LittlePeeps

To resolve or not

2010-01-11T11:46:00.001-08:00

Here is the tricky part. Is it a resolution if you just obsessively think it but don't write it down on you 2010 resolution list. I didn't write down "Use stash first". I have this problem every year. I love my craft stash. Sure I have more than I might ever use, yes it is often sufficating to have. Really I could write pages about the love hate relationship I have with my craft stash. I won't bore you with it here, really just read anything about hoarding, I think that is how I am with my craft stash.

This past weekend I took the plunge. I actually completed two projects that have been bugging me for a while. Part of my hoard of craft supplies is lamps, yes, lamps. Especially free or very nearly free pressed or cut glass lamps. This weekend I tasked my DH to go out to the garage and get two of the lamps, his choice (he went out in shorts and flip flops in negative degrees, I guess he really does want my things out of the garage, huh?). He brought in one that was perfect in a corner of our living room and another that was perfect for my bedside stand.

Both lamps needed shades. Lucky(?) me I had thoughtfull picked up lamp shades whenever they are free also. Of course the lamps needed to be cleaned, rewired and the shades recovered. The larger lamp actually turned out to be the easier project. DH rewired the lamp and I covered the shade. Attesting to the size of my fabric sewing stash I had the perfect gold striped silky poly fabric, white cotton sheeting for the shade lining and even perfectly matching trim for the top and the bottom. I simply googled for recovering a lamp shade and tweaked it until it looked like I wanted. It was about an hours work-- total cost- $1.00 lamp, free-shade, stash fabric for shade and about 1.50 in rewiring supplies. I think it looks great. There are a few things I would do differently next time but all in all not to bad for a few bucks.

The little lamp proved to be tricker. It had a different set of wiring, options for 1st bulb, 2nd bulb, or both to be on. It was also a little bugger to clean, some sort of nasty was in that glass ball. The shade was a simple top hoop, bottom hoop design so I had to wing the pattern. The shade on the first was easy and I could largely use hot glue, not so the little one, hand sewing all the way. I think it turned out adorable though.

These projects have really got me hopping though. I love my sewing machine and I am hearing its siren call right now. The boys birthdays are in Feb and April and I have dreams of knitting sweaters, hats and sewing quilts. Ah, but it is good to have dreams right?!

Sew Liberated Book GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-12-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

Sew Liberated Book GIVEAWAY!!!!

Do the fantastic giveaways never end. Must find the time for my sewing machine this week.

Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-12-16T06:34:00.000-08:00

Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am a sucker for lovely children's clothes. I have spent more on boutique clothes than I would like to admit. I wish Grosgrain didn't show me this store, because I don't need to spend anymore money but I love this site.

Genius wrapping ideas for the Earth and wallet

2009-12-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-gift-bow-from-magazine-page.html
Brillant- simply brillant!

Gifts I want but don't dare ask for . . .

2009-12-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

. . . or the title could read, In Case the Husbnad Doesn't Think I'm crazy enough

I love this Meadow Lyre
http://www.bellalunatoys.com/musicbooks/items/meadowlyre.htm
The fact that I am not musically inclined at all doesn't seem to be entering into the picture.

Tap Shoes
I so wish these were my size http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34600208&ref=sr_gallery_15&&ga_search_query=tap+shoes&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Thoughts for today

2009-12-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

Random bits wandering about in my head today:

I love my boys!
I love snow!
I love everything about the holiday season except this. Not being able to find the perfect gift for someone on your list that really deserves the perfect gift.

Stuck on an ornament

2009-12-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

Every year I make an ornament for friends and family. I think it is a nice way to be able to give someone a gift while still being small and none of the pressure of reciprocating the gift giving. I just really love making and giving gifts.
This year I would love to include Finn in on this tradition. I am out of ideas though. I may have used them all up this last weekend with the nieces and Finn and the adults, truth be known (you know you loved craft time!).
If it was just me I would stay up until midnight to make these little baskets, I am obsessed with them, http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/. Do you think a 4 year old would get in on the felting?

Still smiling

2009-12-02T05:54:00.000-08:00

I love that Finn loves preschool. Tonight he came how singing "To market, To market to buy a fat pig. Home again, home again, jiggity jig." All night I heard this and everytime I had to bite back laughter. He says it so perfectly.
The advent calendar was a huge hit!

Advent calendar

2009-12-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

For the last few years I have been interested in advent calendars. My children seem to inspire me to create new traditions in addition to celebrating a mix of my family's and my husband's family traditions (interestingly enough both of our traditions involve a lot of swearing when our dad's put up the tree, he he.)

I would love to make a fabulous advent calendar that could be handed down to my boys but the sad truth is that every year this gets put by the way side as the season starts. Lucky for us we have found an advent calendar Finn loves. next year we will have to have something for Grady but this year he isn't interested in anything but the tree.

Last year we bought the Lego advent calendar and it was a huge hit! We bought this year's version and I can't wait to see Finn's face tonight when we unveil it!

I love these advent calendars-- ahh someday

http://missgioia.com/2008/12/frankincense-advent-calendar.html

http://prairiemouse.typepad.com/prairiemouse/2008/11/advent.html

Should I stay or should I go

2009-11-30T11:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't been very good about writing and posting in this space. Now I am faced with the decision to stay or go.

Well, first a list that has been composing in my head for some time.
Things I want to do in the New Year
1. Practice more Yoga!
2. Reupholster a vintage couch in really crazy fabrics.
3. Make a wreath every month out of things found.
4. Take more nature walks
5. Think of new fun family things to do together
6. Live at camp more during the summer
7. Buy less
8. Build up my shop on etsy
9. Find a new house in the country, for the whole family
10. Be a better wife
11. Be a better mother
12. Be daring! Do at least one thing a month that stretches my comfort zone
13. Go camping for a weekend.
14. Give things away. They are just things and I don’t want my time sucked into cleaning. Sorting, storing or listing them anymore.
15. Make things for the family first this year.
16. Knit a sweater for me

I am sure I will keep adding to it in the weeks ahead. This blog would be a great place to document if my list is just words or if I have put some action behind it. So I will stay for a bit longer.

Chubby Baby Car Seat Cover GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-11-30T11:42:00.000-08:00

Chubby Baby Car Seat Cover GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

My Britax could use this. Aren't they lovely.

Love for Heather Ross

2009-08-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

I have been hoarding Heather Ross prints for some time now. Some I have even cut into--I know shock! Right now I am working on her free Medocino dress pattern. I love the faux smocking look of the elastic thread. This thread could become very addictive, I can see that now.

There is an awesome give-away here. While you are at Ms. Sew-Fantastic's blog check out the awesome crayon wallets and the start of her crayon quilt. Love these!

Giveaway at Green Fairy Quilts

2009-07-13T05:23:00.001-07:00

Please check this out!
http://www.greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/
What a great giveaway at Green Fairy quilts, and a great charity to give to as well. I just 'found' this website and I am so inspired. I love noodles and there are some great patterns here as well as awesome noodle packs.

new life all around us

2009-05-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

The little birds have hatched- robins BTW, not tanigers which have the nest next to the fence. They are adorable in their nakie state. Speaking of adorable, check out the boys today! So cute. Both are growing so fast these days.

I think I have to have it!

2009-05-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

Check this out:

Madsen Bicycles
I have to have one! It would be perfect for the small village we live in and I think the boys would love it. I haven't owned a bike in years but I think I'm in love all over again.

Lovely new yarn

2009-05-24T14:56:00.001-07:00

If you know anything about me it is probably that I love to craft, especially with new fabrics and yarn. Check out this new yarn called Spud & Chloe from Blue Sky Alpacas. I love BSA's organic cottons and can't wait to get my hands on some of these lucious yarns also.

Giveaway runs until Memorial Day here: http://www.skeinsherway.com/ Run over and let her know I sent you.

Inspiration

2009-05-12T02:21:00.000-07:00

These are just some things that are inspiring me at the moment. They also share a color palette with my kitchen. The Scarlet Tangier has built this nest twice now in the playhouse. Now that it has eggs in it my 4 year old is enthralled. He watches from binocolars, has to check it out once a day, looks the bird up in bird books and frets about the babies.

The second picture is a table runner I made a few days in the last week of pregnancy for our new little one. I love the fabrics from a charm pack by Moda and love the wooden bowl. I think I found the wooden bowl at TJ Maxx. The tree is the huge maple tree that lives in our side yard. He is a tough ol' tree and we love him for it.

Picnic Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-05-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

Picnic Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am always amazed by people's talents. Look at this lovely dress! Just gorgeous as is everything on this blog!

Kitchen Swap 2009

2009-04-25T03:53:00.000-07:00

I am excited to venture out into a few more swaps this year. It is always so much fun to get a present in the mail. Well, almost as much fun as it is to make handmade items that you know someone will really enjoy. I have signed up for Kitchen Swap 2009 at sew-fantastic .

Hmm, things you should know about my kitchen-- natural cherry cabinets, light blue walls, I collect white/ivory ironstone pitchers and red and white enamelware, my favorite thing in my kitchen is my red kitchenaide stand mixer. I love aprons and usually my LM and I wear one for cookie making.

Looking forward to seeing what I can make for someone. Can't wait to begin.

working off the scraps

2009-04-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have been working on and off with this project. LM loves Tom & Jerry so I bought this panel about 1 year ago to make him a special lap quilt. Well, there it sat in my stash. Finally pulled it out this last week and started thinking of ways to make it up. Using 5" square scraps from my scrap bin together with strips I have been pulling it all together. I think I will use white to frame the blocks a bit. Then I was thinking of quilting the white sections with multi-color thread with words- like his name, Tom & Jerry etc.

This isn't my greatest masterpiece but it is fun and will see quite a bit of wash and wear so I am trying not to obsess about it. Hoping to get this done by the weekend. We shall see. It is supposed to be beautiful weather.

Great giveaway

2009-04-22T04:57:00.000-07:00

There is a great giveaway going on here:
http://thatssimplyfineandfancy.blogspot.com/2009/04/you-did-it.html

Who doesn't love flowers. I know I do. While you're there click on over to her etsy store. Super adorable things if you have a little girl in your life.

Playing with fabric

2009-03-28T05:46:00.000-07:00

One of the many many joys of having a little one in the house is finding some stolen moments during nap time for yourself. Sure the housework slips, maybe you eat a bit more takeout but now seems the perfect time for that to happen. I was excited to see the Nothing but Scraps challenge over on this wonderful blog , flickr group here. I have a plastic tote full of bits and pieces of quilt fabric, scraps for sure. I don't think any of them match but I am going to pull out and make bits and crumb blocks for this challenge. I hope it will be a fun and funky picnic blanket for our family.

My goal is to sew a bit everyday and granted, that might be 5 minutes while waiting for the laundry to finish drying.

I do need to finish up some super simple goodie bags for my big guy and his friends. I can't believe he is going to be 4 in just a few weeks. Love you little man! I can't believe I am so blessed that I have you in my life.

Love for Etsy.com

2009-03-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

I love etsy. com. It is like going to the best arts and craft fair ever and only seeing what you love. Support handmade and WAHM and artists at the same time. What could be better.

Here is my recent favorite purchase from Tadpoles and Tutus. This is her picture but I will upload a picture of the boys shirts soon. I got one for LM- size 4T with custom measurements and a newborn onesie. They are better than I ever expected. Soft, adorable, well-stitched and unique. Something you would find only in the best boutique. I can tell I will be haunting her store for new designs until the boys outgrow all her sizes.

Do you have a favorite etsy site?

Thought for the day

2009-03-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Baby Crafts-Part One

2009-03-04T05:33:00.000-08:00

Before the newest little man got her I had some fun making him some special items. Someone should have told me embroidering on onesies was so much fun. I have been having a ball transforming all the solid onesies into custom shirts.

I especially love this rocket ship from Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To by Jenny Hart. Love this book! He likes the shirt, honest he does. He just like's mama's milk better right there.

I have been just using Gerber onesies (because they are what I had on hand and I like that the sleeves are finished instead of just serged). Some (okay most) of the onesies are his big brother's hand me downs. Now they are uniquely his.

I didn't use a backing on these. Sometimes when doing embroidery on clothes I use a bit of cotton quilt batting on the backside cut to shape. This often hides knots, makes the stitches even and is a bit softer against the skin. I wasn't liking the look of that on these little onesies so I just put the onesie in a hoop and stitched away. I also just used whatever colors I liked in my big box of tangled floss. Worked just fine.

Since his borther had these type of shirts for every holiday I am afraid the newest guy will have to suffer momma's crafty endeavors as well.

Next installment- the knitting projects.

Brothers

2009-02-24T13:51:00.001-08:00

Can you tell they are brothers?

The new addition

2009-02-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

He's here. 8lbs 14 oz. of cute chubby cheeks. Everyone is doing well. We are in love.

Defining Goals

2009-02-09T12:19:00.000-08:00

It seems more than a little foolhardy to make goals for the next month and a half. When have I ever done things the easy way though.

Goals:
1. Fall in love all over again! Yeah new baby! Love up on the family!
2. Only smart, well thought out purchases. Curb the consumerism.
3. Finish at least 2 projects that I have started. There is more than enough of these throughout the house and they probably range from a 5 minute job to a few days. I have been finishing projects like crazy around here in the last few weeks and it feel so good. Must keep it up.

I miss you my loves

2009-02-08T16:45:00.000-08:00

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received."

Albert Einstein

Making Valentines, Sharing the Love

2009-02-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

LM and I have been crafting it up. This is a somewhat major development in our household since he is 3 1/2 and has shown no interest in crafts or coloring until the last month. Being craft obsessed you might imagine how excited I am. I think what finally pushed him over the edge was his desire to write his alphabet. He loves it.

Well, he also loves stickers, regular and foam stickers. This weekend we made little Valentines that we will stick onto lollipops. LM decided he is a big fan of the glitter and glue. Can't say I blame him. These are just a few of our efforts. I say "our" only because I got to play with the Cricut machine DH got me for Christmas. Unlimited crafty potential in that thing!

Who needs to see their feet?

2009-02-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

Well, just a few more days of being an expectant mom. Not sure I will be here again and it is making me a bit sad. Anticipation and waiting is a bit better this time than when I waited for the first little man. It is easier now to take it one day at a time and enjoy the anticipation rather than the anxious waiting that it felt like before.

I am bigger this time than ever before which is really saying something. I have not gained anywhere near as much weight though and this little one seems to be taking out real estate only in the very front. Probably wanting water front property like his father.

It is a beautiful day here. One of the truths about living in northern New York state is that when any sun comes out and it climbs above freezing, everyone vacates their houses, some in their short sleeves. Evidence my DH (who in this photo just hit little man with a snowball- and LM thought it was funny. Those two are two of a kind.)

Slipcovers for the glider

2009-01-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

After: My begining slipcover attempt with my yard sale find. The chair is super comfy and ready now for nursing. Now I just need to actually tackle decorating my bedroom-- must be done this year.

Before: See my constant helpers. Little man and Morgan dog always ready to lend a hand.

It was super simple just to slipcover these cushions. Maybe 1 1/2 hours and 2 yards of fabric- only because I choose a fabric I needed to match the pattern on. The fabric is a super soft chenille and heavy upholstery weight. In hindsight I wish I had gone with a bit funkier fabric but this won't show all the pet hair and kid things as much. There is always next time too!

Long time no blogging

2009-01-07T06:59:00.000-08:00

Still not sure blogging is for me but since I have been crafting up a storm lately I thought I might give it another try. Pictures and posts to come. Feel free to skip over the next part, just my rambling thoughts for today.

My head is in a complete fog today. I have a terrible head cold combined with 35+ weeks pregnant can make me grouchy. I didn't sleep much last night (or the last several) since I have an awful sore throat-- but enough whining.

I have been managing to quilt again. For a little while there I forgot how much I love it. Forgot enough even to think maybe I should just ditch it all, the stash, the patterns, the whole thing. I sometimes have these pipe dreams of only buying what I want to work on right at that second and finishing it and putting it away. The cold hard reality is I simply think this will never be me. I always have multiple projects on the machine, on the needles, etc.

Simplify-- this I think I can do. I have managed to clear an awful lot out of our attic and house in the last few weeks, a perk of nesting. Now I need to make sure I don't go back there again. The lure of the recycled and thrifted items I must ignore.

In the next few weeks, God willing, we will have a new life to add to our home and family. I couldn't be more excited and scared. Oddly, I feel so completely unprepared this time. I'm worried about the nursery not being done- yet we co-sleep at least for the first 5 months, and about a million other things. Really non-things if you want to know the truth.

I'm going to go take a bit of a nap and let my mind wander over a few books, plan an upcoming birthday and try to live a bit more in the moment, even if there is thick fog.

BBQ Rules-- Unless you are me.

2008-05-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

My SIL sent me this today. Since it is my reality today and tomorrow I LMAO.

BBQ RULES
We are about to enter the summer and BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity, as it's the only type of cooking a 'real' man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill.

Here comes the important part:

(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine....
(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.
Important again:
(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine....
(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:
(10) Everyone PRAISES and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women....

We Love our Aprons Here

2008-03-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

Our fabulous Apron Swap Partner on Backporch Friends a Yahoo Group- Love ya, go visit her here and try not to drool over the Harley like I have been http://quiltinggirl.blogspot.com/.

They got baptized on doughnuts. They are beautiful and I just love the LMs. So does he, and he especially loves the thought of baking. It does occasionally double as a cape. Sorry.

Ignore the 6am pj's and awful hair.

Using what you have

2008-01-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

Or using what I have more accurately. I forgot to post a picture of the Christmas gifts I made for my aunt and cousins this year who we celebrate Christmas day with. They were simple and fairly fast. And best yet, I had all the materials on hand.

Among my hoarding tendencies I tend to collect pine cones. Well I decided that they had to be made into something. Little man painted the fake snow stuff on them and did a great job. A few got glitter which he also is very into. (BTW- love the Martha Stewart glitter.)

I think I need to make some more for different holidays and seasons. No reason they need to be just for Christmas season. Hmmm, ideas.

Sharing some great etsy sellers

2008-01-12T05:17:00.001-08:00

I didn't take the hand made resolution for the holidays but I tried very hard to support small local businesses and etsy sellers.

The favorite gift of the holidays came from this etsy seller babypop.etsy.com. My LM and his partner in crime BF both got one and fight crime everyday at the babysitters. The work on these capes was gorgeous. I have no doubt these will be the birthday present for little ones of choice this year. Love them.

For small thoughtful gifts for a bunch of people in our lives I made small totes for a book, magazine and bought bookmarks from boofolobeads.etsy.com. They are wonderful. All got oohs and ahhs.

I even bought a little something for myself this New Year thehermitage.etsy.com. Gorgeous art from a beautiful and creative mind. I can't wait.

Go check them out you will not be disappointed.

(Couldn't resist showing you all where LM was today. Picking out cookie recipes. Doesn't he know I'm not allowed sugar. LOL)

Updates & Such

2007-12-30T12:41:00.000-08:00

Well, the Christmas season has come and gone. It was such a wonderful Solstice & Christmas time.
There are a few projects I have been finishing up. I have more to add but there is only so much light available here to get outside and photograph (that and my LM is not always a willing model).

Here are the crayon rolls I made for a ton of little ones in our lives. They are fairly quick and fun to make. They seem to be a hit with all the kids so far. I got the instructions for making them here: http://skiptomylou.wordpress.com/2007/04/25/on-a-roll/

Great instructions! I can see making a ton of these for birthday parties and such.

Go make a few for yourself!

To mom's everywhere

2007-11-19T13:32:00.001-08:00

I saw this on another blog and had to put it here. If only so I can keep reading it and remember.

I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible!

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more:

Can you fix this?

Can you tie this?

Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.

I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'

I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?'

I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going ... she's going ... she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devoured - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
(1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

(2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

(3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

(4) The passion of their building was fuelled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.'

And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

God Bless You as you build your Cathedrals! (Author Unknown)

Picture is of my beautiful Grandma. She built a great foundation for my cathedral.

Gift Crafting Underway

2007-10-28T04:18:00.000-07:00

(The picture is the last of the season's flowers. Usually these are the last in August but fall just arrived here.)

Some serious crafting has been happening here at the littlepeep household. Halloween costume just needs some finishing touches. As usual I have gone overboard on the costume. I think in hindsight it would have looked the same if I had simplified it. And of course, in the true nature of two-year-olds he no longer wants to be a bird but would rather be a witch. I knew I should have bought a back up costume. Here's hoping I will be able to show the costume on the LM.

I have been canning the rest of the season's yumminess. Not exactly crafty but time consuming.

3 knitting projects are off the needles, seamed and soaked. They are drying and blocking now. Am I the only one amazed that when you wash the finished knit item that they can really be filthy? Is it my hands that are that dirty or is it the wool?

Next up on the needles Thuja socks from knitty.com in Duets Nob Hill.

Warning--- Woolgirl Sock Club Spoiler Ahead

2007-09-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Jen from Woolgirl can sure organize a party. Her Woolgirl Sock Club has firmly established itself, in my mind, as THE sock club of all time. And it is just the first month.

The yarn awesome! The extras-- oh my the extras. I used to think I just joined sock clubs for the yarn but this one sets a whole new standard! This installment of the sock club was like having the world's best sock swap package. Quality, value, awesome extras. I love it all.

Spoilers straight ahead. . .

Miss Babs Sport Weight superwash wool-- Waterfall. I love sport weight. I live in the cold north country and these are much appreciated. Cute handwritten note, crystal stitch marker, chocolate mint lip balm (smells good enough to eat, need to keep out of little hands), awesome woolgirl sock club journal and pen, beautiful pattern and already a contest!

I can see I am going to have fun with this!

New Monkey Socks

2007-09-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

Pattern: The famous monkey socks from Cookie A. on knitty.com

Yarn: Claudia Handpainted Sock, fingering weight; 2 skeins

Needles: Size 2 DPNs

Notes:

I made these for bigger feet than mine. I think they will be a perfect fit. First time with this pattern. After I got the pattern memorized these seemed to fly off the needles. I really liked this yarn. So cheerful. I did one less repeat on the leg because I was worried I didn't have enough yarn. I think I would have been fine.

These are part of a Christmas present. One down, many more to go. Not all knit, some paintings, some sewing.

Yarn Stash Swap & Favorite Quilts

2007-08-17T11:29:00.000-07:00

I just finished participating in the Yarn Stash Swap 2007 hosted by Kyle Knits! at http://www.kyleknits.blogspot.com/. I had a really nice package in the mail waiting for me when I came back from vacation.

(Sorry for the toes in the picture. They do help explain the missing candy though.)

I got a big skein of Sugar & Cream cotton-- I love dishcloth cotton. 2 skeins of Sirdar Snuggly in a nice bright pink (I can't believe these were the least favorite yarn in her stash, wait till you see what I sent.) 1 skein fuzzy turquoise blue novelty yarn ( I think this would make a good Dr. Seuss Thing 1 hat). Some yummy samples and a pomegranite scented candle. What fun!

I also thought I would show off one of my favorite vintage quilts. I don't even remember how I got this one but I love that it is so scrappy. The repairs and rebinding of it really make it special to me also. My DH and most of my family think I have awful taste in vintage quilts. I love them scrappy and mismatched and patched and repaired and loved and worn. I hope the quilts I make suffer a similar fate. I hope they are loved to death.

Back From Vacation

2007-08-10T04:08:00.001-07:00

Finally we are back from vacation. What a great time the family had in Disney world, Florida, at the end of July. Yes it was really really hot and humid. Thankfully the conference I attended was held at one of the Disney resorts. It was really a nice resort with great pools for LM. My parents went with us as babysitting vacationers and I really think they had a great time.

LM learned early on at the resort to be unfailingly polite to everyone he met because this generally resulted in free toys, crayons or stickers. We had quite a bit to bring home so he must have been quite the little gentleman when I was in conference. We went to Disney's Animal Kingdom. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more LM or DH. I also had a great time but one Disney park for the week was plenty enough for me.

On an afternoon I did not have to attend the conference we travelled up to New Smyrna Beach and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Well worth the trip. The loggerhead sea turtles had been hatching, the space shuttle was on the launch pad ready to blast off and the beach was near empty because of some drizzly rain (it was still 85 degrees out). Perfect!

If your family loves to visit national parks, forests and seashores I highly recommend getting a National Park passport. I have been to quite a few parks and this was the first time I have seen one. I think it will really grow with LM and be interesting for him. National Parks are much more our speed than Disney.

I progressed a bit on the Chevron scarf, now at 4'. Not much point in taking a picture since it looks the same as before. I will say that I am feeling the blue/brown strippy love for it finally.

I recieved some amazing trades and gifts (and a few new purchases.) But I will save those for another post.

I Can never Again Say . . .

2007-07-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

That I never win anything. Now that statement spoken aloud would be completely false.

Look at what I won

http://wedonothaveaknittingproblem.blogspot.com/2007/07/100th-post.html

WOo Hooo. I have never tried Malabrigo or this awesome scarf pattern so I am so pleased that I have won. I cannot wait to make this!

I also have been adding to ravelry a bit slower than I thought I might. I was hoping to be able to work on it more. I have a bunch of things ready to add so the big chunk of that work is done. Although I have been trading with some really great people so that is definitely helping my focus.

Weeds are just a matter of perspective

2007-07-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to start with today. So many things filling up my brain. This blogging thing is a bit odd because it is a journal, but not the journal I keep just for me. I don't know if that makes much sense.

Happy news-I got my Ravelry invite this week. I am littlepeeps if you are so inclined to add me as a friend. It is a bit lonely with the friends 0 staring at you from the screen. What to say about ravelry. I could get so lost in a giant time vacuum on that site if I am not careful. Lots of yummy yarn pr#n, inspiring projects, fun knitting talk. I am going to use ravelry to my utmost advantage. I really would like to catalog and organize my stash and this site is the perfect way to do that. I have far more yarn than I know what to do with and I need to start busting a hole through it. So, my DH put up all kinds of shelves for me, bought me small see through totes and I will be photographing,cataloging and such for a few weeks at least. I am going to assign my yarn to future projects in queue, destash it or, in rare instances, keep it until I know what I would like to do with it. Projects may change but yarn must fall into these criteria. Hopefully this will get me past the daydreaming stage and using up the really beautiful yarn that I already have.

I also need to start working on one of my other passions, quilting. I have culled my fabrics and quilting books for the last few years so I am left with all kinds of things I really want to work on. My sewing machine is calling my name.

Next post:Finished Monkey Socks, my 1st pair.

Cure for UFO's

2007-07-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently for me it is going to the lake. DH and LM go out fishing and playing. I sat in the shade enjoying the cool lake breeze and working on my knitting.

Finished: Saturday Market Bag

Yarn: Peaches & Cream worsted weight cotton. Color: Peppercorn Ombre
Needles US 15

Pattern: http://www.magknits.com/June06/patterns/market.htm with modifications here http://disdressed.blogspot.com/2006/08/string-bag.html I made my handles a bit larger (for throwing over the stroller handles since it is a few miles walk with a two year old to farmer's market on Friday's in my village.

Quick, fun knit. More of these are definetly in the works. I love me some kitchen cotton yarn, this colorway--not so much. While I thought they were pretty in the cone nothing I have knit with this colorway has been pretty. I have been using up this yarn on these bags and some dishcloths. These cones have a lot more yardage than I gave them credit for. I have gotten a ton of compliments on the bag at the supermarket and the farmer's market. They fold up quite small but hold a great deal.

Next nearly finished project:

Mason-Dixon Baby Kimono

Yarn: Sugar and cream dishcloth cotton scraps.

Needles: Whatever was called for in the pattern.

Mods: I made it more of an extended cardigan than a kimono due to yarn shortage.

I thought I had enough of the yellow for the entire kimono but I ran short. I am going to reinforce that curling button band with ribbon and have hidden snaps. I was thinking of knitting a big star applique for the back and a few small ones for the front to balance it out more. The good news is I used up a bunch of little scraps lying around. Now I just need to find little star buttons.

Work in progress:

Well I have been work on this last minute knit for quite some time, off and on. This is the infamous chevron scarf. I keep going back and forth about deciding if I like how it is coming out. The brown semi-solid is a fab yarn from fearlessfibers.etsy.com and the blue (which is a bit thicker) is from twowaters.etsy.com. Great yarns but I have to say again Fearless Fibers yarn is dyed to perfection. I think you would be hard pressed to find a better semi-solid sock yarn out there. I am almost 1/2 way done and I am just going to keep moving along. It is supposed to be a Christmas present so I need to pick up my pace a bit.

Anyone want to trade

2007-07-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northcountrymom/

Anything in there marked destash is up for grabs. So far I have been going through my knitting stash-- next up quilty stash.

Trade list:

2 Skeins Rayon Rick Rack yarn in fingering weight. 650 yds a skein. Colorway: coral from an etsy seller. Impulse buy. I don’t wear anything yellow.
Patons Divine- 2 full skeins in charcoal gray color. 80% of the cream left (not knit with but wrapped in a loose ball.) 50% of blue (not knit with but in a ball.)
9 skeins Fantacia Cinese from Italy. 70% viscose 30% cotton Color 121 navy blue. Each skein is 50grams approx. 93 yds. Aran weight.
2 skeins of Lion Brand chenille yarn—ball bands missing. Dark green and cream. Maybe a yard or two missing from each.
Fan Pel fur type novelty yarn. 8 skeins. Blues, tans, cream.
½ cone of light DK weight rayon chenille.
2+skeins of NY Splash multi-color yarn. 2 full skeins 1 small remnant. Left over from an infant sweater.
1 ½ skeins Lion brand Moonlight Mohair—blues.
5+ skeins Moda Dea Ricochet. Color: soul.
4 skeins ICE gold novelty fur type yarn. Great for costumes, maybe?
4+ skeins Moda Dea Ricochet. Color: Salsa
1 skein Crystal Palace Iceland Yarn. Not sure of color.
2 skeins Precious unger yarn. Yarn: Precious unger 50% camelhair, 50% lambswool 1.35 oz. color 1 handwash. supersoft. Not sure what the yardage is on these.
Handdyed fingering weight from Etsy. This is a rayon/cotton/poly blend 400+ yards. It was advertised by the etsy seller to be fingering weight. Color: Wild Piazzi 3 strands twisted together.
Noro Yoroi 2 skeins Noro Yoroi 87% wool, 7% cotton 6% silk. Color no. 5 lot no.A 100grams 120 meters. Gorgeous new yarn.
Sunny Yellow Rayon Rick Rack Rayon Rick Rack fingering weight. From an etsy seller. 625 yards
Noro Himaraya 8 skeins. Discontinued very similar to noro kureyon but with less colors in the ball and longer color repeats. Felts great.
Destashing 2 skeins French sock yarn Bergere de France. A tweedy gray-green color with flecks of tan. Cablenyl—230yds per skein.

Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/northcountrymom/

Looking for:
Indie sock yarn
Cotton/cotton blend yarns- esp. Tahki cotton classic, brown sheep cotton fleece, d. mumm, rowan calmer
Berroco plush
Or Baby knitting books—try me.
Rowan cork

Heather Ross or Heather Bailey fabrics

I have a ton more to trade but it will take me a few days to get the rest together. I do have dogs, cat, and an angora rabbit but they are not allowed near the stash.

Thoughts of Independence . . .

2007-07-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

I think I could write entire novels on my thoughts and philosophy of independence and freedom, especially how goverments warp these to fit their needs. But don't worry-- I won't do it here. Except to say that I had a huge tag sale this weekend (over 4 full-size truckloads of stuff). What didn't sell went to my local fire department for their annual auction. I am relieved to say it is gone, gone, gone!

I am legend (well at least in my own mind.) I am the packrat of the family, as well as the historian- geneologist- crafter- fixer of all things fiber, you get the idea. Those aforementioned truckloads were just things I have been picking up around the house and shoving into boxes for the last 6 months. No deep cleaning of the house or closets or dressers or attic or garage. Are you starting to see my packratting compulsion.

Anyway, these truckloads have been pretty inspirational for me. Time to start cleaning house. I started with the most important space in the house-- my studio. Anyone interested in trading with me. I am going to start my wish list here on this post.

All things up for trade will be listed here:

Strawberry Moon

2007-07-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Since I love strawberries it should come as no suprise that this time is one of my favorite moments of summer. I took LM and DH out strawberry picking. We picked about 25lbs. I have a bit of jam and pies to put up but quite a few get eaten fresh. Lm can eat berries faster than I can pick them. Again this year he decided that it was far easier to pick from my basket then from the plants. Well, I guess it does have a certain logic.

I have been working on a new quilt project and finally joining the cheveron scarf craze. I am about a foot into it and I can't decide if I like it or not.

Things I want to remember:

-- LM doesn't say birdies he says "bwwdys." He loves animals and for many of them know their name, the sounds or action they make and where you can find them living. Not bad for two.

Wild Stripes and Surfing Monkeys Unite

2007-06-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Project: Wild Stripes baby blanket from Knitty.com (http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer05/PATTwildstripes.html)

Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style-- all colors called for except substitued the coal for the cornflower color.

Needles: Size 5 circular-- 32"

Fabric: Cotton Flannel-- surfing monkeys. I am fairly certain this came from Joann's. Red binding.

Receipent: Little Man

Time: This was one of my first knitting projects. I thought it was a great first knitting project. Nice but not pricey yarn, repeated knit and purl but with color changes so it didn't get dull. And best of all for me it contained my love of quilting into it. All in all a great project. This took me about 6 months to complete off and on.

Notes: This is not perfect by any means. My first rows are funny to look at. I think I must have been twisting my stitches. I left them in so I know where I started from, yep that's it. LM is only two. He loves it and doesn't seem to mind the imperfectness of it. He just loves that mommy made it for him. (Don't you wish everything was that simple.)

I did the entire thing with hand stitching because I wasn't getting the control I wanted with my sewing machine. It still would not totally square up, I'm not sure what the technical term for this is.

I can see the benefit of using a striped or plaid fabric. I had no choice. I asked LM what he wanted in fabric and he said "moky" so monkey fabric it was. The colors on the flannel seemed right for the project also.

Also, I didn't always follow the right number count on the stripes. This was a travelling, car, playground project and well, it has to be said, I screwed up even the simplest pattern.

I have quite a bit of leftover yarn but I am not sure what to do with it yet. Any suggestions?

The Not so Itty Bitty Football Helmet

2007-06-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

I should start by saying that there isn't a hat in the Itty Bitty Hats book that I don't like. I have completed a few of the marley's but they get swooped up by friends for their children the second they are off the needles. Sure they promise pictures but I haven't seen any yet. This book is one of my current obsessions. Usually with knitting or quilting books there are one or two patterns that I feel I must make. This book, well, I must make all the hats-- maybe more than once. In various sizes.

The low down:

Project: The football helmet

Yarn: substitued yarn. I had some Debbie Bliss DK cotton sitting around not planned for any projects. The crochet trim, the football and the top sprout were random pieces and partial skeins of cotton yarn that I inherited.

Needle size: I used a size 6 CN and DPN's

Size: Largest-- 2 years and up

Problems: I am a fairly new knitter so I think the problems I had are all my own and are due in no part to the pattern or the pattern writter. I take full responsibility. My gauge was a bit off. I was getting 5 stitches to the inch vs. the 4 1/2 stitches to the inch called for. My hat came out huge. It is to big for me. I see no point in making a gauge swatch for a hat that only takes me a few nights. I know this is one of my problems and I accept this. The other problem I had was getting the seed stitch ear flaps and the hat brim to line up properly. There is still a line of stitches from the join that doesn't line up. This only bothers me enough to make the hat again but not to rip it out. (So you're starting to see what kind of a crafter I am. If you need to leave now I understand.)

New skills: Crochet edge. A simple edging treatment but it felt like an accomplishment.

Sorry about the model. Poor grumpy bear was all I had at the moment. LM was taking a nap.

A Mother's Day Contest

2007-05-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

So I am a little late to post this but there is still one more day.

http://www.5minutesformom.com has some incredible mother's day giveaways started. Go sign up!

More posts later when I get a model. I have been working my way through Itty-Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson. http://www.amazon.com/Itty-Bitty-Hats-cuddly-babies-toddlers/dp/1579652956/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3005266-7777533?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178972975&sr=8-1/ Such a great book. I have gifted a few of these hats and they have been a huge hit. I made a rainbow marley hat and bought this t-shirt to go with it. It was the hit of the 1 year olds party. The dad wants the hat also but I have no idea how to size it up to adult.

Okay, pictures later.

Brief Introductions . . .

2007-05-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

Right now I envision this blog as my daily diary and motivation. I am a quilter, crafter, sewer, fledgling knitter, mommy to an awesome little boy, wife to an amazing husband, rug maker, archaeologist, home remodeler, awful decorator, environmentalist . . .

I love seeing all the craft blogs and the projects. So much inspiration everywhere. I'm hoping this blog will be my crafty outlet since I am sure my family is sick of hearing all about my projects.

I will open with my very first knit sweater that I just got off the needles. I am so excited to have finished that I had LM (little man) wear it right away. Be kind.

The sweater is from Adorable Knits for Tiny Tots by Zoe Mellor, the Robin Hood Jacket pattern. I had a lot of problems in the beginning deciphering the pattern. The problems were all me, 1) not a good choice for beginner knitters, 2) no idea how to do cables, 3) I had only knit hats before this. I think it turned out really nice. It is knit from Rowan Cork which I love love love but it is discontinued. I am on the hunt for more if anyone wants to trade.