A Change of Name - What do you Think?

I've been thinking about changing the name of my blog.  I'm not worried about losing readers, as I certainly don't have many, and intend to make it clear where I can be found in the future.  While it was coming up with the name that finally got me to sit down and start posting, it hasn't really stood the test of time for me, its too long and not very evocative.

I'm considering

• The Hare and the Tortoise (although this very nice blog exists already)
• The Snails Pace
• A Snails Pace of Life
• It's a Snails Life
• The Snail and the Tortoise

As you can see I've got a bit of a snail thing going on, the underdog of the cute crafting movement. 

I don't usually invite comments in my posts, due to my low readership and not wanting to watch the tumbleweed roll by the comments section.  But here goes..... Any thoughts on the name change?

Space Station Costume

The school's book week always fills me with a mix of fear and ambition.  Particularly so this year as my son was still mentally scarred by the supposed Harry Potter costume I threw together in two minutes for the school disco.  It's rubbish-ness did not escape the attention of the other kids there.

I love that my kids think outside the box for costumes, not stopping to consider whether their ideas might be humanly possible. For the first time this year the book parade had a theme, Space.  Despite the fact I don't think this theme has much to do with books, or lends itself to costumes brilliantly, we rose to the challenge.

Weighted Vest - Hopefully the Ugliest Thing I Ever Make

A year or so ago a wonderful teaching assistant at my son's school recommended I make a weighted vest to help him settle in class.  They are known to calm kids with autism spectrum, sensory processing, attention and anxiety disorders.  They work upon the same principle as feeling cosy under a thick blanket, I know I do, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.

I watched Temple Grandin the other night and it seems the idea initially came from her being hugely calmed by some sort of cow squeezing machine, I don't know what it is, I'm a city girl.  Temple Grandin has been a pretty revolutionary force in the understanding and treatment of people with autism spectrum disorders.  As I google this I realise there are machines on the market for humans that do the same job, but a vest seems a lot more practical for a mainstream classroom.

It's the Thought That Counts

I have a 70's pattern book that has some pretty groovy threads in, and some pretty awful ones too.  One of the patterns is for a very cute Angel Top which I enjoy making for friends with little girls.  One of my good friend's twins recently (read several months ago) turned one.  They are a boy and a girl and I was keen to make the Angel top for the little girl.  It's a pattern I've made many time, but it's incredible how I can still get things wrong.  My only mistake was turning the sleeves up a little too much, but given that I can't fit it to the baby it's all guess work anyway.

Life Got In The Way (and Minecraft)

As regular visitors (hello Shell and Kate) will be aware it's been a long time since I've managed to post anything.  This is partly because I've been exhausted from a rough few weeks and partly because my creative efforts have turned to things that will make it a bit better.

One good reason to not be sewing so much is my missing of seeing live bands has finally overwhelmed me and I've done something about it.  After years of wanting to see The Herd I heard last Wednesday morning on the radio that they were doing a free gig in Bondi that night.  The fact it was free, drivable to and parkable at got me over the nerves of going on my own, and I'm so glad I did, I loved it.  I loved it so much in fact I went to see Big Scary supported by Courtney Barnett on my own a couple of days ago too.  This was also fantastic, but sitting around between acts pushed my self consciousness limits a bit.

Family Fimo Time

A few weeks ago I bought a necklace with Fimo beads at the Pop & Shop Market in Kyle Bay.  It's a lovely necklace, which I am complimented on every time I wear it, not a common occurrence for me.  While obviously I can't claim any credit for this beyond choosing it to buy, it has inspired to revisit another hobby I enjoyed in the past, Fimo.

My older son's homework was to make a solar system diorama, so I seized the opportunity for some Family Fimo Time, and here are the results.

Little Prince Costume

Last November my son wanted to dress as The Little Prince from Antoine de Saint-Exupér's novel for his school Bookweek parade.  I loved that this beautiful classic had caught his imagination over Ben 10 and Zac Powers, but obviously a pirate would have been easier.  My other son picked the Jabberwocky, but this was so ambitious I didn't feel much pressure.