Hey families.....or math geniuses.....or curious people.... if you live in the NYC area or are visiting the area, there is a brand new museum that has just opened....the Museum of Mathematics (MoMath). It is the first museum in the U.S. to solely be devoted to mathematics.
There are 40 plus interactive exhibits to explore including a 'Wall of Fire' where lasers detect hidden shapes in everyday objects and the 'Pedal on Petals' where you ride a square wheeled tricycle over a sunflower shaped track....sounds tricky!!!!
The museum is located at 11East 26th St. (between 5th and Madison) and is open 10 am to 5 pm daily.
Admission is $15 for adults and $9 for children if you buy online.....a $1 extra at the door.
http://momath.org/
I haven't been yet but I know someone who has and they said they had a great time there. I hope to check it out soon....and then I can add my own opinion and photos to this post.
If you've been already let me know how it is.
Louise
From Norland Nanny to small business owner
Monday, January 14, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Valentine's Day is approaching!
Hi everyone....hope you all had a good week.
I've been as busy as a bee preparing my third box for the Woman's Exchange in Little Silver, it just seems like one holiday after the other at the moment doesn't it?
I just shipped off multiple card and bib sets for Valentine's day such as these....
And this morning I've been working on some Valentine's Tissue Holders.....
Here's the link at the Etsy shop if you want to check out all the pics or even perhaps purchase one.....
https://www.etsy.com/listing/120171663/valentine-tissue-holdercase-valentine
Have a fantastic weekend.
Louise
I've been as busy as a bee preparing my third box for the Woman's Exchange in Little Silver, it just seems like one holiday after the other at the moment doesn't it?
I just shipped off multiple card and bib sets for Valentine's day such as these....
And this morning I've been working on some Valentine's Tissue Holders.....
 |
| with boxed corners |
 |
| and fully lined, with matching trim |
Here's the link at the Etsy shop if you want to check out all the pics or even perhaps purchase one.....
https://www.etsy.com/listing/120171663/valentine-tissue-holdercase-valentine
Have a fantastic weekend.
Louise
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
My favourite Etsy Shops
There are so many wonderful shops on Etsy it was hard to narrow it down but these are some of my favourites, of course in no particular order, I love them all. If you have a moment please check them out, there should be a link under each picture.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Burley Beard Co. knit hats with attached beards to keep children
nice and warm. I think this is a brilliant idea, I just love it.
 |
| http://www.etsy.com/shop/BurlyBeardco |
Atelier Bloom have a wonderful selection of felt Mobiles including this eye catching woodland animals one.
 | |
| http://www.etsy.com/shop/atelierbloom |
Almost impossible to choose a favourite of one of these prints from Amber Alexander but I think this one would look beautiful in a nursery or small child's room.
 | ||
| http://www.etsy.com/shop/amberalexander |
Beautiful Eco-friendly toys from Ecoleeko
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/ecoleeko |
Woolies creates amazing knitted animals and dolls, I can't resist these rabbits.
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/woolies |
Great Button U.K. creates art with buttons. They can do custom work for you just let them know. My personal favourites are the pictures of the U.K. and the Queen's head but these letters are perfect for a child's room.
 | |
| www.etsy.com/shop/Greatbuttonuk |
Eve's Little Earthlings....just too cute for words, Eco-friendly toys.
Mahalo made this costume for the tiniest of people. Check out the amazing masks at this shop.
What little girl (or boy) wouldn't want this pair of beautifully crafted dolls from
Little Sidekick?
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/LittleSidekick |
Apple n Amos create these Montessori and Waldorf inspired wooden toys, so beautiful, I love the colours.
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/applenamos |
I challenge anyone to deny the amazing beauty and craftsman ship that goes into this shop Shroompers. I had a really hard time choosing which picture to post as I love everything.....but this house just takes the biscuit. It just makes me happy to look at this shop.
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/shroompers |
Felt Like Celebrating create these wonderful custom birthday crowns that can be used year after year.
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/FeltLikeCelebrating |
Ivy Lane Designs produce these amazing recycled crayons! What a great idea! Keeping it green, but in lots of colours! Check out their many different shapes such as dinosaurs, fortune cookies, owls, robots, hearts, firetrucks etc etc etc
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/ivylanedesigns |
Fiddlestyx Studios create THE most adorable knitted hats. Again, hard to choose a favourite, but seeing as though Valentine's Day is approaching I chose this one.
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| www.etsy.com/shop/FiddlestyxStudios |
Moonforest Studio craft these adorable, adorable little creatures. These would make perfect Easter gifts to treasure forever.....replace those cheap plastic eggs and candy once and for all.
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| www.etsy.com/shop/moonforest |
Let your child's imagination roam wild with great masks and tails like this Red Fox from Opposite of Far.
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| www.etsy.com/shop/oppositeoffar |
Cleo and Poppy create timeless treasures like this gorgeous doll. Check out their custom doll, made to order feature.
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| www.etsy.com/shop/CleoAndPoppy |
O.K. find me a finger puppet cuter than these at Lazy Animals. Again, I want one or maybe two!!!!!
 |
| www.etsy.com/shop/LazyAnimals |
I have had so much fun researching this post.
THANK YOU to all the wonderful shop owners who allowed me to post these fantastic photo's and links to their shops.
If you purchase from any of these shops please would you kindly let them know that 'Textile Trolley' sent you their way!
And of course don't forget to check out Textile Trolley Etsy shop if you haven't already done so.
www.etsy.com/shop/TextileTrolley
PLEASE SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!!!!
The dangers of frozen lakes
It's not often I write on a Tuesday.....I aim to write Monday, Wednesday and Friday....so this is an extra post tucked in. Sometimes events happen in life that you just need to write about, well at least I do and this morning it's a very sad reason that has caused me to write about the dangers of frozen bodies of water.
Last night, in my township, 5 people were presumed missing, 2 adults and 3 children after spending time on a local frozen lake. The story is still not exactly clear as I write this but has come down to this.....2 teens still missing and rescue teams searching the lake as of 6.30pm last night.
My only reason to report this to you is in hopes that maybe when your children get home from school today (however old they are) you take a minute to talk to them about the dangers of frozen bodies of water.
I for one am still scared to go on a frozen lake....no matter how safe it is claimed to be, no matter how many people are on it. I gratefully hold my parents and the movie Damien: Omen II responsible. First, my parents always talked to me about how dangerous frozen bodies of water are and how I might fall through the ice and drift and not be able to get back out through the hole I fell in and I would be trapped under the ice and I would drown. HORRIBLY DRASTIC but my God it worked......I would rather be scared than dead! Coupled with the visual memory of the movie where an ice hockey player falls through the ice and drowns it has definitely kept me off frozen lakes and other frozen bodies of water.
But that's my experience. I'm not saying scare your kids to death and make them watch horror movies....but PLEASE talk to them about the dangers of frozen bodies of water TODAY. Make sure they understand WHY they need to stay off the ice, it's no good just saying "it's dangerous" I believe you need something that will stick in their head and make them remember. As horrible as it is you need to let them know what could happen....this is no time for your 'namby pamby wrap them in cotton wool' approach people, this little chat could save a life.
I hope that this is all a mistake and they find runaway teens but after hearing accounts of people claiming they could see cell phone lights under the ice and hear cries of help I surely fear the worst. My heart goes out to all that knew these two especially their families and friends.
Last night, in my township, 5 people were presumed missing, 2 adults and 3 children after spending time on a local frozen lake. The story is still not exactly clear as I write this but has come down to this.....2 teens still missing and rescue teams searching the lake as of 6.30pm last night.
My only reason to report this to you is in hopes that maybe when your children get home from school today (however old they are) you take a minute to talk to them about the dangers of frozen bodies of water.
I for one am still scared to go on a frozen lake....no matter how safe it is claimed to be, no matter how many people are on it. I gratefully hold my parents and the movie Damien: Omen II responsible. First, my parents always talked to me about how dangerous frozen bodies of water are and how I might fall through the ice and drift and not be able to get back out through the hole I fell in and I would be trapped under the ice and I would drown. HORRIBLY DRASTIC but my God it worked......I would rather be scared than dead! Coupled with the visual memory of the movie where an ice hockey player falls through the ice and drowns it has definitely kept me off frozen lakes and other frozen bodies of water.
But that's my experience. I'm not saying scare your kids to death and make them watch horror movies....but PLEASE talk to them about the dangers of frozen bodies of water TODAY. Make sure they understand WHY they need to stay off the ice, it's no good just saying "it's dangerous" I believe you need something that will stick in their head and make them remember. As horrible as it is you need to let them know what could happen....this is no time for your 'namby pamby wrap them in cotton wool' approach people, this little chat could save a life.
I hope that this is all a mistake and they find runaway teens but after hearing accounts of people claiming they could see cell phone lights under the ice and hear cries of help I surely fear the worst. My heart goes out to all that knew these two especially their families and friends.
Monday, January 7, 2013
How to get more calcium into your child
We all know that calcium is important to the growing child. It helps strengthen their bones and teeth and is a necessary nutrient, it also helps muscles and nerves to work properly. In order for calcium to be absorbed into the body we also need vitamin D.
Here is a chart showing the recommended amount of calcium for various ages
Sometimes it's not that easy getting calcium into a child though especially if they are not fond of dairy products. I take care of one of those children. She doesn't like cheese or milk (unless it's chocolate milk) and isn't keen on yoghurt's.
I know there has to be many parents and caregivers out there that also face the challenge of getting more calcium into their child's diet so I thought I would write a quick checklist of calcium enriched foods, some completely obvious and some not so much.
Milk and fortified Soy and Rice milk (check the label) - we mix half chocolate milk and half regular milk
Orange Juice - Tropicana make a calcium enriched one
Cheese - add a little on vegetables
Yoghurt - add to smoothies or eat the frozen kind (you can call it ice-cream, I won't tell)
Canned Sardines, Tuna and Salmon - not a top 10 common food with children but if your child likes tuna salad maybe you could sneak a little sardine or salmon in?
Fortified cereals - check the nutrition label on the box but a few good ones are Total, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes
Dark green vegetables - such as spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens. Again, not a top 10 with children but try chopping up fine and mixing in with soups (if you puree home made soups you can probably get away with adding a lot more). I make a spinach artichoke dip that has a lot of cheese in it too....served with crackers or pita bread toasted that could add a great deal of calcium to the daily requirement.
Soybeans and Tofu - a lot of children these days like to snack on edamame. You can get microwavable frozen pouches that are ready in minutes. I make a stir fry with extra firm Tofu marinated in 'Soy Vay' you may be able to get away with calling it chicken if you chop it small enough????
Enriched breads, grains and waffles - what's easier than waffles in the toaster for breakfast?
Kefir - if you haven't heard of this look for it next time you go to the supermarket. It's like a thick, yoghurt smoothie found near near the milk and yoghurt section
Most beans and hummus - I think a lot of children these days like to dip, hummus makes a great snack
So those are the main foods with a lot of calcium, there are others including broccoli, seaweed, egg yolks, fortified margarine, pudding or custard made with milk, and almond butter to name but a few. Start reading labels and scour the Internet for more ideas.
Good luck and healthy eating to you all.
Here is a chart showing the recommended amount of calcium for various ages
| 0-6 months | 200 mg/day |
| 7-12 months | 260 mg/day |
| 1-3 years | 700 mg/day |
| 4-8 years | 1000 mg/day |
| 9-18 years | 1300 mg/day |
Sometimes it's not that easy getting calcium into a child though especially if they are not fond of dairy products. I take care of one of those children. She doesn't like cheese or milk (unless it's chocolate milk) and isn't keen on yoghurt's.
I know there has to be many parents and caregivers out there that also face the challenge of getting more calcium into their child's diet so I thought I would write a quick checklist of calcium enriched foods, some completely obvious and some not so much.
Milk and fortified Soy and Rice milk (check the label) - we mix half chocolate milk and half regular milk
Orange Juice - Tropicana make a calcium enriched one
Cheese - add a little on vegetables
Yoghurt - add to smoothies or eat the frozen kind (you can call it ice-cream, I won't tell)
Canned Sardines, Tuna and Salmon - not a top 10 common food with children but if your child likes tuna salad maybe you could sneak a little sardine or salmon in?
Fortified cereals - check the nutrition label on the box but a few good ones are Total, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes
Dark green vegetables - such as spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens. Again, not a top 10 with children but try chopping up fine and mixing in with soups (if you puree home made soups you can probably get away with adding a lot more). I make a spinach artichoke dip that has a lot of cheese in it too....served with crackers or pita bread toasted that could add a great deal of calcium to the daily requirement.
Soybeans and Tofu - a lot of children these days like to snack on edamame. You can get microwavable frozen pouches that are ready in minutes. I make a stir fry with extra firm Tofu marinated in 'Soy Vay' you may be able to get away with calling it chicken if you chop it small enough????
Enriched breads, grains and waffles - what's easier than waffles in the toaster for breakfast?
Kefir - if you haven't heard of this look for it next time you go to the supermarket. It's like a thick, yoghurt smoothie found near near the milk and yoghurt section
Most beans and hummus - I think a lot of children these days like to dip, hummus makes a great snack
So those are the main foods with a lot of calcium, there are others including broccoli, seaweed, egg yolks, fortified margarine, pudding or custard made with milk, and almond butter to name but a few. Start reading labels and scour the Internet for more ideas.
Good luck and healthy eating to you all.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Interviewing for a Nanny Position
I was lying in bed this morning thinking about what I was going to write about today.....dreaming that my job was closer to home (I drive 35 mins to work, so not bad really).
Nannying is such a personal job.....there are not many careers where you really get an insight into how people are in their own home! There have definitely been some eye openers but I'm of course far too professional to repeat any! ;o)
So I got to thinking about interviewing and all the interviews I've been on in the past (really not that many compared to some) and all the 'interesting' conversations I've had. It's been 20 years since I started this career so my memory doesn't allow me to remember all the obscurities.
I remember when I was interviewing to come over here 18 years ago, there was a lady in Long Island that almost had a meltdown because her children kept mixing up the Lego colours! She was sat on the playroom floor conducting an interview over the phone with me and sorting out all the Lego's into colour piles. Now I like to be tidy and organized but there is such a a thing as 'compulsive obsessive organizing' and I didn't want to be any part of that! No thank you!
There was another interview I went on here in N.J. for a family with a new baby, all seemed to be going well until the father asked me if I would be willing to work on Saturday nights as a 'cocktail waitress' when they entertained. How can you hide the look of shock on one's face? I kindly and politely reminded him I was here to interview for the position of nanny then made my apologies and told him that the position was not for me.
I turned down my first position over here because
they wanted me to wear my Norland uniform, you
can see the beautiful attire to the right here.
I was then asked if I would wear a uniform of
khaki's and a white shirt....again no.
Coupled with the fact that I had been asked
over the phone if I was overweight it all added up
to a big 'this is not the job for me' click.
However I was due to visit the states and they
were only a 10 minute drive from where I was
staying and they persuaded me to come for an
interview. To cut a long story short they really
wanted me to work for them, offered me a
great package and work schedule and said I didn't have to wear any kind of uniform. I came to realize that the mother asked if I was overweight because she didn't want any skinny attractive British bombshell running around her house (no worries there I was indeed quite overweight at the time LOL). I came to understand where she was coming from, accepted the position and stayed for 5 years.
I just remembered one interview where I wasn't offered the position and the reason was I was too tall! Yes I said it.....'too tall'. The mother felt like my height was too intimidating to her children. I don't know if it was just an excuse but really these days in America.....that would have been a law suit. I'm only 5'10".
I feel like I've been very lucky in my career, I've had some great bosses but I believe I've chosen wisely. My friends tell me I have a great 'gut'......cheers girls! I feel I do too. I've stayed away from demanding families no matter what the salary and also never had a desire to work for anyone with extreme wealth or fame. I've had plenty of opportunity and been pushed towards interviewing for John Bon Jovi, Elle Mc McPherson, Annie Lennox, and some Google guy to name but a few. I was never interested.....I like a normal life, normal hours I like to know where I'm going to be and to be able to plan my own life! When you work for demanding people you end up taking on their life as your own and yes you may gain a great deal of experience and see the world but it's not your world....it's theirs! I like to write my own story!
Any interview stories anyone would like to share? I would love to hear them!
Have a great weekend.
Louise
Nannying is such a personal job.....there are not many careers where you really get an insight into how people are in their own home! There have definitely been some eye openers but I'm of course far too professional to repeat any! ;o)
So I got to thinking about interviewing and all the interviews I've been on in the past (really not that many compared to some) and all the 'interesting' conversations I've had. It's been 20 years since I started this career so my memory doesn't allow me to remember all the obscurities.
I remember when I was interviewing to come over here 18 years ago, there was a lady in Long Island that almost had a meltdown because her children kept mixing up the Lego colours! She was sat on the playroom floor conducting an interview over the phone with me and sorting out all the Lego's into colour piles. Now I like to be tidy and organized but there is such a a thing as 'compulsive obsessive organizing' and I didn't want to be any part of that! No thank you!
There was another interview I went on here in N.J. for a family with a new baby, all seemed to be going well until the father asked me if I would be willing to work on Saturday nights as a 'cocktail waitress' when they entertained. How can you hide the look of shock on one's face? I kindly and politely reminded him I was here to interview for the position of nanny then made my apologies and told him that the position was not for me.
I turned down my first position over here becausethey wanted me to wear my Norland uniform, you
can see the beautiful attire to the right here.
I was then asked if I would wear a uniform of
khaki's and a white shirt....again no.
Coupled with the fact that I had been asked
over the phone if I was overweight it all added up
to a big 'this is not the job for me' click.
However I was due to visit the states and they
were only a 10 minute drive from where I was
staying and they persuaded me to come for an
interview. To cut a long story short they really
wanted me to work for them, offered me a
great package and work schedule and said I didn't have to wear any kind of uniform. I came to realize that the mother asked if I was overweight because she didn't want any skinny attractive British bombshell running around her house (no worries there I was indeed quite overweight at the time LOL). I came to understand where she was coming from, accepted the position and stayed for 5 years.
I just remembered one interview where I wasn't offered the position and the reason was I was too tall! Yes I said it.....'too tall'. The mother felt like my height was too intimidating to her children. I don't know if it was just an excuse but really these days in America.....that would have been a law suit. I'm only 5'10".
I feel like I've been very lucky in my career, I've had some great bosses but I believe I've chosen wisely. My friends tell me I have a great 'gut'......cheers girls! I feel I do too. I've stayed away from demanding families no matter what the salary and also never had a desire to work for anyone with extreme wealth or fame. I've had plenty of opportunity and been pushed towards interviewing for John Bon Jovi, Elle Mc McPherson, Annie Lennox, and some Google guy to name but a few. I was never interested.....I like a normal life, normal hours I like to know where I'm going to be and to be able to plan my own life! When you work for demanding people you end up taking on their life as your own and yes you may gain a great deal of experience and see the world but it's not your world....it's theirs! I like to write my own story!
Any interview stories anyone would like to share? I would love to hear them!
Have a great weekend.
Louise
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Appliqued Bib and Card Gift Set
After I had recovered from my celebrations of last night I thought I might like to make a bib for Valentines day. I have plenty of heart fabric but wanted to do something a little different so I thought I would try my hand at appliqueing a heart of fabric onto a bib.
I chose the grey polka dot fabric and a mustard coloured zebra print fabric.....I think they work really well together and give it a modern feel.
I ironed a very light fusible interfacing to the back of the zebra fabric and the area of the polka dot fabric where the heart was to be. It's important to place interfacing on the area where the shape is to be otherwise when you sew your heart in place it will gather the grey fabric and pucker the edges.
I sewed the heart on with a zig zag stitch and loosened the tension on my machine. To secure that the heart doesn't unravel instead of cutting the loose ends of the thread I hand stitched them into the bib with a needle making it quite secure.
I then cut out the bib shape and sewed the bib as usual.
Need instructions on making a bib.....check this post out
http://textiletrolley.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-make-babys-bib-stylish-enough.html
For the card I used some of the spare fabric and cut out heart shapes, ran a blank card through the printer and printed the wording 'Happy Valentine's Day' and then glued the hearts on.
Very simple, very effective....it's for sale on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/119244296/valentine-baby-bib-and-valentine-card
Here are some others that I made.
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