Robbie Robot
Over the summer I am going to have to do a bit of re-adjusting. If I can't integrate the children into my crafting episodes they are either going to be watching a LOT of TV (which I hate) or I am going to be irritable with them because I would really rather they let me get on with doing something or other.
This must be a common dilemma among the legions of crafting mummies out there. The obvious solution seems to be to integrate them into what I am doing. With gardening this works brilliantly - Mark is a willing and increasingly able labourer and Johnny loves to potter. With cooking it's also fine but with crafting - I just can't seem to do it. I think the problem is that I am still such a beginner in so much of what I am trying to do, that I find it hard to accomplish it while supervising and helping little ones in the meantime. But I am really really trying.
I enjoyed making the series of minimoopies I did recently and I learned that it's not so impossible to sew a softie. Feeling quite bold, I asked Mark to help me design something we could make together and he drew a really great robot picture. I have annoyingly mis-placed it or I'd scan it for posterity.
He helped me choose the fabric and buttons and arrange the paper pattern and then, when they were safely tucked up in bed, I sewed and stuffed him.
Mark loves him in a really gratifying way and shows him to anyone who comes to the house. And I am trying to think of some other ways I can let them share this stuff with me. I surprised myself - it was fun.
This must be a common dilemma among the legions of crafting mummies out there. The obvious solution seems to be to integrate them into what I am doing. With gardening this works brilliantly - Mark is a willing and increasingly able labourer and Johnny loves to potter. With cooking it's also fine but with crafting - I just can't seem to do it. I think the problem is that I am still such a beginner in so much of what I am trying to do, that I find it hard to accomplish it while supervising and helping little ones in the meantime. But I am really really trying.
I enjoyed making the series of minimoopies I did recently and I learned that it's not so impossible to sew a softie. Feeling quite bold, I asked Mark to help me design something we could make together and he drew a really great robot picture. I have annoyingly mis-placed it or I'd scan it for posterity.
He helped me choose the fabric and buttons and arrange the paper pattern and then, when they were safely tucked up in bed, I sewed and stuffed him.
Mark loves him in a really gratifying way and shows him to anyone who comes to the house. And I am trying to think of some other ways I can let them share this stuff with me. I surprised myself - it was fun.
Comments
I love the little robot and the concept of bringing your son's drawing to life in the form of a toy. That is definitely something I'll have to try this summer!
I, too, have a rather hard time drawing the line -- my kids don't really care about my sewing so much yet, they'd rather play with legos. But as soon as I pull out my scrapbooking supplies, it is a mad rush to create scraps for them to play with as well.
We've just had 2 weeks of school holidays here, and it is such a balancing act. And a guilt trip! I sew with Alice climbing on me. Good thing is that Beth is really becoming interested in what I do, so makes it easier to have her "help". And thanks for the skit comments too.
It's wonderful when they love the things you do though. My boys are very proud of their quilts and it makes me feel all fuzzy inside.
I like the robot's hair and his wrench-looking hands - great job!