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The Gallery – Motherhood

12 June 2010 68 Comments

This post originally started out for a Guest Post at The Madhouse, but I think it really works for the below, as well as for “Alphabet Thursday”: Y is Yacht. Well sort of, maybe it is just a boat!

Jenny Matlock Y is for Yacht

The Gallery is officially back (Tara Cain is back from hols) and this week’s topic is “Motherhood”. I thought of the piles of washing. I thought of the piles of dishes. I thought of the heavy shopping bags. I thought of sleepless nights. I thought of my gorgeous little girl’s smile. I thought of my adorable little boy’s eyes when they light up.

I thought of this photo.

I think motherhood is very personal and different to each mother. We all experience it differently and there are many stages. I am in the wonderyears of Motherhood.

What this photo means to me as a mother:

This egg carton box would never have come into my life, if it wasn’t for my children. It shows toys we would never have. It shows an egg carton I wouldn’t “own” (I bought a dozen eggs just so I could have the box). It represents some of the quality time I spend with Red Ted. It represents fun and good times. It also represents nurturing my children. Teaching them to have a go. To give things a try. It teaches (both of us) to recycle around the home. To make the most of what we have and to see beauty in things that are ordinary. It teaches us to make up stories. It teaches us to take care (with Pip Squeak, the baby, who musn’t play with the chopsticks masts). It teaches us, that the world is your oyster, and your imagination is the limit.

For me Motherhood is also about creating childhood memories that they will (hopefully) cherish as adults or when they become parents themselves… I hope very much to succeed on this level! Fingers crossed.

What this photo also shows, is that Motherhood has given my creativity a new outlet. So not only my children benefit, but I do too. For me Motherhood is Win Win!

For more photographs from our life visit here.

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68 Comments »

  • Heather @notesfromlapland said:

    fabulous photo and explanation.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    thank you :-) xx

  • Michelle said:

    That photo is really great and so sweet. Like how you see and explained Motherhood. xo

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Thank you! Will definitely associate time with “my little ones” with this photo! ;-)

  • christinemosler said:

    That’s lovely! It’s the bit about being a Mum that gives me enormous satisfaction. You can get bogged down in washing, cleaning etc and forget to live. Making a mess without a care and encouraging creativity satisfies my soul. Well done, great post! (You are always so quick off the mark!)

  • se7en said:

    Love this post – the photo is beautiful!!!

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Ah! Thanks for lovely comment :-) but it is a nice part of motherhood, no?! Quick off the mark.. as Fridays I have the most time ;-) xx

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    thank you :-)

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    It is funny – the photo came first (I took it 2-3 weeks ago for a post) and it just seemed fittin! The explaination came all by itself!

  • kailexness said:

    Beautiful picture and post, it is so hard to make motherhood visual isn’t it..

  • Rowan said:

    Great photo, and great egg box boat! That Red Ted is a talented chap (with a talented mum too!)

  • JulieB said:

    I’m struggling with this one, I must admit – this morning the pile of washing was winning… Love your take on it; a little bit different, and personal.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Thanks for lovely comment! ;-) Def a tricky one – so many aspects – which to choose!?

  • Jenny paulin @ mummy mishaps said:

    That’s a lovely post and a great use for egg cartons-what fun!!

  • Cheshire Mum said:

    Fabulous take on the prompt, mine is much more, erm shall we say “gritty” ! Your inspirations are wonderful – loving your take on the prompt and the egg boxes! Cx

  • Sally said:

    What a fab, inspiring photo – thanks for sharing.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Thank you! Took it for a guest craft post over at The Madhouse, but am pleased it had a “use” here too….

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Just checked your gritty one – LOVE IT!! Could be me…!

  • Trish@ Mum's Gone to said:

    Ooh I wish i’d done boats like this when my son was younger. Do you think he might still enjoy me getting the egg boxes out? He’s 14. Worth a try ;-)

  • jfb57 said:

    Lovely take on the theme! It is memories isn’t it. Thanks for sharing!

  • leslieanne said:

    This is great :)
    Can’t wait til Dylan’s old enough for making and sticking and all that good stuff :)

  • parklover said:

    I love this post. I also hope that I can give my daughter happy memories to take into adulthood. I’ve also found that having my daughter has made me rediscover my creative side. Beautifully put!

  • London City Mum said:

    Oh fantastic! You have just inspired me to ‘give in’ when the kids raid the recycling bin next time.

    Love it.

    LCM x

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Oh the recycling bin is the BEST CRAFT resource… you must ;-) (then when it comes to throwing away “artwork” that has been sufficicently played with, you won’t feel bad either!) x

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Aaah, aren’t they lovely – I do think we get just as much out of them as they do from us! :-)

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Thank you! :-)

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    I guess you never know until you try?!? Mmmh…

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    OOOh! How old is he? Never underestimate what they can already do/ what they will enjoy! I do “help” a lot, but Red Ted is chuffed to bits that it had a go!! (He is 2.5yrs). x

  • Carly (Mummys Shoes) said:

    This is brilliant and so original. I love it and it sums up Motherhood perfectly :)

  • Ruth said:

    It’s so cool that you used this picture – it’s obvious how important your creativity, and sharing it with your kids is to you. Bet they love every second. x

  • RebaMc said:

    Oooooo, I love this pic. I can’t wait till we get to the crafting together stage!

  • Victoria Dixon said:

    Beautifully inspired and inspiring description and image!

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Thank you! Much appreciated!! x

  • Lindsey said:

    I love it! x

  • becky said:

    mummy crafting is so much fun fab idea and lovely photo

  • Nova said:

    The boats are brilliant and I know exactly what you mean….I have done so many things that I would never have done if I hadn’t had children. :0)

  • Magic Mummy said:

    What a brilliant take on the post – I love your boat ;-)

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Thank you! We have had lots of fun with it too!! x

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    That is the lovely bit – we get to be children again!!! x

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Love it when Red Ted gets really stuck in!! Though nothing quite beats mummy hood like a nice big cuddle!

  • @jencull (jen) said:

    They are great boats, I must try my hand at it. Great photo and great inspiration :)

  • eggscreamandhoney said:

    What great boats! I want you as my mum :)

  • Brighton Mum-Teenage Angst said:

    I love the boats! Very cool…I always loved the crafty bits with all my kids.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    You made me smile :-) x

  • andthenallithoughtaboutwasyou said:

    This is great I cant wait to do craft things with Baba xx

  • Mirka Moore said:

    You are just incredible, all the creative activities you do with you little one, I don’t have the patience and hate the mess;(

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    We all bring different things to motherhood – I bet you are really good at something else ;-) xxx

  • Dan said:

    What a lovely twist on this weeks theme. A great photo and I love the line about creating childhood memories that they will cherish.

  • Sian - MummyTips said:

    Hi,
    Sian – MummyTips / CyberMummy Here…… I’ve just posted with the info you need in order to get your pic printed for the real life CyberMummy Gallery exhibition courtesy of Photobox.
    http://www.mummy-tips.com/2010/06/cybermummy-gallery-get-your-pics-in.html

  • bumbling said:

    It’s amazing what motherhood brings into our lives – and the way in which it makes us look at the world around us differently – you bought eggs, I saved the cup and spoon from my icecream on the beach – it made a great mini bucket and spade!

    Lovely post.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Ooh a mini bucket and spade!!! I like! x

  • Fiona Erlandsen said:

    This one’s for me and my little ones today, just got to go and buy 6 more eggs. Thanks for the inspiration. We were going to do treasure maps with aged paper (aka cooked in the oven to brown and burn the edges). These boats are the perfect accompaniment.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Ooh a treasure hunt! That sounds fabulous! Mine still too little… but one day soon :-) glad you like the boats! x

  • JDaniel4's Mom said:

    I need to have a yacht race at my house with my son. I have the egg cartons.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Brilliant! :-)

  • laterg8r said:

    what a great craft and symbol for your motherhood :D

  • Riet said:

    What a super lovely yaght post. I love it.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    thank you!

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    glad you enjoyed it :-)

  • soulintention: signed .............bkm said:

    Wow great Yachts…..it reminds me of a poem about mother’s and sailing I just posted on my children’s site… you may like it …it is called Do You Hear the Wind…

    http://thebearythoughtofit.blogspot.com

    Great Y post…have a happY Y daY….bkm

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Oh! I will HAVE to check it out! Thank you for that!

    Maggy

  • Terra said:

    my daughter saves every egg carton every kleenex box toilet paper roll etc. she makes some pretty fun stuff but these yachts take the cake! I will have to show her!

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Oh what a lovely thing to say… :-) thank you, sounds like your daughter is very creative!!!

  • Christy said:

    I really love this post – tells so much about how you mother and what motherhood is to you. thanks for sharing!

  • Yanet said:

    How adorable. I need to make this with my boys. Great Y post.

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    Oh yes please!! Do make some too!

  • Jenny Matlock said:

    What an adorable stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday’s letter “Y”!

    This was such a perfect post!

    And I’m really excited to try this idea with our littlest grand.

    Thank you for linking up!

    Thank you for making us smile!

    Yippee!

    A+

  • Red Ted Art (author) said:

    :-) thank you Jenny, always feel very honoured when you leave me such lovely messages!! Hope you have fun making your boat!!!! x

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