Want to go shopping?

I do. But my version of shopping is looking at beautiful things, pretending like I am actually going to buy them, and then getting off the computer or leaving the store. I don't do it too often because you walk a thin line between fun and covetous depression. But, this post on the real simple blog about art for kids has led me to my new favorite girl. Elizabeth Soule.
I plan on unabashedly copying her for some personal work. I love taking photos of things - way more than of people. So, it's like TOTAL eye candy. Go and shop - or at least pay her site a visit.

Essential skills for danger loving boys...

My oldest has been asking for me to teach him how to sew for a long time. There may come a time or an age when he realizes that most boys don't sew and wouldn't want to know anymore but luckily he doesn't feel that way yet. I decided it was time to start because I see that reality looming and because I think he's got enough hand eye coordination now to pull it off.

Even if your son isn't into sewing this book may convince him to be. This has got to be one of my top favs of all time. It's got great stories, activities, articles, etc. all on being a boy.And there's one little paragraph in the front of the book that may be good material for convincing your boy of the value of sewing. See number 6 under essential gear? Click the image to see it larger...it's some good stuff.


And since we've got him into the basic hand stitching - it's pretty easy to get him onto the machine. Actually, I think every kid wants to play around with a sewing machine - it's pretty much a power tool. Luckily mine isn't too nice a machine so I'm not stressed about him using it. But I've seen some really cool kid-friendly sewing machines at the craft store. And they only cost around $25.00 - we may have to invest in that someday. Our first project now that we've got the basics down is going to be making a bag to hold all of his essential gear. He's totally excited - and so am I!

Good day sunshine and the snake's den

Today is one of those days where you walk outside and it's like a breathe of the freshest, coolest, most perfect air possible. All of the windows are open and the thermostat is at 72 degrees and holding. I am in serious nesting mode and have been crafting all morning including getting to those bandanna shorts/pants. Andrew is a little small for them but he assured me that he likes them, "kinda goofy."
Here's both boys in their shorts. I'm really digging them actually.I told them if they sat really quick so I could see their shorts they could play with their water guns. They're ready to go.
As you can see here...
Also, on an earlier post I had pictures of Elijah with some snakes he had found - he lost one but I let him keep the other. We found a terrarium at the thrift store($1) and put some soil, rocks, and a little log in it. The snake seemed happy enough and immediately buried himself because he is noctural. I'm not sure if I should be calling it a "he" but anyhow...we researched it and found that it is a "rough earth snake" and likes to eat earth worms and snails. "He" is about 8-10 inches long which means it's an adult. I wonder if we'll be seeing some baby snakes any time soon...Everyday Elijah has been gathering snails for the snake to eat and we've found that watching the snails is more fun than the snake! That red stuff is watermelon and snails love to eat it. They are all munching on it as I type, in fact. Aren't they cute?

Phew! That's a long post. I am totally blogging a lot lately. It makes up for those weeks where I don't even try to post something...

Baby booties from an old sweater...

When I read the challenge on blue yonder I was SO excited to come up with something. I had a hard time falling asleep for several nights as I thought of all of the things I might make. I finally decided I wanted to make something from felted sweaters so I went over to the local thrift store in search of wool sweaters. I was bummed though when the girl working there said that just the day before she had pulled all of the winter clothing and put it in storage. So, pretty let down, I looked around the store and found no inspiration in anything else there. A few days passed and as I was cleaning up my boy's room I found an old sweater vest that my husband had accidentally put through the wash. I kept it because I thought that the cabled knit looked cool once it was felted. Then I realized I could still make my project though the sweater is red so these little booties probably won't work on the little boy that's coming at the end of this month. So, here it is...

Here's the sweater I started with...
I had no idea what I was doing since I've never made anything like this so I made a pattern on some yellow paper and then traced it out on some cotton.
I sewed that together just to see if it would work and though it doesn't look like much, I was more confident that I could move forward...
Here are the pieces all cut out and ready to be sewn. I did it by hand because the felt was bulky and the pieces were small so I think that's the only way it could be done.Ta-da! My first one is done. I was even able to use the button and the botton hole from the sweater - I'm glad because I didn't know how I was going to sew a button hole by hand!
And here are the finished booties. I still have plenty of felt left and I think I'll make a little rattle or a little bunny or something with it. But for today, I am done. My coloring is terrible on these so that the felt looks different in every photo...oh well.
It was actually a really easy project. I like felt because it's so forgiving and you don't have to sew any seams. And aren't they so cute? Now I've just gotta get this baby to come!

p.s. I made a little friend to go along with the booties. Does this strange looking little guy make you all realize how bad I am at doing things like this? Even though he is strange - Andrew couldn't wait to get his hands on him.

Half-way handmade journal!!!

Tonight at our church young women's activity we made journals. I happen to love journals and so I am now obsessed with this. Thanks Amber for the idea!First start with one of these:Amber said she got them at Walmart for like $.92 cents or something!

Then choose three papers - one for the binding, one for the front and back cover and one for the inner lining paper. Get two of each - ours were 12"x12" papers and two of each is just right.
Then cut and glue. Start with the front and back lining. There should be some overlap so you can fold and glue the edges down on the inside of the cover. Then cut and fit the binding paper and glue that overlapping your first paper. Last cut a piece to fit in the front and back inner cover as your book lining. I know I could probably explain better than that but doesn't it kind of make sense? So, there you have it - your new notebook, gratitude journal, whatever - for about 2 dollars. And what cute gifts, eh?

Elijah's 6th Birthday

I forgot that I had some photos from before the move to post about. The day we moved up here we also had Elijah's birthday party. His b-day was thursday and then the party was saturday. It was crazy but all of that stress has been forgotten. But if you wonder if the day you're moving if you should have a party - you shouldn't.
We have a tradition that on the day of your birthday you can have any sugary cereal that you choose - Elijah chose Lucky charms.
Andrew isn't much of a sweets fan - the cereal seems a little much for him. He didn't even finish it.
Dad had frosted flakes.
Elijah got a new bike & helmet from his mom & pop.
Andrew always has something to say about everything - wonder where he got that trait?
Elijah also got a watch.
Here you can see our house with the sign in the yard.
Andrew always requests that I take a picture of him being "scary". Here it is folks.
Elijah is a hugger - Dad was just running to the hardware store for the last few things for the house.
Next tradition - dance to "Birthday" by The Beatles.
Now it's Saturday - We borrowed the tables and chairs from the church - i think i'll do that every year!
We made spaceships out of paper bowls and plates - they actually fly really well!
I love her welcome sign over the door - only a girl would think of welcoming guests to the spaceship. This is moon cake. Here I requested Elijah show me how old he is now. There you go! For party favors they also got glow necklaces - ordered from Oriental Trading - here they are in our black light room.

I wish I were a paper engineer...

Last year I became obsessed with paper snowflakes - completely. I spent hours making snowflakes and some of them got to be pretty darn good. I dreamed up a beautiful snowflake book that would get me on Martha Stewart and other morning shows. I got so crazy that I couldn't even stop while I was out. I would sit in a corner during primary at church and cut out more and more - trying to make them have a religious theme so I could justify it a little. A few weeks into my obsession I found a Robert Sabuda pop-up at a thrift store and my obsession transferred to making my own pop-ups. If you have yet to see a pop-up book by Robert Sabuda then you are truly missing out...his books take pop-up art to the level you always wished it was at as a child. I didn't realize I owned one of his when my mom got me America the Beautiful for my birthday. It is truly astounding - they say other pop up artists are mysitified by his work and don't understand how he does it. The thrift store pop-up was Alice in Wonderland and it is magical. With tunnels that Alice falls down and huge arches of cards - it's amazing. And you know how most pop-up books are always trying to close on you? His don't - you can open them up and put them on a table to inspect each and every 3-d detail. Also they aren't as fragile as so many are - my two boys(5 & 2) have yet to destroy either one! I hope to continue to add more and more to my collection.

To participate in my obsessions you have two options - first got to martha and see how a basic snowflake is made - once you understand the basic construction you'll start to see the possibilities open up.

Or go to Sabuda's site and try some of his basic pop-ups. He's got holiday and birthday themed designs that can help you make some nifty gift cards!