Fabric Bow - How To

I was supposed to be posting a how to on the pinwheel bow but I'm having trouble wording it properly. I may have to get Paul to film me making it so that you can see it easier. It's really not difficult to make but I just can't explain it properly!! The wording on this isn't the best either but it's the best I can do at the moment. End of pregnancy brain perhaps! Also sorry for any typos. 10pm is late for me!

So, today I'm doing a fabric bow. You can use any old scrap fabric you have laying around. Even old clothes. T-shirts would work especially well because the fabric doesn't fray. I used left over fabric from some projects that were done years ago!
So here goes...

You will need:

Scrap fabric (I didn't measure anything out. They were just guessing. You can fold your fabric up first to get a rough size guide of what the end result will be)
Scissors
Needle Thread
Glue Gun
Hair clip or bobble/hair tie
Ribbon if you are using a clip
Bar of chocolate.

First of all I cut out rectangles of fabric and a smaller long piece that matches. The smaller piece still needs to be big enough to be folded. I also iron my fabric pieces so that there's no creases on the end result.

Lay your fabric face down. Fold one half over to the middle and press it down so that it creases slightly and stays in place. Fold the other half up and overlap the first fold.

Fold one end up to the center. And then the other half up and slightly overlap the first fold.

Pinch the fabric in the middle so it makes a crease and then fold down the sides. I usually push a pin through it at this stage so that I can put it down without worrying about it all coming undone.

Thread your needle and tie a knot in the end. (I usually tie about 4, lol!). Put a few stitches through the center to hold it then wrap the thread around it tightly a good few times. Tie some knots in it to keep it all together.

Now, take the smaller piece of fabric and fold the sides up like you did with main bow.

Thread your needle again and stitch the end of the smaller fabric piece to the back. You should only need 4 or 5 stitches to hold it securely.

Wrap the fabric around tightly and put a few stitches to hold it down. Trim off the excess fabric and add more stitches and tie off the ends of the thread.

Now you can add an alligator clip if that's what you want to do. You can see how to cover and attach one here. If you want to have it on a bobble I'd suggest attaching one with a small spot of glue from a glue gun BEFORE you sew on the center piece of fabric. I haven't added my clips yet because I'm too lazy to go and get my glue gun. Haha!

Hope this post made sense! I'm really not good at giving instructions but I want to share how to do this with everyone.

I also made a peach colour broderie anglaise fabric. (It doesn't look very peach in the picture for some reason but it definitely is!) I'm planning on buying this dress from Marks and Spencer on Tuesday next week when I'm out shopping. The bow should match it perfectly!

You can also make the bow padded if you choose. All you need to do is lay some stuffing on the fabric before you make any folds. Just fold the fabric over the top of it. This is the end result with stuffing in it.

Haul Time

Here's a few things that have been bought over the past week. 

Moses basket. I had been going to buy the Clair De Lune one to match the bedding and mobile that I have but I saw this one on Asda's website for half the price and with better reviews. It cost £27.97. It's perfect.

Paul and I took a trip to the Disney Store so that we could pick up part of my Mother's Day present (Tinkerbell Animator Doll). When I saw the Minnie Mouse suit I had to buy it! It's so nice! And of course the matching socks. We're going back to the Disney Store next week to treat the kids so I might pick up a couple of other things too. The Minnie Mouse pjs were a gift from my best friend! They are so, so cute!! We got the doll from the Disney Store too. She was on offer for £6.99 when you spent £10, so didn't want to leave her! We had the choice between Tinkerbell or Iridessa. We went for Iridessa because you don't see her as much as you do Tink. She has a button on her back. If you push it she flaps her wings. 

I went to Asda today to do my shopping and as soon as I walked in I was hit by a massive clothing sale! Haha! Of course I couldn't walk away and leave all this stuff!

I got the little onesie for £4, the jeggings were £3 (I'm really not keen on denim on newborn babies at all, so these are a good alternative), the cardigan was £3. The other items were full price. The dress was £8, the sleepsuit was £5 and the bibs were £3.50. I still don't feel like I have near enough bibs. They had another couple of packs that I may have to go back for.

Logan got a new pair of jeans for £6, a twin pack of t-shirts for £3, a jumper for £4 and a t-shirt that wasn't in the sale for £2. I couldn't not take it because it's an exact description of Logan!!

All Keira got was this top. It was £5. They didn't have much in her size at all unfortunately.

It's World Book Day on Thursday and the school are letting the kids wear fancy dress. The only fancy dress outfit Keira had was Minnie Mouse because she outgrew her other. So, today Paul picked up this for her from the Disney Store. It's the pirate fairy from the new Tinkerbell movie. She really wanted to go as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz but we couldn't find a good Dorothy costume for her. =( Asda have a nice one but they sold out in her size. I had planned on buying her a pair of red flats and covering them in glitter. We even ordered the red glitter in ready but the outfit sold out right when I went to buy it. Gutted. Anyways, the pirate fairy costume cost £25. It's lovely but for some reason doesn't have wings with it and the wings aren't available as separates at the moment... so it's kind of just a pirate costume.

I also order Macey's bouncy chair today which I think is the last 'must buy' item. It's being delivered from Mothercare through the week. And tomorrow, Paul is going back to the Disney Store to buy a costume for Logan. I feel bad that Keira got one today and Logan didn't. Think he's getting Spiderman or Buzz Lightyear. =)

Sibling Gifts

I've been thinking about what I wanted to do for Keira and Logan when Macey is due/born.
When Logan was born I made up a basket for Keira with a few toys, a book, sweets, toothbrush and DVD in it. She got some cards as well with big sister on them. I don't really want to do the same thing this time around. Although we will be buying the big brother version of the book for Logan and they will both get cards again.

My first idea had been to get them both a bike each but after loads of thinking I decided to put the bikes off until their birthdays. I'm having a c-section and with recovery and looking after a new baby I won't have as much time to take them out on their bikes. Plus it's still freezing cold here. So, waiting until the summer seems like a better idea. I'll be back on my feet and hopefully in a good routine, meaning it should be no problem to take them out with their bikes whenever they like.
So, that left me with the problem of a gift from Macey. In the end I decided that we're going to take the kids to the Disney Store and let them pick whatever they like up to a certain amount of money each. That way they're getting exactly what they would like and what they will play with, be it dressing up costumes or toys. I haven't told them yet that we're going. It'll be a surprise on the day. I really can't wait! After the Disney Store I was considering taking them to Krispy Kreme to get a doughnut and a drink. It should be a good day out and I'm really excited about it for them! I already have a slight idea of what they're going to pick! Haha!

Pregnancy Update

This will more than likely be my last pregnancy update before my daughter arrives. 
I had my growth scan and consultant appointment today at 11am. The scan went good. Macey is measuring two weeks ahead which is within the normal range. They said she's not a tiny baby but she's not as big as what Logan was. I was weighed as well and I still haven't gained anything which is great for my situation. I've actually lost .6 of a kg. 
After my scan I was taken in to speak to a midwife and then a consultant. I was in there for well over an hour. I told them of my fears for a normal delivery and going through labour again only to end up with an emergency c-section. I told them I wanted to just book in for a scheduled c-section. I was then given a huge list of all the negative things about my decision and everything that can go wrong. She asked me about 4 times what I wanted to do before she actually filled in the forms and booked me in for my section. She really made me feel like I've made the wrong decision. I can still change my mind if I want to. I just need to phone in before my c-section date and they can cancel it. It was the most horrible pressure I've ever been under in my life. If I go into labour by myself before my date I've agreed to try to give birth by myself. I really doubt that will happen as both my kids were late and I've had zero signs that labour is nearing. 
So, now instead of feeling at ease and relaxed about my situation I feel really bad. I just want it all to be over and done with now. They also asked if I wanted sterilised at the same time and I said no, but now I think I'm going to say yes. There is no way I will ever be doing this again. Besides the fact that a 3rd c-section would be really risky, I don't want to feel as scared as this ever again. Or put my children in this situation.

Anyways, on a positive note. I'm almost done with the baby shopping. I bought the moses basket yesterday and it arrived today. Not the one I had planned on but one just as cute! I don't have a picture of it yet. I haven't even taken it out of it's packaging because I've been down in the dumps. The only big thing I need to get now is the bouncy chair. I'll be ordering it next week. 
I also bought some cot sheets, 3 hooded towels, baby toiletries, more nappies and wipes, and flasks for holding boiled water. My mum and dad bought the frilly pants to go over nappies. =) I've started packing my hospital bag ready. But now that I know my date I can be a lot more prepared. I've only got a few things left to get for myself. It's mostly Macey's things I need to get sorted out. 

Potty Training Success

I had planned on doing a whole big post on potty training and how I did it. A tips and tricks kind of thing. However, this little boy has pretty much potty trained himself. All I had to do was remind him a couple of times that if he needed a wee he was to use his potty. I honestly can't believe how quick and easy it was. I remember having trouble with Keira. She was 3 before we eventually got her off her nappies. Not through lack of trying and it was a completely strict rush job due to running out of time before nursery started. It just goes to show how different every child is.
It took Logan about a week in total to be completely nappy free. Even at bedtime! We have night time pull ups for him that I still put on him at bedtime just in case but they are totally dry every morning. He's even able to hold it in if we're out until we find a toilet. I'm completely amazed. For some reason I really expected it to be harder to potty train a boy.
He's not even using his potty anymore. He uses the big toilet and even stands at it like a big boy which makes my life so much easier when we are out. I had planned on going to buy one of those little toilet seats that fold up and come with a little bag for carrying around but I don't even need to do that.
As well as potty training he moved into his big boy bed in Keira's room. And he's done so well with that too. I'm so, so proud of him! Next job... get rid of the dummy!! I think this may be a harder one to tackle!

More Decorating

I've wanted to change my living room for a while now but until now I didn't really have the money to get it all done. I wanted to paper one wall. I had ordered paper ages ago but they were out of stock and refunded my money. It was black with huge grey flowers on it. I'm not sure if I still want to paper one wall or not. We'll see how I feel in a couple of weeks time!
I spent my Friday and Saturday painting the walls and skirting boards. I did it all on my own which was rough at 35 weeks pregnant! I think I forget how little time I have left sometimes. It took me twice as long as it normally would have! Haha. But it's done at least. Now I need to buy new cushions for my couch and we want a new TV unit and wall shelf. I hate the TV unit that we have because it's so huge. It just gets stuff dumped on it constantly and the clutter cracks me up. And because I'm obviously not a very neat painter,  I got some paint on the ceiling so I'm going to buy some coving to cover it up!

Here's Logan having a pop tart whilst watching a Dinosaur Story. Haha. But you can see the colour of the walls now. I still need to put the curtains back up and wash my blinds and window. That'll be my jobs for today!

Haul Time

This is all stuff that's been bought over the last week or so from all different places. I've been waiting on some deliveries coming so gradually built this post up over a few days.

First of all, Keira had her end of winter disco at school. This was her first school disco that was at night time and out of school hours! So, she requested a new dress. I hunted everywhere and just couldn't find something that was right. I eventually found this one on River Island's website the day before the disco! Had to get next day delivery! It was on sale for £10. I'm not sure if it's clear enough or not but the dress is purple. It's made from a lovely thick material. and is very nice on. I will definitely be doing more shopping with River Island in the future!

Next was H&M. They arrived at the weekend. All except two pairs of Keira's shoes which are being sent separately at the start of March. I forgot I had ordered Logan this t-shirt too. I absolutely love it on him! And it was only £2.99! I'm going to have to go and do a huge clothes shop for him after clearing out his wardrobe he barely has anything left!

I couldn't resist this dress! I saw it online a while back and I kept going back and looking at it! They also have Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and Minnie Mouse! I'm definitely going to be getting Cinderella too. Each dress comes with a head band! They are from Asda and cost £10 each. 

I also bought this cute little Disney Princess plush to match her dress! I'll be buying Cinderella too. =)

I ordered the bedding set and mobile from Amazon for Macey. They both arrived this morning. I'm so glad I was able to get this one! It's the one I loved from the start but it's a bit more expensive than the ones in the likes of Matalan. It's so cute!

I went out to Baby Land (local baby shop) yesterday with my mum and dad to get a look at the prams. They have literally hundreds on display. My original plan had been to get the Mutsy Evo in red. But after seeing it in the shop I wasn't so keen. The fabric on the pram is kind of shiny as well which is off putting (for me anyways). I saw a couple of prams that I liked but this was the stand out one. The one I saw was a half price ex-display model. We gave it a really good check over to make sure there were no dirty marks etc on it. It was perfect, so we went and asked if we could have it. Turns out they still had one brand new fully boxed one in the back. So we got a brand new one for an ex display price! £149.99! Complete bargain. It changed into a pushchair too. I'm in love with it! I feel like it's really girly!

The other things I got this week were some of my hospital bag items (pjs, jogging bottoms, vest top, slippers, maternity towels, underwear and toiletries). I'm not going to take a picture of that stuff though! I also bought a box of 72 newborn Pampers nappies. They only cost just over £8 from Amazon.