SouleMama

MOS: May Flowers

inspired by this:

Just in under the wire, here's our entry for the Month of Softies, May Flowers theme.  The kids and I have been doing so much talking about flowers this month--what they need to grow, and how the bees and butterflies all fit in-- and so lots of Calvin's drawings have been about that process. I fell in love with this butterfly of his (check out the cool "foot pads!"), and had to make it into something else. I embroidered pieces of the artwork onto some linen, added some vintage floral fabric, chenille backing, some rick rack,  and voila--a small quilt! A bright reminder on the wall of the wonderful May flowers that bring us so much joy.

Marathon Quilting

Oh my. I just finished a crazy quilting session that started with the sunrise and is just now ending at midnight (thanks for taking the kids all day, Steve!). Yeah, that would be my procrastination at work. Today I started....and finished my parents wall hanging picture quilt for their30th anniversary, which we'll be celebrating this week. I used photos of friends and family building their  new log home. I spent half the day battling with getting the damned photos onto the fabric using the Bubble Jet I got a few weeks ago.  (And as a side note, after I finished the quilt, I realized you can BUY the fabric sheets--all pre-treated, and ready to go! Bah!).  I used a cotton batting, and machined quilted it ("stitch in the ditch"--thanks for the tip, Amy!).  There's lots that I would have done differently, but at this point, I'm just thrilled that it's DONE! It's  hard to get motivated on a project that I don't love (ie. these fabrics are perfect for their log cabin and it's decor, but they certainly didn't hold my excitement, and my simple "design" is not so spectacular). Anyway...I think they'll be happy. And now I can move on to something much more fun! Whew! 

Drying Out

Apparently my complaining was timely yesterday, as there was a brief (brief, brief) reprieve from the rain on Friday for a couple of hours. We soaked up as much sun as we possibly could, as it appears that more rain is coming our way....for a long time.

Trying to stay positive about it all, what wonderful things does lots o' rain leave behind? Why, lots of newly green stuff, and puddles of course...

Crafting coming soon....I promise!

Another Rainy Week

Ugh. Rain. I really try not to complain about the weather (we are in Maine, after all), but this is getting ridiculous. We're headed into weekend #6 (or is it 7?) of full-on rain, and the weekdays have been the same. Wool socks. Head colds. Woodstove. Hot soup. Not things I imagined from late May.  I haven't even tilled the garden, let alone plant anything yet.  If it were just me, I think I could nestle in and bear it with lots of crafting time. But it's entirely different with two young children who need to move their bodies--outside. Ah, it has to turn sometime, right? RIGHT??? Amidst the rain, I have been busy crafting-- working on backtack, a little "shop" for my bags (coming next week, I hope), making progress on some knitting, as well as beginning the quilt for my parents.  But nothing I can show yet. 

So, in the meantime .. how about some pics of the kids? ;) These are two of my favorite tees--both from Babywit. Definitely check out their site--some great stuff. (I really want the "don't forget to wipe my ass" tee shirt, but Steve thinks it's too far over the top. Damn). I think these photos were taken about a year and a half ago--could it have been the primaries? I can't remember now, but I do remember putting Ezra in this shirt ALL the time. It's okay to impose your poltical values on your children, right? (no answers to that please!)

Happy Weekend, everyone! I hope it's sunny wherever you are!

It's a Start

Yay! My first quilt top completed! It's crib size for our soon to be arriving wee one. I'm pretty psyched with the process so far--I love these fun fabrics--the plaid and the farmers market print are both Munki Munki; blue egyptian cotton; and the embroidered fruits and veggies I did.  Unfortunately, I need to put this away for a while as I have a few crafting deadlines fast approaching. When I return to it, I need to figure out how the heck to quilt it (can't decide between tying, hand quilting or trying to squeeze it through my lame machine), and which fabric to back it with (I'm thinking the flannel, 'cause it will be so soft!!), and then the whole batting thing. Hmn...this is why quilting is overwhelming to me! (But oh, so fun!)

Don't you just adore that Munki Munki farmers market print? I love it!! I see a matching diaper bag and changing pad on my future sewing list.

Vintage Dolls Clothes

Last year as I was helping my grandmother move out of her farmhouse, I came across a box full of dolls clothes that my great grandmother had made in the 30's. That box met a terrible fate that almost makes me cry every time I think about it (dumpster? goodwill? no one knows--I'm sure it would have been "junk" to anyone else there cleaning). BUT before the box disapeared, for some reason I still don't remember, I pulled a few out of the top layer, and this is what I still have. It's nothing compared to what I remember being in the rest of that box, but I'm still happy to have something!

Two sweet shirts. Lovin' the fabrics. And I totally love the practical way that they're made--you can tell it's scraps of fabric pieced together, mismatched buttons, etc.

More sweet fabrics. And the last pic is a shot of three of those gauzy/silk dresses. So beautiful!

And my favorites! A wool coat with embroidered flowers. And then an amazing knit sweater--I think this might even fit a newborn if I can figure out how to clean it gently.

 

Our Banging Wall

We're in the midst of the worst rainy spring I've ever seen here in Maine, and it's torture for my little guys! They stare out the window just talking about playing outside! I took these pictures last week on our one sunny afternoon. Ah. So, here's our "Banging Wall". Steve and Calvin made this last summer, after being inspired by something similar at the Maine Organic Gardeners and Farmer's Association Common Ground Fair.  The boys (and Steve and I!)  spend so much time out there banging and making music. I know it wouldn't work in a neighborhood of any kind, but if you've got the space, or neighbors that don't mind a lot of noise, I'd highly recommend making one! It was so much fun and so easy to make: we used some logs found in the woods for the frame; about $10 worth of pots and pans and metal nailed to the frame (yard sales, salvation army, etc); and then we gathered sticks from the woods for our "drumsticks". Voila! A very entertaining musical instrument in your yard! (And quite a conversation piece....)

Handbag Madness

(Click to enlarge...sorry for the picture quality--we're on weekend #5 of rain) A while ago, I posted a bunch of handbags I recently made, with the hope of  getting some Holiday gifts done before life with three children begins. But now I'm suddenly swimming in a sea of handbags, and trying to figure out what to do with all of them!  I was thinking about having a table again at a friends' art/craft show sale thingy around the holidays, but that's so much work for  not a lot of results.  I just don't know! But in the meantime, I'm happy to be surrounded by fun bags to use for gifts and swaps and me!  Bags are so satisfying for me to make--I love being able to sit down to a project and have something completed in just a short time--and playing with the different shapes, sizes, embellishments, etc never gets boring. And who can't use one more handbag? Exactly. ;)

edited to add: Aw, you guys are all too much. Seriously good for boosting my sewing self confidence enough to think about selling stuff. I've been playing around with paypal and typepad, and hope to get a makeshift "shop" up in the next week or so. Stay tuned. And thanks for being so kind with your words--really!!!

Friends!

Yipee!! Look what came in the mail yesterday! A new modbird (on the left....she's awaiting her name) from the dear and talented Lisa  of a bird in the hand.  Kitty Bird (on the right) is very happy to have a friend here with her. I'm also happy to report that despite their style differences--one quite mod, and one obviously vintage--they are getting along swimmingly.

Happy Day, Beth!

My baby sister Beth (or Auntie Ba, as she will forever be called in our house) is graduating from college today! Today, we'll be headed to the graduation at Plymouth State University.  I'm sure I'll cry. ;)

Here's a little print I made for her using guache watercolor, acrylic paint, plant dyed felt, paper, marker and string--wasn't she a cute babe? Congratulations, Beth!!!

This Post's All Over the Place

There are two things that seriously enhance my evening crafting experience--a good glass of shiraz (of course that's been replaced these nine months with banana splits), and good music. But there's nothing like having two young children to make you feel completely out of the new music loop. I won't try to recall the last time I heard live music that wasn't Rick Charrette singing about Bubble Gum. And then there are all the CD's that have been edited out to protect my children's "fragile little minds" from warping (in my best Eric from South Park voice). As is often the case, my husband saved me from my sorry music state. Last week he mentioned that he had some downloaded new discs for me, and I was psyched to discover this whopping pile of new stuff that I just can't stop listening to. Thanks for the new music, hon!
Madeline Peyroux - Careless Love
Garbage - Bleed Like Me
Sleater Kinney - The Woods
Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm
Alison Krauss - Lonely Runs Both Ways
Uncle Tupelo - 89/93 An Anthology
Yo La Tengo - Electr-O-Pura
Beck - Mutations
16 Horsepower - Low Estate
Tom Waits - Beautiful Maladies
Mars Volta - Frances the Mute
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart
Johnny Cash - Murder
Will Oldham - Ode Music

And randomly, here are some pants I made for Calvin this week, using the embroidery I did as side pockets (embroidery patterns from Sublime Stitching). The patterns are so fun--you can mix and match the faces and fruits/veggies. Calvin did the mixin' and the matchin'. I used a vintage embroidered ribbon with strawberries on the hem.

Oh, and my back tack package arrived last night! (Sorry, I know my cherry tablecloth is a bit distracting!) Here are the supplies I'll be working with to create some kind of "something" for someone--I have a few ideas. And my back-tack materials made their way to the post office this week as well. It's fun to see what everyone is getting!

My Teachers

When I can, I've been sitting with a local sangha in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn. The current  dharma reading is  Our Appointment with Life: Discourse on Living Happily in the Present Moment.  There's something powerful about reading a book aloud with others, and slowly over the course of several months that brings it more into my consciousness than when reading alone. Two weeks ago, a passage that was read particularly spoke to me, and I keep going back to it each day:

"In Buddhism, "aimlessness" (aprahihita) is taught as a way to help the practitioner stop pursuing the future and and return wholly to the present......to be able to stop pursuing the future allows us to realize that all the wonderful things we seek are present in us, in the present moment. Life is not a particular place or a destination. Life is a path. To practice walking meditation is to go without needing to arrive. Every step can bring us peace, joy and liberation."

Outside on a beautiful sunny day with Calvin and Ezra yesterday, I stood nearby them thinking of all the things I needed to "do"-- craft projects in my head, laundry that needed tending, meals that needed cooking, bills, cars, houses, taxes....and on and on--wondering how I could hurry the boys inside so I could get things done. Suddenly, this passage came into my head as I looked over at these two amazing creatures truly experiencing NOW....picking dandelions, digging in the dirt,  rolling in the grass, and laughing with true joy.  "to go without needing to arrive"....is there anything that young children konw how to do better than this? I know, it's really quite "simple"...it's the journey not the destination and all that. Yeah, Yeah. Simple to say, so difficult to live.  This reading reminds me so much of my children  and the lessons that they are here to teach every day, if I can just stop moving and thinking, slow down and breathe, to be present in the here and now with them. What amazing gifts they bring with them into this world--I'm learning every day from my two amazing teachers.

Plain Mabel

I had a teeny tiny amount of money just sitting in my paypal account last week, and gosh, we can't have that, now can we? So I had a little late night fun over at Plain Mabel and got these   goodies in the mail a few days ago.

Fabulous notecards from Boygirlparty.

Super fun embroidery patterns from Sublime Stitching that I already put to use a few days ago. And I just went to the website to find a whole bunch more adorable patterns that I must have. Also, a fun pinback button from Quibbly.

 
And I finally have myself a treat from Happy Owl Glass. I love, love, love my little bunny pin. I've been eyeing these for so long, and was so impressed with the restraint I showed by NOT  get the cufflinks for Steve, and nightlight for the boys' room too (okay, really I just ran out of my paypal money). Next time. ;)

The Fabric Fair

Last week I made my first trip to the annual Salvation Army Fabric Fair.  I arrived (sans kids) a half hour early to find 50 or more people already in front of me in line! With lawnchairs! And coffee! These women were serious. Happily, I found Jessie's sweet Mama in line who held my hand during the scary parts. ;)  I was completely overwhelmed by all the fabrc, notions, patterns, and PEOPLE! Somehow, amidst all the stimulation, I found a few good things at the fabulous price of 50 cents a pound. Gotta love that. Here's the loot:

 
The four on the far left are real vintage feedsacks. So fun! And see that retro Rageddy Ann and Andy? Yards of it. Um yeah...no idea why I picked that up.

I love pink and red right now. The one on the far right is so cool--it's pink christmas themed--it looks vintage, but I can't tell. Love it anyway--all 4 yards of it.

Smaller pieces of randomness. I think I had some pants from that blue, green and white whale print in the 80's. Scary.

And the less vintage, but more practical pile. Lots of corduroy, flannel, and plaids for pants.

Books and patterns. The felt projects on top look fun. And Amy--look at that pretty cover to the American Quilts book from 1947!

And the notions. Ric Rac, anyone?

My favorites--the embroidered ribbon.

Okay, now I just have to make room for all this stuff. Ha!

Envy Satisfied and a New Hobby

I'm not one to hang onto envy for too long. So here are the skirts I made after posting last week about all the gorgeous skirts I keep seeing around.

I used a six gore skirt formula, and somehow....I needed 7 gores. My math is so frightening. I used some rib knit for the maternity "panel", and bias tape for the hem, 'cause theres no way I was finishing the hem any other way (haven't conquered the rolled hem on my serger...damn...I just conquered changing the thread!)

And skirt #2, which conveniently matching this bag I made a week ago. (I promise, I won't wear them together). You can't really tell from the photo, but I made each of the gores (7, again..what the ??) flare a lot, so they each pleat at the bottom. Love that.

Oh, and I have to share my new obsession ('cause you know, I need a new hobby). I just got these super cute veggie embroidery patterns from Sublime Stitching (home of the Stitch It Kit).  And what better time to start in on them than during a three hour long Survivor fiesta? (Ian stole my heart, by the way).  I have one more fruit to go, then I might use them with some Munki Munki farmer's market fabric for a baby blanket. Yum!!

Studio Confidantes, Part Two

It's complete! Go on over the Naive Knitting Blog and see the beautiful slideshow that the talented Martha put together.

Studio Confidantes

At the last minute, I decided to jump into Martha's Studio Confidante Project over at Naive Knitting.  I love what I've already seen here and here, and here--can't wait to see it all put together. Fun!

While there's no "studio" per se in my home (ah, but I dream about the next house....), this is a little corner of my sunporch that I've taken over to keep fabric, yarn, and goodies. I wouldn't dare show you a picture of the whole frightening mess, but here's a little nook on top of a crate of fabric.  From left to right is a "bouquet" of flowers that Calvin made for me one morning when I was sick; a woodblock painting I did a while ago;  my recently added beautiful modbird from Lisa; and Willy the Wizard/Witch (hey--don't make fun, I only get to name the babies around here). I made this papier mache hand puppet last year for Calvin and then promptly took it back because I love it so. I guess you could say she makes the magic happen, and sometimes, she puts a nasty spell on my projects too. You just never can tell what she's going to do.

Oh, and the pictures at the foot of the wizard! From left to right, a funny doggie pic that I found in with a box of needlepoint supplies at an estate sale. I would guess it's from the 50's---I suppose it was this woman's "studio confidante", and I can't seem to part with it! Second, is a photo from the 20's that I love, of a young woman holding up what I presume to be a bottle of alcohol--having a grand time (I have a thing for old pictures--not so surprising, is it?); and last, is my sweet adorable husband when he was 5 or so. I love this picture!

Okay, let's see yours! There's still time...head on over to Naive Knitting today to submit your confidante!

A Day at the Beach

We spent today at Ft. Williams (home of Portland Headlight) with some homeschooling friends, including the fabulous Jessie and her girls.  It's SO nice to be enjoying the sun and beaches after such a long winter and stretch of spring rain. Ah.....these are the days that I love living in Maine.

Summer Knitting

Usually, I don't find a lot in the summer issues of knitting magazines, but in this issue of Interweave Knits I can't decide which project to start with! I really adore the Lace Leaf Pullover-- an excerpt from Teva Durham's book Loop D Loop. (Which, by the way, you MUST check out if you haven't seen her designs--simply amazing).  But then there's all the shrugs, and the fun bolero, and look at that dress! Ah.....

So much fun stuff in there. But being in the baby zone that I'm in, I opted for a simple, sweet baby kimono for my next project. Last night I snuck away for a yarn shopping trip ALONE and found this luscious 100% cotton yarn Fiorina by Lang and Co. Isn't it beautiful?

Skirt Envy

I think it's just because my belly won't fit in them that I've been noticing all the ADORABLE skirts popping up this season. I saw, and promptly fell in love with, both Amy's and Tania's sweet summer skirts. And then in every online browsing experience, I swear I come across another one that I love!

Check out this sweet embroidered thing from Red Dress Shoppe.

Lovin' this horsey one from BlackBird Fashions.

Isn't this fabulous?Love, Love, Love it!  From Amet and Sasha.

And I can't decide which of the skirts I like best from Made With Love By Hannah. They're all amazing! So Yummy!

And finally, one that would fit my growing belly, from Due Maternity. Of course, it's twice the price of all the other skirts above that I like better. Guess I'd better get sewing some belly panels. ;)

The Bolero that wanted to be a V Neck

Once upon a time, I was on a search for a pattern like this. I found this, and not only paid $20 for the damn magazine (the English Rebecca), but I also a ridiculous amount of money on the yarn for it that I don't even love (it's called yarn shopping with two toddlers...doesn't work). Anyway, the bolero just wasn't working. At all. So....my dreams of wearing a bolero turned into the reality of a post-baby belly autumn in need of comfy sweaters. And hence, on another search, I finally found this pattern from www.glampyre.com. And then I bought more of the yarn that I don't even like. Which brings us finally to the end result of this sweater.  I still don't like the yarn. But it's a comfy sweater--cozy--and perfect for hiding a little post-baby pooch, which will come in handy soon if I keep eating all these banana splits.

Pattern: Easy Raglan V-Neck from Glampyre.com
Yarn: Classic Elite Beatrice, 100% Merino wool (12 skeins--yikes!)
Pattern Notes:  This is a great top down knit sweater pattern. Suitable for beginners, I'd say. And perfect for an "easy" knit for a more experienced knitter (it was great for watching movies, and stoplights too!).  I was a bit confused by some things in the pattern, but Stephanie, who whote it, was AWESOME about clarifying, and even changing the pattern to correct the confusion. The original pattern didn't have the ribbed v-neck, but I thought mine looked unfinished when it was done, so I picked up stitches around the neck and added the ribbing there. I think I'll try this pattern again sometime later--with yarn I love (I'm thinking some handspun handdyed wool with lots of color variation...yummy!).

Printing on Fabric

Here's the Bubble Jet Set 2000, the Bubble Jet Rinse and freezer paper.  I bought it from Dharma Trading this week for getting images on fabric.  It seemed pretty straightforward--you soak your fabric in the solution, and then iron the fabric onto the freezer paper, and  feed that  through your printer. Then you wash it with the rinse set to "keep" the image.  I made an attempt at it this past weekend. It was a bit harder than I thought--the colors came out funky, and the paper/fabric kept getting stuck in the printer (ruining a piece of fabric each time--let's not think about what it's doing to my new printer). I think I'll do some playing around with different fabric (I used unbleached muslin), and see what happens.  I was happy with how it really printed/absorbed on the fabric, as opposed to those iron on things I've used in the past that give it a plasticky feel.  Here's the attempt--and don't laugh--the image is of Mr. Rogers and Koko the gorilla--Calvin's two favorite beings--with the word Love and the sign for love. Do you see how thrilled he is with this?!

I need to figure this stuff out--I've committed myself to a crazy project this month--a wall quilt for my parents anniversary with pictures of their new log cabin. Um yeah, that would be me-- me who's never made a quilt before--let alone one with pictures on it. I think I've lost my mind. So has anyone used this bubble jet stuff? Any tips or experience to pass on?

Weekend Finds

Have I told you how thrilled I am that it's finally yard sale season in Maine? I'm sure I have, because I'm such a dork about it. This weekend, despite the heavy rain (again. ugh.), I ventured out, giddy with joy to hit the church rummage sales. And what treats I found!!

First, some sweaters for felting and sewing with. Mostly for diaper covers I think. But I'm psyched to see what that orange/yellow one does when it shrinks up--perhaps it would be a good handbag?

 
Second, whole bunches of vintage napkins (check out the blue and orange! wow!), an apron, sewing notions, and some patterns.

And then....the motherload of patterns. About 40 vintage knitting and crochet patterns to add to my ridiculous growing stash of these. I LOVE looking at these, and I swear, someday I'm going to have the time to make more from them! They were a nickel each--heavenly!!

And....(drumroll, please) saving the best for last, LOOK AT WHAT I FOUND!!! A vintage butterfly quilt.....oh my god, I love, love, love this.  The fabrics! The condition! The colors! And I know this is totally tacky to do, but I have to tell you what I paid for it. 2 bucks. I was almost hyperventilating until I got it in my car--sure someone was going to snatch it away, or at the very least, change the price!

Whew. Is next weekend's treasure hunting really 5 whole days away? :(

Happy Mama's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful mama's out there! Thanks for all your inspiration, encouragement, and humor--it's wonderful to be sharing this journey. I wanted to share one of my favorite poems about mothering--it seems to really be resonating with me right now as my belly moves and grows once again. 

Now That I Am Forever With Child, by Audre Lorde

How the days went
while you were blooming within me
I remember each upon each--
the sweilling changed planes of my body
and how you first fluttered, then jumped
and I thought it was my heart.

How the days wound down
and the turning of winter
I recall, with you growing heavy
against the wind. I thought
now her hands
are formed, and her hair
has started to curl
now her teeth are done
now she sneezes.
Then the seed opened
I bore you one morning just before spring
My head rang like a fiery piston
my legs were towers between which
A new world was passing.

Since then
I can only distinguish
one thread within running hours
You, flowing through selves
toward You.

On a Roll....

I've been motivated this week by the too-small, but kinda cute anyway bag I made last weekend.  Here are the two I came up with this week. The brown one is my favorite--I've been using it since I made it (so much for stockpiling christmas presents). I LOVE the soft brown moleskin fabric I used for the lining. Heavenly. And it was fun to do the embroidery on the felt flower, and to use one of my favorite vintage buttons!  The only bummer is that it needs some kind of clasp (and what's up with no local fabric stores carying those magnetic snaps? Huh?). And then, the blue/black bag is fun, but I made the mistake of using black fabric for the lining, so you can't find/see anything in it. The worst part about that? I made that same damn mistake just a few months ago on my Amy Butler Nappy Bag....will I ever learn?

 

Lots O' Magnets

About 6 months behind the rest of the world (that's how I work. I'm okay with that.), here are my marble magnets! I started these around Christmastime when there was a splurge of inspiration for these over on Craftster. And I noticed that Not Martha has a super tutorial on them too.  They've been sitting around the house in various stages (I can only take the smell of that E6000 glue about once a month for a few minutes!), until this week when I finally wanted them out of the way!  I plan on using them as stocking stuffers and little gifty add-ons. The last three images are my favorites--I found some 1950's linoleum, rug, and awning brochures, love the colors and of course--the stripes.

 

I Heart the Internets

(Note: Sorry, but you're all in for another sappyish post from me. I'm 5 months pregnant. I can't be expected to control these hormones. )

Don't you all just love this crafting blogging community? Seriously, I get so inspired by everyone out there,  and it's such a treat to see all the creating that people are up to--often done  "on the side",  with young children in tow, or another profession as a day job (and as a side note to that, check out  the wonderful post on Naive Knitting Blog last week about the "art" of "crafting"...great insight). But besides all the motivation just from seeing the end creations, I'm particuarly moved by the genuine support and energy that people are willing to share.  One such person that totally fits that bill is Amy over at Angry Chicken.  She's so freakin' cool. ;) A little bit ago, she sent me a lovely package full of all sorts of goodies--some patterns that were totally suited to me (felt wee folk!); lovely vintage buttons; beautiful stationary; and a kids CD that we just can't stop dancing to (Dan Zanes rocks!). Thank you, Amy!

Normally, I'd give this next fabulous creation it's own blog entry, but I think it fits nicely with the tone of  'sharing the internet love' that Amy so totally has. Lisa, of a bird in the hand does just that too--not only amazing creations, but wonderfully kind energy to boot. And so, a modbird just had to make it's way here to our home.  Here she is, adjusting to life on the East Coast quite nicely. (Though, I thought she was getting a bit lonely, so a new modbird friend will be making it's way here soon too! Eek!).

Thanks to all for sharing the internet love. 

One More...

I just had to squeeze in one more special Taurus that's in my life. Here's my dear Meme, who's birthday is tomorrow. Like many people's grammies, I'm sure, I don't think I could ever express just how important she was to me as a child. I would spend all my summer vacations and breaks from school at her house, where I'd get completely pampered and adored and loved in the unconditional way that only grandparents can--lullabies at night until I was way too old for it, but still loved it; old movies together; lots of heart to hearts; and yard sailing every day. It is from her that I have a love of "old things"--we would spend our summer days together going from yard sale to antique shop--looking for the perfect tea cup, or new bavarian china piece (know many 8 year old's with a bavarian china collection? No wonder I was "odd" as a kid). She was FUN--I thought she was so glamorous and sophisticated, and we had secret names for each other.  She was a calm loving support for me always--even when I didn't deserve it. In college I'd visit her often, with my shaved head, ratty-ass clothes (dude, it was the early 90's), my sassy political ideas, facial piercings and tattoo, and kinda, okay, really freaky boyfriends. And only once, ever, did she say, "I'll always love you but I just don't like you very much right now". LOL!! It was her own mother, Florence, who alone raised a family of 5 children in rural Maine, dirt poor during the depression, and supported them by doing beautiful work as a seamstress (all my aprons and many old linens are from her, and even the sewing table I use every day....damn, I'm sentimental). 

Meme had a stroke a few years ago (on the same day that her husband had a heart attack and passed away...love?), so things are much different in her life right now. But I'm so grateful that my children are able to know her even just a little bit. Tomorrow, my mother and the boys and I are making the journey up the coast a few hours to give her a surprise visit. I can't wait to see her. And I do so hope that this third and last baby of ours is a girl so I can use my Meme's name (which ironically, she never liked!), Millie.

Happy Birthday, Meme!

Bags and Pouches Galore

A week straight of rain here. Ugh. I tried to make the most of being inside by working on a new bag pattern. I wanted to try a new shape, and I'm fairly pleased with the end result, except for the size. This bag is SO tiny!  But I love this vintage fabric, and have plenty left. So expect to see a mama size version of this handbag soon!

I had tried making zippered pouches in the past (see here) from a vintage pattern, but after seeing Thimble's awesome pouch tutorial last week, a few things became clearer to me (thanks so much for sharing it, Laural!).  So here is my stash of new pouches:

#1 is a little one to match the new bag! (I'm all about matching!); #2 the carrot pouch is from Calvin's drawing and to go with the bag we made last week;  #3 um, a pouch!; and #4 from an old pillowcase, and using a sweet vintage button from Amy.

My plan for all of these is to make them the beginnings of a Christmas - Solstice gift pile. I'm thinking that with the boys and a new babe in the fall, I won't be getting much sewing done.  So, family and friends...look here quick and then erase these images from your heads!!

Waldorf Treats

Yesterday, I attended a lecture at our local Waldorf school by author, midwife, and waldorf educator Rahima Baldwin Dancy.  Two of her books, (You Are Your Child's First Teacher and Special Delivery) were SO influential in the very early days of parenting for me (yeah, like I've moved on to the "later" days?). So her talk was on Creating A Harmonious Home. It was fabulous to hear her speak--she's got a great spirit.  Lots of good ideas, and lots of reassurance.  There's so much I love about Waldorf education and anthroposophy (the "spiritual science" that is the basis for Waldorf Education)  and try to incorporate into our home and unschooling life, but also so much that I struggle and even strongly disagree with. But anyway...I'll save all those opinions to myself. ;)

After the lecture, I just had to pop over to the school store--a dangerous place indeed--full of beautiful wooden toys, books, craft supplies, and on and on. But I impressed myself and came away with only some postcards for our nature table (see above picture), some lovely, luscious plant dyed wool felt, some skin color fabric for dollmaking, and the book  Toymaking With Children.  I have several of the other craft books by this press (Floris Books), and this author even, and I like them all okay, but this one I think I' m going to really like--it's a thick one, full of many different toys to make with and for children--from knitted animals, dolls, wooden toys, and even outside projects. Love it. Here's what grabbed me first:

These marionette dolls are so sweet! And fairly doable to make, I think. Calvin and Ez would love playing with these.

And look at this farmhouse scene! I've been working on growing their farmhouse "gear" with the Ostheimer pieces, and a few knitted animals as well. But this book has lots more knitted animals that I haven't made yet. Knit ducks! Fun!

And last, the dolls. Ah, someday I will make a full size Waldorf doll. Check out the red one--she's knit!

PS. May Softies Theme announced today, and I LOVE it! Flowers! SO much room for doing different things with that.  And oh, is it really time for FLOWERS??? Heavenly day, spring is here.