SouleMama

in hand

My advance copies of the hot-off-the-press first issue of Taproot!

Oh, what a treat it is to hold this in my hands. To find it laying casually around the house - in all the places that a properly loved-up magazine can be found, and for just the kinds of different moments that we created it to be enjoyed in - by the bed for a read before sleep; in front of the fire for a quick stolen moment from a loooong turn on a Scrabble game; next to the rocking chair for a glance while nursing a babe; on the coffee table for a guest to discover; at the breakfast table for an early-day inspiration; and in the hands of my little ones giving it all a look-over and telling us what they think (they approve!). Yes, yes, yes....these are the many kinds of family moments we thought so carefully about as we imagined how Taproot would be read.

Holding in it my hands is exciting of course, but putting it in the hands of others is even more so. Literally making a hand-off is my preferred method of sharing it, but since that's a little tricky (though fun to imagine), the postal service will be doing the work for us. Later this week, copies will begin shipping to our first subscribers. (For just a little while longer, you can still get in on the Founding Subscribers price at 25$ for one year, and 47$ for two years.)

 
(Click to enlarge.)

We'll be having two launch events for Taproot, one in each of our hometowns. I'll be at both of them, along with some of our contributors, and some lovely local fare. Sunday, March 11th in Hardwick, VT and Sunday, March 18th in Portland, ME. (Both bookstores will have individual copies for sale.) We'd love to see you there! 

Thank you for all the lovely word-spreading, encouragement and cheering you've been doing about this project. Your trust means a great deal, and now can't wait to get Taproot in your hands. I hope for you to love the pieces by our amazing contributors as much as I do, to dog ear and bookmark the pages, and maybe even to get it a little bit dirty with the messy work of your gardening, cooking, creating days, in hand.

casting off & casting on

 

Another knit came off the needles this week. A sweater, for Ezra. It's the fisherman pullover, my second go at this sweet pattern (I made one for Harper last year as well). It's Quince & Co's Puffin, in Nasturtium - a color Ezra chose himself. I made most of this quick-to-knit sweater back in November, but something distracted me, and it's been in my knitting basket ever since - all complete save for two inches on the last sleeve. Really now, that's just silly when I have a fast-growing boy to keep up with, and a sweater-wearing season slipping by. A total of one hour of knitting, weaving in yarn ends and blocking and it was all done and ready for wearing by the happy recipient. (My Ravelry notes.)

As you may have noticed, there's been a bit of knitting of late. Ahem. Surely, it's the cozy wintertime vibe that finally kicked in around here, combined with a whole lot more screen time than I'm used to (working on Taproot!). Holding something in my hands, something with a tangible completion to it feels so satisfying to me right now. Plus I know that it will only be a matter of time - weeks, maybe - before my hands are busy with the exciting work of planting seeds, then tending a garden. I'm excited for that. But right now, I'm knitting. 

With the in-progress basket becoming emptier by the day, I've been pondering just what to fill it back up with. The planning is half the fun, yes? Some things I'm thinking about...

It might just be time to upsize this sweater, Adelaide's February GIRL Sweater. I finished it two years ago this month. But it's getting small - and she's asked for another - in "purple please, Mama". Can I really give a go at resizing this sweater once again? (I remember it not being exactly easy.) Maybe. 

{Image from The Purl Bee.}

Out there in the knitterly world catching my eye is the latest release from The Purl Bee, Big Stitch Knit Rug. Oh my. I'd like one of these very much. Can you just imagine how cozy that would feel on the toes? So lovely and indulgent, indeed. Though I do wonder how practical it would be to ensure that all the sweet toes that touched the precious knit were clean. Hmn....

{Image from the Squam Store.}

Slightly more realistic (and practical) for me, but I think equally indulgent (and scrumptious) are the Pinehurst Fingerless Mitts & Yarn in the February Squam Store (which means they are only available until tomorrow night). It's been a while since I've made myself a pair of fingerless mitts, and the hand-dyed yarn and sweet cuff detail in these are calling my name. For spring is coming, and I think these are just the thing for that in-between weather. 

I'm also thinking Annabel needs herself a springtime cotton Aviatrix hat, and I've never knit myself a black cardigan (maybe another garter stitch cardi?), and there's a new baby girl niece on the way (another!) that simply must have herself a Baby Surprise Jacket or maybe some December Booties, and my fingers have been kindly requesting to do something with some Shelter. 

Oh, the possibilities with two sticks and some string!

snowy day

On Saturday morning, Adelaide was the first to wake us up with a pull-back of the curtains to share what she had already seen out her own window. It had snowed. Quite a bit more than the light flurries we were expecting to wake up to. The news spread quickly from babe to child and room to room. The usual morning wake up, get-to-it doesn't linger long in the family on days like that. And so we found ourselves - a little faster than usual, and together, the lot of us, descending down the stairs for breakfast. Because on days like these there are plans to be made right off - plans of skiing and sledding and snowmen. And plans of snowplowing and shoveling too. 

Entering the kitchen, plopping miss Annabel in her high chair, and starting the kettle for tea, I was thinking about making some muffins with the leftover oatmeal I had saved from the morning before. I started to gather what I needed. But looking out the window - the bright sun and the freshly fallen snow outside were calling me. And there sat my camera - at the ready as it almost always is - and a reminder of you, here in this space. Making plans of their own, my people barely glanced up as I announced I'd be right back. And out the door I slipped.

It was gorgeous out there. And I thank you for the little push to get out the door, because there's nothing quite like a fresh layer of snow that arrives in the night. The morning revealing a freshness, a quietness like no other. The sun shining through the ice. The snow bending branches from the trees. The wind blowing it all around. And the fresh powder only disturbed by footprints of the smallest creatures who weathered the storm amidst the dark and the snow. I noticed how new it all looked, and how surely it was all to look entirely different in just a few hours.

I thought, as I walked and marveled and breathed that fresh air and took these photographs to share here in this space, about you. About the funny, wonderful, magical, bizarre, and beautiful ways in which we connect here in this space, day after day, year after year. For we're going on seven years now this week, did you know that? Seven years that I've come here and shared something-or-other from my days. Goodness, seven years feels like an awful lot, and sometimes I can't quite wrap my brain around the how and why of it all. But most of the time, I really can. Most of the time, I feel an enormous amount of gratitude and joy about this place - and for you. For without a doubt, and in many ways, my life is better for these daily little walks we take together.

I thank you.

Have a lovely day, friends.  

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Sacred Waters Soap ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Sacred Waters Soap. In Shannon's words:

"My shop, Sacred Waters, is packed full of natural bath and body products. From shaving gear and men's soaps to solid lotion bars and perfume oils, there is something for everyone."

You can follow along with Shannon on her blog too!

SouleMama: Can you tell us about your beginnings?

Shannon:  It all started long ago, in a tiny kitchen, images of my grandmother in my head. She did everything herself. She sewed the clothes, grew and preserved the food, and made the soap among many other things. Everything in her world was handmade, a thing of beauty and love no matter how utilitarian. There is soul and emotion in things made by real people. I have always wanted to be connected to that life.

Sacred Waters was born out of this desire. Focusing on simple ingredients, I revel in the magic that soap making is. The ability to create, heal, and nourish, feeds my soul. I am so happy to share this passion with you.

For today's giveaway, Sacred Waters is generously offering the following to TWO winners:

~ a $30 gift certificate to the Sacred Waters Soap shop!

 In addition, Sacred Waters is offering SouleMama readers 10% off all orders. Use code soulesoap at checkout. Offer valid through March 1, 2012.

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

Thank you to Sacred Waters Soap!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Monday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. 

Comments closed! The winners are:

What a lovely shop! I especially like the idea of the homemade laundry soap with such a nice choice of scents, anything that makes laundry a bit enjoyable is a good thing indeed!
Posted by: GreeblyGreebly

Mmm violet soap sounds lovely for spring.
Posted by: Barbara Kugler

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Quince & Co. ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Quince & Co. In their words:

"At Quince & Company, we sell handknitting yarn mostly sourced and spun in the US. We use wool from American sheep and the yarn is spun in New England. We're committed not only to 'local' yarns, but to fibers yarns that are grown/made responsibly in other parts of the world--if we can't source the same thing here. E.g., we import an organic linen yarn--the fiber is grown in Belgium and the yarn is spun in Italy. Our basic wool line consists of four yarns all in different weights and structures--all come in 37 colors. And we also have an American wool/silk blend."

You can follow along through the Quince & Co. blog as well! 

SouleMama: Can you tell us about your new lookbook?

Pam:  The way to market yarn is through patterns. A large part of what we do at Quince is coming up with knitting patterns We're constantly knitting and we work with a handful of designers/friends to publish a new pattern every week. No small feat. But recently, for a change, and in order to involve our customers, we put out a call for scarves, cowls, and shawls for a small collection. We got many, many submissions and after culling the pile ( a difficult process), we put together a small lookbook of the results. The experience was a little overwhelming--trying to tech edit, style, photograph, lay out, edit, and proof 12 designs all at once. But with great help from the designers, we pulled off Scarves, Etc. 

For today's giveaway, Quince & Co. is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

~ a hat pattern of the winner's choice, along with yarn in the color of your choice

In addition, Quince & Co. is offering SouleMama readers 10% off all orders. Use code soule212 at checkout. Offer valid through March 3, 2012. 

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

Thank you to Quince and Co.!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. 

Comments closed! The winner is...

Thanks for the chance!
Posted by: Dana TM

{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.

. . . . . . . .

Sugarin' Time

Though the calendar and lack of snow on the ground have us a little confused...there is no more doubt that spring is around the corner, because it's Sugarin' time!

Last year was our first forray into tapping our own trees, and we loved it so much - the tapping, the boiling, and most certainly the eating. Our supply of first-year syrup didn't quite get us all the way into this next years season, but it did get us all the way to our first honey harvest, which I thought a rather fitting hand-over of seasonal sweetness.

We do not know what this year will bring with the strange winter we've had. The old-timers around us have lots of opinions, none of them quite in agreement with each other. We've tweaked our system a bit since last year, with more taps in the trees and a new stove in the works. Regardless of how 'much' we get though, I think we're all just happy to be Sugarin' again - from the first tapping to the daily family adventure to gather, to the boiling parties that will soon begin with friends.

Precious as gold, this stuff, precious as gold.

once more, with neck

Well, that wasn't so awful. Four inches of unknitting, and two more knitting it back again, and now all is well. The sweater fits over my head, the collar is right where I want it to be, and I can officially call this one a completed success. Hooray!

I once again used Elizabeth Zimmermann's sweater advice in making this sweater (Knitting without Tears has some of the most complete advice for a first go at something like this, I think). It's the first time I've tried an (adult) yoke, rather than raglan, and I'm so pleased that I did. The yoke fits nice and snug (which was my plan for the whole sweater), and any bunchiness from the fast decreases work to add a little extra room where I need it. (My Ravelry notes.)

The mustard contrast yarn has long been missing its band so I don't remember its source (but do remember that it came from Jennifer - thank you, Jennifer!). The grey/blue is Beaverslide Dry Goods Worsted. This is the third - or forth, even - sweater that I've made with Beaverslide, and I fall more in love with it each time. It's so sturdy, and yet has a really lovely drape. It's held up so well with the heavy use my husband and boys give their sweaters. Which is precisely why I chose it for this "garden sweater" of mine. Meant to be worn heartily at home, short sleeved to keep my arms free from bulk while working, and thick and fitted in the middle to keep me warm on spring days. 

Those spring days are coming, you know. It's evidenced here by the melting snow, the change in wardrobes, and the brighter, warmer sun that sticks around longer with us each day. As you can see, Harper knows - longjohns have been abandoned for fancy jackets from the dress up with burdocks clinging to each side, warm hats have been abandoned for "sunglasses" to keep the sun out of his eyes (any excuse for gear, this one), and mittens and gloves are abandoned for the work at hand, frequent splinters and all (we got it out just fine). (And don't you worry about miss Annabel - she's just a little skeptical out there, is all.)

Even with a fresh dusting of snow on the ground this morning, we can feel it. The need for spring sweaters is close at hand!

unknitting

Back to the knitting. Or unknitting, as the case may be. 

For sometimes, that's how we must knit - by going backwards. Because sometimes, we're not really paying attention. Sometimes, our notes for one sweater are scattered all over two notebooks, in four different colored pens with far too many question marks scattered about, and one year into the project, one really can't tell what's what anymore. And sometimes, rather that leisurely working one's way up to the the neckline, we should really listen to Elizabeth Zimmermann when she advises to decrease "fast and furiously" on a yoked sweater. Because nobody likes an itchy sweater that reaches so high it could practically touch one's ears. Not to mention the whole 'it doesn't fit over my head' detail. 

Unknitting, or frogging, as we knitters funnily call it, is a very frightening thing. A frightening, terrible, and rather distressing thing (not frightening, terrible, or distressing in the face of Real World Problems, of course). But sometimes it simply must be done. When required, I believe it is best done with eyes half closed, deep breaths taken, glass of wine (and/or chocolate) at one's side, and if available - a cheerleading team of little ones to encourage you along. Doing it in the dark helps, too.

But on the other side of the unknitting, we get back to the knitting once again. And so, if you'll excuse me, I've got some of that to do today. Because those live stitches just sitting there all exposed like that is making me itchy all over again.

Fingers crossed we're only moving forward from here.

weekend sounds

Goodness, thank you for the incredibly warm welcome you gave Taproot. We are certainly grateful for the kind words, subscriptions, and support... and most definitely pleased to hear that the way and reasons by which we created it truly resonate with so many of you. As it has come together these past months, and I'm able to step back and look at what it is we're making, I've found myself often breathing a deep sigh - of relief (at what it isn't), and peace (at what it is). I hope it will inspire the same for you. I think it will.

After being quite glued to the screen for a while now working away on this project, it seemed most appropriate to 'unplug' for a little while after its launch into the world. And so we headed over the mountains and into the woods to gather with friends for a little while. I watched as our cell reception disappeared on the drive so that I could tuck the phone away for days. I heard tell of wireless halfway through the weekend, but pretended not to really hear that, and it seems as though everyone else - appreciative and respectful of technology as we all very much are - felt the same.

There was plenty of noise, though. Noise of the best kinds of all: the noise of four families worth of children laughing, and playing; the noise of their parents doing the same; the noise of ice skates swooshing on the ice; the noise of champagne glasses clinking in celebration; the noise of an ice auger in the hands of big kids going through the inches; the noise of a crackling fire; the noise of knitting needles clanking; the noise of the wind whipping across the lake; and the noise of the mild and late winter ice squeaking, squishing and cracking beneath our feet as our brains told us all we were safe, while our stomaches did flip-flops.

Oh yes, some very good noises indeed. The kind of noises that fill up your ears and hearts all at once until you can't help but breathe a little differently. Slower.

This morning, I'm wishing you all a lovely start to your own week, hopefully carrying with you the best kinds of noises from your own weekend lives!

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Alewives Fabrics ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Alewives Fabrics. In Rhea's words:

"Alewives Fabrics is a family-run fabric shop in Midcoast Maine and has been operating since 1978.  For the past 8 years, the shop has been owned by the mother/daughter team of Barbara Neeson and Rhea Butler.  We carry a terrific assortment of fabrics: everything from quilting weight cottons to velveteens, voile, silk, wool and rayon.  We've even recently started carrying a smattering of yarns!

Rhea writes a blog for the shop at Alewives Girl. Oftentimes she'll let her readers know about new fabrics and other products that have arrived at Alewives.  She's also been known to share a sewing tip or two, a recipe, pictures of her garden, or she may write a post about her favorite eyebrows of all time.... You never know!"

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Rhea:  It's hard not to be inspired when you spend your day surrounded by delicious fabrics, and they seem to get even more gorgeous every season!  Sometimes I am inspired by people's outfits or jewelry.  When Amanda came to visit our shop for a book signing a couple of weeks ago, she was wearing a lovely bee necklace that was given to her by her husband.  I really liked the whole outfit she was wearing, mostly dark colors and many layers and textures.  The outfit and necklace reminded me of a lovely black and gray bee print that we carry.  I started collecting fabrics for this week's giveaway based on that bee fabric and Amanda's necklace.  Even though there are only 2 prints that literally depict bees, I think the overall effect of these 20 fabrics together is very "beekeeper-y," and I am pleased with how they came together.  I don't think Amanda knew it, but her "ensemble" sparked quite a lot of inspiration in me!  

SouleMama: What is the product or offering you're most excited about right now? Tell us about it.

Rhea: We are always excited to make new fat quarter bundles (like the "Beekeeper's Turning Twenty" we will be giving away to Soulemama readers) and we come up with new combinations and bundles quite regularly.  We also like to think of different ways to use fabrics that you might not expect.   Currently at the shop the hot-ticket item is our velveteen throw kit.  Customers simply choose 1.5 yards of our delicious velveteen and 1.5 yards of our silky soft voile, pair these with a throw-size wool batting and a skein of coordinating embroidery floss... Voila!  2 hours later they have a gorgeous velveteen throw that measures a generous 54" square (in other words, the perfect size for lounging and snuggling by yourself or with a buddy!).  The wool batting is machine-washable and keeps the throw light and puffy, like a fabric cloud.  We encourage people to give wool batting a try for this particular project, even if they've never worked with it before.  Kits come with a printed set of instructions, but we also offer a downloadable set of instructions on Rhea's blog.  The throw is a super-quick and easy project: even a beginner could make it in just a few hours.  We've had a customer make the throw completely by hand (she shared that even sewing by hand, the throw took hardly any time to make) and one of our customers had the brilliant idea of tossing some crushed lavender flowers into the layers before they were stitched together, so her throw not only looks and feels divine, but it smells divine, too!  

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

~ The Beekeeper's Turning Twenty! 
Alewives is very pleased to be giving away one of our new fat quarter bundles, inspired in part by Amanda Soule herself!  This bundle is called "The Beekeeper's Turning Twenty" and includes 20 different fat quarters from designers like Amy Butler, Lotta Jansdotter, Denyse Schmidt, William Morris and more.  There are a couple of fabulous "bee" prints in the collection, along with some timeless toiles, ticking stripes, and botanical prints, all in shades of grey, navy, taupe, black and just a little bit of amber-y yellow thrown in for good measure!   

In addition, Alewives would like to offer a 10% discount on all orders.  To receive the discount, enter the word "Soulemama" into the promotional code field as you check out.  The discount does not apply to shipping and will not be reflected in your confirmation e-mail or at checkout, but rest assured, we are working hard on our end to manually change the price of your order and ship it out lickety-split!  If you are local, mention "Soulemama" at the cash register and we will honor the 10% discount in person!  And as a special treat to Soulemama readers, anyone can help themselves to our free set of velveteen throw instructions, available here on Rhea's blog.

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

Thank you to Alewives Fabrics!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Monday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. The winner is...

What a fantastic giveaway! I <3 Alewives
Posted by: Tallulah Maggs

SouleMama Sponsor ~ High Mowing Seeds ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, High Mowing Organic Seeds. In their words:

"High Mowing Organic Seeds is an independently-owned, farm-based seed company dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture and providing farmers and gardeners with the highest quality certified organic seed. 

We also have a blog called The Seed Hopper, where we post informative articles on organic gardening, variety highlights, and other farm and company happenings."

SouleMama: Tell us about your beginnings.

Tom:  High Mowing Organic Seeds has grown exponentially, and what started as a one-man operation is now a thriving business making available to home gardeners and commercial growers over 600 heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid varieties of vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seed. True to our roots, High Mowing Organic Seeds continues to grow many of the varieties we sell on our 40 acre farm, setting us apart from the majority of other seed companies.  

As we've grown, we have continually worked to produce, develop and sell only the best quality organic seeds for varieties selected for their exceptional performance in organic conditions.  We have expanded the selection and availability of organic seeds, we've reached out to other farmers, locally and across the country, to produce seed for us, and we've established partnerships with wholesale seed companies that have made commitments to develop and produce organic seed. In our own operation, we’ve implemented the highest quality standards for seed testing and invested our on-site lab and Quality Control department, we have purchased state-of-the art seed cleaning and sorting equipment, we have built a knowledgeable customer service team – many of whom are or were farmers – to answer customer questions, and we have created a trials and breeding program to assess and develop varieties that thrive in organic conditions. 

SouleMama: What do you hope for the future of your business?

Tom: At High Mowing Organic Seeds, we believe in re-imagining what our world can be like. We believe in a deeper understanding of how re-built food systems can support health on all levels – healthy environments, healthy economies, healthy communities and healthy bodies. We believe in a hopeful and inspired view of the future based on better stewardship for our planet. Everyday that we are in business, we are growing; working to provide an essential component in the re-building of our healthy food systems: the seeds. 

SouleMama: Tell us about the people you work with.

Tom: All of us at High Mowing Organic Seeds are passionate about food and farming. Some of us run our own farms. Some of us have farmed in the past. Most of us grow some of our own food. We are a fun-loving group with diverse interests, brought together by our common love of growing, on whatever scale, appreciation for the importance of sustainable agriculture, and tolerance of a cold climate.

For today's giveaway, High Mowing Organic Seeds is generously offering the following to TWO winners:

~ A Garden Starter Collection!
Looking for a simple way to start your garden? These 10 different organic varieties can be directly planted into your garden or pots, are easy to grow, and rewarding to harvest!

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

Thank you to High Mowing Organic Seeds!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. The winners are....

Nice! I'd love to win this one :)
Posted by: Lindsey @ Theherbangardener

what a great opportunity! Thanks!
Posted by: erin

{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.

. . . . . . . .

Introducing Taproot

Taproot ::

1. the large single root of plants such as dandelion, which grows vertically downward and bears small lateral roots

2. a quarterly magazine celebrating local living through writing, photography and the arts, both fine and domestic.

I am thrilled to introduce you today to a project near and dear to my heart. Taproot: Living Fully, Digging Deeper is a new quarterly, independent, ad-free print magazine. I am incredibly honored to have been shaping and developing this magazine alongside a lovely team of folks, and to serve as its editor. 

taproot is a collection of curated stories written by and for people living fully and digging deeper; people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. In all the very different ways that manifests from family to family and home to home, at taproot, we hope to find the connecting thread that binds us together. 

For there's a bit of a revolution happening all around us, don't you think? Do you feel it?  I hear it, I feel it, I see it eveywhere - in people's homes, backyards, and neighborhoods as we take stock of what's most important in our lives. It's happening around kitchen tables, community and school gardens, and at the homeschool coop as we join together to make community, to learn the skills of our ancestors to craft, can, and garden. We're all digging a little deeper to make our own, choose to live with less, and striving for something more as we move forward towards building a different future. Step-by-step, stitch-by-stitch, and moment-by-moment.

At taproot, we believe in place. That in this modern world with technology and noise coming at us from every and all directions, that we need even more real and tangible skills and connection in this world. Which is why you won't find taproot as an online magazine. And you won't find our pages full of the noise of traditional print advertising, either. 

taproot is, instead, intented to encourage a slower, more mindful presence as it comes into your home four times a year. We hope that the art, stories, crafts, food, and poetry in the pages of taproot will serve as entertainment, education, and inspiration on your journey.

My work with taproot began a little over six months ago now, on a late summer day, as three of us - myself, Jason Miller and Ted Blood (both of Nova Natural Toys & Crafts in Vermont) gathered around my kitchen table to plant the seed. All of us parents, gardeners, thinkers, doers, and dreamers ... we talked of all the details of our lives - from tomato blight to unschooling; from the need to balance the benefit of technology with the equal need to quiet it; from the old-timers around us to the young children making change in urban school gardens. But mostly, we talked of the need for the conversation to continue. Of the need for a place to support and encourage this movement of change. taproot, we hope, is that place, that continuing conversation that we now invite you to be a part of.  

Since that day six months ago, oh my, there has been so much going on! It's a little bit like book writing, but very different too. I've learned a great deal about a great number of things I previously knew nothing about - from postal rates to writing contracts to distribution and everywhere in between.  But what I've experience more than anything else in this new and organic process of making a magazine from scratch, is a whole lot of hope. As I first - and nervously - reached out to the writers and artists I dreamed of having inside the pages of taproot, they each returned with a resounding and encouraging yes. With each submission that came in, I was further floored by the work and art they created for us. Encouraging, inspiring, thoughtful, and uplifting. Yes. We are especially grateful to this first group of contributors who not only generously shared their work with us, but had faith in us and the idea of taproot. I know you're going to love what they've done.

What you're looking at in this post are the page proofs from Issue 1::SOIL, which just arrived at my doorstep yesterday. Holding it in our hands is a very exciting thing indeed. It will be in print in very soon, and begin shipping in early March. Head on over to our website for those details, to read more about us, and to find our about our upcoming launch events. 

Check it out. Subscribe if you can. Tell your friends about us. And, please be in touch to tell us what you hope for the pages of taproot in the months and years to come as the conversation continues.

I thank you for your support...and I'll see you there!

knitting with Elizabeth

Please forgive me for bringing you more today. More babies, more yarn. Oh my. I promise there will be a break from it soon, as tomorrow I hope to share with you the news of a very exciting project I've been working on for many months now. (Oh, dear reader, you're so predictable. I know just what you're thinking! No, it's not a baby. Nor is it a book. Hmn, maybe it is I that is so predictable?) Stay tuned for that introduction!

But today? Today I proudly have more babies and yarn for you. An adorable baby (if I do say so myself) and scrumptious yarn....and my good friend Elizabeth Zimmermann (well, she feels like a friend, anyway). For there is no better knitting company to have than that of Elizabeth at your side. Of that I am certain.

The pattern is, of course, Elizabeth Zimmermann's legendary Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ). I began knitting this jacket quite a while ago, immediately after finishing another BSJ (this one maybe? Or this one?). That's the thing about these sweaters - the brilliance of the pattern, the comfort of Elizabeth's words, and the sweetness of the result - to me anyway - means that just as soon as I cast off on one, I cast on for another. Whether it gets finished right away or not, I think I've always had a BSJ on the needles since discovering it. (And yes, I cast on for another this week!)

The pattern appeared first in her newsletter, now published in The Opinionated Knitter (oh, such a wonderful treasure), and also can be found individually sold as a pattern in 'modern' knitting language on the Schoolhouse Press website. (My Ravelry notes.)

The yarn is Baby Twist, 100% Alpaca. So, so soft. It's a DK weight, so I was hoping it would fit her now (the fingering weight version I made her and linked to above stopped fitting many months ago). It does, but as you can see, the sleeves are short. No bother - I'm going to add on to those soon, Elizabeth style - by just picking up some stitches and making a longer cuff. Just as soon as I can stop kissing her long enough to put her down.

And just as soon as she's done with her tea party.

for the tiny ones

As I warned you yesterday, some knitting is coming your way. I'm not sure what's come over me, but I can't quite put the needles down right now. I think it might be reality settling in that this right here is our winter (whether it looks and feels like it or not), that this is all we're going to get, and I'd best soak up all it offers in the way of coziness while it's here. I don't know...that could be why.

First up in a parade of handkits are those for the tiniest of tiny ones in my knitting world. Anticipating a visit with my newest nieces last week, I knit up these quick little caps. Because a knitting Auntie can't show up empty-handed, now can she? I think not.

The pattern is Baby Flower Hat, a free Ravelry download. It called for a crochet cast-on, but it was late at night and my studio is the coldest room in the house, and frankly, I didn't feel like searching for that hook in there. Does that sound lazy? Perhaps it is. Instead, with the larger hole that a knit cast-on created, I knit a simple little i-cord topper when all was said and done. It seemed like a good 'stem' for the flower anyway. The yarn is Manos Silk Blend, an oh-so-yummy blend of silk and merino just right, I think, for those delicate little baby heads. (My Ravelry notes here.)

It was such a sweet and fun knit that I then knit one for my littlest baby's head. I had great intentions of placing the trio of Solaya, Giselle and Annabel next to each other for some grand photographic cousin-in-knits fun.  But I forgot the little detail of my crawling not-so-little baby girl, and just how appealing those sweet faces would be to grab at. Ahem. So Mama had approximately ten seconds to not adjust her camera settings or think about what she was doing, and get this:

You'll have to take my word for it. Adorable, each one of those babies, big and small.

:: right now ::

Right now, I am...

:: soaking in the early morning light that pours into my kitchen and hallways.

:: wearing so many layers of wool. It's cold out there (and in here), it feels like a proper winter. In this moment, anyway.

:: wondering what Harper and Calvin were up to so early in the kitchen this morning.

:: hoping there's some leftover oatmeal after breakfast so I can make muffins for lunch. Finding ways to use that leftover oatmeal has become a little bit of a kitchen love of mine. 

:: laughing at myself for the eagerness with which I'm greeting a package in the mail this week. A meat grinder.

:: enjoying the way those big, puffy down comforters make 'making a bed' easy for my little ones. Simplicity - and pride - are very good things.

:: smiling, hearing the same three guitar chords floating down the stairs into my studio.

:: deciding to turn off the morning NPR news and just listen to that loveliness instead.

:: feeling grateful for another true weekend had.

:: readying ourselves to begin tapping trees soon. Our bodies are confused, but the forecast says it's true.

:: knitting a whole lot. (Consider that a warning of things to come.)

:: working from my stash and feeling tremendously frugal about that fact. (As though I never bought that yarn at all? Hmn.)

:: thinking about sewing myself some clothes this spring. 

:: watching my five children argue over their space in the three foot stretch of hearth in front of the woodstove.

:: remembering a similar every-morning battle with three sisters of my own many years ago.

:: itching, a little bit, to give that woodstove corner a good and proper spring clean.

:: feeling hopeful. About a lot of things, actually.

:: wanting to say yes to the big kids asking me to ski out back today. I think I can make that happen.

:: wishing you a lovely Monday morning where you are!

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Thirsties Baby ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Thirsties Baby. In their words:

"At Thirsties it is our desire to make it easy and affordable for every family to choose cloth diapers.  Whether you are using cloth diapers for the financial savings, for the health of it, or for the environmental benefits, we believe you are making the best choice for your baby.  Only the best USA-sourced components are chosen for our products in order to reduce our carbon footprint, to help support domestic textile mills and our local economy, and to ensure that Thirsties cloth diapers will last wash after wash. We are dedicated to creating only the highest quality cloth diapers and accessories, with exceptional design and unparalleled performance."

You can follow along with Thirsties on their blog! 

SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to the work you do today?

Saddler:  About 2 years ago my father and I began looking to acquire an environmentally-friendly business that would also be meaningful to our family and was in a positively trending industry.  After 9 months of searching, we were thrilled to find Thirsties.  It was in an industry that we genuinely believed in and immediately recognized that the company had a lot of positive momentum. For me personally, the timing was perfect as my wife and I were expecting our first child a few months later.  Our daughter, Mia, is now our #1 product tester.  We have loved using cloth diapers and are thankful to have discovered the benefits of them before our child was born.

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

Saddler: We would love to continue to increase awareness of cloth diapering.  We find that many people are confused about how to cloth diaper and/or think it is gross.  We think that if we can educate people about cloth diapering, sort of decode the process, we can remove some of the barriers that prevent moms from trying cloth diapers, which could lead to wonderful experience for the whole family. 

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

Saddler: We are very excited about the new Duo All In One that we just launched.  It really is a wonderful product that challenges the disposable diaper as far as convenience.  There is no stuffing after it comes out of the wash and it goes on in one easy step. Check out our video all about it. 

For today's giveaway, Thirsties is generously offering the following to one winner:

~ The Thirsties Duo All in One
( Easy to use, trim fitting, and affordable, diapering doesn’t get better than this.  The Thirsties Duo All in One offers absorbency, waterproof protection, and adjustability, all rolled up into a stylish, comfortable and extremely effective cloth diaper.  Signature tunnel design allows for efficient washing, quick drying and customization of absorbency.)

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

Thank you to Thirsties Baby!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Monday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winner is...

I would love to try Thirsties! Happily cloth diapering baby number five. :)
Posted by: Mama Milk Bliss

SouleMama Sponsor ~ A Child's Dream Come True ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, A Child's Dream Come True. In their words:

"At A Child's Dream Come True we offer a mouth-watering selection of natural wool felt, felting wool, kits and creative supplies for all ages. You'll also find some little wood toys, soft treasures and favorite books for children and families. We're waldorf-inspired, family-owned and operated and thankful to work, live and play in beautiful, rural North Idaho.Visit our sister site Imagination Edition for art cards of reproductions of beautiful nature-oriented wool art."

You can follow along with A Child's Dream Come True by visiting their Facebook page, where you'll find sale announcements, and giveaways!

SouleMama: Tell us about the product or offering you are most excited about in your shop right now?

Debbie:  We just received eight new colors of our plush, cotton knit velour for doll making! This velour makes the softest, cuddliest doll and the new additions are rich, vibrant and round out our selection nicely.

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

Debbie: When I’m available to help with shipping I thoroughly enjoy gathering the items and materials for orders. I love texture and color and am inspired creatively just by handling the supplies plus I imagine our customers opening their package, their delight, and the pleasure they'll have using our products. As far as the most challenging, aside from being "over-inspired", which I define as having more ideas than time, it would be keeping up with technology. For the last few years we have been working on website improvements and I have finally accepted instead of being an expert in technology I would rather hire one. This will free up more crafting and grandma time which is especially important since a second grandchild is due this summer!

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers. 

Debbie: I would say most of our customers are families interested in natural lifestyles. Maybe they are homeschoolers or their children are in a Waldorf setting or maybe they’re just wanting to incorporate creativity into their lives. Lots of our customers are designers and fiber artists. They might be into felting or sewing with wool felt or making dolls and crafts with or for their family or grandchildren. We also have many shoppers who are selling their finished creations online or at fairs. Regardless of who they are, I’m always saying how great it is to be of service to so many wonderful people. It makes what we do a joy.

For today's giveaway, A Child's Dream Come True is generously offering the following to TWO winners:

~ a $50 gift card to A Child's Dream Come True! 

In addition, A Child's Dream Come True is offering SouleMama readers 15% off your orders with code FEBSOULE at checkout. Offer valid through February 20, 2011. (Excludes bulk fiber and felt yardage.)

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

Thank you to A Child's Dream Come True!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winners are....

I would love to get my girls some new art supplies and more wool to play with.
Posted by: Chase Young

I love the Waldorf dolls (among other things)!
Posted by: Allison from 2momstobe.blogspot.com

 

{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.

. . . . . . . .

on ice

This is exactly where all the action is right now. On a thirty by fifty foot sheet of ice, just outside our door. 

It's been a labor of love by Calvin and Steve, made especially tricky by the snow and cold temperatures that this winter seems to be missing. But nevertheless, it did eventually get up and running, this backyard ice rink of theirs. (They built up the side "banks" with snow, and laid down a 9mm sheet of plastic before filling it with a layer of water.) 

They're out there just as much as they can be. In all combinations of children, at all skill levels, with any friend they can convince to join them, and at any time of day. Ballet on ice, hockey on ice, tag on ice - you name it. Their favorite is skating by headlamp after dinner. I joined them for the full moon evening skatefest this week, and oh, it really was lovely. The bright moon, the crisp air, the sound of those skates on ice.

I must confess, though, that I haven't been on the ice this year. I much prefer the softer-landing onto snow that cross-country skiing provides when I inevitably fall. Besides, someone has to be the one to make all the popcorn and hot cocoa that's required by such a sport as this, yes? And put the skates on, and take them off, and warm up fingers and toes that come in. And if I'm very, very lucky, everyone will be content on ice - or watching those on ice - just long enough for me to cheer happily from where I sit, knitting just a row or two.

Yes, we all quite like this backyard skating.

a vest for annabel

Baby Girl got herself a new wardrobe staple this week. A Pebble vest - a favorite knit of mine - with a pink flair. It's knit with Foxfire Fibre, in (barely) just one skein, leftover from Adelaide's sweater of last year. 

Annabel has been wearing Harper's old (original) Pebble, but just recently outgrew it. (He can actually still wear this one, which is so fabulous.) The pattern, using a DK weight, makes for a small vest, so I just upped it all a bit by using this worsted weight yarn, adding ten rows (and one buttonhole) to the body, as well as lengthening the straps just a tiny bit. (Ravelry link here.)

This vest is such a quick and lovely knit, honestly I think it took longer to figure out the buttons than it did to knit the actual vest. My first try - these delicate, sweet purple gems seemed a lovely match. But the second I put it on her, and her fabulously chubby baby belly, they popped right off as you can see. It bothered her none, of course, but back to the button stash I went. 

I did manage to scrounge together eight matching vintage buttons for it, and they are sturdy and large enough to handle all that she can dish out in the way of stretching in the belly region. Success.

I love vests for little babes in wintertime. She's on the go, crawling everywhere these days, and goodness it's cold down there on the ground! She is beyond the constraints of rugs and sheepskins now, this little one. So a layer of woolens underneath and as many layers of wool as I can put on top, without bulking her up too much, is wonderful. Vests work well, I think, for keeping that body core warm and snug. 

She's got a thing for sticking out her tongue right now. I'm sure it's teething, or something, but goodness, it makes us all giggle, which just makes her giggle, tongue still out all the while. She's a little sweet pea, this one. We love her so.

a kitchen apothecary

Sometime last year, my parents delivered this cabinet to us. (Because they had three.) They might have thought I was going to place my great-grandmother's china on the shelves, and freshly pressed linens below. But then again, they know me, and very well might have guessed that it would be stocked full of yarn, or fabric, or jars of beeswax and oils.

I was very excited to turn it into my little kitchen apothecary. Full of lotions, oils, wax, wicks, jars, salts, herbs and all the other good stuff needed to make the concoctions we love and use so much. 

The top shelves above are full of the overflow-vintage-teacup stock, but only until I can find a proper place for them, or let go of a few of them (see aforementioned genetic need to collect), at which time I anticipate more jars of homegrown herbs filling those shelves. (Just as soon as I can get that garden planted.) The bottom drawers, as you can see, are full of more salts and herbs and good stuff. It makes me so happy to walk by and see all the bottles and jars lined up and ready for making, and to have it all so accessible in the kitchen is rather dreamy.

And now...wanna know what Steve and I do for fun on a Saturday night after the kids go to sleep?

We make soap! 

This soap making is a relatively new little hobby of mine, but one I've harbored in the plans for so long. As evidenced by the books on my shelves and the molds in my cupboard, I thought about soap making for a long time before I dared to give it a go. It's, you know, that whole lye thing that was kinda freaking me out. Lye! But once our pantry started filling up with jars of rendered lard from our pigs (this is how I render the lard), I knew it was time to get over it and make ourselves some cold process soap.

(Yes, those are ski goggles. Because I couldn't find an extra pair of safety goggles to dedicate to soapmaking, but I did find an extra pair of ski goggles in the dress up bin. It works. And it keeps us laughing. See? Wild and crazy Saturday nights!)

The soap books on my shelves: 

The Soapmaker's Companion: A Comprehensive Guide with Recipes, Techniques & Know-How 
The Natural Soap Book: Making Herbal and Vegetable-Based Soaps
Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Traditional Handmade Soap Quickly, Safely, and Reliably

The last title - Smart Soapmaking - is the one that finally got me over the hump to just go for it. I think Anne Watson is the Elizabeth Zimmermann of the soap world - a frugal, common sense gal, who says, "Don't overcomplicate things. Just make soap." (She didn't say that exactly, but that's what I got from it.) Love that kind of advice.

Supplies I've gathered:

Mountain Rose Herbs (where most of my oils come from)
Bramble Berry (where most of my more soap-specific supplies have come from, including the mold)

Some online recipes I've had success with:

Renee's Holiday Spice Soap (this one is our favorite)
Soap Making Essentials CocoRosa (lots of great info on that site) 
Miller's Oatmeal and Honey Soap 

Having made just a half a dozen batches or so in the past few months, I wouldn't dare give any soapmaking advice here today. But perhaps those links will get you started, and surely, many of you are soapmakers and can jump into the comments with your own wisdom.

I will tell you, though, that I've been having such fun making soap, sharing it, giving it away, and using it too. I'm looking forward to getting just a little bit more confident with it all so I can start tweaking recipes to fit the seasons and the various skin needs of all of us. For now, we're working our way through the soaps I have made. At each sink and tub in the house, you'll find a bar...and usually a very eager tester at the ready. Because we all love playing with soap!

at home

I get a little giddy when I watch approaching weekend dates on the family calendar stay clear. I love and am so grateful for all the good and fun things that sometimes fill our days, of course. But, oh, true-blue weekends are pure magic! Even when we all work and learn at home, there's something wonderful and quite different about what a 'weekend' demands of us. When we can quiet the rest of the world around us, and let the moments at home take over - all the baking, making, eating, reading, casting off, casting on, skiing, skating, listening, singing, and snuggling we can take.

Yes.

I hope there was a little bit of weekending in your weekend, too. Or that you've got one coming your way very soon.

Good Monday Morning to you, friends!

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Lisa Leonard Designs ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Lisa Leonard. In Lisa's words:

"At Lisa Leonard, we make great handmade jewelry and gifts. Each piece is hand-crafted and is truly unique. We know you'll find a treasure to warm your heart for years!"

Follow along with Lisa on her blog, and keep up with all the latest jewelry news on the Lisa Leonard Facebook page. 

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

Lisa:  Typically I get up around 6am and check over my email quickly. After I get the boys to school it's time to connect with my team, create a priority list for the day and work as efficiently as I can. Once I pick the boys up from school, it's homework, tidy the house and prepare dinner. Sometimes I squeeze in a little blogging or email in the evenings—but I try to keep the evenings family focused if possible!

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into the work you do?

Lisa: One great thing about owning our business is the flexibility it provides. I bring the boys to the workshop once in a while {and they love it there} but mostly I am able to work around their schedules. I drop them off and pick them up from school every day. We have mellow weekends together. If they are sick, I stay home with them. I love that!

For today's giveaway, Lisa Leonard is generously offering the following to TWO winners:

~ a $50 gift card to Lisa Leonard Designs!

In addition, Lisa is offering SouleMama readers 15% off all orders placed by February 28th. Use code lovewell15 at checkout.

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

Thank you to Lisa Leonard!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Monday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winners are....

I have my eye on some Lisa Leonard gifts. Would love to have a chance to make a dent in all I'm about to spend. :)
Posted by: Ginger

wow once more lisa leonard, i love her work
Posted by: Daniela

 

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Coastal Knits ~

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

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Coastal Knits. In Alana and Hannah's words:

"Knitwear designers Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig are two friends living on opposite ends of the United States. They have come together to produce Coastal Knits, a compilation of ten fresh designs inspired by Alana's California and Hannah's Maine coastlines. Each design captures the essence of their favorite local destinations, and is accompanied by photographs and essays on the location's special meaning to the designer. It is a personal, inspiration-based collection of sweaters and accessories that knitters of all levels will appreciate. "

Follow along with Hannah on her blog, Knitbot, and Alana on hers, Never Not Knitting.

SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to the work you do today?

Hannah:  We met a few years ago and have kept in close contact ever sense.  We both self publish knitting patterns and sell them on-line and wholesale to yarn shops.  We would often go to each other to bounce ideas off and ask advice.  Working at home, alone, it's really nice to have someone to connect with who completely understands what you're trying to do! At the beginning of 2011, Alana was thinking about self publishing an entire book of patterns, but was nervous to try it alone.  I liked the idea of a collaboration, and quickly the ideas were flowing.  The fact that we lived on opposite coast lines seemed like an interesting theme,  and we each were immediately inspired to design.

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

Alana: Being a work at home mom, my typical work day is fairly chaotic! I'm sure that Hannah can relate to this as well. I often get the majority of my work done during the time when my six year old is at school and my 3 month old is napping, but I squeeze in little spurts of productivity in between my daily routine of doing laundry, playing barbies, and changing diapers. :) I am always going in and out of the office answering quick emails throughout the day. It's crazy, but I am glad to have the type of job that allows me to stay home with my kids. 

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Alana: I find that nature is what inspires my design work the most. Botanical elements and warm earthy colors seem to keep making a regular appearance in my knitwear design.

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

Hannah: There are a lot of things I love about my job.  I love working with yarn, I love my industry, and I love the freedom that comes with self publishing.  The challenge is that it's a lot of work to self publish!  When you have small children you have to be balanced about how much of a project you can take on at once.  It can be hard to shut your brain off or switch gears when you're in innovation mode. 

SouleMama: How do you keep yourself motivated and avoid burnout?

Hannah: It's taken me awhile to come around to this as I am not by nature a scheduled person, but I've had to schedule my work / creative time into my life so I can be sure it happens.  My husband also has a creative job.  We try to communicate at the beginning of each week to be sure that we each have the time and space we need to accomplish what we'd like.

Alana: I've made an effort recently to reserve the majority of evenings and weekends for family time. This is hard for me because there always seems to be so much work to do! But when I stick to this schedule it really does help me to maintain balance and motivation. Those emails can always wait until Monday. :) 

SouleMama: Is there a special place that inspires you?

Hannah: Coastal Knits was a great place to talk about what inspires me.  For the collection Alana and I each chose 5 locations that are especially meaningful to us and featured these, talking about what makes that particular spot so special.  I am very inspired by Maine, by the ocean that's steps from my door, by our rocky coast line.  I'm also inspired by the hard working people in my community, we know a lot of people who own their own businesses and it's inspiring to be among them. 

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

Alana: Very soon Hannah and I will be releasing some more patterns inspired by our coastlines.. this time for little ones! 

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your work?

Alana: I've always enjoyed involving my daughter as much as possible! She has modeled almost every one of my children's designs, she has helped me package up orders, and she has even appeared as a guest on my knitting podcast. I have tried to instill a creative spirit in her since she was very young, while making work time also fun for everyone.  I hope she will look back on these moments with fond memories. 

For today's giveaway, Coastal Knits is generously offering the following to TWO winners:

~ a copy of Coastal Knits, signed by the authors!  
(It's a 92 page soft-cover book featuring 10 original designs.)

In addition, Coastal Knits is offering SouleMama readers 15% off your copy of Coastal Knits. Enter code "soulemama" at checkout. Offer valid through February 29th.  

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

Thank you to Coastal Knits!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winner's are...

Yay! I love Alana's blog and all of her patterns. 
posted by: sharon s

oh man oh man! if i don't win I will be buying this one for sure! beautiful!
posted by: mariah655

{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.

. . . . . . . .

hat knitting

It's been so long since I've made one, I nearly forgot the wondrous nature of hat knitting. Quick, easy, satisfying, stash-busting, pattern-liberating, and oh-so-portable. It can go anywhere with me. Anywhere. 

This one was truly an on-the-fly knit, grabbing the closest weighted yarns from the top of the 'leftover yarn' basket, and mixing it up together. I think there's some Fibre Company Terra there, and some Madelintosh combined with a bit of Kidsilk Haze. I didn't follow a pattern, but cast on for a long 3x1 rib brim, and knit the rest of the way, decreasing evenly when I thought it was 'about' right. (A similarly super simple knit hat pattern can be found on Petite Purls, with actual instructions and measurements - a novel idea.)

The funny thing about knitting that way is that I wasn't really sure who it was going to fit. We had a little try-on session that makes me giggle just thinking about it. Adelaide was happy that her head proved to be just the right size for Mama's spontaneous hat knit. And the boys quickly found their way to that leftover basket, chosen yarn in hand, with pleas of more hats for them. Well, why not? I love a reason to give a resounding "yes!" to these guys of mine.

Ah, the magic of hat knitting.

for the newest eater amongst us

Annabel Edrie has decided that she'd like to be the earliest eater of all of my babes, and well, that she is. Passing all this Mama's marks of readiness - does she have teeth? Is she using a pincer grasp? Can she sit up? Does she have interest? - she recently joined us at the table, at just over eight months old now. At first, it was with bowl and spoon to mimic what we were doing (her bowl and spoon are from here), then a little bit of water in a cup, and then it wasn't long before she got louder (and louder) asking for food - just like the rest of us.

We acquired a "new" high chair since Harper was in one. Some dear friends passed on this lovely chair, no longer in use by their big and growing grandchildren. It's such a sweet and funny thing - high chair, rolling chair, and potty (yes, potty) all in one! Oh my. See how it folds onto itself up there? I imagine we'll use it just as a high chair, but still...so very sturdy, functional, sweet and full of the good energy of many babies who have sat here.

In the beginning, I slipped a sheepskin in here for her comfort, but once food entered the picture, that got a little ridiculous to clean after each meal. So Annabel and I headed into the studio for a little bit of making in the form of chair pads for her seat. I used a piece of high-density foam chairpads (like this) as the base for each, and a sturdy linen/cotton blend fabric from the Echino collection. The cover has snaps on the back for easy removal and washing, with contrasting fabric for the ties. Simple and good.

(Her cup is a mini version of the bigger kids cups, which I bought locally at Nest in Brunswick. But the mini one I found online here.)

With that done, now my little girl can eat in comfort and style. For there's a whole root cellar full of squash that she herself is putting quite a dent in (I simply bake it and cut it into chunks she can pick up and eat), and all that applesauce I made her. We've been telling her all about the garden, too, and all the goodness that she'll soon be eating from there. I think she's excited about that. We're excited to share it all with her, too. 

1 February

. . . . . . . .

Hello, February!

Welcome (and welcome back!) to the newest Sponsors here at SouleMama ~ 

Dryerpods 
~ the eco-friendly way to dry your clothes

Seed & Sky
~ jewelry for your unique spirit

Monaluna 
~ fresh. organic. fabric.

Sweet Skins
~ organic apparel

     

I'm grateful for their support, and pleased to be sharing this space with them. I encourage you to check out their wonderful offerings in the days to come! 

. . . . . . . .