little blond Leia

31Oct09

I found most of the instructions here.

We were at a party.  She wasn’t in the mood for a photo shoot…

… until I found her watching a Halloween flick:

We added the wool buns – they double as earmuffs.   I’ll try to get photos of my Dragon-slaying King and Witch up this evening at some point (their costumes were more assembled, than made).   Actually wait… here is my little Witch:

AZ made the broom!  And E loved that she could call her sister an “Evil Witch” without getting into trouble.

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we’re in

28Oct09

and back Online!  Lots to do, but no “have to” dos.  It is a nice position to be in.  The previous owners lived here for 49 years.   Aside from some particularly icky bathroom tile, their tastes were quite similar to ours.

The garden is big and extremely well cared for (gulp).  There is no veggie plot.  For now, I am trying to figure out where to squeeze my garlic in amongst the perennials.

I’ll be back in a day or two with a Halloween update.

Filed under: Nesting   |  2 Comments

prayer flags

21Oct09

As promised, here are some photos of S’s birthday prayer flags – all sewn up and ready for her new room:

The classic signature of my 90-year-old grandmother:

We used both permanent markers and Identi-Pens.  I would recommend using the Identi-Pens or a similar type of fabric pen.  The permanent markers bled.  Also, I tried to ask people to write or draw something special about S, rather than draw a birthday card.  I didn’t want to end up with 35 “Happy 6th Birthday S!” flags.

I would most definately do this project again.  If you haven’t been there already, Future Craft Collective has many great ideas and an inspiring community ethic.  Read the “What are we doing?” and Why do we do it?” on the first page of their website.  This flag idea was from them.

Filed under: Community love, Crafts   |  2 Comments

crafting for good

18Oct09

I have been reading Knitting for Good, by Betsy Greer (see Craftivism).  It’s not so much about knitting as making stuff.  Making stuff together, alone, as therapy, as a way to connect with others, as a way to slow down and as a way to battle mass produced stuff.  With the move and all (hasn’t happen yet.  Friday.  I started packing way too early), I have lost my focus.  Maybe it’s the ridiculous amounts of driving I have been doing?  (commuting=life suckage)  So, last night, inspired by this book, I went on a rampage.  The ideas are flowing, the fabric is cut and the machine is once again dominating the living room.

My girlfriend asked if I wanted to participate in her church craft sale again this year.  I haven’t been able to give her an answer.  I do have some wares organized to sell, but I am not sure I am making what I really want to be making.  At some point, I will have to venture beyond hats and barrettes.  Maybe it’s time for another year of clothes-making? (putting it in writing is the first step!)

The best part about the craft sale is being with the other crafters.   And, this particular community does amazing things for one another.  I wouldn’t mind picking up some beautiful pottery as well.  Check out the clay necklace I bought last year:

Sorry for rambling today.  My overall point here is that crafting is good and sharing it with others is better.  I will keep you posted.

Filed under: Community love, Crafts   |  2 Comments

turkeys

14Oct09

Not sure if they are gobbling or getting ready to eat the poor birds (I guess that would be gobbling too)…

This was last week.

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weekend

11Oct09

I will write about sewing again soon…  Actually, I’ve been making Shirlies for the nieces and nephews lately (seven down, one to go!).  I’ll get some pictures together soon.  Promise.

This breakfast shoot was last weekend, but the scene this morning was pretty much the same:

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older kids at the park

08Oct09

I have the kids I used to be scared of.  The ones who would play tag on the jungle gym around my precious toddler – like giant monsters, leaping over their feathery little heads.  I used to anxiously search the playground for their parents, silently begging them to stop the game before someone got hurt.

Now I have the rowdy ones.  All I see are their giant shoes, swinging off of the monkey bars.  They climb up the slide and scramble over top of wee 18 month-olds (waiting innocently at the top for a turn).  Park etiquette is now all about not hurting babies, rather than how to share your sand toys and not to get pummelled by the swing.

As you can see, today we dominated the baby swings.  Thankfully, no little ones were waiting for them.  Though, I am almost sure my lovelies would have shared.

Even my littlest baby isn’t such a baby anymore.  We are making progress on the two wheeler:

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good weekend

04Oct09

no really.  It was a good weekend.  We gardened and packed and cleaned the garage and ate Chinese food and watched Star Wars all together.

Did I mention that our new nest will have a sewing room?

Filed under: Nesting, Sewing resources   |  4 Comments

golf shpants

30Sep09

AZ was invited to a golf tournament/fundraiser thingy.  Instead of digging around the closet for something crisp, clean and (ahem) preppy, AZ decided to make his own golf shpants (short pants).

Have you ever heard of the term “cool nerd”?  Well, that’s the kind of guy you want to hook up with.  Note the orange thread he sourced to sew on the button.

At least one golfer (golfist?) requested a pair.   Lovely.

Also, check out this song.  It gives me the chills.

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knitting update

28Sep09

I spent most of my week in Ontario knitting… during card games, at the jumping rocks, on the dock, during Happy Hour…   E’s sweater progressed quickly, but I found that when I got home, I was tired!  All of my relaxing time was spent trying to make perfect stitches!  Huh.  My head and shoulders needed a break.  So I took one.

I have managed to complete a few of rows this week, conscientiously relaxing my shoulders and thinking calm thoughts.  Trust me to turn knitting into a stress!  Good grief!

AZ bought me a present.  A basket made from willow branches, by a woman named Maike Polano of Godfrey, Ontario.  She sells her wares at a studio called “Radiance of the Ordinary“.  Radiance of the Ordinary is the most beautiful studio I have ever seen.  Picture an old church, painted silver, with garlic braids drying on a rack, wood piled neatly at the side and a gigantic garden in the back.  Inside, the studio smells of wood and has beautifully finished cabinets and racks.  Colourful brooms hang against the walls.  It is run by Raphael Kerem (carpenter and broom-maker) and Tanya Deacove (bookbinder).  Unfortunately, they have no website but, if you are ever in that neck of the woods (1 hour north of Kingston), be sure to pay a visit.

My very own knitting basket, shaped like an egg!

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