I sometimes get the guilts as a Mum. I try my very hardest to be everything to everyone all the time and do it all to the best of my ability too. Most of the time I just manage to do a very mediocre job however. Somehow my standards are never going to match my reality and I have had to swallow that.
When I first started having babies, I would record every single milestone that popped up along their route to biggerdom: Baby's first smile, first tooth, first steps, first word and so on. I have some lovely fat record books full of each of my children's firsts and I really love to revisit them when I come across them, as do the kids themselves.
Then number six arrived.
All of my best intentions for storing my last little girl's first moments somehow got muffled by the constant noise and demands in my life.
Sadly, there is no baby record book for this little one...I just didn't get around to buying one.
You WHAT!? |
All is not lost though, after all, I started this blog soon after Miss Celeste arrived as a keepsake of our time at this lovely stage of our lives. So while there is no book as such, detailing the exact date Celeste grew a first tooth or walked a few precious steps, there is this blog in its place featuring so many images of my baby, growing each day.
It is my legacy of love.
Miss Celeste may be the 6th child in this family, but she certainly holds the record for being the most photographed of all my children. This is contrary to the popular belief that subsequent children are rarely photographed It simply isn't true - not one iota!
When I was asked to review Crafted Keepsakes here on Six Little Hearts, I was almost relieved. My Mummy guilt was finally passed a salve I could apply to that persistent throbbing baby book grievance.
I think my baby girl will truly forgive the absence of a record book when she can see the love we have for her, hanging upon her bedroom wall.
Crafted Keepsakes is a new and beautiful business by talented crafter Karine Lim. Karine fashions precious personalised shadow-box frames which make wonderful gifts for very special occasions.
Karine designed this stunning frame as a gift for my Little Miss and we couldn't be more thrilled with it! This is lovelier than any baby book and I feel it captures something heartfelt and unique in its format that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!
Karine says:
I studied Interior Design at university, and for as long as I can remember, I have always loved the creative process of designing and making things.
I started Crafted Keepsakes earlier this year when I decided I wanted to make gifts for friends and family. So many people around me were having kids and I wanted to give them something special, handmade and unique. The response I received was overwhelming, with many telling me to make the frames available for purchase – so I did!
Although it’s something I only do on the side (I work full-time in the beauty industry), Crafted Keepsakes fulfils the creative side of me. It keeps me busy - thinking up ideas and customising - but I thoroughly enjoy it and of course the happiness it brings to the person receiving them (the frames) is a huge bonus!
I am understandably in love with Celeste's shadow box. Karine worked with me via email to create something truly unique and individually reflective of my baby daughter. I asked for pink, girly and sweet and I think this is exactly what I received and I adore it. There are fabric letters, ribbons, buttons and paper craft all displayed so effectively.
The glass-fronted frame measures a perfect 10' x 10' in a white wood which can be efortlessly matched to any décor.
Karine can expertly customise a frame for any client's requirements too, so don't limit these to just a nursery. The frames are a perfect way to capture any special event - from births, christenings, weddings and engagements to birthdays. They are a gorgeous nursery essential and would make a stunning baby shower gift too.
You can see more of Karine's beautiful designs which include shadow boxes, personalised frames and even Scrabble tile collages on her Facebook page here.
Orders can be placed via the Crafted Keepsakes Facebook page (using the ‘Shop’ tab) or on Australia's own craft market website Made It. Karine discusses each client's specific requests in detail and emails images of her briefed creations for approval before finalising on any design.
The order turnaround time was very reasonable, (around 10 days for us) and our parcel was carefully wrapped and arrived fashioned ready for gift giving.
Crafted Keepsakes are priced at $40 for the Scrabble tile design collages and $45 for the style as shown here. Delivery is $10 on standard orders. (One frame.) If you require something more specific, Karine can work with you as she welcomes special orders. There are endless possibilities with this concept.
I am thrilled with Celeste's personalised piece of wall art. I think it is not only beautiful, but reflective of the heartfelt joy I feel as a Mum of this little girl right now. It is a stunning keepsake which we will cherish into the future and I am so happy to have discovered this business.
***GIVEAWAY***
Like to win a personalised frame from Crafted Keepsakes to commemorate
a special occasion in your life?
Thanks to the generosity of Crafted Keepsakes, one lucky Six Little Hearts reader will win a framed design valued at $55.
Please share the love! If you know someone who would love to win this prize, please let them know about this giveaway by spreading the word using the social media buttons below. (Google Plus, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and email - too easy!)
Entry is easy. Just follow the prompts using the Rafflecopter App below. (App may take a few seconds to load.) Please note: Two of the entry requirements are mandatory so be sure to follow the easy steps to ensure all of your entries count. Please play fair as others do take the time to complete all of their entries.
All winning entries drawn are screened to ensure they conform to these requirements and those that do not will be disqualified.
Entry is open to residents of Australia only.
The winners will be notified by email and given 48 hours to respond.
If no response in this time, a new winner will be drawn.
The total prize pool is valued at $55.
The winners details will be forwarded to Crafted Keepsakes for prize distribution.
Six Little Hearts is not liable or responsible in any way or form for prizes that are subsequently not delivered by a third party or arrive damaged or late.
Judge's decision is final.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Have you kept a record book of your child's milestones or have you lapsed like me?
What special things have you done to preserve your precious memories?
*Six Little Hearts received a complimentary frame from Crafted Keepsakes in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Those frames are gorgeous. What a lovely keepsake. I think you've done extremely well if Celeste is the only bub you haven't done a record book for. I only have two children and the youngest has missed out on a book!
ReplyDeleteI was going to say...just go online for Celeste keepsakes, they are all on here! That shadow ox is really pretty. Just like baby :)
ReplyDeletelove the frames...would be gorgeous for my youngests room but also perfect fr a new baby gift
ReplyDeleteThis would be so good for Hayley's room. I have to admit I havent filled in the baby book or put anything up on her nursery walls! I'm so bad.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it Toni - it's a good start for future parenthood failures!
DeleteI have a friend who is pregant with her 3rd after a long break in between, this would be the perfect gift.
ReplyDeleteLove this for all baby keepsakes!!
ReplyDeleteKeeping a baby book is harder than first planned, isn't it? We were given twin baby books and unfortunately they just sit there collecting dust. Crafted Keepsakes seems to be the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteGosh Grace - twin baby books? You were already at a disadvantage! Besides, doubles should have created plenty of memories burned into your brain (two of everything etched into the memories?) Perhaps not - that would probably fry a brain! I am sure they will forgive you!
DeleteI would like to have a baby keep sake for the day myself and my baby survived her birth, Or the day that I woke up from life support to be able to met her properly for the first time.
ReplyDeleteGee, that sounds really bad. I hope everything is well now for you?
DeleteCeleste's shadow box is just gorgeous, Jodi. I love the little butterflies especially. Karine's prices are really affordable too.
ReplyDeleteThey are so well priced aren't they? I should invest in one for each of the kids :D
DeleteI have a baby book for the first, all filled out. I have been a slacker with the other two. It's a gorgeous shadow box :)
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear this! I have a major guilt over it!
DeleteI'd love this for my daughter's birthday which is coming up very soon :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteNow I feel mega guilty as I started with my first child and got a little through my second and then stopped!!!!! My poor third has nothing :(
ReplyDeleteTsk Tsk Emily, that simply makes you a very human Mummy like the rest of us! You NEED one of these :D
DeleteThe colour palate for this is absolutely gorgeous, and such a special way to store all of the lovely moments and milestones. It looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAs cliché as it - my daughters first birthday. Something beautiful she can love forever.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteAs a beautiful keepsafe gift to my niece and newphew for their upcoming christening in September
ReplyDeleteMy son's first birthday
ReplyDeleteMy youngest doesnt have a baby book either... nor does he have a photo album. I got lazier and lazier with each child when it came to those things and now I feel really awful lol ... kinda ;) xx
ReplyDeleteHow cute...
ReplyDeleteI had every intention of compiling keep sake books then 3 kids under 3 got in the road. We do have a very large glory box filled with keepsakes and I'm going to make it a school holiday project with my girls (now 13, 14 & 16) to finally organise this and do books for each of them.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad how subsequent children are honoured in less physical ways, but as I tell my children, each child I have is loved more than the last because they have siblings.
ReplyDeleteI love that shadow box! That looks so adorable, and she will definitely appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThe birth of our son!
ReplyDeleteSomething special for my little girls room with her name on it :)
ReplyDeletePerfect for my best friend's number one,
ReplyDeleteBeing their God Mother will be fun,
So I need a great gift,
This will be it!
I would love to have something special for all three of my boys.
ReplyDeleteWould love this for my daughter she is having Baby number 4 after 6 year break
ReplyDeleteThankyou
Would love this for my little boy
ReplyDeleteI would love this for my daughters christening in August
ReplyDeleteLove these frames! I would love to give this to my best friend for the birth of her baby!
ReplyDeleteThe birth of my very first niece my sister first child only a few weeks away now this would be such a beautiful gift.
ReplyDelete