A Moment Captured.

About 8 months ago my camera was broken by an over enthusiastic toddler – (not mine) but I am a little to blame as I said “Ohhh put that down lovely” and he did. Hard. On the floor. But I’d left it in grasping range so could only really kick myself.

It was doubly annoying because it was only a few months old – a bargain January sales purchase. At the time it wasn’t a priority to replace. I couldn’t afford a new one given the housing situation so it was put on the things to buy one day List.

It’s not that “One Day” yet sadly.

But wow, I miss having a camera. For a while I used a donated iphone – that no longer worked as an iphone but did a great job as a camera/music player/ Angry Bird addiction facilitator. But eventually that went into full retirement via a bucket of water… Since I’ve been blogging I’ve really missed my camera even more. I’m making use with my low grade phone but it’s not the same is it?

This post does have a point, honestly.

 

Browsing twitterland this evening I saw that Tots100 are running a competition with Printerpix here. To enter you have to post about a photo that means something special to you. And the prize is an amazing Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 bridge camera plus £100 to spend over at Printerpix to create some great personalised photo goodies. I couldn’t pass up this chance given the serious camera shortage around here!

 

I’ve chosen this photo as my entry.

My entry

 

Sometimes it’s those little captured moments that mean the most. This picture was taken as we headed out to the gardens at the end of our road for an impromptu picnic. Bea was always begging to carry her brother and I’d let her do it around the house but was nervous about letting her wear him outside. Well this day I said yes! And you can see from her face just how thrilled and proud she was to be wearing her baby brother. And Roo is looking as pleased as punch too!

So it’s not a memory of an amazing day out or some kind of special event for our family. But every time I see it I’m reminded of the day Bea was the proudest big sister ever!

Fingers crossed!

 

 

 

This post is Lou’s entry into the Printerpix Photo Competition.

Wall Unit Makeover

I had a corner in my living room that was perfect for some much needed storage. Given my tight budget I decided to start at my favourite charity furniture recycling  scheme. I’ve mentioned it before but I love Emmaus as a charity. It does truly amazing work supporting homeless people and I really consider a trip there as a huge win win – I get good quality furniture at amazing prices and I get to support this great cause. Pretty much every piece of furniture here has come from there and it has made replacing everything we lost due to being homeless a lot less painful! I’ve linked to my local one but please check and see if they have one near you – they are popping up all over the place!

So this latest trip was a success and I managed to nab a great wall unit which was exactly what I had in mind. (And also a desk for my room and bookcase for the hall but they are stories for another post!) Sure it was a little 70′s chic but it was the perfect size and I could see the potential.

That moment when you remember you’ve not taken a ‘before’ shot…

I also had a project in mind. Chalk Paint. You’ve most likely heard of it. It’s everywhere just now and I was so curious and eager to try it. So now I had the perfect excuse to do some paint shopping!

The first search I did was for another well known brand but ouch it seemed expensive here in the UK. And stockists were few and far between. But after some more searching I found another brand offering a great range of colours quite widely available; Autentico.

After some serious dithering I picked a colour and ordered some chalk paint and soft wax to finish. Then I stalked the postman. Which thankfully wasn’t long enough to cause him any concern because it came within 48 hours! And with perfect timing it arrived on a day Roo is at nursery all day. Within an hour of it arriving the unit was washed down, my sleeves were rolled up and the radio was providing a backdrop of 80′s music to wail along to.

The first coat went on very well. The texture of the paint was easy to work with. Initially I was concerned it was going on too thick but I quickly worked out the best technique to spread it evenly around. What surprised me the most is how quickly it seemed to dry. I really was surprised how well it was sticking to the surface despite no prep work being done. Did I mention that? Yeah, you don’t need to prime, sand or lovingly serenade the surface first! Just clean and go. Perfect for me since I have the crafting patience of a goldfish.

After an hour long tea, cake and trash TV break I was ready to start again at the top for the second coat. And that went on just as smoothly as the first.

The whole unit was done and pretty much dried before I had to pick up the boy!

I left it overnight just to make sure it was really dry then brushed over a light coat of soft wax to protect it. The whole process was pretty pain free and strangely soothing really. And I was so impressed with the result! I am undecided about the finish – should I rough up the edges for a shabby chic effect or not? I quite like the solid flat colour as it is though. And in case you’re wondering – I went with “Almond” in the end. I like it. It’s not cream, it’s not quite Taupe it’s a nice shade between them. This unit took just over half of the tin and there is plenty left for the hallway bookcase which I’ll do later this week when Roo is at nursery ( you only have to hover near a paint brush to have him come running to ‘help’ )

All done!

Now I just need to add the finishing touches! I’m currently working on some stuff to fill it with (as if I needed an excuse for more crafting!)

And then I get to agonise over the paint charts for the perfect colour for the new craft desk….

 

 

I’ve not been paid in anyway for this post – I am just happy to share a product I love!

Nominated!

Wow, my HomelessMummy blog was nominated for a MAD award!

I’m so honoured – I had the hugest grin when I saw my name on the list. I started the blog during a difficult time for our family and gained so much love and support that once we were through (mostly) the turmoil I couldn’t give up blogging for good! But homelessmummy didn’t feel the right place for me since we were making a fresh start. But it still feels very much like my baby and now I feel like the proud mummy after so sweet old lady had cooed over her precious bundle!

I’m slowly finding my feet here at Three’s A Family. I know I’m not as prolific – I sometimes have that doubting voice “They won’t want to read about that…wait until you have something decent”

But I’m getting there. I’m starting to look at things and think about how I could blog about it. Baby steps and all that.

And now this nomination has really spurred me on! A huge huge thanks to those that nominated me. I don’t even need to win – being listed was enough!

Random Acts of Kindness

The very lovely Clara over at claraunravelled.co.uk has started a blog hop in aid of sending a little love through the post.

When I saw what she’d written (here) about those little things making such a big difference during a difficult time I knew I had to join in. Last year was by far the worst for us as a family but the one thing to come shining through was that people are good. There are some amazing people out there that took the time to send us something sweet simply to brighten our day.

I don’t think I can convey just what that meant to us. It really did spread a little joy to wash away the gloom of being homeless and stressed!

And now it’s time for me to pay it forward. I’d love to send a little something to the first 4 people to comment on this post. It might be something hand made and crafty or something from a local shop. Either way, it will be something lovely in the post and will hopefully make you smile!

And if you want to join in with the blog hop and post your own little smile onto someone then pop over and join up here.

Or sign up below!

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Now I’m off to pintrest for some inspiration (like I needed an excuse to spend an hour browsing over there…..)

When I grow up I want to be…?

Did you grow up with an ambition or career in mind?

I didn’t. I don’t remember having a yearning for being a train driver or anything else really. I don’t know why. We aren’t a very ambitious family to be honest. My mum never worked. My dad worked hard slogging through shifts to keep a comfortable life but he made no secret of the fact that he didn’t enjoy his job. He showed us work ethic – sometimes you just have to work regardless of your enjoyment. And his was a happy ending (workwise -he’s still here!) He worked hard and saved hard and has now retired early to a hot country to enjoy his prime. But it’s left a kind of need for something that I might even remotely enjoy or get fulfilment out of.

So I find myself at this crossroads. I feel a self-imposed September deadline looming. Roo will start full time school in September and I need to be back to work or in full time training at least.

Rushing through my mind right now..

 

For a few years now my long term goal was to go to university and become a Social Worker. I’d love to do this but financially I can’t for a couple of years. Because this house is classed as temporary homeless housing the rent is 2 1/2 times what I will be paying in a normal Local Authority place. That’s a very big rent and the way Housing Benefit cuts and caps are going I don’t think I could cover it on student loans. So that dream is on hold for now.

Sometimes I long to work from home in some capacity. For me there is a huge amount of guilt attached to a full time job with the kids in full time childcare. I’m they only Parent active in their lives and I can’t imagine not being here for them. I know it’s silly and that plenty of parents cope but it’s a deep seated fear of mine. Probably a throw back from my mum actually. These lovely conflicting ideals of my parents huh! But what would I do?

I feel I have NO skills to offer. When I left school with embarrassingly poor exam results I headed straight for France and a job on a campsite. College never appealed to me as I was desperate for my independence. From there it was straight into a Nanny position and then after a year my own daughter was born. Toddler groups, Play schools and babysitter work covered those years when she was young. It was a time when you could do those jobs with no qualifications and purely on merit. And when she went to school full time I opened a shop. I loved it but wow – 7 days a week, huge huge stress and very little money did not a happy mummy make.

18 months down the line and I had to face the fact Bea needed me more (and that business wasn’t my strong suit). She was struggling so much at school that home schooling was clearly the better choice for her. It really helped and I will never ever regret it but it’s left another big gap in my Job history – which was already sketchy and poor at best!

And just when I was ready to focus on my future job/career along came an unexpected Roo shaped bundle. And all was forgotten in the swirl of nappies and night feeds and being a single parent to two…

Last year marked a change in attitude for me. I gave myself a shake and applied for university….and then got made homeless and emotionally could not contemplate both things so University got put on hold again. Again.

And now? Now I’m lost. I keep flitting from one idea to another and I have no idea where I’m heading. I just know I need to actually point myself in one direction and bloody well start sorting this out!

Thank goodness Bea has a sense of ambition and drive – she has her mind set on becoming a Vet and I’ve every confidence she’ll achieve it. She knows it will be a long hard slog but that doesn’t put her off. Being Dyslexic and struggling with studying hasn’t dampened her spirit. My girls got it straight!

 

Did you retrain for your dream job? Did you grow up knowing exactly what you wanted to be? How’s that working out for you now?

The perfect crafting space…

Next weeks mission is to find a desk for my crafting. Since I moved here I tried to resist the urge to unpack the craft boxes because I had no where to put everything. However, the pull of my stash was too much and all boxes are now open. 

I seriously need a desk. I’m not sure my priorities are right since I am still sleeping on a fold up guest bed but I need a desk. Everyday I think of something I’d love to do but put it off because it would mean setting up on the coffee table once Roo has gone to bed. And then packing it away mid-task. No, it’s clear, I need a desk.

With the aid of pintrest I am lovingly planning my craft corner. But sourcing this ‘perfect’ workstation is going to prove hard I fear. The teeny-tiny budget isn’t helping really. Next week I will scour my local charity furniture wharehouses. We are blessed with a few around here. My favourite being the local Emmaus one here. Emmaus is a fantastic charity helping homeless people – If you don’t know about them check them out.Here is the main site. You can find them  around the country and really have an amazing ethos when it comes to helping people off the streets.

And my local one has the most amazing retro department named The Emporium. I need to give myself the whole “only what’s on the list” pep talk before I get there and I leave the emporium until after I’ve found and paid for whatever piece of furniture I need…

A few weeks ago I went there when we were ready to sort the kids rooms. I got two chests of drawers, a desk for Bea, two bedside cabinets and one wardrobe all for £70 delivered….You have to love a half price sale!

Anyway, This is the type of desk I have in mind:

I think the hutch type desk would work well. I could put all my jars of buttons and bows on display too. I know, it’s a tall order to hope for but I can dream…..

I wish I knew someone handy with a saw as it seems easy enough to make if I can find a desk at least. 

What are your top tips for organising your crafting space?

mmmm…Finger Knitting Good!

Do you ever get that craving for something to hit that sweet spot nice and quick? Something that you know might not be full of crafting goodness like a huge quilt masterpiece or some pretty bunting? But you just want to do something?

Well, I have found something that really does it for me. I can partake in it at a moments notice. I can indulge myself in front of the TV of an evening without having to put in much effort.

And best of all? I won’t put on any weight! In fact, I think it helps as I don’t find myself straying towards the biscuit tin if my hands are occupied.

Finger Knitting. I first saw this on pintrest and my interest was instantly piqued. I found this great ‘how to’ blog post over at flax & twine (love this blog)  and spurred on by the fact that even children can do this I set about starting. And it was easier then it looked and really good fun.It’s also pretty calming too.

I have started using up the wool I’ve had waiting for other “one day” projects. I absolutely adore the idea of regular knitting. I can knit a mean square but my self teaching sessions have never taken me further. I also find it’s a slow process and I am not the most patient of people when it comes to crafting results…

When I started finger knitting I had a vague notion of a scarf but never really knew what this ever growing pile was going to be used for.

There’s miles of the stuff…

And then after wondering around pintrest some more I came across Arm Knitting. Yes, knitting on your arms. It seemed odd. Quirky. And quick to deliver results.So it seemed perfect for me. Arm knitting calls for some thick wool to produce something substantial. Or even strips of Jersey fabric (old t-shirt recycling anyone?)

And here I was with a mountain of thick finger knitted snakes amusing the cat. It was meant to be!

He likes to drag it off to his box…

Armed (get it?) with my knitted snakes and this youtube tutorial I set about knitting on my arm (a task even more likely to keep you out of the biscuit tin!). It’s fun! You should definitely try it.

And what will I do with my handy creation? I’m going to make a throw for my bed. It’s going to be a real miss-match of colours and textures and if I was planning to give this away to someone I’d use a very thick yarn or go with the jersey strips for consistency and to make sure the weave isn’t too wide. But as it’s just for my bed I don’t mind – it kind of represents me. A bit rough around the edges, not very uniform and a bit strange to look at!

In progress…