and so it begins...

{Thank you all so much for your support with yesterday's Shop update! Really, Thank You!}

First...there were the tiny sprinklings of snow.

Two hours later, the children's Wintry Wonderland and tree were set up in their room with much excitement.

Followed by the much-anticipated opening of the box of 'Winter Books". (I'm thinking about putting together a blog post with a list our favorite Winter Books - I did this two years ago, but it could use some updating. Would that be helpful?)

And that was all before Thanksgiving.

Then, with many every-ten-minute-all-day-long requests, and since our tree was ready and waiting for us from our family land DownEast, we figured...why not now?

And now...the first holiday craft project. Calvin was browsing Flickr over my shoulder on Monday and spied Sarah's Stacking Fabric Tree tutorial. "I'm making that!" he said with absolute certainty and headed to the fabric scraps. And so he did (his first project with interfacing - he was quite excited about that), and then created this little table centerpiece for it that I'm pretty much in love with.

And so it has begun!

Comments

[Mary Beth]

Yes! We we would like a list of winter books, please. Lovely pictures. I'm just a little bit jealous of your winter weather.

[Nowheymama]

Yes, please do a new winter book list.

We've been decorating, too. What fun!

[Mama Urchin]

That boy has some serious sewing skills. Love the centerpiece.

[brandie]

so seriously dude, the girls are making those for their winter scene. we were hoping to leave out the interfacing, though, because mama doesn't have the sewing skills that Calvin does :) i know that really won't work, i was just hoping.

and yes, put together the list!

[brandie]

ps. i really like the addition of the pom pom on top.

[Angel]

I'd love a list of books. I thrifted the Tomten book the other day for 69 cents! Score.

[Molly]

I just posted about christmas/winter books myself. I like to add to our collection as I can each year and would love some suggestions, so I'll check back here. We also do a basket in the kids room. Would liked to have shown it, but my camera is on holiday in New Jersy. That tree is adorable.
- Molly

[camerashymomma]

how festive and shimmery and cozy and lovely! you're lifting my spirits!

[Tere]

That looks great! You know, arrangements are much harder to do than than people would think, and that one has that sense of casual je ne sais quoi that I always try to achieve in mine! Great job calvin : )

[Natalie]

I am downloading the stencils now... thank you for sharing the link! we have a winter book basket too, but I wish we could add snow to our Christmas decorating! Merry preparing!

[Stefani]

First - Tell Calvin he is the coolest kid in town, hands down.

Second - Love that tablecloth!

Third - YES YES!! We'd love to hear what books you bring out in winter!

We have painted milk crates, yellow for summer, minty green for spring, chocolate for fall and an icy blue for winter, full of our favorites for each season. There's always room for more!

[theresa]

My oldest has been hankerin' to make one of those trees, also!

We've got that same tree stand, have had it since we lived in Sanford, I'll bet we bought it at the same place ;)

[tony(a)]

Hi

I'd love to see your updated Winter book list. I recently posted ours here http://theherbalway.blogspot.com on Nov 6th. Loved seeing all your shop items yesterday.
Blessings, t

[Pam]

I would look forward to reading your list of winter books. We unpacked our winter and holiday books yesterday. Starting Dec 1st we read a different holiday book in front of the fire each night before bed.

And our thanks to Calvin for spotting the fabric trees. This project will get added to our advent list of things to do.

[gnarly nanny]

adorable! i'd love a winter books list =)

[Stacey]

Great tree, I admire his determination. I would love to see your list of winter books, we're limited here to The Snowy Day and The Mitten.

[Elizabeth]

That centerpiece is heart-warming. And I think I am jealous of Calvin's sewing skills! Tell him he is an inspiration! :>

[julia]

i love that tree (calvin's not the live one). really beautiful.

[annette]

Calvin, your tree is awesome! We might have to try that too (maybe even with paper).

[homemakerang]

add this one to your favorite winter list, it is one of ours and its extra special as it was shot locally! we have the summer version also and I see they added another winter version.

http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Woods-Photographic-Fantasy-Nature/dp/0967174805/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196259981&sr=8-1

[Kayte]

I would love to see your winter book list. My daughter is almost 2 and I have been collecting Winter books from Half Price books (local store) and Paperbackswap.com all year. I just put our basket out too-but it needs some more titles (don't you always need more books?)

[Wendy]

I think I've figured out today's project. I know that my daughter would love to do a Wintry Wonderland herself. And Calvin's tree is wonderful!

[dianne]

Yes, please do post a winter book list!

[Stephanie D]

oooh I like the idea of pulling out the "winter books", Funny I just decorated my table yesterday too!

[Tara]

It's all just lovely! I think I'm ready to get out our Christmas book box now! (Why not? The tree's been up - undecorated - for three days!) My 22-month old is drooling over Calvin's Wintry Wonderland. :)

[melody]

cute tree, Calvin... we'll have to make some of those, too!

[Anne]

It's time! I love the tree Calvin made.

[julie (jane's apron)]

I've been looking for a holiday project for my kids...and that little tree is it. thanks!

[betz]

Thanks for the tree link...we've been making marshmallow snowmen and need a little tree for them to hang out by!

[Sebrina]

Awesome!!! I love it!!!!!

[Tee tee]

Yup-we'd love a Christmas book list!
Congratulations on your shop yesterday.

[Heather]

Yes, please post a winter book list. That would be great!

[sarah]

Our Christmas book box comes down from the attic this weekend. It's the first Christmas item that appears in the house...along with the elf who sits high on a shelf and whispers to Santa about wishes and behavior....

[Tangerine Dreams]

I love the fabric tree. Great job, Calvin. I would also love a winter book list.

[Dawn]

The centerpiece is so cute. What a great idea to put the winter books in a box to be brought out at he appropriate time, I'm going to try that.

[Liz Cadorette]

Oh, such magical photos! Tell Calvin the centerpiece belongs in a magazine, he did an amazing job.

I would be SO very appreciative if you'd post a big huge list of your favorite books. We're woefully short in our house due to lack of bookcases/storage space, but we told Santa we wanted bookcases for Christmas this year, so one hopes the situation will be rectified with a vengeance, and I already admire your lists when you post them in pieces.

In short -- YES! It would be SO helpful! :)

[Carrie]

Just the other day I was thinking about finding some winter books to supplement the specifically Christmas books from my husband's childhood for our little one. I would love to see what your picks are. Thanks for asking!

[m]

I only hadsew because I'm afraid of the sewing maching I was given last year, and here is Calvin making beautiful ornaments and *interfacing*?!?! Oh dear. He's an inspiration!

[Diane Arias]

Your camera angle on the floor, tree stand, and tree edge reminds me of the edge of a dress and the peek of a pair a shoes. It really is a wonderful, wonderful shot. Also, you've really helped me approach the idea "organizing" my home and the way it functions. I find myself centering things around seasons (outside of just decoratings) and now seasonal books (which makes TOTAL sense) LOVE it. Love it. LOVE it.

[heather]

First, Amamda your shop looks wonderful and I was too late to purchase one of the beautiful bags.

I am getting out our winter/holiday books this weekend too. Love to see your list. A new one for us this year is "The Christmas Cat" by Efner Tudor Holmes and Tasha Tudor (illustrates it) myself and my mom are big fans of Tasha Tudor, this is a great book!

[Heather]

I haven't started decorating (my husband refuses to give in to getting a tree until Dec 1st -- Bah Humbug!), but I did start my holiday cards!

http://kandas-adventures.typepad.com/kandas_adventures/craftiness/index.html

Plus I've got the Christmas music playing.

Now to get out the books and start the Christmas crafts with the kids.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[april]

I would love to see your winter book list.

[JoAnna]

Oh please do a list of books. There are so many great ones out there!

[Holly]

You can never have too many book lists. I'd love to hear your recommendations!

I am so excited for your book. Just reading about your own creative family makes me think that yours will be a gem of a book. Looking forward to it!

[Elka]

Congratulations on your very quick sales from the shop! I am inspired to make some small quilts now for the siblings and new baby niece.

[Grace]

we have to clean our house first, lol. ;)

i know at least one girl here ... oh yeah, and elle, too ... who can't wait!

and we, too, *are* going to make those stacking fabric trees!!!

[Julie]

I just love it that Calvin gets excited about interfacing. : )

[~ Junkyard Jennifer]

I love the table cloth and Calvin's cute centerpiece!

And thanks for the inspiration. I've bookmarked the fabric trees for next year. {We're under construction and laying low on the crafts this year.}

[ani]

first, Calvin, that is an awesome tree!

second, yes! book list! i've found many lovely books via your sidebar and would enjoy hearing your winter faves.

[kate]

Bring on the books - my son has been talking about the winter/christmas books that I've been hiding in his closet for months now - and now that the floodgates are open - it's all about holiday books!