the corvidarium

erm... yeah...

2012-01-25T23:40:00.000-08:00

I never know how to start a blog post after an inexcusably long absence. It's sort of awkward, you know? Like when you see someone you know but you don't go say hi but you know that they've seen you too and you know they know you've seen them, and then later on they come over to where you are, and it's all just a little uncomfortable, but you kind of pretend it's not... you know.

Well, anyhow.

There it is... here I am.

Life goes on.

In a nutshell:

1. Christmas happened. (The Christmas fairy didn't show up... I had to do all the work myself. Bummer.) It was good.

2. The eldest daughter moved back home. Temporarily, as she is quick to tell anyone who asks. It's a long complicated story that involves school, roommates, finances, and anything else you feel like throwing into the mix. It caused great upheaval here as I suddenly had to make a five bedroom house out of a four bedroom one. It all worked out in the end, and resulted in great mounds of stuff being taken to the thrift store (a task that I was intending to accomplish over the next few months anyway... just not all in the first week of January!)

3. I found my knitting mojo. Much to the detriment of my to-do list.

4. I started eating Paleo. I'm doing it in an attempt to lose weight. Ironically, I have now gained another five pounds. Sigh. I'm hoping that's a temporary thing.

5. There is a rather large pile of costume sewing to be done. I'm playing Mrs. Darling in a production of Peter Pan... we open 4 weeks from tomorrow. Not one of my costumes is completed yet. That's why I spent the weekend devouring the Hunger Games trilogy...

6. I'm back at pottery classes... joy and bliss!!

7. We actually had winter for over a week. The whole town shut down. But now we're back to rain rain rain, and all the snow is gone.


snow right up to my boot-tops!!

That's about it for now...

the mid-December gasp

2011-12-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

So, erm... yeah.
It's the middle of December. Life is flying by as fast as usual.

Not much else to say, really. I'm living in denial, but making Christmas presents anyhow, just in case the Christmas fairies forget to show up at my house in the next couple of days. The next thing I need to do is to start planning Christmas dinner, since apparently it'll be happening at my house this year...

a glorious sunrise in my rear-view mirror.

frosting.

the perpetually-blooming rosebush.

Ellie's ballet recital.

November: redux

2011-11-30T21:05:00.001-08:00

It's time for my monthly gasp... how is it the end of November already?????
There... got that over with.

Here's what I've been up to:

knitting... That's the big one. I signed up for NaKniSweMo... the goal being to knit 50,000 stitches in the month of November. I succeeded. Big time. Like a boss. (yikes! I've been hanging out with my teenagers too much, I think!)

Both of these cardigans are built upon the same basic model... top-down, contiguous (meaning that they look like set-in sleeves, but they're knit all in one piece), and seamless. Ellie is wearing the Tomboy Cardigan, slightly modified, and mine is the Romy Cardigan (with added cabling).

This is a huge accomplishment for me... til now, it's taken me upwards of 6 months to complete an adult-sized sweater.

being sick... not an illness in sight all year (it feels like), and suddenly this month I come down with a two-day fever-thing followed by a UTI. Not fun. On the bright side, though, it did allow me to indulge in the following:

reading... all of the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cromwell. All. of. them. That would be 24 books (including 3 short stories). Why yes, I am a fast reader. Why do you ask?

schooling... it is such a joy to teach a child who has realized that things are easier and more fun if you choose to be cheerful about them. One day, Ellie just decided to enjoy copywork... something that she'd complained bitterly about every single day. Now she loves it. And it was her own decision. She's amazing!!

pinteresting... filling up my pin boards like nobody's business. And actually doing stuff, too. I love that place.

enjoying... a lot of lovely weather. Yes, we've had a lot of rain, and even a storm and some snow, but we've also been blessed with a lot of sunshine. I'm grateful for it.


Ellie and I went for a walk, only to find the path ending abruptly in a small lake... proof that we have indeed had lots of rain to go along with the sunshine.

cooking... I seem to have gotten a bit of my kitchen mojo back again. For a while there I just couldn't think of anything to make. But lately, there's been lots of good things appearing on the table... some of it in my own pottery dishes, too!!

apple-almond pudding in my pie plate.

planning for next month... Christmas, naturally. A thing that, frankly, fills me with a bit of dread. I dislike shopping... I prefer being solitary to attending large gatherings of people... Christmas as it is commonly practiced is not my cup of tea. But I do like to make my family happy, so I do what needs to be done, and try to make it a joyful occasion. (I feel like such a curmudgeon, even putting this out in type... oh well.)

So, that's November. On to the next month...

(linking up to Megan at SortaCrunchy)

hanging out with the internet

2011-11-19T23:09:00.001-08:00

A while back, I discovered Emerging Mummy... a blog about church, and life, and being a mom, and love, and politics, and hockey, and christianity, and all kinds of thought-provoking things.

I was happy to discover, in my reading, that Sarah lives in the same town as I do - it's fun to find out that you're reading a local-to-you blogger. And imagine my surprise, when I saw her walk through the door of the dance studio where Ellie takes classes!

A few weeks ago, Sarah invited the Internet to her house for coffee and prayer. And today, we showed up.

first snow

2011-11-18T17:12:00.000-08:00

We had our first snowfall last night. Not much, of course... and it won't last long.

Never does around here.

In the meantime, though, it's gorgeous on my roses-that-won't-stop-blooming.

(Textures on the photos are by Kim Klassen... I'm linking up to her Texture Tuesday.)

more pots

2011-11-10T14:24:00.001-08:00

Last night I got to go pick up most of the pots that I made in my last class... oh my! I'm so pleased with them!!


my favourite piece so far.

7" mini pie plate.

9" plate/shallow bowl

wee little carved bowl.

another carved bowl... this one's a bit bigger.

even bigger bowl... this one has fluted edges like the pie plate.

another small bowl.

I'm ridiculously pleased with myself for attempting this one!

NaKniSweMo

2011-11-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

I've gone and done something ambitious.

Rather than sign up to write a novel in the month of November, I've signed up to knit a sweater. Or, more precisely, fifty thousand stitches.

So far so good. I cast on a Tomboy Cardigan for Ellie... I'm making it with long sleeves, and cabling the front panels. Of course, I didn't buy enough yarn for that... so I knit up all that I had and ordered some more.

And then I took a good look at what I'd done so far. I hated the cables. They just looked sloppy. so I laddered them back to the beginning, and re-knit them. Fun times!!

the original cabling

yarn spaghetti!!

I hate trying to knit with little short bits of yarn!

that's better!!


how it looks so far.

So that's approximately 16,000 stitches done by Friday.

On Saturday, I cast on for the other half of my big project - a cardigan for me... only, in typical wendy fashion, knit from the top down, seamlessly. Not from the bottom up, in pieces as the pattern is written.

So I knit and knit and knit and knit... and didn't like it. The yarn is just wrong for the pattern. It looks good, but it's just too thin, and I want a cozy cardigan. So I'll be trying that pattern with something different some other time, and using this stuff for a different cardi.

shawl collar and cables

cables... I love them so much.

needles out...

... and... all gone

Ummm...

2011-11-04T00:53:00.000-07:00

Note to self: The 'save' button on the top of the blogger dashboard is not the same as the 'publish' button. No one will see your posts if you do not actually publish them.

Okay, then.

Sorry about that, people. I have cobwebs in my brain. I must have walked through someone's Hallowe'en decorations accidentally.

So, here's my Five Minute Friday post. Ironically, the word for the day is Remember. Here it is, then: five minutes, no editing, no worrying about if it's perfect or not. Just writing.

go:

there was an apple tree in the field by the road, and I would walk there, long ways, heat shimmering off the asphalt, barefoot in the gravel on the edge, just walking, walking. (growing into my seventeen-year-old skin, perched precariously on the edge of womanhood, about to be catapulted into wife-ness.) and I would climb through the barbed wire fence, back scraping gently on the wire as I shimmied through, cross the field with its stubble of grass poking between my toes, and sit up in that tree, hide behind the leaves and listen. birds chirping, breeze rustling, distant sounds of a tractor in the hayfield, cows lowing. five minutes, or twenty, and then back the way I came, arms swinging, steady steps, up the hill and home.

stop.

the Hallowe'en fairy

2011-11-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

She comes in the middle of the night, as is the fairy way, and she takes what is left out for her, and leaves in its place, a treat.

Good-bye, piles of crappy candy! Hello snuggly warm purple-striped bathrobe!

October-ing.

2011-10-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

A summing up.

This month I was:

Reading... Yes I was. Kathleen Norris. Madeleine L'Engle. Angie Smith. NONFICTION, people. Do you know how uncharacteristic this is??? Reading is my escape. It's not supposed to make me think. (Please don't judge me.) But, surprisingly, I've really enjoyed it all!!

Watching... Castle. NCIS. Downton Abbey. Season two is not nearly as good as the first season. I hate when that happens.

Cooking... Glorying in my crockpot. Oatmeal cooked overnight so as to be ready first thing in the morning... stews simmering all day long... so good.

Creating... I finished up the second round of pottery classes with a grand total of 15 thrown vessels, plus a stack of things that I made at home and brought in for firing/glazing. Can't wait til they're all done and can be brought home. Also, I have dusted off the sewing machine again... time to start sewing costumes.

Enjoying... a month of rather glorious weather. Yes there were some gloomy days, but on the whole we had a rather lovely month.

Celebrating... my birthday. I am now the answer to life, the universe, and everything. How bizarre is that?!

Teaching... a bit more reluctantly than last month. The novelty has worn off, and Ellie's a bit more whiny about things she doesn't like. I've been chanting our little mantra... "I am, I can, I ought, I will"... over and over and over again. "Oh, right", she says, and then we get on with it.

Thankful... for cozy woolen knits and knee-high socks. For food to eat. For a vehicle that runs well (even though it has no heat). For leaves that glow red against the evergreens, and roses that refuse to stop blooming. For my community of friends. For a cupboard full of different kinds of tea. For sunset skies and the croak of ravens.

craft fail... or no?

2011-10-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Just keeping it real here...

Today I tried using polymer clay for the first time. I've read all the warnings about keeping it separate from all food-related items, so I bought myself a little toaster oven to bake the clay in.

Yeah, not so smart.

This clay was white. White.

And oh, the stench!! And oh, the coldness in my house when I had to leave the doors and windows open for an hour to get rid of that stench.

So I almost threw the pieces out, but then I figured that it wouldn't harm anything to see how they'd look with the second coat of coloured clay that I was planning to do, and had already poured out anyhow.

This time, I cooked them in my oven. Double-wrapped in foil because I'm paranoid that way.

They didn't turn out too badly... for being burnt to a crisp originally.

I have more clay here... I think I'm going to have to psych myself up a bit before I open up another package!

saturday sky.

2011-10-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

At this time of the year, the evening light is simply magical. It glows like at no other time.

The big problem? When it's at its most glorious, I'm usually in the kitchen, looking longingly out the window.

So, this evening, I decided that sometimes life has to take second place to art... I asked my family if they really needed dinner right away, or if they could wait an hour or so. They sweetly decided to humour me, so I grabbed the camera and headed out. It was worth it!!

Five minutes: catch

2011-10-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

Catch me if you can!
I hear it tinkle like bells from all around me.
Juggling this that and the other thing all at once, spinning balls, whirling plates; a life revolving in dispassionate circles; me at the centre trying to keep control, knowing that a moment's lapse will send everything shattering.

Only it's not true.

That's not me at the centre. That's you. Steady, unmovable, unshakeable. A still centre in the whirling where I can rest.

Please, God, catch me. Hold me still.

pondering.

2011-10-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

I've been musing almost non-stop the past couple of days... about obligation.

Without going into huge amounts of detail, here's the story.

I'm part of a group that meets regularly; I've been part of it since its inception, several years back. It's purpose is not super practical, but it has always been fun to be part of. And we're all friends.

However I'm no longer having fun. Several factors associated with being part of this group are currently creating stress in my life, and I've become rather cranky. Not pleasant for me, and no fun for the people I'm with.

The big problem for me?? Due to my unique-to-the-group skill set, the group does not function ~~at all~~ well without me.

Hence my conundrum.

On the one hand, why should I spend time and effort doing something that's causing me stress?

On the other hand, am I justified in causing others to be unable to do something that they love?

Where do you draw the line between looking after yourself, and serving others?

September: a review.

2011-09-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

Seriously, how is today the last day of September???

Here's what I've been up to this month:

Schooling... Grade 1 for Ellie. And that's it. No other kids in school. (Well, besides the one in uni, for whom I'm no longer responsible. And that's another weirdness in my life.) I've got a school-post in the works if anyone cares exactly what we're doing.

Pottery... I didn't know it was possible to enjoy an activity so much, whilst simultaneously being frustrated to heck-and-back. I LOVE throwing clay on a wheel. I just can't do it very well. But I LOVE it! (Clarification: I'm really good at shaping things... I just find it hard to get the clay ball exactly centred on the wheel. And that, my friends, is a very very crucial step.)

Church... in hopes of being able to make a difference, I agreed to sit on the board this year. Now my eyes are being opened to how things work, and exactly why some frustrating situations are allowed to go on. Oy!! It's going to be an interesting year.

Acting... Peter Pan rehearsals started up in earnest this month. I'm playing Mrs. Darling, and having so much fun!

Crocheting... I learned to crochet from a kit that I got when I was 6 years old, and made many wonky things all through my growing-up years. I learned to knit after I got married, and never picked up a hook again. Until this month. So far, I've made 3 things, and I'm working on a fourth, and already have the fifth project planned. I'd forgotten how relaxing it is.

Watching... Downton Abbey (season 2 just started up. Yay!!). Castle (I have a huge crush on Nathan Fillion). NCIS (what's with Tony acting like a grown-up??).

Cooking... Fall food!! I'm all about the comfort food. Today I made a big huge pot of Borscht. Mmmmmm.

Singing... in our church choir (if you knew our church, you'd know why I laugh out loud every time I say that).

Pinterest... still addicted. I think that's all I'll say about that.

Next month, I'm looking forward to:

Thanksgiving
my birthday
more of the same things from this month :)

linking up with Megan @ SortaCrunchy

daybook

2011-09-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

TODAY

Outside my window... the wind has blown itself out, and the rain has stopped. Trees are down, and branches litter the streets. The clouds have partly blown away, and bits of sky are showing through the ragged holes.

I am thinking... that there's too much sorrow in the world.

I am thankful... for tea. friends. cozy sweaters. mugs that I can cradle between my palms.

From the learning rooms... getting ready for week three of grade 1. I'm following the Charlotte Mason plan at Ambleside Online. It's going reasonably well so far... we're both enjoying it.

In the kitchen... lentil barley soup. heavily gingered chicken stir-fry. large bowls of oatmeal in the morning. autumn food.

I am wearing... jeans. fleece pull-over. bare feet.

I am creating... with clay - bowls, pie plates, mugs.

I am going... fast. reluctantly. time seems to go by so quickly these days.

I am wondering... how it's already the end of september. (see previous line)

I am reading... knitting books. pottery how-tos. The Glass Castle.

I am hoping... (quite hopelessly, according to the weather forecast) that the sun will shine tomorrow.

I am hearing... a bit of whining from a girl who doesn't want to go to bed yet.

Around the house... messes. piles of stuff that need to be sorted and/or disposed of. I'm a terrible house-keeper these days.

I am pondering... my own reluctance to step out of my comfort zone. wondering how I can change that.

One of my favorite things... the Lisa Leonard necklace that I wear nearly every day. It says 'loved'. I am.

A few plans for the rest of the week... choir practice. Peter Pan rehearsal. pottery class. apple picking. applesauce making. corset sewing.

Here is picture that I am sharing...

a spiderweb-festooned bridge on a foggy morning.

linking up here.

five minutes: growing

2011-09-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

Growing.

It's never easy. Is it meant to be? I wish it were.

Stretching, filling uncomfortable unknown spaces. Reaching outward, away from the familiar.

Becoming.

Bearing.

Birthing.

That's the point of it: to reproduce. To give life. It's never static, ever changing; this cycle of growth: birth, life, death. I carry in the marrow of my bones the weight of countless generations gone before, carry the possibility of those yet to come.

Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it can not grow.

This fragile state, this life, this gift.

the last day of summer.

2011-09-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

The rain today is making me feel melancholy. I want to write a poem... images flit through my head, but the words won't come. I am mute, filled with vague longing.

sun.

2011-09-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

Today I'm being deliberate... intentional... about enjoying this sky. I must not take for granted what I will rarely see in the next few months.
Soon autumn will be here, and with it comes months of greyness and rain. It's hard to believe, on those days, that the sky is blue and the sun is shining.
So today, I revel in this blue. This warmth.

beauty on this day.

2011-09-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

sunshine. shadows.

pottery

2011-09-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I brought home all of the pottery that I made in my first 6-week class session... a bowl that collapsed, three wonky mugs, a wee handle-less pitcher, an ugly pot, and a flat shallow bowl that looks like it has a nipple in the middle of it... I had so much fun making them all!! And every five minutes or so, I'm compelled to point out to anyone in the immediate vicinity that "I made pottery!"

five minutes: rest

2011-09-02T00:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it sneaks up on me, this need, this compulsion, and my eyes close in spite of myself and I rest. I rest, and everything fades, and there is just me, cradled, comforted, healed.

Sometimes I plan ahead, and there is a nest, and I cocoon myself, shut the world out. I make space, and I rest.

More often than not, though, the voices persist. Conversations with myself. Plans. Needs. But how about...? And then...? Or what if...?

I have, at times, envied the monastics. It seems that it would be easier to be still and just focus on God, when you are living a life that is set apart.

I have, however, chosen a different life. A life that includes a husband. Kids. Homeschooling. Cooking. Cleaning. Interminable laundry.

I need to learn how to stop the cacophony that exists in my head. Learn to be still. To wait. To listen. Learn to really rest in the midst of all that needs to be done.

picture this

2011-09-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

Beauty.
This morning.

What I'm into... August.

2011-08-31T23:46:00.000-07:00

linking up with the ever-fascinating Megan at SortaCrunchy...

August. Last day.
Seriously?? Only four months left in this year???
Yikes!!

So, here's what I've been into this month.

What I'm reading:
Still (slowly) working my way through One Thousand Gifts. This woman slays me. I have to read a chapter and then put the book away, and then come back and re-read it. And then read it again. And again.

Georgette Heyer. Regency novels at their finest. I found an omnibus edition with five of her stories in it at the thrift store.

Terry Pratchett. Discworld novels. I love biting, witty, dark humour.

What I'm watching:
Eureka. Sci-fi geekery. I'm sad that there's only one season left.

That's it for TV these days... and no movies either this month.

What I'm listening to:
I pine for silence. My kids always have something playing... don't know what it is most of the time... I treasure the quiet moments.

What I'm making:
Pots. As in pottery. Thrown on a wheel.

Pictures. My 365 project bit the dust, but I'm still experimenting with my camera. And loving it.

What's cooking:
Tapioca in the crockpot. Salads of all kinds. Corn on the cob. Macarons. Sushi-shaped caked rolls. Cinnamon buns. Bread-and-butter pickles (3 dozen jars).

The only thing I'm not doing (that I should be) is menu-planning. Generally these days, 5:00 finds me polling the family. "What do you want for dinner?" Not the best way to be doing things.

Blog reading:
This month I pared my Google reader down drastically. Like, there used to be 400 blogs on the list, and now there's 75. Hmmm. That still sounds like a lot...

Pinterest:
It takes up more of my time than I care to admit. But now at least I've got a plan. It involves me actually *doing* some of the things that I find there. Which is cool. And fun.

What I'm looking forward to next month:

school is starting up... and for the first time in 15 years, I've only got one in school. Hooray!! Boxes of school books have been arriving on our doorstep the last couple of days - I'm really excited about doing Grade 1 with Ellie this year.
rehearsals begin in earnest... I'm thrilled to be playing Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan.
the continuation of pottery classes... it's been a real challenge for me, and I think I'm finally getting it.

pinterest: cake stand and skivvies

2011-08-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Do you Pinterest?
I do. I can lose whole chunks of my day to that place if I'm not careful.
It's a wonderful tool for inspiration and keeping track of where you found things.

The problem is, it's super easy to pin all these wonderful things... sewing projects and tutorials, inspiring art, recipes, home decorating ideas... and then, having pinned them, it's also super easy to just move on and look for more wonderful ideas.

My intention (for longer than I care to admit) has been to actually do/make something based on some of my pins. And thanks to a figurative kick-in-the-pants from Sarah, I now have done.

Actually, I've got two projects to tell you about.

The first one was actually done in July, but I neglected to blog it then, so you get to hear about it now.

my inspiration pin

I started with two cake tins, the lid of an almond roca tin, a ...???... stand of some sort, some large wooden beads, and two cans of spray paint (one white, and the other oil-rubbed bronze).

I took the stand apart (it unscrewed at the bottom of the heavy marble base) and put all of the bits, along with the wooden beads, onto what I called my +10 board of holding so that they could be sprayed with the bronze paint.

The cake pans and tin lid got large-ish holes drilled in their centres, and then sprayed with white paint.

When all the paint was cured, it was time for assembly. Because of the extra wooden beads that I wanted to use, the original threaded pipe in the stand wasn't long enough to hold all the pieces. So I went out to my local thrift store and bought a cheap lamp that had one of sufficient length. (I just threw out the extra lamp bits, since they were very ugly.)

So... here's a picture of the stand, all assembled and full of cupcakes at my niece's wedding early this month.

My other project that I made, you don't get to see. Mostly because I found it really hard to take a decent yet modest picture of my own skivvies in action.

my inspiration pin

Let me tell you, these tap pants are the most brilliant thing to be invented. Ever.

I'm one of those unfortunate souls whose thighs (I blush to admit it) touch. So wearing a skirt on a hot day leaves one feeling sticky and sweaty in unmentionable places. (I can't believe I'm even talking about this!)

Today I wore my tap pants all day. They're made of a silk-cotton blend fabric; so light weight as to be hardly noticeable. And there was no thigh-sticking-together action. None.

So there you have it. My pinterest board has proven its worth. My goal is to do at least one thing every week.

**linking up at Emerging Mummy**

five minutes: older

2011-08-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Older. Yes, I definitely am.
There's grey in my hair. Surprisingly lots of it.
My knees creak when I climb stairs.
My back aches in the mornings.
There are crows feet beside my eyes, and wee lines at the corners of my mouth.

But on the inside?

Not so much.

I look at 'older' people... not the *old* older ones, but the ones that look like me... and I wonder when I'm going to feel like I fit in with them. I wonder when I'll feel like I've attained the wisdom that supposedly comes with my years. Because, on the inside, I'm still uncertain. Still trying to figure things out.

On the inside, I'm still about 21.

she's 18 today.

2011-08-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

By request, as is the custom in our family on birthdays, we had sushi for dinner. Abby has been planning this for a year, at least.

Nathan had a piece with extra wasabi... I'll spare you the pictures of him with steam coming out of his ears. Suffice it to say that the rest of us were highly entertained.

What Abby didn't request was any specific kind of birthday cake.

So I (very thoughtfully) stuck with the sushi theme, and made Matcha cake rolls.

Lizzi made her obligatory stereotypical-Japanese-tourist-girl-squee-face during the lighting of the candles.

And Abby was suitably surprised and pleased.

And the candles-who-do-not-lie told us all that she has 5 boyfriends.

Hmmm.

Oh well... happy birthday, Abby!!

picture this

2011-08-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

The light this evening was simply, unutterably perfect.

five minutes: new

2011-08-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

It can be a curse, this magpie brain, this thing that can't hold onto things long enough to let them take root and grow. This brain that is like a sponge, absorbing everything, only it's set inside a colander so that thoughts just pass through, leaving faint memories of moisture.

Look! Something shiny!

I thought that I was being clever. Calling myself a crow. Calling this place the corvidarium - a crow in a fishbowl. I think maybe it was my depression associating itself with the darkness. Black calls to black.

But the other is the more basic truth.

I'm constantly looking for something new. Different. Better. More fulfilling. Shinier!

Only now, I'm being called to something new. Deeper. Focused. Settled.

Time to grow up.

five minutes of focused writing... no editing, no worrying about perfection; just fingerpainting with words.

summer rain

2011-08-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

A sudden crack of thunder caught my attention.
Literally out of the blue.
Then the rain, big fat drops plopping on the dry ground with careless ferocity.

I ran outside, suddenly worried that I'd left the car windows open; that there were perhaps blankets or books left outside, careless in the knowledge that it's summer time - nothing could possibly happen.

And then it hit me. That smell.
Indescribably fresh.
The thirsty ground soaking up water as if it can never get enough.
From the back yard came a waft of mint and basil; a scent offering of thanks.

Then it was gone again. Gone as fast as it had come.

And I was grateful.

5 minutes. still.

2011-07-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Still my heart.
Slow the beats that thunder through me.
Calm my soul with the knowledge that there is nothing that I can do.
I rest.
Secure.

Still my mind.
The questions race, the possibilities expand, the not-knowing threatens.
Calm my soul with the reassurance that I am not in charge.
I rest.
Protected.

Still my hands.
The motions of the day have become automatic, frantic, unceasingly demanding.
Calm my soul with the awareness that my imperfect efforts are enough.
I rest.
I rest.

random grammar lesson #1

2011-07-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

I am a grammar nerd.

Seeing words used incorrectly actually gives me pain.

Today's lesson:
eek vs. eke

Eek: a politely restrained noise that you make when distressed. Like when you see a mouse or a spider, but your surroundings do not permit a full on scream. In church, for example.

Eke: frugally using every last bit of something. For instance "I eked out every last scrap of my favourite (discontinued) fabric".

Sometimes the realization that you have just used the last bit of said fabric can cause you to utter the aforementioned cry of distress. Just saying.

seriously??

2011-07-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Does that look like summer to you?? Really?
(And for you Americans who don't read Celcius... those high temps range from 65-73 degrees, dropping down to 54-57 at night.)
This is not good.

blog-reading break day 2

2011-07-08T23:25:00.000-07:00

Well, this has been an interesting couple of days. I don't think I realized quite how much pressure I was putting on myself... and how much like a failure I was feeling. Huh. I'll have to ponder this some more. Maybe make some changes.

Enough about that, though.

Today we made playdough!

(I hate playdough. I hate the smell of it, the texture, the way it dries into little balls that get ground into the carpet, the way it smears itself onto the table and for some reason is impossible to remove.)

But yet, because Ellie loves it, I made some.

Cherry-scented playdough.

I found a recipe that uses Kool-aid for the colourant/scent.

And it kept Ellie busy and happy for almost an hour.

Hmmm.

And in other news... my grocery budget is going to heck in a hand-basket. You see, my husband and son love peanut butter. Not just any old peanut butter, though... the natural kind of peanut butter. You know, the stuff that if you let it sit out too long, the oil rises to the top and you have to stir it back in. And they don't just love peanut butter... no, they adore it. Eat it by the spoonful every time they walk through the kitchen. And since the only way to get to the basement stairs (where the computers are located) is through the kitchen, you just know that they eat a heck of a lot of peanut butter.

Well, anyhow, I used to be able to buy their special PB in big huge jars at my grocery store. Note: used to be able to. Used to. As in, past tense. They don't seem to stock it any more. That space on the shelves is now filled with other goods.

So where do I have to go now to find the PB? Costco. The place where you can't walk in the door without spending $100.

Yeah. Like I said, my grocery budget is sunk.

blog-reading break day 1

2011-07-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

So, ironically, one of the first things that arrived in my inbox this morning was a link to an article at {in}courage... titled What Finding Yourself Really Means.

So, time to sit down, relax, stop beating myself over the head with what other people are doing and I am not. I'll be fine. I am fine.

Meantime, though... it's lavender harvesting time. The buds are fat and dark purple, and just about to open. I feel bad for the bees who aren't going to get a shot at these flowers, but this year they're mine. All mine.

tap-tap... hello?

2011-07-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

Is anyone still out there?

I've neglected this space shamefully, I know.

I have been trying to figure out what I'm actually doing here. This isn't a mommy blog... it's not a crafty blog... I don't blog any deep thoughts... I'm not into fashion and style... and my 365 project seems to be filling some of my personal blogging needs.

The truth, I think, is that I've been reading too many other blogs, and I'm feeling inadequate.

Maybe it's time to take a blog-reading break.

refinishing

2011-06-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

I was looking back through my photos for the past few years, and it seems that June is the time when I refinish furniture. This year is no exception.

I found this little dresser at the thrift store... on half-price day. Bonus!

Laminate top... solid plywood construction.

It was presumably part of a modular set, since the veneer only wrapped half-way around the sides, and there were large screw holes on it.

I sanded it all over, especially the laminate top; filled the holes, and tapered down the gap behind the veneer. Then I gave it a good coat of Kilz spray primer (I'm in love), and several coats of paint (Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl). I kept the legs in their original state.

And here it sits in my bedroom, with pretty paper lining the drawers.

Next up: to make a cushion for the top.
It might even migrate out to the entryway... it's a lovely height for sitting down to put shoes on.

new book!!

2011-05-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, Lark Crafts released a new title... Sewn by Hand by Susan Wasinger.

They did a blog tour, complete with giveaways... and I won a copy!! And not only did I win the book, but I also got a wee package of goodies along with it: needles, thread, thimble, buttons, and so on.

I foresee many happy hours this summer, sitting outside and stitching. There are some very lovely projects in this book... slippers, potholders, napkins... mostly practical stuff, which I appreciate; and several of the patterns use recycled fabrics/clothing, which I also am happy to see.

The Thread Caddy pattern found in the book is available from Lark Crafts as a free download... I think it'll most likely be the first thing I make. That way I can have all my supplies to hand when I want to bring my sewing somewhere with me.

Yay for summer sewing, and (even the thought of) relaxing with a slow project!

what??

2011-05-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

So, it seems that spring has arrived at last.

The weather has been glorious... I've gardened, I've hung the laundry out on the line to dry... I'm loving it.

And what have I been doing in between all of those spring-time activities?

Knitting.

Seriously.

For months, even during prime Christmas gift-knitting time, I couldn't bring myself to pick up the needles. Wasn't inspired, didn't care.

And now... now that there are so many other things that you might think would hold my attention... now suddenly I can't hold myself back.

The tea cozy pattern is a free download, found at Ravelry. That one was knit up during game two of the Canuck vs. Sharks Conference finals. All those lovely Canucks goals kept me knitting rather quickly, I must say.

The beaded necklace/bracelet/headband/whatever-you-want-to-wrap-it-around thingy is a very fun project from Nelkin Designs. Once I'd finished stringing on the almost-600 beads (sooooo much fun, especially while waiting for the freezing to wear off after a lovely dentist visit!), it knit up rather quickly, and since it's essentially a two-row pattern, and uses a minimal amount of yarn, it's wonderfully portable. I do advise that you check your yarn for itchiness *before* you start stringing beads, though...

Found: my mojo

2011-05-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

It seems that I'm fated to go through a couple of weeks each year, when all I can do is function; usually maintaining a smile on my face, but still, just the bare minimum.

Assemble your supplies: a butt-ugly clock that you once thought was so cool;
a handful of paint chips and something to cut them with; glue; (not shown) paint;
a paintbrush; (also not shown) something to use as a topcoat - like modpodge

Remove the clock hands if you can (or just work around them... mine didn't come off).
Cut the paint chips to size (I did 2" square) and glue them down,
trimming the center ones around the clock mechanism.

A time when I have nothing extra to give.

After the glue has dried, trim the edges and sand them smooth.
I also sanded down the top, to smooth the edges of the paint chips
where they were sticking up a bit.

Also I like the distressed look.

Mostly it seems to happen during the dark winter months. I thought I'd staved it off this year. Apparently I only postponed it.

Add a light coat of paint: I used Golden's Titan Buff... I painted on a section
and then rubbed it off, leaving a very thin coat.

Add whatever decoration you like: I painted the bird silhouette
and then sanded it down as well. Stamp on the numbers,
and add a protective topcoat.

I think I'm back now. We'll see.

Here's the clock in my newly-tidied sewing room.

another birthday

2011-04-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

21 years ago I became a mom.

I have now been a mom for half of my life. How odd.

I can't fathom a life without my kids.

They alternately frustrate me, surprise me, make me laugh, break my heart, stun me with their awesomeness, fill me with joy.

I would not be the person I am, had I not had them in my life.

I love them. All of them.

But this one here, she was the first one to make me realize that I was forever changed.

birthday party

2011-04-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

frogs were kissed

princess shoes were worn

presents were opened

candles were blown, and cake was eaten.

Ellie's 6th birthday was celebrated. Much fun was had.

woot!!

2011-03-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

just a drive-by brag post...
ONE OF MY PHOTOS GOT PICKED FOR REDBUBBLES'S HOME PAGE!!!
(sorry... did I just shout?? I'm a bit excited...)

On the lower right corner... that one's mine. Cool, hey??

What's RedBubble? It's a site where I have uploaded some of my favourite photos, so that people can buy prints/cards/posters/whatever.

So, yeah. If one of my pics here, or on my 365 blog, or my flickr stream catches your eye, and you'd like to buy a print of it, just let me know and I'll put it onto my redbubble page, and you can order it through them.

And in the interests of full disclosure, yes,I do get a small percentage of what you paid.

messenger bag tutorial (part 5)

2011-03-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's almost done!! Just the finishing touches today!

Previously:
Part 1: fabric requirements and cutting
Part 2: outer bag assembly
Part 3: lining and side seams
Part 4: flap and assembly

First things first, you'll need to determine what kind of strap you want, and how long it needs to be.

The strap can be either a fixed length, or adjustable; in which case, you'll need to add a 1.5" rectangular slide to your list of requirements.

To determine how long the strap needs to be, attach a measuring tape to one buckle with a bull-clip or paper clip or some such non-marring fastening system; hook the tape over your shoulder, and adjust it to where it feels comfortable. Voila, you have your basic measurement. Add 3-4" to this number to allow for fold-overs.

I am using my full fabric width of 56", and making the strap adjustable.

So, to start with, fold your strap fabric in half, lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. Open it up, then fold each raw edge in to the middle, and press again.

Open up the folds again, and fold each short end in 1/4" and press; then re-fold the strap again, enclosing the raw edges, to make a 1.5" wide strap.

Stitch the usual double row of stitching along each of the long sides of the strap.

If you are making the strap adjustable, feed one end of the strap through the slide, and stitch the strap together in a box-with-an-X configuration.

Feed the other end of the strap through one of the side strap rings, from the inside of the bag toward the outside, and then loop it through the slide.

Now loop the free end of the strap through the other side ring, from the outside toward the inside of the bag, and stitch it down with a box as well.

If you are not making the strap adjustable, just stitch each end to one of the rectangle rings, as shown above.

That's the strap done.

Now, following the instructions that accompany your snaps, apply one set of snaps to the fastening strap as shown here:

To close your bag, just loop the strap through the center rectangular ring, from top to bottom, and fasten the snap.

And you're done!
If you have any questions, or if any of my steps seem unclear, please let me know, and I'll try to explain better.
And if you do make one of these bags, I'd love to see it!!

messenger bag tutorial (part 4)

2011-03-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Okay... getting back in the swing of things...

Previously:
Part 1: fabric requirements and cutting
Part 2: outer bag assembly
Part 3: lining and side seams

And now, to make the flap and put all the bits together.

First of all, take the 3.75"x12" front strap piece, and trim it down to 10" long. Fold it in half lengthwise, and stitch down the long side and one short side. Trim the corners at the stitched end, turn strap right side out, and topstitch two rows of stitching along the three sides.

Place the raw edge of the strap, centered, on one right side of the 12"x12" flap, and place the 6"x12" flap lining over it, right side down. Stitch along the 12" side.

Press seam allowances toward the lining, and stitch a double row of topstitching along the seam.

Fold flap in half, crosswise, and stitch the two edge seams.

Trim the corners, turn right side out, press, and stitch a double row of topstitching along the three finished sides, making sure not to catch the strap in the stitching.

Baste the flap onto the outer bag, right sides together, with the outer side of the flap on the zipper-pocket side of the bag, making sure that the flap is centered on the middle section of the bag.

Now, we're going to pleat the sides, and attach the shoulder strap hardware.
Cut two more 2.5" sections of the strap that you used for the rectangle ring in part one. Thread each of these through two more rings, and set them aside.

Make a mark 1.25" on each side of the side seams.

Fold the bag at these marks, and bring them toward the seam, creating a box pleat.

Pin in place, and baste a ring strap in place over the pleat.

Do the same on the other side, and set the bag aside for now.

Find the 4"x10" strip of coordinating lining fabric. Fold it in half lengthwise, and press. Then open it up, and fold each side inward to meet the center fold line. Press in place, then fold the strip along the original center fold.

Stitch along each long side, and thread this strip through the 1" swivel hook. Baste the raw edges to the outside of the flap, close to one of the edges. (Sorry... forgot to take a picture of this... but the last photo will show where it ends up.)

Mark the center front and back of the bag and lining.

Turn the outer bag inside out, and place the lining inside it, right sides together (the lining will be right side out), making sure that the pocket side of the lining is on the flap/zipper-pocket side of the outer bag.

Pin the bag and lining together, matching the centers first, and working toward the sides. Pin the excess lining into pleats at the sides, to match the pleats in the outer bag.

Stitch around, leaving an opening on the flap side of the bag, for turning.

Carefully turn the bag and lining right side out, and slip-stitch the opening closed.

Press the seam flat, and stitch (I bet you can guess) two rows of topstitching all the way around, keeping the swivel-ring strap pinned out of the way on the flap.

Now all we have left to do is the shoulder strap and the snap!

iron craft 11

2011-03-16T00:51:00.000-07:00

Yay! I'm back in the swing of Iron Crafting!! I missed a few weeks because my life was taken over by the play... I will be catching up on those weeks' challenges, just on principle, but for now, here's this week's challenge.

Green.
Green, as in the colour.
But I thought, hey, why not see just how green I can get with this.

So here is my green-ness:

1. I used both fabric that is green, and fabric that has green in it; thus fulfilling the main requirement of the challenge.

2. Both fabrics are natural fibres: the solid green is linen, and the print is cotton. No synthetics.

3. Both fabrics are thrifted... the linen was found at Value Village... apparently someone changed their mind about using it. The print is a vintage sheet that I got at the Sally Ann.

4. I used my green, recycled fabrics to make a re-usable lunch bag that is exactly the right size to carry my...

5. ...glass (not plastic!) square container in which I transport my...

6. ...salad!

So pretty. And so very, very green!

Edited to add: I totally forgot to mention that the bag is adapted from the Lunch bag pattern in Akiko Mano's book Linen Wool Cotton. Sorry about that...

messenger bag tutorial (part 3)

2011-03-15T23:35:00.000-07:00

In this installment: the lining and inner pocket, and the side seams

Previously:
Part 1: fabric requirements and cutting
Part 2: outer bag assembly

To make the inner pocket, fold the pocket piece in half, or put the two pieces right sides together in such a way as to make a 5"x9" rectangle. Stitch a 1/4" seam around 3 (or 4) sides, leaving a small opening through which to turn the pocket right side out.

Trim the corners, turn right-side out and press.

Lay lining fabric out, and place pocket on it, approximately 3.5" from one of the 17" edges, and centered on the lining; making sure that the turning opening is at the bottom of the pocket, where it will be stitched down in the next step.

Mark the lines where you would like the pocket divided. I have put 3 3/4" pen pockets roughly in the center of the pocket piece, leaving two larger pockets on each side. Stitch around the three sides of the pocket, and along the dividing lines.

Now it's time to sew the side seams on both the lining and the outer bag.

Fold the lining in half (with the 17" sides across the top) and sew a 1/2" seam along the two sides. Snip the seam allowance open at the bottom fold, so that you can press the seam open. Lightly press a fold line along the bottom of the lining.

To box the corners, match up the seam line with the fold line, starting at the bottom corner of the lining, and mark a 3.5" line perpendicular to the side seam. Stitch along the marked line.

Press the resulting triangle toward the bottom of the lining, and top-stitch close to the seam.

Do both corners in this way... and that's the lining done. Set it aside for now.

Fold the outer bag in half, the same as you did the lining, but this time, stitch a 3/8" seam allowance. Press both seam allowances toward the back of the bag, and stitch a double row of top-stitching as far down toward the corner as possible.

This will involve a little bit of wrestling, and maybe a few bad words, but it is possible to get fairly close to the bottom of the seam.

Now, box the corners of the outer bag and stitch them down, exactly the same as you did with the lining.

And there you are.

Next up: assembling the flap, and putting the pieces together.

messenger bag tutorial (part 2)

2011-03-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

I lied. I couldn't wait til tomorrow. Here's the next chunk of instructions.
Previously: Fabric requirement and cutting

Time to start assembling the main outer bag!

Oh, I should mention right off... all seam allowances are 3/8" unless specifically stated otherwise.

First, make the strap piece from the 3"x12" rectangle that you trimmed after cutting the side bag pieces. This will be cut into bits later on, to hold the rectangle rings in place. Fold and press the edges of the strip toward the middle (wrong sides together), and stitch two rows of top-stitching down each side. Yes, this leaves the raw edges exposed, but it will not be a problem, as you will see later on. Set this piece aside.

Next, make the pockets.

For the front pocket, stitch together one outer fabric and one lining fabric 6"x12" rectangle, right sides together. Press the seam open, and then turn the pieces wrong sides together and stitch two rows of top-stitching along the seam.

The back pocket is made in a similar fashion, but it has a zipper inserted into the seam. Make sure that you have the right side of the zipper facing the outer fabric when you pin it in place.

Stitch the 1"x12" fabric to the other side of the zipper, making sure to line up the fabric with the zipper closed, so that the pieces are not off-set. Press the fabric up away from the zipper, and then turn down the raw edge to meet the seam underneath the zipper and press down. Set aside til later. (Do not topstitch this piece yet.)

Now assemble the pocket unit.

With right sides together, place the 5"x12" rectangle on the bottom (non-zipper) edge of the back pocket. Stitch the seam, and press the raw edges away from the pocket.

Stitch the other side of the base piece to the front pocket, leaving a 2" gap in the center of the seam, and again pressing the seam allowances away from the pocket.

Now it's time to attach the pocket unit to the main (22"x17") bag body piece. Fold this piece along the 22" sides to find the center, and mark it on both edges.

Also, find and mark the center points on the edges of the bag base piece, by folding it so that the two seams match up. Make sure that you do not just fold the entire pocket unit in half, as the two pockets are not the same depth, and this would make your bag lop-sided.

Place the pocket unit on top of the body piece, pocket wrong side to bag front side (so that both fronts are facing up), matching the marked center points. Pin in place along both edges.

Topstitch (two rows, again) along the edge seam of the base piece on the back pocket side. Then, making sure that the pocket is flat, topstitch along both sides of the fabric strip above the zipper.

Again, making sure that the pocket unit is flat and even, make a line in the center of the front pocket, and make a double row of stitching to divide the pocket into two sections. Make sure not to stitch into the base fabric where the gap was left earlier.

Now cut a 2.5" piece of the strap that you created earlier, and feed it through one of the rectangle rings, with the raw edges to the inside.

Place this piece into the gap between the base and the front pocket, and then stitch the two rows of top-stitching along the front edge of the base.

There! Now you've stitched down the whole pocket assembly to the main bag section.

Now take your two 3.5"x22" strips, and sew them on; one on each side. Trim off any extra zipper after the side piece is sewn on; press (with both seam allowances toward the side pieces), and topstitch.

And there you have it - the main outer body all finished... two front pockets, a ring for the fastener strap, and a big zipper pocket on the back.

Next installment: creating the lining and sewing the side seams.

messenger bag tutorial (part 1)

2011-03-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

So, I had a couple of requests to do a tutorial for the Moop knock-off that I did a while back... goodness, has it really been a whole month??? How time flies. Anyhow, it's still my absolute favourite bag that I've ever used (I can even squeeze my camera into it when I need to!), and I've decided to share how I made it.

There's a lot of steps to follow, so I'm dividing it up into bits so that it won't be so overwhelming.

Today I'm going to give you the materials list, and the cutting out.

For the outer bag:
Use a heavy-weight fabric... home-dec type, or denim or canvas. Interface it if necessary, or add a layer of flannel or thin batting to each piece as interlining.. I'm using 10-oz waxed canvas, and it doesn't require anything additional.

The fabric I used is 56" wide, and to start with, I cut it into three strips. A 12" strip, a 6" strip, and a 3.5" strip.

The 6" strip gets set aside til later - it's going to be the strap.

From the 3.5" strip, cut two 22" long pieces for the the bag sides. Trim the remaining piece (approx. 12" long) to 3" wide to use for strap pieces.

From the 12" wide strip, cut the following:
1 22" long piece for the main bag body
2 6" pieces for the front and back pockets
1 1" piece for the top of the zippered pocket
1 5" piece for the bag base
1 12" piece for the flap
1 3.75" piece for the front strap

For the lining:
Use a lighter-weight fabric... quilting cotton, linen or a light home-dec fabric. A sturdy silk (like dupioni, for example) can be used if you want to get fancy, but it may require more care and attention to prevent fraying.

From the main lining fabric, cut:
1 22"x17" rectangle for the main bag lining
3 6"x12" rectangles for the outer pocket linings and flap lining

From a coordinating fabric, cut:
1 5"x18" or 9"x10" rectangle for the inner pocket (I use scraps for this, generally, so I do whichever size fits the scrap I have. You could also use 2 5"x9" pieces.)
1 4"x10" rectangle for the key-ring strap

You will also need:
a zipper - minimum 12" long. I find it easier to use one that's a bit longer.
3 1.5" rectangular rings
1 1.5" rectangular slide (optional, if you want your strap adjustable)
a snap (and whatever hardware you need to install it)
a 1" swivel hook

So there's that. Any questions? Tomorrow I will start with the outer pockets, and assembling the main outer bag.

shrove tuesday and other stuff

2011-03-08T21:23:00.000-08:00

Whew!! I'm back!

Our two-week run of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is now finished.

I have my life to myself again, and I don't know what to do with it. I've been so focused on the play, and now that it's over, I'm not entirely sure what I'm supposed to be doing.

It was a fabulous experience, though. The acting was all very well done, even the younger kids who were part of it. The costumes and makeup were great. The sense of community that grew up between us all was something that I've rarely experienced before. All almost-40 of us became friends. Truly. And as far as I know, that is not typical within a production.

But, it's over. Time to move on, and get back into a normal life-rhythm.

And today is Shrove Tuesday. Also known as Pancake Tuesday. Because today is the day that, traditionally, we're to use up all of the food that we won't be eating during the 40 days of fasting for Lent. Things like butter and eggs. Hence the pancakes.

Our family tradition doesn't include observing Lent, but I personally have, for the last few years, given up something at this time of year... like sugar, or specific computer activities, or TV. I still haven't decided what it will be this year...

Regardless of that, though, we do eat pancakes for dinner on Shrove Tuesday. A huge stack of crepes, generally. Especially since I found an essentially fool-proof recipe for them.

Basic Crepes
adapted slightly from allrecipes

1 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp melted butter

Beat eggs lightly, then mix in milk and water. Gradually whisk in flour and salt to make a smooth batter, then whisk in melted butter.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot. Makes approx 8 crepes.

And that's it. We like to eat them with homemade applesauce, or strawberries and whipped cream, or sugar and lemon juice, or peanut butter and sliced bananas, or maple syrup, or jam... the possibilities are endless. They're even fabulous with a savoury filling - sausage/onion/mushrooms, or creamed chicken, or cheese.

moop knockoff

2011-02-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of Moop bags?

I've loved them for quite a while now... thoughtfully designed, well made bags.

I just can't afford to buy one. Or two. Or, heaven forbid, three or four; because I wouldn't be able to choose just one. They're all just that great.

So, I did the next best thing. I hunted down some waxed canvas fabric, and made my own.

front of the bag... there are two pockets hiding under the flap; and a snap-fastening strap looping through that rectangular ring

back of the bag, with its zipped pocket


floral cotton interior with a yellow-spotted pocket, a key-ring holder, and plenty of space for my stuff

It's based on Moop's Letter Clutch, only bigger, and with a cross-body strap. I love , love, love it. I may have finally found my perfect bag.

Next up, an Epiphanie camera bag knock-off.

edited to add: I've created a tutorial, if you'd like to make your own Moop knock-off... Parts One, Two, Three, Four and Five...

iron craft 6

2011-02-09T01:09:00.000-08:00

Do you know how hard it is to think up a winter-themed project when the trees are starting to bud outside? Spring is just around the corner, people!

Well, at least, it is here in my corner of the world...

I do realize that there are still many places where the country is in the middle of winter still. I both feel sorry for you, and am envious of you, all at the same time. I really love winter. And snow. And having four distinct seasons. That's what I grew up with. And now, I live in a place that gets winter for a week or two every second or third year. Sigh.

And of course, I can't forget about those of you on the southern half of the world, where fall is just approaching. Lucky you! I love autumn.

But, lucky for me, I also really love spring, and I'm so happy that it's almost here!

Back to winter, though. It wasn't easy to tear my thoughts away from the new haze of bright green that is starting to blanket the world here, and think of something winter-themed. But I did eventually manage to do it.

Snowflakes.

Cold shiny silver.

Glittery ice-clear facets.

A necklace fit for the Snow Queen herself. (I'll be sure to give it to her, the next time I see her.)

daybook

2011-02-06T23:24:00.000-08:00

I'm so not motivated to blog these days... life is very busy, though it mostly seems as though nothing is ever accomplished. It's depressing. So here's my fill-in-the-blanks attempt to get back into it.

TODAY

Outside my window... a blustery wind. This morning it was pouring rain. The weather is never boring at this time of year.

I am thinking... about love. And letting go. And sacrifice. And growing up.

I am thankful for... friends. tea with lemon. a car that runs. chocolate. jeans that fit. new books to read.

From the learning rooms... Ellie loves math best of all. And she's developing into a rather good artist. She sketched a mug today, from several different viewpoints. I was quite impressed.

From the kitchen... soup. ahhhhh, soup. Greek red lentil, today. so good.

I am wearing... warmth. not fashion.

I am creating... costumes. Yes, it is that time of year again. Drama time. This year, it's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Right now I'm working on Aslan's costume.

I am going... round in circles. And, predictably, getting dizzy.

I am reading... stacks and stacks of books. Being sick seems to open up time for that - not much motivation for anything beyond lounging around on the couch. I just finished reading Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Loved it.

I am hoping... for sunshine.

I am hearing... silence. At last. I crave it; wait for it all day long.

Around the house... a mess. We've all been sick, in turns; not much has been done. I will have to work like a maniac tomorrow, though, because we have guests coming in the evening. Fortunately they are friends, and I don't feel the need to impress them...

A few plans for the rest of the week:

menu planning and grocery shopping
a photo walk : I've heard that we're supposed to get sunshine on Wednesday
sorting and purging one room... to start with. I'm frustrated with how quickly stuff accumulates.

Here is picture that I am sharing...

not a terribly great photo... my attempt at finding beauty in all this rain...

More daybook pages can be found here.

iron craft 5

2011-02-02T00:02:00.000-08:00

Be mine.

That was the challenge this week: to make a valentine. A card, a plushie, a sweet treat... anything. So I'm going to show you the beginnings of what I'm making for my sweetie for Valentine's day. (Ray, if you see this, please at least try to pretend to be surprised.)

This is page one of several. And that's all I'm going to say for now.

just a photo

2011-01-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

I'm still playing and experimenting with post-processing. There's so much to learn.

iron craft 4

2011-01-26T15:54:00.000-08:00

My mug cozy, created for week 4 of Iron Craft.

It's not as beautiful as I had envisioned, but it works.

I wet-felted some wool roving around the mug, and then waited for several days for it to dry fully. I patched up some holes, and gave it some additional shaping using some felting needles; then I embroidered with blanket stitch around the top, and added some little stars for fun.

The bit that holds it in place behind the handle is a piece of covered elastic, with a button sewed down on each end. I cut button holes in the felt, and buttoned it together from behind. I rather like how that turned out.

And the cool feature about this mug cozy is that it also acts as its own portable coaster. The thick layer of felt underneath the mug protects whatever it's put down on. So no scorch marks, or condensation (should I happen to use the mug for a cold beverage in the summertime). Bonus!

Burns' Night

2011-01-25T19:28:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Burns' Night this evening with the traditional Scottish meal... haggis with neeps-and-tatties. There was a green salad thrown in as a nod to good nutrition, but tonight was all about the meat (so-called) and starch.

Mmmmm, yum!

I know, I know. The idea of haggis is very off-putting to many. But really, the notion that some parts of animals aren't fit for eating is a fairly new one.

Our grandparents lived through the Depression years, where waste simply wasn't an option. My parents were immigrants, and couldn't afford to be picky.

Even I, a farm-raised girl of the 70s/80s learned the necessity of not wasting food of any kind.

We ate hearts, gizzards, livers... although I believe my mom drew the line at kidneys. Even chicken-foot soup showed up semi-regularly at our house.

Anyhow... I don't know quite where that little rant came from... this evening we ate haggis. And it was really really good!!

But the piece de resistance of our little meal was dessert. Naturally.

This is Cranachan.

It's kind of an unpronounceable name. Lots of hissing and spitting in the back of your throat. Most Scottish words are like that. Kind of like German.

But I digress. Again.

Sorry.

Cranachan is a heavenly mixture of toasted oats, honey (heather honey, if you can get it) raspberries, and whipped cream.

It's not a diet dessert.

But you should make some and eat it. You won't regret it.

And it's easy, too. You almost don't need a recipe. But I'll try to make one up anyhow. I based mine roughly on several that I found online, and it was amazing.

So here goes:

You'll need:

2 oz oatmeal (pinhead if you're in the UK and can get it... I just ran regular rolled oats through the food processor til they were not-quite-flour-sized.) 2 oz, for those who don't have a scale, works out to about 1/2 cup.
2 cups cream
1 tsp vanilla (or 2 Tbsp whiskey if you're not serving it to children)
2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) raspberries
up to 1/2 cup honey

Prepare the components:

Spread oats thinly on a cookie sheet and toast in a 350 degree oven til they're lightly browned and fragrant. Allow to cool before assembling the cranachan.
Whip the cream with the vanilla (or whiskey) till thickened. Set aside.
Mash raspberries til they're chunky. Stir in a dollop of honey.

To assemble:

Spread 1/3 of the cream on the bottom of the serving dish.
Sprinkle with 1/3 of the toasted oats
Drizzle with a bit of honey
Dollop 1/2 of the raspberries on top
repeat the layers (cream/oats/honey/raspberries)
Spread with remaining cream
Use a knife to slice through the layers and marble them lightly. Don't mix too much. Level the cream mixture nicely in the bowl.
Sprinkle with the remaining oats, and drizzle with some more honey.
Cover and refrigerate for 1 - 4 hours.

So there you have it. Eat it. Enjoy.

date night

2011-01-21T19:52:00.000-08:00

Nothing fancy... just him and me at the coffee shop. I have tea, he has steamed milk (plain); we play cards (I win). Then he plays solitaire while I take pictures. We chat. It's all good. Very very good.

iron craft 3

2011-01-20T17:32:00.000-08:00

As late as this morning, I was lazily looking at pictures of buntings, hoping that inspiration would strike me. The week three challenge for Iron Craft was, indeed, buntings.

Then suddenly I realized. Today is Thursday. The deadline for IC3 was yesterday.

Yesterday.

Oops.

So my choice was either to blow it off, and tell myself that I really didn't want to make a bunting; or to scramble something together.

I scrambled.

Killed two birds with one stone, even.

These fabrics are all from the quilt top that I made for Ellie a couple of weeks ago. After I cut the squares for the blocks, the rest of the fabric just sat in a heap on my cutting table. So, as I cut triangles from each of the fabrics today, I folded the remnants up and put them away.

I'm so proud of myself!

sewing again

2011-01-15T22:03:00.000-08:00

When I made the quilt top almost two weeks ago, I had 3 blocks left over.

So today, I chopped two of them in half, and the third one into quarters, and then I stitched them together around a plain center block.

Well, it was plain when I stitched them up.

After that, I sewed a pretty little heart into the center of it all. As you can see.

It might have been easier had I stitched the heart in place before I put the border pieces on. Keep that in mind if you decide to make a pillow like this.

So far, the back is just overlapped envelope style. I might add buttons/buttonholes to keep the edges together... depends on how much it gets carted around. I'm pretty sure Ellie's going to love it.

Oh, and in case you're wondering; no, I still haven't cleaned up the sewing room.

iron craft 2

2011-01-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

The challenge for week two of Iron Craft was a draft dodger/door snake thing.

I can't stand them. Any door in my house that could possibly benefit from having one of these at its foot opens inward. That leaves a big lump of fabric/stuffing that prevents said door from opening. Also it adds to the collection of things that are already cluttering my floor at any given time.

No door snakes for me.

Okay, some people do use them on window sills as well. Again, doesn't work for me. I have aluminum-framed windows, which means that they collect condensation and deposit it on to the window sill. A draft dodger there would just soak up all that water and hold it against the sill, damaging the wood. And as it is, I cover up my windows with plastic anyhow, so there's doubly no point there.

I did, however, come up with one place that would happily accept something with draft-blocking capabilities, and would also not add to the clutter in my house.

For some reason, our house has been graced with not one, but two mail slots. The one in the front door is used regularly. The one in the back door is pointless. Really. Who needs two mail slots??

The back door slot is now happily full of a mini draft dodger.

And my kitchen is a wee bit warmer.

I think.

picture day

2011-01-10T23:32:00.000-08:00

Today I spent part of Ellie's ballet class time wandering through the hazel farm on which the studio is located. The snow makes everything look so different and mysterious.

After I got sufficiently chilled, I spent the rest of the time indoors working on a new sweater... knit in an alpaca blend, it should keep me warm. I sure do hope so!

seriously??

2011-01-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

This week's weather...

Only on the west coast, I think.

happy day

2011-01-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

Today I spent a happy time walking through one of the richest areas of Vancouver... oh the lovely old houses!!

I also got to spend a happy couple of hours with my sister, and with my nephew who is courageously fighting leukemia.

And when I got home, it was snowing. Oh, happy day!

iron craft 1

2011-01-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed a new button on the side of my blog... I've joined Iron Craft - a weekly themed crafting challenge. This week is all about lights.

I made a knit-and-felted tealight holder... goes without saying that this one (as with all lighted candles) should not be left unattended; however, wool is naturally flame-resistant - it's actually self-extinguishing. Cool, hey?

The combination of knit and flame is the perfect antidote to the wet cold gloom outside my windows.

in which the sewing room still didn't get cleaned up

2011-01-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

Does that bear any resemblance to the stack of fabric in yesterday's post?
I spent a few hours today chopping and stitching it all into Crazy Nine-Patch blocks a la Oh, Fransson!

27 different fabrics. 27 crazy blocks. Fastest quilt top assembly in the history of my sewing machine.

Only problem is, I can't baste it until I've finished with the other quilt I started... all my pins are in use.

Eh, well. I did say this was a year for action, didn't I? Time to get quilting!

doing stuff

2011-01-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

Have you ever, on facing a task that looks overwhelmingly huge, just thrown up your hands, turned around and walked out of the room?

That would be me today.

Three times.

At least.

I had decided that my first 'action' of the year would be to tidy up my sewing room. I tend not to put things away when I'm in the middle of a project, and with Christmas just over, there's a lot of project detritus lying around in that room just now.

It's pretty bad.

So finally this evening I managed to convince myself to just get started on it. I folded fabric bits, sorted them out by colour into their stacks, put the little bitty scraps in their basket, threw out garbage, ate chocolate (hey! it couldn't just be left lying around, now, could it?), put tools back in their spots, started cutting out squares for a new quilt...

Wait... what???

Ummm, yeah. I did.

Oops.

another year begins

2011-01-01T21:24:00.000-08:00

It seems like time just keeps on racing faster and faster. A year used to seem like eternity. Summers stretched out forever; winters (once they arrived) never wanted to loose their hold and make way for spring. Now it feels like I just turn around and suddenly it's a new season. I can't think what it will feel like when I'm old - something akin to a whirlwind, I imagine.

I'm not one for making big plans or resolutions at the new year. It feels artificial. If there's something that needs to be changed, why should I wait til a certain day and hype it up. Just do it, right?

That being said, I am starting a new thing today. Partly in an effort to get to know my new camera, partly to improve my photography skills, partly to be more intentional about documenting my day-to-day life, I am beginning a 365 photo project. A photo a day, posted here. Hopefully I can stick to it... I know that there will be days... weeks?... when it'll feel like a chore. There will be days that I just can't post for whatever reason. I won't feel guilty about back-dating if necessary, just so you know! I'm excited to find out what it will look like - to see what it will be that catches my eye on a regular basis.

Also, I've been pondering a new "word" for the year. Last year, though I don't think I ever really put it out there in public, my word was believe. It came from a random thought that popped into my head one night, and has remained in the background of mostly everything that I've done throughout the year. Often it became a conscious choice in the face of my own self-doubt. And as a result, I see myself a lot differently now than I did a year ago. I don't limit myself as much as I did. I allow myself to look for possibilities rather than telling myself that other people can do it better than me, so why should I even bother. I like it.

And this year, I think that it's time to put some feet to those hard-won beliefs. Time for action. Time to do the things that I know I can do.

So, here goes!

looking back

2010-12-31T12:30:00.000-08:00

I just spent a large chunk of the morning looking through my files of photos for this year. How utterly satisfying!

2010 has definitely been a good year.

Not that there haven't been hard times... but overall, the memories are happy.

Several overnight trips away, just Ray and me... a return to acting after several years... my in-laws' 50th anniversary celebration... my mom's wedding... happy family together-times...

I'm happy. Joyful, even.

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

2 days... busy busy busy

2010-12-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

So much is getting done here... finally!... and I can't show you pics of any of it. I *knew* I shouldn't have let my family know I had a blog!!

But here's my present this year, half of it courtesy of Pioneer Woman and the photo editing contest that I won (I won!!! Seriously, I still can't believe it most of the time!).

A (gently used) Canon 40d... which, as one of my friends kindly pointed out to me, sounds like a bra size... and an 18-135 lens which I hope will turn out to be a good general-purpose one. Picking out a lens was the hardest part of the purchase - finding one with good reviews, that would cover most of my needs, and still be within my budget.

So, now I get to play with my camera... so many buttons and dials and unfamiliar features. It feels so good to have an SLR in my hands again!!

6 days... and a winner!

2010-12-18T00:29:00.000-08:00

Seriously? Six days til Christmas??? Soooo not ready.

But that's irrelevant right now... here's what the random number generator says:

Congrats, Meadow! I hope you enjoy the purse!

frost on the rosebuds

11 days ... giveaway day!

2010-12-13T00:08:00.000-08:00

Today is Giveaway Day at Sew, Mama, Sew!

I love doing this giveaway - so many new blogs to investigate... so many cool handmade items to investigate (and maybe win).

So here's the deal.

I'm giving away this cool little purse. It's a take-off of Renske's minimalist tote bag; the tutorial for which was posted on design*sponge a while back.

It's a fascinating design - the handle doubles as the bag's closure.

This little version is made almost completely of recycled materials. A white canvas/denim type fabric for the main body, a couple of shirts for the lining and pocket, and a leather skirt for the trim.

It measures 11"x7"x1" and has a handle drop of 10".

To have a chance of winning this bag, just leave me a comment - I'd love to know what is bringing you the most joy right now.

And now for the fine print:

The comments will stay open until midnight Pacific time on the 17th of December, after which the winner will be chosen by the all-knowing random number generator.
I'm willing to ship internationally.
Make sure that you have included your email address in the comment form, or else I'll have no way to contact you, and another winner may be chosen.

Good luck, everyone! And be sure to check out the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog to find the huge list of participants in the Giveaway Day!

12 days ... daybook

2010-12-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it has stopped raining. Torrentially.

I am thinking... about how surprised I am at my emotional disconnect from Christmas. I can't seem to get into the spirit this year for some reason.

I am thankful for... cosy felted wool slippers. Yes, I finally made them!

From the kitchen... potato and leek soup. Ahhhh, yes. Comfort food at its finest!

I am wearing... the afore-mentioned slippers. Also jeans, my double-gauze black/grey checked shirt, and a grey cardigan.

I am creating... purses. And a new ArtFire shop in which to sell them. Finally. After talking about doing it for well over a year now.

I am going... forward. Feeling optimistic again. I like it.

I am reading... a new-to-me historical fiction/mystery series... the Shardlake books by C.J.Sansom. They're set in Henry VIII's time, against the dissolution of monasteries and religious reform. So far, I'm cautiously optimistic about them. Although I don't think that they are going to steal first place on my list from Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series.

I am hearing... the rumble of helicopters. "Ah, shoot!" "Bang,bang,bang" "Hahaha!" My husband is playing Wii games with our daughter.

Around the house... there is some evidence of Christmas. The tree is up. Lights are strung. The mantle is decorated.

One of my favorite things... the new birdie ornaments I bought this year.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

shopping for presents
more sewing (presents as well as purses. Maybe even a tree skirt!)
cookie baking
the first of the annual extended-family Christmas dinners

Here is picture I am sharing...

snow on my lavender plant... it's from a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't bring myself to take a photo of all the rain we've been having lately.

More daybook pages can be found here.

20 days... and I'm gobsmacked!

2010-12-04T10:44:00.001-08:00

mosaic
Originally uploaded by whimsey

Yes indeedy. Blown away. Shocked.
You are looking at the winner of a Pioneer Woman photo-editing contest!
PW put one of her photos up for everyone to edit, and out of around 1200 entries, this one caught her eye.
Woot!!!
So now, having won a gift card to B&H, I get to replace my camera with something that doesn't have a condensation spot in the middle of the lens. Something (maybe) in the DSLR category. Oh, can it be???
YAY!!!!!!!!!

23 days... feeling cheeky

2010-12-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

I'm slowly pulling boxes of decorations out from the storage area under the stairs.

(side note: we've christened it 'Harry Potter'. As in "Can you please get me a jar of pickles from Harry Potter?" Or "Where's the sleeping bag?" "It's in Harry Potter." This confuses our friends and makes us laugh.)

I found these blocks at a thrift store last year, and set them out on my mantle. This year, I've got other things above the fireplace, and the shelves in the china cabinet aren't big enough to hold long words.

The obvious solution was to hit up the anagram generator for words that would fit.

Right? That was the obvious thing to do, wasn't it??

24 days... and a winner!

2010-12-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like doing things at the last minute, is there?

Please tell me I'm not the only Mama who spent a good portion of the day creating this year's Advent calendar!!

I used a combination of tutorials and pictures found whilst ~~wasting time~~ researching online. Also, I spent the last month or so collecting empty toilet rolls, much to the bemusement of my husband.

"Honey, why are there 20 empty toilet rolls in the cupboard?"

"Oh, I don't know. I just thought they might come in handy one of these days."

I like being cryptic like that.

I covered the rolls in old book pages, then flattened the bottoms and ran them through the sewing machine. I used a leather needle (a needle intended for sewing through leather, not a needle made of leather... just in case there was any confusion) and zig-zagged across to make a little pocket. Then I glued on the numbers, and they were all ready to hang up.

I also took great joy and delight in the fact that I bought the fillers in the presence of my daughter, and she had no idea what they were for. Of course, she is only 5, and we didn't do an advent calendar last year, but still. I'm easily amused.

Each little tube contains a tiny ornament for the tree in her bedroom, as well as a small chocolate for each of the kids, and a verse to read.

The countdown has begun!

Also, (please forgive the delay), the all-knowing random number generator has chosen the lovely Jessica to have the joy banner! Congrats, Jessica! I hope overseas posting will still allow you to enjoy it this Christmas!

25 days... why now?

2010-11-30T18:18:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago, on Christmas Eve, we got the news that my dad had terminal, inoperable liver cancer.

Last night, the phone call let us know that my seventeen year old nephew has leukemia.

I stumbled through my day, trying to keep to my routine; remembering at every moment that my sister has been thrown adrift. Her day, and the many days that follow, will be anything but routine.

Today I hold their family in my heart; a wordless petition resounding throughout my body, to God who can do all things. I cling to the fact that He gives hope. That He is good. That He shines light when things seem very dark indeed.

First Sunday of Advent

2010-11-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. On the advent wreath, the first candle that is lit is traditionally the candle of Hope.

Hope remembered. The Messiah, the Saviour, foretold by the prophets.

Hope fulfilled. He was born, lived among us, sent the Holy Spirit to remain with us.

Hope looked for. He will come again.

I admit to being optimistic by nature. I can't help but think, when things have gone all pear-shaped, that the situation will improve, given time and (perhaps) effort. I remind myself that things could be so much worse. I choose thankfulness for what I do have.

This year, I'd like to give some of that hope to others who are in those so-much-worse situations. I'm planning for Christmas to look a little different than it has previously. I'm joining the conspiracy. Think about it.

29 days

2010-11-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to feel Christmas-y. In fact, sometimes I'm startled by the fact that it's still November. The first of the decorations are up on the mantle.

Now I need to start sewing. Only 29 days to go!

30 days ... and another giveaway

2010-11-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

Well, that took a little longer than I had anticipated...

I always think "oh, I'll just whip these up in no time..." and it always takes so much longer than I'd thought. You'd think I'd have learned by now...

But anyhow, here's my stack of little christmas banners for (yet another) swap, all ready to be sent out. After I wrap them. Which will, no doubt, take longer than I have left time for.

And I've made an extra one to give away here. Just leave a comment - I love getting comments :)

34 days... sneak peak + winner(s)

2010-11-20T19:38:00.000-08:00

some unbleached muslin + a bag of old doilies + random scraps of fabric = ???

And because I got only 3 comments on the ornament giveaway, I'm going to give one to each person who did. Thanks for commenting, y'all!!

36 days... an ornament tutorial and a giveaway

2010-11-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

It almost snowed at my house today. The raindrops were thick and slushy. The mountains around town are frosted with white. I stayed indoors and made stuff.

These ornaments are for a swap that I'm part of.

If you want to make one, you'll need:

5 squares of paper... mine are 2.5" square, and are from an old German book I picked up at a thrift store.
2 squares of decorative paper that are one quarter the size of your paper squares... mine are 1.25" square, and made from a piece of red scrapbook paper with a 1" square glued onto it.
9" of 1/8" ribbon
a bead... I used a 6/0 Japanese glass bead
a decorative charm and jump ring
glue/paper cutter/scissors/pliers/needle and thread

To make:

Fold the larger paper squares in half lengthwise, then crosswise, then on one diagonal. Bring the diagonal folds toward each other, sandwiching them between the two square parts of the paper. Repeat for all pieces.

Glue the folded squares together: holding one folded piece, apply glue to the upper square. Lay another folded piece on top of it, making sure that the folded points are together. Repeat till all pieces are glued together in a stack. If you've done it correctly, the pieces should be able to fan out like in the photo. It's very important that the folded corners (i.e., the centers of the pieces of paper) are all together, otherwise it won't work.

Glue the ribbon to both sides of the stack of folded papers, having the cut ends of the ribbon toward the folded point, and looping over top of the open point. Make sure that the ribbon is not twisted. Then glue the decorative paper covers over the ribbons.

Put a bead onto the ribbon: Push the threaded needle through the bead, around the ribbon, and back through the bead. Then pull on the thread til the ribbon comes through the hole. Push the bead down toward the paper.

Add the charm to the ribbon using the jump ring. It needs to go onto the ribbon loop above the bead, so that it acts as a block, preventing the bead from being pulled off of the ribbon.

And there you are! You could (theoretically) hang up the ornament as is, all closed up like a little book; or you can pull the bead up to the top of the ribbon, fan open the pages, and put the covers back-to-back, and pull the bead back down to make a 5 pointed star.

This is, in fact, a little book. You could decorate the pages, or make it bigger and put photos into it, or whatever you like. I was thinking it might also be fun to make 24 of them and use them as an advent calendar... just open one a day.

There's one of these up for grabs... just leave me a comment and I'll pick a name in a couple of days.

37 days

2010-11-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

Today I don't really care that it's now one day closer to Christmas than it was yesterday. Not when the sky looks like this:

38 days

2010-11-16T19:21:00.000-08:00

Seriously.

There are only thirty-eight days til Christmas. Excuse me for a moment while I run around in circles and tear my hair out.

Okay. Deeeeep breath.
I'm back.

By this time last year, I had a stack of presents already made.
This year I still don't even have a list.

But I'm still committed to making it a mostly-homemade holiday. Am I crazy?

Well, let's just pretend not.

How about I start with an advent calendar?
Here's some links to tutorials that I found.

Now to choose which one to make. Aren't they all so gorgeous??

remembrance

2010-11-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

This woman brought a handful of medals to the Remembrance Day ceremony today. I wished she could have brought her son.

sunshine and shadows

2010-11-10T15:42:00.000-08:00


sunshine and rain over the ocean

SAD.

Need I say more?
This time of year is fraught with emotional ups and downs for me. I hate being so dependent on the weather.

The older I get, the easier it is to recognize. If I don't get enough sunshine, I find it hard to function. Hard to make it through a day. Hard to put one foot in front of the other. Hard to force myself to do the things that need to be done.

I've been supplementing with Vitamin D, when I remember. I don't know if it helps. And when the sun shines, I make sure to get my sad self out of doors. Because it's amazing how happy I feel when I do!

morning

2010-11-04T00:10:00.000-07:00

mystery and promise.

there's no telling where a day will end up.

will the mist clear to reveal a shiny day, or will it grow and spread and obscure everything?

november day

2010-11-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

These colours are SOOC*.

I love days like this.

And I'm always surprised by them at this time of year.

It startles me.

I forget that I don't need a jacket. Or sweater. Or long sleeves.

I had to shed several layers before we got back to the car.

*straight out of camera.

ie, no futzing about with enhancements or anything.

November already??

2010-11-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

...remembering a sunnier day...

today it's pouring cats and dogs.

the hazel grove

2010-10-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be having an incredibly busy week; ironically, that includes two days where I'll be able to accomplish nothing on my (extensive) list.

the hazelnut grove on the property where Ellie has ballet lessons

But I'll still be able to take photos.

playing with photos again...

2010-10-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

I've been learning so much about photo-manipulation... and having so much fun!!! The textures that I used on this picture came from Shadowhouse Creations... he's got free textures, brushes and tutorials, and such amazingly lovely photos. I'm so inspired!!

daybook

2010-10-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

TODAY

Outside my window... the weather doesn't know what to do with itself. Torrential rain this morning as I woke up, dying down to a mere drizzle by the time we hit the road to church, sunshine on the way home...

I am thankful for... my family. roses. pumpkin pie. feather duvets. comfortable shoes.

From the learning rooms... I don't know which book we'll be doing this week for FIAR... but there will be math, and writing, and reading. And I'm sure we'll have heaps of fun doing it!

From the kitchen... pies. Pumpkin pies. Three of them. And Hazelnut Pear cake, oh my!!!

I am wearing... jeans. my sleeveless brown floral shirt. the obligatory cardigan, this time in dusty turquoise. still no slippers... must. knit!

I am sewing... an apron. I felt so cranky yesterday that, as an attempt at an antidote, I cut out the pieces for a cheerful apron, from a bright yellow and orange and lime green floral vintage sheet. If that doesn't bring a little sunshine into my kitchen, I don't know what will.

I am going... round and round in circles in my mind. should I? shouldn't I? I really want to, but it probably won't solve anything, and will most likely cause more problems in the long run...

I am reading... GIMP tutorials. I've become a photo-processing fiend. I love textures!

I am hoping... for good news.

I am hearing... the hum of computers. the clack of keyboards. U2.

Around the house... a mess. I've been baking up a storm all weekend, and have not been home long enough to clean up properly.

One of my favorite things... the new texture pack I bought from Jessica Drossin.

A few plans for the rest of the week: not much out of the ordinary... besides the fact that Monday is a holiday.

Here is picture that I am sharing...


from our hike the other weekend... and processed using some of the new textures

More daybook pages can be found here.

just saying...

2010-10-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

Port, cherry and cranberry sauce

adapted from the Gluten-Free Girl, who adapted it from Cooking Light, Nov 2005

1 cup of agave syrup
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of port
1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice
1/2 cup of dried cherries
1 bag of fresh, organic cranberries (12 oz?)
1 teaspoon of grated orange rind
1 small capful of vanilla extract

Put the first four ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan, and bring to a boil, stirring, on high heat. Add the cherries and boil for one minute.

Pour in the cranberries and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for ten minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in orange rind and vanilla.

Pour into a container, cool, and refrigerate overnight.

Makes approximately 2 cups.

And it's sooooo good. You owe it to yourself to make some. I'm just sayin'.

daybook

2010-10-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

A few days late, thanks to a dead hard drive... please, everyone, back up your data. Life is so much easier that way.

TODAY
Outside my window... the weather has changed. The sun still shone, and the sky was clear, but the air was decidedly cooler today.

I am thinking... of my high school years. Remembering people. Wondering if they have changed as much as I have. Wondering what it would be like to all be in the same room again. Wondering how life has been for the friends that I lost touch with.

I am thankful for... my husband's techie skills that allowed him to retrieve most of the data from my hard drive after it died. I'm so glad I didn't lose all my photos.

From the learning rooms... a week of Owl Moon with Ellie. Great Horned Owls, the phases of the moon, hyperbole and imagery, learning to be still and notice.

From the kitchen... searching for recipes for my first vegan Thanksgiving. Feeling slight yearnings for turkey and gravy and mashed potatoes. But only slight. I'm feeling so good these days that I don't want to go back.

I am wearing... my clothes a size smaller than a month ago. I'm still bemused by the fact that two months of running and eating all-raw netted me only a two pound weight loss, yet a month of almost non-existent running and eating vegan has done so much more.

I am creating... baby gifts. I love sewing for babies!

I am going... to keep smiling.

I am reading... Practicing the Presence of People by Mike Mason. "We are not born with love; it is something we must learn."

I am hoping... that something changes. It's got to happen. I refuse to feel hopeless.

I am hearing... the hum of an unfamiliar hard drive. The slam of the door as people arrive home. The faint rumble of the dryer in the laundry room. The gurgle of my stomach as it lets me know that I haven't eaten yet.

Around the house... not much has changed. I'm making plans, but I haven't done anything about them yet.

One of my favorite things... is the walking foot that I bought for my sewing machine. It's pure magic, I tell you!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

planning Thanksgiving dishes to bring to various family functions
finishing up the gift for the baby shower I'll be attending
sewing a purse

Here is picture that I am sharing...

This is my daughter sitting on a rock, high above

Lindeman Lake. We had an amazing hike on a perfect day,

and yes, it really was this beautiful.

More daybook pages can be found at the Simple Woman's Daybook.

pretty pictures

2010-09-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

the Imke shirt in action

happy mail!!!

This is the final result of an embroidery round robin that I was part of.

I did the embroidery on the yellow square, and added the teal lace in the corner, and then I sent it out into the wild world. There were (I think) ten of us who took part. I'm in love with the results! Now I just need to figure out how to mount it for display - I want it out where I can see it every day!

success!!

2010-09-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Doesn't that look so much better?

If only I'd known how great a walking foot is, I'd have bought one years ago. Sometimes I can be such a Luddite.

So, there's the Imke shirt from Sewing Clothes Kids Love, just a few days later than I'd planned. Me and knit fabrics will never be BFFs, but at least now I don't have to be scared of them.

sweetness

2010-09-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

Is there anything cuter than a little girl on her first day of ballet lessons?

What do you think?

daybook

2010-09-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

TODAY

Outside my window... pine needles and cedar flags litter the pavement. The pumpkin is starting to turn orange. The tomato plants are making a desperate last bid to produce something that will change my mind about pulling them out. The pepper plants finally have presented me with a teeny tiny little red pepper. (My garden didn't produce much this year - I'm going to have to re-think my planting scheme for next year.)

I am thinking... about the unexpected difficulties that can arise when parenting teens and much younger children at the same time. I don't want Ellie to believe that she has more than two parents. I don't want the teenagers to implement rules that I have no desire to follow through with.

I am thankful for... corn on the cob. candied ginger. wooden knitting needles. smooth-running ball point pens. pears. love.

From the learning rooms... getting ready for a week of Mrs Rumphius... and wishing I could visit Maine.

From the kitchen... steamed greens, with a sprinkling of toasted sesame oil and a bit of salt. Oh my!

I am wearing... boringly, the same old jeans and t-shirt/cardigan combination I wear every day. Something needs to change... like my whole wardrobe.

I am knitting... the Kinsol Trestle vest from Twist Collective, in Cascade 220 superwash - what a lovely yarn to work with!

I am going... to try again with sewing the knit fabrics. I've bought a walking foot. Hopefully that will make all the difference.

I am reading... my script for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe... over, and over, and over, and over, and over...

I am hoping... that my older two (who are still at home) will start getting serious about finding jobs.

I am hearing... one of my favourite episodes of Firefly, as it's being watched behind me.

Around the house... things are slowly getting sorted. Homes are being found for random things. Other things are leaving forever. Summer things are being put away, fall things are making an appearance again.

One of my favorite things... is the smell of wood smoke wafting through the trees, and the crackle of a campfire beside the lake.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

ballet lessons start this week!
a field trip to the ocean

Here is picture that I am sharing...

...from our trip to the orchard last week...

More daybook pages can be found on the linky at the Simple Woman's Daybook.

making memories

2010-09-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Life with teenagers can sometimes be challenging. Seriously.

After an intensely difficult week, culminating with an extremely unpleasant day, it seemed to me that it would be a good idea to create a happy time.

So, in spite of the fact that attitudes were not good, and chores were not completed, and because the weather was spectacularly pleasant (25+C/80-ishF, with a clear blue sky), we went on a wee ramble through the woods.

Well, it kind of was a bit too much for Ellie, who is 5 and doesn't like steep hills... but she did just fine with a little help from her brother and dad.

We clambered straight down the mountainside from a logging road, down to the lake. The path was barely marked, and there were downed trees across it in places.

But we made it down without falling too many times, and the lake at the bottom was simply lovely.

We had our snacks and water, and threw lots of stones in the lake, and then made the trek straight back up the mountainside. As we drove away, we saw a bear cub rambling through the trees.

And, strangely enough, now that we're back home, attitudes have changed. Everybody is more relaxed. Life feels a bit better.