SouleMama

Vintage Apron Show-and-Tell

I've been so tickled to see other people as equally as in love with vintage aprons as I am. Recently, Stephanie at Mama Unraveled 2 shared one of her beauties. And just this week, Amy over at Angry Chicken posted her beautiful collection of aprons. And I just stumbled on this book at Amazon, which I hope to check out soon.   Most of mine come from my grandmother and great grandmother, which for a sentimental gal like myself, is such a treat. I'll show pics of my favorites, and then a group one at the end to save this post from become nightmarishly long.

Love this black and white one with those great retro "star" shapes.

And polka dots are so freakin cool.

This one's wild--it was made by my great grandmother as a child, obviously learning to do needlepoint (I LOVE the "mistakes").

The shape on this one is really fun to wear.

I love the peekaboo pocket on this one.

Isn't this kite one, um ...weird?

And here's the rest of them. The browns on the bottom are a bit much for me to actually wear (am I remembering the 70's perhaps?), but I do like them anyway. Oh yeah, and there are the two that I got last weekend here.

And please forgive the terrible picture quality on this one it won't stop raining here!), but I wanted to show how I've been storing/displaying the aprons. I was so sad to keep them in drawers for years (I mean, you can only wear ONE at a time, right?), so finally I started keeping them out and on pegs in the kitchen like this. I move them around once in a while so I get to see them all.

Hat Swap Hats

These two hats are my contribution for the Baby/Toddler Hat Swap on Craftster. The first hat is a knit and felted hat pattern from Pick Up Sticks.  It's such a fun pattern, and using size 10's and worsted weight yarn (this is Cascade 220), it whips up in no time at all. I used french knots for the dots. I made one of these for Ezra this winter, and I just love it (and he even does too!).

The second hat is the same hat pattern that I've been using lately to make kids hats with (and similar adult hats are coming soon with yummy Amy Butler fabric!), modified a bit each time until I can finally get it "just right".

The sign up for this swap was way back in January, I think. And the deadline was this week, so yeah...that means I had four months to make these hats with no rush, right? Of course I was finishing them this weekend. What's THAT about? ;)

Week 20 Update

Eat one of these every night (yes, every night...thanks for all the driving, Steve), and you get this:

Yes, at a mere 20 weeks, I'm feeling quite a bit larger than I did in either other pregnancy.  But oh, those banana splits! Heavenly! Things are moving along just fine....and lots of moving inside happening too. The baby's dancing is now feel-able for Steve and the kids.  Acupuncture has completely cured my headaches. And did I mention that my acupuncturist insists I'm having a girl...and my midwife says acupuncturists are always right about these things, of course. ;)  Millie, Lucille, and Quinn are topping out the name choices at the moment, but nothing's for sure.

I've been starting to prepare the boys for the birth a bit. Here are a few images from this wonderful book, Welcome With Love, it's by Jenni Overend and is beautifully illustrated by Julie Vivas.  It's such a sweet story of a family and their homebirth. I especially love the images of the family "birthing" together!

Rainy Days

It's been raining here for three days (and it's expected to rain for the rest of the week), and while that may not be so good for little boys who need to run and play outside, it's been great for Mama's craft time.  I guess it's all about balance. ;) Here are a few things I finished up this weekend, with more coming tomorrow.

My mom used to dress my three sisters and I in matching clothes all the time. And we hated it. And we swore we would NEVER do that to OUR children. Yeah, well, sorry boys.....it's just too much damn fun. Sadly, I used almost all of this fabric that I love--it's from the Makower UK collection, and I stumbled on it for $1 a yard at a local surplus store--very sweet. Thanks to Nana (aka the Buttonhole Queen) for her help once again. And hey, I finally figured out a way to make Ezra pose for the camera--wait till he's asleep!! ;)

And here are the fingerless mitts from Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick.  I have made these mitts for so many gifts in the past two years, but this is my first pair for me! I used some leftovers of the merino worsted from Hand Painted Yarn (sanfelipeysantiago on Ebay), which I just adore--it reminds me a lot of Manos Del Uruguay. But sadly, they've been out of stock on the worsted merino for quite a while now. Good thing I'm a yarn hoarder and I still have a bunch in my stash.

'Tis the Season

Ah, I'm in heaven. It's finally yard sale/rummage sale season. It's a Looooong winter here in Maine without any sales, and by springtime I start having serious withdrawals--even dreaming about sailing (yard sailing, that is). I know, I'm a loser. This weekend was one of my favorite church sales, and I thought I'd share the crafty loot I came home with (I'll spare you the boring books, toys, and kids clothes). I was feelin' a bit rusty, so I don't think I ended up with anything "fabulous"....but I'm happy nonetheless (and can't wait for NEXT weekend when I get to do it again!).

First, my crazy obsession with vintage linens continues with these new additions. Some for cutting and sewing, and some for display and use.

A couple of old aprons (I hope to post my vintage apron collection later in the week, a la Angry Chicken).

The sweetest tablecloth and napkin set, embroidered with flowers. Love it!

Lots and lots of wool fabric, not sure what this will be for yet.

A wool sweater for felting, lots o ribbon, old buttons, and a way cool retro cookbook.

Isn't this old baby sweater so sweet? And it's soooo tiny!

 

My New Favorite Bag!!

I've been inspired by Lizette Greco's  beautiful interpretations of kids art, and just yesterday, Mama Unraveled 2  posted a wonderful octopus tee she made from her son's art. It finally got my butt in gear and motivated to try something similar.  This morning, for some miraculous reason the boys were totally into playing with each other, so I kept cranking ahead on this bag. I'm so pleased with how it came out! From the picture Calvin drew (below), I used wool felt and sewed the shapes onto corduroy, then added a bit more detail with some embroidery. I used a Munki Munki plaid flannel for the lining and the handles. I think this is going to be my new favorite bag.....I can't wait to try again with another one of Calvin's creations!

"From the Basement"

I have a problem.  I am SO sentimental when it comes to family textiles.  And I have piles (no joke), of pieces that I've gathered, thinking that someday, I'll do "___" (insert whatever project you can think of!) with them. And sometimes I do! But mostly, there they sit.  I thought it might be fun to pull some of those "projects that never happened" and post them once in a while. The hope is that YOU, out there in blogland, will see something I don't in the piece....either that, or you'll be honest and tell me to LET GO of it, and TOSS IT (ah, the horrors!).

So here's the first installment. Two chenille bedspreads. The first one, is good ole' Davy Crockett. It was on my dad's bed growing up in the early 50's.  I wish I could have photographed them a bit better, but you can see that it's Davy holding up a gun to the bear. Um yeah--so not exactly the tone I want for a bedspread for my OWN boys. But I kept thinking that I would perhaps line and back this (it's a twin size), and give it to my father for the log home they're building. The only catch is that it isn't in fabulous condition. The chenille is quite thin in spots, and I don't really know how I could remedy that, or cover it up, etc. Maybe I should just take the good pieces and make pillows? Hmn..... toss it?

And #2, is a crib sized chenille spread that was mine as a baby. It's sweet--pink and blue kitties. And it's in much better shape than the first, with only one yellow spot that I might be able to remove. So, what to do with this one?

I think I'm going to like my serger

Summer pants  for the boys--twenty minutes each? Yeah, I can dig that. ;)  Corduroy with grossgrain ribbon down the sides. (And check out the big bro/little bro "monkey see, monkey do" action going on--I am so screwed.)

It's Here!!

Yay!! She's here! So, I opened the box, unpacked everything, oohed and aahed a bit, and um, now what??!!!

Along with my serger which arrived in the mail yesterday, so did some other goodies:

The Complete Serger Handbook (which I'm reading as fast as I can so I can figure out what the heck to do with the thing!), and Candy Blankies, full of crocheted baby blankets.

And then, some yummy new fabric additions:

The dark fabric (which you can't really see) is a grey checked fleecy sort of thing (pants for the babes); then some Munki Munki mermaid fabric (someone stop me from buying any more Munki Munki, please!); then a mauve-ish embroidered fabric (to be a skirt); and last, a toile-ish "farm" theme fabric.

Ah, I love mail.

Monster Action

Meet our Monster Mama and Monster Baby, a.k.a. Monster Harriet and Monster Baby Harry. (Click to enlarge). It's our submission to this months Month of Softies.  This was truly a collaborative effort--once I got the fabric and notions out, my 2 and 4 year old boys were completely intrigued and involved in the whole process--they took over! I guess this monster fits us well--it's a  nursing, babywearing Mama and her babe.  It was such a wonderful process to share with them, making the result all the more of a treat. They're completely recycled--an old curtain for the body fabric, old buttons, fleece jacket for the pouch, and a failed christmas ornament project (felt balls) for the "ears". 

I can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with!

The 80's Were So Cool

....Okay, I don't really believe that. But I was browsing around on Craftster recently and stumbled on this thread about making skirts out of neckties. I couldn't believe it---I made one of those! It was my freshman year of high school (I think that was 1989), and I saw a tie skirt in Sassy magazine (god, I wish I had saved those...I LOVED my Sassy's!). It was my first sewing project without a pattern, and I raided my father and grandfathers closets for all the ties. I was so happy with how it came out.  I think I wore it to school once and got teased so much that I never wore it again (reason #156 why I'll homeschool the boys). Anyway....I dug around the attic and found it this weekend. My body's changed a bit (um yeah, just a bit!) in 15 years, but even with the 5 month pregnant belly,  I still got it on (I didn't say I could breathe....but I did get it on!). Here it is:

and the back:

Back Tack

I'm in. Are you? Go sign up!

Dolls and Toy Animals

I found this book buried deep on my craft bookshelf this weekend--I picked it up at a yard sale last year and completely forgot about it! It's Dolls and Toy Animals-- a Danish book published in 1973.  The directions in here are very clear, and I just love the style of the dolls and animals. Here are a few of my favorites--I hope they appear clear, the book is black and white and a tiny bit grainy.


Knitted Dolls. Check out this caption in the book: "These four knitted dolls have obviously been out on a spree and are waiting on a barrel for the hangover to wear off".

I hope to try this Kangaroo mama and baby soon. They suggest felt--how perfect. ;)

Pipe Cleaner Dolls.

Cloth Dolls.

Burnin' Up

Calvin's on round two of this fever, with a temp of 103 all day. He's been napping, lounging in bed reading, and on the couch watching movies. A bit ago, thinking he was feeling better, I convinced him to try to get up and draw. This is what he came up with! He handed it to me and said, "this is what my body feels like. I need to go lay down."  Poor kid--he's back in bed. Doesn't it just break your heart when they're sick like that?

If this doesn't get me quilting, nothing will.....

I just realized that slowly over the past weeks, I've added these three books to my collection. Quilting...it's coming SOON...I can feel it! ;) I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Quilting and Color Made Easy

Complete Guide to Quilting


Quilting for the First Time

Any other recommendations?

A Quickie

Grrr....we're back "in" the world of sickness. The same pattern I had last week--a fever, two days off, stronger fever back.....is now happening for the boys. Poor babes. So it looks like today will be another day of naps, stories, popsicles and movies. We must be nearing the end of this thing!

In very cool news, I'm feeling the baby move! Yay! There really is nothing like that feeling.....so amazing each and every time.

I hope a crafty post is coming later, but we'll see what I can manage today.

A Busy Night

Yesterday, the boys were finally starting to feel a bit better, so I ran them ragged playing outside all day. Apparently, it worked....they were both ASLEEP BY 5:30 pm. Miraculous. (Even more miraculous is that they slept until 6:30 this morning. Before you get jealous...keep in mind that this is so NOT normal for my kids!).

So, of course, I started off the night with a trip to JoAnn's for some goodies. Hee Hee. And wandering (it was more like being pulled by some magnetic force)  into the Home Decorating Fabrics section, I found these great prints at 40% off. So I made some pillows for our sunporch:

Also in that section, I found this striped print, which I thought would be great as a lined tote "library book bag", combined with a canvas painting I did a few weeks ago for the pocket.  As I was making it though, it became apparent that it really should belong to a friend of mine. (Damn, I hope she doesn't read this.)

And last, I shortened into "beach length", and then added a cuff (with Amy Butler fabric scraps-- God, I use every last inch of her stuff!) to these incredibly boring, but wonderfully comfortable maternity pants. Here's what they looked like when I was done. And can I mention how HARD it is to take a picture of your own ankles? Seriously--try it.

And I even got some knitting in after my hands were all burnt from sewing (see post below)--working a few more inches on my damn Washcloth from Hell Gift Project. (yes, a washcloth). More on that later. ;)

Sewing Injury

Ouch. Does anyone have any good tips on taking the "sting" out of burns? I think I got a little overzealous (and/or very tired) pressing my sewing seams tonight...I have atleast 4 different burn marks from my iron  all over my hands. OUCH!

Meet Stanley

I've had a few comments/conversations lately that have reminded me of this fabulous project I want to mention.

I bought Calvin his Waldorf doll for his second Solstice, and wanted to do the same for Ezra. I had every intention of putting my Kinder Dolls book to use and making Ezra his doll.  But as I got closer and closer to December, and I heard more and more people talk about how much harder it is than it looks to make one, I wimped out. And perfectly timed, was our local Waldorf school fair, where I stumbled on a table by this amazing project. The Q'ewar Project is a cooperative that works with women in Peru to make Waldorf inspired dolls, while building community and creating work at the same time. The dolls were just AMAZING....like, unbelievably beautifully amazing. And the cost was really quite wonderful for the quality ($75-90).   Oh, the detail on these dolls! The solid body construction, the handknit clothing--hat, booties and sweater--love it!

So without any further ado....meet Stanley, Ezra's go-everywhere sidekick. Check out the detail on his hat and sweater in the closeup (and ignore the yogurt on his face--Stanley's just learning to eat with a spoon):

Not Cool

This is what we woke up to this morning. Now, granted, we live in MAINE, so I shouldn't be terribly surprised to see snow into the beginnings of Spring. But come on, this is ridiculous! Last night, I took the boys out to the library and the Portland Public Market for dinner, and when we got out, there was a freakin' BLIZZARD....I'm not kidding--we needed hats and mittens, not the fleece we had on.  Wasn't it 70 degrees two days ago?  Weird......

Yes, More Fabric

You'll have to forgive my lack of creative posting lately. We're still in the midst of this Flu That Won't End (huh, kinda like the winter we just had!). We're on week two of being sick--this week is the boys turn.  So all of my creative energy is being spent on reading stories (mind you, I've lost my voice), wiping noses, cooling foreheads, and bringing popsicles. ;)  Thankfully, during "movie time" (my voice can only hold out for so many stories, and what else can sick kids do?), I've been catching up on some knitting, so some finished projects are nearing!

But, thanks to the beauty that is the internet (what would I have ever done 15 years ago? Oh my), I've continued to BUY fabric. ;) Here's what's come in the mail lately. (Click to enlarge).

Above: I finally broke and ordered some of that lusciously soft Minkee fabric--the sage green--to be used for the back of a baby blanket, maybe?; and in the middle is a few yards of the Munki Munki dog fabric; and then the red plaid flannel also from Munki Munki. Both for the baby quilt, if I ever feel brave enough to make it.

This is from a quick run to JoAnn's....some brown corduroy for beach pants for boys; striped shirting for the "cuff" linings; and my favorite find from Goodwill this month--a very very large linen skirt from Boden that will soon become handbags!

And my favorite! A vintage skirt find from my basement that I forgot about since yard saling last summer. Can you see the animals "hiding" in the forest? I love the kangaroos! I can't decide whether I should save this for the baby quilt, or turn it into a purse....I love it!

And speaking of yard sales.....I saw one last weekend!!!!!!!!!! It's time!  I was so excited...this is the time of year where I start seriously jonesing to get out there and scavenge.  Let the hunting begin!

Ah, Summer Knitting!

Just when I had decided I would stop buying Interweave Knits (because I was finding less in there that interested me), I see the preview for the Summer Issue, and I'm in love.  All the shrugs and shoulder wraps! And those adorable baby gifts! The embroidered bag! Ah....summer knits.

Damn it, I just subscribed. So much for cutting that magazine out of the budget....sorry, Steve!

Makin' Pants

Cleaning out my fabric stash this weekend, I found some corduroy I had forgotten about and was suddenly inspired to make some pants for the boys. (See, this is my problem....it's APRIL...I should be making shorts, not pants that they'll only wear for a few more weeks, and then I'll put away until fall when they no longer fit.  Why do I do that?).  Anyway, I made these easy elastic waist pants by my favorite method--tracing a pair of their favorite pants for the pattern--I love wide legs for boys pants. And these fabrics are just too fun (how 70's does Ezra look in those brown ones?!) And then, I made a matching pair for Ezra's doll Stanley (in photo 3). Here they are, in all their silliness:

I hear so much disbelief from people when they hear that I make pants for the boys without a "pattern", but I swear it's so easy, YOU can do it too! ;) Kath, of Red Current posted a wonderful tutorial here last week on how to do just that--complete with photos.

Okay, now on to shorts. ;)

"Happy Day to ZaZa!"

Happy 2nd Birthday, my sweet Ezra!

Randomness from the Fevered Mama

Finally, my fever is going down. Gosh, that felt like WEEKS....I'm such a baby when it comes to the flu. And this morning, just as I knew my own fever was starting to diminish, I looked over to see Ezra tossing and turning. Yup, 103. Poor baby--tomorrow is his birthday!!!! But apparently, he's a much stronger soul than I am; and unlike me, he even finds creative energy from being sick. Check out this amazing creation he worked on all morning. He told me there's a whole bunch of things in here: a tire, a bike, a lion, a person, and lots of blue.

Ezra, almost 2!

In my fevered haze yesterday, I checked my email to see that the Spring Knitty is up!  Yay. I've already decided that I must make Via Diagonale and Tie One On.  But oh, how I wish there were somewhere I could appropriately wear Cleaves, I love it so! Um, the playground, maybe?

Oh, and cleaning out my camera files, I found this pic that I hadn't shared yet. It's the doll dress I made to match Caroline's dress I posted about last week. I'm happy with how the matching doll dress came out--I think it makes a cute set. And I'm told that Caroline slept in her dress one night--the sign of a happy four year old gift recipeint for sure. Success!

   

I'm Smitten....

I surely am. I stumbled across the I'm Smitten website a few weeks ago, and was so drawn to the work that I splurged a little and placed an order. The treats arrived yesterday, and I'm so pleased.  Here's the print.

And this wonderful tote, and card.

In other very exciting news....I BOUGHT A SERGER last night!!! A Janome 634D, and I can't wait for it to arrive so I can start playing with it! Yay!

And in much less exciting news, my fever has come back with a vengeance.  I'm going back to bed.  Ugh.

Country Rug

About a year ago, I was convinced that crocheting would become my new knitting. Um, yeah. That didn't happen. But I did eek out a few crocheting projects while I had the gusto. And the first project I decided to do was a rug. Yes, a rug. Which, by the way, is precisely why I've decided that I can no longer make any big craft decisions alone...I need a Craft Coach...you know, like a life coach, to help me stay on track and in reality with my crafting goals. Hmnn...a career possibility here? 

My brief interest in crocheting was perfectly timed with Interweave Knits' splurge into crocheting last spring--this rug was in the IK Spring 2004 issue (which I now think of as the  cursed issue--since I have the Salt Peanuts Sweater yarn also sitting and waiting for completion):

And here we are a year later:

Yes, a whole year into it. It's actually bigger than it looks--it's almost 28" across, but wow, it's SLOW going on the rounds now, and well, as boring as hell. But I do pick it up from time to time--mostly in between other projects, and I'm sure that someday soon I will finish. I'd like to go to 35" or so, and then felt it slightly. In retrospect I wish I had gone for bolder colors, but I'm a little far in for that kind of thinking. ;)

A Blessingway

Last night I attended a friends' blessingway ceremony. I believe this was my 5th or so, but each and every time that I attend one, I am again amazed at the deep connection and affirmation that they provide. Blessingways originate in the Navajo tradition where they were used to "bless the one sung over", but have been gaining popularity among women seeking an alternative to the traditional baby shower, and looking for more meaning and ritual around the journey of birth. There are lots of great resources available now for people looking for blessinway info...including the new book Mother Rising, and here's a great FAQ about blessingways.  Of course, now there are lots of "kits" and companies that will put a blessingway together for you, but I think the best way to give one is to read a bit about what other people do, and add a bit of your own to create something just right for the Mama to Be.

In honor of a blessingway last night, and thinking about my own blessingway, which took place two years ago this week, I thought I'd share some images from a few different blessingways--mostly from my own, some from one I held for a friend last summer, and a few images from last night. (And apologies in advance for the wacky formatting: I'm still feeling slightly feverish, and not so patient with my html this morning!)

Blessed Be! And Happy Birthing!

At my blessingway, with the beautiful floral "crown" a friend made!

Offerings  and poetry for a blessingway. We each brought our candles home and lit them as Kimberly went into labor.

Our friend chose a birth necklace (instead of a birth altar), so we all brought a bead for her. Here it is before being strung together.

I chose a birth altar for mine. Each person brought something from nature reminding them of me, or birth.

This is the altar cloth I made for a birth altar.

Henna the morning after. ;) And the yarn bracelet--we all will wear one until the birth, serving as a reminder of our friend, her baby and their community of support.

.

Use Your Knitting Powers for Good

Ugh. I'm sick. Some weird feverish, chest cold kind of thing. Ick. So, in lieu of a "regular" post today, I wanted to pass on this wicked (yes, I'm in Maine) cool project I read about in the most recent issue of Bust magazine. Head on over to www.microrevolt.org and read about the petition against sweatshop labor. My fevered head won't attempt to describe it, except to say...knitters (and crocheters and seamstresses, etc)  totally "get" the amount of work that really goes into making clothing. So pick up your needles to make a 4" square to add to the "petition", and join the action.

I'm going back to bed.  Ugh.

Happy April!

Okay, so I'm a day behind. I'd say that isn't too bad. What is terribly bad is that I FORGOT my sweet Luka's birthday yesterday. Now, granted, she didn't remember it either. But I still feel like a crappy doggie mama nonetheless. So....HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKA!!! She's 7!

While forgetting Luka's birthday yesterday....we did spot something very very cool in the yard. Our first robin! We've been watching and waiting for it to appear, and not only did one appear...but dozens of them appeared! I know this will sound terribly silly, but we popped some popcorn, and the three of us sat in front of the french doors to the backyard watching the birds--it was oh, so much better than the movies. "Look, mama, here comes the downy woodpecker!". We have such a sweet spot for watching so many different birds, and it's very cool to see the kids remember from year to year now which one is which. Ah....spring is really and truly here....

And lastly, in celebration of April, Loobylu announced the theme for Aprils Month of Softies. I was thrilled to read it's "recycled monster action". So perfectly timed, as last week we just happened to start our first monsters (or "creatures" as we call them around here).  Please meet Harry and JoJo.

They're both made of felt and stuffed with cotton. Calvin was a huge part of the process, and wants to make more (and he's been drawing what they should look like). Yay! So consider these our trial run for the MOS entry!  Oh, and be sure to check the MOS page soon to see all the amazing and daring entries for last months challenging "self portrait" theme.

Happy April!!