In the zone...

I've been crafting up a storm for a craft trunk show tommorow. I said I would't stress and I haven't. That being said, I've dedicated more time to it than originally thought. In a good way. I always learn from these experiences.

• Ideal background 'noise' is 'This American Life.' It's the right balance of keeping my mind on task - cutting, sewing, stitching. Sometimes movies on netflix require too much attention and some songs gets me agitated for not feeling right.
• I work better in blocks of time. As sweet of a thought to craft the day away, it is not my reality. I've found if I dedicate select time, keeping watch with an egg timer. This keeps me focused and balanced with the rest of my life - house, kids, work, etc.

Amidst the chaos, I try to remember and smell the jasmine. It has a way of lifting spirits in winter.

I'm spring dreaming

Spring is officially here but you'd never think it if you walked outside. This is a glance of my morning time when all are still sleeping and I am sipping my cup of coffee, looking forward to facing the day ahead.

I came across this list for Best Gardens in Baltimore. Lots to look forward and do, instead of dreaming about. Who am i kidding? The dreaming part gets me in the right mode.

Spring tease

Yesterday Mother Nature played a trick on us. The best kind. Temps reached 70 and we opened windows. We played outside, laundry on the line. Lots of thoughts looking forward to spring. It might be a bit away but it's coming.

Peek into snowy bliss

We finally are receiving our long-awaited snowstorm. Kids school is closed as well as mine.

For the most part these 'days off' are listed as lazy but I find myself (and the kids) doing lots. Lots of good - a bit of work and play.

• A chance to make No-knead bread adapted by Sullivan Street Bakery. Definitely have time today.
• Trying out our new teapot.
• Reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.
• Started a rag rug for the kitchen. Strips are being kept in a thrifted bag at the Brooklyn Flea.

Glimpses from around the house:

The bar is set so low these days and yet these days seem fulfilling. My kind of day as I float from one thing to the next. Not everything needs completing. I love that the goal of such a free day is to do what you please, more else at home base.

And there's more snow a-coming. Yeah!!

Baby it's cold outside

Having lived in OH, I can't believe I grumble about the cold here in MD. I just don't want to go outside when it is so chilly. The wind just gets to your bones. So today, with the Ravens* on TV (YEAH!!), fireplace a blazing, Christmas decorations packed away, I whipped up these neckwarmers for the kids. O & V are not big fans of the scarf. I think this is a wonderful alternative. So easy to make.

Days like today are for made for knitting. This yarn is beautiful and fun to work with. Just beautiful, every stitch was making me pause and smile.

Tiennie Knits had this super easy pattern on Ravelry - Ribby Neckwarmer. I went through my stash and pulled what I could find. Two criteria for yarn for this project - washable and not itchy when next to skin. I started with Oliver's and cast on 100. Knit in ribben pattern up 5.5 inches. Viv is smaller (she is 3, and O: 6). For hers, I cast on 80 and knit up 4.25 inches.

I stamped their respective names on cotton tape and sewed inside. (Stamp ink is Versacraft - washable).

*I can't believe I love watching football. A wonderful influence from my son.

There was a tease in the air

Temp-wise we were in the 90's today. Last week was such a tease - sleeping with windows open, sun warming us during the day,and smelling fall. There was no question. It was the real deal. Until a couple days ago.

I look out my kitchen window and, with all the stuff that has accumulated, this is the best sign of fall, from inside looking out.

• heirloom tomatoes from the garden changing colors
• a gift pumpkin from friends
• mini gourds resting from the vine
• thyme drying
• corn we grew and can't wait to pop for a movie night in our future
•  a homemade pinwheel - a reminder of summer.

I know it is right around the corner.

Wall art

With both kids at school, we were finding a lot of art all over the house. I like my order. We made the following display in our family room. I like the idea of featuring different works throughout the year.

Summer heat = Love

The 90 + degree weather is sticking around... for awhile. Rather than complain, I am rejoicing:
- In the morning, we eat our Cheerios and granola outside before it gets hot.
- Our plants - container and raised beds are content. We're watering at night. Peas are growing strong. Hoping to see cukes later this week.
- Speaking of grass, the new grass is a coming
- Although our car is in the shop, it is nice to be stuck and home where can make raspberry jam and fruit leather.
- Laundry on the line
 - Crock pot dinners

Remembering me

I'm reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I LOVE it. Really love it. After a long day, sometimes it feels like a project to open this book, read and reflect. But it is helping, really helping.

As a working mom (inside and outside our lovely home) of two young, wild and innocent children, I sometimes lose sight of me. And it is scary. I crave the creative and am always dabbling in many half begun projects. I love sewing and knitting but sometimes find that I am in love with crafting than the 'doing'.

Blog-land has been great for inspiration and reference especially since I have a small number of friends who craft in town. As much as I love blogs, I find myself immersing myself in other blogs and getting completely lost and overwhelmed. The sum total of blogs I peek into intimidate me. It's almost like I've shown up to a contest and I am not qualified, just interested. Not always a positive experience. I since wonderful things people are creating and I get frustrated with myself for not figuring our how to balance, work, home, and craft. I have aspirations for creating pieces to sell on etsy. How do I act in confidence that I have good eye and I am full of passion? it's proving hard to verbalize. Maybe I should just start doing.

There are so many chapters to reference in the Happiness Project. I am starting with 'Being Elizabeth'. I need to be acceptable of who I am and my abilities. It is one thing to be inspired by others work, it is another thing to weigh me down and erase my confidence. I am finding that I am different and can't compare to anyone. I am trying, ever so hard, in every component of my life to be better and to be me.

*Be Elizabeth*

Painted rocks

Welcome summer weekend.

Camera is in the shop and counting days until it comes back home.

- Not ready for the 90 degree humid weather
- watching the evening thunderstorm from the porch was cool, although it woke the kiddies.
- made strawberry jam from our first batch of hand picked berries.

here's to days off.

Toy Story is in the house

O and now V are in love with Toy Story. We have big plans to go see Toy Story 3 when it comes out on my birthday next month. yeah!

We re-painted Oliver's room including a blackboard paint for writing notes and which Orioles' player we're cheering for. O wanted Toy Story in his room and we all agreed on cloud curtains.

These clouds have me daydreaming too.

Back at it...

Gardening Apron
The joy of finishing a project. This is 'Not Your Grandmother's Gardening Apron' from You Grow Girl by Gayla Trail. I used a feedsack for body of apron, using floral fabric and ribbon from my stash. My machine had a bit of a meltdown, during craft night. It is all better. phew - lots of projects on the list.

I've given myself a halt on buying anymore fabric/yarn. I have so much to use and have fun with. First, though, I need to organize the sewing room closet. I've started a list of items that would help the sewing room/office feel more inviting. Although I don't dread working in this bit of a room, I don't find it worth staying. I've come up with too may excuses and just want to do.

Here is the current spot:



There's so many good things about it. I need to be creative on cost-efficient options. The first thing, though, is ORGANIZE. So I can find what I'm looking for rather than run out to the store to buy.

Gingham happy

Inspired by Farm Chicks, I recovered this wooden desk top with a vinyl (flannel back). Now the kids can draw all they want. This desk was a freebie find at a garage sale last summer in Ohio. We found a perfect nook, with a perfect view for inspiration.



This fabric was leftover from our backsplash in our old house. Seeing this picture makes me miss that house.

Allergies beware

Spring has exploded in our home.



PINK!




On walks to the Tot lot...


Once we're there, we do headstands with a tree backdrop.





Even were tourists in our city. Fells Point never looked so good.

Visions of Spring

Our shed in morning sun.

As we walk around our yard, I remember this is our first spring, full of surprises.

Spring painting

The Painter
This house has cabin fever. We are ready for spring. To make our new home more ours, we've been painting some of the rooms.

Our latest paint makeover, work in progress.





While were watching Parks and Recreation this past Thursday, noticed our new wall color matches Tom's golf pants (can see a bit of green pants in this picture).

Animals reading

We are doing fine. Just re-grouping a bit after the snow and days off. Playing a bit of catch-up.



Pick-me-up flowers for a just 'ok' week.

Our Winter Wonderland

SNOW day!! We're home today recovering from the shoveling and playing outside. I'd say we had about 28 inches. We are thankful for our warm home base. Lots of neighbors helping each other out. Reminders of the great community we live in. There is suppose to be another storm a-coming Tues. evening. Till then we're staying cozy. I realize there aren't many pics of G. He was out shoveling a good portion of our neighbors out.

 
Blast from the past - plastic bag lined boots. 

 Oliver & Mama

A curbside tree we planted in front of our home in fall. We hope it makes it through winter.

   
The storm through our Valentine wreath

 

A marshmallow grin after drinking hot chocolate. (homemade by our buddy Nelson)

Our Elf

Our kids are the ideal audience for Elf on a Shelf. Last year, I found this little guy in TJMaxx. We told the kids that this elf is a direct helper to Santa. He (or she?) watches them and then reports back on what he saw. Next morning, you can find Elf in another spot. With so many things to do and buy, I'm glad we've added this guy into our holiday tradition. O & V wonder where he's positioned himself to watch our family's chaos.

Holiday Weekend Closing

We had a great holiday. Lots of eating, rest, as well as visiting with friends and families. Most of all, we were able to be home and just be cozy.


Any outfit goes with Cookie Monster slippers.



Mr. O had a fever and cough for a good portion of the week. We did find out he had perforated his ear drum, our poor little kitten. Once he had the medicine, he was so much better. He even created his own Indian headdress.

We lit our fireplace for the first time. The glow sets the tone making us believe everything is okay in our little world. A long weekend of thanks for simple pleasures.