Love my weekends

Making things makes me happy.  Every weekend I try to spend a little time messing around, doing whatever it is that I want to do.  It washes away the stresses of a busy week.

A while back, I found this antique aquarium for a quarter.  It has a crack in it which no longer allows it to hold water.  The kids and I started getting antsy for spring.   We went to a local nursery and bought $6 worth of plants.  Then we scavenged a little moss from the woods.  Easy peasy.   Our own indoor spring. Go make one! It's fun and I promise you'll love it.  There's nothing like creating something that offers up immediate gratification and takes very little time and money to achieve the effect.

Happy Valentine's Day

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It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Today was the first morning that I woke up and didn't have to get ready for work or take the kids to school. It was bliss. I opened my eyes and immediately felt jazzed about the day, and the next ten to come. No work, no school. I guess one of the truest perks of working (beyond income) is that it really makes you appreciate spending time with family.

The morning started with cookies being made, honey labelled with ribbons for gifts,and last minute wrappings of some felted ornaments that we have been making in the afternoons and evenings.

We met with friends for lunch at their home, and enjoyed spending time and exchanging gifts. This was one of the handmade gifts from my friend (above.) Isn't she so talented?! It is one of the most beautiful ornaments I have ever received. Today we took pictures of our children in front of the tree for their ninth year together. We have done this every year since they were born, and it is something that is a hallmark of Christmas for me now.

Every year, I remember the years before when they were all so much smaller, when somebody fell apart, when the picture was less than perfect, and we shook our heads and took the picture anyway. It is such a lovely way to capture each year as it passes in a tradition of being together and being who we are.

Presents aren't under the tree in our home yet, but there have been many closed doors in the house though out the past couple of weeks, with whispering and planning. Tomorrow is the day. Things will be wrapped and placed. There will be inspections by the 5 and 8 year old. What has their name on it and does it rattle when shaken?

A gift for our solstice this year from my parents. It is an heirloom that will be cherished. We grew up with one of these on our table every winter, and the candles were always lit for Christmas dinner. I was so touched, and we have lit it each night since the solstice. It has been an unspoken dream of mine to have one for our family, and now we do.

So.... I'd like to wish you all Happy Holidays. It's my hope that they are filled with peace, joy, and love where ever you are in this world. Many blessings.

Giving thanks

wreath my husband made

So many things to be thankful for in my life. I am looking forward to slowing down over the holiday and snuggling in with my family. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Camp Mommy

She only gets one camp during the summer.... it's been that way since she was old enough to attend a program. Our little guy? Next year will be his time. It's what we can afford, so the onus has always fallen on me to stimulate their creative minds and meet their needs. We have a pool membership and that gets lots of energy out in the first part of the day. (That we've done for 6 years... no regrets and $ well spent.) So what do we do every afternoon? There are play dates here and there, but then there's "Camp Heather."

This summer it has been playing board/card games, sewing, artwork, reading, building with Lego's. My little guy still gets some quiet time most days, which often results in him falling asleep. (We all need a break from his exuberance.) It's funny how now that I'm working and putting my energy towards other people's children (doing therapy), I'm valuing this time with my own kids so much more this summer. There was a time, not too long ago, when big chunks of summer were grueling for me. I was often short tempered with two young kids for long hours, and sorely in need of some time to myself. I find myself stressed by different things now.... work, schedules, logistics. I make time for myself by rising at 5:30 a.m. and running. I crave time at home with just our family. I sometimes don't want to talk to anybody; I just want to escape from the problems and business of the world. I have to take deep breaths even more often these days, but it's in an effort to keep up with the pace of our busy schedule.


When did it all shift? I missed the delineating moment. Here we are, eight years later, and time spent with her in the afternoons is what can be so settling for me. Swimming in the pool with him can be the thing that brings joy to my day. Pinch me. It's all going too fast. Still, I'm far from perfect and one exhausted mommy at the end of every day. I want to hang on to it all and I'm driven to live every moment, even the difficult ones. My, what full moments they have been. How lucky I am to be at home with them, working part-time and not full-time. I remind myself every time I feel tired, stressed, or envious of others. I have a good life, indeed.... yes, I do.

March... you know what they say

"In like a lion, out like a lamb." Okay, okay. It wasn't quite the winter scene below. That was a couple of months ago. However, it was a wintry mix all day, and I just couldn't drag my butt out for a run. Snow coating the hillside and rhododendron leaves, in between sheets of rain? No big deal. I'll wait till tomorrow to fit in a run, thank you.

We meant to craft, but it never really happened. There was cleaning, forts built (destroying the sense of cleanliness), quite a long period of imaginary play, "Go Fish" negotiated between a 4 and an almost 8 year old, and then basil seeds planted (just about the time I thought I might lose my mind.)

Finally, yes, finally. I got to work on my projects. Birthday secrets for my big girl... I was completely content cutting up and combining fabrics. It's quicker than a quilt, but with all the satisfaction of patchwork. I was happy to give up my plans of planting strawberries, greens, and new potatoes. There was no way I was going outside today. On days like this, bliss is drinking tea and eating my mother in-law's cookies. I'll run it off tomorrow while I piece fabrics in my head.

Wouldn't it be something to achieve that state of contentment and bliss all week? Alright, I know, it's a non-reality. I always have the highest aspirations. I am the horse that starts out of the gate, spirited head held high. Somehow, though, I always finish in a lack luster position of not-so-noticeable standing. Does anybody else get that? So, I remind myself to think happiness with a modicum of grace mixed in. Sound good? Alright then, I'm headed for Monday with enthusiasm (and the knowledge that my sweet sister is arriving in just 6 days.) Maybe she can conquer the laundry.

Sewing with seven year olds

Santa brought her a Singer 1507 sewing machine for Christmas. It was the one thing she asked for, so I was very relieved that he got it right. She's had a ball with it. Although she's used my machine a few times, we started with the basics. I let her get used to the petal on her new machine first. We did this without threading the machine. She ran the pedal with her foot, hands under her bottom, until she was able to start slowly and maintain a steady rhythm. Then we put thread in the machine and worked on stopping, starting, and following lines drawn on paper (straight, curvy, and angles.) It was worth the time at the front end to explain some use and care of the machine, along with the mini tutorials. We talked about the fact that everybody has to practice if they want to get better at something. I think that's such an important insight for kids, so I slip it in whenever I can. (Once in a while, I get some eye rolling from them, but I think they appreciate the reminder!)

Next, she moved onto making fairy quilts. She pieced blocks of fabrics, designing her layout beforehand. She created the entire mini quilt, start to finish, and was so thrilled. She made about ten more. The part that absolutely awed me was how she went about quilting each one. I was actually a bit nervous at first. She ran the machine like she was running a race; she looked more than a bit like a mad artist. I stopped myself from saying anything about needles and fingers, and just watched. I realized that she was essentially free motion quilting, just like she's seen her mom do so many times. The even more extraordinary thing (which will only mean something to you if you sew) is that she never dropped the feed dog, AND her stitches looked great! Hmmmm. If only I sewed as well as her when I was seven.

(Another one of her quilts, a felt bird that she made, and the pincushion I made for her to use with her first machine.)

What daddy made him and why it's so amazing!

How cool is it when you're four and your dad makes you your own workbench? Especially if it's nicer than the average bear's! This creation has inspired hours of activity for our little guy. It has real child sized tools with it, including the safety glasses. It even has a handsaw that was his great grampy's. My favorite tool is the drill which is a Fiskar's old fashioned hand crank drill that really works. I've used it!

In this picture, he's got his piece of wood in the vice. It's cranked down and he hammers nails into the wood, saws it, drills it, colors it with markers.... you name it. When he was three, I remember starting to consider if little boys could be trusted to use tools safely. The resounding reply I got from several smart mamas was "ABSOLUTELY!!!"

Now that I see my little guy in action, I get it. He bangs on things anyway. He does big, loud, silly things. He takes risks that make me cringe sometimes, and I'm not a helicopter parent. He has this energy about him that is very, very boy. (Sorry to use the gender stereotype.) But... he can also be sweet and thoughtful and very directed in his activity. Giving him the responsibility for his own tools, the safe use of them, and a proper place to store them, has directed his energy and activity. Really. I'm a total convert. "Got some energy to get out? Why don't you go make something at your workbench, buddy." Bang, bang, bang. Everybody's happy.

His gift to her

My husband totally gets little girls and fairies. He constructed an outdoor fairy house with her a couple of years ago, and together their fascination with the fairy world has grown. (He's been known to visit crystal shops on secret missions.) When we were talking about what to do for the kids for Christmas, I mentioned that she would love an indoor fairy habitat. That was all. If there's one thing you should know about my husband is that he usually goes all out.... in everything. So this is Christmas morning (at 4:30ish, thanks to our four year old.) A fairy world awaited her in the living room. She was awed, as is everyone who sees it. I, myself, long to sit and play with it for hours. It is simply extraordinary fodder for the imagination.

I tried to take pictures of it for you, in case you feel inspired to make your own. Unfortunately, the pictures just don't do it justice. However, each is constructed on a wood pedestal, and each can be moved around so the configuration of the group can change. It is all coated in shellac, which is a fascinating natural substance made from bugs, worth reading up on in all your spare time.

He wired all of the Mountain Laurel branches with bonsai wire. The Laurel is cut live from our property. It should hopefully dry well, strengthened by the wire .

He also made tables, chairs, and beds out of wood rounds and Laurel. Each is carefully pieced, glued, and coated in shellac . (Below is a dog sled out of paddling foam, they made together on another occasion. I'm telling you, he gets little girls' imaginary worlds.)

I love walking through the room and seeing what new scenarios have evolved or which fairies are doing what. I imagine what scene may have been played out in her mind, or make up my own.

I was responsible only for dying a few play silks to use as hammocks. So easy in comparison to what he created. One of the things I've loved about this gift is that she took all the animals, fairies, wool roving, scraps of fabric, tiny boxes, etc. from around the house and created her fairy world. I guess what I mean is that it wasn't a gift given to her with all the parts included, it was something that she took and made into something uniquely fitted to her imagination.

I was wondering if these two owls were pairing up to provide us with some spring babies. Now wouldn't that be fun?

Now I'm going to start hinting around to him about a whole slew of fine furniture I'd like for the house. It's that, or he could start selling a few fairy habitats. Hmmm. Not a bad idea.

Sheet bees wax candle making tutorial

This is the second time in a week that it's snowed! Frigid temps have made is it easier to stay inside and craft. We made about a dozen of the candy cane striped candles together. They're so easy that my 4 year old was able to fully participate. This is such a wonderful way to make candles if you're not ready for dipping or molds. It's incredibly easy, and instant gratification .... really! I promise.



This is my version of a tutorial for bees' wax sheet candles to create a two tone spiral candle. We ordered our wax from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm. This is where we get all of our beekeeping supplies. They are a wonderful North Carolina small business with excellent customer support. If you're local and want to make these tomorrow, you can also visit the Earth Guild in Asheville.


Ingredient list:
1) bees wax sheets (2 different colors for this craft)
2) wick, enough yardage to make the number of candles (1 yd for @ 3 candles is my guess,but don't trust my math. It depends on how tall your sheets of wax are.)
3) hair dryer (a necessity, so borrow one if you don't have one.)

Here we go....

Cut the wax upper left corner to lower right corner, making a triangle like the pic above. Do this with both colors of wax sheet. You will be able to make 2 candles total.


Layer the two colors of wax sheet like the pic above. The other two sheets of wax are sitting to the side ready to use for the next candle.

Tear a small corner from the top sheet bottom left corner (look closely at the white wax.) Use your hair dryer to warm the wax up, making it tear smoothly. You will use this bit of wax to prime your wick. Again, a little blast from the hairdryer will help to mold it right around the end of the wick. It should look like the pic below.

Now, you will lay the appropriate length of wick at the far left side of the candle. Use your hair dryer to heat up the wax. You can't hurt the wax. Just experiment with intensity of heat so that you achieve pliability. I use low heat when working with my kids, but high heat when I'm doing it myself. When your candle is mailable, start rolling. Once we get it going, I turn the candle toward the child so that they can roll TOWARD their body (rather than left to right.) My seven year old is good to go on her own. My four year old needs a little assistance with keeping the end of the candle flush. You'll see... and you'll quickly get the hang of it.
These are spectacularly easy and so much fun to make. Even if you don't have kids, it's just a wonderful craft that yields beautiful results. Need some inexpensive gifts? Give it a try. My guess is that you won't be disappointed.

Ornament Idea for you... or, some like it hot!

We happened to have acquired quite a few peppers this fall....

Well, a lot, actually.

I got kind of inspired by all that red. I took out a needle and thread.... and got busy.

After a two hour movie, I had about a hundred to hang on the tree. The best part is that next year, I'll get to use them again. One of the cheapest, easiest, and most beautiful ornaments ever.
The secret to the effect is definitely in the sheer quantity, though. Somebody had a rockin' garden this year (and it wasn't me.)

So much to be thankful for...

We've had such a wonderful holiday, despite my initial funk leading up to it. I think all the hype of getting ready for craft shows just does that to me. Despite the fact that it was another wonderful event, I just felt like I needed to go find a real job afterward. Hmmmm.

But it really was hard to stay in that state for long. Thanksgiving day was brilliant here. We went bike riding as a family, and had a really nice time with my extended family that evening. My dad helped me plant my my bulbs in the garden. I had a date night with my husband that included sushi and old friends. We decorated our beautiful Christmas tree. Four days were just jam packed with good stuff.

When the weekend got colder we shifted to a whole bunch of crafting and indoor play. Even my husband got artsy and made some wreaths, which I'll have to show you later. We're all definitely excited about spending our first holidays in our new/old house.

I had to snap a bunch of pictures of the little scenes of play that were happening around our house. It warms my heart especially because I made these fairy dolls last spring for my sweet girl's birthday. They've gotten so much mileage! They were definitely worth the effort. The book mentioned in this post is what I used to guide me.

Here's the dish I made for Thanksgiving, a secret recipe shared by the woman who catered our wedding. We begged her for it after the event, and it's something I take the time to make every year. I hoarded the leftovers and finished that bit off yesterday.

Butternut squash souffle

2 cups butternut squash, roasted, mashed

2 Tablespoon brown sugar

2 Tablespoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoon corn starch

Mix until smooth. (I use my handheld Cuisinart)

1 stick melted butter

1 1/4 cup cream

3 egg yolks

Mix with butternut squash mixture until smooth.

3 egg whites

pinch salt

Beat in separate bowl to soft peaks. Fold this into squash mixture without over mixing.

Bake in buttered souffle dish at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Alrighty, then. Now it's time for me to re-enter the real world. Hope you were able to find some moments away from all the stressors this weekend. Have a great week!

Sushi by daddy

It's always a good weekend when daddy makes sushi.

Headbands!

Here's what we made... I fashioned my own pattern after looking at some others.

Here's what a friend made... just cut up strips of old t-shirts. Brilliant.

Here's what we found on the internet, should you be inspired:

fabric covered headbands

knit headbands

just one more (super easy peasy) knit headband

Have fun!

March Snow

Oh, why not? I'm laughing at myself for saying on Monday that I was ready to embrace whatever this week brought me. I didn't look at the forecast. Humph.

It is a beautiful one. Different from some of the recent episodes ... very wet, and falling off in great clumps. It is terrific for snow balls. Don't know what the bees think about all of this, though.

We actually had a lot of fun yesterday. It put the daily routine on hold again. Lots of playtime and crafting. Today is another day with no school. I'm starting to feel itchy, but every time I get grouchy, I pick up my knitting or put on some new music. I think we're breaking the baking fast and making banana bread today. Yesterday was several rounds of popcorn and Cara Cara oranges. Have you tried them? Amazing.

The biggest hit, beyond playing in the snow, was making horses from Ann Wood's horse template. She is such an incredible artist! I printed them on card stock, and both kids enjoyed coloring and painting. I made one too. Then, my daughter and I cut them out. We used craft brads rather than wire and buttons. These horses have provided plenty of entertainment in imaginary play. Their moving legs are just brilliant.

If you're running out of ideas, this one is well worth trying.

Edited: go check out Made by Joel; a friend turned me on to his blog in the comments for this post. You won't regret it!

indoor "sand" box

flour...

dried beans....

horses, elephants, and trucks... oh, my!

just a few minutes here and there for mama...

you get the picture.