happy (I’m easily pleased!)

Our church has some beautiful Harry Clarke Stained glass windows- this photo really doesn’t do it justice. I think, to be accurate, this came from the Harry Clarke Studios, rather than made solely by Harry Clarke himself  (But we do have one of those in another church locally) I love Harry Clarkes work- I saw them first, years ago, in the Hugh Lane Gallery with my future husband by my side The colour is extraordinary, and the detail!! There is a fantastic book “Strangest Genius” which is the most comprehensive collection of his work and life.

The food, or should I say: just the desserts… (one of my sisters made the cupcakes, and my mother the apple tarts):

The sponge cake was the “Fat-less” sponge, filled with peaches and cream, the chocolate cake was “the Perfect Chocolate Cake” decorated with chocolate fingers,

I also made an ice bowl- I have wanted to make one of these since I was twelve, after reading Darina Allens “Simple Delicious” book. I completely forgot about it though, and had to resusitate it after it practically melted into the table (ooops!!!!!)

And then there was the chocolate biscuit cake…

Ohhhh. The chocolate biscuit cake. I’ll have to make another very soon to make sure it was as scrumptous as I thought…

Our cutie, late, very, very late that night, still bright eyed and bouncing. His mother, I can assure you, was not bright eyed and bouncing though…

On other matters;

I am in the process of making a Painting Blog, where I can indulge my abstract thinking, post photos of paintings and discuss such related things (I might even torture you with a poem or two) (I’ll do my best to make sure it is angst-filled)

I’ll keep the crochet, food and kiddies over here (Whew, I hear you gasp)

At last. I have finished the Baptismal shawl (for Sunday!!)

Whatever inspired me to decide to use 4ply cotton? Never again!!!

Even more pertinent: what the heck inspired me to crochet the shawl “in the round”?!

By the time I was thoroughly mentally finished crocheting it, it was just too small to use as a shawl to wrap around Baby, so some lateral thinking was needed. Fast.

I folded down one edge (using a measurement from one of his cardigans) to create a collar effect:

(I folded less than this once measured)

Then chose some small mother of pearl buttons to sew around the collar edge, and a vintage button at the neck:

The older brothers were not impressed with my central button choice, deeming it a “bit blingy”

(how shocking!! -I am possibly the least “blingy” person I know!!  )

(seriously)

But once all sewn together, it looked fine, and so we decided on a dress rehearsal:

Unfortunately, our little Bubble of Cuteness just loves to JUMP, and so four hundred photos (or so) later:

Quick jump break…

(Our little Chewy… one tooth has come through and fingers- any fingers in close proximity, his or ours- are chewed on. Oh, the razor sharp edge of baby teeth!!)

I dont have any photos of the pile of books I’m reading (concurrently, of course) hopefully I’ll be more organised next time. For now, I am unbelieveably relieved to have the shawl finished. Just a few more rounds for his cap (no doubt will be done Saturday night in my usual way  )

Today started off on a good note with a hearty breakfast of porridge, followed by a pot of tea (the teapot, incidently, was a present from me to Fergal, (but really from me to me!!); it is enamel and not only gives me delight to look at it, pours beautifully too! I’m so looking forward to picnic-ing with it)

Paper, paper everywhere… (as usual)

My middle boy, (who tends towards the cute side) was telling me how he would just love a hot scone with jam. 

So how could I resist such a plea? (don’t they look “perfect”? And tasted rather good too!!)

James’ baptism is next weekend- I’m crocheting a quick little cap; and the shawl: I’m keeping that to have something for Ginnys Yarn Along on Wednesday. I had to deviate somewhat from the plan (was there a plan? Really?) 

These little fellows are flitting to and from our window all day…

Our smallest cutie spends his changing time transfixed by the movement a few feet away:

(all paintings by Rita Maria)

I LOVE her abstract paintings- don’t you? Vibrant, luscious, and inspirational. 

I love them so much I bought myself a print (above, on windowsill) which arrived today- HURRAY!!! It’s gorgeous, the print quality is beautiful, and I cannot wait to get it framed and on the wall. This is going to be my mascot towards unlimited artistic freedom (and possible madness. Although someone around here remarked recently that that milestone has already been achieved)

As I paint, I’m pushing my own boundaries as to what I “can” and “can’t” do (it’s extraordinary how your head can make you pause indefinitely, making you believe that something like sloshing paint is something you can’t do), and, even though I start off with extraordinary energy and excitement, halfway through, I feel as though I have cycled almost to the summit of a hill and whilst pedalling furiously I am slipping backwards down that same darn hill. The struggle, therefore, is to keep going onwards and up!! Not a particularly easy task. In fact, it is frankly terrifying. But good and energising and fills me with horror and delight at the same time

And so I am experimenting: I’m using mixed media (goauche, watercolour, inks, acrylic) on Fabriano rather than oil on canvas (sometimes things out of your control can be a great thing: I usually have baby in the room or relatively near my while I paint so I don’t want any fumes from the process) The whole struggle not to paint in oils has been hideous and has caused sleepless nights (I know. Sad) (Maybe not as sad as dreaming of lichens every night for a week. Thats Very Sad) but painting in unfamiliar territory is teaching me more and will, I know, feed future oil paintings in great ways. And I’m starting to get the hang of these other mediums- wow, the freedom is extraordinary!!- and I just have to take a great big leap into the unknown. (I’m sure there is a fantastic quote that I could put in here to finish on a more succinct note, but no, couldn’t find any- a little difficult when a cute, bald baby is bashing a singing Cookie Monster toy on my knee!!)

(When I get my camera back- I have had to borrow one, and can’t use it properly- I’ll take decent photos- have a few more paintings on the go too!!)