Friday, December 31, 2010

How to spend a stinking hot New Year's Eve... or not.

It was forty degrees* with a hot north-westerly wind.... the kind of weather that turns me into a cranky madwoman who draws blinds and fears the great outdoors (which is like a fan-forced oven).

It's the kind of weather that makes me cancel errands and appointments that were planned for the day, opting for water-based activities with the smallest person in the house.

*104 degrees farenheit, for my American friends.

We started with an overhaul of the hair-tie drawer in the bathroom (yes, she really DOES have a drawer full!).

Nothing like free rein with a pump pack of soft soap to engage the girls enthusiasm..... she washed them all. We brightened up buttons, washed and re-shaped yo-yo's, then quick-dried them in the outdoor oven (read: outside on the cement footpath).

We snipped off broken old elastics and then couldn't find a needle and thread to stitch on the new.... thus, inventing a job for another day...
On to felting...... and the wee one remembered that she'd seen slippers in a felting book, and was DETERMINED. TO. MAKE. SLIPPERS.

I insisted that my felting skills were not good enough for that, and that we'd need support materials and all sorts of things and skills that I don't have... blah, blah.

She insisted that she knew how to needle-felt slippers and set to it, determinedly..... I just watched ...like a hawke (the kind that reminds kids to keep their fingers out of the way of sharp, jabbing needles).
She refused all guidance as she snipped sole-shapes from felted wool fabric and started to shape fleece around one of them. It was at the point where it was actually wearable, that she accepted a bit of help to fine-tune the shaping.
There was lots of trying on, with me holding bits together and saying, "Ok... get that bit now..."
...and only one unfortunate collision of finger and needle (mine, thankfully, and only one needle instead of all 5).
(BTW.... that picture of Hoot in the background is a whole other story.... a blutack-and-paper collage... blutacked to the kitchen wall. I smile every time I pass it).

Eventually we had some (somewhat rustic) needle-felted slippers!
Ahem.... perfect for a forty-degree day.

We made nori rolls for dinner (the girl and I).
Now I sit, listening to the distant thump of city fireworks, the loud crackles and pops of (illegal) local fireworks and the soft snores from the couch (man of the house started snoozing around an hour ago). I've watched the end of Braveheart, drunk wine, eaten ice-cream and done some knitting.

I've thought about how lucky I am to have mis-spent my youth on all sorts of wild-child New Year's Eve parties, adventures and misadventures....and to know that - without a doubt - if I had my choice of ways to spend this day, I wouldn't have it any other way than the way it was today.

I believe it's 2011. Happy New Year to you all!

19 comments:

Sally said...

Still 2010 in my part of the world :)
HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

... oh and can your girl send me some slippers.

A Peppermint Penguin said...

you believe erroneously still the afternoon of Hogmanay here!

You make a fab team you two. She clearly gets her genius and stubborn tenacity from close to home ;-)

Onwards and upwards 2011. But with more breathing.

Cheers,
AJ

Fiona said...

And we're happy because for the first time in 6 weeks we've just edged above zero for a brief time and we're going to enjoy a lovely long walk with the dog this afternoon without the need for 20 layers!!

Still a while to go before we get to the New Year celebrations (another 11 hours for all those on Eastern Standard Time).

Having seen your daughter's craftiness, I may just have to give felting a go in 2011. Thanks for the suggestion!

Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy new year!

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

the slippers are brilliant!!

Unknown said...

Fantastic slippers. Maybe your little girl might have a career in footwear design, rather than hats and bags?

Cheryl (aka Kayly) said...

They actually turned out rather well. The 'Little One' can be very proud of her efforts. So can the the 'Big One' who not only encourages her but makes sure there is time for her regardless of what else has to be done. Happy New Year.

Jodie said...

Sounds like a great NYE to me nikki, Hope 2011 is a spectacular year.

rachelmp said...

Happy 2011 Nikki! I am seriously impressed with the felted slippers. Nothing like a determined 5 year old!

Chrys said...

Happy New Year Nikki and gang....Love the hairties...hehehe...and I thought I had tonnes here!....well I do, sometimes when I have nothing better to do (or things I dont want to do) I jsut make buttons! lol....see what u and the wee girl started me on!!! I think we need to for a button-a-holics club...lol. Tell the wee girl loved the slippers, and i miss her lots, and can't wait to hear how school goes. If she gets bored one day on holidays, get her to send me an email...think u still have my email address.....
enjoy 2011!

Leonie said...

The wee one has made an awesome pair of slippers and now has another wonderful memory to look back on from childhood where she was encouraged to pursue her desires with Mum helping where needed. A very powerful thing indeed.
Happy New Year, hope it brings you everything you wish for and even more :-)

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Happy New Year Nikki, imagine the hair accessories we have with 3 girls & a mum who likes a clip or two in her hair?? Love Posie

Baa-Me Kniits said...

It's stinking hot up here today again and we are getting yet another thunder storm, I will have webbed toes soon:-) I love those slippers and seeing what you can do with needle felting, I tend to only do small projects but I do need a new pair of slippers for winter!

Happy New Year to you and yours down in your part of Oz, hope the weather cools down a bit for you soon :-)

Tas said...

Let me know when the girl is tkaing custom orders for adult slippers. They are gorgeous. Happy New Year!

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

Oh I just love it! Great slippers and such a determined child :) Wishing you the happiest of happy new years!

Noel said...

Those slippers are adorable and so is your daughter. Thank you for sharing this story.

Fer said...

Sounds like the perfect way to ring in the new year. I love reading your little snippets of life shared with the wee girl, so inspiring.

Wishing you a creative filled 2011!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

Happy New Year Nikki. I hope 2011 is full of wonderful things for you.

Love the gorgeous felted slippers. She's a clever one, that wee girl.

Anonymous said...

What a great way to spend the day...very impressed with the slippers. Happy New Year Nikki, hope it's full of exciting times.

Kobra said...

Wow, that is so cool!! The slippers looks great!!