Organization, cont.

A while ago I posted about a household organizer. I won't admit how I'm not really working on that. I mean, what?

I threw this together the other day using materials already on hand. Scrapbook paper, file folders, a piece of cardboard to stick it all to and well, that's it. I want to get some magnet sheets to put it on the fridge. The Husband thinks it's silly. Pssh. It didn't come out as well as I imagined, there's some bubbling from the modge podge - but it works for now anyway. We have a growing pile of papers on our kitchen island that need to be tamed.

I just modge podged the inside and outside of a couple of file folders, made some labels and stapled it all together. Which, I should have stapled it and THEN put the outside paper on, but I was sick. So I didn't think of that till after. I'm totally blaming that all on my cloudy head. I'm going to go ahead and blame the not smoothed out parts on the sick too.


I took the inspiration first from Tumblr, but them later saw it over on Bright and Blithe which is where it looks like it originated.

 

 

Handmade Holidays - review

In December I outlined the list of things I wanted to make for Christmas gifts. I also mentioned how uncooperative my sewing machine was. Oh, and she was. I ended up borrowing my mothers machine to finish, just in time.

I had planned to make pajama bottoms for my two boys and our nephew, robes for my boys, new flannel pillowcases for us all, a dollhouse for our niece and a table runner and cloth napkins for my sister in law (which I tied together Perfect Recipes for Having People Over). I also wanted to make felt food for Colins Kitchen.

Proudly, and surprisingly, I did accomplish most of that, with no help from my cranky sewing machine. I had to give up on the felt food and bought a small package of Melissa & Doug wooden food to get us started, and I didn't have the time or patience or energy to finish the robes, though the pieces are cut.

And not so proudly, and not so surprisingly, I forgot to take pictures of all of the finished items.

I got some snapshots, sort of to share though - and will ask for better pictures of the gifts that were given.

The boys pillowcases and heating pads (an extra project I threw in last minute when I knew I wouldn't get the robes done). The white Target box on top of the kitchen set is what The Husband built, along with some rubberband guns. Pretty sweet kitchen set for 16 dollars huh?

A not very good picture of two of the 3 pajama pants. The one on the left, our nephew - the first pair I made I did all wrong and when I had Colin try them on for an idea on size they just barely fit him, so I had to make a bigger pair. I sent The Husband to get 2 new yards of fabric, which he didn't get on sale, so in the end that pair of pajama pants cost me 50 dollars to get right. Even the kids pants, with on sale fleece were almost 12 dollars a pair. But they were fun and easy to make and the kids LOVED them. I don't have a picture of Evans pants, but I'll be sure to get one.

One of the very few pictures I have of the dollhouse. I really need to see if she can send me some. The Husband also painted 4 little peg people for it and I have no pics of that. I followed this tutorial. The original measurements I thought were too small, so I upped everything by 2 inches, which did give me a little bit of a headache later on, because I must not have cut everything correctly and so things didn't line up exactly right. But overall the project was pretty simple and super cute.


I'll have to see if I can get a picture of the runner I made for my sister in law too, because I really love how it came out. I just did different size strips of 4 different fabrics, the main fabric being the flower border fabric from this wall hanging I made her a couple years ago (which, judging by her pictures from her apt in NYC, she has hanging in her kitchen)

I loved being able to give more handmade gifts this year, and hope to do even more next year. But I think the planning and beginning of projects will start in June instead of November!

Weekend Review

We spent some time this weekend kicking off holiday baking. It was lovely - the kids and I baking and singing along while The Husband played Christmas songs. We drank eggnog (nom!) and watched Frosty the Snowman.

 

 

Baking didn't go so well though. Some frustration. Some mistakes. Rock hard brownies. Oh well, there's always next weekend. 

We haven't gotten our tree yet, this weekend I think. And no snow, really. It's odd to not have snow yet. We've had a dusting once or twice and that's it. I don't even like snow and I'm itching to get a good storm. It just doesn't feel like Christmas without it.

Still working away at Christmas gifts. We picked up a kitchen set for Colin at a thrift store (this is a whole 'nother post, one I've been wanting to get at for a while and even have saved as a draft - thrift stores and gifting and things but . . .) we got a 5 piece solid wood set for 16 dollars. It's gorgeous. I couldn't believe the price on it. It needs just a little cleaning, maybe some sanding in a spot or two and I might paint just a bit. It's in really good condition over all though.

I remember I got Evan a kitchen, he wanted one so bad when he was a toddler. I was so, so broke back then but I found him one, pink and blue for Christmas one year and he loved it. I really like that they make gender neutral ones now. Colin is 6 so starting to get a little on the older side for the play set, he'll outgrow it in a year or two, but the price and condition were too good to pass it up. He'll love it for now, and we have plenty of friends to pass it on to when the time comes.

So I've been working on felt food. So far I have felt cut out for doughnuts and oranges and strawberries. Ravioli and lollipops. I also plan on doing pancakes, butter pats, cupcakes and pies. I cut out all the pieces yesterday and sat down to sew some before work.

My sewing machine was being highly uncooperative. After about 45 minutes I had sewn half a doughnut. Really, it should have taken about 10 seconds. I don't know if the problem is my machine or me. But I was doing all sorts of grumbling and cursing. So I stopped. I'll just handsew them over the next few days. These gifts are supposed to be made with love. Not with frustration and cursing.


 Still have 3 robes, one pair of pajama pants (no, two), and a dollhouse to make too. I can't believe it's the 7th already!

Handmade Holidays - Ready, Set, Go!

So. As I mentioned, I procrastinate. Lots. And it's not happening this year. No way.

I figure if I can come up with a plan or mini goals or, I dunno, something -then maybe I can stay on task

I might round out my goals more as the days go on - but I need to start somewhere, yeah?

Mini goal for this week: Fleece pajama bottoms the boys (and The Husband).

Just freaking do it goal: Fleece blankets for the boys.

These are super easy projects to kick off the countdown. I don't want to be stressing in the last couple weeks till Christmas. I want to be relaxing. And drinking eggnog. And enjoying my family. I don't want a last minute rush and flurry of plastic (toys and wrappers and credit - oh my!)

Speaking of no plastic (or paper . . .) if you've been following my tumblr you may have seen this already - but I came across this cool site on how to wrap all sorts of presents in cloth: Furoshiki. They also sell the cloth, but um, I'm thinking it wouldn't be too difficult to cut some fabric on my own.

Alright. I should be reporting back next week with this weekends goals finished. Yell at me if I don't :D

Handmade Holidays

I hate rushing Christmas. I complain when stores pull out the displays earlier and earlier every year. Decorations before Thanksgiving?! No.Thank.You.

For the last few years, I've said I was going mostly handmade for Christmas. Then I don't. Because, well, I'm famous for my procrastination. But also, when you refuse to think of Christmas until a month before - time has a way of flying away. I've done a few handmade things. Lap quilts. Kitchen themed baskets. A small wall hanging. But this year, I want to do more. I'm sick of plastic. I'm sick of consumerism (though I admit, every year I get caught up in the rush and sales and excitement).

The Husband and I have already talked about it (I know! Before Thanksgiving!!) We are determined to make more this year. Now, really, I should have started right around January 1st of last year. But November 1st will have to do.

I'll be logging my inspirations over at my tumblr: A Ribbon at a Time and I hope to be posting my completions here on a semi-regular basis. I hope you'll follow along and also share your holiday journeys.

I'm not a good photographer.

I'm a snapshot kinda gal. Point and shoot. I'm trying to get better, but I have a hard time playing with light and shadows. I really want a niiiiiiice camera, but I think the one I have is just fine. I'm pretty sure the problem is more me than the camera.

I see camera's all the time at the thrift stores, but I don't know what I'm looking for, so I don't ever get anything. Plus they don't have manuals. Not like I read the manual I have now anyway.

So, the end of August/beginning of September was pretty rough for me. I had a LOT going on, and was really, really stressed.

Remember this box?

I mentioned it a few posts back. Yeah, it takes me a while to get around to things sometimes.

Anyway.

So September, rough time, and -

Sara, over at Handy Hooker happened to be having a give away. And I won! I was beyond happy. Man, how I needed a pick me up.

And that box was filled with goodies!!

(here's the part where me being a bad photographer comes in)

I know, it's dark and blurry. I tried a couple times to get a better picture. It's been rainy and dark here (forEVER!) and despite a million windows in our house, we never really get a ton of sunshine inside anyway. I'm working on getting better lighting in the kitchen. Kevin doesn't think there's a problem with the kitchen lights. I think he's crazy.

Anyway - the goodies! SouleMama's new book, Handmade Home, which I had wanted so much! And some Burt's Bees - a skin/facial kind of pampering thing and an outdoor survival kit. I love burts bees. AND homemade strawberry jam. Nom. AND these awesome hand/arm warmer knit(crochet?) things.

Can I just tell you how many sweatshirts and sweaters I ruined in High School by putting thumb holes in them?! I tried to get a good picture of the arm warmers, but remember how I'm not good at photography? Yeah. Sara has some pictures of purple ones on her site. They are awesome and I love them!

I haven't actually made anything from the Handmade Home book (I know, so surprised at my procrastination, right?!) but I love, love, love just looking though it. She is such an inspiration to me. So many times I complain about there just not being time to craft. Yeah? She has 4 children. That she home schools. I have 2. I just need to make it more of a priority. Not only will it bless my family, but it's soothing for me.

Remember my One Pretty Thing Challenge (that I totally failed at?)

I'm bringing it back.

I have so many things that just get moved around and pushed aside. But just because something doesn't work once, doesn't mean that it won't ever work. I just need to keep trying. Keep moving. Keep the effort going. Like with knitting :D

:Knitting:

About 5 years ago now, I taught myself to sew. I really loved patchwork skirts and pants and purses but they were so expensive and I just knew I could make them on my own. And I can. And have. Learning to sew was sometimes frusterating, but mostly satisfying. And it was flexible, because it didn't have to be perfect - I could mess up and figure out a way to fix it.

But sewing isn't always portable.

My mother in law knits (she's made our children some beautiful hats, mittens and sweaters and my favorite blanket ever) and sometimes, while we're all hanging out having a glass of wine, she'll knit while she chats. Or she'll knit at the kids soccer games. It looked so calming.

Also, since I quit smoking (twice since the first time I wanted to learn to knit - this time successfully!) I thought it would be great for keeping my hands busy. Or when I come home from work and the Husband is watching football.

So I got needles. And yarn. And looked up some instructions online. And could.not.get.it. So, I asked my mother in law to show me - and she did - and it made perfect sense. I got it this time for sure, right?

Except I got home and didn't have it.

This went on for the last 4 or more years. Every 6 months or so I'd pull it out and it wouldn't be long before I shoved it back in the bag. Sometimes I'd be getting it and going along - but then I would make a mistake and just couldn't figure out how to fix it. Stupid knitting.

But I soooooo wanted to learn. I really, really wanted to knit.

Last week I sat back down with my mother in law. And this time, I think I really do have it. The knitting part anyway, cause that's the only thing I'm doing. I guess it's called the garter stitch? That's all I've got. But I'm elated - because I've got it! yay! And, I even made a mistake, and even fixed it well enough that you can barely tell where it was ;D

I'm looking forward to learning more and more! yay knitting!

Autumn Curtains

I've been trying to get back into doing little craft projects here and there - I've been seriously slacking.


I told you about tumblr - where I can save and track all the little inspirations I come across. And Soulemama continues to be a source of inspiration for creating a handmade home.

Last week I took about an hour to myself and whipped up these curtains quick. The embroidery around the leaves I've been working on in stolen moments here and there, so that's not quite completed and I would like a second panel for the 2 windows. But it didn't take much time at all to add a little personality and warmth. I'm already thinking of Christmas valances :)

A couple of years ago a piece of red something ended up in a batch of linen I was washing. It stained the fabric and I tried to get it out - but there were still some swirls of pink. I put the fabric away and figured I could use it for a cutter project down the road. It's been probably 3 years since then and that's what I pulled out for these curtains. The coloring is barely noticeable on the window, like it would be up close. It took about 45 minutes to cut and sew the fabric into curtains. Easy enough!

Then I just cut out a couple of leaves out of felt - creating an embroidery swirly trail - fused the leaves on and now am embroidering around that. In all, I've spent maybe 2.5 hours on them - not bad! It's been great with the embroidery because I can "steal" a couple minutes here and there to work on it.

I'm still working on knitting, and now crocheting, but without a ton of luck so far (still!) I think I'm going to have to sit down with my mother in law for a couple hours one of these days.


How are you incorporating the season into your home?

Birthday Season

I must have been tired last night, after the kick off to Birthday Season since I posted the homemade treats without the vanilla ice cream recipe. Don't worry. It's up now - so go read it and try it. You won't be sorry. Unless of course you've already discovered home ice cream making, in which case you're probably on to better and fancier things than plain vanilla.

Anyway. Birthday Season - it's begun. 6 birthday's in 6 weeks. My mom's started it off yesterday. It was nice - we just went over for dinner (basic bbq - hamburgers, corn on the cob, macaroni salad) and cake.

We're on a, um - tight, budget so I picked a couple flowers from the garden and added in some basil and parsley for green put them in an old milk carafe and tied a little ribbon on. I also gave her a bottle of the strawberry wine. Even though it's not ready to drink yet!

My birthday is next (followed days before by my friends who is not included in our birthday season count)

Colin's comes next - poor guy. The problem with his, is that it falls during my mandatory overtime and so it's always a scramble to get his put together. It does always come together, but it's hectic. This year we are also moving the day before we planned his party. Or not planned his party. We have no idea what we are doing yet.

My sisters is the last one in August.

Evans is mid-September, and my father's is the day after - officially ending birthday season.

Just in time to start planning Christmas! Heh.

I've been eyeing these birthday flags I keep seeing - and I'm thinking about trying to put together some before Colins birthday. I know that's kind of crazy. I still have a quilt I have to finish. It's just a tiny one though. And we're gone 5 days next week. And we're still packing.

But I really like these. And really want some for this year. So I think I really need to find the time.


Here's what I'm talking about:

A Birthday Banner, at Soulemama

Happy Birthday Garland on Etsy

Even More Garland Examples


So, you see - I just have to make something like this. I mean, c'mon. We have a Birthday Season. I'm pretty sure we need these.

Craft Disaster.

So, every month Evan has to do a book project. This month, for his presentation he was doing a book in a bag. He made two clay items, a boat and a cave thing. He spent a lot of time on them and they looked awesome.

I got the brilliant idea to bake them, since I used to bake my sculpey clay things.

Set the oven to 225 - put them in. Check on them a couple minutes later. Melted. Puddles. F*ck.


Feel like an a-hole for melting his project.

Try to clean off baking sheet in sink. No good.


SUPER BRILLIANT idea to put baking sheet back in oven at 350 to burn off remainder.

Forgot clay created toxic fumes at higher temperatures. Entire kitchen fills with smoke. Pull baking sheet out.

Open all the windows. Get the kids out of the house and go for a walk. Come back. Turn into paranoid freak over toxic fumes.

Notice that clay is now ALL OVER the bottom of the oven.

:insert obscenities:



Now, not only did I just win loser mom of the year award for MELTING my sons project he worked really really hard on, two days before it was due - expose my children to toxic fumes - but now I have to try and get clay out of my oven, without creating more of those pesky fumes.

I have it soaking with vinegar and baking soda.


Ugh.

Crafting

I've been crafting for as long as I can remember. I've always liked creating things. Over the years I've found and used different mediums and as a result I have quite a few 'hobbies' and supplies.

Until we moved last year, I didn't really have a designated crafting space. I used the living room floor. Or the kitchen table. And often spent more time pulling things out and putting them away then actually crafting.

I've scrapbooked. Repainted and re-crafted items and furniture. About 4 years ago I taught myself how to sew.

But I haven't really done any of that in months. I mean, almost a year. Not since we got married.

And I miss it, I do.

I finally have a space. We moved, and I have a wall in our small bedroom set up with a table and my supplies. But I haven't organized it. Not since we moved here. Almost a year ago.

So I haven't crafted. And I haven't done any sewing. The last thing I had made was my wedding dress (with the assistance of a friend 2 weeks before the wedding, but that's another story).

Photograph by Andrea Casey

And there has always been a reason excuse. There isn't time. The crafting area still hasn't been cleaned/organized. I have to do laundry/clean/dinner/anything else.

About a month ago I started embroidering. It's peaceful, enjoyable and best of all portable. I tried knitting, again. It makes me angry. It should be fun but I just.don't.get.it.

But, I'm done with excuses. Yesterday, I stayed home sick (I really was sick) and I was tempted to start cleaning (does anyone else get like that when they should be resting? It doesn't make sense. If my husband was home sick he would not be doing laundry) Anyway, I got up in the afternoon and decided I was going to sew.

Normally, I would get to my sewing stuff and decide it had to all be cleaned and organized before I could possibly do anything. Then 5 hours later I would find myself painting my bedroom walls or something equally ridiculous (because cleaning the crafting area would mean I had to clean my room then while I was doing that I would realize how I don't like the wall colors and then . . . ) So I cleared my table, without cleaning (luckily I had cleaned my machines a couple weeks ago) found some fabric and decided to do a quick project. And ignore the mess around me.

I took my inspiration from this post over at soule mama I figured it would take a half hour or so, right?

Right, except I haven't sewn in a year. And while it felt (so) good to be sewing again, I was a little rusty. I made some mistakes. For the most part, I ignored the mistakes. This was for ME. I wasn't selling this. It didn't need to be perfect. It's going on my floor. Just do it. Push through it. Let the mistakes happen, eventually I'll fall into the rhythm. And I did.

So, it has it's imperfections. But I love it. And it matches the orange countertops (that I can't believe I ever hated) and it was quick (about an hour) and I will so be making more of these (mostly because soon those imperfections will drive me craaaaazy!):

Please pretend my floor is clean

So I made a promise to myself, to make time. Even if it's 15 minutes here, a half hour there. Because I love this. I love creating. No more excuses. I deserve the time.