Should Have Gone to Winnie&Clem

OK so I am going to digress from the story of Winnie&Clem for a little bit and have some FUN!

So who would like to WIN a $100 gift voucher to spend at Winnie&Clem?

All you need to do is email (winnieandclem@y7mail.com) me a photo that the following tagline would best describe:

"Should have gone to Winnie&Clem"

All photos will need to be received by COB Friday 2nd of March. Photos will then be posted on the blog. The photo that receives the most votes by 8pm Sunday 11th March will be the winner!

Have some fun and be creative...I love a good giggle!!

You don't know what you don't know!

Last Friday I made a very tough decision to close Winnie&Clem temporarily. For at least the past three months we have struggled with our little man (almost 3 years) not staying in his bed at bedtime and then up and down during the night. It has, to say the least, been exhausting, stressful and emotional. Last week things peaked with Mr 3 at his worst and Miss 5 starting school. By Thursday night there were a LOT of tears, and not just the kids. I was feeling completely overwhelmed and just could not see a way clear. We had tried several approaches - reward systems, punishments, confiscated toys, naughty corners, timeouts...etc etc....but nothing was working. I had even considered that my child may have a behavioural disorder and that our only option was to jump on the Dr referral merry go round.


So why am I telling you this, what does this have to do with the Winnie&Clem story? Well honestly I think my approach to dealing with the past week of no sleep, behavioural issues and a child starting school possibly sums up my approach to many things, including Winnie&Clem.


I do not proclaim to know everything or be an expert in anything, in fact I am the complete opposite. I seek out information and answers as much as I can. I need my brain to be fed with ideas, solutions, options and possibilities. So after hubby and I got to sleep at 1am on sunday morning and I endured 5 hours of nightmares and screaming out I decided the past week had taken too much of a toll and it was time to find some help. 


I turned to my trusty old friend - Google! The information available for toddler sleep issues was overwhelming, but a I read and read and read. With about 6 pages open on my browser I flicked between websites and blogs until there was one page I kept coming back to. Not because it was the most recommended, not because it was the most eye catching or glamourous, not because it offered the most miracles, but because my gut told me it was right for my child. I have started to use the method described on the website and in just 2 days my little man has learnt to stay in his bed. Last night he slept for a straight nine hours.

Whenever there is something I am unsure of how to do or how to handle I seek out answers, different opinions and I follow the one that sits most comfortably with my. 


With the introduction of my new bag range I have researched and read so much about bag making, I have learnt techniques, I have trialled so many patterns (all made by myself) until I have produced a pattern, a technique and a bag that I was comfortable with. 


In everything I do I follow the motto :

"You don't know what you don't know"

so my advice is take the time to learn..........the rewards are well worth it.