Peeks

My good friend, Amanda of Fancie Pants Knits, is a crafty wonder. She is a co-founder of Craft night, where we get together, craft and catch up. She is constantly a source of inspiration and support. I wanted to share a pin she made for me - love!!! It made a 'so-so' day spectacular. She's really been into embellishing old sweaters needing new life and thrifted wonders. She's inspired me to refresh some of my go-to cardigans.

Findings

Originally uploaded by I am Old Lib

I have so much to share about my everydays and I'm struggling to sum up in 2 minutes.

Although frigid temps are back this weekend (bahhh!!), our spring routinue if off to a great start. We've been going to garage & estate sales, eating more salads and getting the house in spring mode. Yeah.

Here's a thrifted plate with a found candlestick. Voila, a cake plate for treaties.

I am prepping for a trunk show next weekend. So much to show and share.

Gym bag

I finally made something out of Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross - Everything Tote. I couldn't stand my vinyl, worn gym bag. Now, I have a washable replacement that might even get me to gym more often.

Yeah!

Springy

As I look outside on the freshly fallen snow, I pause to dream about spring. Then snap out of it as my kids chase each other around the dining room table. I am home base.

Here's the background. This chair is so comfortable. It is the spot where we gravitate. I don't think the wood quality is high but it was passed down from my husband's grandparents. We decided to make it our own.

We re-covered our chair with Heather Bailey's Garden Pop. I am thrilled with the color selection. Still need to finetune our 're-upolstering with a staple gun'. That being said, I think some upholstery tacks will fix.

On my list - I would like to take a class on real re-upholstery. Love our new addition. Looking forward to springtime.

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.

My winter therapy

Made a lovely Natural Lemon Cake from Jane Brocket's Gentle Art of Domesticity (found originally by author in Baking with Passion by Dan Lepard.

I've been drying citrus peels and found some time to make this Citru Peel Scrub. I all about DIY especially when it is for home and beauty with products i have in the pantry. This natural exfoliator is from Janice Cox, Natural Beauty at Home.

• 1 Tbsp. dried citrus peel chopped and grounded in processor
• 1/2 c plain yogurt (I used vanilla because that is what i had on hand)
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1/4 c vitamin E oil
• 2 Tbsp. cornmeal.

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!!

Is spring in sight?

With these cold days, spring seems a long way away. Catching a whiff of this hyacinth reassures that it is coming soon. It's growing in a champagne flute - the most use this glass has seen since we received as a wedding gift 10 plus years ago.

I'm ready!

Once you get past this look on my face, look at the cute headband. It's quite difficult to take a picture of yourself. When am I ever this serious (or perturbed)? Timing with our snow delay, I am happy to share the latest of my winter gear. Referencing Make by Cath Kidston, I applied an applique to this fleece headband.

Materials: Headband from Walmart for $3, fabrics from stash - velvet, tweed and Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy (leftover from our dining room curtains).

Might even make going outside bearable or at least stylin'.

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.