« March 2006 | Main | May 2006 »
I had planned to write today about what Steve and I are dubbing 'the greatest craft project ever', but the sunshine streaming in through the windows this morning is too much for me to bear from inside any longer. We're headed out to frolick on the shore, and then home to play in the garden.
I'll be back on Monday. I hope your weekend is beautiful!
Yes, the same photo I shared two weeks ago, but now.... in green (or celery sprig to be precise)! Can I just tell you how amazing it is to have c-o-l-o-r in the house after four years of white walls everywhere? Oh, I'm very happy. Very very happy. Even if it took a few color tries, some late nights, much swearing, and a week of general mess and chaos in the house. Still...quite fun. You know that feeling--even when I'm not in the room, I *look* into that room to see the improvement. Love it.
Now we're onto the next room, which is the main room of our house--living room, playroom, entryway, hallway, you name it. It gets lots of sun and lots of use. I'm wanting an earthy color--strong but neutral. This is what we're trying first ...it's got a bit more 'pink' than I thought it would/should, but that might just be the primer coming through. I'm thinking this color (it's Behr's Gobi Desert, btw) might just need a few coats to really show, so we're going to go for it this weekend. I'm hopeful. But really, I have no idea what I'm doing and should not be trusted with such decisions like this.
Sorry to bore you with my boring painting details, but is has become MY LIFE for a few weeks (trust me, there's lots more paint drama I'm sparing you from...shall we talk about the hammer that a child of mine took to the freshly painted wall? Or the number of dollars we've spent on gallons of paint that are the 'wrong' color? No, let's not.)
Up tomorrow: the 'other' painting I've been doing when I *should* be painting the walls (Steve calls me a 'glory painter'...all I want to do is the roller. When it comes time for cutting out, taping, and trim work, I take lots of 'breaks'.)
More Corners of My Home photos here.
Thank you all so much for the lovely sentiments yesterday--both in the comments and email. The whole point of the post was to thank you, but then you all showered me with such kind words - I was so touched!I loved hearing from some of you for the first time, and I adore the 'visions' you gave me of what you're doing when reading. Thank you! And thanks for indulging me in my little giveaway too- I've been wanting to do that for so long now, it was quite fun to finally do so. Five totes are headed out to Laurie, Jane, Vicky, Suzy, and Brooke.
I'm fascinated by the way this blogging world connects us, on a global level. How we can connect with someone literally on the other side of the world, without ever 'meeting'. A perfect example of that is this gorgeous piece of mail (excuse my poor photography this morning) that arrived this week from Little Paper Planes. It's the spring set that's a result of a cross-continent collaboration between mav and nebo peklo. I'm amazed at how beautifully their work complements each other to make a truly unique piece of art. I'm on the hunt for the right frames to put these in. I look forward to them being a visual reminder for me of that sense of global connection.
And while I'm mentioning beautiful art that came in the mail, this print arrived this week too. From The Black Apple, whose work I've admired since discovering Etsy. Emily also has a blog here. I adore the fine lines and sweet sentiments that this print evokes. I'm pleased to have it, and look forward to purchasing one of her lovely paintings soon too! Ah, how I adore Etsy. Bringing fabulous and affordable art and handmade goods right to my fingertips. And Shop by Color? Brilliant, I say.
I think so often about this whole blogging thing and what it 'means' both in my life and in the bigger view of the world. But some life events and conversations with friends have me thinking about it lots at the moment. I know I've attempted rather bumbley to talk about it before - but it's really so hard to express the significance. The inspiration. The motivation. The support. The amazing opportunities that I never would have dreamed possible before this began. And the amazing personal connections and friendships near and far--both new ones formed, and old ones strengthened--it's been a powerful, powerful thing. It still amazes me that each and every day you come back here to read and share, and sometimes say hello. I'm *so* very grateful for those moments out of your day that you spend here. I think about you often- who you are, where you are, if you're reading with your morning cup of tea and children playing around you, or whether you're in an office across the globe. It takes enormous restraint on my part to not reply to each comment that comes through. I always have something I want to say to continue the conversation, or just to say 'thank you'. Which is what I really wanted to say today. Thank you so very much for choosing to be here in this moment, and for coming back to do so again and again.
I'd really like to share a cup of tea with you all, but since that's not quite possible, I do have this tiny token of these simple tote bags I want to share with you as a 'thank you for reading' treat. (Yes, the laundry disaster-turned pretty bag. thank YOU for the suggestions!). I wish there were hundreds, but alas, there are just FIVE. So...the first five people to email me with your address to soulemamaATgmailDOTcom, I'll be honored to pop these in the mail to you later in the week. All gone. If you were one of the five, I've emailed you. ;)
And to everyone else: THANK YOU!
The season is upon us. Hooray, hooray. And hooray for a morning spent rummaging and thrifting with a dear friend. Some finds from the day: (sorry, I'm forging ahead with bad lighting because I'm too impatient to wait for the sun).
The textile goodies. Fabric, linens, and notions. YUM. (click on any to get the full picture in Flickr)
Book finds. Vintage new coloring book, 1972 The Pleasures of Crewel, child's finger play book, a 1950's Smocking book (! love !), and a vintage children's book that I couldn't resist for the cover. Check that dude out!
Tins. These are all so bright and colorful and in perfect condition. Had to scoop them up and take them home with me. Especially at 10cents a tin.
A favorite find. These fab pillows, which are just perfect for snuggling and reading, or sitting and listening to the Wizard of Oz soundtrack, or even for a family staring contest (apparently that's what they were having during this photo).
And yes, this was THE find. mav and I both gravitated towards this instantly at a yard sale, when a sweet older woman came up to tell us that her grandchildren all used it (it's in impeccable condition!), and she'd sell it to us for $10. Who could possibly say no to that? So..Adelaide has a new high chair, after which I'm going to be sure to pass this beauty on for another little one to enjoy.
Oh, and that green wall behind her? That's what the rest of our weekend was spent doing--painting. More on that drama, and the results later this week. Oh, and some answers to your questions, a long promised tutorial and other surprises coming up this week, too. Oh, Monday's are always so full of grand plans, aren't they?
I have two big piles of laundry in the basement right next to each other - one is new fabric to be washed, and the other is tablecloths and bed linens (yes, there's clothes too, but that pile doesn't play into this story). But the truth is that they're really more like heaps with little distinction between the two. And so it was that somehow this new (and very very bright) fabric made it into a washload with many of my favorite vintage tablecloths. Not a good thing. Not a good thing at all. Steve ever-so-gently broke the news to me when he discovered them while folding....and I was like a maniac talking myself out of crying about it, 'it's okay. no really, it's okay. i'm sure there's something we can do with them,' as I shakily brought them to my sewing room. And so instead of crying, I started cutting. And ended up with this tote bag. I mean, tote bags get stained and dirty anyway, right? So, why not start out that way? Here's the first of what will be many stained vintage tablecloth tote bags. Sigh. (I know you can't see the stains in this photo, but trust me--there's yellow blotches everwhere).
My groceries are going to have a very beautiful future, don't you think?
Ah, to be outside again. Amazing and lovely. We're all busy working on the 'outside' corners of our home these days--cleaning out from the winter and setting up for a summer of play, gardening and sun. This 'corner' is an old bench, parked right in front of the swingset, I mean, Circus Tent...and it's where Adelaide and I plunked down for some sun, light reading, and entertainment this afternoon. (The basket, by the way, is my answer to a milion trips in and out of the house at the beginning and end of the day).
Bliss.
More Corners of My Home on Flickr.
Yesterday a friend gave me a fun, fun pile of vintage knitting patterns to pour through, which are always such a treat to read. A lot of them end up being fairly similar to other patterns of the same era, but this one stopped me:
Okay, I have to make this. No, I really do have to make this. The sweater thing (I'll stop at the hat). Can't you see this in some really great, Oilily-ish bold colored cotton? It's crochet, which is kind of a bummer since i don't really crochet. But that isn't stopping me from planning an afternoon trip to the yarn store to buy yarn for this project. Have I lost my mind?
added: does anyone know the website where there's a list of vintage yarns and their gauge/yardage? I know I've seen that before, but I can't find it now. Thanks!!!
The reality is that I'm about as far away from Holly Go-Lightly as one can get. Certainly, the huge bag I must tote around for three wee ones each day is enormous (I'm sure you can imagine: clothes for three, cloth diapers, toys, bandaids and arnica, food. Oy.). Because of that, surely, I have this thing about traveling lightly when I am alone. But until now, I was without the right small bag to fit the bill. Goodness, what's a girl to do? Why, make one of course....while making dinner, right before going out with a friend last night (um, just eat around that scorched rice, kids. sorry!). It's perfectly sized to hold exactly what I really need with me at all times: cell phone, wallet (this photo reminds me that I'm on the search for a new one), Burt's Bees lip shimmer, keys (to the minivan. Ahem.), Vermints (gingermint, please) and hairbands.
(Am I the only one, who when busily sewing, likes to keep the scraps around? No really, there's something very pleasing to me after a long spell of sewing to see a pile of all the varied leftover bits of fabric and thread. Is that so strange?)
It was a very productive weekend here, indeed. We had plans for painting (my plan) and birdhouse building (calvin and ezra's plan), but that all got thrown out when we realized that all the hardware stores celebrate Easter. Go figure. And so--to the sewing machine I went. My wrists, with the problem-we-shall-not-talk-about, were feeling a bit better and so I took the opportunity to catch up. Wee bunnies, practical crafting (diaper cover! basket liners!), and the finishing touches on a wholesale order (I'll share more of that later this week).
There was also some fabric shopping at my favorite local-ish discount 'designer' fabric store. (And yes, if the thrifting didn't already push me over the edge of Use What You Have, this surely cements my fall). These prints I put to use right away as baby blankets:
And I have no idea what these will become, but I couldn't resist the cuteness and the bright colors:
There is always SO much that I love in that store (and it's all so cheap!) that it makes me a little crazy. My strategy is to make a super quick trip of it, stick with the first few bolts I grab, and hope for the best when I get out. Phew.
And here are my sweet ones after ingesting a ridiculous amount of sugar. Organic sugar. But sugar nonethless. (well, not the baby.) They actually all recovered from the overdose quite well. But not the mama, who's shaky and slightly jacked still (as evidenced by this random all-over-the-place post). Perhaps today was not the best day for drinking coffee.
These three wees are joining the growing worldwide litter of Wee Bunnies. (Pattern from Wee Wonderfuls. Thank you Hillary!). Has anyone thought about how many of these bunnies will be hopping around this springtime, literally all over the world? So very, very cool.
And the wee bums. Adelaide's tail is twill tape instead of a pom pom, because chewing on fuzzy yarn doesn't taste very good. (The tags are the 'mama loves you' that I made..this would be their first appearance). With the exception of the brown floral print (thank you for that, Lisa!), the rest are all thrifted old sheets and bedspreads. I'm quite in love with that middle fabric. I'm sure you'll be seeing lots of that around here before the sheet is used up.
Happy Spring Weekend, everyone!
So, last night before visiting with a friend (hi betsy!), I had a few minutes to spare. I could have gone to the grocery store alone, the pharmacy, or a dozen other errands that would have been much easier to do by myself. But no. I went to the thrift store. Of course. But oh, am I glad that I did. Besides scoring some much needed and just right sized kiddo clothes/shoes, I also found what's above--that great old tie for Steve, an old English Composition book (I love those), cool green planter, lots o' rick rack, and some linens. Not bad...but then. BUT THEN!
But then I found these. Three, brand new, in the original packaging vintage pajama sets. For $3 a piece. Oh. My. God. But then something bizarre happened where I talked myself into only buying one of them (the middle set), you know, to save money (huh?). Yeah...that was a bad call. Once I left the store, I couldn't stop thinking about the other two pair. I even dreamt about it. And so first thing this morning, I gathered the babes and there we were when the store opened--in our own pajamas with breakfast still in hand--to get the other two sets. I think I was even breathing funny until I saw that they were still there. Phew. Did I mention that they fit me *perfectly*? And yes...I do know how very, very lucky I am. Thank you, oh Goddess of Thrifting. Thank you!
(photo courtesy of Calvin.)
Some of you asked about this 'armoire' from the birthday post a few days ago, so I thought it would be perfect to share for Corners this week, since I adore it so much too. I found this 'pantry' in my parents basement. It's quite um, rustic, and was obviously built in that basement to store canned goods (I adore that you can still read 'raspberry jam' and the like on the shelves inside). I've been looking for a way to store all (okay some) of our arts and crafts and learning materials in our home without feeling like we eat dinner every night in a messy classroom (ah, the atmosphere)...and this so perfectly fits that need. I knew I wanted to use this fabric, and amazingly enough, I had exactly enough to finish it. (The fabric is vintage, from a yard sale last year. A yard sale that I dream about. A 'vintage fabric collector' was cleaning her stash. The 5 yards of the above fabric was a whopping $2. Yes, I stalk this woman's house hoping for another sale.)
This weekend, this room is about to say goodbye to it's white walls, as I'm finally getting the courage and energy mustered to paint (we rent, and so I've never been terribly motivated to paint someone elses house. But we've been here for FOUR years with no plan of leaving soon. Besides, paint is chipping off the walls. So, no more excuses.). I have big fears of making bad color choices, so I'm crossing my fingers that 'shy blossom' is just the right color for this room!!
So yeah, there's been some thrifting. Of COURSE! But even more exciting--I saw yard sales last weekend. Seriously exciting. The season has begun and I'm, um, just a wee bit excited. Anyway...on to last weeks' thrifting finds:
I can't stop picking up these vintage green bath towels. I'm in love with the growing basket of them in my bathroom. Steve keeps reminding me that they're not really big enough, nor thick enough to use and perhaps I should stop buying them. But...but.... they're PRETTY, right? Oh, and the pink one has a future as bibs for my babe. Did you see what Hillary did with hers? So so cool.
Jersey shirts and blankets. For pants and shorts for my wee ones. Because, really, I can never find jersey fabric I like more than the striped Gap shirt variety. Nor as cheap, either, especially on half price clothing day at the thrift store.
Oh, vintage sheets, how I love thee. Skirts, bags, pillows...I don't know yet. But I'm sure *something* will come of these soon.
Oh, but I love the vintage linens too. These tablecloths (at a whopping 50cents a piece) make me very very happy. I seem to have a lot like this, which is good because: tablecloths and kids? Well, let's just say I do a lot of laundry, and I'm okay with that because really--hanging these out on the line to dry makes me so happy. It's the little things.
These fabulous tags (with the yummiest of gold ink) just arrived in the mail from across town (I get such a kick out of local 'fun' mail, especially from people i see often. Something romantically old fashioned about it, I think.), and I adore them....almost as much as I adore mav herself. I'm so, so blessed that we're in the same spot of the world, and in each other's lives. And can I tell you how excited I am that another dear friend is headed this way for a visit next month? Really, really, really excited. I can't begin to imagine what fun the three of us will have together. Well, yes, I can and do imagine. And it's quite nice.
I'm feeling quite grateful and blessed today, so: a big 'cheers' to good friends!
(...also known as a blog break.) All plans for crafting were dampened by a pain in my wrists whenever I write, sew, or knit (!). But we're not going to talk about that, okay? (Because surely, not talking about it will make it go away, right? Right.) Only a few 'little' projects made their way into the week: 
A fabric banner for a two-year old friends bedroom; a bonnet for another wee friend (modeled by my sweet, of course); and yet another bonnet for a 'munchkin'. Next up is a bonnet for Mama, just like Sarah's kickin' bonnet. Because yes, bonnets are way cool, and thank you Amy for the reminder of their uber coolness.
So the big event of the week was obviously a very special birthday, complete with chips for breakfast, a teepee for play that will be used lots and lots (since the aforementioned 'thing'-we're-not-talking-about prevented me making the planned playhouse or teepee); chocolate cake and birthday wishes; friends, family, and lots of snuggles and love. Fabulous fun. And is my sweet babe really three? I don't believe it.
Also last week: COLOR! I was so, so in love the with exploration of color--both doing so myself and then seeing what others were up too as well. There was some AMAZING color floating around last week (do a search for 'colorweek' at Flickr to see some!). And thank you for all the lovely feedback about my photographs. It's so appreciated, as photography is not something I have a lot of experience or confidence with. Yet--there are a couple of shots from last week that I'm quite proud of. I've never quite thought of color in the ways that I was able to last week. Thanks again to Shash for the great idea and inspiration. I say we should do it again! Seasonally? Four times a year? I hope!
Let's see, what else happened last week. Hmmn... Well, there was some thrifting, of course (the fruits of which will be shared later in the week), and even some 'thrifting with friends,' which is really the best way to thrift. I did have a realization while thrifting that wondered if I was 'violating' April's Use What You Have. Because I don't think thrifting counts...isn't thrifting just like breathing? And seriously, who wants me to stop doing that?!
Oh! And I changed up the blog a bit. See? (Get out of that RSS feed, you silly!) I also shortened the 'daily reads' quite a bit, but added a link to a page with a lot more (well, soon it will have more...it's a bit cumbersome to paste the code into that template, but I'm working on it, I promise). I must admit to reading fewer and fewer blogs these days, and even bagging Bloglines (ah, the horror). I really want my time reading and visiting someone's blog to be meaningful and with intention, which is only possible for me to do with a handful, and not 200 blogs. Don't worry--I'm still getting around, just not every day. My little brain can only handle so much of all the amazing goodness that's out there at once!
Good god. It just took me two cups of coffee to write this epic post. See what happens when I'm quiet for a week?
My little Ezzaboo is three years old today. He's a magical, creative, kissable, funny, sweet, love of a boy and I feel so blessed to know him and to have the priviledge of being his Mama. Truly, it is an honor.
Ezra's a dreamer and a dream to watch. He sings stories all the time--to himself, to his shadow (above), and when we're lucky--to us too. His voice can melt my heart and make me crumble to bits in a fraction of a second--no matter if he's singing about how much he loves me or singing about poop. Yes, he can make my heart melt by singing about poop. He's that awesome.
I worry a lot about the whole 'middle child' thing. That he's missing out on things, or being overshadowed, or not getting enough attention. But as soon as those fears start to pop up, I see he and Calvin playing together--laughing together and really and truly knowing each other like no one else does or probably ever will--and my fears are put to rest.
Today we'll be celebrating with lots of romping about outside, plenty of singing, many hugs, and a tea party with 'chocolate cake and chips'. Happy birthday my funny, lovey, silly, sweet one. I'm so glad you're here.
milk street, portland.
No orange was photographed on my weekend walk (how can this be?), so these are from my archives.
brown: congress street, portland.
white: face paint
Congress Street, Portland.
Park Street, Portland.
This is the start of a week of color (cooked up by shash and mav...thank you!). I love the idea of really exploring the full range of color around us - in our homes, our work, our world. I'll be doing so here in a modified blog break sort of way. I spent last Saturday morning wandering around my town noticing and attempting to photograph color, so I'll be sharing a photo from that each day (thanks to typepad's scheduled posting). But there will be no words, and limited email/computer time for me this week. No worries - all's good, I just need to spend a week on other things - clearing my house of the flu; working my to-do list back into a range that fits my lifestyle; celebrating my sweet loves' third birthday; and remembering to see the beauty and color all around me.
Wishes for a good week to you!
Greetings! I'm Amanda Blake Soule - mother of five, author of four books on family creativity, editor & owner of Taproot Magazine. I live with my family in an old farmhouse in Western Maine where we raise animals, grow vegetables and make lots of things. I write about it all here on the blog. Thank you for visiting!
