little details to answer your questions...

... for those inquiring - the bird silhouette pictures from previous post are here (for the bird and branches picture) and unfortunately I cannot find where I found the single bird (this site has one very similar) though there are thousands and thousands of bird images - if you simple look on Google images - advance image search, and type in 'bird silhouette .

I put the image into the paint program and enlarged it. I also changed the picture a little as I went (avoiding direct plagiarism) - making edges slightly rounder, etc. to make it easier to cut out. You could also have image enlarged at photocopy shop.

Birds silhouettes cut out of various bright papers also look great - if you wanted a picture to put inside a frame. Have also seen bird silhouettes cut out of paper and attached to plates and hung on a wall - nice (though my hubby feels plates are for eating from not for hanging :)

screen printing, recycling and restoring

A smattering of craft projects from that bored mother of four:) in various stages:

Two birdy pillows using contact paper screen printing technique I demonstrated earlier. I was given quite a stash of this brown, woveny-type fabric from my rellies-in-law...

I guess birds were the theme... a recycled bits and bobs shirt for Rosa to grow into -

I made this shirt from an old pillow case (the leftovers from the 'Furnish with a Conscience Comp. storage box) , bits of scrap fabric and the screen printing technique. I embellished the birdy's eyes with odd buttons I had laying around.

I bought these two cane lounge chairs and little round table on ebay and made fitted pillows to make them more comfy (I think I busted a couple of needles in the process trying to convince my machine it could sew through such thick layers of piping and fabric:( . I also painted the table and distressed it a little to create this little nook in my dining room (nice to have a spot where someone can sit and chat to me while I cook...)

I think this is now my favourite lil' corner of the house

And some projects to finish...

This chair picked up at the Tip Shop- destined to be Josh's desk chair when he moves to downstairs room:

This little coffee table (also from Tip Shop). I am thinking of selling this one on ebay when I'm done:

and these gawdy frames which are perfect for a project I have in mind as they are already framed (YAY)...

SO... stay tuned to see the after photos. You see, blogging about them helps give me a little nudge to make sure I actually do get to them.

Growin' up

Some of my new favourite photos:

My firstborn and last born - aren't they a handsome pair?

No, our baby isn't eating solids yet but he just loves to watch us eat:) He loves seeing more than feet or legs from his usual spot down on the floor...

Rosa with her home made pom pom hat:

Cloning

Joshua has been learning all about penguins recently. He was required to make one out of clay for an art activity, however our clay was very uncooperative and very difficult to shape. We decided to give FIMO a try...

Here's Joshua's penguin:

I kind of got the penguin bug and started cloning a few myself:

I put a little loop/ring in the top so they can be made into keyrings.

I do tend to get a little carried away at times...

As a mother of four I get a little bored you see;)

Haven't forgotten you Owen

Well the sluggish blogger emerges again - haven't forgotten the 7th birthday of my boy in all this time - just caught up in a really nasty flu that has had second and third rounds...

but in all the sluggishness I have had lots of time to reflect on the past, enjoy some extra time of snuggles and take life a little slower (YAY). Why is it that it sometimes takes the influenza season just to go a notch slower?

Happy Birthday Owen...

I just love how when I am feeling crook I can put you in bed beside me and know that if I hold your hand and you watch my eyes close I can be sure you will fall asleep too within a short time. You lie so still and peaceful and are so incredibly cuddly. Just love, love, love it! Definitely one of a kind when it comes to that still, cuddly factor:) Have tried this with your sister/big brother and I am bound to get a leg in my ribs, and very little zzzz factor:)

I love how you love to sing, almost always return a grin with a grin (even when really stubborn and cranky- if I wait long enough you just can't help yourself!) .

I love that you don't always know when others are picking on some of your funny ways - even embarrassing ones (though please don't try running out of the toilet again before I get your nappy back on:)

I love that you never seem to care what someone looks like - you are friendly to them. While stranger danger is an issue - I do love the fact that you will probably never judge someone by appearance, past sins, intellectual capacity or even look strangely at someone with a huge birthmark, or massive hairy wart on the end of their nose:)

I love the way you watch your brothers or sisters interacting with Daddy. I can't help but smile just to see you smile when Daddy blows on their tummy, tickles them or shares a funny joke. You just seem to know how to appreciate (without always understanding) the moment/the pleasure and their laughter makes you smile.

At seven years you love to:

• ask constantly where everyone is - on the way home from school you ask "where is B? or where is Uncle P?"
• Eat bananas (still a favourite), cheese, pick chives to munch on out of the garden (yes we do often have to go and replant them, but we know you just got a little enthusiastic:)
• You love to play anything electronic (what kids don't?) and have memorised quite a number of Leap Pad phrases :)
• run up to me with your arms open when I pick you up from school - I just love the squeal "Mamma's there!" that I get.
• make loads of mess - and I mean loads. You just enjoy everything to the max - eating, playing outdoors, reading books. Mess kind of just happens...

Watching you turn 7 has brought back many memories of watching you undergo heart sugery, watching you learn to walk - back and forward between Dad and Mum over and over and over.... It has brought back memories of many faces of therapists, friends and teachers that have all helped you to speak, to coordinate your movements, take turns, and even how to help your Mum by carrying your back pack all by yourself.

In recent days I have wiped your nose what seems like gazillions of times, or rather your whole face. I just don't make it to your nose quick enough sometimes before it gets smeared. I have enjoyed watching you build with Duplo, plant little seeds into egg cartons, dig holes like Uncle Christopher and crash out in bed at night, grabbing Mummy close for Hickory Dickory Dock song sung in your neck with all the sound effects.

As I sit here, near a box of tissues and trying to catch your runny nose again and to catch you in time to make potty training effective I cannot help but love you, my precious Owen James!

XOX -

May you understand even just a little of Jesus!