SouleMama

Pre-season Warm Ups

It's pre-season thrifting around here. My preferred method of hunting for treasures is yard sales and church rummage sales - there's something thrilling for me about buying things from their *home* and getting--maybe--a glimpse of the people attached to the 'things'. But yard sales and rummage sales don't really start around here for another two months or so. I'll be getting twitchy in about another month, and start dreaming about it. Oh yes, it's an illness. So for now, I'm in training for the big deal--hitting the thrift stores and getting warmed up for the real action.

I've been picking up vintage chapter books lately, and while some I've found ended up being completely inapropriate (good thing Mama reads 'em first), I've found a few that are very sweet, innocent, and quite simple and take little--if any--'editing'. And check out the book on top-- Malia of the Hawaiin Islands. So adorable--each page you turn has a different outfit for the girl. I would have LOVED that as a kid.

There's always room in the closet for another cute vintage dress, right?

Not a great picture, but some great fabrics, let me tell you. Mostly sheeting, I've been picking this stuff up for 99cents (or 50cents on half price day!). It's so much fabric--quite fun and finding lots of use around here.

And some bedspreads. Love em. Especially that green. I could SO use it for fabric, but I'm trying to restrain myself and keep it as a bedspread.

Has everyone seen Hilary's ThriftCraft site? So great.

cheap thrills

$1 sweater at local thrift shop (half price day. love that.), 100% cotton.....

....became this.

I may be the last knitter on the block to try recycling yarn like this, and I'm not quite sure what took me so long. Perhaps I knew I'd get that crazy thrifty rush I get from turning something old into something new, and that my yarn stash would never again be contained. Nonetheless, I tried it. And it was SO MUCH FUN. No really, it made me very very happy. I don't even have a plan for this yarn, I just love that this is possible. That something new can come of something that was to be 'discarded'. On so many levels, that is very very cool.

I never understood how to do this when my grandmother would tell me about how she did it as a child (when, of course, this wasn't just a thrill, but a necessity), but I totally got 'how' to do it when I found this fabulous tutorial.

mail, glorious mail

Melissa of WishesDreamsLove sent me an amazing gift this week. These buttons, she told me, came from her grandmother and great aunt, who, in the 30's worked for a charity that used clothing as rags. But first, they cut the buttons off to save. And so, all these years later, Melissa and her family have all these buttons. Melissa was so generous to share some of them with me. I couldn't help but let out a little squeak when I saw these buttons, and immediately put them in a bowl to pour through and look at. I'm so in love, and in particular, with the little bits of fabric that's left on some of them. Amazing.

She also sent along these beautiful knitting stitch markers that she beaded. I love them. SO pretty!

Carol of Kidding Around offered to pass on her copy of Julie and Julia when she read that I was looking for it. That book arrived this week, and with it, all these lovely treats! A fabulous vintage children's textbook (I LOVE those), and some gorgeous old things for Adelaide.

And here's my sweet babe wearing one of the shirts from Carol. The look of determination on her face is her attempt to sit up. So damn cute.

The generosity of people simply amazes me, and makes me so happy. Thank you Carol and Melissa for your acts of great kindness!

Tie One On- Mapron!

 
Okay, so really it's a BOYpron, but here's my submission for February's Mapron Tie One On theme. The man and boys in my life already got an apron last summer for the Mini Me theme, so this time around, it's a boy apron for someone else. I used some corduroy, and a Makower 'safari' fabric that I adore. Calvin's modelling it in the photos (before I added the patch), but it sold in my shop this week and is headed to it's new home now. As always, I'm excited about a new month, and new apron theme!

Thanks for your feedback about books and lists--my lists are staying, they just might get moved around a bit. I also wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone for all the kind Blogaversary wishes--it was so touching and encouraging. So, thank you!! I had intended to 'wrap up' the week with some other things that didn't end up really working out, perhaps another time (sorry it sounds so mysterious!). Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Books: a list, and one for you

I took the We're Reading book list off this page shortly before the holidays, thinking that no one read it anyway. But I've had lots of feedback telling me that people liked it. So it's back! Down in the left sidebar. See it? I've even added notes this time around. Fancy.

Okay, and speaking of lists, I'm struggling with the Daily Reads list. I use bloglines, and so, really, my 'daily reads' list numbers quite a bit higher (ahem) than the 17 sites I have listed here. But I know that some people really use those lists to discover new blogs. I'm thinking about doing something that changes each month perhaps (a la Tania), just leaving it be, or deleting the list altogether. (Am I thinking aloud again? Ignore me...) Does anyone have an opinion?

Moving on...sometime last month, I was completely devouring the words of the amazing Alicia at Posie Gets Cozy, as she was talking about the book Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson. Alicia's words about the novel were so moving, that I moved right on over to a bookstore and got myself a copy. I would never dare to do justice to a book like that by fumbling around with words myself to review it, so let me just say that this book was every bit as beautiful as Alicia said, and so utterly well crafted. Yes, that's the perfect word. It was so well crafted. And so now I want to pass that on to someone else! The first person to email me at            that you'd like the book, it's yours. Shipping's on me. on it's way to it's next reader!

Corners of my Home

For Corners of My Home. This is our Nature Table. I think I've posted a photo of it somewhere in the past, but not for Corners, and this certainly is an important 'corner' in our home. This is a little table right near the entryway to the house, and it's full of all sorts of things that came from 'outside', or that represent outside. Periodically, the kids will bring home a pine cone, shell, rock, driftwood or whatever and here is where it ends up. I used to change the tableau quite elaborately with each season, in the Waldorf tradition, but now it's much more 'free form' and led by the kids. It's a bit bare at the moment--to reflect what's going on outside (no snow even! am I really in Maine?), and I just gave it a good clean out (very important once in a while--the PILES of stuff can be a bit much. Dry, crumbling leaves? Oh my.). There are other spots in the house where we have 'outside' on the inside, but this is always my favorite, and I see the kids being drawn to it too--moving just one little thing, or getting a shell to carry around for the day.

I'm inspired by other ways that people bring the natural world into their homes. A basket of shells, branches in a vase, a plant in an unusual spot, rocks scattered about, shells on twine. All so lovely.

I've been getting lots of questions about Corners of My Home. There are no 'rules' to the group. And there are no lists of participants. I've been sharing photos and stories on my blog on Thursdays, but, really, do whatever works for you. You do need a Flickr account to add pictures to the group there (and I ask that you only upload four a day). And if you'd like, leave a link to your blog in the photo description so we can hear the full story on your Corner!

a shop

So, there are some goodies for the wee ones in my shop now! You can get there by clicking here, or through the Shop SouleMama album in the upper right corner. There are Paypal buttons on each page, and I hope it's all pretty clear. Please email me with any questions (ssouleATmaine.rr.com).

Most of the items in the shop are things I made for the craft fair last fall that I never ended up participating in (yes, I chickened out). I don't think this shop will be a permanent fixture here, but atleast for the next several weeks, I'll be adding a few things here and there. Thanks so much for looking!

Updated: There's just one jacket and one bib set left. Thanks so much for your support! I hope to add a few more things next week, all depending on the health of my babies (of the sewing machine variety).

four things

I thought this was the perfect week to finally do that meme that's been spreading like wild. At the end, I added a little 'blogaversary week' twist.

Four Jobs I've Had
resident assistant (dorm counselor of the 90's)
manager at a white water rafting company
online editor in an interactive advertising agency
Mama

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Magnolia
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Elizabeth
Reality Bites (oh my god, I can't believe I just admitted that. I have this ridiculous thing for Ethan Hawke. There. I said it.)

Four Places I've Lived
Portland, Maine
Orono, Maine
Caratunk, Maine
Millinocket, Maine
(yes, just Maine.)

Four Places I've Vacationed
Quebec
Prince Edward Island
London
Edinburg

Four of My Favorite Dishes
Malai Kofta
Masaman Curry
Ice Cream (oh yes, that's a dish)
fried clams

Four Sites I Visit Daily
Bloglines
Flickr
Craftster
Whip Up

Four TV Shows I Love
Six Feet Under
Project Runway
Extreme Home Makeover (again, am I really admitting this?)
My So Called Life

Four Albums I Can't Live Without
in the aeroplane over the sea, Neutral Milk Hotel
not a pretty girl, Ani Difranco
under the pink, Tori Amos
marvin the album, Frente
let it die, Feist (a new one, but I can't stop listening to it)

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now
knitting and having a glass of wine with You
in the bathtub with some ice cream
on the west coast (never been)
where I'm at right now's pretty good

Four Things About SouleMama the Blog
1. Soule is my last name, hence, SOULEmama (some of you have asked)
2. Amy and I share a blogaversary one day apart (happy day, angry chicken!)
3. Nicole was the first 'non-family/friend' to comment on my blog. (she rocks.)
4. My children just asked what a blog was this week, and once hearing the 'name' of it, they laughed all the way through dinner. They've stopped calling me "mama" and are now calling me "SOULEmama," which brings them into near-hysterics. Yeah, yeah...very funny.

Oh, and did I say I was opening shop today? Oops. I meant tomorrow. Wednesday. 10am EST. Sorry about that (we need a photo re-shoot). If you've got the itch to buy something today, head on over to the Little Birds Etsy shop. Even if you can't buy her cuties, I bet they'll put a smile on your face.

one year

Happy Blogaversary Week to Me! One year ago this week, I was making the move over from a short lived blog at Blogger to this spot at Typepad. And here we are, one year and 387 posts later (yes, that does mean my average is more than one post a day. um, wow--I really had no idea.). I started the blog as a way to keep in touch with distant friends and family and to 'show' what I was making. And I thought I might write a little bit about unschooling (have I done that once?). But I had no idea--none at all--of what would really happen because of this little blog here.

There are some weird dynamics that happen when you sit and type into this box of a computer - alone in the safe walls of your home - and it goes out into the world for all to read. I struggle with worries of safety and privacy. I struggle with being 'recognized' out in the world (though, really, this has never been anything but positive. It's just, well, odd!). I struggle with people thinking they know me because of the blog. It isn't all of me--just a few paragraphs a day of what I want to share. But for now, atleast--all of that struggle is balanced out by what I love about this blog. Things I never could have anticipated when I started: That I would find never-ending creative inspiration; that it would provide motivation for my own creative pursuits; that it would be a 'record' of our days; and that the writing itself would become it's own creative process that I love, leading me in new directions. Most of all, I had no idea that this blog would be the start of some real and amazing friendships across the globe, across the country, and even across my town.

This week will be all about celebrating. Celebrating you, me and the blog world. It starts tomorrow with my teeny tiny shop reopening here, and will end later in the week with some 'thanks for reading' giveaways.

So thank you, thank you from the deepest spot in my heart--for taking precious time out of your day to visit here. Thank you for commenting, and letting me know you're reading. Thanks for the feedback about craft and parenting. Thanks for the motivation and encouragement, and thanks for the inspiration.

no way

These two need to be separated. They are trouble. T-R-O-U-B-L-E, I tell you. Perhaps it's just because we're reading Raggedy Ann right now (remember? all of Marcella's dolls and toys come to life and cause lots of mischief while she's away), but I'm convinced that once I close the door on the craft room, they run amuck together, which is why they are BOTH sick right now. Oh yes, that's right, BOTH of them. Once I recovered from the disaster of the serger, I tried to seek refuge in my sewing machine. Only to discover, that it too, would let me down.

And once again, I begged for help from Steve, who was stopped this time when I heard, "do you have a hammer anywhere in this room?". A hammer?! NO you may NOT use a hammer on my sewing machine! SO, again, I read the manual. And then I cracked open my machine (as in unscrewing the plate). My machine-- that I got as a college graduation gift--has, um, never been 'opened' like this. (10 years. Oh my. This is embarrassing). And this is what I found:

Crazy, huh? The lint was so thick the machine just stopped, and even after cleaning it out, is NOT working. So yeah, the point is: IT'S ALL MY FAULT. I'm a sucky, negligent owner. I'm sure I did something equally ridiculous to my serger. And now, my machines are standing together and refusing to take the abuse a day longer.

Off to the shop they both go. TOGETHER. How cute is that? It looks like I'll be knitting this week.

(I assure you that despite how grumpy all of this makes me--though, really, it's kind of funny at this point--the rest of this weeks' posts will bring no more bitterness, but in fact -- lots of celebrating and surprises. Really!)

not good

These are Steve's hands on my serger. Being the dear that he is, he tried to help me, but once I heard  "oh, this is just like the derailleur on a bike!" and saw him get a little too wieldy with the screwdriver, I made him stop. Still, I'm grateful for the attempt. If he had fixed it? Oh my...But no, he didn't.

So yeah, my serger and I are not getting along this weekend. At all. In fact, we had a knock-down all out fight at about 12:30 am this morning (what I'm doing serging past midnight is another story--and perhaps this is all a lesson about just that. A lesson I'm not interested in hearing, thank you very much.), when it suddenly just stopped on me. Stopped. I stayed up until my eyes were burning trying to solve it. I then woke up and spent two hours looking for the manual (why don't I put it back in the same place each time?). And then spent another two hours staring back and forth between the manual (oh! it was right where it should be!) and the machine, oiling it, staring some more, and then crying. Oh yes, I cried because my serger is broken. I'm sure there are worse things in the world that could have happened to me--but in that moment, I didn't believe so.

This doesn't bode well for my plan of a big surprise I've had in the works for this week (for you! Yes, YOU!). And I'd like to tell you that with age and maturity and practice in mindfulness, I've become more flexible with my plans being changed for me, but well, that just isn't true. I'm an absolute bear when things aren't going the way I had planned. Grrrr..... Hear me roar? Oh, I'm roaring.

So...there's no point to this post except to growl to the whole of the internets in hopes of feeling better. And to give all the locals a fair warning. It isn't pretty.
(Oh, and to get technical on ya, this is the deal: it works going *backwards* just fine, but forwards--the lower looper and the upper looper are getting 'stuck' on each other--if I apply forward pressure to the lower looper--theres a bit of give--should there be?--, the upper looper can get by...but well, if I did that for more than one rotation, my finger would get cut off, which would suck. Hmnn. Anyone?) Oh, and if anyone knows of a good repair shop in Portland (maine), I'd be grateful for the recommendation!

bags for toys

First up: um, wow. Thanks for all the very kind words about the Wild Stripes blanket. I just adore those colors together--wish I could take props for that, but they belong to the designer of the pattern. But I'll gladly take the credit for the knitting (and knitting and knitting...whew).

On the bag above: I started the drawing and painting for this 'patch' last summer (I made it at the same time I made the matching one for a friends bag), but never got around to finishing it. Until this week, that is (which is apparently my 'week of finishing things'). And yes, the ribbon trim says 'Love". How fun is that? (And for those that might be curious--I used gesso, acrylic paint and a sharpie on canvas fabric).

(Bummer. This room has the worst lighting in the house. but you get the idea, right?) It's a HUGE bag, but I intend for it to hold dolls clothes, which we have lots of. This is all part of my grand master plan (I have lots of these! Ha!) to get some less-used toys out from underfoot and up on bags and hooks. We'll see if it works.

A year in the making

Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I did start this blanket last July. I think that makes it my loooongest knitting project ever (hey. I'm into instant gratification). It's the Wild Stripes Blanket  from Knitty. I loved the designed color choices so much, I bought the same stuff (from Knitpicks). And then slowly, slowly, slowly knit this thing. Thankfully, the change of colors every few rows made things a tiny bit interesting, otherwise, I don't think I would have ever made my way through all that stockinette stitch. I dragged this project from beach to beach all summer, and finished the knitting just before Adelaide was born. The pattern says to weave in the ends as you go, which I didn't do, of course. And it took me five HOURS just to do that.

And then it sat and sat, waiting for first, the perfect fabric, and then waiting even longer for me to get the time (or rather, motivation) to put the two pieces (and the piping) together. I'm not so in love with blind stitching by hand, let alone putting a knitted piece, with sometimes funky edging, together with fabric. But I forged ahead.

And so then it sat some more, waiting for the embroidery to happen. And this week--feeling sad and a bit funky, I've been craving just that kind of a monotonous activity. So, hooray! The blanket is now complete!

The pattern is very clearly written, and definitely there's nothing difficult about it, it's just that it's SO much of the same thing. So much stockinette knitting, so much weaving in, so much blind stitching, and so much embroidery. I think it takes someone with more patience than I to complete this in less than a year. ;) But even with all that complaining about the blanket, I do LOVE the finished result. It's so warm and big and the colors are great.

Adelaide likes it too. She likes it so much, in fact, that she thinks the french knots are nipples, and can't leave them alone. (I don't think my nipples look like that, by the way). 

happy day

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

We're on our way out for a last minute, and much needed DATE to see the Banff Mountain Film Fetival. A feast for the eyes. Hooray!

Hope your day was lovely!

a dog and a cat

Mow's pawprints, Short Sands Beach-Oregon.

Thank you all so very, very, very much for the words that you shared with us about Mow's passing. I debated whether or not to even post about it, and am so grateful that I did. As I read through the comments and shed many more tears, I felt quite touched by the sincerity and acknowledgement of our loss. So, thank you.  We're all quite sad around here--it feels like such a huge hole for such a 'little' being to leave, and we're all trying to figure out the new family balance with one less heart beating in our home. I think we'll be in hibernation mode around here this week, so don't be surprised if you hear from me less. I think my family needs to spend a bit more time just hugging each other.

We took our first walk in the park without Mow yesterday during the big blizzard. It was cold, snowy and so windy. Steve and I were hanging back with plenty of sniffles, but I happened to snap just this one picture. Perhaps I'm feeling a bit emotional, but I thought it was fitting--of life, and youth, and carrying on--with sadness, but perhaps a stronger heart from having loved so much. And did I mention the snow? Yeah, we've got snow!

And for some lightness, here's Kitty, looking out at the blizzard from the warm inside. I desperately needed some easy, light and quick crafting this weekend, and just in time, saw the Wee Wonderfuls free pattern for Pointy Kitty. The pattern was very easy to follow, and with quite a cute result, I must say. Thanks, Hilary!

Goodbye, Friend.

We said a very sad goodbye to our pal Mow today. He had nearly 15 (just weeks shy) years of amazing adventures, fabulous roadtrips, and lots of love. I only knew Mow (pronounced 'mo', as in "mow' the grass) in the second half of his life--one slightly calmer than his wild days of youth, which were spent travelling the country on one adventure after another with Steve. I've heard stories of Mow hanging with a 'gang' of dogs in the parks of Salt Lake City; being chased off cowpastures by farmers (with guns) in West Virginia; running alongshore many a whitewater kayaking trip; nearly taking a 'swim' at Niagra Falls; and traversing many a mountain range. He had far more encounters with wildlife of the LARGE variety than I could ever recount, and he managed to escape his own demise more times than anyone thought possible for one dog. When I met SteveandMow (oh yes, a package for sure), they completely changed the way I thought about pets and companionship and spiritual connection. I had never seen such respect for the spirit of an animal, and never seen a dog live so 'free'. Mow's later years were spent in a lovely 'retirement'--full of beach jaunts, running in the woods, and a surprising patience with the little babies that entered his life. The past four years he has spent as 'master' of the dog-friendly park our home borders-- he was a 'leash-free' roamer and sometimes walking companion to those passing by.

Journey on, dear one. We will miss you so, so much.

why not?

So yeah, I'm obviously all about the fabric cards. Can't. stop. making. them.

But hey! What about fabric tags? I must say that I love how these look all wrapped up on a package. And of course, I love that they coordinate with the card, and even with a tiny bit of what's inside the package (but shhh...I can't tell you what it is yet!).

I've had lots of questions recently about how to make the fabric cards. The "pattern" is from Denyse Schmidt Quilts (love that book). Basically it amounts to machine sewing strips of fabric onto cardstock, and then 'quilting' the whole shebang, and trimming the edges. For the tags, I cut the cardstock circle first, then quilted a piece of fabric onto the cardstock, and cut around the edges. I used a paper punch to make the hole. One tip I do have for using paper on your sewing machine, though, is to designate a needle just for paper, because I think it does wear on the needle quite a bit (did I get that tip from the book? Or trial and error? Now I can't remember.)

Corners of my Home

This is an accidental corner. In other words, this shelf here is 'supposed' to be clean (often used as a stage for puppet shows). But most days, it ends up piled with 'stuff.' Yesterday afternoon I looked over and thought the random collection of stuff from the day was quite a lovely sight to look at. There's a portrait of Calvin by Jessie sitting and waiting for a spot on the wall; an old pewter vase with flowers from a friend (which has been reminding me that I want to buy more flowers in these winter months) that I cleared off the table so we could craft; the pile of vintage nature books used for our Drawing Time yesterday, but not yet put away; and on top of those--some random toys I must have picked up but not put away in distraction. The cup is full of marbles (does anyone else find marbles EVERYWHERE in their home?); and then in the corner are our heart 'ornaments' drying and waiting to be hung. The random assortment of things from a day.

I'm intrigued by this idea of 'accidental' corners, and the beauty or story that appears from them, quite without intention or staging. Interesting...

More Corners here on Flickr.

Seeing Beauty

I know, I know....I don't post for 48 hours and people start to worry. I'm fine! Yesterday was a sudden trip out of town to see my dear, dear grandmother (the one I wrote about here) in the hospital. What could have been a challenging adventure (with lots of driving, children in the car, and poorly timed naps, etc), turned out to be a smooth, lovely day full of beauty. The sun was shining on the gorgeous drive up the coast (photo above is from a stop along the way) and there was beauty everywhere we looked. I had a magical hour alone with my Meme--holding her hand, listening and talking about old memories. Just as I thought my heart was going to burst with emotion from all of the memories and love and beauty of it all, she said to me--in a brief moment of absolute lucidity--"you've got to hold onto them. the memories. but leave room for the new ones." Yes, yes, yes.

I'm always inspired by images of trees (so much so that I've got one inked on my back), and am finding tremendous beauty in these cards from mav.  The image, the texture, the color, and the heart with which she works and lives. It's all there. Her post of yesterday is obviously speaking to so many of us. The art and beauty that surrounds us is amazing, and truly inspiring. We are all artists.

More amazing, beautiful tree imagery was posted by Lisa yesterday. I want to touch her art too! You can see the heart in it. Can't you feel it?

I've got some crafting projects in the works this week that you'll see soon. And I'm encouraged and inspired after my first Whip Up post to keep creating new ideas in that direction too.

Oh, and in an attempt to make my life a little bit simpler, I'm going to try to now answer questions in the comments section here, rather than in individual emails. If there's something specific you're asking about, please come back and check!

Here's wishing you lots of beautiful moments in your day!

The trouble with knitting socks

Still slightly obsessed with the fantasy of knitting these socks (I can't get them out of my head), I did a quick peruse of my 'abandoned' knitting projects, and found all of the above. Five 'one socks'. No matches were ever made for them, and as you can see, some never even made it to the full 'one sock' status. I don't want to think about how many more are out there--hiding amongst my yarn, or those that have already been frogged. Look at the purple and pink ones I started this summer--I've given up on them enough to take the needles out, but can't bear to unravel it! And more recently, the sock still on the needles was with a burst of sock inspiration (Knitting Iris did it to me--she makes me want to be a sock knitter!) I had just a month ago. I even tried a new pattern--the toe up. But alas, just barely past the toes and I decided I didn't like the colors, so there it sits. This, my friends, is why--with a heavy heart--I admit that I cannot make those fabulous over the knee holiday socks. Sigh.

Here is the one lone 'pair' of socks that I've ever made. Booties, yes...lots of them. But socks...this is it. (Yankee Knitter Designs, Classic Socks. can't remember the yarn.) I do have to say that both of my boys have worn and loved them, so that should be enough motivation to start anew right there.

C'mon...fess up. How many 'one socks' are hiding at YOUR house? I can't be the only one!

"Mama, Come Downstairs QUICK!"

There was an eeire calm in the house as I wandered around, worried a bit. And then I found this:

Why, yes, it appears that a house has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East! Oh my!

Thank goodness--the shoes fit Dorothy!

Thanks again, Amy, for introducing this book to our house. As you can see, it's been read many, many MANY times.

in a pinch

So, what to do when you remember a baby shower hours before it is to start? Oh yeah, and I've never even met the woman the shower is for? Hmnn....

A quick blanket!! One side flannel and the other cotton (am I really giving away my Munki Munki to someone I don't even know?!), put together and then 'decorated' (ha!) with a zig zag stich around the sides. And then...a matching bib. (see, this is why I needed that industrial sized snap press!). Now, a quick stop at our 'basement book store' (where I stash books I pick up for gifts), and the gift is good to go. (Hannah, weren't you just in this SAME situation?)

And then when there are no 'baby' cards to be found in the house? Ah! A fabric card of course!

Whew. That was a close one.

he's baaack.

I missed him too much. My daily dose of Fred seriously chills me out, I'm okay with admitting that. The man was cool-- and way before his time. I don't know what I'll do when my kids no longer are in love with him....I think I'll still be watching. Do you know that his mother knit him all his sweaters? Oh, I could go on about all the reasons I love him, but I'll spare you the gushing.

The big box made it's way back just in time for me to say a sad goodbye to Andrae. I liked his mossy french dress much better than that waxy plastic plant tutu thing Santino did. Ewww.

(I know. I'm a dork. In many, many ways.)

Ah, Thrifting

I've been getting a little twitchy here for some thrifting to happen--it's a long ways away still until yard sale season starts; and taking all three babes to a thrift store just doesn't appeal to me. But I did sneak away long enough last week for a quick run into my local shop. While it wasn't a total jackpot, I left satisfied enough.

This shop just started carrying linens, which made me quite happy. So I picked these up for .99 a piece. That orange floral sheeting will be a summer skirt (and matching dress for Adelaide...oh, yes, I think so). And the towel! Does four of something make a 'collection'? Then it looks like I'm on my way to a bathroom full of these colors in vintage towels. Fun.

Nothing terribly exciting here. But I love the shape of the blue dish, which I think will be our new salsa bowl. And two sweet orange japanese dishes for the kids. And then a stack of dessert plates that will blend perfectly with my mismatched array of vintage blue dishes--I have a thing for having lots of dessert plates. Or maybe I just have a thing for having lots of dessert.

   
I had no intention of being photographed like this (no shower, 7am and very tired), but I just LOVE this picture calvin took. I was trying on my new thrifed vintage wool coat (5 bucks. sweet.), with tights and boots of course (love those boots), and Calvin, quite excited when anyone dresses up (he begs me to 'dress fancy') really wanted to take my picture. Notice the cautious/nervous look in my eye--as he's across the room holding my camera -- eeks!

And no thrift store trip is complete without a little something for the dress up pile. So these fun old hats made their way home, for 25cents a piece. They've already been used as Austrian yodellers, chimney sweeps, and a 'business person'.

Did you catch Stephanie's fab tips on thrifting last week? I particularly like the ask yourself if it's worth twice the price. I'm the queen of coming home with junk and saying, 'but it was only a quarter!". When thrifting, I *try* to ask myself if I really love the piece, or the price.

Corners of My Home

In all the excitement about rolling over here, I almost forgot it was Thursday. Time for Corners of My Home. Above is the fabric corner, obviously a favorite corner of mine. I had no idea until I took this picture how much *pink* there is. And how few solids I have! I reorganized the stash a bit from this original storage that was getting messy and too small. I love seeing all the fabric now, and don't mind how 'busy' it looks. (I put a few more corners on Flickr today.)

More fabulous corners and nooks and special spots on the Flickr group here. So very inspiring and fun to 'peek' in everyone elses home. Over three hundred members now? Oh my.

Delight

Roll #2, captured on camera. We should all be so pleased with ourselves when we conquer something new. Heartwarming, belly laughing, delightful.