Yesterday my ego was felled.

Well and truly hobbled by the 8yo.

As I lay wounded, I wondered if my Catherine Tate-esque ‘I can do that’ attitude was letting me down. If maybe I should be less brazen about my ability to turn my hand to anything – obviously I know this isn’t true but I do think it’s important that my children see me as a ‘doer’ rather than a ‘can’t- doer’.

Today is Egyptian day at the 8yo’s school.  Last week he came home with a photocopied page of a costume they all needed to take into school for today.  The girls needed some sort of toga-like affair and the boys were to turn up in a pillowcase, or similar – literally a length of material wrapped around their waist.

And spend the day in this costume.

I was confused.  It seemed a little sparse somehow.

Finally, the boy wonder came home with some more details.  He could dress up as anything Egyptian but he’d chosen Osiris because “that’s an easy one”.

“What d’you mean ‘easy’ ?” I said

“Well, I’m not being funny….” (uh-oh) “but you’re not as good as the other mums at making stuff”

“WHAT?!?!”

“It’s just that I thought this would be easy for you”

*sound of my poor wounded ego dragging its sorry self out of the back door to die*

In case you’re not familiar with Osiris ( and tsk, where were you that day?)  this is he:

Now, is it me or is that not exactly ‘easy’?

After lots of careful planning (a scribbled ‘how-to’ on an A4 sheet),  last night I got out the sewing machine – not deliberately last-minute but y’know, it’s been a busy week.

I found a blanket with a ‘sort-of’ Egyptian weave – Mother, if you’re reading LOOK AWAY NOW – and I cut and crafted my little heart out.

The boy wonder was driving the sewing machine thinking he was at Silverstone rather than engaged in highly technical crafting, but we got there, ish.

Then we realised that we didn’t have any face paints, and I couldn’t find a black eyeliner. But, without further excuse I present Osiris:

Personally I think the stripy socks and bermudas make it….

And anyone who is tempted to use the S*-word – just don’t ok – don’t!

——————————————————————————-

*Shepherd – really, don’t!

The Crafty Mum
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44 thoughts on “The Crafty Mum

  • July 16, 2010 at 9:43 am
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    He looks even better in the day-light! you’ve made me smile even though my head aches!

  • July 16, 2010 at 9:51 am
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    Wow! That’s far better than I could manage. (And you have a sewing machine! That’s got to put you halfway there from the outset.)

  • July 16, 2010 at 9:53 am
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    You’re a blinking genuis! What do you mean it’s not any good? It’s fab. Although Sam’s face is a picture, something tells me he’s not too impressed.

  • July 16, 2010 at 10:17 am
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    You are as a I have always suspected, The Master of Motherhood! Seriously? A sewing machine? Which you know how to use? *bows down in awe*

    Impressive. He looks fabulous. All my kids worry about at times like this is the Amazon delivery lead-times because they know my limitations. Still, I make cracking cakes so all is not lost in the creative mum ego part of self-worth here at MD Manor 😉

    MD xx

  • July 16, 2010 at 11:19 am
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    He looks great (although the s-word did slightly occur to me…) – why do schools force parents to do these things?

  • July 16, 2010 at 12:10 pm
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    I think that’s fantastic, you should see some of the things I’ve had to make. But like the comment above, I don’t know why schools ask parents to make such things. Shouldn’t it be something the children can make themselves? (Though that would mean parents would still end up doing it!)

  • July 16, 2010 at 12:24 pm
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    It looks bloody marvellous! Honestly if it had been I would have kept him off school that day. Promised him that green pokeman ds game and been off! Well done x

  • July 16, 2010 at 1:02 pm
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    oh i’ve recently had my first taste of this. I had to make my eldest up as, yes you’ve guessed it, a shepherd. Easy apparently. Well this little mother didn’t even know what a shepherd looked like. So i got my mum to do it. That is how bad i am at this sort of thing. Compared to me my love, you are a big fat genuis. (even if your son doesn’t agree).

    http://marketingtomilk.wordpress.com

  • July 16, 2010 at 2:38 pm
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    The fact that you own a sewing machine … nah, know how to USE a sewing machine, has just made me realise how truly unprepared and I was/am for motherhood!

    The headdress is very impressive I must say.

    You rock!

    Kx

  • July 16, 2010 at 2:39 pm
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    obviously that word ‘and’ isn’t supposed to be there … damn fast typing, damn it!

  • July 16, 2010 at 2:56 pm
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    I m jealous you even know how to sew. I have some buttons needing sewing on. Love his face. Is it for the costume or for you taking the picture?

  • July 16, 2010 at 3:23 pm
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    Spill…….what have you yet to share with me – even though you did have the opportunity!!!xx

    PS Something familiar…..??

  • July 16, 2010 at 3:25 pm
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    PS
    Notwithstanding S’s comments I think you are very good at conjuring up outfits at very short notice – Am I forgiven for the “Jubilee” event yet???? xx

  • July 16, 2010 at 3:44 pm
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    Wow, he looks…like a shepherd…

    …during a stay in hospital perhaps.

    I’m kidding of course. Theme days are a bane. Funnily enough, the simplest of instructions can leave the Up Norths floundering. The Wunderkind has to wear house colours on Monday, which for him is red. Does he own a piece of red clothing? Does he buggery. Argh!

  • July 16, 2010 at 3:51 pm
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    That is a really fine outfit. I was genuinely expecting something rubbish. I think you wee man just played you. ‘if I tell my mummy she is pants, she’ll step up to the plate.’ Next, it’ll be ‘mum, you’ll never be able to afford to buy me a decent car?’ 😉 Nice job missus! Loving your work 😉

  • July 16, 2010 at 4:13 pm
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    I think we both know the answer to that! xx

  • July 16, 2010 at 4:13 pm
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    It’s Nana’s blanket *cough* WAS Nana’s blanket….

  • July 16, 2010 at 7:52 pm
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    Is that your best attempt at s*it? Hmm, well it looks mighty fine to me. I’m v much enjoying his serious expression. and the dog. Did the dog go to school with him? A winning combo. x

  • July 16, 2010 at 8:20 pm
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    A very crafty mum! It’s brilliant! Glad you’re not a parent at the school my son’s going to as I get a bit competitive with costume making.

  • July 16, 2010 at 8:44 pm
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    Okay, I’m worried now. My children will be at school in two years. In two years time I’ll have to start making costumes. *says a swear word and faints* x

  • July 17, 2010 at 8:41 pm
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    Firstly as someone else has pointed out –

    You have a sewing machine (not in itself that impressive – let’s face it we can all buy one)
    You actually know how to use it (actually the hardest thing of all is taking it out of it’s box)
    You found something (albeit Nana’s blanket) to craft something from.
    You are a legend.

    PS: can you send him over tomorrow we’ve got 3 stray sheep and shepherds are notoriously tricky to find Sarf of the river.
    (from a mush from Shepherds Bush)
    x

  • July 18, 2010 at 9:58 am
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    and you know, it’ll double up as a great nativity custume *ducks*

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:06 am
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    Glad to be of service! Thanks Julia x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:07 am
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    I do love my sewing machine – obviously now I need a workshop and an extension for craft activities!

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:08 am
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    That’s what Osiris looked like – so I’m told…..absolutely refused to smile! He was gutted when he came out of school and they’d lost his hat!

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:10 am
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    Ah thanks lovely friend. Amazon lead-times are a law unto themselves – it’s more stress than I can handle 😉

    I’m still waiting to sample your cake pops *hints* xx

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:11 am
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    Grrr! It’s payback for putting up with our little darlings for 5 days a week…

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:13 am
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    Ah well, in this case at least, he did help…..obviously there are time constraints but I do enjoy it, it’s good to feel involved with what they’re doing. I’d rather do this than homework!

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:14 am
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    shhhhh! He’s finally stopped asking about the green pokemon! x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:15 am
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    You see, they start you off at shepherd and they gradually work you up to Egyptian God (aka Shepherd)…. it’s a learning curve 😉

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:17 am
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    Nothing like a challenge! I’d enjoy the whole process a lot more if I didn’t always leave it to the night before! x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:18 am
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    Don’t worry K, it’s not a pre-requisite…..it’s amazing what you can achieve with a stapler, double-sided sticky tape, and a tea-towell – instead Shepherd! x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:21 am
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    I saw A – he looked fab! And yes, five stars and a medal, and a lifetime of gratitude would do nicely x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:22 am
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    Thanks Susie – it is for the costume (arguably!) It came home almost intact as well, which is amazing!

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:24 am
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    Wow, you really know your Shepherds! I trust you are spending the day either A) dyeing clothes for the Wunderkind or B) Shopping for red clothes for the Wunderkind…… a parent’s job is never done 🙂

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:26 am
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    I’d like to think that you’re right – sadly I don’t think it’s the case. He did later reveal that most of the mums buy the costumes and ‘that’s’ why they’re better……tsk

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:27 am
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    Did you see the expression on the dog’s face? “You’re not SERIOUSLY going to let him leave the house like that are you?” Suffice to say she was nowhere to be seen as he left for school… x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:32 am
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    oooh, a sew-off – I like the sound of that! x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:34 am
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    *wafts smelling salts* Fear not deary, the good news is that a child will wear pretty much anything and think it’s ok – it’s the other parents you’ve got to worry about! x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:35 am
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    I’ll take your accolades lady, and display them proudly on my mantelpiece…. thankyou.

    I might have to magic away your PS though… x

  • July 18, 2010 at 10:37 am
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    *aims, fires, maims a reindeer*

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  • July 18, 2010 at 10:49 am
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    Wait – we have to make costumes? For our Smalls as they get older? For school?

    And..and..

    Osiris is meant to be an EASY one?

    *shudders and heads into the loft to start practicing for the next year*

    Looking at your efforts, I’m just going to send mine to you in the future.
    xx

  • July 18, 2010 at 11:02 am
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    excellent! well done you. i’m so glad my lads have grown outta all this, although No.2 son still expects me to be able to whip up a costume for Halloween.

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