SouleMama

Happy New Year!!

Welcome, 2006!

Tie One On!

For December's Tie One On. I copied this shape and pattern from my absolute favorite apron to wear--it was my great grandmothers, and the cut and shape is just perfectly comfortable for me (the fourth one down here). I managed to pull this one together on the morning of December 23rd--with this great fabric I've been sitting on (vintage? I don't know--has anyone seen it before? I found it at a Salvation Army fabric sale and bought the whole bolt, I loved it so much), and a serious amount of bias tape. I wore it happily for the next two days, including for the brunch we hosted on Christmas morning. And then washed it, and packed it away to be 'rediscovered' next December. (which is also why this picture will have to be 'good enough'!)

Yup, Another Bag

Over the past couple of months, when my crafting time has been consumed with gifts for other people, I've been making big promises to myself. Promising that I need to do something new, something challenging, something different, something that stretches my creative bounds. No more of this making a million of the same thing that's 'easy' (i.e. comfortable) for me, you know what I mean? And so....what do I do when I have a free crafting opportunity. I made a freakin' bag. Another bag. But really--I needed this one (really, I did). And so...the *next* project will be something different. I'm sure of it. ;) In the meantime, I've got this bag. And damnit, I like this bag. (which, by the way, I swear it isn't crooked like this photo shows!)

Thanks for all your wishes of health! I'm still fighting it--104 fever and strep throat to boot. No one else has it yet, though. Hooray for that.
Oh, and I must add, lest you think I've lost my mind: I did not make this bag with this fever. No, no! All I've done in the past three days is sleep, whine, eat popsicles, and whine a little bit more.  I made the bag right before Christmas, you know, as a displacement activity.

Great Mail

Oh, the mail's been good to me. Besides *all* of my holiday packages arriving on time (hooray! hooray!), fun little treats have been coming as well that I haven't had a chance to post about.

First up. Beauty from Nicole at Craftapalooza. I think I jumped on ordering this ring about 2.5 seconds after she posted it. I looove it. Looove it. Really, I do. It looks like she still has some for sale, but I'm not sure how that's possible.

Holiday cards from Rosa. You think I'm parting with any of these, though? Um, no. They're mine. All mine.

And this lovely pendant came from Jenny of Queenthings, on her Etsy shop. I've been watching her beautiful things appear there and waiting for just the right one. I love tree imagery (so much that I have it inked onto my skin. ha!), and knew this was the piece of hers I was waiting for. It's quite beautiful, and I can't decide between wearing it as a pendant, or actually "hanging" it as an itty bitty "frame" in a small corner of the house. Perhaps both.

And from New Zealand, Melissa of Quiet Cricket sent these wonderful goodies to us, after I oohed and aahed over her adorable booties she's been making. She was kind enough to send not just one, but two pair to Adelaide. The blue ones above, and the ones below. And she included some gorgeous fabric with New Zealand fabrics, and a book for the boys. All quite lovely and thoughtful. Thank you!!

Aren't they sweet? And cozy too!

The Great Gift Breakdown of 2005

Damn. I'm currently being run over by the flu. So far, it's just Ez and I. So far. Conveniently, in a spurt of energy yesterday (I should have known! that always happens before I get sick!), I made a few posts at once. So excuse me while I go sleep and sleep and sleep and sleep (who am I kidding?), and put the blog on autopilot for the next three days.

That was fun. Now I'm ready for the sugar to be gone, the gift making and wrapping to be done, the tree and it's falling needles to go back outside, and for life to otherwise return to 'normal'. But before I wrap up the holidays (ha!) completely, here are a few shots of the gift crafting I've been up to this month. Sadly, many things left the house in that window of time when I had no camera, so alas, no photographs. But from these pics you can see the theme of the year: bags and pillows. Hmn.

First up, the bags. I made a *bunch* of these. So fun to use up scraps and things (the one on the right is staying at my house--and it's made entirely from some of my favorite clothes that are too small for me now. Ahem.). These are from the Amy Butler pattern--In Town.

Speaking of Amy Butler, I used this fabric from the Ginger Bliss line to make these pillows. So cute. Not sure you can see it or not, but I "quilted" the fabric to batting before stuffing them. I like the way it looks. Though, it kind of reminds me of these weird 70's pillows my grandmother used to have. Weird.

And for the grandparents. An embroidered picture from a piece of Calvin's art. You might remember that it looks remarkably like another one he did. He just added Adelaide onto this one. I loooove how different the hairstyles are on each person--and it was so fun to embroider the hair.

And for the other grandparents, a holiday pillow with a photo (printed onto fabric with Bubble Jet Set) of each of the kids art on each side. And some snazzy metallic rick rack, just 'cause.

Self Portrait Tuesday

Does anyone else get all 'fuzzy' after the holidays? My mind has turned to mush, and I can't make a decision. For example, Self Portrait Tuesday. I've taken several that fit into the theme of Reflective Surface (I've got a new camera. What else am I going to do?), but can't possibly manage to choose one. So to skip the decision making stress, here are all three. Seemingly narcisstic, but really just indecisive, I assure you...

I'm not really sure why I like this one, but I do. I don't think it's a great photograph (though I don't know what that even means), but I'm really drawn to it. I think it's the slight blur (just barely getting used to the manual function), the mostly 'white' color in the shot--the white print (my favorite Modigliani) on a white wall. It feels fitting for this time of year--white, and a bit blah.  I also love that I'm holding Adelaide--and not because I intended for her to be in the shot, but simply because I happened to be holding her when I took the shot, you know? That's kind of how it is. She's like an appendage. A lovely one, of course.

This one is taken into and of a painting that I did 10 years ago, at a particularly challenging time, I stumbled upon painting almost accidentally (dating an art store owner will do that to you). It fast became a way of healing for me. And like my crafting now, I had very limited knowledge or skill, but mostly just a desire to create....something. The piece above was really the first painting I did, and my partner at the time found it and framed it for me. It was such a sweet gesture, but I was so embarrassed at the 'product' that I never ever hung it up--or if I did, I hung it in the closet (yes, really!). Recently, I decided to put it in my room--as a symbol of many, many things, but mostly as a reminder for me to create from and for my heart only. I really want to remember that.

This crazy one I took tonight, looking out the window at the snow falling, with lights on the tree outside. I like the tree coming out of my head. (I told you I felt fuzzy.)

Self Portrait Tuesday bloggers here. And here.

Some of Our Favorite Gifts...

Boxes.

A Thumb. (discovered on Christmas Eve, after *weeks* of trying oh-so-hard).

An armful of Family. Blurry and all.

A good time had by all. I hope it was the same in your home.

Oh Christmas Tree

No matter how symmetrical or 'balanced' the ornaments on the tree were at the beginning of the month, a jolly little elf (who goes by the name of Ezra) has taken it upon himself to sort and organize the decorations on the tree into themed clusters, as seen above. We're all growing quite fond of that look.

A very merry joyful peaceful happy holiday to everyone!

The Stockings Are Hung

Not every holiday crafting goal was met (sadly, the tunic will wait until the New Year, but that's okay, because right now he's going back and forth between Blackbeard the pirate, and Gretl from The Sound of Music), but atleast the important goals were met: everyone has a stocking. We needed two new additions this year....Miss Adelaide, and Banjo the cat, of course. Our gift exchange and major celebrating happened on Solstice, but on Christmas morning, we do stockings and then host a small brunch with friends and family. (It's always about the food, as far as I'm concerned.)

First up, the critters. Banjo's on the left with some sweet vintage kitty fabric from Jessie's mom, that was left over from a dress I made for Adelaide. And then the doggers each get one with the Munki Munki dog fabric that I love. I kind of forgot until writing this that I actually need to *get* something to put in their stockings. Oops.

The Papa and the Mama stocking. I made Steve's the first year we met, it's a pattern from Christmas Stockings: 18 Holiday Treasures to Knit. (I don't have the book anymore or I'd tell you the pattern name, sorry!) I'm pretty sure that's Lamb's Pride worsted. And then my stocking was a quick whip-up last year on about December 24th, I believe. It's just felt, with some flowers and favorite vintage buttons as the center. Someday, I'll make myself something fabulous. Or maybe the kids will. ;)

And the wee ones. Calvin's on the left is also from the book Christmas Stockings, again with Lamb's Pride yarn. It's very cute, but every year I need to reattach the damn snowflakes that always fall off. Ezra's in the middle is my favorite (if I may be so partial), it's a basic sock pattern that I just made really big, with ribbing at the top, and sewed on felt balls that we made. I took some inspiration from an Anthropologie baby sweater I was coveting at the time. And then last, is Adelaide's--put together last week. Not sure if you can see it, but I quilted it onto some batting, lined it, and added some pompom fringe and rick rack (of course). Even after my post about it, I was really lacking any inspiration for it, and I think it kind of shows.

I can't wait for a cup of hot chocolate and full stockings by the woodstove! Cozy!

Turkey Help

I've got a riddle that needs solving! Here goes:

We ended up with two turkeys on Thanksgiving (long story.), and popped one into our standup freezer while it was still semi-frozen (this part I'm pretty sure is "safe"). Now....to defrost the thing, Martha says to put it in the refrigerator until defrosted--approximately 5 hours per pound. I've got a 30 pound turkey (yeah, I know), which would be 150 hours...or 6 days! But then, that doesn't seem safe, now does it? That some parts of it will be defrosted for 6 whole days before cooking? This site I found says that an uncooked turkey should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than 4 days.

So, what to do? Does this even make sense to anyone? Welcoming all varieties of advice--I'll go with the consensus. ;)

There's Something in the Fabric...

I know I said I wasn't going to do holiday cards, but each time a beautiful handmade card made it's way into our home, I was slightly tortured (how's that for holiday spirit?). So I made a few. I used fabric scraps for trees and the trunks, and decorative gold thread stitched on as the "garland" (which my machine was not fond of, by the way), and then tacked on a kiddo picture on the inside. But apparently, I wasn't the only one with this idea! Both Steph and Amanda made some beautiful fabric tree cards as well. And bizarrely enough, I think I used fabric sent from each of these women on my cards. Which leads me to one conclusion: the fabric told us to do it. ;) 

Now, getting them written and in the mailbox is a whole other feat unto itself that isn't likely to happen. Perhaps I'll just consider them a start on the 2006 holiday card stash.

Oh! And I want to wish a very merry sunny shiny happy birthday today to someone very special. :D

Solstice

View from the backyard last week, right after our first snowstorm of the season.

I've been reading this poem to the boys in the morning, and they quite like it, as do I.

Winter is the king of showmen,
Turning tree stumps into snow men
And houses into birthday cakes
And spreading sugar over the lakes.
Smooth and clean and frost white
The world looks good enough to bite.
That's the season to be young,
Catching snowflakes on your tongue.
Snow is snowy when it's snowing
I'm sorry it's slushy when it's going.
--ogden nash

Wishing everyone a blessed Solstice Day!

Self Portrait Tuesday

It's here! It's here! Steve arrived home from work today with our Solstice gift to each other, a Nikon D50. And being the impatient fool that I am, I had to have it NOW. I couldn't possibly wait the 12 more hours until Solstice. 

I've got lots of catching up to do--after a week on "break" and then a week without a camera, I'm itching with things to blog about. I hope to fit some time in to post in between all the holiday merry making this week.

Self Portrait Tuesday bloggers here.

"Ho Ho Ho, Meeeeerry Christmas"

Remember when I posted this a while ago, and mentioned that Calvin was becoming Santa? Yeah, well, we're deep in it now. The craziest thing about it, is that we don't "do" Santa here. We mostly celebrate Solstice--feasting, and exchanging gifts with each other, and giving to the Earth.Though we do celebrate with extended family around Christmas Day, we've never talked about Santa, never had gifts from him, etc....and I've never hyped Santa up as "real" (yes, you could call me a scrooge. Go ahead. But trust me, our holidays are plenty magical around here anyway.). But this year, he's discovered Santa as yet another acting role to perfect. And like all the many roles before Santa, this one is complete with drawings of the costume "design," handmade costumes (by him...and some by his "professional sewer" as he actually calls me), props, a set, and a performance (Ezra as the sort-of-sleeping child, the nearest unlucky dog as Rudolph, and I as the audience, thankfully this time around). He stays in character all. day. long. Quite fun.

He was thrilled to discover last week that Grammie has an adult sized Santa suit, and he was *beyond thrilled* that Papa (a very good sport) would dress up with him.

And thrilled again when he tried the "professional costume" on himself. This is "troll santa".

Did I mention that part of his "performance" involves standing at the end of the driveway, and waving to passerbys--giving out a "ho ho ho" and a shake of the belly every once in a while? It's cute here in my parents' idyllic neighborhood, but at our house--on a major road with mostly industrial traffic--it's, well, pretty funny.

Today, we'll be busy making fluffy cuffs and a few other things for his suit-- in preparation for a family party tomorrow at which he's planning a grand entrance as Santa (so grand that he hasn't been able to sleep for days with the excitement). If I haven't bored you to tears already with all of this talk of my sweetie, I'll post a final Santa picture this weekend (I'm hopeful the fairies are coming early with my camera!).

Oh, and he told me today that he's just on "break" from his Knight job, to be resumed after the holidays. Seriously. This kid!

Vintage Children's Book

I found this book, The Twelve Days of Christmas (published in 1949) with pictures by Ilonka Karasz at a yard sale a few years ago, for 25cents. I was very drawn to the illustrations, and the colors in particular, and very happy to spend a quarter on it.

This is the first image--the partridge in a pear tree, and each page as something is added, the one above it moves up a bit. So it looks like this at the end:

Is that not gorgeous? I even love the typeface:

I knew nothing about this artist when I bought the book, but now know just a little bit about her career (um, really, how did we survive before Google?). She's most well known for her work with The New Yorker, but she did an amazing variety of other work--furniture design, textile work, and eventually was a leading wallpaper artist. I would love to see some of her wallpaper designs, but even with the beauty of Google, I still can't seem to do so.

The book is in rather shoddy condition--but only the binding and cover. I've thought about having it repaired, or just using the pages as prints--but really--you can't take just one of the twelve days of christmas, now can you?

Our Holiday Tree

Dang It! (because I'm trying to convince my two and four year olds to stop swearing, so should the mama that they're learning from) The day I start blogging again--full of fresh ideas and a week worth of crafting to post-- my camera--already with it's fair share of duct tape holding it together-- up and quits on me. I suppose I cursed myself by speaking so unkindly about the damn thing for so long. So, until a special Solstice fairy makes a new one appear next week (please, please, please??!), I'm left creating posts around the few pictures I uploaded in the past few days. Bear with me!

Since I can't get a good shot of the tree from top to bottom (see aforementioned camera angst), I'll just show you the top and bottom (hee hee). I love this paper mache piece by local artist Nance Parker. Her puppet work was a great inspiration for my own puppets (a few more are in the "craftiness" album..I've been feeling an itch to make more this winter).

At the bottom of the tree is the tree skirt I made last week. Not so thrilling. I do love the fabric (the Alexander Henry winter children at play is so fun--It was leftover from making a Nappy Bag last year), but the skirt is kind of a wreck--not even going all the way around the tree (ran out of fabric). I guess that's what happens when you just start cutting fabric without a plan or measurements. Harumpfh.

And then, this fun vintage ornament was in my Nana's "trash" pile when I went for a visit last week. Whew. I saved it just in time. I love these shadowboxy type old ornaments--I have a few others too that I shoud share. But you know, no camera (have I mentioned that?).

And here's what our tree looks like after a vodka and tonic (okay, two).

I really need that camera! How will we ever survive a week of posts like this?! :D

Self Portrait Tuesday

Self Portrait Tuesday: Reflective Surface Theme. More SPT bloggers here and here.

I started blogging (with great influence from my dear friend Jessie) with the intent of sharing news and photos of our home life with distant friends and family, and perhaps other homeschooling families as well. I had no idea that other people would find their way to my blog. Or that I would find my way to a fabulous crafting/arts blog community. A community that hugely inspires me, motivates me, provides me with feedback and support, and most amazingly--has blessed me with some real and true friendships.
It is these things that have been in my mind this past week as I decided whether or not--and then how-- to continue blogging. And further encouraging has been an inbox full of wonderful emails offering support, encouragement and advice. My apologies for not responding to any of those wonderful emails, but do know how much they were appreciated! Lots of you asked in particular for advice in regards to blogging and family safety. There are definitely risks involved with sharing parts of our lives this way--some dangers more sinister than others. I suppose you need to just find what feels right and safe for you and be at peace with that. For me, it's a matter of maintaining privacy and a respect for my children's integrity and safety (who, after all, are too young to give their "permission" for all of this), without becoming fearful of the 'dangers'. I think I have done this, and will continue to do so. I've changed a few things here, particularly in the albums and archives, to further reflect that. But removing my children completely--their stories and their images--from my blog feels compartmentalized to me--so much of my craft is about my children and so much of my children is part of my craft.

So here I am, just as 'before', but perhaps full of even more joy and excitement about this community -- because that's what happens when we work through the hard stuff, isn't it?

Thanks for reading.

On Break

I'm taking a blogging break. Comments for this post are closed as well. My apologies for the lack of explanation.

Be well!

xo,
amanda

edited: sorry to have sounded alarmist (my brevity and vagueness was mainly due to lack of sleep and time). we're all completely fine, thank you so much for thinking of us. i'm just having some blog "issues" that make me think about the delicate line between public and private, without slipping into paranoia and fear. So i'm trying to figure out what direction to go in here next.  But since I just don't have the head space and time to figure that out right now, a break seems in order. in the meantime, i'll be pulling some of my archives and editing some things and thinking lots and lots.

Self Portrait Tuesday

Self Portrait Tuesday: Reflective Surface Theme.

In my "1976: Baby's First Christmas" ornament, that amazingly, hasn't broken in the dozens of cat/dog/child induced spills our trees have had over the years.

More Self Portrait Tuesday bloggers here and here.

Holiday Reading Favorites

In between the crafting and baking, and singing of carols (Johnny Cash's Christmas is in permanent rotation now, but where oh where is my Elvis Christmas CD??), we're also doing lots of holiday reading. Here's what's on our coffee table right now. (Sorry for the annoying Amazon "search inside" images...)

Christmas Trolls by Jan Bret. Sweet, sweet story of two trolls learning the meaning of christmas, and I adore Bret's scandinavian styled illustrations. And yes, Anamaria, I do just want to jump into this book and "live" in their home! So cozy! Calvin and Ezra are often playing "Mig and Tig" trolls from this book and teaching each other the "spirit of christmas" just like in the story (of course, this also means that they play the "fighting" that the trolls do too).

Peter and Lotta's Christmas by Elsa Beskow. This one just arrived at our home (via Advent stocking #2!), and Steve's been reading it, so I can't say much about it yet. But Elsa Beskow is my favorite children's author/illustrator so I know I'll love it. Her illustrations are so wonderful, and the stories are so simple and sweet...even if there's some language that's a bit outdated (there's always one little thing in each book that we choose to "edit").

Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson. Another new one to us this year, I like the history and global perspective in this book, showing where lots of our modern holiday traditions originated from.

The Shortest Day: Celebrating Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer. I like how this one combines the spiritual aspect of solstice with science, history and culture. Beautiful illustrations.

Winter by Gerda Muller. We have all four of these season books, and they're so lovely. They're board books with simple illustrations (no words) of seasonal activities. Our copies are all well loved from so much looking.

The Snow Tree by Caroline Repchuk. I stumbled on this book at a yard sale and fell in love with it's simplicity and beauty. All the animals in the forest bring their special things to decorate a winter tree, with simple sweet illustrations (all on a very neat textured paper). I love that it fits for all religious and spirtual winter celebrations.

The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren. Calvin used to get a little freaked out by the gnomey guy...but now he's a big hit around here, thankfully for Mama who loves to read this one.

 
The Return of the Light: 12 Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice by Caroline McVickar Edwards. Okay, so this isn't a favorite yet, but it's on it's way in the mail to us, and I'm really excited about it. Full of Winter Solstice short stories, and it also includes a section with rites and songs.

THe Magic Dreidels by Eric Kimmel. I looove the gorgeous colors in this retelling of the fable, "the tablecloth, the donkey, and the stick".

And of course, The Grinch. Though it's hard to consider this a holiday book since we read it all year long. This, and Horton are Ezra's two favorite books. I think I could read them both without looking at the books....he probably could too.

edited to add: how could I forget The Night Before Christmas? As we read that this morning and got to the line, "he had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly," Ezra stopped me to say, quite as if he'd discovered something very exciting, "Mama! Your belly does that too!". Why yes, my dear, it does. It certainly does.

So, that's what we're reading! I'd love to hear what you and your little ones are enjoying this holiday season....

a crafty mama's dream

"Mama, can I try that embroidery thing you do?" .... um, YES, YES, YES!!!

The result. (forgive this gushing mama for saying, 'what a natural he was'! Even threading the needle himself. Seriously adorable. I had to restrain myself from smothering him in kisses). He wants it to be a "play pillow" for the cat. I, of course, want to frame it.

a meow and a peep

meow: He's officially adopted us. Any cat that wants to be in this wild house with two (soon three) toddlers and two big dogs, certainly deserves to stay. We've named him Banjo. The vet thinks he's only 10 months old and was probably abandoned at the transfer station (aka dump) nearby. How sad is that? He's so sweet and snuggly, and very patient with his two adoring fans above. I never thought we'd be able to have a cat with my allergic husband (he's doing only some minor sniffling), and big, chasing dogs (who were quickly put in their place by Banjo), so I'm quite pleased that it's all working out.

peep: for Camilla's Peeping Friday: the bathroom cabinet.  No great secrets revealed here, I'm afraid. Mostly essential oils, herbal tinctures and homeopathy (I like to pretend I can choose the "right" remedy for the situation, you know, out of the THOUSANDS of possibilities. I try.) You can see I'm already stocked up on Hyland's Teething gel for when Adelaide needs it. As long as I have wee ones, I will never be out of that stuff. In fact, I think it's in my top 5 "must have around at all times" items: bandaids, arnica, calendula, rescue remedy, eucalyptus oil, and hyland's teething gel. Oh wait, that's six. You get the idea.

Happy December Weekend to all! And to all a good night! Ho, Ho, Ho....{yeah, I know, I need to lay off the coffee...two cups already today by 7am. yikes!}

By George, I Think We've Got It

Nothing stellar (or even clear!), but this will have to do. I am skipping cards this year (instead, look for a family Valentine's Card), but I still needed a few smiling child photos to share with the great aunts and the like.

I know I already did this just this week. But I literally can't stop laughing at these photos-- our attempt #2 to get a family picture. I feel slightly evil and very non-buddhist laughing at these, but I just can't help myself (and I feel justified by Ezra's own laughing at the photos after the fact). It's kind of in the vein of the Scared of Santa Gallery (via Jessie). Anyway...for your enjoyment: (my favorite is #2)