52/52

'A portrait of my son once a week, for every week in 2014.'

Wow, the last photo for the year. I can't believe how this year has flown. My little baby boy has grown into a trouble making explorer and he continues to amaze us.

Being the last portrait for the year I had some difficulty choosing which picture. I think this one is absolutely George - full of wonder. 

There were the late night meant to be asleep but instead playing with the tv plug photos, being caught where he shouldn't be photos, absolutely passed out asleep on daddy's lap on the flight to Perth photos, nudie fun in the sun at the river and beach and countless others. But this photo is very much George at the moment, and I hope how he will be forever; always playing, always watching and always learning.

Thanks for sharing this lovely journey with me this past year dear friends. I hope some of you may join in in 2015. Wishing you all a very happy new year.

Lots of love x J 

51/52

'A portrait of my son once a week, every week in 2014.'

Oh what fun we have in the garden. The hose spray gun keeps you amused for hours Mr George, and we end up pretty soggy just in time for dinner. You are so full of joy. I love you my dear son. 

x mum 

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

How to make a pom pom wreath.

Requires pom pom patience and some other odds and ends:

1 x circular base (in this case an empty nappy bin liner casette)

- 1 x wool needle

- 1 x sheet of thin card (cut circles to your chosen pom pom size)

- Scissors

- Wool

- Twine

- Green or other coloured tape to wrap circular object

- Ribbon or cord for hanging and bow

How to make it:

1. Make a gazillion pom poms (just when you think it is finished you find another spot to put one).

2. Wrap the circular base in your choice of tape, leave spaces to thread your twine under and between. 

3. Attach pom poms to the circular base by threading the twine of the pom pom through the gaps between your tape on the circular base. 

4. Keep making pom poms (don't give up!) and attaching them to the base and tying them to each other's twine for extra safety (and when you run out of gaps between the tape).

5. Cut off extra twine lengths dangling from attached poms.

6. Attach a ribbon or cord to the top of the base for the wreath to hang from. 

7. Attach a ribbon or embellishment at the bottom centre of the wreath if you like.

8. Hang your wreath!

Merry Christmas my friends!

x J 

50/52

'A portrait of my son once a week, every  week in 2014.'

All blurry but this is George all over. Cheeky twinkle in his eye as he tries to stand up in his trolley seat, seat belt on and everything. He clearly thinks this game is hilarious. I end up pulling his legs back down, tightening the strap AGAIN and bribing him with yoghurt fruit bars to sit down! Cheeky devil. A friend has been doing a black and white photo challenge this week, it made me think that I'd like to take more black and white pics. 

Other potential pics this week were the little turtle waking up all better from his bug.

And getting dirty in the garden with dad. 

49/52

'A portrait of my son once a week, for every week in 2014.'

George your new toy went up this week, in the form of a little green Christmas tree wih lots of shiny things on it. You also took a few steps this week. And you also got badly sick for the first time this week. We're pretty lucky to say that at 13 months. You poor dear, it's not very pleasant being sick and it's a bit scary for mum and dad. Anyway, fingers crossed you are on the mend and will be back to your toddling, Christmas tree harassing self in no time.

x Mum

Linking up with Jodi's 52 Project. Only three weeks to go! 

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

I have these friends who are geniuses on the sewing machine. I can hardly sew a straight line let alone a ruffle bum! (Such a good name isn't it?!)

Roxy is one of those clever friends. Here are just a few of her creations. She has been busy! 

I've only known Roxy for nearly as long as I've known George (we're in the same mothers group), but it feels like we've been friends for years. She's one of those people that makes you feel comfortable and at ease, and she'll help you out with anything. She would also be pretty easy to hate because she's got all of her ducks in a row and has this whole super mum thing going on - tidy house, home cooked treats for guests and the babies, and a little bit of light sewing when Flynn snoozes! She does it all. But you could never hate her, first of all she's too nice, and it would mean we wouldn't get any home cooked treats and awesome handmade boardies! ;)

I've roped Roxy into Wednesday night pottery too and she's made some awesome things, well beyond the ash tray request from her husband Zane who doesn't even smoke haha!

I love the photos of little Flynn modelling the ladies wear collection here, he is a crack up! 

I also love the Pilbara sunset photo in the wing mirror, I'm not sure if Roxy sent me that picture by mistake but it's a keeper. We live in such a beautiful place and it's so nice to have friends who appreciate its beauty as much as we do. It's a pretty good place to be.

In Roxy's words, here's what she's making:

1. What are you making?

A gift for a friend's little girl... A blanket with her name embroidered, matching ruffle bums and a head wrap.

2. What is it about making that particular thing that you enjoy? 

I enjoy being able to give a special gift that has been handmade with love. I also like being able to take some time out to be creative in my otherwise crazy life!

3. How do you make it?

For the blanket: White minky on the back and a lovely orangic cotton on the reverse. 

For the Ruffle bums and Wrap: I've been using a slightly modified pattern given to me by a friend... I used two complementing organic cotton fabrics. 

Every time I sew I'm slightly anxious as to the end result; but when you only give your creations as gifts hopefully the wonky lines get over looked.

4. What will you make next?

I've got some little boy's shorts already cut out ready to sew but Mr FXs had other plans for my afternoon so they'll have to wait for another day. Thankfully he was willing to be my model (and that he has the waist and legs of a 6 months old) :)

5. What would you be doing if you weren't making that thing? 

Probably reluctantly at the gym doing Pilates (since I haven't been for the past week) or cleaning the house.

Love you Rox!

Happy making my friends!

x J

WEEKLY STILLS

Weekly stills from Warnham, West Sussex UK thanks to my Aunty Sarah and sidekick Louis the black lab.

They couldn't be any more in contrast to sunny and sweltering Karratha if they tried. I love that, it's so refreshing. 

I'd love to share more photos from around the world or just from other people's lives. Please send me your pics and your story! 

Happy week ahead my friends

x J 

48/52

'A portrait of my son once a week, every week in 2014.'

Baby panda snoozing on the swing.

Completely exhausted from all of your standing attempts and playing in the afternoon sun. A little siesta on the swing was in order. And then it was back to watching daddy's cricket and having a mix and match picnic dinner. Absolurely loving these Pilbara evenings. 

WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?

Well what can I say about this lovely lady? She doesn't do things by halves! 

Jess Ringrose is a self confessed control freak when it comes to her creative endeavours. And what beautiful things she creates as a result of that obsessive behaviour! :)

Like many of the girls in my mothers group, Jess is a huge source of inspiration for me. She's one of those people that has an idea and then just gets on and does it! Not without great and trepidation and self doubt I'm sure, but when she does it she does a darn good job! 

Jess has started her own small business selling the gorgeous head wraps and baby bloomers that she started making for her beautiful daughter India. 

Here the pair of blondies are at India's first birthday party (with cake, cake topper, golden banners and paper tassels made by Jess). 

And here is just a snapshot of the stunning creations Jess makes and sells through her Salt and Pebble Instagram page, check it out! 

And I mean this child, isn't she just divine!?

Anyway back to the making post! In Jess's words, here's what she's making:

1. What are you making? 

Well I'm currently making a banner for the sweets table at our wedding.

2. What is it that you enjoy about making that thing?

I like making things for our wedding as it's a precious occasion and I feel like it makes the day even more special and personal when I've created something for it myself. 

3. How do you make it?

I am making it from burlap and creating stencil lettering which I paint on the burlap so the banner reads "sweet love" and I will trim the top of the banner in lace :) because how good is burlap and lace!!

4. What will you make next?

Hmm after that I think I will paint some more jars to use as tea lights to hang from the trees at our venue. And India needs some longer pants!! ;)

5. What would you be doing if you weren't making that thing?

Well, if I wasn't making something I'd likely be online shopping (browsing, obsessing, getting inspiration). At the moment I am really getting into children's interior design and I love perusing over some fantastic people I've come across on Instagram (then hunting for more things for India's room! Don't tell Scotty!) 

:) xx

Scotty is Jess's soon to be husband! They are going to have such a beautiful wedding. I can't wait to see photos. 

Happy making my friends!

x J