while listening to sloan earlier this evening, i was inspired to make a little something special for my love. don't spill the beans. xoxo
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btw :: guess who's five years old now? can someone tell me how that happened so quickly? i swear just a moment ago i was holding a pair of 4 lb. babes in the palms of my hands. please, someone pinch me. life is too beautiful. xoxo
during the recent blur that has filled our days of late with running around, last minute schedule changes, too many doctors visits, things not getting done at home, and all around unsettledness, i have found a safe place to land. what is it that makes me happy?
well, in addition to morning snuggles while watching the snow whirl about and big squeezy hugs throughout my days, making is making me happy, of course. carving out a few mini sewing sessions has really helped to calm me during a very challenging week. as i sat in the quiet last night by the fire, i let the rhythm of the handsewing take over and like a whoosh, i was back to me. and then this morning seeing these pretties by daylight, another new day started off on the right direction. xoxo
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they're in the shop, if you're interested.
and if you wish to make your own, my free pattern is here. xoxo
some days... *sigh*
perhaps you know what i mean by that. some days run smoother than others. some days are happy + shiny + giddy + delicious.
some days aren't. some days are rough around the edges. some days require tough love. some days teach lessons to one and all.
yes, i choose to highlight and celebrate the good. not just in this space, but in my everyday life. deep in my heart. besides, it doesn't do anyone a bit of good to dwell on the less than ideal, to get frustrated, to be negative. really.
so i don't. or at least i try my hardest not to.
and today, when i cannot eliminate or ignore that bothersome stuff, i think back on the early morning snuggles we shared and look past the hiccups. i also thank my lucky stars i booked a babysitter for a few hours later on, started a pot of chili which is almost ready to go into the crock pot, am ready to think about compiling some sort of Christmas list, and look forward to the quiet later this evening, when i can settle on the couch by a cozy fire and do a bit of handwork. xoxo
part of my december mantra - which i have fully embraced this year, having learned from the whirlwind of the past 4 decembers - involves doing things in little bits and enjoying every moment along the way. plans are falling into place for two exciting upcoming birthdays. and we've also been decking our halls, putting up a bit more sparkle each afternoon.
i have also been enjoying some time "making" - a very small amount each afternoon with "helpers", and then more soothing, uninterrupted and quieter time in the evenings. sewing has always been quite meditative for me, but now it restores me, bringing such joy with completing seemingly simple projects. words cannot express how truly wonderful it feels to SEE finished pieces again - yippee!
i've been playing with that superfun holiday fabric again, as it makes its way into a few more projects.
i'm putting together a few dare-i-say signature pieces.
and then there is the wool. in my favorite grey. i have been playing with the softest lightweight wool for a few days and am so excited with what is happening. many of these goodies will be gifted to teachers and the like over the coming weeks. and yes, in fact, some of these goodies will also be available in my shop early next week. maybe even monday afternoon - i'll let you know when things are ready, but i won't be all "buy my stuff!" or anything. we, my blog and i, have grown out of that. if you're interested, cool. if it inspires you to make something similar, cool. and if it's not your thing, also cool.
in the meantime, enjoy your weekend making + decking + celebrating + sparkling + marshmallowing! i am excited about my "training session" to start treatment tomorrow. fingers are crossed the side effects are mild and/or that they pass quickly. in preparation, i picked up the Mary Poppins DVD from the library and plan on being snug under a few quilts eating popcorn and singing along with my littles. xoxo
for a few years, i have been one of those people who had the tree up the very day after thanksgiving. this year, i've decided the tree can wait - until the first of december. in the meantime, we've been decorating a wee bit each day. i had bought a bundle of michael miller funky Christmas fat quarters last year (ahem) and FINALLY got around to playing with them. we've hung up two flag garlands - a small one above the front window and another between the dining + living rooms. i love the double-sided thing so no matter where you are, you get a peek of holiday cheer.
as clear as memories of lawrence welk, the charleston and butterscotch candies, i could hear my nana's voice calling "waste not want not". she was green before green was the new black. who knew? so i took the leftover notches cut from those flags and whipped up some mini garland and currently have a long strand of it running around an inspiration board in my wee studio. i confess, we've never been garland/bunting people, but ever since i made the ones in the girls' room i am smitten, i tell you!
and there are even a few more projects in various stages of completion - will they make the december 1st deadline? doubtful. do they make me happy nonetheless? indeed!
and guess what... i made a few extra of both the flag garlands + mini-garlands. if it makes you happy and you'd like to deck your own halls a bit, hop on over to the shop and have a look.
happy monday, friends! xoxo
sunshine + big chess + knitting + white linen way way after labor day + best friends
improving vision + sewing + saturday NPR + re-opening the shop + superfun holiday fabrics + special goodies to share very soon
sorting through all the piles + twirling with my girlys to the brandenburg concertos + going for a quiet pedicure + meal planning for the entire week + grocery shopping coming in $7 under budget + baking a last minute tart with mascarpone, apples and blackberries + talking music and basslines with the hub by a crackling fire
and the best part is taking a few moments to think back fondly on all of it once again. i hope your weekend was filled with highlights, as well - do tell! xoxo
i am fairly certain that i was first introduced to the amazing Malka via her Flickrstream a year or so back. seriously, how could you not be drawn in by the graphic designs and saturated colors of her fabrics - and then to see all that she creates using her original fabrics is beyond inspiring. last winter while she was in town to film several segments for Quilting Arts TV, i was lucky enough to spend an evening with her talking fiber and fabric and quilting and kids and swimming and blogging and cameras and all that fun stuff over a seriously yummy dinner. she told me all about her book, the writing process, the photography, and how much she learned throughout the journey - and now it's here, Color Your Cloth!
looking through the pages of Malka's book is a dream - i have never dyed fabric, yet she has me both inspired and excited about diving right in. seriously swoonworthy.
i mean really, just the image of those brushes makes my heart pitter patter. her instructions throughout the book are clearly written and so completely approachable. add to that she complements all the dyeing lessons with a series of projects designed to encourage your own creativity - let's just say it's a home run of a book.
i have worked with Malka's fabrics before and can say they are so completely rich in tone and texture, and more deeply saturated than words can describe - you just need to see and feel for yourself. at first i ordered a small bundle from her shop which i simply played with day after day, seeing new hues and lines appear right before my eyes every time. and then i ordered some yardage of her gingko fabric last spring and kept it in full view for months awaiting just the right project, eventually using it to create the field day skirt [shown left].
so when Malka approached me about a month ago about having a look at her book and playing with her fabrics once again, you can bet i jumped at the chance! the most recent issue of Stitch magazine featured a design of hers for a cloth baby book, and i took my inspiration from there as well as from her fabrics themselves to create a fun little project to share with you - soft counting cubes!
simply click to follow the free tutorial!
and it gets better -
i did say this is a giveaway to dye for, after all...
i am thrilled to offer THREE of my lovely blog readers some very special goodies. winners will be chosen at random - prizes include one copy of Malka's book, Color Your Cloth, as well as two 12-piece bundles of her fabrics (which just so happens to be exactly what you need to make the soft counting cubes). and everybody of course can follow my free tutorial as well, so i think it's your lucky day.
TO ENTER : leave a comment on this post (just one per person, please). comments will closed and the three lucky winners announced around 9am EST on Thursday, 12-November.
COMMENTS ARE CLOSED - CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!
** a copy of Malka's book goes to : ALISON!
** 12 of Malka's hand-dyed fabric squares go to : MELANIE!
Melanie said...Those blocks are adorable! I'll definitely be trying them out.
** 12 of Malka's hand-dyed fabric squares go to : BRYNNE!
Brynne said...I already have the counting book on my list, but no bright fabrics. Those colors are so sweet!
thanks to everyone for participating - what a fun giveaway! and a special thank you to Malka for this opportunity, continued inspiration and kindness. xoxo
her sense of style
her sense of humor
their bond
daddy's influence on proper supergirl flying moves
other good (and great) things ::
all the neighborly love these past few weeks, my space being featured on modish, and my work featured on sewmamasew twice in the past week, and a few new + very exciting opportunities (and that's all i'll say about that).
also loving this scarf, all things tortillagirl, la fuji mama's nutella cookies, stefanie japel making t-shirt yarn, lucy and her gorgeous new design, gretelie's oh so pretty wool wristwarmers, wisecraft's brilliant removable quilt design wall, and halloween candy. oh yes, let's share a piece with mama, please.
what's making you happy on this gorgeous first day of november? xoxo
i couldn't help myself, everything looked so pretty.
reframing and arranging favorite prints, photos, textiles and ceramics. and placing much needed tools at my fingertips.
a new configuration of inspiration boards in the form of ikea cutting boards + a shimandsons pinstrip. inspired by rachel to use something non-traditional.
removing completed projects from my bulletin board, in turn creating space for what is yet to come. me thinks cleaning out a creative space is a good thing.
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i have a few things to wrap up this month - that quilt up there tops the list - so i'll be popping in and out with photos of our days along the way. and of course, a good recipe or two. and maybe a craft project here and there. and some very cool news. wait a minute, how is that stepping back from blogging for a short while?
enjoy your days! xoxo
it's pet week at preschool, and some of the kiddos are bringing their furry friends in to meet the class. and while the girls would love to include our dear arthur, they recognize that he is not the most social cat, nor is he a fan of his carrying case (as in howling and other gross things i'd prefer not mention, ahem).
so we came up with a simple solution ::
+ a handsome photo of our furry feline
+ printable fabric (love that stuff)
+ orange backing fabric (because he's orange, mama)
+ stuffing
+ lentils (in the bottom to keep him upright)
everybody is happy - they get to bring him to school and he doesn't get stressed out. and mama doesn't have to scrub out the carrier at the end of the day, either. good deal. xoxo
It's been a long while since I've dyed my own fabric. This book looks so vibrant and inspiring...a must have, definitely. Can't wait to dig in to it and your tutorial! Thanks for sharing the love!