SouleMama

days of summer :: 13

There's so much flotsam and jetsam to be explored at the sea!

Artist to Artist :: inspiration & a giveaway

We've been hugely inspired of late by the book Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art. I had originally picked it up at the library a year ago and loved it, but never quite had the time to share it with the kids as I had hoped. And then, my attention to it was diverted once again when our plans to visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (and purchase this book) were thwarted earlier in the year (oh, those silly brakes).

But no longer. A copy is happily in our hands. Not on our bookshelf, but literally in our hands...and often. First it was me inspired by it's pages. A visual feast, the book includes a letter from each illustrator to children, a self-portrait, a photograph of the artist (sometimes as a child), and a sampling of their work. I love that the letters to the children are as diverse and varied as the artists themselves. And yet - there are common themes, and recurring messages that shine throughout. Childhoods spent full of freedom to play and explore, an early love of art and drawing, creativity as an expression of self, etc. I find my ideas of children and art confirmed as I nod my head at each artist's thoughts on the subject, such as Ashley Bryan who says:

"In our earliest years there's no how? to our plunge into art. The doing gives the answer. There is no one way. Your work in art is original and there is no end to the adventure...HURRAH!"

Perfect.

It wasn't long before the curiosity of the little ones in my house was piqued by this book - largely by recognizing so many of the illustrators from books on their own shelves - Eric Carle, Tomie dePaola, Quentin Blake, Mitsumasa Anno, Maurice Sendak and so many more. I suggested we take the book on as a project - reading the section on each artist, and then search our bookshelves (and maybe the library) for the books illustrated by said artist - to give a closer look to and study their style.

We began, and quickly, they came up with an idea much better than my own. They decided that after reading about each artist, and finding books by them, they'd make their own book, inspired by the artist. Ezra chose Eric Carle to start with - entirely inspired by the photo of Carle in his studio - surrounded by scraps of paper on the floor. Creative chaos just like his own - yes, indeed.

After a trip to the art store for a new pile of blank books (we like to make our own, but we're also big fans of Bare Books for this sort of project), the reading, the studying, the painting, the cutting and writing commenced.

And thus, book #1 in this artist-inspired series by Ezra has begun. Mister Cook (different from his previous titles, "Mr. Cooker", "Restaurant Man," and "Farmer Cook" - the boy's inspired by food, clearly), a story in which a restaurateur prepares for a crowd, presents a feast, unleashes a giant spider on the crowd and then wonders why no one understood his practical joke. Ah. And all in the 'style' of, and with great inspiration from Eric Carle.

While I definitely can't take credit for where Artist to Artist has taken us, I do think it might be a great project other kids would be into as well. I can see it working at home, in a homeschooling plan, or in a classroom as well. And even if it doesn't become a grand project such as this, there is much to be inspired by in it's pages for young and old alike.

******************

The generous folks at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art have given me a copy of Artist to Artist to give away here. If you're interested in the book, leave a comment in this post, and if you have a favorite children's illustrator, I'd love to hear who that is! I'll select a random name from the comments on Friday, 8am EST.
And if you'd like to just purchase the book yourself, it's here on Amazon, and also available at the Museum's Shop, in addition to your local bookshop or library, of course!
 

Good luck!

*****************

Thanks to everyone for playing along and for sharing your suggestions! The random number generator found the winner, Maya.

Mo Willems is our favorite!

I lovelovelove this book! Fingers crossed, but even if we don't win, I will buy this book. It looks fantastic.      

Posted by:maya | July 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM 

days of summer :: 12

Random little things from the antique stalls this weekend. The pickings, admittedly, are much slimmer in the high-traffic, and higher-priced summer months. But regardless of how much or how little I come home with, there's nothing like a day spent with dear friends laughing and wandering the aisles full of old, lovely, sometimes bizarre, and beautiful things at the flea market.

Just like nearly every other trip there, I left with a vintage frock (or, um, three, this time). Someday, I realize, there's going to come a day when none of my babies will fit into or agree to wear my finds. It will be a sad day, indeed. And likely, it won't stop be from bringing them home (a little strange, perhaps, but I'm okay with that). For now, I'll keep bringing the treasures home, and cross my fingers that I can squeeze them in, and that they'll think it's as fun as I do. So far, so good.

days of summer :: 11

Friday night found us somewhere we typically avoid in the busy tourist rush of the summer season (only because of the busyness, not because of the tourists...you're all very lovely). But this baby belly of mine was calling out, 'Two Lights!". Or more acurately, "fried clams!", and so we obliged. The waves, the rocks to climb on, the mist on the ocean? Always the best icing on the cake. So good.

{You can find an interview I did - along with a chance to win a copy of The Creative Family - over on Simple Mom today. The rest of the site is full of great ' simple living' parenting information, so if you haven't discovered it yet, be sure to look around at her wonderful offerings!} hmmn...the site appears to be having some troubles this morning - thanks for letting me know, and do try it again later!

days of summer :: 10

My little ones have been waiting so very patiently to peek at what's going on below the surface, especially in the 'crop' in which they each took charge. Yesterday, we could no longer resist the temptation of those beautifully tall, now many-times-hilled potato plants. So, with much anticipation, they ever so gently peeked. And my gardeners were delightfully rewarded by what they found, in awe at the magic of the earth, and incredibly proud of their work.

Ah, that's just the yield I was looking for.

Have a lovely weekend, friends! Here's hoping that  - even if only for a moment, and for whatever reason - your hands meet the earth today.

days of summer :: 9

Summer Soup...eaten outside, of course. Yum. This one - a new family favorite - has the kids stalking the vegetable garden beds, hoping each day for more squash, carrots and potatoes to make it again. I think this weekend...

Summer-Squash Soup with Parsley Mint Pistou (Gourmet, September 2006)

days of summer :: 8

Just after filling three bowls with oatmeal - none quite the same with all the specially requested combinations of fruit, syrup, and cream - I step outside and away from the pre-breakfast, three-kid flurry - still in my pajamas. Walking barefoot in the wet morning grass with a mug of tea balanced precariously in my hand alongside an empty mason jar and kitchen scissors, I gather flowers from around the yard. When it's full, I slowly walk inside and place it and all its randomly colored beauty in the center of the already-messy, and waiting to be cleaned up table full of empty bowls. And so a summer day begins.

thank you!

You might have noticed a few tiny visual changes around here lately - and a few more little tweaks are in the works in coming months. (I'm hearing you all loud and clear that you miss the "Inspiring" list of links - no worries, it will return soon!) The first of these changes was the addition of the SouleMama BookShop. I'm asked often for my 'favorite' books on particular topics - unschooling, crafts, parenting, and on and on. So I've been looking for a spot to share such 'favorites' lists in an always-accessible way (while keeping it all seperate from the "Currently Reading" sidebar feature, which I like to keep to 'current' books). The Amazon storefront was the solution for me - as I can keep the lists, while also participating in the Associates program. There is much more I want to add there - I haven't even touched on bird books yet, for goodness sakes. Or favorite board books, or chapter books, or....oh my. We love books. So if those book lists interest you, check back there often as I'll be adding more of the titles most treasured in our home.

Another new thing you've likely noticed in the past month has been the addition of the "Sponsors" on the right sidebar. For so long (years, I dare say), I've thought long and hard, searched high and low, and explored so many options in regards to this. And I am so happy that it evolved exactly where I wanted it to be - a place where I can introduce you to small companies and organizations who I support and believe in - in a low-key, non-obtrusive and well, pretty way ("pretty" is important!). I'm incredibly grateful to those Sponsors, especially, who took a chance these first few months as I've been trying it out - Nova Natural, Lisa Leonard, and Mama Merit Badges. Thank you!

I never could have imagined all the things that blogging would lead to when I began three and a half years ago. I never imagined the warmth, generosity, amazing friendships, and wonderful opportunities that have come into my life. And I certainly never imagined that this whole thing would turn into something that contributes in a small financial way to my family - and brings us closer to our goals of living, working, playing and creating together - as a family. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to continue writing and maintaining this blog and all that comes with it (the many joys and the many challenges) in a way that feeds my soul, and helps my family - rather than takes me away from it. So thank you, for your part in that particular aspect of blogging for me - for the things you've purchased in my shop over the years, for the Amazon purchases you've made through my links, through the support that you've shown my sponsors, for your notes and gifts of encouragement, and just for reading here each day.

What I'm finally getting around to, is a small token of thanks to you! In the left sidebar, you'll notice a new little feature "For You," and in there currently, you'll find two downloadable patterns (as PDF files - let me know if you find any kinks!). One for the Gratitude Wrap, and another for my favorite knit hat pattern (originally posted here a long time ago now, but reworked a bit as I remade it late last night! In yellow. Ahem). They're free and offered up as a little 'thank you' to you for being such nice readers. Because you are! You'll also find a link to all of the recipes I've posted here over the years - compiled in one place and organized seasonally (because I would organize everything that way if I could). My goodness, I make a lot of bread with berries, don't I? Hmn...

Well, anyway. Enjoy. and Thank You. Truly.

a Summer Shop Update!

The Shop is open!

In this Summer update, you'll find a batch of Embroidered Hoops - each with a bit of applique and embroidery, in the colorways that are inspiring me most of all this summer (see any yellow in there? Ah, that yellow). Each are backed, and ready for hanging as you may.

Also in the shop this time, area bakers dozen Gratitude Wraps! I had such fun not only putting the fabrics together for these, but gathering the supplies as well. In each wrap will be: a set of my postcards and envelopes, along with two of my favorite writing things - a small Moleskin notebook and the most perfect pen in the world - the Pigma Micron. All you need are the stamps!

A quick technical note about the shop: As some of you have figured out, there's a few-seconds delay between Big Cartel and Paypal, which can result in some overselling in the first few minutes. I'll be watching today, and should that happen, I'll quickly notify you with a Paypal refund (if you haven't heard from me now, you're all set!). My apologies in advance - I have yet to find the 'perfect' shop solution, but without this little glitch, Big Cartel works best for me and how I do these things. The only advice I have in avoiding this might be to move quickly through the checkout process. I'm sorry to add an element of rushing and disapointment to this! But I thank you for your patience.

Thank you, as always, for your support and interest in the things I make and sell! I'm incredibly grateful for it, you know. In fact...I've got a little 'thank you' coming your way tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Food & Family on Etsy

(Two posts in one day? Sure, why not!)

I just wanted to pop in to tell you about some happenings on Etsy's blog The Storque. They've got a great new feature - Handmade Kids - full of family-focused content. I was asked to share a bit about creativity, family and food. Ah, my favorite topics! You can find the article and interview, an excerpted project from The Creative Family, as well as some of my favorite "Food & Family" Etsy finds (there is so much handmade goodness out there!), here:

SouleMama's Creativity: Food & Family

Thanks for the invitation to join in on the fun, Etsy!

drying out

Oh my. That was a wet weekend. The camera mostly stayed tucked away safe and dry, but I did snap a couple, including this last shot above which might be my favorite summary of the weekend. Because when met with a camping trip in the rain, what would the kids do? Why, dance in the rain, and turn their eyes and mouths to the sky. Naturally.

In between the rain and the thunderstorms, though, we did manage to see some of the white mountains, enjoyed some much-treasured time with friends, had a really fun hike, and even had a surprise middle-of-the-woods encounter with a SouleMama reader (hello, Daniela!), reminding me of how small and sweet the world can be. All in all, a very good wet weekend. And... a very happy arrival home to our soft and dry beds. Soft and dry. Oh, I do rather like soft and dry when we're talking about beds.

Up next: Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be my summer Shop Update. I'll be going live with it at 12pm EST, and will post here when all is up and running!

Alright. Back to the drying out. I wish you all a lovely start to your week!

film :: at camp

A little more black and white film for you today. From this season - just last week at camp. Each of these make me immensely happy...and quiet. They make me feel quiet, just like the spot in which they were taken.

We're headed out on a little camping adventure soon. Happy Weekend to you!

{And If you're local, don't miss the opening of Lisa and Lisa's Pigmentary Portraits show at Artstream in Rochester! I do so wish I could be in two places at one time this weekend!}

film :: from another season

Film always gives me the feeling as though it is from another time. But discovering a roll of undeveloped film - quite literally from another time - makes that feeling even stronger. I had no idea what to expect when I picked up these prints - when or what the images could have been from. This week, in the full 90 degree heat of summer, with sand still on my toes from the beach, I stood in the parking lot of the photo lab and was suddenly transported to a simple afternoon in autumn last year. It was a solo date for my girl and I, while we waited for the boys in a class. We stopped at the market for fresh flowers for the dinner table, and bread and chocolate milk for our snack. Just the two of us, and feeling grateful for lots of time to spare, we walked and jumped in the crunchy leaves on the sidewalks. I remember moving so slowly with her that day, and the sounds of autumn were so strong - the wind and the leaves were everywhere. As we waited for the  class to end, I sat on the old church steps, snacked and knit some rows on her sweater while she gathered her treasures of acorns, pinecones and dry and crusty brown leaves. It was one of those special late autumn days with a bit of unexpected warmth in the air - an afternoon where you couldn't help but stop and look around at all of it - knowing it was fleeting - and breathe it all in deeply.

Oh, film. Thank you.

ten things

Ten things I'm loving right now...

1. New jewelry, in the form of this bangle bracelet from Give Simple. It was a prize for being a runner-up (for the photo "sun spinning") in the MamaZine Mama Focus Photo Contest. Serious props go to Steve, for snapping the photo (but, um, I'll keep the bracelet prize, thanks!). There are so many beautiful photographs of Mamahood in the MamaZine Flickr pool - you must visit them, and bring a tissue, 'cause I usually find an image (or two) that makes me cry (in the best of ways).

2. The promise of so very many things right on the verge of harvest time in the garden! Our raspberries are so, so close - the kids are checking them many times a day. Raspberry jam, raspberry tarts....oh, yum. And then the blueberries. And oh, those tomatoes!

3. The small collection of treasures from my mom's childhood I just inherited. This red pleated dress which Adelaide loves to spin in, and these dolls, which - if I look at them the wrong way - kinda creep me out. But my children love them. So there you have it.

4. The Little Travelers. You might know I'm a little picky on the kid videos, but we just received the Japan episode of The Little Travelers, and we're all in love. I can't say enough wonderful things about this production - it moves along at a beautiful kid-pace, and is completely child and family centered - full of cultural appreciation and loveliness. The producer (director, videographer and Mama, too!) has a blog - check out her description of a globally minded child. Just right.

5. The never-ending supply of fresh cut flowers from the yard at the moment, and the excitement the kids have in telling me that something new is about to bloom. It makes me so happy to bring some in.

6. Heather's month of balance. I'm loving the daily balance she's documenting in photographs - it's so real and beautiful.

7. The baby's bowl! Each of my babes has one of these vintage baby food warmers/dishes, and last week I stumbled upon this one for the new little one. So sweet.

8. Erin's brilliant packing list. I am so totally doing this in a few days as we get ready for a camping trip, and the thought of packing everyone and everything by myself gets overwhelming.

9. Spending time in my studio this week, getting ready for a shop update with Gratitude Wraps (full of supplies!), and Embroidered Hoops. (Next Tuesday - July 22nd.)

10. The craziness knowing that this is my 1,000th post. One thousandth. Um, wow.

And you? What are you loving right now?

days of summer :: 7

A night out with a few dearest girlfriends, a ferry to the Island for drinks and dessert, a gorgeous sunset, and a walk on the ocean. Oh yes. Summer bliss.

saturday in my studio

Some photos from my day. In the busyness of summer play, it feels as though it's been ages since I was last in the studio and sewing on a Saturday. But that's just what I did today, and it felt so good. So I thought I'd say hello with some pictures.

And here's a completely random little craft discovery I had in my studio today. I love my bias tape makers very much (see that pile of 8+ yards of linen bias in progress?). But I don't love that I threw away the instructions to each long ago, and forget each and every time I go to make binding what size to cut the fabric strips to. But alas! No longer! Today I found the measurements at the fabric store, and wrote them directly on the tools themselves with a Sharpie. And I felt very clever indeed. So if you're a handmade bias tape lover, and haven't already done this yourself, well, then there's my little craft tip for you today. ;)

And now, back to the weekend and summer play. I hope you're all enjoying yourselves!

days of summer :: 6

Kid camping...in the backyard.

I remember so clearly doing this in the summer as a kid. Dragging out Dad's old red canvas tent from his boyhood. Setting up camp all day long, and snuggling in at night with flashlights and a book - just outside of the house door. The perfect testing of independence for a child.

The boys set up these pre-kid tents of ours this week (yes, Steve and I had matching tents before we even met). Then they spent the day pretending and preparing. They started out sleeping in separate tents, and by dusk were in one. And by 9:30 pm? Asleep in their beds...inside....with promises to each other to try again the next night, which I'm sure they will do.

Love that.

Have a wonderful weekend!

days of summer :: 5

I'm wrapping up our weekend adventure here with just one more photograph (okay, two). It might look familiar. These two little guys, quiet and at peace with each other on the dock, casting over and over again is surely one of my favorite sights. Adelaide - the early riser in the family - had her own fishing-with-Papa schedule. And you know what they say about the early bird, and the worm, and therefore the fish. Her boys were mighty proud of her.

knitting for Nest

I'm so grateful to tell you about a project that a dear friend of mine has just announced. Nest: Bringing Warmth Home "seeks to connect knitters and other fiber enthusiasts with people in need of warm items for the coming winter. We plan to distribute new donated hats, mittens, fingerless mitts, cowls and scarves in the Ft. Kent {Maine} area by mid-September."

As we celebrate the beauty of our vastly changing seasons here, also present in my mind are the harsh realities that such seasonal changes bring. For nearly everyone here that I know, this winter will be a challenge to prepare for with the rising cost of home heating oil. The challenge is an inconvenience to some, and a serious crisis to others. Particularly to many just a bit north of me - in an area so heavily hit by flooding this spring, in climates considerably colder, in homes perhaps less (or not at all) insulated. (added: some more news about the winter situation just today.) The reality of the crisis can be overwhelming in thought, but as Jean wrote so eloquently on the Nest blog, "although the long term solution to the energy problem is complicated, providing warm woolen items to people in need is not."

Sometimes it's so easy to get pulled under by the sadness and hardship around us in the world. I can't solve the global oil crisis. But I can make choices for my family that I think contribute to a better world. And, thanks to the organization of a warm-hearted soul, I can knit some hats that just might end up on the right person's head this winter - someone who might need a little bit of extra warmth in their home on a cold day. And so I'll knit. 

If you're interested in knitting for Nest, head on over to the blog for all the details you need. The deadline for knitted items is September 1st.

days of summer :: 4

Just like at home, when we're away, the 'busy work' of parenting is how most of our time is spent, and I dare say, maybe even a little bit more than at home. Cleaning up from one meal just in time to begin another. After someone's scrape, searching and scouring the bags for the calendula and band aids I was so sure I packed. Making sure that everyone gets to have their special kayak cruise, tractor ride, fishing at the dock, or whatever it may be. Distilling arguments, and trying to help solve the challenges of sibling life. Picking up bathing suits and towels from the pine needle-lined ground where they're about to be covered in sap, and placing them on the line for the next swim, at which I'll hear, "Mom! Where's my....?"

And then, just like at home, and maybe even more than at home, there are the in between, rare, precious and treasured moments of still. Sitting by the campfire one early evening, I could hear two of my loved ones voices echo from the other side of the lake, as they slowly made their way back from a little after-dinner canoe journey. Their voices were soft, but in the stillness of the woods, I could hear them. My dreamer was laying in the hammock on his back, looking up and looking out. Sitting, thinking, dreaming. And my baby - not much of a baby these days as she babbles away - sat beside me talking and singing and talking and singing, telling me all that was on her mind, as she continued her work of lining up the pine cones on the logs around her. The setting sun in the woods made everything glow orange - unlike anything I see at home just a few hours south - and I just listened. And marveled at the beauty we are all so blessed to live amidst - together.

And those little moments? The moments where the ever-fleeting time stands still for us for a bit amidst the unfamiliar, the new, the out-of-the everyday living that we do? Well, they're some of the very moments that make the long hours in the car with kids, the days worth of packing, the many more days spent unpacking, the extra money, the extra effort, the extra time to get away - even for a few days - all worth it. All so very worth it, indeed.

days of summer :: 3

Same boy, same spot, and the same exhilaration and sense of freedom that comes with doing something loved on his own - in January.

days of summer :: 2

strawberry smoothies

(The podcast I did with The Parents Journal is up and can be found here.)

We're headed out the door right now to play in the woods for a few days. I can't wait to be there.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

days of summer :: 1

First up, thanks for the nice words on the Gratitude Wrap! I'm pretty psyched about it as a project (I'm fully enjoying catching up on my 'thank you's'!), and do indeed have some plans of making a few wraps to add to the shop. I also have a new embroidery hoop project I've started for the shop. My hope is for a mid-month update, but July's a full month, so we shall see what happens. I'll let you know!

Yes, July. A 'full' month indeed - camping trips and hikes, parties, and travel plans, and then the regular daily living of summer. Full in every regard. And I'm finding myself spending more moments playing with my camera than sitting at the computer to write. Ever since I completed the 30 Days of the Everyday photo project in February, I knew I wanted to do another one, one that would be a seasonal balance to the living in that project. An attempt to capture how daily living here changes so much from season to season, and yet - how some things stay constant.

And so, today begins my partner to the winter project - 30 Days of Summer. But I'm going to do things a little differently this time - "summer style," if you will. A few less self-imposed rules. It won't be 30 days straight in a row, but rather 30 days interspersted with other posts here and there. And I'm not restricting myself to 'just' photos - if I have words to share, I'll share them. So all that really means is that things might look a little less 'regular' around here for the coming weeks. But shaking things up once in a while is part of the game, right? It's definitely part of summer living.

gratitude

Silent gratitude isn't very much to anyone.
-Gertrude Stein

Though it bums me out to say so, the truth is that about two years ago, when things started to get a little more nutty than usual around here, I - for the most part- fell out of the 'thank you' card rhythm. It's nagged at me ever since, while I've also reminded myself that there's only so much one can do in a day, right? Right.

But because it's something that's important to me, I kept trying to find my way back to a rhythm. And I kept getting stuck on logistics - getting the address book, cards, stamps and myself all in the same place seemed to never happen when I had a spare moment. A few weeks ago, as I was helping one of the kids write a thank you card, it dawned on me that I wasn't exactly modeling the behavior I was expecting from my children. Ugh. That night, I finally got the idea for, and made this Gratitude Wrap.

The outer linen is from Cicada Studio, and I am pretty much totally in love with it. Aren't those pecking birds so sweet? Some linen on the inside, batting in the middle, and linen bias binding on the edges (from goodness). The pockets I sized for an address notebook (this one from Operation Paper Cut), some cards (currently full of Black Apple and Simple Sparrow loveliness), and stamps (note to self: get some prettier stamps). It has everything I need, compacted into a relatively small space, and I can take it wherever I go - for when I have a quiet, thoughtful moment.

I'm so, so thrilled that this project is finally 'out' of my head, and more importantly - in use. It was one of those really simple sewing projects that will greatly improve simple daily life. Especially when I'm writing little notes of gratitude from wherever I am - like, say for example, the beach. Yes, that feels very apropos, indeed.