Scrap Eggs

Hey thanks for the comment love on the quilt! How nice of you to read my posts. I never thought anyone besides my mom would read this blog, so I’m thrilled to make some connections out there in the innernets!



So after an uneventful library storytime experience this morning (whew), Esme and I (Holden’s in preschool on Tuesdays and Fridays) decided to combine these two wonderful ideas into one. I used the scraps from the quilt that I just made for Holden’s eggs and scraps from Esme’s quilt for hers. Aside from being super simple to make, they also reduce my ecoguilt (no more plastic eggs) and gave Esme a fun project this morning.


She was Lead Engineer at the Pellet Stuffing Station and was responsible for overseeing all activities involving pellet manipulation which included, but was not limited to, funneling, scooping, pouring, swirling, cupcake pan handling, dipping, digging, shoveling, and throwing (her position was terminated shortly after the throwing part).

AND we discovered a new word today:
Hatcorn (hatkorn) n. the uppermost hat-like cupule which sits atop the nut-part of an acorn (self defined).


Happy weekend everyone!

Lessons Learned

1. Make Goals, Not Deadlines
2. I’m a Patternaholic
3. Embrace Imperfection
4. Hand Binding is F-U-N!
5. Beeswax Rules (thank you Grandma B for the lifetime supply!)



Inspired by this, and my quilt wants to be this amazing quilt when it grows up. There’s some chocolate lollipop, a few michael millers, some fresh cuts and one yummy print called ginger blossom that I love. And the best part of all, the scraps will make for some lovely spring eggs for the kiddums!



Next week we’re off to Redmond for a grandparental visit. I plan on hitting up grandma b. for a tutorial on mitered corners, because I’m not quite convinced that I’m doing it right (should I sew the corners, or just leave it all foldedy looking?)

And this lovely little face was our perfect welcome to spring today, despite the grumpy clouds above. Happy spring everyone!

Yet More

Still binding away over here! I was hoping to have everything finished up to catch some of Portland's nice big light today for pics, but no no no. Hand sewing takes time and patience and I thankfully have a little of both today. And it's so, so pretty compared to my previous quilt bindings (they will be so jealous). It almost makes me want to quilt the whole thing by hand...almost.

And special treat for me! I get to shop and dine with some (but not all) of my favoritest people tonight. My gift certificate to Amalee will not stop screaming to be spent (it’s really sort of embarrassing when we’re out in public) and then I get to partake in some tasty nibblings here.

Speaking of embarrassing public displays, my sweet daughter thought it fitting today to proclaim to our entire library storytime group that ‘mama farted’ (indeed I did NOT) and, since potty humor is way big amongst that crowd (I daresay it trumps dinosaurs and spidermen), sent the whole lot of them into a giggle fest. Last week she announced, very loudly again, that I had boogers in my nose, so I’m not sure if this week was an improvement or if we’re on a downward slope to never, ever being able to show our (my) face in public again. I guess we’ll find out what she has up her sleeve at this weekend's easter egg hunt...stay tuned!

Bind Time

Can I just say, I am love love loving this binding tutorial. Have I mentioned yet that I'm making a quilt? Yes, insane me chose a quilt for my first week-long project. I've always been terrified of making my own bias tape and hand-binding my quilt. Why? I dunno!!! It's so easy and kinda fun actually. The only hiccup was losing the tape machine temporarily. And guess where it was? Yep, you got it -- I just followed the airplane noises to the 4-year-old and there it was!

And to keep me caffeinated, I gots me a little tamper at work:

Hey, What's that Sound

No worries. It’s just the sound of my weekly project deadline zooming by. Missed it. Oh well. Still going strong and realizing that although deadlines are useful, buffering them for, oh I don’t know, everyday life? may be wise. And I may adopt the measure twice, cut once advice that I’ve heard going around (But where is the fun in that, really?)

Here’s some of that everyday life stuff that I mentioned: Holden and Esme hard at work on their “quilts.”

Hello Two,

It’s been awhile, two years to be exact, since you’ve reared your sweetly mischievous and charming (if slightly neurotic) face. And although we’ve met before, we consistently underestimate you. Because even though you’re small, you are undeniably mighty in your power to render us, as a family, helpless in our defense.

You never cease to amaze us, Two, in your keen ability to transmutate completely at the sight of mis-cut grapes, an improperly sung song, the mere mention of unwanted pigtails. Your shrill protests render our ability to think, reason and articulate above the level of a kindergartener completely invalid.

Now please don’t take us wrong, Two. We welcome your resolute ambivalence with all the love, patience and humor that we possess (which can be challenging if you’re Four) and understand that we will soon miss these days of sweet, but sincere, irreverence.

So for now, Two, although you sometimes replace your sweet toddler smiles with sideways sneers, although we can never again show our faces at the Concordia New Seasons after yesterday’s fitful adventure, and although you leave us worn and bewildered after each day’s medley of quarrels, colloquies and coup d’etats, we still hold your sing-song voice close to our hearts (as we dodge your flailing limbs), we embrace your shrieks of joy (along with your screams of dismay), and we remember to always respect and admire your innate desire to rule your world (and ours), because Two, we love and adore all that is sweet, duplicitous, you.

Conversation with a 4-year-old Duck Farmer

Holden: we have a duck machine at school
Mama: a what?
H: A DUCK MACHINE
M: what does your duck machine do?
H: it cracks eggs
M: oh, ok.
H: and the baby chicks come out
M: oh, an incubator?
H: yeah, an INGLOOBLATOR!!
M: got it.

Sneak Peek

Project is going well, and is Holden-approved (because I was holding my breath on that one…you’ll see!). So far this deadline thing is working for me and I am glad to have something to think about other than Esme’s current icky sickness (pooped herself awake from her nap yesterday, poor little e!). Did I mention she’s teething too? Yeah, it's been one of those weeks!

Here's a little sneak peak of the project. As soon as naptime's over, I'm breaking my golden rule and dragging everyone to fabric depot. I know, I know...but I just need thread. And a bias tape maker since I discovered this tutorial. And maybe one quick dash through the vintage prints for a summer Esme dress. And then we'll invariably have to peruse the Cars fabric section...Yes, we're headed for disaster this afternoon!

Happy weekend!!

Ooo, Ooo, Oooooo

Can I tell you how sweet my husband is? Would you mind if I gush a little? I fear I left a bad impression after my last post…really, he’s a great dad and expert prune juice dispenser.

Said sweet husband is on his way now, at exactly 9:30pm, to buy a cd on which I’m craving a song (Norah Jones/Sunrise) along with a chocolate hazelnut milkshake (which we should NOT be consuming at 9:30pm!! Bad, Bad!). But can you believe this sweetness exists in the world? (and I’m not talking about the milkshake!)

Mind you, I never sent him on those pregnancy hormone-induced midnight runs for peanut butter and sprout sandwiches. Those cravings could wait until morning. But this song in my head is so sweet and simple and is the perfect background music for the project I’m working (diligently) on. Plus, Holden loves this song and I’m envisioning waking him to sweet sounds and homemade muffins…aww.

Oh dear. I hear raindrops. Thank you BriBri!

Smock Me

Another project that doesn't count, but wanted to get them up here before the kids paint them into oblivion...



Inspired by these and this! Main goal was to incorporate the infamous Cars print into something we could both love.

In other news, daddy narrowly escaped marital distress last night when he fed the baby (I know, she's 2, but she'll always be "the baby") 8+ ounces of prune juice and then sped off to his Mufon Meeting. Yeah. Needless to say, it was a productive evening but thankfully only resulted in 3 diaper changes.

The prune juice has mysteriously diappeared as well.

Spring Sprung

NatureTableWEB
Originally uploaded by melmelmel

This is our nature table, in transition: pine cones, Camellias and sweet smelling Daphne. Mama nature has thrown us a few teaser days to assure that spring is on its way and we can't help but to bring her optimistic outlook indoors.

Above the table (and sweet little helper hand) is a completed project! Although it doesn't really count toward the weekly quota since it was completed sometime last month and took all of 30 minutes to make. I got it from my favorite little hut because I knew a calendar would be the perfect motivational project to get me in the crafting mode. The kiddos picked the fabric backings so it doubled as a crafty kid project, too.

And the project of the week is coming along nicely, although I do have to commandeer the kid's craft table in the evenings for more space. The paint and craft glue splotches just add to the charm, right??

In Order

Did I really say a craft project a week? Yes. I did. And I can do that...just need to make me some lists, because I loooooooove me a good list!! And lists of lists? Those are even better. So far I have:

craft project list
kid's project list
craft + kid's project list(?)
blog update list
blogs i love list
housework (bottom of list!!!)

And I scrapped fabric list (pun intended) because there is nothing worse than walking into a place like fabric depot with a list. Believe me, I've learned that the hard way as those trips usually end in tears. And those would be my own tears, as I've also learned never to bring my kids on fabric shopping trips as it'll inevitably entail 1) many angry glares as the babes scream their way up and down the aisles and 2) me inevitably coming home with yet another Cars print that Holden falls in love with.

Anyway, I got my fill o' fabric at this weekend's FD sale AND I have gift certificates to Superbuzzy and Bolt just screaming to be spent, so into the wild crafting yonder I go...

(and thank you, lisa! you've deflowered my blog with it's very first comment!)

Hello World...

...It's me (mama) making an attempt to finally start the craft blog of my dreams. I hope to follow in the footsteps of some of my most favoritest and craftiest of crafty internet blogger peeps. A tall order (for a shorty like me) so I'll take it slow and hope to complete a project a week (gasp!) to blog aboot.

So here goes...wish me lucks!!!

Repurposing

Birthday2008
Originally uploaded by melmelmel

Oops, didn't realize it had been one year since I last blogged [ahem].

Amazing just how much, and how little, can happen in the span of a year's time: Mama burned through yet another career (she collects job titles as a hobby these days), Daddy finished and sold Pinky and bought a new pink house (again, the collecting thing) and Esme and I turned a year older. So in the spirit of turning over new leaves, I am turning my beloved blog over to mama in hopes that it will spark within her the creative fires that once be'd. Esme and I will likely make guest blog appearances and will absolutely insist on updates on our wellbeing and worldly words of wisdom. And yes, grandma, there will be plenty of pics!

Small Steps

Well, 12 (almost 13) months and a scant few blog posts later, my little sister Esme is now a toddler. Yes, she's walking. Can you believe it? Well, it's probably categorized more as something in between walking and toddling -- wobbling? Anyway, she's bipedal and has thus enlisted our family in a whole new ballgame. I just hope M&D are ready for the major leagues.

Speaking of sports...somehow, mommy got involved in March Madness. She has her very own bracket all filled out in pretty purple ink and is doing quite well. For those who don't know...neither M nor D were blessed with the sports enthusiast gene that it seems 98% of the rest of the world possesses. So, this March Madness thing gives some hope that I may have some exposure to the world of sports (does spectator sport betting count???)

Go Kansas!
HS

Toddler Soup

bath
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

A simple recipe..........

Ingredients:
3-4 Gallons Lukewarm Water
3 Squirts Bubble Bath
1 Toddler, slightly tarnished
Bath toys, to taste

1. Add water to large tub. Adjust temperature to be within 0.1 degree of Toddler's desired comfort level. This will be fairly obvious, as Toddler will be very vocal about his/her temperature preference.

2. Add Bubble Bath, stirring frequently until foamy.

3. Stir in Bath Toys, taking note not to add cell phone, car keys or any other water-sensitive devices.

4. Slowly and carefully, transfer toddler into tub and mix all ingredients. Return to step 1 instructions if protests arise.

5. Bathe toddler, taking care to wash hair with extreme caution. Excessive negotiations may be required.

6. Stir frequently and baste every 10 minutes. If toddler's lips turn blue, adjust temperature as needed.

7. Let simmer 10-40 minutes, depending on how much time is left before bedtime.

8. Remove Toddler from tub when extremities are appropriately shriveled. Wrap in cozy towel to prevent shivering and dry thoroughly.

9. Enjoy naked-nudey dance once complete.

Variations:
Toddler + Baby Soup
Follow steps 1-3 as noted above. Add baby to bathtub and let simmer 5-10 minutes before adding toddler.

Quick Bath
Exclude steps 6 and 7. Remove toddler when clean.

Very Quick Bath
Exclude steps 2 through 7. Remove toddler when clean enough and whisk to bed.

D:Lightful

Xmas06Picture
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

Well here I am again... sitting upon the lap of Mr. Claws. I did much better this year, although the smile on my face is not a happy one. It is the begrudging smile of a toddler who's just been told that if he smiles pretty he can tell the big guy just exactly what he wants for Christmas (a guitar) and get the heck out of this merry hellhole. So although my smile is forced and my Christmas socks are dominating the picture, I am secure in the knowledge that I will see said guitar under the tree on Christmas morning. I know Santa understands my request since "a guitar, a guitar, a guitar" became my mantra during the life-long picture-taking session. And I do have to admire my little sister's cunningness for if you look closely at her hand gesture, she's subtly telling Santa and all his merry little elves just what she thinks of this picture taking business!

Props go out to daddy for fixing mommy's computer. It died, and she lost all her emails and addresses, BUT he was able to recover her missing D: drive. So, picture CDs may be a viable Christmas solution this year. yippee.

Speaking of drive, Miss Esme Claire has discovered the ever-delightful but exhausting feature of existance known as "mobility." She can crawl, cruise, pull-up, roll, shimmy, creep and clamber to any and all places her little 9-month-old heart desires. This is exciting and terrifying all at once to everyone involved and although M&D have experienced this before with the infant version of myself, they are still novices at the art of keeping the baby out of trouble. Their only solace lies in the fact that she's not walking...but they fear that day is right around the corner...

Over & Out,
HS

Cowboy Holden & Fairy Esme

CowboyHolden
Originally uploaded by melmelmel.

Hello World!

Sorry we've been MIA for awhile, but we're still around and I've posted pics to prove it. This is me, all cowboy'd out. Yes, the picture is fuzzy and my lips are bluish -- both due to the fact that Portland decided to bestow upon us unsuspecting trick-or-treaters the coldest weather imaginable. We only managed to make it half a block before me and my pack of 8 or so toddler friends wimped out. And mommy only got to snap a few pics before I completely lost it. As you can see, Esme was perfectly happy fairying around at home while we braved the elements...

So, we survived Halloween...onto Thanksgiving!

Howdy-out,
HS

Big Boy Blues

Wow, can you believe it's already October? What the heck happened to the summer? It's like I blinked one day and suddenly mama is dressing me in sweaters and talking about Hollow Beans.

Speaking of which...this hollow bean business is creeping me out. Everywhere I look there are spider webs and eerie floating mummy heads and worst of all...COSTUMES! I am not a fan of this crazy dress up business. Mama tried dressing me in a yoda costume and I would have none of it. When people ask me what I want to be for Hollow Bean, I tell them "Holden." And that's that. Well, I might don the nifty cowboy rainboots that mama bought for me on ebay, only because she is trying so hard to ease my qualms.

In other news, Miss Esme Claire (who, incidently, doesn't mind her fairy pixie costume) is imminently close to crawling. Her favorite pastime is getting up on all fours and rocking rocking rocking, then crying crying crying when she realizes all that effort led her nowhere. Mama is enjoying her last few days of sanity before having two mobile monsters to contend with...

Oh and I almost forgot - I am officially a Big Boy, as I am now sleeping in my Big Boy bed and residing in my Big Boy room. The cute pastel giraffes and happy dancing hippos adorning my walls have been replaced with Robot paraphernalia and Joan Miro prints. I do still let Pear Bear sleep with me at night since I, errr HE, can feel a little lost in the vastness of a twin bed.

xo,
HS

Dastardly Deeds

It seems SOMEONE experimented with putting various objects into bean's cd player and got a penny stuck in there...

And SOMEONE turned the volume up to the max on our living room stereo and blew the speakers completely out...

And the same SOMEONE hasn't been taking his much needed afternoon nap for the past few days and is a bear to be around in the evenings...

Tico and Esme are usually the first to be blamed for this recent string of NoNos, but if they're not around I'm not above blaming any random tiger or monster that happens to be passing by. I think M&D are onto me though, as my imaginary prankster friends aren't as *cute* as they once were.

Off to find more trouble...
HS