Putting Together

Do you remember these? Well I have finally started to put it all together and I can't wait to show you the finished product. So far I'm in love with it.

Crafts and Art Marketplace

Tomorrow, if your in the area, stop by the Crafts and Art Marketplace - I will be there!

One Financial Plaza

1350 Main St. Springfield, MA 

From 11am - 3pm

I'm finishing up lots of things tonight - like watercolor prints, some bibs, crochet rock paperweights, and more Let It Snow garlands. Also I will have a couple bags, fabric covered thumbtacks, a few reusable snack bags, and a toddler quilt. If you do go, please stop and say hi - bring coffee :) !

Happy Things To End the Week With

Oh I just love ending a week with happy news! We got the clear to move, which prompted phones calls to all the places you need to call when you move (you never really grasp it all until it's smack in your face). So next weekend it's all going down - the move, the switching of things, and the beginning of a lot of others. Funny how you feel like your waiting and waiting and waiting some more ...then when it's finally here it's feels  so shocking, like a bolt of excited energy.
While I often disagree with people when they say "you must be super woman" I feel like I must get my cape ready for the upcoming weeks. There was this wonderful opportunity forwarded on by my mother in-law (thank you) about being a handmade vendor in Springfield, MA on October 5th. I thought a great deal about the moving, unpacking, making, and everything else that you need to get ready for a table at a show - but it's very rare that something works out perfectly with my schedule and this just happened to be absolutely perfect. No rearranging of kids being picked up or watched. No hassle of I need the car and so does hubby. So I just couldn't resist saying yes. Which means lots and lots of sewing, crocheting, and painting along with the move. If your in the area - I'll give more information when it gets closer.
The other small bit of happiness was a small rock found on the bathroom sink. It's been there for a long time, a small token from a walk that Odyn and I took. He can't resist those rocks. This one just happen to make it into the house and got a bit of a makeover. Next time we take a walk I might just let him gather as many rocks as his little hands can carry.

Box of Squares

We haven't moved just yet. I'm not holding house pictures hostage or too exhausted from the move to type. The process is just taking longer than we thought. All of our conversations at home start with "Won't it be nice in the new place when" or "In the new house we can". This weekend I couldn't take another TV movie, so I broke into one of the packed up boxes to work on some squares for the sampler afghan. Felt good to think about something else for a bit.

Package for Felix

Awhile ago I couldn't contain myself and shared with you the Hexagon Bib that I made for a lovely friend and her soon to be little girl. What I didn't show, because I promised myself that I would wait till it was delivered, was the baby quilt, embroidered bib, and crochet booties. 

I debated over the blanket for a little bit. Usually I like to make children's blankets something they can grow into and use on a toddler bed or even a throw blanket but this time I made it smaller. Small enough to take on car rides, carry around the house, or fold into a large tote. The inspiration came from my youngest son Odyn. To this day he still has his "fuzzy", a small blanket that doesn't cover him anymore, that is WELL worn, and often gets toted around the house even up and down the stairs. "Fuzzy" has a hard time getting put into the washing machine, getting left behind, or not being slept with at night - in Odyn's own words - it's his best friend. If this blanket should be special enough to be a best friend to my friend's daughter, than it would need small enough to go many places. 

As for the fabric, I used Hideaway by Moda for one side. It's a nice cheerful collection of pretty chateau villages, gingham, cuckoo clocks, and sweet woodland deer. The other side I wanted to be a bit softer so I used soft white fuzzy dot fabric, pretty vintage floral sheet fabric, small red strawberries, butterflies, and bicycles - a nice random mix of fun patterns all in the same color pallet of yellows, oranges, whites, and pinks.

There was a bit of horror story with the second bib. One that had me gasping and praying that once washed everything would be fine. I know my sweet friend is naming her daughter Felix (love that name for a girl!) so I decided to embroider an F on the bib. I picked out a very Old English Script font and traced it onto the fabric with...pen. Let me right now, not recommend regular ink pen to do this. I stitched away, added the cute little flowers to the side. I sewed the bib all together and even added the pretty turquoise snap. Noticing that some of the ink tracing was sticking out a little from where I stitched I decided to try to remove it. With rubbing alcohol and q-tip in hand I slowly began to rub the ink away, a trick I have used many times before. This time, however, the ink began to bleed and go everywhere. It wasn't looking pretty. So with one last effort I poured a larger amount of rubbing alcohol on all the ink, rubbed it a little bit together, and quickly put it in the wash. I didn't even have the heart to look at it before drying it - so into the dryer it went. As you can see from the final result, it all ended well, but was very close to being scrapped.

The little Maryjane booties I made from a pattern I found on Ravelry. Without the little bit of paper stuffed in them they kind of lose their shape. It could have just been the yarn I used though - not sure. But who can resist baby shoes and tiny baby feet?!? They were a must to put into this sweet little package. Also not pictured were my favorite cookies, the mom to be's favorite cookies, and some tea that I swear caused my water to break when I past my due date with Odyn (don't worry I put the story on the sleeve containing the tea).

I had so much fun creating this package. Hope my vintage soul sister loves it just as much. 

Easy Distractions

My back is getting better but it requires a lot of sitting still. Before work and after work I feel like a big lump. I'm trying to find distractions, thinking about what cosmetic things can be done easily to the new house, crocheting some more squares, and reading books in bed. All week I've been staring at boxes that hubby brought home from work. Several times I've been tempted to get up and pack a box or two but reminded myself that someday soon I would love to walk in the upright position again.
While the distractions are not coming so easily anymore, I'm finding myself a little bored. Any ideas on things you can do sitting completely still or laying down in bed?

Wednesday Holiday

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! We didn't do much around here. The kids celebrated with my mother, I got a quiet day to myself (mostly packing up some things), and Hubby had to work. This Wednesday holiday thing, did mess me up, as I'm sure most Americans feel the same way. One day off in the middle of the week, creating two mini work weeks, just doesn't seem right.
I worked a little on the crochet sampler yesterday, to get myself caught up. Every time I do a new square I think to myself "this is my favorite square" but looking at all of them I can't just pick one. I'm more in love with this project with each square I make. Plus it's an easy distraction from thinking about Monday. Lately my mind has been all house business - that I have to stop and think - Monday I also turn the big 30! Ahhhh!!!

Week 3 Strawberry Fields Sampler Afghan

Can you spot the new squares? 

2 Years

With our new schedule around here it's been a little bit of adjusting, but nothing major. I think you will just find a little more sleepy eyed parents until we get use to it.
My days seem a little more quieter and longer. Tonight is Damien's school recorder concert. He happily came down the stairs this morning. Usually I have to wake him up, but today he advised me he was too excited to start his day. Hubby is going to record it just in case I don't get out of work in time.

On hooky news, I'm almost finished with all my squares for week 2's assignment. Just need to make the ones that got ruined in the accident. It's easier said than done, because during that time I think my crochet hook was moved and after looking and looking the other night, I decided that by the time I did find it, it would be time for bed.
I'm sure it will pop up somewhere unexpected.
It seems really funny to me that I crochet. Just 2 years ago I started this blog (Happy Birthday Blog!) after admiring everyone else's granny square blankets, stool covers, and pillows, hoping that one day I would be able to make those too . While it feels like I have been crocheting for much longer than I have been, this blog doesn't quite feel like it's 2 already.

Today is the day that I start my new job. Hubby and I have worked out our new schedule, which I'm sure we will get into routine mode in no time.
This weekend I finished a book, 'Local Girls' by Alice Hoffman, and kinda finished assignment number 2 in the Strawberry Fields Sampler afghan. The reason for the kinda is because it was finished, kids knocked soda into the bowl that was holding my granny squares, making me scrap three of them. So I was finished but now need to make three more - so is the way around here. Tomorrow I should be able to take pictures and show you how it's coming along. So far I'm enjoying having little crochet assignments.

Strawberry Inspiration

The other night while cleaning up some strawberries for a very yummy snack, I was thinking about strawberry picking. As a girl I remember going into hot summer fields of strawberries, filling our basket full to the brim, and every now and then sneaking one into your mouth. Your hands would be stained a pinkish red from all the strawberries and the tips of your thumbs would be sore. Once home, we most always, would put our heap of strawberries on the counter, like a trophy to our hard days work. Funny how food or smells can bring back memories. This year I think I will take the kids strawberry picking.

There was also a very welcomed phone call yesterday. Tuesday, next week, I will be starting a new part time job working mostly with children as a vision therapist. The hours are perfect, I'll still be able to keep my shop open, and it gives me the much needed time away that I think every mom needs. Hubby and I often joke that when we change things, we really change things! It's kind of that go big or go home attitude. 

So with good news in hand I felt a little crafty last night. I came across this wonderful granny square sampler afghan project that just started. Putting it in my ravelry que, I started. It must have been the strawberry inspiration from earlier because this is how my squares turned out. So I appropriately have named this afghan the Strawberry Fields Sampler. If you want to join the project, it just started, so you have time without having to catch up a lot. 

Hope the good news keeps flowing ♥

Randomness

• Finally took down all Christmas items, then found 3 stockings under our living room chair
• Without the holiday decorations the house feels naked
• Hubby surprised me with orange daisies and homemade breakfast on Saturday
• I'm not easily surprised
• The breakfast was very good, which wasn't suppose to be the surprise but ended up being part of it

• Bought lollipops for a Valentines day shop photo prop
• 4 have been eaten 0 photos have been taken
• Have been doing the 365 Project and keeping on track
• Working on a baby quilt for sister in-law and little Denise
• Saved quilt blocks that have been completed, from peanut butter jelly hands today

• Selfishly used a holiday gift card on myself the other day and got 3 Keri Smith books
• I don't feel bad about it as much as I thought I would
• Youngest has grown 2 inches in 3 months
• His shirts look like 3/4 sleeve shirts and his pants look like capri pants
• Got him two new pair of 3T pants that he will outgrow overnight
• Glad I only paid $3.88 a pair
• Started a fun typography swap - if you want you can join in here

Crochet Button Baby Booties

Say that three times fast! Just finishing up some wonderful handmade Christmas gifts. These little booties are for my sister in-law who is pregnant with her first child, a little girl. When I saw the sweet design on Ravelry I knew I had to make them. The funny thing is that just while I was crocheting along thinking about how nice it will be to hold another baby a friend texted me with a good news. She is pregnant too!!

Guess it looks like there will be more baby booties to make :)

Happy Things to End the Week With:

The title to this post and idea have been stolen/borrowed from my dear friend Micaela mostly because she is awesome and because she is hosting an ornament swap that has made me get back into my happy crafting place. I've been crocheting away some snowflakes and not feeling guilty about it one bit. For once I feel caught up. Housework is in check, shop is in order with new things being added daily, and started college online. Making my partners ornament has put me in a holiday cheerful mood.

Another thing to smile about this week is the fact that hubby and I have finally agreed on something - and it's a big thing. Now I'm sure that most of you are wondering why this is something to smile about, as we are husband and wife and are suppose to agree together, but I'm not talking about a compromise here. This is that we whole heartily agree, which is the rarest thing because we are opposites. I'm the ever changing, big dreams, high hopes person, and he is more rooted, sensible, we will see when we get there, kind of person. So now with a goal in mind we can see where we are going and we can get there!

Another cheery bit is that my studio is tidy. It hasn't been this organized in awhile. So with the weekend knocking on the door I can't wait to sit at the sewing machine and whip up some new things. My only plan for this week is to not have a plan.
So what happy things are you ending your week with?

More Plans Than Hands

Who knew that August would be my busy month. Fairs, farmer's market, and ideas galore - in fact so many ideas that I can't keep up. At night I find myself like a spider weaving a web, going round and round, dipping and diving here and there trying to make things come together. Odyn's ripple blanket is coming along but has taken a back seat a bit. His fuzzy has been making more and more of appearance. Fuzzy went to the fair, for car rides, and almost took a bath last night. As lovely as this ripple is I don't think it's going to replace fuzzy.

In other news a big decision was made and it requires some guts, courage, and a bit of practice. If  you don't have a problem promoting yourself then don't mind my rambling that is about to start. Doing the farmer's market is great exposure but I've been thinking it's very small and a little limited. Etsy is great globally, they just haven't invented the Willy Wonka type computer yet, where you can reach in and feel my items. So the best thing for me will be boutiques and local shops, until the barn is completed. Never having done this, it does make me a little uneasy. Do you email, walk in an ask to talk to the owner, send a letter, call?

I don't want to come off as a person who thinks they are perfect and great - just look at my studio right now. It's a mess but it's real for a wife and mother of 3 who is working and creating. So with all this in mind I'm making the leap, taking a chance, and pushing the inner self doubter out the window. If you have marketed your things at local shops and boutiques and have pointers I would ♥ to hear them! Well as you can see, the studio needs cleaning, a custom order needs to be filled, and projects need to be finished. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend full of sunshine!

The Day that Felt like Yesterday

All day yesterday it felt like Friday. Now that Friday is here I don't know what day it is. Lots of non-staged snuggling has been happening around here, which has made my life easier.

This week I got more accomplished than I have in a long time. Reading a new book, starting a ripple blanket, finished doodling the second embroidery block, new items in the shop, and even some time to weed part of my garden that  still desperately needs it - all done this week.

See that brown and white blanket Odyn is laying with? That is his fuzzy or at least that is what he calls it. He won't sleep without it and gets mad if it gets put in the wash. Secretly, while he is distracted, I grab it and throw it in with a bunch of laundry. (Damien wants me to clarify that the pink pillows in this picture are not his nor would he EVER sleep with pink pillows .. they are ARIES' pillows and he felt wrong even touching pink pillows)

So anyways, where was I?... Oh, Fuzzy! With all the snuggling going on I have realized that I haven't made Odyn a blanket yet. Damien's blanket was made while I was pregnant with him, a very lovingly used bug jar quilt. Some of the bugs are missing now, jars are tattered, and there are crazy threads everywhere but he sleeps with it every night. You can see it in this post, all folded at the end of his bed (I will make a note to do a proper post for it). Aries' dream quilt was finished around this time last year. It now rests on her bed every night as well.

So my plan is to replace Fuzzy. I know what your thinking - HA, silly woman good luck! Hopefully the ripple of bright colored yarn will entice him. I'm not trying to be mean but Fuzzy is starting to turn into grungy. If this doesn't work I will try my second plan - a quilt made from some of Odyn's baby clothes. If all else fails I guess Fuzzy will live on.

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

Oh it's a happy day. Being someone who is hard to focus on one project at a time, I am excited to report that I have finished something and stuck with it entirely. I'm not saying that there weren't thoughts of other little lovely things to make dancing through out my head, but more so that I resisted those thoughts. The finished results look something like this:

The pattern is from the wonderful Alicia Paulson and it's called the Mina Dress. It was so much fun to do and was my first ever crocheted clothing item. Unfortunately I did not check the gauge - mostly cause I can't be bothered (yup I'm one of those people) and it doesn't fit Aries. It's more fitting for a little one that is 2 yrs old - Odyn do you want a dress? He stated he doesn't but some little girl will.

Aries wants me to make another one right away that will fit her this time but my hands need a rest. Does anyone else find that crocheting really gives your hands a work out? Next I think I will work on top secret mother's day gifts for the Fefes. Fefe is the word Damien came up with when he was little to call the grandmas   and it has stuck.

Another thing I have been working on is my garden beds. Hubby helped this weekend build a new stone path and stone borders. The bed that was there was more rounded and odd shaped. Plus the path was really hard to shovel and find this past winter. It looks 10 times better but now I just have to find a way to get rid of the red ants that want to take over. Plus I got the biggest mother's day surprise the other day, my mom and her husband Eric came down and did some landscaping for me. Now more than ever I want to put on those gardening gloves. 

So what beautiful things have you been working on? 

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

I have been working on bunches and bunches of ideas. Filling the shop with lovely spring items including my handkerchief doily garlands that would look vintage chic at a wedding or even a spring tea party.

Being new to crochet (less than a year) I don't crochet very fast. Hubby says I have the granny thing down and all I need is a rocking chair and a porch. Fine with me if it comes with tea and quiet. So I have been slowly working on the Mina dress still. The funny thing is that after it is done it will not fit Aries. More likely to fit Odyn and he really doesn't need a dress. Maybe one of my lucky girlfriends who have daughters younger than Aries will get a sweet gift.

So What have you been working on? Anything new?