Summers end

It's taken me all summer to finally pick up my crochet hook. I was a little wary of being pulled in to something new. (What about all those wips for starters?). I found my way back in with Hannapat's monthly mandalong. Following the pattern here. This was fun, I keep admiring it. Simple things! Simple pleasures.

mini granny mandala

The summers end for us as well as the beginning of a new school year has always meant a birthday. This boy of mine who was born when the sunflowers were opening and who has indeed always been willowy and fair, and now almost a head taller than me. And who I now have to look up towards to wag my finger at. Although this practice works no longer in fact it may not have worked at all. Negotiation and de-escalation has now taken it's place.

time for sunflowers

The sunflowers have been brought. The presents are secretly wrapped. I love this wrapping. It reminds me of the colouring books I loved and my felt tips. I would spend hours colouring in those patterns.

sunflower boy is 16!

As I type I realize there is probably lots to bring you up to date with. This year we are beginning a new regime. It's called Hope training. A local project run by The Door youth project. I have been worrying about it all summer. It means stepping away from the secondary education system, which for one reason and another hasn't really worked for us. So it's quite a plunge. But it seems like a positive place, where they meet you, where you are actually at. A place to be accepted and acknowledged for who you are and to build up confidence. It's a big letting go of a system that hasn't been able to meet our needs and stepping into our own path. Officially we will be counted as home-schoolers, although at this stage I wouldn't really have wanted to consider that without this project in place.

Sixteen feels good though. So grown up suddenly. I keep thinking about this sweet little blond boy I used to know. It's been such a journey.

I had to adapt this card to say sixteen, you can see why! We do love Jack Russels around here.

dreaming of chasing rabbits

Todays snooze took place here, in the lovely warm sunny boot room. I really quite envied her. It's a dogs life. Thrifted blankets are her favourite too.

Just above her is a chalk board, I found it being thrown out. Of course I rescued it, knocked out the rusty that nail which was probably making it rather unchild friendly, and decided to hang it here where I plan to change the saying regularly. 'Let the heavy stuff go' Was really rather appropriate to the two days I spent last weekend clearing out the garage. I exhausted myself, the garage is almost empty and this is the kind of thing I do when I am worrying about things it seems. I think there is a lot of letting go going on at the moment to. Might be time to change it soon though!

I seem to have a lot to say.......

Can I just show you this.

a special card wallet from Kingsley leather on Etsy

The wonderful Kingsley from Kingsley Leather made this. Kingsley is credited with starting the Crafters of Gloucestershire Etsy group. It's a great idea, bringing the local crafters together. He makes funky leather bow ties as well different kinds of wallets/purses too. He is our group leader. I have to resist the urge to sing Kingsley is our leader, Kingsley is our leader, la la la la , la la la la hey! ....... when I speak to him! It's a very cute handmade slim leather card wallet. It's very light, just right for sixteen I hope. I love the red stitching, it called me! and the lion stamp. I hope he won't lose it. It's a great size for tucking in your jeans, perhaps with a little cash and a card inside. It goes very quickly at sixteen that's for sure.

sunflower embroidery by my Mum

Well I'm glad to be able to have a catch up. Hope September is going well for you all.

sweet nectar

and life is good.