Feeling the Amber Teething Bead Love

It is so hard to see your little one in pain. Isla has recently cut her first two teeth and boy has it been hard work, the poor little mite has really been suffering for it.

I had heard a few people suggest amber teething beads might help and recently I was lucky enough to receive some lovely Bambeado amber teething beads. The idea of the beads is that they help alleviate teething symptoms without the use of drugs. Amber has been used for hundreds of years as a source of healing. It is said that when worn against the skin, the amber warms, releasing natural oils which when absorbed by the body, sooth pain. From a mothers perspective, I can say it works. My little girl has seemed much happier, not grumpy sore and best of all, I have not been feeling like I have to load her up with pain relieving drugs.

The bambeado beads themselves are super cute. We have had so many lovely comments about Isla's beads, they are the lemon colour, which is a beautiful soft yellow, the perfect colour for a little girl, in my opinion. They come in a wide selection of colour options though, so there is something to suit any taste. There is also a bracelet, which would be perfect if you worry about your child wearing a necklace. I was impressed with their quality too, knots between each bead mean that if they break, only one bead will come loose, which is important when babies stick everything they can get their cute little hands on, into their mouth. The clasp is also designed to release if pressure is applied- a good safety precaution.

Another thing I learnt, amber is not just for babies. It is also good for rheumatoid pain, migraines and general aches and pains.... think I feel a purchase for myself coming on!

If you are interesting in grabing some too, check out www.bambeado.co.nz

Waldorf Doll Sew Along 2010

Crazy Crafter NZ is running a Waldorf doll sew along. If, like me, you have always loved the idea of trying to make one, why not pop over and sign up. You can register until the end of July, and is open to anyone, anywhere in the world. August will be spent preparing- ordering materials, finding patterns and such. Sewing will kick off in September. I am thinking this will make a lovely christmas gift for the special little people in your life.
Hope to see a few of you over there.

Flea Market Finds

I actually found this lovely little dolls high chair a few weeks ago but have had a busy few weeks so have not had a chance to tell you all about it. I found it tucked away in the corner of a local second hand shop, hidden behind a ton of kitchenwares. I was so excited, it was one of those finds that instantly brings a smile to ones face. It will make the perfect christmas present for Holly and will go beautifully with the Waldolf doll I am intending to make for her as part of the Crazy Crafter NZ's- waldolf doll sew along.

For more flea market finds, check out Her Library Adventures

My Creative Space

In my creative space today is knitting.... lots and lots of knitting. I have too many projects on the go at the moment, so I am spending today trying to finish some of them off. Must say there is something very enjoyable about knitting during winter, it just kinda feels...right.

10 Years Ago...

10 years ago today... I was 21 years old, Simon and I had been together 4 years, we had just graduated from university, we were planning out big 'overseas experience', we were young, we were happy and as the saying goes, 'the world was our oyster'. 

It is true what they say though, everything can change in the blink of an eye...

10 years ago tomorrow, our world came crashing down. Simon was on a business trip when his car was hit head on by a dangerous driver. I knew something had gone very wrong when he did not come home for dinner, I rang his cell phone many times with no answer. A knock at the door several hours later by two police officers and my life, my entire life, my entire future, all my plans, hope and dreams vanished into the night sky. That moment, the overwhelming fear I felt still haunts me to this day. 

Simon was not dead, he was alive... just. 

His injuries were horrific, they told me his head injuries were so bad he was going to die but if by some miracle he survived, he would be little more than a vegetable. And so we waited, we waited for him to live, we waited for him to die, we waited and waited. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and still we waited.

Then slowly, like a diver coming up to the waters surface, Simon began to emerge again. We made up and alphabet board and slowly and painfully he would spell out things by pointing at each individual letter. We realised the Simon we knew was still there just locked in a body that would not co-operate. One day, one sweet day, Simon spelt out "will you marry me" on his letter-board. Of course I said yes.

He had to relearn how to do every little thing over. He had to learn to walk, stand, sit, shower, eat. It was hard, hard work but he was determined.

9 months after the accident Simon finally came home.

18 months after his accident we got married.

4 years after the accident, we finally went on  our overseas experience

8 years after his accident we welcomed into the world our lovely girl Holly

21 months later, we welcomed our second sweet girl Isla.

Today, 10 years on from the crash, life is good. Simon got his drivers license back a few years after the accident. He recently got a new job in school administration, and he is gearing up to attend the nation disabled winter games where he competes as a very competent disabled skier.

Today, I am happy. Happiness is not something I take for granted like I once did. Rather, it is something I treasure. I sometimes wish I could go back and show the 21 year old girl sitting at his bedside photos of the life she would one day have. Photos of 2 sweet little girls that would one day call her Mama, to take away from her the fears and anxiety she held for an unknown future. 

My Creative Space

In My Creative Space today is Little Miss Martini Dress. I have to say I do enjoy making these little dolls every now and then. This Little Miss takes her name from the Amy Butler fabric that makes up her dress. She is lovely, bright and sunny. Think I must be taking inspiration from all the spring/summer dreaming I have been doing lately... winter is not my favorite season. 

Anyway, I have recently started up a felt shop and this Little Miss, along with a few other things I have made recently are up for sale there.