Motherhood is …

having raspberries blown on your tummy

Motherhood is …

boogying to Chuggington

Motherhood is …

4 hours sleep

Welly toppers – tutorial

We’re off to the Lakes this weekend, and as they are notorious for being slightly soggy, we thought it best to buy the small one a new pair of wellies.

Now here’s the thing. Grown up wellies are designed to be worn with trousers tucked into them, but baby wellies are not wide enough at the top to do this (or small one has inherited my calves, but we’ll not dwell on that). Therefore the top of the welly is next to small one’s delicate skin, and as you can see

The top edge of the boot is nasty, itchy sore-making rubbing unfinished.

I’d seen in an issue of Interweave knits a pattern for these boot toppers, and they looked lovely and snuggly. Unfortunately I am going to the lakes in 3 days and even I am not that optimistic. So I’ve improvised. Here is the tutorial …

Take a sock that will stretch comfortably over the top of your welly. Here I’m using a stripy toe-sock as the stripes make it easier to measure up and make 2 the same.

Pull the sock over your welly, right side out. I want it to go quite a long way down the outside, as small one will not generally be using these wellies to puddle-stomp so there is no danger of soggy sock. I’ve tucked the sock inside the welly to work out how long I need to cut it. These are size 4 wellies, and I reckon 1 1/2 inches inside should be fine.

Add extra for a double seam allowance (here I added 2 stripes – about 1/2 in.). Alternatively, you can overlock (serge) the edge, or do this and then use a single seam allowance. Up to you. I’d love a serger, but alas ….

Cut the sock straight across.

Turn the sock inside out, turn under the seam allowance and pin. At this point you can try the topper in your boot to check the length. Slip it in as it is so that the pins are hidden inside the boot. Adjust as necessary.

Stitch the seam with a thread that matches the colour on the outside (seen here) and a long-short stitch (invisible hem stitch? Not sure what it is called. Basically you take a tiny stitch on the right side, no more than a couple of threads, and then a bigger one on the wrong side).

Before you fasten off the thread, stretch the sock to loosen the stitches a little. Tie off the thread and hide the ends.

Tuck the top of the sock inside the welly and turn the seamed edge down over the outside. Ta-dah! No more sore ankles.

Picture of small one in wellies to follow at a later date if I can catch him!

Motherhood is …

accepting that grapes with fishfingers is a delicious snack

Motherhood is …

making someone laugh so much they fall over

Embroidered button swap

I got my parcel, all the way from Hungary! A while back it has to be admitted, but there was the inevitable delay while I went to fetch it from the post office, and then waited for a nice sunny day to take some photos.

I love my parcel – Judit has been so generous.

She asked me if I wanted buttons, or something else made with her designs, and having seen her website I jumped at the chance to have some exciting things made for me. So I have 2 bookmarks, 2 pins, and a ring! Judit explained her designs to me …

“The owl - because you are a librarian

The tree – because of the title of your blog and this – the round forest – is my popular design

Motherhood – because you’re a mother, too

Family – symbolizes the three of you

Bunny – well, this is because of me, because bunny is my logo and Easter is coming “

Just perfect!

I think this button is my favourite – the idea is so simple but very effective, and the colours are lovely and warm. Unfortunately, my blog wants to show this lying down. Perhaps it’s tired?

In addition to my “buttons” I have 2 skeins of fabulously variegated floss, which will be turning into a sampler I think, inspired by Stitchy Stitcherson’s easter egg sampler a fabulous button pillowcase (which is from Ikea I notice, and guess where I am going on Friday – I wonder if husband would mind our sofas being entirely button themed?), an amazing owl:

Again, having a rest, some Hungarian soup that I am very much looking forward to trying, and some chocolate for my boys, which didn’t even last until I took the photo!

Thank you!! I had so much fun doing this swap – hope there is another one soon …