Treasures from the Past

I adore old things. Things with a history, a story, that connect us to our families. Watching my girls play on this blanket is very sentimental. Jason's mother made this blanket for his cousin after his cousin was born. Jason's mother passed-away almost 22 years ago. He has spent more of his life without her than with her. I feel nostalgic looking at this blanket for a woman I never got to meet, but whom I know through stories and through the man she molded. I wonder what she would think of this little family we have concocted. She would think her son was an incredible father and that his family is so lucky to have him.

On my side of our tree, we have acquired the dishes that I grew up with. I'm so excited to now own these. My mother was holding onto them for no apparent reason after finally purchasing a new set a couple years ago. She offered to let us have them. I love how sturdy and simple these dishes are, but mostly I love their story. Back in Christmas 1980, my dad wanted to surprise my mom with something special, something she really wanted. So late at night, he and a family friend set up a new dining table and chairs dressed with placemats, napkins, and this dish set! My mom was completely floored when she awoke on Christmas Day to this incredible & sneaky gift. They used these dishes for over 25 years!! I hope we can hold onto them for that long. *They still use the same dining table!*

Personalized Product Tags/Labels

Inadvertently, I received my first (non-family) order for textile goods. A co-worker with a new baby requested that I make her a nursing cover and maya wrap, and she wanted to pay me. Of course, I've been asked to make all sorts of things, but not for profit.

Well, I got to thinking that you never know where things might lead and that maybe it would be a good idea to create a label for my "products." I didn't come up with any great solutions until I remembered the fabric "paper" that you can print on. So, I went to my local JoAnn's and got a pack of printable fabric, drew my own design and scanned it onto my computer, laid it out with adequate spacing between labels for sewing-on, and printed my design onto cloth! How cool is that!! This particular fabric has you wait for the ink to dry, then rinse it in cold water, dab (don't rub) with a paper towel, and dry with your iron on a dry setting at a high temp. Well, the red in my design ran a little bit when I rinsed it so I probably should've waited longer for the ink to dry (I only waited about 15mins), but it didn't run enough to ruin the labels. They still look cute, just with a very light pink hue to the background :P.

Next, I machine-appliqued (tight zig-zag stitched) the label onto each item. Now... to get more orders???

Rocked It!

Just an FYI that I got the GRE done yesterday, and I did great! Phew, so glad that's done. I was ultra-happy to see good scores when I finished, because during the test I started to question whether I was smart enough for grad school (even though I already have a M.S.). Seriously, not one word I studied for the verbal section appeared on the test; I thought I could've bombed it. Then, quantitative, I didn't even get to the final question. But, alas, the GRE tells me that I am smarter today than I was six years ago... so thankful *ha* that I am still growing.

One hurdle tackled; we celebrated by ordering pizza and getting store-bought brownies. Now, on to admissions essays and letters of reference, yada yada.

Too Big List

So much is going on right now; the stress level is really high. I have to take the GRE on Sunday for professional school that I may or may not end up attending, and I've had no time to study for it. Our oldest is having a horrific time going to bed in the evening so it has become a 1-2 hour ordeal every night that leaves me with no energy to sit down in front of a book. I've been looking for a job for the last couple months to no avail. A couple options are in the works, but I've heard nothing definitive from either of them. Then, if I get one of these jobs there is the stress of finding the right care provider for our girls. I'm struggling to get through this time, but I know we will make it. I feel like I've put us in a hole with no rope to climb out; it's going to take a lot of energy to get where we want to be.

I just needed a moment to vent and maybe shed a tear or two. Sorry, thanks.

Two-Year-Old Pictures

aka, pictures from our 2-year-old. I have to admit when my cousin handed over her digital camera to our 2-y.o. like it was an old disposable purchased specifically for her enjoyment, I *cringed* knowing that she would never view our camera as off-limits again. AND this has been proven true... However, I must say that it is entirely too cool to now watch her frame pictures and see the world a bit from her perspective. I can't bring myself to let her have our precious (brand-new) camera whenever she desires, but when my patience is high it is very fun. I may even invest in an ultra-cheap one for her own.

More Baby Gear

I got on a kick and decided to try a couple more patterns for my two babes. First, I rocked out a super-simple skirt for the big girl. The tute calls it a Market Skirt; I call it a Twirling Skirt (sans pockets). This is actually the first piece of clothing I have ever made for the girls. I have had every intention of filling their wardrobe with unique homemade special-ness, but oh, how motherhood gets in the way (shrug).

Second, I had to make this adorable hat with removable toy from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones. Crazy silly, right?! She has a butterfly velcroed to her forehead, love it! (Look at those blue eyes; melt my heart.)

A Little Fabric...

Goes A Long Way.

The original plan was to make a whole headboard out of this fabric, but after leaving this project sitting in my craft room for months, I finally decided to simplify and do a wall hanging. I love how much color it adds to our neutral walls (one of the downsides of renting; oh, how I long to paint walls as our friends are doing in their new home). Next I just need to make some new pillows to pop the king-size bed!

To do this, I simply purchased some wood slats from Michael's (you can probably get them from any craft or art store) that have been pre-cut to fit together. I chose the lengths I wanted, and then put the frame together. To hold it together, I simply stapled around each joint. Then I stretched two layers of batting over the frame and stapled them to the back. I followed that by stretching the fabric over the frame, and then I folded the raw edges of the fabric under before stapling to the back of the frame. Next, hang it up! Ten or fifteen minute, $10-$15 project, easily!

Two of My Favorites

Dancing...

Chocolate...

This is what happens when you go without dear chocolate for a few days. You make a whole loaf of chocolate-walnut bread (come on, who are we kidding, it's cake, but doesn't bread "sound" healthier?), and eat it ALL. Dangerous.

"Booty"-licious

The urge to decorate my 4-month-old's feet has come on strong recently. I have made 3 pairs of booties in the last few days. The first pair failed with a faulty pattern that made them waaaay too big (hence they will not be featured). The second pair (green & grey) are quite cute, but do not wear well. The third pair (elephants, my fav) are perfect. A girl can never have too many shoes, right? We start 'em young around here.
Here is my trusty helper practicing pinning her fabric. I can't wait for the day when I'm helping her with her own projects.

Pea Meditation

Our experience with the CSA has many benefits thus far. Exceptional, organic produce; more than we can eat; and a new form of meditation. That's right, meditation. I started experimenting with it years ago, but I've never been able to commit to a method. Well, I've found it, shucking English peas. This task couldn't possibly be more relaxing and calming. A slow, repetitive task that forces you to look at something beautiful. The feeling that you are one with your food and connected to the earth. I could do this all day. We all could.