With spring cleaning....

...comes planning for projects. I love my lists and projects and, after a winter, I have new energy to tackle new or stale projects from the past. I've always drooled over the Oliver & S patterns for kids, especially the cut-out packaging. I've learned a hard lesson with my little girl. These days, she is in control of what she wears and the skirts that mom (ME) made for her, with love, can't compete with the store-bought ballerina skirt she lives in. Oh well.

I was thrilled to see that Liesl Gibson, creator of Oliver & s has a new line - for ladies like me. It's called Lisette: Sew your style. They're part of Simplicity which are sold in lots of places.

Market Tunic

I can see myself wearing so many of these pieces - and she has fabrics too. So no excuses but rather excitement. And, knowing me, I need to not only get excited but start planning for these fashions. It takes me a bit especially as I often get sidetracked.

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.

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.

Bye, bye summer

It's official. Our summer is over. It was really lovely. A bit of a rocky start but, looking back, it was jam-packed with goodness.

We are home from a family vacation to Fenwick Island. The weather, pace and company were wonderful. I was able to get my sick lungs full of the ocean air. All was made better.

Although I'm sitting on tons of laundry, I wanted to get some pictures uploaded. To make it more real.





I love this picture. Their faces. And holding hands. Wanting to capture this moment FOREVER.

Up and Away

We're home. restored. I am breathing better. Actually, I've picked up a chest cold but nonetheless I have been rejuvinated. The stress is gone from the shoulders and I have re-charged. We've even had hints of fall weather and I am loving it.

Lots of reflection so here we go.

I have a tendency to raise the bar too high for myself and then I get overwhelmed. viscious circle. I am always checking in on the balance. Seasonal shifts are great. Although I'm not returning to school, I find it necessary to thank summer for a great, although hot, time and look forward to fall and new beginnings.

Bits of reflection.
 - I want to cook more and better. Nothing elaborate. I've also come to the realization that easy is the key on certain week days.
 - As much as I am enjoying blogging, I am finding it is taking a good percentage of my craft/inspiration time. Looking forward, I want to prioritize doing rather than writing about it (realizing though, that that is cool too!)
 - letting things go. I wanted to do some preserving/canning this summer and maybe there is still time but realistically there might not be. And that is ok. there's always next year.
 - I realize I am a continuous learner. And that is a good thing.
 - I am glad to be crafting monthly with my friends. I look forward to this time and revel in their creativity.
 - My kids are growing fast. Life is full of moments. I know I can be doing more and creating this 'perfect' childhood. who am I kidding? I'm doing pretty good. I love the imperfections.
 - With our new home (it's been a year!), I get overwhelmed with how I want things to look and the energy/money associated. baby steps. prioritize and plan. Can't do it all. It wouldn't be fun.
 - There a lot of creative people out there and it is not a competition. I do what I can. If I get ETSY up and some craft shows, great. If not, oh well. There's always tomorrow. I'd rather make things I am proud of. I need to start doing. And I am...
 - I need to schedule more fun time for me. Otherwise, days go to fast and robotic mode sets in. not so fun heading toward burn out.
 - I'm working on finding the cozy spots in our home. It's important. Just takes more than snapping fingers.

Phew. It feels good and right.

Miss Lucy

Here's a smock for little Lucy. (From Amy Karol's awesome book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing: Swing Swing Smock)

A dear friend from my younger years - straight out of college, living a carefree life in Boston - visited with her husband and daughter. We caught up as if it were yesterday.



MATERIAL: feedsack from stash along with blue linen pocket trimmed in rick rack.

Up and Away

Our boy (O) who doesn't like to have his picture taken asked me to capture this moment. Daddy would never believe how high we were getting on this teeter totter. We definitely hit the solar system that day. All was good in our little spot of Earth.

Heart & Hands

Our little miss turned 3 last week. How does that happen? We escaped to the Baltimore Museum of Art. We had fun playing.

Bathing in the mud

I have decided to reclaim summer. We've had a variety of detours but all will be fine. By saying it, I will make it true.

A constant flurry of projects keeps us engaged. During a weekend, G re-did the office/creative space. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I function better in this welcoming space.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

Our big boy

Today is a big day. Mr. O graduated from pre-K.



Lots of hugs and tears (mom's, of course).

O has had wonderful teachers this year. Our friend is the author of this beautiful and sweet story - Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo by E.S. Redmond. It's really darling.



She wrote his teacher a nice note, from O.



And one from her.



More tears (from mom).

Look out summer vacation! Here we come.

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.

Let's go O's...

Does it get better than a Sunday baseball game?

Moments

I have so much to be thankful for. I get overwhelmed with details and not doing enough, or doing too much and not smelling the posies. And so I freeze, unable to move. I heard some sad news about a friend today. It is not fair. It makes me pause and reflect. I want to be better and enjoy every moment. I still get tears in my eyes, thanking my kids for making me a mom.

My babies grow

One baby is at school. Registered for Kindergarten last week. I don't think I am ready. He is.

My other baby has entered the tantrum zone.




Meet my newest babies.



The kids refer to them as such. Now, I do too. Some seedlings under grow light. Parsley is already in ground. I am cautiously optimistic about the raised beds. In celebration of Earth Day, we're picking up a rain barrel this weekend - yeah! Need to think of plan b - to keep squirrels and rabbits out of the beds.

No excuses

I won't, although I feel the need of saying why I haven't been around.

I've been swirling, sometimes at too fast of a pace. But all is good, each step. I am reminded to slow down and watch the lovely around.

Laundry on the line

Not that I need more signs but here are a few...

I wish I could capture the scent of sheets that have dried in the sun, promising sweet dreams.



Smiling kids, lungs full of fresh air.

Spring is in the air and the hair

Mr. Tough-guy basketball face

We're ready for spring. I forgot how great it is to have our home extend into the outdoors when the weather is nice. We fill our lungs with fresh air although a bit chilly and feel the sun on our faces. My kids have the scent of spring in their hair. As I squeeze in my kisses, they smell like outside.

Thinking of you...

Intense hugs to my mom who is having surgery today. I'm finding my thoughts drifting on this dreary day.

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.