Mum Brains

rad maternity clothes! yay!

2011-09-08T18:54:00.000+02:00

wondering on the web I found (can't remember how) this cool online shop with some rock'n'roll/ tattoo/50's/vintage/pin-up oriented maternity clothes: www.mamasanmaternity.com
they've not a lot of differents models but they're very funny and classy!

and once your baby is born they also have a brand for babies called miso punk.

unfortunately they don't have any nursing/breastfeeding clothes... maybe I should write them and suggest it!

how to customize a (metal) t shirt

2011-09-03T01:44:00.000+02:00

if you don't know the Anvil band, let's see this film and you'll love them.
right after i saw it i went (on the internet) to buy their tshirt and album to support them. and I discovered that they're also so cool to listen to.

but the tshirt was a way too big for me. then I have looked (on the internet again) for a way to customize it and I have found jillions of ways to do it.
this way that I'll show you is the most used (it rages on blogs, sites and on youtube's videos) maybe because it's the easiest, you'll see.

maybe you wouldn't even need a sewing machine (I mean that some hand sewing could be enough).

let's start:

take the big tshirt and cut off the sleeves (keep them) and the higher part (in orizontal, just down the "nek"):

then cut the "edge" of the back shirt, what remains from the armpits to the superior part of the back (I have not made the pic of that but you will understand seeing the next photo)

then you must make two things, one is fundamental and the otherone is not. (explanations under the photo, otherwise is impossible to understand)

we start from the not-fundamental thing:

that is about to make an hem on the upper part of the back side of the shirt. I did it and I think that it isn't even useful, because with the hem, the edge of the shirt will falls and hangs in a very strange way and then you should sew a pince to make it look good (oh I hope you'll unterstand my english^^)
while if you just cut the tshirt, the edge would naturally roll up being more elastic. so, don't sew a hem (even if in the photo there are some pins)

now the fundamental thing:

make a hem on the tall part of the shirt (where the neck used to be) that it has to be wide enough to welcome a drawstring for when you will tie it around your neck, in this way:

making the drawstring will b easy: do you remember the sleeves that you have cut? cut away the edge of the sleeve maintaining the seam and you will have two half drawstring that you will sew together and then, with the help of a nanny pin, you will pass it in the edge.

if the shirt is too long you can recover the drawstring from the edge in lower tshirt (in this way you will directly have a long drawstring with, subsequently, no need to sew)

And now a little revenge against all of those that had made fun of me because of my black crocs:

I rock! :)

the moral dilemma

2011-08-24T12:52:00.007+02:00

Baby sheepskin (or lambskin) yes or no?
For centuries mother had wound their children in sheepskin just after the birth and here in Germany it's still a common thing, recommended by midwives, pediatricians, antroposophic clinics and -the most important- from my friend Nicolina (wich, I swear, when it comes about my daughters, she's more competent than any midwife or pediatrician). Some studies showed that sheepskin keep the baby warm and dry and it helps develop her physical and emotional skills; the heat of the wool infuses calm and induces the newborn to relax helping her sleep better.
Obviously, it's necessary to purchase skins of sheep raised naturally, not treated with parasiticides and after not whitened or igenized.
As a vegan-vegetarian for more than twenty years -like I am- that has been a hard choice. I Have thought and consider it endlesly in my head: I would have sacrifice an animal for my daughter but what kind of message would I give to my children? not a very coherent one.
I have decided for a test, someone lends me his sheepskin and, I don't know if it's just my personal impression, but Tilda Joy seems to like it. She tosses naked in it and then she falls asleep, happy. If you decide to buy one of your own, sleep in it for a few months before giving to your babyborn because the skin will imbue with your smell/parfume and your baby will feel protected.
So, today the skin is here and I feel some guilt, I hope that twenty years of vegetarianism and animalist conscience will equalizes the account with my Karma.

national championship of nursing

2011-08-21T03:23:00.000+02:00

lol!
this is some absurd yet funny (and cute) thing ever:

"A crown for the winner of the national championship of nursing. The original demonstration has been organized by the Peruvian office of health and it took place in Lima. Under the vigilant eye of the judges, the newborn that have been attached to the breast of her mother for the longest of time would winn the comptetition" (source repubblica.it)

(check the online gallery for more cuteness and boobies)

easy skirt (tutorial)

2011-08-16T17:43:00.003+02:00

here's an easy peasy skirt to do for your kids (of for you?)

all you nedd is a rectangle of cloth (width will depend from how much you'll want the skirt to be ample and the height will depend from how much you want it long) and an elastic band (for the waist).

here's the step-by-step photo-tutorial:

you can use whatever fabric you want, look:

Colourful Tits für alles!

2011-08-10T08:00:00.013+02:00

Via Láctea.This is a brazilian little brand of super cool bras for mummy tits. By the moment they're available only there, but who knows later? With this already known design for breastfeeding, they're not just confortable, but beautiful, super funny patterns and colors combinations. I'm not breastfeeding anymore but I keep using them. They're perfect to make sports (for example) - hold super well!

Music!!!

2011-08-09T08:00:00.002+02:00

Nirvana with xylophone. Too sweet!

"My Mother Wears Combat Boots: A Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us"

2011-08-08T08:00:00.011+02:00

"My Mother Wears Combat Boots: A Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us" (if you clikc the link, amaz*n will allow you to skim through the book) was originally the title of the columns that Jessica Mills wrote for the zine Maximum Rock'n' Roll

I have bought it because I liked the title and also because I liked the illustration on the cover (art by Cristy Road). but since the first page I have been abducted like I hadn't been in months.
While I read I couldn't stop saying in my head: "shit she's writing about my life!".

The book narrates the first 5 years of life of her first child (I discovered that her name is Emma-Joy, a name that we love a lot here from mum brains because of the little Tilda-Joy!) and is a fusion among a "diary" and a manual for parent. It contains an avalanche of useful and competent information about being a mother (a parent); from the pregnancy to the school cooperative and "alternative" passing trough birth, nursing (with also the social economic implications that this last involves), cosleeping, non violent education and positive discipline, gender -coding, punk rock kids spring break and other matters we (the mum brains) care so much.
the everything dusted of references to my preferred bands (as Fugazi, Hot Water Music or Bikini Kill) because Jessica Mills, further to be a teacher and writer, is also a pro musician.

My Mother Wears Combat Boots: A Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us has definitely conquered my heart when I have realized that at the end of the book there were all the practical information to launch a coop-childcare and also when I have read the contribution by Kaila "Milk-Jugs" Adney speaking about nursig moms, I quote few lines:

"To all those punk mama-to-be and brand new rad mama: Breast-feed you babies. (...) Breast-feed in front of all your guy friends, who are surely enlightened feminist anyway. if they're not, the school them. (...) Get lazy, you're lactating after all. Take it easy. Read a book with one hand while your kids is still little and grublike enough not to notice. Listen to records when they're old enoughto grab a book out of your hand. Once they're old enough for you to be chasing them around all day, take naps while nursing. (...) If you are having problems take a honeymoon, when you and your baby hang out in bed for a few days sleeping, nursing and cuddling. (...) Take your baby everywhere you can. Take your baby to shows if you want. You might hand out in the paring lot when you realize how loud the music is but you still have more fun than staing at home. (...) Breast-feed with groups of nursing mothers. Think of it as a performance art (...) better yet, think of it as subversive, as anti-establishment. (...) Start a zine about breast-feeding, paint a nursing madonna and child, preface that porno terms "jugs" with the "milk-" that it deserves. (...) make me proud mamas.
Kaila "Milk-Jugs" Adney "

is not that I don't like the books and the blogs from classical mothers... they are funny and sometimes I have a good time peering at them, giggling and smiling .
however I admit that when I see certain blogs with children dressed like a fashion catalog , with moms who have highlights in theyr hairs -and a fashion, winner career- who can't stop complaining about how it wasn't in their carreer planning being pregnant or being a lacting-cow (a breastfeeding mom) or a three times mom or dunno; well, when I read that I can't help of feeling some kind of extraterrestrial.
I feel like I should start complaning too, they make me feel like I should want to go to a sexy-weekend with my husband leaving my kid with the nanny or grandparents.

But I've never been like that, even before having Mina. I've always hated cocktails situations and let's party at the discoteque, the very last purse that you have just seen on the fashion newspaper, the passion for mainstream music or mainstream holidays. I have been too much the one with too dirty shoes, too small tshirt, too lowered pants, too colored hairs, too tattooed arms and too loud music in my walkmann; why should I ever want to be what I am not just because the image of the winner-mom imposes it?

then this book happens and it reminds me that I needs to accept the others, obvious, but also that I must learn to accept myslef without ever forgetting to contest all the children advice that this society serves us.

few days ago I was chatting with Kiki about being a parent and she told me that this is the punkest thing she ever did. and it's true, being a parent certainly is because if you ever lived a life in the name of the counterculture, of the information not already digested, of the respect of the minorities or simply thinking that "a better world can be buildt with every single action that we complete", then being mother is all of this reunited together.

because if we don't respect, if we don't listen or we don't nurture our child by going against what media and, let's say it, the multinationals want always us to believe (exemple: a baby costs so much $, the formula milk is practical and is as good as the human milk, babie they cry for manipulating their parents, you will need every type of gadget to be a good parent, the industrial mixed canned baby food - even already chewed like - it's the most complete nourishment for your child weaning, women must take back their life and activates sooner the better and not to forget to be a femme by wearing the high heels while pushing their expensive stroller) then we don't have a clue about what parenting is.

by the way, I wanted to speak about books. as I said the book it's full of information and exciting moments. I now quote two part that have made me smile (they are at the beginning so I'm not spoiling anything):

speaking about her 3rd month of pregnancy:
"(...) let's hear it for hormones -more addictive than speed and more fun than weeds (...)"

peaking about her 8 month of pregnancy:
"after filling the drawers (with baby clothes ndr), we headed down a few blocks to the FUGAZI show. Now that i knew the baby's ears were formed enough to hear more than just vibrations, it was my motherly duty to make sure it got to hear good music..."

have a good reading: -)

nail polish

2011-08-05T08:00:00.002+02:00

my firend Kathy gave me (for my birthday) me some nail polish in many different colors. You will imagine my happyness ...and Mina's too!

And even if they are not organic and that they're so chemical and for the children they're nooo goood and la la la, from time to time I put on her some coloured nail polish cuz she's too cute with it. and also because she loves it:

The problem comes when she wants to put the nail polish by herself, I think that a blind person with the parkinson would do it better.

Then to avoid the crises, the roarings, the tears and the rolls on the ground (^^) I found a simple way to quench her urge to varnish: draw on paper my hand (or hers), without forgetting to draw nails!

I finally thought of sharing this idea with you, because maybe some of you have children fascinated by nail polish as Mina is.

have a nice week-end

the cardboard stove (diy)

2011-08-02T00:31:00.004+02:00

although I dream this kitchen for Mina (or even the ikea one ) the space in her room is small indeed (and the availability of money also!). and then Guicho had this beautiful idea (and put it into practice!) to create her one stove with:

-a carboard box
-scissors
-tape
-pens
-3 screws
-2 corks

here it is, ins't it nice?

(the screws are for fixing the half cork to the cardboard. so the "handle grips" of the stove could be turned!)

Mummy, where the babies come from?

2011-07-29T10:16:00.006+02:00

INTRODUCING TILDA JOY

2011-07-28T22:13:00.003+02:00

TILDA JOY VILLOTTI
26-7-2011

cloth diaper diy

2011-07-27T08:00:00.000+02:00

here a tutorial to do a cloth diaper "all in one" with a funny fabric (fashion style!)

I have picked the materials for the diaper on a French site named couche-nature.fr. i took this for the impermeable part and this for the size that is "in touch" with the skin, it's micropile (I know, it is not as natural as bamboo or hemp but I like it because it leaves the baby skin dry).

for the external decorative fabric, you can obviously use what you prefere. and for the inside absorbent part, I have sewn some double rectangles in hemp (I bought hemp here).

1) I have started by doing the pattern from a diaper I had already just to have an idea about forms and measures.

2) cut the 3 fabrics in the form that you have drawn.

3) cut the upper micropile side (if you use the microplile), it's from there that you will insert the stuffing. the micropile do not fraye but I have stitched two little points to avoid that the opening opens too much.

4) now assemble the impermeable part and the colored fabric (i didn't put pins to don't make holes in the impermeable fabric, i fixed them with TAPE)
then, with a cloth pen I marked the points where will be the buttons (or the strap). position the fabrics wrong sides together.

I have added a small rectangle of micropile before putting the buttons to consolidate the fabrics.

5) you should now have these two pieces: the fabric of micropile already "shaped" plus the impermeable fabric and that decorative one kept together from the buttons (or from the strap)

(in this pics i didn't finished putting buttons. it take too much long, i hate this part!)

6) assemble the two pieces (that are actually 3, if you follow) right sides together. (oh yes, also the micropile has a side!), pin in place (put the pins in a more external position in comparison to where the seams will be for avoiding to have a riddled impermeable part!) and sew the whole perimeter.

nb: you don't have to leave openings because you will turn the diaper (inside out, at the end) from the opening of the micropile (smart^^)

7) after having sewn the perimeter, you can add the elastic. the elastic is sewn with a zigzag point holding it taut. and it must be put in the narrowest part (where will be legs) and also in the upper part (where will be lower back).
did I explained my slef? :S

8) turn it inside out

9) now you can add closing buttons (or strap)

e vooilàààà!!!!

sewing a mouse-mole

2011-07-25T08:00:00.001+02:00

here's a tutorial of a "step by step" how to sew a toy. i only ask you two things:

don't use this tutorial -or final toy- for commercial uses. don't sew it and sell it on ebay/etsy/bigcartel/dawanda/markets/neighbours/etc
if you sew it, please, send me a pic. i'm just too curious!
this drawing/toy/immage are copyrighted, thanks

it started with a sketch.

then a little more detailed sketch

then a "final sketch" (can I say that?) to choose colors and fabrics.

and here we go:

the face, a cone.

the "hairy" ears and the cloth eyes.

arms are long and tubular.

stuffing the face

pinning the face/cone on the rest of the face.

i sewed the face to the rest of the body "right side facing them" to hide the seam

and now the assemblage of the front and of the back of the mouse-mole.
you have to sew them right side together and don't forget to insert arms, legs and ears, so you'll sew them together all in once:

in the photos here above everything is fixed with pins: arms, legs and ears are turned toward the inside.

sew the whole perimeter leaving an opening to be able to turn it.

turn it.

now stuff it and sew the opend part to close it.

then i sewed a tote bag to put it inside, for the pattern of the bag you could rely on great Soulemama and her book Handmade Home.

I have decided to sew the letters with the "appliques" method (it was a present for "Swan", a girlfriend's kid) cuz i were galvanized by the Sew Liberatedbook.

now i just have to explain to my daughter that the present is not for her...

...and it will be hard.
:)))

BabyLegs DIY

2011-07-23T00:20:00.000+02:00

babylegs for babies are so practical and cute! they are useful for low the pants and keep the legs warm when the baby is in the sling (or at home)

so here is a great idea to make babylegs without buying them: by recycling some old punctured socks.

everything you'll need is a needle and a thread, a pair of scissors and a pair of sock that you like.

1) take a pair of sock that you like. I have taken some sock that are dear to my &hearts; (I am a fetishist of the sock) that I didn't weart anymore because they had punctured, but that I had never succeeded in throwing because they had given me tmy girlfriend Anna. (or there are those that you will see later, that I bought TEN years ago douring my erasmus in Paris, they are all broken but they remember me so many beautiful moments:)

2) you cut away the foot. keeping only the tubular part. and then cut another mini tubular part that will become the low hem. (for the tubular part for the hem you can decide to cut in the part that you have discarded -that means the foot. you'll cut just between the toe and the heel- or not. it will depend by the lenght of the soc)

3)cut away a little part from the tube that will form the hem, so that its circumference is slightly inferior to the circumference of the rest.

4)shortening the hem you will have to sew-closed the cloth again (to have a tubular form again).sew right sides together.
I have done it with the sewing machine, because I have it...but you could do it very well by hand.

5) done? now turn it and you hem is endend :)

uh wel, quite...

6) fold it (see the pic)

7)assemble the hem and the rest of the sock and baste them right sides together. obviously the circumference of the main part of the tubular is bigger thant the one of the hem, therefore you must create some "pences" to make them fit.

8) sew

9) and you've done! :)

I have done these down here with the other pair of sock that I told you before. the sock was longer so the final effect is different:

here's also a little video:

Nice fabric shops in Berlin and quilting for beginners or nerd like me ...

2011-07-22T10:56:00.007+02:00

i made my first quilt for my friend´s baby , really really simple just 4 big pieces for every side, but for a sewing nerd like me it´s a good way to start.
i found this cute fabric and a good organic cotton to make the batting at Frieda Hain in Berlin, the shop is quite expensive but has really really nice fabrics and material for sewing
I also made a very romantic blanket for Tilda Joy , this time i bought the fabric at Frau Tulpe another nice fabric shop in Berlin

the pouch sling

2011-07-21T00:53:00.003+02:00

do you know the pouch sling? is a very easy way to wear your baby (and do you know babywearing? is a very easy way to live with her)
I post here you the links that have helped me in the realization (btw the idea had come to me by reading the book "Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials Into New Family Treasures"):
HERE you can find the pattern (it's written essentially to not make it more breadth than 60cm/56cm for safety reasons; the length of the fabric must measure twice the distance between the shoulder and the opposite hip; then add 5cm (yep, you have to leave a room for the baby) and 2,5cm (for seams) to the total length of the fabric.

this video explains how to make it:

and now that u made it, let's see how to wear it (and how to wear your baby):

start with turning the inside toward the outside of the pouch sling

fold up the fabric in two

insert the pouch sling on the shoulder wich with you'll not carry your baby (for example, I carry my baby on the left shoulder, so I insert the pouch sling on the right shoulder)

wear your pouch sling by passing it above your head and you'll find that the folded side of the pouch sling is downward forming the pocket (pouch!) wher your baby will be (uh well, see the pics above to understand!^^)

et voilà! your pouch sling is ready, enjoy!

try to don't roll up the fabric behind the back, for more confort. and if you want some more confort you can sew a little band of cloth (with a button) to tighten the high part of the pouch sling (like in the pic above) just like in a ring sling.

and let me see the pic of the pouch sling that you'll sew!
:)

here we go

2011-07-20T08:45:00.000+02:00

this blog is born from the brains of two crafty and arty moms almost a year ago. then two other interesting mums has reached the adventure but the page remained sleepy for several months. now we decided to start again and we hope more mums will come and join us.

with this blog we would like to give moms tips and support to face their everyday life with a smile, while never forgetting of being creative and crafty.

some of us are italian (some living in france and some others in germany) some others are from south america and some others are french. this is what i call a melting pot! then, please, excuse us if our english won't be always impeccable.

if you like our blog follow us --->

and leave a comment!