Keepsake boxes - Treasured memories

Keepsake boxes- Treasured memories

When you have a baby everyone tells you how fast the time goes.  They tell you to treasure it, enjoy it because before you know it they will be in school….university…leaving home.  You smile politely and agree but you don’t quite believe it.  When your little ones are babies…days and nights merge into one and days are long…the time doesn’t feel like it’s going quickly!  You try so hard to enjoy every second, every precious moment and for the most part you acknowledge what a special time it is but some days you can’t help but dream of the time they are at school or better still when they are teenagers and they actually want to sleep!! 

Rose 6 weeks old

 

That is how I felt.  Fast forward time and somehow I find myself now sat here now with a nearly 2 yr old and both my boys at school.  Where did that time go?  They were right! Time has suddenly flown by.  I am now that person that says “enjoy those precious baby moments they go so fast.” Unbelievably, I have already forgotten so much!  When friends that have babies asked me simple questions like “what age were yours when you started weening them?”  “When did you start a routine?” “ What age were yours when they started to crawl?”  I answer vaguely because I can’t quite remember!  Why didn’t I write it all down?!!

 
How can we hold on to these precious memories? 

I have tried along the way to capture these memories and keep treasured baby items…here are some of the things I have tried, some have been more successful than others!...

 

Photographs

I am a little behind with Roses but both boys have ‘baby album’s.’  Where possible I have written little comments about their age and anything interesting that was happening around that time.   Although I must admit poor Rose, child no.3 has a lot less photos than the boys...especially Alfie!  I have so many photos of Alfie!

Videos

For these I am grateful to ‘Grandparents’ we have short videos of each of the children’s Christenings, few of Christmas, holidays that kind of thing.  I know these will be treasured and enjoyed for a long time.

 
Baby book

I have had ‘baby books’ brought for me but I am embarrassed to say I have not filled them in. Quite honestly I was too tired to put pen to paper and I thought I would remember…

 

Facebook

I love looking back through facebook at my ‘memories’ Photos that I have posted (mostly from my phone that I always forget to store or print out!) & status updates! I have noticed that Facebook are now offering a chance to print off / order all your facebook memories and pictures.  I love this idea.  Only problem for me is that I probably didn’t/don’t post enough!

 

Email

This is not something I have started yet, but definitely something I would love to try.  A friend recently told me about this idea & it is brilliant!  To open an email account for your child and then send them emails and pictures as they grow up.  You then give them their password when they are older! A fabulous 16^th or 18^th birthday gift! 

 

Keepsake box

I have never been organised enough to write baby books but I have kept a keepsake box for each of my children.  It takes very little effort but is a great way to store precious memories and items.  In each of my keepsake boxes are…

Hospital bands

First pair of booties / hat

Going home cardigan

Christening items/candle/ Christening cake topper

Cards

A few photos

First few pieces of art work

 

The boys 'keepsake boxes'

 

I love the idea of keeping these safe to look at and treasure for many years.  I couldn’t have a shop devoted to treasured items without providing a way to store memories so I am so excited to tell you that Keepsake boxes are now available to buy from little boots!  I was determined to find a box that could be personalised and was lovingly hand crafted.  I am so excited that I have achieved that.  They make great gifts for Christenings, Christmas, Birthdays, new born, baby showers…the list is endless.  Not only do they look great but you know that they will be lovingly used for many years.

 

 

Just one of the many keepsake box designs now for sale at Little boots

 

 

 

So have I missed any ways?  How do you store your memories?  I would love to hear your ideas.

 

Sam xx

 

Moving forward...

Just a short blog today to say hello, catch up with you all and fill you in with a few exciting plans for Little boots! 

Summer Bliss

Well mostly!  Id be wrong and in denial if I was to tell you that our summer holidays was perfect.  However, on the whole it was a lovely summer.  If you read my last post you will remember that we moved house in July.  To finally relax, settle down and enjoy the summer holidays here was just great.  Country living has certainly proved to be everything we hoped it would be and we couldn't be happier with our new home.  The children love the garden and the novelty of the chickens has still not worn off.  I've even managed a roast or two in the Aga. 

We also managed to escape to Devon and were lucky with the weather.  Glorious days spent on the beach with friends and eating (way too much!).  Rose still keeps us busy, mostly chasing her around...but she is a lot more content to play with the others and slot into our holiday routine.

Back to school

Alfie is now in Year 2 and its happened... my little William has started school.  Despite only turning 4 in August he cant wait.  Helped of course by his older brother Alfie loving school...he wants to be one of the 'big boys'. I have mixed emotions.  I miss him when he is at school.  He is great company around the house.  He loves to help in the garden, draw, paint make models with me.  I worry he is still so little and is going to be completely exhausted by school but at the same time I am so happy to see him so excited.  There have been some enormous 'smiles!' leaving our house.  I have certainly felt very tearful and have banned myself from thinking about when Rose starts school and I have an empty nest (big hug to anyone going through this!). 

However, back to school means moving forward for me....Rose finally can have some time devoted to her.  I am looking forward to spending quality time with her.  I am also excited about my own projects and moving forward with Little Boots.

Little Boots...What's next?

September marks the 5 month for Little Boots!  We are still so young, but I feel that we have got off to a great start and that the future for Little Boots is exciting and looks bright. Firstly, thank you so much for everyone's support so far.  I have had so many wonderful comments and feedback from the products you have received and I cant tell you how amazing that makes me feel.  With every order I take I always make a wish that it 'will be loved' and bring lots of smiles. When I hear that it has achieved this it makes my day! 

I have some exciting plans for Little Boots and cant wait to start sharing them with you.  We have new crochet products, new knitted hats, bunting, beautiful new line of New baby cards AND some of you may have noticed that on my website the 'keepsake' box section has been empty...FINALLY I have found a keepsake box that I will be proud to add to my shop.  I am not going to give too much away but they are stunning!! I am also currently working on improving my shop banner and Logo to give it the shop front it deserves.  My next Facebook target is to reach 1000 likes, I would love to achieve this by December;) So lots of tweeting, advertising and networking to do behind the scenes.  Not to mention trying to get to grips with pinterest, instagram etc. still so much to learn!!

So, moving forward...school back, autumn term, saying goodbye to summer, back to routine.  Its not so bad.  Lots to do & lots to look forward to...

Thanks so much for reading

Sam xxx

 

Home is where the heart is

Next week we are moving house.  For those of you that know me yes again!  We have always dreamt of a larger garden, little more rural and within the village my children go to school and pre school.  We are feeling lucky that this dream can become a reality & I can't believe that this time next week we will be in a sea of boxes ready to leave.

Its hard though right moving when you have children?

Practically
Somehow we have got to move an entire house with 3 little ones.  I still haven't quite figured out how this will work, but between us, a removal company and several friends roped in for childcare I am sure we will manage it...?!

Emotional attachment
The last house we left was hard.  It was the first house we had called our 'family home' where we had lived when we got married, had our first 2 boys and become a 'family'...I am still expecting to feel a little sad as we leave this house...our first move back to wales, to be near our family and of course where little Rose completed our family.  Not only that, when all the children are sleeping and the madness has calmed I find myself wondering if I am going to miss the 'newness' of our home, the ease of looking after a new house and the practical living that 'new' builds offer...the spacious bedrooms and en suite;) but then the excitement takes over and I remember the dream that our new country home will offer and I want to fast track the next week so I am there right now!

Home
What makes a house a home?  This is where we hope to be for many years.  We have been looking at houses for the last year.  There have been several that we thought we could call 'home' but that didn't quite work out.  When we visited this house I just had that feeling... from the moment we pulled onto the drive...an hour later we had put in an offer and here we are! 

This home will reflect our journey.  Within it will be wedding photographs, baby pics, special wall art that mean a lot to us.  Gifts and furniture that we have collected along the way.  It will also be the start of new dream for us as a family.  Where we can finally settle and enjoy all that comes with raising a family in the country!

Creating a home
Aside from all the things we will be taking with us I am also excited about buying new bits for it...this house suits more 'cottage' style pieces.  Pretty floral prints, bunting, rustic jugs filled with flowers.  So amongst the chaos of organising a house move I have been searching for new pretty handmade pieces to add to our new home.  Here is the link for a 'treasury' I put together of country inspired items... (I have already ordered the Cath Kidstone cushions and cant wait for them to arrive!) and here are my top 3 ways to create that homely touch from the minute you arrive, without any need for expensive decoration!!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/treasury/NTQ1NzU4MTl8MjcyNTA1NDk4OQ/gorgeous-country-inspired-accessories?index=0&atr_uid=

1) Cushions
I love cushions...they can add so much warmth and interest to a room so easily. These pretty Cath Kidstone cushions would look great in any room. I have ordered two pretty Cath Kidstone style cushions to pop in the hall on a bench seat.  A love a hall to look welcoming and give a hint of other colours and accessories that might be found in the rest of the house.

Also to add some fun to your children's rooms and help them to settle in...

Little boots

 

 

 

 Little boots

2) Wall art
So many to choose from but these are the ones that caught my eye on Etsy.  I always find choosing art work hard.  I get too tied up in colour schemes.  I am determined with this house to just choose art that I just love and enjoy looking at...

 

 

I also love cute little quotes and hanging signs that make me smile. 
 

 

 

Also, I love this personalised piece all about 'family'

 

 Little boots

3)  Accessories
We have inherited 2 chickens with our house! As a result I have gone a little 'Chicken' crazy!  I have picked up several items with chickens on! Buying things that relate to your new home and setting will help create that cosy, homely feeling...

I have also been on the hunt for pretty jugs.  The garden is full of flowers (for now!) that I cant wait to pick for the kitchen table...

Finally a really simple way to dress up a piece of furniture, or fire place is pretty bunting...

Well wish me luck!  I will be sure to update you on the move and no doubt the 'reality' of a big garden, chicken poop and cooking on a aga very soon...!! (#overgrownsickburntfood)

Thank you for reading! If you have an moving advice or inspiring house moving items please share I would love to hear from you. 

Sam x

You can also find me on Facebook, twitter and my website

What makes the perfect gift?

What makes the perfect gift? I am often searching the high street or the internet (definitely my preferred option with 3 children) trying to find the perfect gift. I love giving gifts, but I love to give something that will be loved...here is my guide on finding that perfect gift...

 

Back in time

Back in time, about 61/2 years ago I was pregnant, waiting anxiously to meet my first born.  After a bad pregnancy and many hospital stays 'Alfie' arrived 6 weeks early.  For the first 24 hours he was a very poorly little chap, rushed off to NICU in an oxygen tank and all I was simply told was that they were working on him and that the first night would be critical.  To cut a long story short (as this is not what this blog is about!) he recovered well and is now a thriving & happy boy but I will never forget that time in hospital.  I will also ever forget how overwhelmed I felt by cards/letters and gifts.  Gifts for me and Alfie.  You see, what I want to say before I continue this blog is that there is no bad gift, in these special moments in our lives, knowing that someone cares about you and your child is so amazing and every single item of baby clothing, rattles and soft toys were all very gratefully received and loved.  This was also true of gifts I received for William and Rose.  In those special moments in our lives there is nothing better than knowing that someone is thinking of you.

Before Children

Before Children I had many ideas of how my Children would be brought up...one of which was that I would have a house filled full of beautifully crafted, wooden toys.  Ha ha! The reality is that I own a playroom full of plastic 'tat!' Draws full of cars, planes, trains...plastic bits and pieces from kinder eggs and party bags.  The Children love them!  If I need a sort out, I must do it when they are all out and then hide them carefully before we can dispose of them...many toys have been returned to the playroom after they have found them in the garage "look mummy I found my broken hot wheels in the garage" Great!!  Not  to mention the bags full of soft toys... I am not complaining about these toys, I buy them for other peoples children too, along with action toys and lego;) But what about those times when you want a gift to stand out from the crowd? What can take a gift from being a good gift to one that is perfect & unique...?

Unique = Handmade

I have been a big fan of handmade gifts, long before I started my own online shop selling handmade gifts.  Most definitely because I have so much admiration for someone that is clever enough to make stuff!  Curtains, cushions, clothes, art work, stationary, jewellery...Both my Mum & Sister are very crafty. They have the patience and skill required but along with that a 'talent,' particularly my sister who is able to write beautiful poetry and art work.  Not only do I believe in supporting these amazingly talented people but there are many other reasons why I believe handmade is best.  There are lots of statistics about economic growth, supporting local businesses etc. all of which is so important and if you would like to read more about it I suggest you read the following link...

http://blog.folksy.com/2011/07/14/buying-handmade

However, what I take from it is this...you are receiving a gift that is handmade especially for you,  if you own a handmade, unique piece of work then only you in the whole world own it. 


Yes it costs more but that's because it is not mass produced.  The best materials are selected and someone has sat down with patience, skill, talent and love and created you something that no one else in the whole world owns!

Buying from Little Boots

I am a mum to 3 children.  I am well aware that life is hectic and actually grabbing a gift/toy from a big supermarket in time for the 50th birthday party your child has been invited to this month is the best option, as mentioned above children do love some plastic tat! Little boots is all about treasured gifts...I am talking about those special moments...the baby shower, the new baby, the Christening and the first birthdays. A sibling becoming a big brother or sister or a first Christmas.  The times when you want your gift to stand out from the crowd.  To show how much you care, to demonstrate the thought and time that has gone into selecting the colours and the personalised messages. Not only that but a time when  you want a gift to be treasured for a long time to come and not end up hidden in corners of the garage (cough, cough...not that I 've ever done that!) 

When you go to my website, view it with an open mind.  Photographs of products are only the start to creating your unique gift.  The wooden gifts come with a variety of colour options and messages and we are open to ideas you might have for wall art, alternative quotes that are special to you for example.  What you can be sure of is that I have found the talented and crafty people and put them all under one shop ready for you to create the perfect gift.

 

I chose these blocks as a gift to ourselves!  They sit proudly in Alfie's room and I am sure they will do for a long time...the wording is so special to us.  His DOB and the message 'We made a wish & you came true' I wished so hard every day of that pregnancy that our precious baby would arrive safely.

In summery

Receiving a gift and knowing that a friend or relative is thinking about you is so special. Taking the time to buy and send a gift is what counts.  For me, I also love to choose and send gifts...it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (no I haven't started on the wine... yet;)). 

However, if you want to buy something perfect & unique definitely choose handmade.  When they have grown out of their toys or stuffed the soft toys in the bottom of the draws at least you will know that your gift will be treasured for many years to come.  Facebook is full of talented people, look on Etsy & folksy for example, they would love to hear from you!  Mostly, enjoy creating a gift that only you in the whole world owns and enjoy giving a gift that will be loved...

If you feel inspired to buy handmade or if you share my thoughts on buying handmade please like/comment/share.  I would love to hear from you all.  You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter

 
Thanks for reading

Sam xx

Name display

For me choosing my children's names has never been easy.  Before pregnancy I could quite easily list off many names that I like! During pregnancy I couldn't think of any... The reality and pressure of choosing a name that they will have for the rest of their lives is somewhat daunting.  I once read choosing a name is the 'defining piece of his/hers identity for a lifetime' No pressure there then!

Countless lists later, many a heated conversation with hubby we always managed to shortlist our favourite names down to 2 girls and 2 boys names...(well for first born and 2nd born we did, we gave up with the 'surprise' for number 3 which greatly helped when choosing names!) Then, after 2 long labours and C-section with no.3 we would just go with our gut instinct and decide straight away.  I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach.  It basically meant that hubby chose both our boys names as quite frankly at that moment in time I couldn't care less what they were called!  You also have the added pressure when there are siblings involved that the names have to 'go' together! 

My children's names are Alfie, William & Rose...I am proud of these names,  they have become their perfect names, their identity.  More to the point I cant imagine them being called anything different.  Displaying their names and making this a feature in their bedrooms is a beautiful way to showcase this.  I am sure this is why the personalised name blocks that 'Little boots' sells are so popular. 

Here are some of my favourite ways to showcase your little ones names (aside from our very own blocks of course;)

Beautiful floral print on individual letters.

So cute! Love the neutral walls and furniture and how all the colour is in the frames and decor#nursery

A chic way to display twins names.  Scrabble letters!

I love the white walls and shelves with just a tiny hint of pink.  I love the way the name is also in white, with just a few hints of pink.

LOVE these frames with the letters of the names made out of random objects--buttons, string, cars on a "road," fingerprints.... so clever!

LOVE the over-sized monogram and chalkboard framed letters

 

Don't forget to check out our name cushions and coming soon,  gorgeous personalised bunting @ www.littleboots.org.uk

 

So what are your experience's of choosing names?  Are you one of the lucky ones that have always known their favourite names?!! If you have any pics of how you display their names I would love to see them, it would make my day.

 

Thanks for reading

Sam x

Smile, Love, Dream

Little boots has now been open for nearly 2 weeks.  I am loving it.  Thank you for all your 'likes' comments, questions & of course orders.  Knowing that you are receiving beautiful gifts that can be treasured for many years makes me very happy.

A big part of what makes Little boots so special is the personalised messages and the wall art displaying 'quotes' or 'sayings'.  You only have to turn on Facebook to see and read quotes summing up how your friends/family are feeling!  Lets face it words are powerful.  Sometimes a single quote can make you laugh, give you a lift and make you realise you are not alone!! A reminder that no matter how hard the day is, if you can find the humour in it, it will be much easier.

I love having meaningful 'words' around our home, to me they give my home warmth and remind me of the important things in life...not all soppy things the one in my kitchen reads 'Dinner is ready when the smoke alarm goes off' its become a joke in our house how most things I cook are very crispy and a little on the black side!!  Alfie reminds me often he doesn't like the 'crunchy' bits! In my defence its because I cook and try to do the washing, empty the dishwasher, play with the children and check Facebook:)

However, on the more sentimental side I recently had this made for my daughters room and it is for sale on my website...'If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely'

I thought it was a good message for Rose to take with her through life & words she will hopefully treasure for a long time.  The 'Family rules' is the next item on my wish list.  There is a selection of word art for sale on my website, but if you have something significant and special to you, please get in touch so we can design the perfect gift for you.

I wanted to share with you my top 5, favourite quotes (for now!), however not all appropriate for the wall!  These are the ones that keep me smiling...

1) 

 

 

 

 

Some days you're the purple minion and some days you're the yellow minion.

 

and if all else fails I try to remember...

 

 

Oops that was 6...

 

 

So what is your favourite quote?? 

 

Thanks for reading, take care

Sam x

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Little boots!

'Blogging' is all a little bit new for me!  I seem to have got left behind in the world of 'blogging' but apparently it is the new way for businesses to communicate & share with anyone that might like similar things...?!  I am therefore a little nervous writing this today.  I hope at least a few loyal friends and my mum will find this vaguely interesting;)

So the point of this waffling is to introduce to you my new and much improved website called 'Little Boots.' For those that supported me with my previous shop named 'Country charm' you will see that I have decided to focus on purely selling gifts made for babies and children.  Most of my products are handmade and some can be personalised so that each gift is unique.  This is a small, family run shop...well basically myself with my husbands business knowledge...therefore I want to provide a friendly, professional service, helping you to choose and create the perfect gifts.

Why the name?  Well I spent many months trying to come up with a new name, wrote many lists, text friends to ask for their ideas and then annoyingly, one evening my husband said "why don't you just call it 'Little boots'? It sums up babies first little footprints/memories and you want to sell baby booties?"  I am a fairly stubborn person and refused to accept it was a good name until I finally had to admit defeat that he in fact had come up with the best option!!  So much to his delight 'Little boots' it was to be...

A big shout out to my wonderful brother-in-law who luckily for me is a web designer and has patiently helped to create the Little boots website, my lovely sister-in-law Nina who has put up with him sat on his lap top in the evenings and Rich birch for his help with the photography.  I couldn't have done it without you all!

About me...well I am a mum of 3 children aged 6, 3 and 15months.  I am currently a stay at home mum.  Little boots is something for myself and conveniently it can fit around my children and their busy lives.  I love my children but I am not shy in admitting it is HARD work!!  Every new stage throws new challenges my way.  I hope through this blog I can share a few snippets of family life with you the good and the bad/funny but also share with you some gift ideas and style ideas for children's bedrooms & playrooms. Including some great handmade gift ideas for those of you that are creative or maybe (just like me) like to think/dream that one day you will be able to make a patchwork quilt;)!


Thank you so much for reading, I hope you like my new shop, any questions don't hesitate to ask.  For now I will leave you with this...its something I always try to remember when my patience is wearing thin...although I am well aware the reality is more like the second one:)

Take care all, hope to blog again soon...

Sam x