SouleMama

in search of

While more snow fell down around us, ensuring the landscape will remain truly white for a while longer, I went out searching this weekend. I came home empty handed, but with my head full of pattern, color, texture...and full from the treasured time spent wandering the aisles with a friend.

It's just what I was looking for. 

(Cabot Mill Antiques. Brunswick, Maine)

Cheers to you all on this Monday morning! May you find just what you're in search of this week, too.

SouleMama Sponsor ~ UNRAVELLING ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Susannah Conway & the Unravelling E-Course. In Susannah's words:  

"The Unravelling e-courses are designed to help you heal the way you see your self and your world, using photography and journalling to access hidden thoughts & dreams and encourage personal realisations, all in the safe space of a like-minded community.  Photographer & writer Susannah Conway is your guide through this process, sharing her insights and wisdom gleaned from a five-year voyage through grief and healing."

Susannah is also currently at work on a book! Look for that in Spring 2012.

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Susannah:  I lost my partner in 2005 and after a year of very intense grieving i started a blog and slowly began to put myself back together again. I'd studied photography at art school before spending many years as a journalist, and I found that blogging encouraged me to pick up a camera again. In 2008 I was working as a photographer when i was asked if i'd like to teach a workshop locally - I immediately knew i wanted to combine my philosophy of photography with the healing path... and Unravelling was born.

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Susannah: I'm currently inspired - and head over heels in love with - my nephew, Noah. He will turn one on April 1st and having him in my life has made everything better. I was there at the birth and he has already taught me so much about love and healing. He inspires me to be the best auntie I can be-- I just want to make him proud!

SouleMama: What's coming up next for you and your business?

Susannah: Once I've met my book deadline in March (eep!) I'll begin work on my next Unravelling venture -- a special community site where women can gather and share their stories. I've also got a new e-course in the pipeline and have recently launched a podcast - The Aquarian Twins - with Marisa Haedike (of Creative Thursday fame) where we spill all our e-course secrets and advice :)

For today's giveaway, Susannah is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

   ~ a spot in the *sold out* spring session of Unravelling: Ways of Seeing Myself e-course

(starts Monday Match 21st and runs for 8 weeks)

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Thank you to Susannah Conway! 

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Monday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winner is....

thank you Susanah!!!! sound AMAZING!!!♥
Posted by: Ishtar

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ AURORA SHOE COMPANY ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Aurora Shoe Company. In their words:

"The Aurora Shoe Company was founded on the idea that a good pair of shoes should be made well and fit comfortably. We use American made materials and create all of our shoes in house and by hand.  Assembled organically, using simple cuts of leather and minimal stitching, our shoes mold to their owners’ feet the way that only natural materials and careful design can."

SouleMama: Your web presence is fairly new. How has this affected the way you work?

Aurora Shoe Co.:  We've created a blog to help to bridge the gap between our new and sort of professional looking website and the friendly and informal shop in Aurora.  Taking the leap to sell our shoes online was a huge one and has greatly changed the way we do business.  In the past people have had to come into our shop, meet our pets and talk with us to buy our shoes.  Now they can just browse a webpage and click a few buttons.  In the spirit of bringing the two worlds together, we've worked to make our blog a space that reflects the reality of who and where we are.

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Aurora Shoe Co.: We're always inspired by other small business owners who, like us, have committed to a culture and a lifestyle that build our local economies and support our own ideals. It's so easy to become a blind consumer today, always buying the cheapest goods without taking the time to think about where they've come from or what their real value is.

We're proud to be a part of the growing sector of America that is much more conscious of how their money is spent and where their goods come from.  On our blog, we've begun a series we call "Meet the Neighbors".  It's an attempt to recognize other small local businesses and to encourage our readers to think about how and where their food and goods are made.   Our latest post features a local fabric designer.  There is so much creativity and industry all around us - we just have to be willing to look a little farther (or in our case, closer) than the nearest strip mall to find it!

SouleMama: Why do you think it's important to support handmade goods?

Aurora Shoe Co.: When we buy handmade we're demonstrating a value that goes beyond price.  To buy handmade is to invest in an art form, a way of life and a cultural ideal.  It's to take part in a system that supports the individual, the artist and the entrepreneur in a society and an economic system that leans in the opposite direction.

At the Aurora Shoe Company we are proud to be a part of the handmade culture.  Aurora Shoes are made with pride in Upstate New York using only American sourced materials.  This means a lot in an age when many products are assembled under sub-standard or unregulated working conditions using materials that are often produced in even less desirable ways.  All of these materials and products travel great distances to finally make it onto the shelves of American shops where the shipping, import taxes and marketing costs result in products whose pricing does not reflect their quality.

For today's giveaway, Aurora Shoe Company is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

   ~ A free pair of shoes, any size, color and style! 

(The beauty of our handmade shoes is that they're built to fit your feet and we're happy to work with you to get the sizing just right!)

In addition, Aurora Shoe Company is offering all readers who make a shoe purchase: Free Shipping plus a $20 gift certificate to Madder Root (a Maine-based Etsy shop specializing in hand printed organic fabric goods). To redeem, enter "soulemama" at checkout. Offer expires April 1, 2011.

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Thank you to Aurora Shoe Co.!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winner is...

They are beautiful shoes
Posted by: Sara Gaullagher

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{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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SoulePapa Blogs :: In the Pages

While the cold seeps past cracks and gaps in the armor of our home, the Sun beams itself through glass, splashing across floors and walls.  I feel its heat across my legs and the back of my hand holding a book at which I've been stealing glimpses as the day allows.  The extra warmth is a welcome blanket, helping to counter the frigid gusts of the past few days.  In the midst of my reading, I feel that uneasy quiet that usually settles over the house when one or more of the kids is engrossed in some forbidden ritual that results in a clean up-to-quiet ratio so unbalanced it is rarely worth the silent moment of bliss.  With this in mind I put down my book and regretfully peel away from my block of sunshine.  Typically, I account for the posse in reverse order of age so I am happy to find the youngest two together.  In a chair by the fire, Adelaide flips through the pages of a familiar board book and relays her version of the tale to Harper.  He listens attentively aiming his two year old fingers at points of interest along the way.  The brevity of this scene is assured so I pause in brief admiration and leave them undisturbed.

 "Papa! Can you do this for me?!"  I follow the sound of Ezra's voice into the kitchen where he has chosen a project from the pages of a science book.  Unwilling to divulge exactly what he is working on, he simply asks me to paperpunch a small hole in the side of a plastic bottle.  I pry for more info and he pacifies me with a simple, "I don't like to follow the steps EXACTLY, they're more of a guideline."

"MmmmmmHmm," I say, popping the punch through and handing him back the bottle with a suspicious eye that he is well versed in ignoring.

The sound of vibrating strings steals my attention and I follow the slightly hesitant and irregular bursts of strumming until I find Calvin with his nose up against the pages of his guitar handbook.  My presence remains unacknowledged as he continues to shape his fingers into the chords that are pictured.  He rings each string individually to ensure that none are muted.  Once satisfied with his finger placement, he strums a bit and moves on to study the next chord.  

The sound of pattering feet has me returning to check on Harper.  I find him darting through the rooms downstairs to retrieve more reading material for his private session with his big sister.  I realize the chances of returning to my own book are lost when Ezra announces that his experiment is ready for a public trial.

Ahhhhh, yes.  The pursuit of knowledge...

her new corner

Adelaide and Papa cooked up and completed a little carpentry project this weekend.

With the legs off my great grandmother's table (for Ezra's door record table), there was a table top left in the barn, waiting for some sort of repurposed purpose. And so, a few leaves of that table made their way to her bedroom walls, where the rounded drop leaves now serve as shelves for some of her more fragile and special-to-her things. A spot to keep things up high and out of the way of the precocious feline paws and toddler fingers that visit her room so often.

And while I'm in there...a few more sights below from around her room, as it's evolved into a space that's all her own and perfectly her right now. It's the room in which you'll find more stuffed animals  and horses than you can imagine (all accounted for), and if you look closely...there's always a live one in there too. It's where all the cats go...and she couldn't be more thrilled about that. My sweet girl.

 

an EZ set

"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit, either." ~ E.Z.

I had a dream recently that Elizabeth Zimmermann, Helen Nearing, and Tasha Tudor were coming here, along with my dearest girlfriends, for tea and shortbread (I was making this shortbread, to be precise). The ladies were arriving by horse (of course) - all together in one buggy. They never quite made it - something about the frost heaves on the paved country road being too much for those poor horses' hooves, and something about wanting to pick up Rachel Carson along the way, but getting a little lost trying to fgure out where she lived. (Yes, we were communicating via cell phones - Elizabeth had an iPhone, naturally).

And then I was abruptly kicked by one of my babies (from the inside or out, I'm not really sure), and the dream was over.

I may have had a little bit of coffee ice cream before bed. Ahem.

But wouldn't that be something? Oh my. Perhaps they'll try the visit again in spring once the roads thaw - that would be nice - those four amazing women chatting around a table. Yes, please.

"What? You can't knit in the dark? Stuff and nonsense; anybody can. Shut your eyes. Knit one stitch. Open your eyes and look at the stitch; it's all right. Shut your eyes and knit two stitches. Open them. Shut them. Knit three stitches. Falling off a log is no comparison." ~ E.Z.

I've been reading through Elizabeth Zimmermann's The Opinionated Knitter this winter. I don't know why I hadn't picked it up before - Knitting Without Tears and Knitters Almanac are such treasures to me. But this third book - The Opinionated Knitter is a collection of her newsletters published during the years of 1958-1969, printed just as she wrote them (with additional and later notes by herself and daughter Meg, as well as personal photographs). Each newsletter with a pattern in them, but oh so much more than that, because there is her amazing writing to pour over too. Her humor, her wit, her reverence for nature, family and knitting and keeping things practical and simple. I can't really stop quoting her...or reading pieces of it aloud when the whole family is gathered around.

"I deliberately keep my knitting notes vague, because tastes vary and your brains are as good as mine anyway." ~ E.Z.

They smile quite good naturedly, but for some reason, when you're a five year old child it just doesn't mean the same thing that it does to a thirty-four year old knitting mother of four. Oh well. I'll keep quoting.

And I'll keep knitting. When I came to Newsletter #22, I found "a bonnet, bootees and bunting; in the same idiom, but not quite so surprising...." as the Baby Surprise Jacket. It seemed perfectly necessary that I cast on immediately for the two additions to the BSJ I finished earlier. And true to form - they knit up beautifully and simply - "pithy" directions and all - right before my eyes. (Ravelry pages for the Bootees and Bonnet.)

She knew a thing or two, that Elizabeth Zimmermann. I'm grateful for her words in my own world - from patterns, in books, and over tea in my dreams, should I be so lucky for her to make it across those roads one of these days.

"Now, let us all take a deep breath, and forge on into the future; knitting at the ready." ~ E.Z.

and it goes on

Winter goes on around us. The snow is deep, the temperatures still nothing more than just plain cold, and ice is everywhere. Surely, more snow will come and we will find ourselves once again cozily gathered round the hearth while a wild winter's storm blows outside. We'll follow that with days spent in the snow on ski, snowshoe or sled. We're not done yet with the deliciousness of hot cocoa on a cold snowy day....or the warm layers of woolen against our faces. There is more to come.

And yet. There's something. Something in the air. It's not something I can smell yet. And it's taste can only be hinted at in the earliest of early maple sap drips that my little girl sneaks. But, oh, assuredly, it's there - this feeling of anticipation and excitement for what comes next.

I hear it as neighbors young and old, from here and from "away," give themselves in to the indulgence of talking about temperatures and taps and the very best of February garden intentions. Vegetables, fruit trees, and berries.

I see it as we more hurridely check things both little and big off The List in hopes of wrapping up as much inside work as we can for now. For we know that coming months and seasons will be full - oh, so full - of a new outside work we have been dreaming about for so long. Planting, building, tending.



I notice it with the shift in how our time is spent out of doors.  While the kid play continues, we adults find ourselves spending a little less time joining them and instead getting a head start as we mark trees for tapping, measure pasture for fencing, and fell trees for seasons and seasons away.

I feel it with a sometimes sense of urgency, and certainly excitement, as I think about what must be done in order to prepare for all that is coming. The baby that is coming, the seeds that are coming, those chicks, that event. On and on and on.

And I know it in my very bones. In the way that one begins to do after 35 years circling round the sun from this very spot on Earth. I know that just as sure as these February days are long and cold in their beauty and struggle - so, too, will they quickly be replaced with the green growth of spring, the birth of so much, and the presence of new life everywhere. Another glorious spring is upon us.

But not too fast. For all of that is to come...but not here yet. Right now is its own special time that I don't want to miss. This morning there is a light dusting of snow on the trees, the oatmeal and tea are warm as my little ones sleepily come down the stairs to start their days,  Papa is on his way in from morning chores with frosty breath, and someone sits by the fire waiting for a story.

Right now is good.

SouleMama Sponsor ~ PERSISTING STARS ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Persisting Stars. In Madelyn's words: 

"Persisting Stars and the Art of Living Cheerfully is an online course which presents a most fabulous
helping of sunny side up happiness. This delightful course is designed to uplift your spirits with a weekly class of lighthearted play, videos and creative assignments to beckon gleeful spontaneity into your life as you delve into personal definitions of happiness, joy and creativity through self expression."

SouleMama: What's inspiring you these days?

Madelyn:  Purple pencils, trumpets and drums, whistles and the balloon man, locomotives, violets
and bees, summer carvivals and goldfish, olives and cheese, tallow pink clouds, mirth
and morning coffee, braids and poppies and chimney’s, books and books of poetry,
music being born in the trees, vermillion, campfires, large moons and lemon blossoms,
dream(s), tipsy wing flutters and sleepy pale gold mornings, glorious snows and
twittering green branches, morning coffee (worth repeating) and something else you will
never guess but I knowJ Oh, and chocolate covered cherries. Can’t forget that!

SouleMama: What does a typical work day look like for you?

Madelyn: I’m especially fond of mornings so I wake up very early so as not to miss anything. My
day begins with a French press of coffee with rye toast, plum jam and almond butter orperhaps a bowl of Irish oatmeal with real maple syrup. Always there is writing in my
sketchbook journal (poetry, free verse, laments) and a morning walk along the beach
with my dog after my son heads off to school.

I am passionate about collecting records and play music on a portable record player in my
studio or I listen to NPR's ‘tiny desk concert’ series for soaring inspirations. And then
I write, and write and write some more as words dance across the page. Occasionally I
pontificate in my journal, illustrating my thoughts with polaroids and often I take one of
my very many cameras out to take pictures. Lately I am most fond of my Holga camera.
I make endless pots of tea in a vintage silver teapot and of course there is chocolate for
brain food. Creating is such a beautiful act of worship in my daily life and so good for
my soul.

For today's giveaway, Madelyn Mulvaney & Persisting Stars is generously offering the following to THREE winners:

   ~ a spot in the ‘art of living cheerfully’ online class

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Thank you to Persisting Stars!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Monday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winners are...

Just reading that post made me want to create or write something. I am off for a french press.....regular cup of coffee to get started. susan
Posted by: Susan

I love it and I'm so drawn to that beautiful photography.... ahhhh
Posted by: e l l a

One can always use a refresher on seeing life thru a cheerful lense!
Posted by: The Queen Mum

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ VISIONARY MOM ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Visionary Mom. In the words of Visionary Mom Lisa Work: 

"As a mom myself, I know how easy it is to let our own dreams “take the backburner” - but I also know that it is a true gift to show our children how to make their dreams come true, which is best done by walking the talk.  Visionary Mom is a place where you can get the support you need to make all your beautiful, inspiring ideas happen (and do it “while” being an amazing, nurturing mama)."

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Lisa: With 2 little ones at home with me, I started to feel disconnected to who I was before I became a mom, like my life had become only about being a mom.  Which, is not a horrible thing, but I found myself wanting more.  So, I started really diving into my own creativity, my dreams, my wishes.  In doing so, I found myself falling in love with my life in a whole new way.  Talking to my mama friends, I discovered that a lot of us feel that way – like we don’t have the time or the energy to do some of the things we would really like to do.  Or a lot of moms I talked to felt like they had lost a sense of themselves.  From there, the idea to work with moms to offer support and guidance, to help them find and pursue their dreams began. 

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.

Lisa: Oh, the moms I get to work with are amazing!  They are so authentic and real and full of love.  They have really cool stuff they want to do, but they get frustrated with how to make it happen. Then, they blow me away by moving beyond that and truly accomplishing things in their lives that they didn’t really think they could do. 

SouleMama: What are you most excited about with your business right now?

Lisa: Right now, I am so in love with the Visionary Mom Teams.  These small groups of women, who are all trying their best to live life in a courageous way.  How they work together and support each other and make stuff happen is divine.  The teams are intimate and safe and uplifting and motivating.  Each mama is unique and has something to offer the group, which makes the teams really strong.  And, it doesn’t matter what each person’s individual goals are (from starting a new business to learning to sew to just feeling more calm in her day to living) – everyone moves things forward and gets to experience her dreams being fulfilled.   I am really proud of who all of these women are, it makes ME feel happy and fulfilled knowing that I get to make a difference with them. 

SouleMama: How do you avoid burnout?

Lisa: I don’t.  It happens to all of us.  But, what I do when I feel overwhelmed is stop running around like a crazy person and take the time to get reconnected to why I do all that I do (and I do a lot!).  It is when I am just going through the motions, pushing my way through my to do list, and living life without paying attention that life gets hard.  But, stopping and remember why I do all of this, what I am hoping to experience and learn and give, then all the stuff that there is to do makes sense and makes me want to get back to work.  It’s motivating to have a clear purpose and intention, so I work hard to stay connected to that. 

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Lisa: They are why I do this.  Seriously.  I want them to learn to live big, inspiring lives, making all their dreams come true.  Visionary Mom forces me to walk the talk, to pursue MY dreams and passions.  They get to see me doing that, which I think is really important.  Our home is a thriving, vital place where they get to know without a shadow of a doubt that anything is possible.

 

 
For today's giveaway, Visionary Mom is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

   ~ One spot in the upcoming Visionary Mom Team that starts March 1^st

In addition, Visionary Mom is offering Soule Mama readers $10 off the registration fee for a Visionary Mom Team or any other class offered by Visionary Mom. (Contact Lisa to redeem discount.) Offer valid until March 1, 2011.

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Thank you to Visionary Mom!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winner is ...

thanks guys. lovely.
Posted by: ang

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{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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as simple as that

I set my mind to bedskirts yesterday. Namely, Ezra's bed was in need of one. He has a wonderful old bed that was made by my Great Uncle Don many, many years ago. I love the rough wood, the uneven finish, and the truly handmade look that it has. But goodness, is that bed high (which is part of what makes it wonderful when you're seven!). Uncle Don certainly wasn't making it with the box springs and pillow top mattresses of today in mind. Which meant the skirt we needed would have to be extra long - nothing I'd be able to find for purchase. Not to mention, we needed a fabric and fit that would please both this Mama who looks at the bed a whole lot and the boy who sleeps in the bed every single night. Each with, let's just say, rather particular tastes.

Oh, such thought for a little bedskirt!

But yesterday, I walked by and discovered three little ones quite happily corralled in said bedroom (Ezra's room is the place to be, you know). An opportunity to start a tiny project, I thought. I had just been putting some linens away, and had an idea. What if...I just used a bedspread as the skirt? Could it really be as simple as turning a blanket sideways to hang evenly over both sides, maybe with just a bit of hemming? With eager helpers (who doesn't want to see their mattress on the floor - where the best kind of jumping can ensue?), we gave it a go.

After we placed the chenille coverlet just so, I attached it to the the box spring on all the corners and at several points along each side with Quilters safety pins. When the jumpers were worn out from the mattress-on-the-floor action, the four of us heaved the mattress on top (I have so much help). And voila - I think it kinda worked. Just as simple as that.

It may not be a permanent bed skirt solution, but maybe that's the beauty - we can easily switch it out with another spread whenever it strikes our fancy. And for now...it cleverly hides the baskets of stuff under Ezra's bed, while saving me from an afternoon of measuring and sewing (though that would have been lovely too). Instead, I got to climb upon that bed (I need the chair too), and join the band for a little while. There's always a jam session happening in here...and it's always a good way to while away the hours.

practically sewing

I'm not sure if it's a case of mid-pregnancy nesting, or if the late winter stir crazies have set in (likely a bit of both), but there's been a flurry of very practical sewing around here. The mending basket - often neglected in favor of sewing projects of the New & Exciting variety - has been slowly shrinking (oh, poor Stanley has needed new arms for nearly a year), and simple little projects I've been intending to get to for some time are being checked off the list each day.

There's a new door snake for our front door which helps block just a little bit more air from coming in (though, I feel silly mentioning it when Steve has spent hours - days - working on more concrete things in this area to cut down on heat loss. Still, every little bit helps, and I think this little snake really does help). I made a long tube out of muslin, stuffed that full of beans and rice, and then made a wool "cover" for the whole thing - like one big long tight-fighting sock that required three people to put on. But this way, when kids spill or dust gathers, I can easily (or not so easily, as the case may be) remove the cover and wash it without having to make a new one.

Our dish strainer got a much needed 'mat' of sorts to catch all the water drips. It's a layer of vintage terry cloth on one side and a canvas cotton on the other - simply sewn together, turned inside out, and topstitched. I made two identical mats, so when one is being cleaned, we'll have another to replace it right away. Since I just told you yesterday how much I love handwashing woolens, I won't launch into my mostly-love - or rather contented acceptance - of washing dishes these days. But it's true - we have no plans to replace our dishwasher in this house, and I am coming to really treasure the half hour spent after dinner as a family washing dishes together. (If it makes you feel better, I despise folding laundry. Which is why there is no folded laundry in this house. But that's a confession for another day.)

Next up on the list: bedskirts (yes, I'm really going to make them) and just a few more curtains before spring. Some pants to hem, and kid pants to patch before I send them on out into the mud and dirt of spring play. Then, before the garden draws my attention, it will likely be onto some practical baby projects - a few more diapers and as many cloth wipes as I have the patience to make.

Indeed, there's nothing glamorous about this kind of sewing, and yet, the satisfaction is huge. Practical and useful, little things that actually help our days to flow a little bit smoother,  eliminate a need for buying something, or just make things cozier around here.

Yes, I've been practically sewing.

And you? Has anything come across your sewing table lately that has made your days easier, or simply improved something you already do? Do share with us in the comments if you're so inclined!

babes in wool

Just how many sweaters does a newborn baby need? Especially one to be born just before the summer season? And particularly when said little one will be 'inheriting' a stash of existing handknit sweaters from his or her older siblings to wear as well? Oh, probably not this many...but I don't care. I'll keep knitting and baby will surely keep wearing (our summers are not exactly tropical here, after all).

This sweater jumped into my on-the-go basket in the past few weeks. It was actually a crumpled up abandoned sweater-in-progress in the bottom of my yarn stash. I believe I started it before Harper was born, alongside the pants I made for him out of the same yarn (The Fiber Company Organik). But then before the sweater was complete, I think he was born, and knitting slowed, I lost interest in it, and well...there it sat. When I spied it a few weeks ago, I felt inspired to finish it finally. It's the 5-Hour Baby Sweater - a rather fitting name for a sweater which took me nearly three years to make, yes? It's a bit bigger than anything I've made yet for this babe, which hopefully means it will fit in the winter. In winter we'll need all those handknits - really and truly. (Ravelry link.)

Whenever I post about handknits and babies, I'm always asked about their care ~ Do I handwash all of my handknits? Yes, I do!

There's a lot of wool in our lives, and most all of it gets handwashed. It really isn't any trouble at all - just a few minutes of a soak in the sink with an appropriate soap (I've always used and loved Eucalan). Any tough spots get a little attention with Gall Soap (especially handy for wool soakers). Then it gets very gently squeezed out and rolled in a towel to absorb excess water, and laid flat to dry someplace warm (you'll want to keep the wool out of direct sunlight). Handwashing is so much gentler than the machine, and totally worth the extra time to care for something so special (especially when the natural antibacterial quality of wool makes it needing less frequent washing anyway). Dare I confess (and may you not be surprised) that I really enjoy the time spent doing so? It's so peaceful and lovely to touch all that wool in a slow and mindful way. Giving thought to the source of the fibers I'm holding, the time I spent making it, and the amazing little one who wears it. There you have it. My secret is out. I love sheep, knitting with wool and the babies who wear it (and of course, the amazing people they grow up to be too!).

:: right now ::

right now, I am ...

:: marveling how this February is flying by in such a blur, embracing that, and riding the wave right on into March.

:: revisiting our winter manifestos of years past, and making changes in our days that match.

:: plotting our spring garden, all while sitting by the fire wearing three layers of wool and sipping warm tea.

:: finishing the February orders for spring farming plans - bees, birds, fences and trees...perhaps.

:: stopping myself from even more. Everything else...can wait. There's a baby coming!

:: wondering if I really ordered as many chicks as I think I did. (I did. Oh my.)

:: casting on for the second sleeve on the biggest sweater I've ever made.

:: listening to the newly released Wailin Jennys album and love, love, loving it.

:: queing the new Iron & Wine, which is equally loved here.

:: feeling grateful for beautiful new music in February.

:: loving all the heart-shaped crafty kid goodness that keeps coming my way already this morning.

:: hoping that everyone has a little bit of that kind of Good Love in their lives.

:: wanting to get out this afternoon for another ski in the backyard winter wonderland that feels a little bit like Narnia right now.

:: thinking it would be nice if this one didn't include me landing in a silly jumbled twisted heap.

:: reminding myself that some gentle yoga today might be a better option. With the windows open for fresh air. (If I close my eyes, I can pretend I'm in Narnia.)

:: making carrot & fennel soup for dinner tonight.

:: planning on eating leftover peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for lunch before that.

:: wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day and a beautiful start to your week! 

SouleMama Sponsor ~ WILD CHILD WOOLIES ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Wild Child Woolies. In shopkeeper Angela's words:

"Wild Child Woolies offers wool interlock diaper covers for cloth diapered babies and toddlers that are both fun and functional. Our wool interlock soakers are trim fitting while our longies and shorties offer a more relaxed, casual fit. WCW combines the best of softness and wetness protection into the perfect cover for your baby."

"We have a brand new sister site/blog- Wild About Woolies where I will be building a resource for all topics covering diapering wool. The best way to keep up with what is happening with WCW is by joining us on Facebook."

SouleMama: What's your favorite part of your job? The most challenging?

Angela:  The favorite part of my job is that I get to spend all day, every day with my children. And the most challenging part of my job is I get to spend all day, every day with my children! I love that what I do allows me the freedom to choose to homeschool and to be here when they need me. But it is also challenging because there is no division between home/family, school and work. It's all here around me, all the time. Most of the time that is fine, wonderful even. But there's also the elusive balance that I have yet to master between the different roles I play every day.

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Angela: I have 5 children and they all have their different role in my business. My oldest daughter is a teenager. She helps with cutting or packing and shipping orders. She also helps with the younger children by babysitting and doing some school with them so I can sneak away to work. My middle two sons love to give design advice (whether I ask for it or not!). They like to give me ideas as to which colors go together or what applique designs I should use. They also help with the two youngest even if that just means being playmates. My youngest son was my inspiration to start WCW and my comic relief during long work days. And my youngest daughter is my first line tester for new designs as well as the cutest woolie model ever!

SouleMama: What's the product you are most excited about offering right now?

Angela: I love, love, love making the MasterPiece line. The MasterPiece line consists of smaller, scrap pieces of fabric stitched together into a new single piece of fabric with a unique, scrappy look. I then add fun appliques and finish the fabric into longies, shorties, soakers or shirts.. Each one turns into it's own mini piece of art. It allows me a lot of creative freedom and the possibilities for color combinations and designs are endless so it keeps my mind constantly dreaming up new MasterPieces.  

For today's giveaway, Wild Child Woolies is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

   ~ A surprise basic double layer pull on cover in the winner's choice of gender (boy, girl or gender neutral) and size (XS-L)

In addition, Wild Child Woolies is offering Soule Mama readers 10% off all orders this week. Just use the coupon code: soulemama when checking out. Offer expires February 19th, 2011.

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Thank you to Wild Child Woolies!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winner is...

I would love to see my little one in that cute, flowered woolie!
Posted by: hiddensisters

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ WYOMING ROSE BOUTIQUE ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Wyoming Rose Boutique. In the words of Maria Rose:

"Wyoming Rose Boutique is a small business run by two generations of artisans. We make and sell a wide assortment of beautiful hand-made, re-purposed and vintage items."

"I have a daily blog called Little Things Are Big and I post about life, family, food, all things creative. I am always happy to meet new readers through my blog."

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Sue: I was working as an oncology nurse, a job I loved.  Sewing, crocheting and crafting was what I used to do as my hobby.   All that changed when I became ill and could no longer keep my job working with cancer patients.  That was quite a loss to me and didn't fit into my master plan.  I think my daughter saw that I needed purpose and we started seriously talking about working at what we love as it was something I could do from home.

Maria Rose: My mother and I are both creative by nature and we have always talked about how we would love to create for a living. When my mother had to leave her job due to illness the stars aligned and we were able to make these imaginings manifest into something creative and wonderful.  We love working together, sharing ideas and inspiration.

SouleMama: What artists/crafters or teachers have inspired your life?

Sue: We named our shop after my Grandma Rose, whose family homesteaded in Wyoming. She was a woman who quilted, crocheted, knitted, made jewelry, you name it. She was very talented and made beautiful things.  It was a happy day for me when I showed her our business cards!  My mother carried on Grandma's creative traditions and added some of her own.  I have lovely memories as a teen, talking with my Mom while she sewed.  My daughter, who is now my business partner, also inspires me.  I think she helps me think outside the box more!

Maria Rose: I come from a long line of creative women. I think creating has always been in my blood. My first serious artistic inspiration came from a dear friend and former teacher, Michael Copeland. He taught me to push myself to be ever more creative. I am also an artist and an art historian as well, so I draw my influences from many sources!

SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

Sue: "Most of us live lives that are far richer and more meaningful than we appreciate." -Rachel Naomi Remen, MD

Maria Rose: “You are here and it is now.”-Michael Copeland

SouleMama: What's the product or offering that you're most excited about right now?

Sue: I'm proud of the jewelry that incorporates vintage lace; I'm also loving the scarves we make.  Truthfully, the product I'm always most excited about is the "next" one.  Right now, that is children's clothing.

Maria Rose: I am excited about all of our products! I really enjoy the vintage treasures we find, but the most satisfying pieces are those that incorporate our crafting skills with vintage/antique rescues to create something completely new and one-of-a-kind.

 

For today's giveaway, Wyoming Rose Boutique is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

   ~ a $25 gift certificate to Wyoming Rose Boutique

In addition, Wyoming Rose Boutique is offering Soule Mama readers 20% off all orders this week. Just use the coupon code: mama2011 when checking out. Offer expires February 19th, 2011.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Thank you to Wyoming Rose Boutique!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Monday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winner is...

*fingers crossed*
Posted by: Ashley Grimes

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{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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SoulePapa Blogs :: Wait for it

Stepping through the barn door, I walked carefully down the unfamiliar steps, with the purple light from a low moon as my only assistant.  I turned my gaze up, into that splash of Milky Way and immediately saw one light break away from the others in a steady, slow jog.  I followed it with interest for a couple of seconds and then stared in amazement as it vaulted across the night, leaving a trail that took several more moments to vaporize.  A shooting star.  I felt the tingle of hair rising on the back of my neck and I stood as still as I could, pushing my feet against the ground, filling my lungs with air.  I turned and went back inside for our first night in the new house.

It had been a rather disjointed and frustrating morning full of trials and tears and hugs.  She carried on in a determined way but I could sense her confidence starting to wane as doubt began to push its way into her thoughts.  Her shy eyes shifted focus and landed on an older gentleman riding a snowboard.  He was on the beginners slope, same as her.  He had been a skiier for many years we heard him say, but he always wanted to try a board.  "He falls down a lot," she remarked.  "He laughs a lot too," I said.  She giggled, "yeah".  It was much easier for her after that.

The many mouths we feed wait for it to be their turn.  Sometimes they are patient, other times not so much, I strive to be on time so they don't worry for being overlooked.  Through countless days of repetition I learn their patterns of behavior although they still manage to surprise me quite regularly.  I have come to rely on them as they rely on me.  We feed each other.

I stopped in busy traffic and let some cars go through.  The sound of a horn from back somewhere reminded me of being young and I turned down the radio so I could hear the town.  All together, we moved like a river and I headed up Congress Street with my window open.  I thought it would be cool to be a bird in the city.

the littlest robe

Another little robe was added to the mix this week - this one for my littlest boy. These robes were originally intended to be given on Solstice, but you know, things happen...tired pregnant Mamas must sleep...children are forgiving, and there's always room for another fresh layer to be added to the winter warm wear, even - perhaps, especially - in February. Thank goodness.

Harper's was made from this vintage sewing pattern - I skipped the buttons because I knew they'd just be too finicky for my two year old to bother with. Pockets, on the other hand - essential play material. Please tell me, though, how I am to resist searching for slippers such as those on the pattern cover? Because really now, they are SO cute and ridiculous (for a two year old) at the same time.

(I'm sorry that I don't see a maker on the flannel - it was purchased quite some time ago, locally.)

Because Harper loves, follows, adores and wants to be just like his big brother TaTa (that's Calvin, if you don't speak Harper), he was thrilled to see this bathrobe - so similar to his big brother's - for him. Which of course thrilled his sewing Mama because it means he wants to wear his robe all the time. Most especially whenever his big brother is wearing his.

I've decided there isn't much cuter in all the world than a two year old baby boy with a new haircut and rosy red cheeks toddling around in his bathrobe.

Except perhaps this.

(Don't you worry, I've got two more bathrobes on deck.)

Important Baby Decisions

As with each baby prior, the older children have begun compiling a list of Name suggestions for Steve and I to consider. Residing on the fridge, it is updated often, and serves as a nearly nine-month source of entertainment, not to mention a source of good ideas (sometimes) too.

Topping their list this week? Bruno, Cole and anything that rhymes with "Cole" (go ahead and put it with our last name), Hermoine (along with Dumbledore, and Sirius...yes, yes, a string of Harry Potter names), SnowmobileHead (and a whole other host of "X"Head names). Harper is a fan of Bob (the name he calls himself). Ezra's drawing from heavily from Greek Mythology and classic rock. Good times, really.

It is one of the greatest and most fun decisions to make in life, I do believe. All that dreaming about who they are and who they shall become. Wonderful dreaming.

While Steve and I are busy together with the all Important Baby Decision of a name for this little one, I'm busy wrestling with other really Important Baby Decisions. Like which buttons should grace the newest off-the-needle knit sweater for Baby.

This is a Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ), knit in a sweet, sweet fingering weight yarn from Heather at Shivaya Naturals (the colorway is Blues Brothers. Love that.). It's my second BSJ, but so different than the one I made for Harper last year in a worsted weight yarn. I really think every knitter needs to give this sweater a go at least once (except that you'll want to make more) - it's so amazing to watch it come together and lovely to knit, and a favorite to wear. (It's an Elizabeth Zimmermann, and the instructions can be found in The Opinionated Knitter or as a singular pattern in a more updated-in-language version through Schoolhouse Press).

(Ravelry Link.)

There are these purple beauties that Adelaide picked out. I do think they would actually be quite lovely with that blue. I'd have to call the baby Penelope* (and I do so love that name, but there might be some confusion with our dog Nellie). I think Penelope might love horses and rainbows and all things purple and be a bit of a shy, but wild thing. Oh, I think we already have one of those...she choose the buttons.

These delicate white shell buttons have caught my eye as a possibility. Her name would be Catherine and I think she might be quiet (surely by child number five, I'm bound to get a quiet one). And a little mysterious. Yes, that sounds about right. Catherine.*

Or maybe better suited are the lovely, soft and worn but sturdy sea glass buttons in the lightest shade of blue. His name would be Amos and he would most decidedly not be shy.  I don't know why - just because. Amos.*

Some Important Baby Decisions just can't be made until we meet and greet the little soul(e) and see just who he or she is. Sometimes names are like that. And in this case...and on this sweater....I think it might said of the buttons too.

(*No, no Mom...these are not the actual names we are considering. As lovely as they are. You'll have to wait a few more months to find out. Or, you can try prying that top secret information out of the kids. Though they might just convince you it's Helios. Or Medusa if Ezra has his way.)

midwinter reprieve

You know it's the middle of a cold and snowy winter when a sudden 35degree day feels just so strange...and wonderful. When you can withstand the cold with one single layer less - a hat, perhaps. When the winter cold doesn't feel so harsh on the lungs, and when you find yourself outside a whole lot longer than you have been in ages. All day, in fact. Ah, yes....that midwinter reprieve - knowing full well that more cold and more snow is on it's way - is a wonderful thing. There is much shoveling left to be done, ski days to be enjoyed, and cozy fireside hours to be spent. But for today...there is the chance to soak up  and rejoice in the sun, watch and listen as the the snow and ice melt from high up in the trees and slides off the barn roof with a giant whoooosh. When you can truly explore, and refine all the wonderful forts and caves and tunnels that have been built all winter long. Everyone joins in the play - the dogs and cats and babies and pigs and ducks and well, with a little convincing - the chickens too. Oh, it's a wonderful February thing indeed, this kind of a day.

I'm so grateful for such days as this.

SouleMama Sponsor ~ LE PAPIER STUDIO ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Le Papier Studio. In Vana's words:     

"Inspired by the elegant French expression for paper - Le Papier Studio crafts custom silhouette artistry with a modern, inspired twist on the time-honored technique of silhouettes.  Le Papier Studio has moved well beyond the figure - applying contemporary, creatively skilled silhouette forms to chic items for home and personal intentions including linen pillows, personal stationery, elegant invitations, journals, art prints , jewelry etc. Its specialty lies not only in Le Papier Studio's fresh application of a classic silhouette, but its unique, artful interpretation of shape, shadow, profile, line and figure. Le Papier Studio has made silhouettes entirely relevant, utterly playful and totally creative. Le Papier Studio is turning out exceptional contemporary heirlooms and providing an imaginative updated way to chronicle a family's life. Often more impactful than a revealing photograph, a silhouette leaves more to the imagination. Le Papier Studio brings silhouettes to live, capturing movement, freezing special moments in time, evoking emotion and presenting a nostalgic depiction to enjoy for years to come."

You can follow along the Le Papier Studio blog, as well as see Vana's recently released book with Chronicle Books Silhouette Art.

 

SouleMama: What inspired the beginnings of Le Papier Studio?

Vana:   My son Nikolas was the inspiration and the reason I started my own business in 2008. I wanted to find an outlet that would allow me to create and be home with him at the same time. I started small and grew my business organically. I started selling things I loved making and soon I discovered there was a market for it. Selling on Etsy helped me be part of a crafty community as well as develop my niche, specialty. As things progressed, so did the business. In 2009 I opened my e-commerse website offering an easier shopping experience for my customers.

SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to where you are today.

Vana: Being professionally trained as an architect, I have always had an eye for design and artistic things that go together. When it came to using the softwares I currently use for all my illustration work, Architecture school had done all the work for me. So I felt I was ahead in the game.

SouleMama: Tell us about your book Silhouette Art.

Vana:  When Chronicle Books approached me to write this book, I jumped to the opportunity. I wanted the book to be a simple yet elegant DIY format which can teach someone the basics of making a silhouette but also a tool so to speak for crafty people. My intention behind the book was simply to give silhouette lovers the opportunity to create modern heirlooms with very little skills required.

SouleMama: How do you manage to find balance between your career and family?

Vana: I am always looking for ways to balance creative work and family. I truly believe taking care of your family and yourself first is the key in order for you to give the best you can to your business and others. Recently I moved my studio outside the home into a physical location. This has helped me tremendously in that I can now separate work time from family time. There are still the occasional nights when I have to work from home but I am happy to say that most of my productive work is done in the studio.

SouleMama: Tell us what you envision and dream for the future of your business.

Vana: It's been a true blessing to see how far Le Papier Studio has gone - from a home based business that started as a hobby to a brand that is growing each day. It is my goal to grow Le Papier Studio to a nationally known brand while still keeping it small enough to it connects with its customers in a deeper and personal level.

For today's giveaway, Le Papier Studio is generously offering the following to TWO winners:

   ~ a $35 gift certificate to the shop!

In addition, Le Papier Studio is offering Soule Mama readers 15% off all orders through February 15th, 2011. Use the coupon code: SOULEMAMA211 when checking out.

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Thank you to Le Papier Studio!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Monday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winners are....

Love the silhouettes!
Posted by: Crafty Farmer

I am in love with those rings!!
Posted by: Kristen Powell

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ KNIT IT UP ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Knit It Up. In Kate's words:

"We're a small family fiber company specializing in unique small batch colorways on fine yarns and fibers, plus lot's of fun accessories.  Our family company is headed up by me: Kate McMullin, dyer, spinner and Mommy, with lot's of support from hubby Neil, and occasional help from the kids.  My oldest is 5, just learning to knit and loves putting labels on packages.  In the future I envision her (and the boys) saving up money for college by spending summers in the "shipping department."  Abby already has a real eye for color though, so there's a good chance she'll be at the dyepots someday."

"Our homesite and has links to the blog, twitter, newsletter signups etc.  Be sure to follow us on Twitter because we do a giveaway or discount code every Tuesday!  I do have another etsy shop with finished handknits, so if you haven't learned to knit yet, but covet the gorgeous scarves you'd make if you did, you should check it out."

SouleMama: What's your favorite part of your job? The most challenging?

Kate:  My favorite part of this job is that I get to be creative while still being a full time mom.  I love being home with my kids and my time with them is precious, but I think we would all go crazy if I didn't have another outlet for dreaming, creating and planning.  The most challenging part is finding that perfect balance between work and being a full time mom.  It's always a juggling act and I have to be careful about making the kids my priority because it's so easy to get caught up in the craziness of running a business.  Plus, I'm sure any SAHM can relate, other people just don't get it.  Why does being a stay-at-home-mom mean I am always home, always available and never have anything else going on? 

SouleMama: What artists/crafters/teachers have inspired your life?

Kate: More than anyone else, my Mom.  I remember as a kid thinking that she could do anything, and I was usually right.  We always had awesome Halloween costumes, and amazing birthday parties.  She made my Prom dress and my wedding gown - both without a pattern except for what I had in my head!  I still remember my 9th birthday when I wanted a Hawaii Luau theme, but also a pinata.  (This was before pinatas went with every party).  We sent out invitations that looked like airline tickets, greeted everyone at the door with Leis, and pretended to board.  Mom served airline peanuts and drinks, then my Dad and older brother hijacked the plane to Mexico where we had a luau/fiesta.  Fantastic, right?

SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

Kate: "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."  It's true in so many ways.  Think of all the little things you do that add up to something big. Small daily choices become habits that define us, little children grow to become the adults who can change the world.  This one is great when you're feeling like all the little things you do as a mother aren't important... all those little things have a great impact when you put them all together!

SouleMama: What's the product you are most excited about offering right now?

Kate: I'm crazy about fiber - obviously!  But the thing that I'm loveing most at the moment are our gift tags.  We started out making gift tags for knitters with spaces for fiber content and care instructions (after I had a friend ruin some handknit socks in the washer!).  Now we make them for crocheters, and all sorts of crafters.  So if you're amazing enough to give a handmade gift, you can have a special place to tell the lucky recipient about it - what it's made of, what inspired you, etc.  My favorite designs are the ones with cheeky reminders about handmade being special, like our Selfish tags which read "This project took hours of my precious time to make. You may now ooh and ahh and wear it every single day for the rest of your life."

For today's giveaway, Knit It Up is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

   ~ We're giving away a 3 month subscription to one of our fiber clubs! 

(The winner can choose Sock Yarn Cinema - a sock yarn club for movie lovers, Spinning the Seasons - gorgeous rovings inspired by the season, or The Diamond Club - luxurious spinning batts.  There's nothing better than having gorgeous fiber show up in the mail.  Some of our club members have been known to stalk their mail carriers around delivery time.)

In addition, Knit It Up is offering Soule Mama readers 20% off all orders this week . Just use the coupon code: SOULEMAMA20 when checking out. Offer expires February 12th, 2011.

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Thank you to Knit It Up!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8:00am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.

Comments closed! The winner is...

This is a super giveaway! I have been working on my first socks and would love material to make my second with.
Posted by: Citysister

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{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

*** *** *** 

corners of our home :: chaos & peace...together

When I was growing up, we lived in a hundred year old sea captain's house that my parents renovated. Working from room to room - one at a time - I remember the tapestries nailed to doorways of rooms full of dust with table saws in the middle of them. I remember lots of dust, exposed lathe, never walking anywhere barefoot, and snow blowing into the house (really).

I'm having flashbacks.

But! Demo is good. Demo is progress. And blue tarps and vintage sheets as doorways make wonderful backdrops for all sorts of lovely performances, yes? Yes! Demo means that soon there will be paint colors to choose and light fixtures to plan. Demo means that right now - we get to draw on walls (that will soon come down). Oh yes, Demo is wonderful.

When the chaos of one room is getting to be a little too much, or the dust a little too unsafe for this pregnant mama and four babes, and really, because I'm a little useless these days in such situations anyway, a retreat order is issued.

More often than not...we find ourselves turning the corner from chaos and heading into the peace of the library. It's seen just a few changes since I brought you in here last. Most excitedly would the be addition of light! Hooray for evening library hours! (It's the Ivanhoe from Barnlight Electric. Thanks to your advice and the advice of the folks at BLE, I opted for something larger than I had originally planned.) Also joining this room - a sweet neighbor brought us that old school desk. With room for everyone to spread out and soak up the peace, it's just the sanctuary of a room we could ask for.

And if we concentrate really hard on what we're doing, focus on the pretty sunlight coming in through the snowy windows, or add the sound of a  little ukelele, why you would almost never know what's going on just one room over. Almost.

a "ski" sweater for Harper

This week, Harper and I tagged along on a Ski Day. Usually, we are quite content to stay at home - where things are warm and flat. But a little adventure was in order, and Harper was beside himself with the joy and excitement of the mountain and the "I spy" game of spotting his Papa, brothers and sisters  and friends coming down the slopes. All from a sled at the bottom of the mountain, and the warmth of the lodge, of course.  (Where Mama had to peer with half-closed eyes at my three other babes in action. Who said they could be so confident, comfortable and independent out there? Geez.)

This sweater came off my needles, and finished blocking just in time for a first wearing. It's a seamless raglan, using Zimmermann's EPS (Elizabeth's Percentage System). I'm so in love with making sweaters this way - totally customizable and actually understanding the process all along the way. And with plenty of not-scary-math too. (How great is that? Elizabeth makes me like math. Fancy that.) The yarn was all in my stash - the Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair, and just a little bit of Terra (one of my favorite yarns of all) from The Fibre Company (leftover from my Hourglass). I love how the nubby texture of the Terra breaks up the sweater a bit, and made the knitting just interesting enough to fly right off the needles. (Ravelry notes here.)

{More about the blue-and-white striped hat with buttons can be found here. The green sweater is the Family Sweater Hat from Handmade Home. And the green child's cowl? Well, you'll just have to wait until August 9th for that one...and more!}

Harper was happy with his sweater (he was quite happy as I knit it to remind me that it was for him), but he was most happy with his sister's helmet and goggles. Once those were donned, my shy boy of one word-at-a-time walked around demanding "skiiiiiiiiii booooooooot" from all who would listen.

Oh goodness. Give Mama just one more winter with you at home, will you little one? I promise lots of skiing of the backyard flat variety (Mama's favorite kind), snuggles by the home fire, and all the handknits a little boy could want. Deal?

sewing with ezra...The Day Before

I'm slowly - but surely - learning to save The Day Before a birthday as 'sibling-making' time. Because as much as I gently try to get them thinking and making earlier, time is just so different when you're very little. It isn't until the day is nearly upon us that the reality of it exists. And then, suddenly...reality and inspiration collide into RIGHT NOW.  "I HAVE to make something! His birthday is TOMORROW!!!" I hear with such earnestness.

And there we are - on a day before a birthday - when Mama has making plans of her own, and cleaning plans, and party preparing plans and all that goes with a birthday. Greeted with a request to sew, or make or create, multiplied by a couple of them, each with plans of their own requiring various degrees of help....well, it's a rather grand allotment of time. I find myself almost saying - with the words on the tip of my tongue, but my lips closed tightly trying to keep them in, "we don't have time for that!"

Because goodness, it's the best kind of time there is, you know? Child-initiated making and giving for their family? Oh yes, we can make time for that. That's why I'm learning to save The Day Before.

And here, is a little bit of our most recent The Day Before.

Ezra received the new book Sewing School as a holiday gift. It's been living in his bed (a place of book honor) since then, with lots of 'plans' being made - including one to make his brother a nano-pouch. And that's just what we did on this Day Before. I was pleased with the book - the instructions are written in a way that a little guy his age could make sense of it and do much of it on his own (a lot of it is focused on hand-sewing). He stopped for help and direction a few times along the way. He needed a little guidance when he decided to steer from the "pattern" and make it his own a bit ("The book said I could do that!" he said, excited for the permission to do so).

(The bangs, I know! I wish I could see his eyes too. But you see, he's growing it out to wear "like Willie Nelson" at the moment. See photo below.)

I love watching the way each of them work in their very own way. The way their frustrations are worked out. The way they problem-solve and eventually find their groove. Totally their own style.

Ezra took his handwork to his room, where he could properly zone out with needle, thread and to "find the perfect album to sew to". (He declared that to be David Bowie's Young Americans.)

And then there is the giving. The moment in which all those brotherly brawls and sibling squabbles disappear for a little while and are replaced with nothing but love, generosity and gratitude for each other. Emotions that are as real and true as anything I know. And all through the giving of a simple and sweet little handmade pouch, or handdrawn book, or salt dough creation.

Oh yes, there's time for making that.

February 1st

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Welcome (and Welcome Back) to January's newest Sponsors here on SouleMama...

 

 Knit It Up ~ hand dyed yarns for fiber addicts

Wild Child Woolies ~ wool interlock clothing and cloth diapers for babies

Wyoming Rose Boutique ~ mother & daughter artisans selling handmade and vintage

Le Papier Studio ~ elegant silhouette creations

Visionary Mom ~ coaching and support for moms with big ideas

Unravelling ~ "Ways of Seeing My Self" e-course with registration opening February 12th

Silk Oak ~ Eco-friendly silk screened clothing

 

It's such a pleasure to have them joining us!
Do check out their handmade, crafty, creative, and beautiful offerings and look for giveaways from each of them in the coming weeks.

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