SarahDesigns PaganBride

Spring - A cold start…

We go for a walk.
Hound and soon to be sleeping
Cooped in the safe and warm
Now free.

Up the hill
Swaths of broken drifts
Disjointed icebergs floating
On Tarmac and pebble.

Frozen fingers
Rough rope lead
Teeny hands searching
Pulled in closer.

Distant white hills
Perfect, quiet, trapped
Glimpse at the sleeper
Through his makeshift nest.

Hound behind my ankles
Dodging a harsh wind
Behind furry boot tops
Sunshine.

Buried under blankets
Peering, peeking, waiting
Green spears promising
Colour.

Down into the valley now
No wind, icebergs melted
Protected
Subjected to the main road

Home in view
Spring is here
Cold but new
Glad I searched.

I am trying a bit of shoe design for the first time. These are a pair of shoes for my little Conor, with a moon gazing hare design. I’ve done a how to on my web page here: http://www.freewebs.com/sarahholdcroft/howtocustomshoes.htm

You can also find my “How to?” pages on the Something New link at the top of the page.

Anonymous asked: I spoke to you (very briefly) this morning about whether you would write a birth story for the Nct magazine. I've found your birth story and we'd like to use it. If you're okay with that then please email me and include a photo to go with the storyCheers Suzanne

Of course you can use any of my birth stories, they can be found here:

http://www.freewebs.com/sarahholdcroft/birththoughts.htm

There are pictures on that page, but I can email some if you give me an email address. This is my Facebook if you prefer:

www.facebook.com/sarahdesigns

xx

Happy half birthday Conor.

Can not believe how fast six months has flown by. Jacob is fast approaching 6 (how did that happen?!!!) and Noah nearly 4 and a half.

I found some videos of when they were a lot younger, and can’t believe how much they have changed. I feel a bit sad that we won’t get those baby words, cute cuddles and those first steps, rolls and giggles from them again. But it does make me cherish Conor a bit more, even through the sleepless nights and the cold after cold.

Babies are hard work and it’s an emotional journey, but you will miss it when it’s gone. Well some will, everyone is different.

Hey, look at me getting nostalgic!

Things going on at the moment? I need a holiday, somewhere with a bath! But our favourite place is booked up. We need to save pennies any way, a house deposit is looming further and further away!

Conor update!
Well Conor is nearly 6 months old! Time has flown. He is already trying to get mobile, pulling himself towards toys and trying to stay sitting up! Not sure what he weighs, will have to get Chris to weigh him.

He’s in 9-12 month clothes and some 12-18 month. He’s not a big fan of solids, and definitely not a big fan of being spoon fed, but happy to munch on stuff he can hold when he feels like it!

It’s coming up to 2 years since my dad passed away, and I have been looking over old photos and things that we did then.

I’ve just finished a page on my website recapping on the floral bouquet I did for the funeral. I’d never ever done any kind of flower arranging, but we didn’t have a lot of money and it seem a viable option. I’m glad I took progress pictures. It’s nice to look back on such a commemorative craft experience.

http://www.freewebs.com/sarahholdcroft/flowers.htm

I’ve just updated my Yule Photoshoots page on my website, Feel free to take a peek!

http://www.freewebs.com/sarahholdcroft/yulephotoshoots.htm

Each year we’ve taken a picture of our boys for our Yule cards. It’s a great way to build memories, and see them grow - try it yourself!

Last year it was pirates!

The birth of my first child was very traumatic for me and I have come to realise that the people you have around you during your antenatal care and the birth of your child are more important than a lot of women and care providers understand.

For example, I was so apprehensive of being bullied into a care pathway that did not suit me, I put off even telling a care provider I was pregnant with my third child, and sadly my first antenatal appointment with a midwife at my GP surgery started with me waiting for an hour in the waiting room filling in my own notes.

Then I found one to one.

…and I found the control I needed over my own pregnancy and birth. Katie came to see me in my own home regularly, respected all of my wishes and the choices I made for myself and my family. She included my husband and young sons in the monitoring of the baby, and fitted in her visits when it was suitable for me.

I was at complete ease with Katie. This could be easily demonstrated in my blood pressure, which has always been on the high side within a doctors surgery, but at home with Katie it was always perfect.

Whatever happened I knew Katie was just a text or phone call away.

I felt happy and empowered through my pregnancy, and when my labour started Katie respected my birth space and we texted each other regular updates until the point came that I needed her.

I birthed Conor in our pool not long after Katie arrived. She was completely hands off just as I had wanted, the whole process was uninterrupted and I even enjoyed it.

I felt that Katie believed in me, and when a women is supported and empowered she is capable of anything.

I was in the care of one to one until Conor was 6 weeks old. The continuity was so important to me, and even though Conor is my third, and I should know the ins and outs of newborns, it was nice to be supported by a friendly face, that knew me during those formative weeks.

Conor’s birth is now a fabulous healing memory that has given me renewed faith in myself and my bodies abilities, I only hope more women can access this wonderful service.

http://www.onetoonemidwives.org/

Here is a lovely little plaque. It a child’s coat peg with a simple Totoro theme.

I have treated the plaque with a little Danish oil, to bring out the grain and tones of the wood.

Revisiting old techniques and crafts, trying new crafts by choice and being forced to use new paints as favourites fall out of production. Despite this, it’s good to return to something you tried along time ago.

I used to paint frames a lot, they are a nice medium. Flat, with infinite design possibilities. Great as name plaques for doors or as room decoration.

Food definitely seems to be a bit of an ongoing theme this year! I’m really liking this, a large oil burner. The stippling was a little more difficult with my newer paint, but got there in the end.

So, trying to get back into the swing of things. I haven’t done dragons for a while so it was quite a treat! He’s a colourful brute, keeping whatever you choose to stash, safe and sound - be it butter, jewellery, or chocolate coins hehe.

Non nom nom. Who’s for pudding? Here is a spoon, adorned with various desserts. Tasty!

Thinking of New Years resolutions - anyone else? Well, I really would like to do some more Celtic designs using pyrography. I really enjoyed doing this one, and the variations are endless! Happy 2013!

Treats for winter! This is such a fun design, another set of jars I want to keep!