SouleMama

{this moment}

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{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.

. . . . . . . . . . 

recently completed

It may appear quite calm and normal on the surface of this here blog, but the reality of our day to day right now involves a whole lot of abnormal-for-us running around, as we're in the thick of performance season. Nutcracker, Boy Singers...oh goodness, these stage-loving boys of mine are in a constant state of bliss right now. As I pour another cup of tea for the road, I'm fully aware that this time is fleeting, and enjoy the ride. Or the drive, as the case may be. Everyone's having fun. Mama too (though safely from the wings, of course).

That isn't to say that the needles have been gathering dust, oh no. There's always a minute here, five minutes there to be found (or created - who really needs clean laundry?) - and I'm happy to fill those few minutes here and there with needles in hand. A little bit of sewing (more to come later on that dress - the wonderful bubble dress by oliver + s), plenty of knitting, and stitching too. My Winterwoods Sampler awaits a frame, and I await the arrival of some linen for the next cross stitch project  (that was just too much fun).

The real progress right now is coming from my middles. With the (big) boys busy dancing and singing, and their Mama busy driving them to and fro, Harper and Adelaide have been busying themselves with needles! Every time we pull back into the drive, there's one of them running out of the house with a hoop in hand to show me, or a pile in my studio to 'frame'. They've caught the bug of the season, to be sure, and everyone on their giving list has a work in progress...or two. Stitched love. A special kind of love...both in the making and the giving.

delivery

We had a very special delivery yesterday. Something I've been waiting for for a very long time now. Years, in fact. Something I decided just this season that I was finally ready for.

A spinning wheel, of course. My spining wheel! I've been looking around and checking out wheels for some time now, as you likely know from all my mentioning of it here there and everywhere. I knew the right one would grab me when I found it, and this one did just that when I was directed to it - the Artisan Spinning Wheel by Acadia Wheel & Loom. Full of beauty (for I'll be looking at it for years, yes? These things matter)....Made and sold in Maine by a father/daughter team...and crafted in an environmentally friendly way. Yes. It's a new wheel out there in the world (launched at SOAR this fall), and I'm thrilled to have one of the first, graciously delivered by the crafter himself, Richard Carter yesterday.

All this time, I've had some kind of silly vision that I'd sit down at the wheel for the first time and it would just happen. Ahem. And so I did - sat down with a basket of Cinnamon (the sheep) rolags at my side, and tried to summon all the videos, books, and people I'd watched over the years to make it happen. It didn't. There may have been some cursing. Not exactly in fitting with my vision of loveliness at the wheel. But no matter, I will get it - perhaps with a little more sleep and a lot more patience and most definitely with instruction. There's no rush now, I know it'll come soon enough. Because, friends...my wheel is here, and goodness she's a beauty. (Maybe I'll just look at her for a while.)

WOOD

Hot of the press, in my hands (and soon to be yours too, if you're a subscriber)...the latest issue of Taproot - Issue 4::WOOD!

This issue came together so beautifully....the art, stories, craft...from such amazing contributors that I continue to pinch myself to be working with. Even though I've pored over each of these pieces and pages for the past few months, I'm eager to hold onto it through the winter to read in true magazine form. This issue was made with that in mind, as something to carry with us through the darker days ahead. Something to make, do or dream for everyone.

Including the young! Or young at heart. With this little addition of paperdolls by the lovely and talented Phoebe Wahl. My babes have been having such fun playing with this family of paperdolls - complete with pig slop and a baby sling (a baby sling paperdoll!). I have so much love for this art brought to life and play as it is this way. 

With this issue in hand, we now have a collection of four out in the world. Our first year! Oh my, what a huge amount of work and equally huge amount of joy this project of Taproot has been. Thank you for your support along the way - the response has been so encouraging - to know that there are likeminded folks out there doing our best to live fully, dig deeper....well, it's inspiring to say the least to watch a 'community' form around the pages. 

We've been so grateful and blessed as well by the amazing contributors who shared along in this first year with us, including Jennifer Judd-McGee who crafted for us four stunning covers reflective of Year One. And as we say goodbye and thank you to Jen for Year One, we greet and welcome Nikki McClure who I'm thrilled to announce is creating our Year Two covers. With Dream, Water, Gather, and Reclaim in front of us for issue themes, and lots of plans and surprises in store as well, I think 2013 is going to be a a wonderful second year for Taproot!

at the table

11.22.2012, 2:00pm

On the table, cranberry sauce, turkey, chicken stew, pumpkin bread, caramelized sweet potatoes, onion casserole, sweet potato biscuits, roasted beets, sauerkraut, brussels sprouts au gratin, green beans, walnut sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, mushroom and pomegranate barley salad.

At the table, we gather for a thanksgiving feast. The sun shines brightly through our windows and we rejoice in a day we can share comfortably out of doors with visiting friends. I think of and miss my grandmother as I iron linens in the kitchen - entirely unnecessary, but it felt so good to do. Annabel draws at out feet in the kitchen, so happy to be in the middle of it all. There is much talk of the "biggest" turkey on this Soule farm, harvested the day before, which turned out - under all that fluff and feathers - to be a whopping eight pounds. (To feed sixteen.) And so we laugh, make a chicken stew and one more side, and are grateful for each delicious and blessed bite of that turkey we have. We comfortably spill over to a second table for the kids who choose to be there (they all want to be there). There is birthday singing. Woody Guthrie on the radio. Whiskey in the hands of big ones, cider in the hands of littles. Friends we haven't seen in a very long time, friends we are just meeting, and so much love. After dinner, we leave the table just as it is to walk in the woods, orange-speckled gang of loud folks that we are. The birthday boy is in a quiet state of bliss to be in his woods with his people. Upon our return, more feasting happens and pies appear, and thanksgiving continues just as long as we can let it last. In the morning, a few dishes remain on the table, but we linger in the cleanup, holding on just a moment more to the day spent in friends, food, gratitude and joy. 

(Last time, at the table.)

w e e k e n d i n g

I hope you, too, are in the midst of a lovely weekend, wherever it may bring you!

SouleMama Sponsor ~ The Mother’s Wisdom Deck ~

 

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, The Mother’s Wisdom Deck. In their words:

 "The Mother’s Wisdom Deck is a beautiful, nuanced kit featuring a full-color guidebook plus a deck of 52 cards illuminating universal symbols of empowered motherhood. The cards can either reveal a message (like Tarot), or simply meet mothers with inspiration and wisdom wherever they are on their journey—losing it or loving it. On this path, and in this deck, everything is included: the piercing moments of surrender, wonder, and infinite gratitude."

"Visit our blog ~ Mothering With Soul ~ which extends our vision for the deck and opens up the conversation to other mothers."

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

Mother's Wisdom Deck: The path of motherhood led us to the creation of The Mother’s Wisdom Deck. We are three mamas, with five children between us, immersed in the gritty joy of growing up alongside our kids. Brought to our knees by the deep soul work that mothering entails, we envisioned The Mother’s Wisdom Deck to help mothers dive into their inner knowing, a force that can guide us through our days with clarity, grace, and humor.

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Mother's Wisdom Deck: Our children sit at the heart of our business. Without them we would never have tapped the places within us that are the source of our wisdom and our writing. We wrote and illustrated the deck with babes in slings. Around the kitchen table, we brainstormed, we plotted, we laughed, we nursed, we cried, we downed cups of chai. And when our hectic lives threatened to put the project on the back burner, our children were always present to remind us that there was no turning back.

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

Mother's Wisdom Deck: We like to visualize the deck like the moon. Just as you can feel connected to someone on the other side of the world by imagining she is gazing up at the same moon, we dream of the deck being an object of illumination that mother’s can tap for inspiration and the affirmation that they are not alone. We hope our blog might be a daily portal where mothers can meet for a good laugh or a good cry, where we can be real without being judged, where we can laugh at our foibles but also appreciate our riches with fresh eyes.

  SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

Mother's Wisdom Deck : Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver

For today's giveaway, The Mother’s Wisdom Deck is generously offering the following gifts to TWO winners:  

~ a signed copy of The Mother’s Wisdom Deck
and
one of the prints shown above by Jenny Jostecki-Shaw: Tree of Life-Connection or Ocean-Source.

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8:00am EST on Sunday, and announce the winners, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winners are....

As a military family I am often in "lose it" as well as "love it" mode when I am a single parent. These cards sound like a great way to help me continue to learn on this journey of motherhood. Thank you.
Posted by: Karla

swooning
Posted by: Wendy

Thank you, The Mother’s Wisdom Deck!

{this moment}

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{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.

. . . . . . . . . . 

with thanks

(A gaggle of children, visiting friends last week.)

With a Thanksgiving meal for eighteen to begin planning for (yes, yes...to begin!), opening night of Nutcracker season to prepare for (my not-so-baby-boy is Fritz this year!), and a little more birthday celebrating to pull into the mix, I think it's time I sign off from the blog for a few days. I'll see you back here on Friday for {this moment}.

I wish you those of you celebrating on Thursday - and even those of you not - a lovely day full of good food, friends, and family (the recipe for a perfect holiday). When we gather this year around that table of ours in my kitchen, I shall be counting you among the many reasons I am thankful. Whether you have been coming here for seven years (oh my) or just found your way here, your daily visits and support over the years, and our time and connection here in this space together is a blessing in my life I am most grateful for. Thank you, friends.

four

Harper Jude turns four this week! On Thanksgiving day, to be precise, which will be a once every few years treat for this guy who loves himself an all day feast. We did a little celebrating this weekend though, so that we could soak up and spoil him for the day without the distraction and flurry of a Thanksgiving meal to prepare. And, well, why not make it two days of celebrating instead of just one? 

His birthday party request was a walk in the woods with some of his very favorite people. The weather and hunting laws (no hunting on Sundays here) cooperated to make a most lovely walk with cousins and grandparents and uncles. 'Mama's macaroni and cheese', sweet gifts made by siblings, plenty of flashlights (he's a collector), and a 'vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and chocolate chips' followed and rounded out his day of love and special attention.

I do so love four. This fourth time around for me, I think I can safely say that it's one of my very favorite ages. Coming out a bit from the early years of rapid growth and intense development, who they are begins to really emerge in definitive and unique ways. In Harper, we see a serious, shy, strong, savvy, sweet and sensitive soul with a wicked sense of humor. He's blooming right now, growing more and more into who he is each and every day, right in front of our eyes. What a blessing it is to see, and how grateful I am to be Harper's Mama.

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Mosey Handmade ~

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Mosey Handmade. In Jes & Steph's words:

 "Mosey Handmade specializes in Waldorf inspired and eco friendly accessories for children.  We have a line of Birthday crowns and also small wooden toys."

You can follow Mosey Handmade on their blogs ~ little bits and bobbin and Morning Glory Garden Playschool. 

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

Jes: I graduated from the Museum School of Boston with a background in film but quickly went into teaching. I taught art in the public and private school system and eventually found my way to Waldorf Education.

I now have a homebased Waldorf Inspired preschool, and just being with the children is so inspiring. They sew and finger knit, paint with watercolor, children are pure creators. So a lot of what we make right now is for them and for children everywhere who are allowed to embrace their creativity and natural wonder.

Steph: I also graduated with a MFA and went on to teach art. I love children so making things for them was a natural progression for me. I still teach art, but I love to craft. Especially with the winter approaching, cozying up and getting out the knitting needles- to create something that will warm up someone else's life--nothing finer!

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Steph: I think lately we are inspired by many of our favorite vintage childhood toys. The colors and styling of vintage nurseries and the embroidery of the 70's and 80's. We pulled together some of our "craft encyclopedias" and have been gleaning all kinds of things from them!

Jes: Also we just had a baby boy, so now a lot of our designs are infused with a bit more boy energy! I used to create so many things I knew my daughter would love, but this past year it has been fun thinking up what things Silas might like as he grows and incorporating those new styles into the shop.  It feels like it's rounding out our collection a bit to offer a bit more for boys.

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.

Steph: We love our customers. I know everyone must say that, but really they are the heart of what we do. Creating for them has fulfilled a life long need to make the small details of life appear brilliant. I think of the tiny stitches, the small appliques and the little eyes that will notice them and love them. We have also been very lucky to have some wonderful repeat customers and to create so many lovely things for their families. A few months ago we even made a birthday crown for a Grandpa (one of many for that family in particular)!

Jes: Since we do a ton of custom work our customers are really important. Many many times they help shape what the item will eventually be, it feels very collaborative at times.

Also of particular fondness are any Waldorf Schools that order from us, we feel so lucky when that happens.

SouleMama: What's the product or offering that you are most excited about in your shop/class right now? Tell us about it.

Steph: We are really excited about our Play Silks right now. Jes developed the colorways based on some paintings the children at her school did last year. They are all hand dyed and each one has it's own personality. There is a lot of alchemy in hand dying things, the silk goes in white as the driven snow, and comes out of they dye bath with so much more depth.

And they are just plain fun to watch in action, from fort building to dress up, Play Silks really encourage children's imaginative play. And we think that's something to get pretty excited about!

 

For today's giveaway, Mosey Handmade is generously offering the following gifts to TWO winners:  

 

~ Set of our Elemental Silks (winner #1)

~ batch of three hats (winner #2)

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In addition, Mosey Handmade would like to offer SouleMama readers 15% off your total purchase through December 31st. To receive the discount, please be sure to enter the code "SOULEWINTER" at checkout.

Thank you, Mosey Handmade!

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 9:00am EST on Monday, and announce the winners, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winners are....

Elemental Silks
a magical little shop..
Posted by: mariah

Batch of three hats
Would love to give these to my daughter. Such lovely things!
Posted by: chickadee

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Nova Natural ~

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Nova Natural Toys & Crafts. In their words:

 "Nova Natural sells open-ended toys and crafts that inspire and encourage children and their caregivers to learn, share and play together. By selling made in Europe, the U.S. or in fair trade businesses, we ensure that our products are as good for the people producing them as they are for our customers. Because our products are made primarily of natural materials like wood, cotton, silk and wood, we ensure that they are renewable and safe.

Visit our new website with over 40 new items and find the perfect gift for one of the littles in your life. Our new items include our Fairy Tale Castle, Doll Pram and Wooly Bear. We also have a selection of Austrian-made tops that spin and spin."

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

Nova: Susan and Ted Blood have owned Nova for 11 years, but the business was begun over 25 years ago. 

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

Nova: Eleven years ago we decided to make Nova a part of our lives. Our boys were still in diapers when we took on the challenge of providing natural toys and crafts for children. While the diapers are a distant memory for us, our enthusiasm for these toys hasn't waned. Every year brings new discoveries we are delighted to share with our customers.

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Nova: As a company, we do all of our own photography for our print catalog and website and seeing the look on the children's faces as they try out a new toy or craft for the first time is always inspiring. Sometimes, they become really excited and expressive, but other times, they settle in and become completely absorbed in the toy. That's real magic for us when we do the photos. Capturing those moments of intense focus and pleasure.

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

Nova : Just remembering how fortunate we are to have created a community around our core mission of providing wholesome products that encourage every child's individual and beautiful spirit to flourish keeps us motivated.

SouleMama: What's the product or offering that you are most excited about in your shop/class right now? Tell us about it.

Nova: We really love our new Wooly Bear; it's so huggable. It's also 100% organic (made of organic cotton and wool) and made by the same small German company that makes our popular Horsie stuffed toy.

For today's giveaway, Nova Natural is generously offering the following gifts to THREE winners:  
 

~ a $100 Nova gift card!

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8:00am EST on Sunday, and announce the winners, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed. The winners are...

LOVE Nova Naturals! They are local for us and I love supporting their wonderful business :)
Posted by: Liz

Wishin' and a hopin'.
Posted by: heather

Wow! I've never seen more beautiful toys. ;)
Posted by: Ella @ Lifeologia

Thank you, Nova Natural!

{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.

. . . . . . . . . . 

beginnings

With every note of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker that rings in my head and ears these days (and I assure you that is more moments than not) I am reminded of the season which we are in. The season of not only the dancing, but of the making....and on some of that making, I must get a moving. Last night, in order to give the soap enough time to cure before gift-giving, I had a date with some lard and lye. A good time was had by all, I do believe (really when ski goggles are the appropriate inside accessories how can it not be fun?).

Soapmaking is still new for me (I wrote a bit about our start with it all here), so this time around I stuck to what I know and love - Renee's Holiday Spice Soap, which was a favorite of ours on the first go round. I'm a little worried that I botched last night's batch (it just looks funny), but fingers are crossed that I'm just being nervous. I also tried a new recipe to us, from Shannon Hayes' new book, Long Way on a Little. The Honey Oatmeal Farmer's Soap has a short list of ingredients, most of which we raise and grow right here on the farm, so I'm really hopeful about this one becoming a favorite and a staple. Lard from the pigs! Honey from the bees! Lavender from the flowers! And Shannon, like Anne Watson that I mentioned last time I wrote about soap, has a wonderful way of making everything totally approachable and uncomplicated. Not fancy equipment and molds, just a cardboard shoebox and a garbage bag. Not over-the-top paranoid safety precautions, just common sense. I appreciate that.

With soap checked off the list, next comes the sewing. This dreamy and exciting pile greets me each time I walk into my studio, as a promise that just as soon as this next issue of our magazine is out the door, and just as soon as the last show's curtain is drawn on this years Nutcracker, the making will commence. This pile has the name of my seven nieces on it. I can hardly wait to dive in...

The elving here has begun! In your home too? 

stitching, all of us

My wintry cross stitch sampler is coming along nicely....and rapidly, much to my surprise. The reason for the pace and progress?

This. This is the reason. Because it's exciting for everyone! Really, I had no idea. I'm always sitting and stitching something - handsewing or dropspindling or knitting. Generally there's interest and almost always someone on my lap, but goodness nothing like the interest that this little sampler has brought. "Sit, Mama! Sit!" they say, as each of the three of them gather just as close as they possibly can to watch. To watch! Because, I've realized, a story is coming to life right in front of their eyes. Each little object goes on in such a relatively short amount of time that they can watch it transform from fabric and floss to something they recognize. They settle in with eagerness and a very honorable attempt to be still, and just a few minutes later... a snail....or a house....or a snowflake is there. They've all had their favorite letter and object they've been excited for me to get to. "Is it time for the rabbit?!!" I hear when I'm doing something else entirely, and am once again brought back to the stitching. I tell you, I really do like this kind of entertainment.

Of course, while watching is fun for all, doing it yourself is a whole lot of goodness too. Thanks to some recommendations, I started Adelaide with two strands of floss on some gingham fabric. She can play a bit with design, and color, and get the feel for the crosses without having to count every single stitch. She's on her third or fouth little patch of designed gingham, with many plans for them to stop by the sewing machine for the second phase of her making. 

Harper is stitching these days with burlap and a doubled and knotted floss to avoid the frustrating slipping off the needle that I find happens easily at that age. He's having lots of fun changing color often, and making letters. He considers each piece a finished object of art - complete with embroidery hoop which musn't be removed. All of which requires hammer and nail to properly hang on his bedroom wall. 

Sitting, stitching, watching, inspiring...and so it goes right on down the line.

a walk with mae

Join me for a little walk today, will you?

A little walk on which...Harper leads the way by bike; Annabel dons a newly-made pair of merino wool-lined Quick Change Trousers and a Harper hand me down vest: we encounter a turkey escaped from his fence (they do that, those turkeys); we decide which turkey will be Thanksgiving dinner (ahem); much to her delight, Annabel has a footrace with said turkey (who apparently forgot that he can fly); I wish I could be behind the camera where I am most comfortable; Steve graciously (and patiently) takes photographs of shy-in-front-of-the-camera me; Annabel would rather not wear her hat (this hat that's as cozy as can be, I know because Harper tells me so); we come upon Adelaide, and Piper the cat, high up in a tree; Steve is distracted by the pretty turkey legs on the speckled rock; we remark on the lovely weather and breathe deeply the autumn air while deep breaths like this are still possible...

....a little walk on which...I show you my new sweater! (Ravelry notes here.) Just off the needles is my new Mae Shrug, by Carrie Bostick Hoge, knit in Quince & Co's Chickadee. I began this sweater in the summer, thinking I would finish it quickly (I'm an optimistic gal) and it would be the perfect extra something over sundresses. It knit up easily - I'm always in need of projects that require long stretches of straight knitting for times when I am knitting and doing something else (say, parenting), and this project certainly fit that bill. It's knit sleeve end to sleeve end, then the cuff picked up and knit beyond that. In the end,  of course I'm not wearing it over sundresses, but it will be ready for next summer. And for now, I'm rather loving wearing as a sort of shawl that stays on. Just right for an early November walk in the woods.

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Magpie Patterns ~

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Magpie Patterns. In Amy's words:

 "Magpie Patterns  is an online pattern boutique where I’ve collected some of the loveliest knitting, sewing, embroidery and crochet patterns. With so many talented and creative designers contributing to the site, there’s always something new in stock."

You can follow Magpie Patterns on Amy's blog ~ Crafty Bird.

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

Amy: Oh my goodness, it's been three years already! In that time my kindergartener has become a third grader who still prefers mama-made dresses over store-bought, my toddler has become a kindergartener who desperately wants me to make him a bow and arrow set, and a new baby has joined our family, celebrated two birthdays and has proven to be a big fan of mama-made dolls (but not dresses, thank you very much!).

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Amy: I really, really like to make things and as a result I have always spent a lot of time gathering awesome patterns, searching out great ideas, and inventing my own spin on classic designs. And, like a lot of you, I'm not devoted to one craft over another, so my project collection has always included lots of knitting, plenty of sewing and a little embroidery (although I always wish I had time for more). You've probably found, like I did, that finding the perfect pattern can be a little time-consuming. Sometimes it means going to many, many different sources, other times it's sifting through a whole lot of patterns that just don't appeal before finding the one (or half dozen, as it may be) that will work. I thought it would be so great if there was a source that took a boutique-approach to patterns. Which is where my little shop comes in, it's a collection of lovely and unique patterns (but not every single design in the known world) all in one place. Why not spend your time knitting, sewing or stitching rather than searching, scouring and hunting for that perfect pattern!

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.

Amy: My customers are so, so great. Really, the loveliest people you'll ever meet. No matter where they are from, and I'm very fortunate to get orders from around the world, they are sweet, funny, understanding, creative, inquisitive, wonderful people.

SouleMama: What's your greatest craft/art skill, and what's something you'd like to learn more about?

Amy: I can knit just about anything, I think it may be a genetic skill since my grandmother was the most accomplished knitter I've ever known, which I'm terribly grateful for. Oh, the list is long when I think of all the crafts I would like to try, but I suppose at the top of the list would have to be learning to weave, so if anyone out there has a loom and some free time to teach me, let me know!

For today's giveaway, Magpie Patterns is generously offering the following gift to TWO winners:  

~ a $25 gift certificate to Magpie Patterns!  
(for patterns or books to start a few new projects ~ shipping not included)

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In addition, Magpie Patterns would like to offer SouleMama readers 15% off all purchases through December 31st. To receive the discount, please be sure to enter the code "soulemama15" at checkout.

Thank you, Magpie Patterns!

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8:30am EST on Monday, and announce the winners, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.  Comments closed. The winners are...

Love, love, love Magpie Patterns. All the best sewing/knitting patterns in one place. So much easier than sifting through all the different sites!
Posted by: Avril

Awesome Giveaway!!
Posted by: Susannah King

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Patouche ~

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

 "Patouche is a collection of heirloom children's wear designed and made in Canada. Our goal is to create clothing that children enjoy wearing and parents will want to pass on or treasure as keepsakes."

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

Kessa: I launched the business in Fall of 2008. I was at home with 2 kidlets and in need of a creative outlet. I was struggling with the fact that though my days were busier than ever, I had little to show for myself at the end of the day. I'm very product oriented was disheartened by the fact that so much I did in a day was "undone" over and over.  I started sewing clothes for my kids during naps and after bedtime. Once I got started, I couldn't stop.

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

Kessa:  Unless I am out of town for tradeshows, I work during school hours. In a typical week, I spend three days a week at the studio. That's where I process orders, work on new products and manage with the administrative side of the business etc. The other two days are spent running errands: shopping at suppliers, shipping out goods and fitting in yoga or exercise classes.

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Kessa: My son, like most kids, has an active imagination and was convinced he was a pirate when he was 3. Despite my best efforts to keep toy weapons out of the house, he managed to turn everyday objects into cutlasses, swords and spears-not to mention the collection of sticks he amassed on nature walks. He would want to wear his "swords" constantly and I finally caved and created him his first pair of "pirate pants" complete with sword holder and treasure pocket. He wore them for 3 days straight.

SouleMama: What advice do you have to a new artist/crafter/maker looking to make a business out of their passion?

Kessa: Align yourself with other start-ups. There is power in numbers and the wider your group of fellow entrepreneurs the easier time you will have of it. It is essential to have a community around you as your build a business-be each others sounding boards, cheerleaders and champions. Starting your own venture can be a daunting task and having others to call on for support and advice in invaluable.

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

~ a little red riding hood cape OR a pirate pant/hat/sword set
(ages 2-6T)

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In addition, Patouche would like to offer SouleMama readers 20% off all purchases through November 30th. To receive the discount, enter the code "SOULEMAMA" at checkout.

Thank you, Patouche!

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post.  I'll close comments by 8:00am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.   Comments closed! The winner is....

lovely! thanks for turning me on to another great canadian small business!
Posted by: faro

{this moment}

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{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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autumn into winter

So it wasn't exactly the Nor'easter some were talking about coming in these parts, but we did wake up to snow. Not just any snow, but the First Snow!  And because I'm the Mama, and Mama's get to do such things as this, I declared today an official Snow Day. Home from our regularly scheduled activities and plans, instead we'll celebrate the coming of winter, nurse a little bit of the sniffles upon us, and stitch, bake, read, and play. There were no objections from my babes, nor any surprise, really, when I made the announcement. They had already declared snow angels, snowpeople and sledding the work of the day.

Hello, Winter! 

at the table

11.7.2012, 4:35pm

On the table: dinner plates that have been set for over half an hour by my boys who believe 'if you set the table, food will come'; two late library books that didn't make it back with the rest of the bunch this afternoon; three lone eggs from our hens who are taking a bit of a fall laying break; my wool scarf and my treasured felco pruners (for lefties!) from a quick and cold dash to the garden for chard; a very unseasonable but tasty cucumber martini with the last of the cucumber infused vodka we made this summer; jasmine rice and a one-pot roast chicken and vegetables.

At the table, an early dinner is waiting. Just one hour is the daylight savings difference, but we seem to all feel it at dinnertime this week. Early dinners, early bedtimes - the new wintry groove. Five very hungry bears are in the kitchen, two sitting and drumming with their forks, while the other two are pirouetting around the kitchen to ABBA, perhaps not the most calming before dinner choice, but their choice nonetheless. Annabel (in the learning tower which has momentarily replaced the high chair at the table because this girl just wants to stand and climb) pours her water from bowl to cup and back again. I know it won't all be contained within, but she's happy, and engaged - spilled water is just fine.  We're all waiting for Papa to come inside. He's putting a new roof on the garden shed before the snow comes, and using every last minute of daylight tonight to do so. There's excitement in the air about the snow and the election, hunger in their bellies, and ants, as they say, in everybody's pants. Harper opens the kitchen door to ring the dinner bell one more time for Steve, with Adelaide hot on his heels to shout "it's not a false alarm! Dinner is REALLY ready!". The boys turn off the music, clear the last little things off the table, and slide into their seats. As I hear Steve's footsteps walking through the barn, I wipe a bit of the water that's creeped over to my plate from the little lady, and sit down with deep sigh. Dinner is on the table before everyone is grouchy and messy-hungry, and it's a meal that I know everyone loves. Nobody has broken anything in the setting of this table, and there have been no tears. No fighting, no injuries, no harsh words spoken. Small, but oh-so-important victories in family life. As we all finally sit down together and take a moment to pause before our blessing, I breathe in and out the fullness of this day at home and feel the gratitude at what's all around me. 

(Last time, at the table.)

a smock shirt

That's just what she calls it, "a smock-shirt". "'Cause it's not really a smock, and it's not really a shirt. It's a smock shirt!" Right. It is just that.  It's actually the Apron from Carefree Clothes for Girls by Junko Okowa (thankfully translated into English).  The shape and pockets are straight from the book, but wanting to use this lightweight fabric for it, I made a lining as well. With a shirt underneath, it'll be a cozy extra layer for my Adelaide who loves to keep her arms free.

The wooden buttons on the pockets and at the back are from Wooly Moss Roots. This Horse Girl fabric by Heather Ross, Adelaide casually refers to as "my horse fabric," and rightfully so. I do my best to scatter the little pieces I have left of it here and there in the things I make for her so she'll be reminded of it often. Naturally, this pocket will fill up with wooden or plastic horses, or a bit of grain for the sheep, or an egg from the day. This girl - whether inside or out - is never without an animal in her pocket, on her shoulder or at her side. Usually real, but fake if it's all she's got. Trying my best to be an open-minded Mama helping my children see all kinds of possibilities they haven't even imagined yet for their future, I never can say for certain, of course....but goodness, something tells me that this girl of mine will always have a horse at her side.

coming in

Standard time has returned, cool November weather is upon us, and the balance of our time appears to have officially shifted inside. The annual winter outergear try-on happened this weekend, and much to Mama's delight, there was something that fit everyone (c'mon Mamas, tell me that doesn't warrant a happy dance? Exciting stuff, I tell you).

Our at home days are beginning to find a comfortable rhythm that will carry us through the months ahead with books, art, games and new craft emerging as the overriding themes. I'm quietly watching what they're each drawn to these days, thinking up similar projects to tuck away for those days when someone needs a little inspiration, as we all do from time to time (hello, February, I'm talking to you). So far, I'm seeing a long of handwork by the middles, writing by the oldest, and doll play by the little. The ideas are brewing...

Such good and full days these are, that end in a messy pile of books read, art made, dolls and blocks played with, and tired children sleeping soundly. Two nights in a row now have found Steve and I sitting around the warmth of the fire, listening to the silence of the house or podcasts streaming, with book or knitting on our laps....and debris from the day strewn about. Seven Silly Eaters tucked under my leg, a baby doll at my side, a Scrabble piece in my knitting basket. The remains of our days.

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Silk Oak ~

  

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Silk Oak. In Jan's words:

 "Silk Oak offers original design cotton clothing, hand silkscreened in our studio in Ithaca, NY since 1977!"

SouleMama: What's inspiring you this season?

Jan: My 2 new Grandbabies, within a 10 week period. As we approach the holidays, the knitting bag goes with me everywhere and the sewing machine is out working on warm, colorful gifts for 1 month old Mischa and 3 month old Emmet! Lately, I've spent way too much time getting inspiration from Ravelry! 

SouleMama: What new directions are you taking in your job?

Jan: The last 10 years have seen a huge shift in textile production in the US, with all major manufacturers moving production overseas and factories here closing. Lowering my business's carbon footprint means producing goods closer to where they are consumed. With that in mind, we are working with other local and regional businesses to see what products can be created here. Not only is this more sustainable, it has the bonus effect of incubating new business and adding more jobs to our local economy. The possibility for collaboration and partnership is very exciting!

 

For today's giveaway, Silk Oak is generously offering ONE winner the following:

~ a $100 gift certificate to Silk Oak!

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 In addition, Silk Oak is offering ALL SouleMama readers 15% off your orders placed by November 17th, 2012. Use code "SOULEMAMA" at checkout. 

Thank you, Silk Oak!

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8:00am EST on Monday, and announce the winner, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed!  The winner is...

Lovelovelove this shop! I know my kids would be thrilled to receive any one of these in their stocking. {so would mama!}
Posted by: Mandi

SouleMama Sponsor ~ Thirsties ~

 

Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Thirsties. 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 great 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 Thirsties on their blog to stay up-to-date, to read posts about cloth diaper and other parenting topics, and to participate in our weekly giveaways.

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

Thirsties: We would like to increase awareness about the cloth diapering industry so that every parent can make an informed decision about whether to use cloth or disposable diapers.  We realize that cloth diapering is not for everyone, but would like for everyone to have enough information to consider the option.  

SouleMama: What's your favorite part of your job?

Thirsties: I enjoy many aspects of my job but what I really love is interacting with our customers, both our retailers and the moms who use our products on their babies.  Unfortunately, I spend the majority of my time communicating with our customers via email or through social media. I appreciate the rare face-to-face time I get with customers at tradeshows and other events.

SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

Thirsties: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.  ~ Henry David Thoreau

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Thirsties: Our daughters are our product testers and models.  We just had our second daughter in August.  We are thrilled to have her in our lives.   We are still figuring out our new schedule but have started to adjust to the new rhythm of our family.

For today's giveaway, Thirsties is generously offering the following gift bundle to TWO winners:  

~ Two (2) Thirsties Duo All In One diapers! The winner can select color, size (1 or 2), and closure (Aplix/snap).  Along with the diapers we would also like to send one (1) jar of our awesome certified organic diaper ointment - Booty Love. 

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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8:30am EST on Sunday, and announce the winners, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.  Comments closed! The winners are...

would love to try cloth on my little one's bum, and would be grateful to win and give thirsties a go.
Posted by: anna

I will have two babes in cloth diapers in a few months, so these would be a welcome addition to our stash!
Posted by: Elise

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Thank you, Thirsties!

{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.

. . . . . . . . . . 

this year

Oh, what interesting discussions in the comments yesterday! I find is so encouraging, and so hopeful for this generation of little ones coming up, that even when we don't all land on the same conclusion of what is 'right' for ourselves, our children and families, there is indeed so much questioning and thought that goes into our parenting. So many people trying to do the very best we can. Learning, loving and letting go along the way. 

Walking from house to house last night with my oldest friend and her child, in the very neighborhood we ourselves roamed as children and teenagers, the feeling of time passing surrounded me in every step. The oldest children wandering ahead from us just as far as we would allow, leaving my mind to wander back in time to the twelve years prior and ahead in time to the days not so long from now when I imagine they'll not want to join us anymore. Anchoring me in the here and now, a baby on my hip and a toddler on Steve's shoulders, and well...that for certain is one of the beauties of holiday and celebration in my mind. The distinct marking of time that it brings to light for us from year to year, standing out from what can sometimes be the blur of the everyday. 

For this year, anyway, it was a warm and mild Halloween night in the Village. Two more cousins were added to the pre-trick or treating pile up at Grammie and Grampie's house. The "really, really scary house" was "not as scary as it used to be" to one, and so frightening to another that she avoided the entire street. Mama was talked into pizza for dinner (with turkey and quinoa stew waiting at home to fill our bellies 'after'). The oldest pushed buttons and boundaries and then warmed my heart. The youngest made us all laugh over and over and then retreated into the arms of her grandmother and wouldn't let go.

Time marches on. And this year, this halloween, it was to the beat of a secret agent robber, an 80's punk rocker, a clown, a purple dragon, and a scandinavian prairie clown (a true compromise/collaboration if ever I did see one).

1 November

Turkeys and kale remain in the November garden.

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Hello, November! 

And a warm Welcome (and Welcome back!) to the newest Sponsors to join us here at SouleMama!

Golly Bard 

Acadia Wheel & Loom (from Infinite Twist)

Satch & Sol

With gratitude to them, along with all of our ongoing sponsors, and you as well for your daily presence here ... I encourage you to check out their beautiful, creative, handmade, thoughtful offerings in the days and weeks to come. 

Cheers to November!

     

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