Category: Crying

The Most Dramatic Flu Shot Ever, and Why Older Kid Tantrums are the Absolute Worst

Posted on October 28, 2015 by

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Just when you think you’ve moved into a comfortable stage of life when no one is likely to start shrieking in the mall or make a sudden pee-puddle on the floor of the grocery store, a whopping dose of parental embarrassment will smack you…

Category: Annoyances, Crying, Our Son, Sickness, Tantrums, The Mom Scene

When your child hurts your feelings

Posted on July 22, 2015 by

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“I want to leave the family,” he mumbled without meeting my eyes. Six little words felt like six sharp punches to my stomach. He was lying on his bed, staring off into the distance while I sat on the edge and tried to process…

Category: Annoyances, Crying, Tantrums

When your kids tag-team

Posted on May 24, 2012 by

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Tag-teaming used to be a good thing. Remember Tag Team’s awesome song, Whoooomp! (There It Is)? I totally loved that song. Still do. (Sidenote: I was 10 when the song came out in 1993, and thought the lyrics were actually “Whooomp! Bad ass! Whooomp!…

Category: Crying, Newborns, Sleep, Toddlers

I’m Heather Laura Clarke. I’m journalist and blogger in beautiful Nova Scotia, I have an 9-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter, I married my high school sweetheart, and this is the story of my handmade life.

I have depression and anxiety, and I fight like hell every day to keep it from taking over my life. Making things isn’t just a hobby — it’s part of what keeps me alive.

Whether I’m decorating a room, busting out my power tools to build furniture, getting muddy in the pottery studio, sewing clothes for my kids, or cross-stitching a swear word, I’m all about using my creativity to craft a life I love.

@HFXHeather on Instagram
Well, the weather outside ISN’T frightful (yet at least) but school is cancelled anyway. This little princess was so sad because it meant her Christmas concert is postponed. So we compromised by doing a little photo shoot by the tree. I mean, you can’t waste freshly-curled hair and a touch of makeup. . . Remember when I sewed this dress a few weeks ago? Check out the IGTV video to see it come together from a pile of fabric and thread. . . #sewing #sewingforkids #handmadeclothing #christmasconcert #velvet #christmasdress Yes, I do! . . . #quilting #creativelife #christmasornaments #christmastree This little fur pouf cost me just $9 to make, using faux fur and a thrifted footstool. Full tutorial over on the blog today! . . . #DIY #handmade #homedecor #DIYhomedecor #livingroom #cozy #hygge #pouf #diyhome I spent hours woodworking this morning and it felt great to be back at it — after what felt like months of just sewing and painting. Handmade Christmas gifts, coming right up! . . . #woodworking #craftsman #webuildpride #womenwithpowertools #allthesawdust #building #handmade #wood Once I finished my impasto flowers, I had to decide what to do next! I settled on trying another portrait — yikes — except this one is going to be in a more abstract, impasto style. . . In this week’s class I did the “underpainting” which is just laying on a base layer of colour. . . I’ve always loved this photo of my babies, back when they could both fit in a grocery cart baby seat! . . #oilpainting #oilpaintings #workinprogress #artclass #underpainting #underpaintinginprogress My painting has been safely delivered to the @marigoldcentre and will be on display tomorrow (Dec. 4) through Dec. 19. . . I can’t wait to see it on the wall. It’s called “Bloom Where You’re Planted” and it’s the third oil painting I’ve done with my class (first two were lemons and the kids, as seen in my “Oil Painting” highlight reel). . . This one is my first impasto piece, which means the paint is THICK and you can see brush strokes / palette knife work. . . I really loved making it — except those times when I cursed the leaves! — so it won’t be my last impasto. . . Scroll to see the unique way I “signed” the painting — technically the frame — using my 3D pen! . . If you’re local, go say hi to it! 🥰 . . #oilpainting #ecmmedia #painting #impastopainting #beginnerpainter #floralpainting #paintedflowers #artshow #marigoldcentre #trurons #truro
@HFXHeather on Twitter
My Top Posts
DIY dog crate cover
Easy DIY sofa tables
How to sew a cozy nap mat
How to transfer photos to wood (without a million failed attempts)
Super easy quilt top for beginners
Anne of Green Gables quilt
Build your own slide-out pantry
Our board game wall
DIY crib bedding
Yardzee! DIY Yahtzee for the yard
PREGNANCY blog posts
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© Heather Laura Clarke and Heather’s Handmade Life, 2009-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Heather Laura Clarke and Heather’s Handmade Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.