Emily's Birthday

I'm glad to say that the 4th birthday party that we had on Friday for Emily went really well. Emily went to pre school in the morning whilst me and my mum got everything ready I have to say we were running around to get it all done in time as everything was a bit last minute as I had to fill and decorate the cake in the morning due to a baking disaster with the cake the night before!! The cake you see in the picture was the 3rd attempt! The first wasn't big enough, the 2nd was burnt and the 3rd turned out just right! Oh dear I'd not baked a cake for a long time and thought it would be easy, I now have a good recipe that I will stick to never mind I get there in the end!

The table looked really pretty. Let me point out the details!! Each child had a party popper and bottle of bubbles. The girls had a little rings attached to their name tags and the boys had a badge. See those butterfly mobiles, and straws that me and my niece sat cutting out from Laura Ashley wallpaper do you?!! Do you?!!

We had a bit of an Angelina Ballerina theme going, as Emily LOVES Angelina Ballerina since our special day together here she has been hooked.

This lovely picture of Angelina was put together by my two helpers drawn by my niece Jade and painted by my mum I think it's so nice that I'm going to put it on the wall in Emily's bedroom. We used it for pin the bow on Angelina.


My rushed cake! Which I was pleasantly surprised with that it actually tasted very nice! the pink cake stand was a bargain at just £2 marked down because the little cake stand that should be on top was missing.

All the girls had a butterfly slide for their hair.

Were having fun!

The birthday girl enjoyed herself!

After all the party games each child decorated a cup cake which I boxed up in a marshmallow bottomed box for them to take home as a favour inside their goodie bags. I forgot to take photos of this but we had a tray full of about 8 different cake decorations glitter,smarties,pink and white hearts that sort of thing and a piping bag of icing. This is one I had left and had for supper. surprisingly I have no problems baking cupcakes!


The children really seemed to enjoy themselves and having just five children was just right there was lot's of dancing and excitement but most importantly Emily's face was beaming throughout and loved it.

I can't put it into words how much mummy and daddy love you we can't believe you four where has all that time gone? You are beautiful in every way and you haven't stopped saying thank you for everything which is so sweet. Yesterday we had a mummy and daughter day one to one which was wonderful to enjoy each others company we had lunch at Little Frankie's and tried on all the dresses in the Disney Store then you picked one to buy with you money from Auntie Xana.

Happy birthday Emilyxxxx

Party preparations

It was the last day of January today and it was a beautiful sunny day here in Derbyshire we woke up to a gorgeous sunset casting a pink glow into Emily and Elliot's room. Well January has been a month of organising in the Miss sew n sew household and I am relieved to say that everywhere is now tip top tidy including my studio which was done today so now I can concentrate on other things.

First thing on my to do list will be organising a birthday party for Emily who turns four next Saturday. She is having a little tea party the day before on the Friday I am making the most of being able to do a traditional style party at home with pass the parcel and musical chairs etc.................... I have to admit that unlike some mum's who dread organising children's parties I do actually quite enjoy organising it all although last year I did actually feel quite stressed during the event as I invited 13 children way to many for our little cottage! Having learnt from last years mistake this year she's having just having just 3 of her closest friends yes I know it sounds a bit mean just 3 but if you count Emily and Elliot that's 5 kids then there's the mums and friends and family so that's plenty. I was hoping that this will be much more manageable and less work for me! After planning to keep it small and simple I've ended up getting quite carried and have now got ton's to do!





My mum thought of me and picked this book up for me on her visit to the library kid's parties by Lisa Atwood I can really recommend this book if you need some inspiration for a children's party it has gorgeous pictures and lots of different themed party idea's for girls and boys. I was really taken by this idea a cupcake decorating tea party how cute?





Each child gets to decorate their own cupcake which you box up in a pretty box for them to take home with them we'll be doing ours after the food and games once their filled up with jelly and ice cream and party food hopefully that will avoid any protests of I want to eat mine now!!!



My niece Jade comes round most Fridays for a tea and a chat so I've had a little helper cutting out these butterflies, I knew that extra roll of Laura Ashley wallpaper would come in handy for something. Thursday we'll be decorating the room ready for Emily's big day I hope it all goes to plan I've tried not to mention the 'party' word as she gets so excited but it hasn't worked at all you just can' hide anything from her she soon cottons on that mummy's up to something and she's been counting the sleeps down now for the past week!

Oh well wish me luck I now have a long list of bit's and pieces to make to pretty up the room, a Angelina Ballerina birthday cake to bake and decorate, cupcakes to bake I really haven't perfected the art or the perfect cupcake's mine come out domed shaped like little Mount Everest's any hint's and tips on baking nice flat cupcakes gratefully accepted!! Goodie bags to make decorate and fill! I no! I no!! I'm probably making lots and lots of unnecessary work for myself and I annoy myself sometimes once I get an idea in my head I have to go full out and finish every last detail I tell myself to keep things simple and I can never stick to it. I'll keep you posted on how it all goes next week. Finally a big thank you to Lou at Ludabelle for choosing me for this award. It's so nice to think that somebody actually reads and enjoys this little blog of mine thank you sooo much you brightened up my day!

I'm going to be lazy and take the easy route and not pass on this award, there's so many fabulous blogs out there that I love to read that I just can't choose! Hope you all have had a good week I have some catching up to do in between the preparations for princess tea party central!
Sarahx

Now you are two!

Gosh that was quick can't believe Christmas is over and were heading into 2009 hope you all had a fab Christmas I've been looking around blog land and everyone seems pretty quiet I suppose were all easing ourselves back into the swing of things after all the Chrimbo madness. Well we had a lovely Christmas the kids were happy and overwhelmed with all their presents Christmas morning we had my parents and Grandma over for breakfast and we had our pork pie and poachers pickle a tradition in our family that we have always done do you know anyone else you does this? Then we went over to my sister-in-laws for dinner which was fabulous to not to have to cook and just enjoy the day. Then Boxing Day Elliot turned 2 yes it was his birthday so we did presents all over again and had family over for drinks and birthday cake! Our baby is growing into a little boy and a gorgeous boy we are so proud of you, you are changing every day and a lot at the moment as you are starting to put sentences together and doing lots of talking. I can remember wondering what sort of personality you would have when we had you and you have turned out to be so loving your always there for a kiss and a cuddle, your a proper boy and a cheeky mischievous one too and you never fail to make me and everyone around you laugh. Although sometimes I can be pulling my hair out at times when your up to no good like the number of time's I've caught you kneeling on top of the tv unit licking and putting your hands all over our plasma tv or when you've helped your self to the 4th yogurt in a row from the fridge and spilt it all over the floor and many other no no's too many to mention but on the other hand I will be smiling and laughing in the next moment with your charming ways.
You are a pleasure to look after and I feel like I have the best job in the world being your mummy. We had an awful year the year I found out I was pregnant as Steven also found out he had thyroid cancer and had to have two operations. So it was a year of worry and stress but we were told that Steven was going to be ok and he longed for you to be a boy. So it was the bestest news and most wonderful blessing that we had a boy after everything we had been through.


Emily is so happy to have a little brother it melts my heart to see you play nicely together I hope you will always be this close that's why we had you close together. Of course you argue but I don't know any brother and sister that doesn't I can imagine when your older being quite protective over your sister. As your quite bashful and stand up for yourself now where as Emily is more gentle and quiet.

Happy Birthday Elliot mummy and daddy are so looking forward to every moment and experience with you in 2009 now you are two. x x

Birthday treats!

I wanted to post this much earlier in the week but I've been to busy doing mummy jobs, Emily has chicken pox and the itchiness has been driving her mad at night and she has hardly slept I was up with her watching Mickey Mouse's clubhouse downstairs at 3.00am last night and having to cover her in calamine lotion to ease the itching bless her. Oh the joys of being a mother! I didn't think it would effect her to badly as it's supposed to be kinder to younger children but she's been in a pretty bad way with it. It will be Elliotts turn next I'm sure!


This week I've won another giveaway I could quite get used to this! It was a very pleasant surprise. This time I've won this lovely eco bag the one in the middle with the heart on from Sian at Diary Of A Tinyholder thank you Sian I love it it's very pretty. It will be used on a regular basis as you can see I have a little collection of bags hanging up opposite the front door they all have their uses. My fav Cath Kidston bag, a CK eco bag and a nice plain jute bag behind. It will be very useful to have two eco bags as I find that one is often not enough and then I end up using a carrier bag anyway which spoils the point.
For my birthday outing last week I went to this place http://www.thebottlekiln.co.uk/ It's my fav place to shop around here it has a gorgeous home accessories shop that sells Greengate, Emma Bridgewater,Susie Watson and lots more. It also has a really nice cafe and a beautiful Japanese tea garden which Emily and Elliott ran round with mum and dad while I spent! To our horror we didn't notice the sign till 30 mins later that said 'no children, please help to keep this garden peaceful' whoops! Their must of been some harsh looks and tutting from the people sitting there drinking their tea!
Here's what I spent my birthday money on from my Steven's brother and my sister in law. A Susie Watson jug, a pretty button heart and a East of India hanging sign. Thank you if your reading this!!x I also treated myself to these bit's and pieces for my bathroom shelf's.

For my main present from Steven and my mum and dad I'm having some cushion covers commissioned fromhttp://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/theenglishhome . We've recently won a second hand white corner sofa off ebay and my old cushions just didn't look right. I know I could probably make them myself but I need seven of them and they would take me forever to make with the lack of time I have at the moment I can only manage small projects. Anyway I'm very impatient and want the instant look it's my birthday treat!!

I went to visit Abby to choose the materials. I was overwhelmed with the choice of fabrics, her studio shelf's were stacked from floor to ceiling in the most gorgeous 'Kate Forman', 'Cabbages and Roses' and another company I had not heard of 'Ernest and Matilda' (all in my side bar). It took me ages to make my mind up as I loved them all Steven kept popping his head round the door voicing his opinion and saying no pom pom trim what a meany!!! Mind you I did squeeze in some pleated frills without him knowing! I shouldn't complain he is very open about my style of decorating and says yes to nearly everything. But he does like to voice his opinion on everything at least he's interested I suppose! Elliott would probably pull the pom poms off anyway. In the end I went for some beautiful Ernest and Matilda and Kate Forman fabrics in blues and pinks!

I don't know what I'm doing wrong but I keep getting big gaps appear between text and photos, so I've closed the gaps and now have a big gap at the bottom of my post it's driving me mad is it blogger or me?!