Two little felt kisses and two little felt hearts - a tiny sewing project made late one night.

I was tired and rushed, so the workmanship is far from spectacular. Despite their imperfections, these tangible symbols of my love for Madeleine satisfied an important need for both of us.

Madeleine's world is rapidly expanding. There is a new school with the potential for lots of new friends and wonderful experiences.There is also a fair bit of anxiety about how it will all work, away from the protection of the classroom, teachers and friends she has known for half of her life. This handful of love and a reassuring letter from her Mum and Dad, tucked in her school bag helped ease the stress for her on her first day of orientation.

For me, I know that Madeleine's world is becoming more and more separate from mine. I will have to satisfy myself with hearing about her new school life rather than being there to share it with her. Each stitch in these hearts and kisses is filled with my love. I feel like a little bit of me will travel with her on her adventures at school. And if she is ever feeling lost and lonely I hope she will remember her handful of love and find some reassurance by holding it close.

I've decided I don't like the word busy. I have been using it a lot lately, and I don't like the way it makes me feel - rushed, pressured and with no time to enjoy the things I do.

I am very lucky that almost everything in my life - working two jobs, sharing the running of a household and the care and love of three children, sewing and (occasional!) blogging - I really enjoy. There may be pressure to fit them all in, but these different parts of my life create balance and bring me pleasure. I say I would like more time, but in reality, other than a few household chores, there is not much in this list that I would be willing to give up.

So  I am trying something new. I am no longer busy (with all its negative connotations). My life is full - full of good stuff - work I like, sewing that is fun and friends and family that I adore.

And to celebrate, I have been doing something that busy people don't have time to do - a little hand sewing. Little projects to celebrate some big events.

Some birthday badges to celebrate two very special birthdays...

And a new bag for Pippa. She is off to big school with her sister.

Sitting quietly with a needle in my hand, if only for a moment, gives me time to appreciate the amazing fullness of my life.

I hope you can find some of that quiet time too.

We visited the lovely Jessica at Me Sew Crazy today to introduce our Ruffled Peasant Top as part of her Pattern Remix Series.

Hmmmm... there was supposed to be a tutorial here today so that you can make your very own, but we haven't quite got it together.  If you check back later in the week it'll be here, promise!