SouleMama

SouleMama Sponsor ~ A CHILD'S DREAM COME TRUE ~

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 Some words from A Child's Dream Come True:

"A Child's Dream Come True has been joyfully serving families, schools and crafters since 1990 by providing inspiring hard-to-find natural materials for toy making, art and handwork. We're family owned and just the right size to offer excellent personal customer service. Come take a look at our very large selection of wool felt, bamboo felt, felting wool, fiber craft kits, art supplies and more!  Be sure to visit our sister site Imagin'edition for beautiful nature and festival oriented wool art cards."

Today's Giveaway is for three items (pictured above), for three lucky winners:

1. Holland Wool Felt in the Summer Spark 14-color assortment of 8x12" sheets.
2. Felted Heart Flowers Kit - wet-felt heart shapes out of wool roving to create a beautiful boquet that is everlasting.
3. Imagin'edition Pansies Note Cards with Envelopes, set of 3. 
   

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winner by 9am EST on Saturday.

In addition, A Child's Dream Come True is offering a 10% site-wide discount for SouleMama readers through the month of August, redeemable by entering "soulemama" at the time of checkout.

Good luck! And thanks to A Child's Dream Come True!

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Comments Closed! The winners are...

For the Holland Wool Felt:

such great colors~ A great project for a rainy day!
Posted by : Melissa Oat

For the Felted Heart Flowers Kit:

wow- i love that shop. thank you for yet another great giveaway!
Posted by : TinyHappy

For the Pansies Note Cards:

A mama's dream come true, too!
Posted by : Progressive Pioneer

Thanks to all for playing! And remember that the discount (details above) is valid through the month of August. Thanks to A Child's Dream Come True!

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lunch date

A date with my girl. To visit a very special lady. A lady surrounded by purple fabric and plenty of buttons - just exactly as she has been since I was a little girl. (My Nana and Adelaide's great-grandmother - Dorothy - one of the very special ladies to whom Handmade Home is dedicated to.)

Life seems to be full of so many little sweet moments.

And solo dates with my babes feel like treasure troves of those moments.

doings

:: soaking up all the bits of summer (when it appears) that we can, in every which way we know how.

:: getting enormous pleasure from transferring all of my grease-stained, torn, ripped out sheets of printed off and pulled out recipes into a pretty new recipe box (from 1canoe2).

:: planning ahead and making grand plans for lots of Solstice knitting for my babies.

:: thinking my dear friend and farmer Stacy had a brilliant and dreamy idea with her flower CSA, and feeling quite grateful that I gifted myself with such a weekly treat. (Yes, I'm still cutting my own, but really - can there be too many summer flowers inside?)

:: and....shipping Handmade Home! Late in the nights, Steve and I are working together to get these books signed and out the door (these are from my Shop,  also shipping them now is Shambhala.com, and next week it will be available eveywhere!). It's so wild letting something that was so close to my heart go out into the world like this - good, scary and exciting all at the very same time. (I'm excited to share a whole lot more about the book with you all next week!)

Ah yes, good summer day doings, indeed.

family stamps

 

On days at home with all these sweet little ones, when it's raining, when we're in a funk, and/or when all else fails? We go to the art store (locals, we looove Artist & Craftsman!), where sometimes all it takes is a 'fancy new pen' for everyone to shift their thinking and get excited about a new project.

On a trip last week, my boys stumbled upon the linocut block printing aisle. And there in that aisle - I saw my saving grace for the days of rain predicted ahead of me. I had remembered a few online tutorials, so I gathered supplies remembering that advice on using them was just a few clicks away (Geninne's Hand Carved Stamp Tutorials is a great one!).

The soft-kut printing blocks worked so well, especially for the littler hands. The kids drew directly onto the blocks with pencil, then were able to do much or all (in the case of the oldest) of the carving themselves.  We used block printing ink, and placed most of our stamps onto linen fabric scraps to be used in sewing projects soon.

 

 

And so we proceeded, for days, to make stamps - lots of stamps. Baseballs, farms, leaves, birds, and on and on. So good. I love finding projects that can keep a 3, 6, 8 and 32 year old happy. This was one, for sure. Good times.

On day four, it finally occurred to someone to ask what on Earth we were going to do with the results of all this stamping. The first idea Calvin put into action was sets of Harry Potter note cards for his friends. But there's a whole big pile of stamped fabric just waiting for more ideas.

Thankfully, there's no shortage of 'ideas' around here...

Creative Space : Studio 2.0

I thought we'd take a little tour inside my work space today, if you'd like. It's taken me a while to take many pictures of it - truth be told, because it's taken me a while to really like it. But I do. I really like it. Even (or, especially) when Adelaide calls it my "funny little porch room studio," or Calvin calls it my "cupboard under the stairs" (yes, yes...we've entered the world of Harry Potter books).

It's been exactly a year since I kicked myself out of my own studio (you can see it in it's opening day glory here) to make room for another bedroom for the kids. It was absolutely the right decision for our family, and everyone is benefiting from that change. In the beginning, I tried incorporating everything into the family space, which was lovely in some regards and very challenging in others. Eventually, I found myself a wee little corner on our sun porch - a three season room that doubles as our mudroom. It has some issues - namely that of being uh...temperature control (or lack thereof), and that it doubles as a mudroom (instead of Harry's spiders, I have stinky shoes.). BUT....it also has amazing, amazing light, and certainly one of my favorite views - of the woods and the little ones out there playing.

 

 

I placed two of those industrial shelving units back to back, dividing the room in half (though...I must confess that each time I tidy in here, I slide those shelves over just a few more inches. Ahem).

There's space here for some sewing, a wee bit of writing (though most writing happens in another room on the family computer), and storing oh-so-very many bits of fabric, books, yarn and craft supplies (having a smaller space has been helpful in paring down a bit, too). Another thing I really love about this room is all the built-in storage shelves and drawers on the sides there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The more time I spend in here - the more time I make things, and share the making in here with my family...well, the more I truly love this little corner. I am grateful for the space. And grateful for the time I have in it.

But just you wait. Studio 3.0? Oh, it's going to be good. I've got big dreams (it's the only way to dream, I'm told).

...thanks for stopping by!

weekending

SouleMama Sponsor ~ NEW & GREEN BABY CO. ~

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Some words from New & Green Baby Co.

"New & Green Baby Co. is a Mama-owned company providing education and cloth diapering gear to families all across Canada. Our warehouse, order pickups, workshops, tester kits and rental programs are all run by cloth diapering mamas. A large part of our offerings are made by companies in Canada. We are proud to be offering up some fabulous natural fibre options for cloth diapering - Organic Hemp and Wool. The benefits of organic fibers are many, but to name a few:

• produced in a sustainable manner with low impact on our earth;
• eliminate the presence of any potential harmful chemicals next to your baby's skin;
• allows maximum airflow, allowing your baby's skin to be in the healthiest environment;
• at the end of their lifespan, products made from hemp, cotton and wool can be composted in your garden and returned to the earth."

Today's Giveaway includes two Organic Hemp diapers made by Turn a New Leaf (size one and two to take you from birth to potty-learning), paired with a hand-dyed and sewn Luxe Wool Diaper cover. (my favorite diaper cover right now!)  Also included will be a natural wool puddle pad and a half dozen organic hemp wipes for diaper change time, also made by Turn a New Leaf. (All of thee products are made by family run companies and are local to British Columbia. ) To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winner by 8am EST on Sunday.

In addition, New & Green Baby Co. is offering a 10% site-wide discount for SouleMama readers for the duration of this giveaway, redeemable by entering "soulemama" at the time of checkout.

(Please note: While the giveaway prize is generously open to all and will ship internationally, due to liability issues with shipping across the Canadian border, New & Green Baby Co. only services Canadian addresses for their shop.)

Good luck! And thanks to New & Green Baby Co.!

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Comments Closed! The winner is....

I'm a new mama and totally in the dipering world :) Would love to try these :)
Posted by : My Open Roads

Thanks to all for playing, and thank you to New & Green Baby Co.!

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ IMAGINE CHILDHOOD ~

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Some words from Imagine Childhood - "A little nature...a little imagination...a lot of play. Toys, tools and activities for growing minds." (Their blog is one you don't want to miss if you have adventuring, nature-loving little ones!)

"(top photo) Stainless Steel BPA-Free Water Bottle: Double walled and vacuum sealed, this light-weight high quality bottle will keep your drink cold or hot for hours, while staying room temperature to the touch. Featuring an easy to drink from spout, a small metal filter also helps keep ice or tea leaves from your drinking experience. Best of all, it is completely free of BPA and toxic chemicals, so you can rest assured that each sip will be clean and healthy for all your loved ones to enjoy while exploring the great outdoors!
(second photo) Hand Woven Sun Hat: Made from sustainable palm harvested twice each year, these beautiful hats are hand woven in the same traditional manner that has been used since the mid 16th century. Each fairly traded hat is produced in a village that has been making them for generations, and best of all, they are UPF50+ which means they have maximum protection from the sun's rays!
(third photo) Echo Pocket Scope: Get a closer look at nature with this Echo Pocket Scopes 7x18 monocular. Built with BaK-4 prism glass, the multi-coated Pocket Scope has a near focus of only 13 inches! Its small size (1.5"x3.5") and portability make it a perfect choice for small hands and inquiring eyes.  Amazing Optics!"

Today's Giveaway is for a Summer Adventuring package - all pictured above (both child and adult sizes are available for the water bottle and the hat). To enter, leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winner by 8am EST on Saturday.

In addition, Imagine Childhood is offering a 15% site-wide discount for SouleMama readers. The  discount will expire on 7.31.09 and is redeemable by entering "soulemama" at the time of checkout.

Good luck! And thanks to Imagine Childhood!

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Comments Closed! The winner is...

Wow. LOVE the hat!
I'm off to check out the site.
Thanks so much!
Posted by : DeerDominique

Thanks to all for playing along, and thanks to Imagine Childhood!

(And a quick side note - I know many of you were looking for the Snow White Rabbit that Adelaide often carries with her. I just heard they're back in stock after a long wait from the manufacturer. Enjoy!)

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the second hat

I can't believe we're still playing baseball.

I mean, I can actually. Because somehow - baseball works it's way in year-round around here. But I never thought we'd be entering our fifth month of Little League games. Oh my. Right now, we're in extended league season, all-stars, whatever you call it. More! Baseball games!

Oh, but I really do love these games. I love watching the intensity of my little eight year old on the field. And I love watching him with a team full of peers who are just as serious (well, almost) as he is about baseball. And oh my goodness, I love seeing him on the field with Coach Papa. Oh and that triple he made last night? Yeah...I was that mom on the sidelines. Loud. Proud. Rather silly...

 

But in between all the incredibly exciting moments of those Little League games (ahem), and in between the challenge of keeping three other kids happy on the sidelines....well, there's always a few moments at each game for just a bit of stitching. 

This is my second hat of the summer for Nest (the first one here). The pattern is the (free!) Boyfriend Hat from Stephanie Knits. (Changes for the smaller head size, and more details on my Ravelry page.)

My favorite little catcher couldn't be happier that this seems to be the neverending season of baseball. And I never thought I'd say so, but I'm right there with him...(with needles in hand).

just a bit of yellow

Well, I suppose it was only natural that after all that orange - just one day after making that funny little bag - that I made myself this one. A bit of palate-cleansing, perhaps?

It's as simple as a bag can be, really. I've had this vintage linen piece, with the text stamped onto it that I wanted to keep intact. I stitched on a doily, and lined the whole thing with mattress ticking and some pockets. Simple and easy. Just right.

I love the tiny stripe of yellow on the side of that linen - it's my favorite part.

 

Oh, I do so love the colors of the sea.

 

a funny little bag

This funny little bag came out of my studio last week.

You see, we had just had ourselves a bit of a rough day. Oh, nothing truly terribly happened, it was just a normal really 'full' day of mothering four little ones  but with much more drama than seems to occur on most days. At every turn I took, I was met with some crisis or another of child-like but epic proportions. The day dragged on...and on...and it seemed I never was able to catch my breath before someone/something else fell, broke, got hurt, peed, or otherwise needed me.

When everyone was finally asleep, I found myself completely restless, whiny, sweaty and slimy, and oh-so grumpy. I plopped down in a chair in my studio and looked for something to do. None of the projects I needed to do, or had planned to do appealed to me. But I needed to do something...and with the same fervor and energy of the day I had just had, I started sewing. Grabbing fabric from anywhere with no plan, I stitched away. I slipped into a zone with the sound of the machine in front of me. With familiarity and little thought, I felt the iron in my hand. I stitched and sewed and folded and ironed.

And as trite as it sounds, with each step, the frustrations of the day worked themselves out with the wrinkles of the fabric; and with the 'coming together' of a simple little bag, I felt myself coming back together a little bit too.

 

Then, with a final stitch and the coinciding deep breath, I looked at what I had made. And I began to laugh. I laughed so loud and suddenly I nearly woke up all those sweet little ones I had spent so long getting to sleep hours earlier.

The bag, of course...is just fine. Fully functional. Just, well, so very much not my thing. At all. But did I regret a single moment of making it? No! And so...with that good chuckle I left the mess and turned the lights off in my studio. Kissed my sleeping babies, took a bath and went to bed - feeling so much more at peace.

Sometimes it really is all about the process.

 

I thought the story ended there - in a heap on my studio floor, waiting for the fabric pieces to be taken apart and repurposed again. But the next day, this purple little dragon came my way, with this very bag (turned inside out) on her shoulder. 

"Where did you get that?" I asked this purple dragon.

"In your studio room. Can it be mine?" she replied.

"Of course! What will you use it for?"

"Oh thank you, Mama! It's perfect for my beautiful bits of nature." (Yes, she really said that. And that's also the 'purpose' of nearly a dozen bags she's claimed.)

And so, this funny little bag is now home to a big pile of...grass.

hometown tourists

This weekend found us on a little coastal road trip kind of an errand (most of these photos  - both Steve's and mine - are from Pemaquid, if you're wondering).

It was lovely - on such a misty day to find ourselves stumbling into familiar landscape just a few miles up the coast from our usual spots. Oh, I do so love sea fog - the way it focuses our vision to that which is right in front of us; and the way it circles around us like, well, a slightly moist hug. I guess it just feels like home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

weekending

SouleMama Sponsor ~ LIVING CRAFTS MAGAZINE ~

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Some words from Living Crafts Magazine:

"Living Crafts magazine is a quarterly crafts magazine for families who embrace a natural lifestyle, and are interested in traditional forms of craft such as sewing, knitting, weaving, crochet, paper mache, mosaic, woodwork, and other handwork for the whole family. Living Crafts provides craft enthusiasts with the information, ideas, and inspiration they need to support their desire for self-sufficiency, sustainability and a natural lifestyle. In each issue there are projects for the entire family, including fun crafts for parents and children to do together.  You can download free patterns or subscribe by visiting www.livingcrafts.com."

Today's Giveaway is for a 2-year subscription in the U.S., OR a 1-year subscription for other countries. If you are a subscriber already, it will be added to your existing subscription. To enter, leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winner by 9am EST on Sunday.

In addition, Living Crafts is offering all SouleMama readers who subscribe online a free Fall 2008 back issue, which includes the crown patterns featured in the photographs above. Use offer code: Fall08SM.

Good luck! And thanks to Living Crafts magazine!

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Comments Closed! The winner is...

        Oh Please! Would love to read this magazine for two years. Awesome!
        Posted by: Carrie:: The Rocking Yak

Congrats, Carrie! And thanks to Living Crafts magazine!

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ THE BACKWARDS LOOP ~

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the backwards loop is an online yarn shop, featuring many indie yarn dyers (along with other commercially dyed yarns). They carry Madelinetosh, Pigeonroof, Three Irish Girls, and Oceanwinds to name a few.

Some words from The Backwards Loop:
"Our goal at the backwards loop is to provide you with amazing customer service. We offer a $5 gift certificate for each project finished with yarn purchased from us. Our shop offers a virtual knitting table for customers to sit down at through our Ravelry group where we host many KAL's and discussions.  We offer yarn winding, and the owner Stefanie is available via email to offer help in picking out just the right yarn or answer any questions you might have. Come shop with us and experience the friendliest yarn shop on the internet!"

Today's Giveaway is for two skeins of Madelinetosh's most popular color on her newest base: Wren in Oxblood. (Wren is 50% silk, 50% merino wool. 365 yards per skein and has a gauge of 6-7 stitches per inch on US 2-3 needles.)  To enter, leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winner by 9am EST on Saturday.

the backwards loop is also offering a 10% discount to all SouleMama readers, valid through the weekend. Please use coupon code: soulemama.

Good luck! And thanks to the backwards loop!

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Comments Closed! The winner is...

I love this yarn -- oh, fingers crossed! Thanks for the beautiful giveaway.
Posted by: bloomingheather

Congrats to the winner!
Thanks to the backwards loop!
And remember that the discount applies through the weekend (see above for details)!

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SoulePapa Blogs :: Since Last We Met

Since last we met, I saw a boy that didn't feel well refuse to stay out of his last baseball game of the season.  He played, and we exchanged knowing looks as the chills crept into his little body.  He went home and straight to bed.  He fell asleep with his game shirt on...

I saw an almost four year old girl cheer her crawling brother across the room.  As he completed his trek into her arms, he giggled out loud.  She hugged him gently and told him he was beautiful.

I saw a real tired Mama force her way out of bed so a real tired Papa could sleep in on Fathers Day.  Then she made him some delicious muffins.

I watched a six year old boy eat ice cream with a bunch of his friends.  They were covered and sticky and they were as happy as anyone has ever been.

We stood still, as a family, and watched a deer so close.  When it left it didn't run it just walked on  down the road.       

Since last we met, I lived for the day.  Since last we met, I dreamed time away. 

I saw best friends fight and then make up the way only they can do.

I held a baby late each night and watched him grow a tooth.

Since last we met, I stretched it as far as I could go.  I breathed in and let that one breath leave... and stretched a little bit more.

Since last we met, the trail has been mud and we've all taken turns falling down.  But it sure feels better than sitting at home waiting for sun to dry ground. 

Since last we met, I saw a woman I love open a book that was made with a piece of her heart.  The pages are crisp and the cover smooth and it's something that will always be ours.  

Since last we met, I've seen many days of rain...it pounded and poured and drizzled on down but that's not all I've been seeing.

many, many hats

{Dr. Telemaque of the Caps Haitien project, introducing the Safe Birthing Kits. Photo courtesy of Konbit Sante.}

I've just posted two very special notes from Haiti on the Mama to Mama website. Do check them out when you have a chance - they are beautiful, as are all of the contributions that you all made to that project. It is in my heart and on my mind often.

I know many of you were and still are waiting for news on the next Mama to Mama project. I had every intention and hope of making it a four-project-a-year thing for 2009, but the truth is that the Cap project overwhelmed me in many ways. In beautiful, wonderful, amazing ways, but also in very practical and logistical ways. So I've been waiting for just the right time and space to start another one with the energy such a project both requires and deserves. I have great hopes that it will be soon - at the end of summer, perhaps. You'll be the first to know! (In the meantime, if you have some crafty energy you want to put to good use, please check out the links in the sidebar of Mama to Mama. Several crafty organizations are going strong with projects - check out Craft Hope among others!)

{Last fall - some of last year's NestMaine submissions, all of which found happy homes in Northern Maine.}

And also, close to home for me...NestMaine is once again open for submissions. Started by a dear friend of mine just last year, it's mission is to bring a little bit of handmade warmth to those in need in the cold winter months. There's the website, and also now a Ravelry group.

The hat above would be my first contribution for this year's project. It's the hurricane hat pattern, provided (for free!) by String in Motion. I adapted it slightly to fit a child (my knitting notes are on my Ravelry page). Using one leftover skein of Mission Falls 1824 from Harper's sweater, this was such a great, quick and easy hat pattern to work up.

I have a grand goal of making one hat for Nest each week until the deadline for submissions, September 1st. One little hat at a time. I think I can do it. I'll keep you posted!

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"Start making the world a better place slowly, even if it's just stitch by stitch. Each of your actions causes a ripple effect, just as each move of your hand around the needle causes a stitch - they create something that wasn't there before, sending creativity, hope, and light out into the world."
- Betsy Greer, from her wonderful book Knitting for Good

Is there some craftivism going on right now in your craft world, in your family? Tell us about it!

simple joys

a few simple things bringing me great joy this morning...

:: fresh flowers inside all the time now.

:: a pile of lotta remnants sitting in my studio waiting to be turned into...something.

:: only three more days until Jeff and Conor come to visit me. (What's that you say? There are 2,999 other people attending the concert? Oh!)

:: CSA distribution in full summer glory. Bring on the snap peas!

:: the sun. here and shining.

:: the fabulous way with which my children dress themselves.

:: a very good start to the canning season.

:: watching the toys I made eight years and four babies ago being played with once again.

:: my favorite sundress fitting (ah, a bonus joy of breastfeeding for me).

:: baseball and guitars, together. Always together.

:: sweet memories of this recent night on the ferry.

:: the way this boy calls "hammock time!" with glee at least a dozen times a day.

:: this place. Oh, this place brings me such great joy.

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Tell us - what simple thing is bringing you great joy right now?

a bit of a collaboration

{The pattern is Billie from Pipsqueaks by Kim Hargreaves. Knitting details on Ravelry.}

Sometimes...I think a project has to hibernate for a while before it can see the light of day as a finished whatever-it-may-be. In this case, apparently a three year long hibernation was needed. Yes, three years.

The tricky thing about these is that I didn't actually start them - or even knit most of them. I did choose the yarn, the sizes, the pattern and then handed them to my grandmother - the very one who taught me how to knit - who intended to make them as gifts for the boys.

Towards the end of the knitting - the very end - she got a little stuck. I think she was worried about the neck being too tight. Or the pattern was feeling funky to her. Neither of us can remember anymore precisely the reason for the handover.

But my goodness, if my own unfinished projects sometimes can vex me....the thought of another person's do even more so. So, sadly, they sat. Sitting, waiting and nagging at me once in a while until finally...finally...last week I pulled them out and puzzled out what was going on and where.

 

It wasn't as bad as I thought, figuring all of that out. Nana's knitting is impeccable, as I always remember it to have been - making my own look anything near as neat as hers was the only tricky part.

By the end, the sweaters fit two different children than who they were originally intended for. But, well, there's another little guy behind them (not to mention a slew of cousins)...and I think these sweet little vests - knit by their great-grandmother and mama together - are going to be worn by my littles for a very long time to come.

They were worth a little bit of a wait.

weekending

SouleMama Sponsor ~ BAYAN HIPPO ~

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Some words from Bayan Hippo:

"Bayan Hippo is run by Vildan Tura, a graphic designer who started up the brand  with the intention of creating fun and stylish bags and purses along with everyday chic, yet cute kimono dresses and jumpers for girls. Each item is carefully hand-made from only the finest eco-friendly fabrics.

(top photo) Cuddly Cows half-sleeve Kimono - No zipper! No button! Nothing to make your skin uncomfortable. The ribbon made from the same fabric goes from inside to out to be tied at the back for easy dressing. The colors are matching and made with rich quality fabric. 100% cotton, available in sizes 12month to 6T.

(bottom photo) Modular Messenger Bag in Aqua - Medium sized, super handy, messenger bag! Easily goes over your shoulder OR across your body for those days you need your hands free! Double snaps keep your stuff tucked safely inside! And two great sized pockets on the inside to keep your stuff organized."

The Giveaway today is for both of the goods described above - the kimono and the messenger bag. To enter, leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the two winners by 9am EST on Sunday.

Bayan Hippo is also offering a discount to SouleMama readers, valid through the end of this month. Enter "soulemama" at checkout to receive 10% of your order!

Good luck! And thank you, Bayan Hippo!

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Comments Closed! The winners are:

for the kimono:
oh, i love both!
fingers crossed!
nicola
Posted by : Nicola

for the bag:
What a talented artist. These two items are both adorable! It would be so fun to own them!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski

Congrats to the winners!
Thanks to all for playing, and thanks to Bayan Hippo!

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ SHIVAYA NATURALS ~

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Some words from Shivaya Naturals:

"Shivaya Naturals has had some huge changes recently, and we are getting ready to reopen a smaller online store that focuses on unique hand made goods. To celebrate the changes that we are making, we are giving away three of our custom hand made goods. A custom sewn and embroidered picnic blanket, three skeins of our naturally hand dyed yarn, and an trio of our organic body products. The Shivaya Naturals blog is written by Heather Fontenot, mama to two little ones, and owner of Shivaya Naturals Studios. Heather's blog focuses on the joys of raising creative children, while trying to live a conscious life. Her blog is full of projects and recipes, photographs and reflections, and many inspiring ideas for every family."

The Giveaway today is for three custom made gifts as described above - the picnic blanket, hand dyed yarn, and body products. To enter, leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the three winners by 9am EST on Saturday.

In the spirit of the changes at Shivaya Naturals, I'd love it if in your comments - if (and only if!) you are so inclined - you share something about "balance" in your life. What that means to you, or how you achieve it, or a goal you have in reaching more of it. However and whichever way you interpret it...it would be lovely to hear!

Good luck! And thank you, Heather!

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Comments closed! The three winners are:

for the picnic blanket:
That Embroidery is FANTASTIC! My balance is good food, good music & good friends. A triad!
Posted by : deerdeedle

for the hand dyed yarn:
My current balancing act is more internal than external. I am trying to find the new equilibrium between the things I would like to get done in the day and what my baby needs me to get done. It has been very difficult to make that adjustment - to let go of the adult to-do list and to not judge my day as inefficient or not productive if the to-do list sits idle. Babytime and baby needs operate in a completely different paradigm. My new balancing act includes both worlds, somehow!
Posted by : Mountain Girl

for the body products:
Balance? Working on it :)
Posted by : Lily

Congrats to the winners!
Thanks to everyone for your beautiful comments full of honesty and inspiration!
And thanks to Heather at Shivaya Naturals!

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the grampie sweater

Last night, I put those new buttons on Harper's new sweater. It's the Baby Sophisticate sweater (created by, and available for free on Stockinette). Knit all in one piece, from the top down. And with an aran weight yarn (this is Mission Falls 1824 wool), it was a super fast knit (I started it on the way to camp last week). I love this sweater - I know it's going to be a go-to last-minute baby gift sweater for me from now on. Oh, that sweet collar.

The second I saw the sweater 'done,' it reminded me of my grandfather, who always, always had a cardigan like this on. He was a farmer - a dairy farmer. And my grandmother went to great pains to keep that man clean, and to keep these sweaters out of the barn, out of the garden and off the tractor. It never worked - they always ended up with holes. She'd mend them, and at each and every holiday - there was a new cardigan for him. My children never got a chance to know Grampie before he passed away, but stories of him are tales they know and love to hear. Like the time he didn't have enough cash to pay his electricity bill. When they came to shut it off, he hauled one of his cows downtown and right on into the office. Told them he was paying his bill - stated her worth, and asked for change. He was a stubborn man, a smart and loving man, and a really good farmer. I loved the time I spent with him, and so wish I remembered more of the things he told me.

Isn't it funny how these things work? I had no idea when I started knitting this sweater what it would end up meaning to me - to us. But now, I am so, so very glad that Harper has a Grampie sweater of his own.

a button hunt

So it rained yesterday...thereby nixing our plans for a backyard sit-stay pool-knit vacation-at-home action. Instead, we turned the day into a treasure hunt - the search for The Perfect Buttons. ("Perhaps my favorite kind of treasure hunt, Mama!" Seriously, that girl.) When The Buttons weren't to be found in our very own pile above, we took our search out into the world.

And thus, with Adelaide and Harper, a perfectly lovely rainy afternoon hour was spent staring at the wondrous wall of buttons at Central Yarn Shop.

Oh, I love that wall. I've spent many an hour staring at those very shelves full of boxes of gold - nearly since I was Adelaide's age myself, visiting with my grandmother on a Perfect Button search of our own.

The decision making process is a slow one. A good, fun, slow one. Many must be looked at, lots should be touched. But it should never be hurried. I've even left before to 'try another day' when The Button didn't pop out at me. These things simply cannot be rushed, you know.

Yesterday, our treasure seeking came to a triumphant conclusion when we both found our Perfect Buttons. Ah...I love happy endings.

And now, onto the crafting!

extending it

Oh - the return home after being away. I don't think it matters how short the visit away is - the piles of laundry, the empty fridge, the dirt and dust and grass and weeds that somehow pile up can sometimes feel a little overwhelming to return to.

Yesterday, with the boys still in the woods, I found myself at home with "just" two babies (three if you count the puppy, which I do. Oh, I certainly do). I will admit that for a minute there was a temptation to clean like crazy, run to the grocery store, (and on and on), with the 'help' of fewer little ones. But thankfully, that ridiculous notion was knocked out of my head by a very fabulous three year old who stood at the door just as I was about to begin vacuuming, and jumped up and down - towel in hand - singing, "I want to swim! I want to swim! Harper wants to swim! Harper wants to swim! Nellie wants to swim! Mama wants to swim!"

I was reminded right then that our wee little vacation just wasn't long enough. So I extended it. Which means exactly this: I ditched the vacuum cleaner (it's still in the middle of the room), went outside, cut a patch of grass in the yard big enough for a kiddie pool and a blanket - and there we plopped. With books, yarn, the pool and SUN (so nice to see you!), we vacationed all day long.

It was so good, I'm thinking I just might continue that vacationing all the way through today. Which means three things (besides the mountain of laundry will grow, and that likely I'll trip over the vacuum three more times):

1. It looks like Adelaide just might get her wish to "turn into a mermaid!"

2. I just might have a finished knitting project to show you tomorrow.

3. We will most definitely be having popcorn for dinner.

Cheers to extended vacations!

at camp

Camp just isn't "camp" without...

joyful first-time dunks into the cold clear lake water,

a nature lesson from Grampie,

a puppy in paradise,

a bag full of yarn,

a collaboratively-built family puzzle,

a whole lot of melmac,

stopping to check the crop that will be ready next time we visit,

a bucket full of bug repellent...and the mosquitoes that laugh at them,

a whole lot of s'mores,

reading by flashlight,

marveling at a landscape just a little bit different than the one at home,

and finding a little bit of peace among the trees - and each other.

coming soon :: going now

coming::

Look, look - Handmade Home! My early copies have just arrived, which means your copies are right around the corner!  The official publication date remains August 11th , but I'm guessing (not promising!) they might be headed your way a bit sooner than that even. You can find Handmade Home available for pre-order everywhere...including these spots:

Shambhala Publications
Amazon
Your local bookstore
And now, signed copies are ... in my Shop!

I'm very excited...and I have so much more to tell you about Handmade Home! SOON!

{last year, at camp}

going::

But first...we're headed North and into the woods for a happy stretch of days. We're hoping for sunshine and dockside action, but if not, we'll happily take cozy puzzles and card games. It's camp - restful and restorative, no matter the weather.

May your own weekend adventures - however near or far from home you may be - be full of good things, too!

reporting live, from the bathroom sink

Well, apparently you all have me figured out. Of course that little yellow desk from the flea market came home with me! I couldn't resist. (Not that the rest wasn't tempting too...the teacups would have come home too, except that I already have that whole set. There was one more thing, though, that made it home - you'll see it soon!)

So the table is home with me now - in my bathroom for the moment. Placed right next to my newly constructed shower curtain, the combination makes me feel like I got a little room do-over. Always a good feeling...especially when it's super affordable and mainly handmade.

I used a vintage bedspread that I had on my fabric shelves, added some strips of lace, a few doilies randomly scattered (ie. conveniently placed over the discolored age spots on the bedspread), and put a strip of buttonholes at the top for the curtain tabs. An easy, quick new shower curtain. (There's a regular, fabric shower liner on the other side to keep the water out.)

Might you have any ideas as to how tricky it might be to take a photograph of a hanging shower curtain in a not-so-large bathroom with a not-so-wide camera lens?

Well, it involves standing in one's bathroom sink, actually. (In wool tights, I might add - on July 1st. It's literally the darkest June we've had since 1903. But that's a whole other story the likes of which you're probably sick of hearing about from us New Englanders.)

Friends, never doubt my dedication to bringing you the latest news in my world of handmade. I'll stand in the bathroom sink for you.