Quite Unexpectedly

Kaiya's birthday was Sunday. So hard to believe how my little one is growing so quickly. Already four, wow! It was a lovely day. Unfortunately I was so busy I didn't get around to taking but just a few pictures of her opening gifts and they were all pretty stinky. But she was happy and loved everything. I'll try to get some pics of the other things I made later this week.

In other news, we discovered several weeks ago that we are expecting baby #3. Due mid-January but with my track record I'm not really expecting it to come til the end of the month/beginning of February. This was a surprise to us, not unwelcome though. So far I am feeling thoroughly disgusting and sick. I really can't wait for this stage to pass. Perhaps this time we will get a boy....

My New Favorite Thing

I found a new (to me) yarn shop relatively near by. I needed a nice yellow wool for a crown special order but just had to have this gorgeous ball, too. It's Poems from Wisdom Yarns. The puppy (who we named Olivia, BTW) chew up the label so I don't know which number of the Poems line it is. But when I saw I immediately thought of watercolors and knew I had to make something Kaiya's birthday with it. And within the hour I had this doll all planned out in my head. I just can't quit pulling her out and looking at her and holding her when Kaiya isn't around. She is my favorite creation in quite a while. I really hope Kaiya loves her as much as I do. I went ahead and put her in the shop. Obviously she will be made to order. I just can't wait to go back to the yarn shop and get some of the other colorways.

Have a lovely weekend!

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy

The girls and I spent the day doing not much nothing. We slept late...

But not as late as miss Kaiya would have you believe. This is her "snoring". We had to tickle her out of bed. My sneak preview of her as a teenager.

And the rest of the day was spent snuggling on the couch. I don't know if they were feeling abit under the weather or just had a bad case of the lazies. Either way, it's nice to have a quite, snugly day every now and again.

I still don't know what she was laughing at. She just kept saying 'Laugh louder!'.

Now I think I'll spend the evening cuddling with hubby. Happy snuggling to you all!

Gnome Place

I just finished up Kaiya's playscape and I am so happy with how it turned out. I don't do alot of needle felting but I do enjoy it. The mushrooms beside of the pond are vintage spun cotton. I purchased them some time ago from Etsy seller Caramelos and have been looking for an excuse to use them. I hope she loves it!

Shhhh....

For Kaiya's birthday, coming up on the 31st. These are fun to make. But I didn't like the roof on the red and oatmeal. The pink and blue is just right. I have lots more to make before the big day. I'll show you more later.

TTFN!

Instant Gratification

I dig them! (And, yes, that is a basket full of laundry waiting to be put away.) I didn't, however, really dig the pattern. There are several things I would like to change about them. I think for the next pair (of course there will be a next pair) I'm just gonna scrap the pattern and do my own. Like, why in the world was the top part not crocheted in the round? Silly, needless seaming. And I was not impressed with how the heel came together. I'm thinking of making a pair for the mother inlaw for Mother's day and my little sister has requested a pair next week's payment. But, this is what I love about crochet, instant gratification. I'll have time to whip up several pairs before Mother's day, and my mom was just here, saw mine and said "oh, I'd wear those...if I had a pair"..hint, hint.

I have convinced Tait to let us keep one of the puppies. So sweet! We haven't named her yet, but Kaiya wants to call her Dora. We'll see.

Happy Thursday!

One Tired Mama

My little Kaiya has been working up a cold for the past couple of days. She generally comes into our bed in the middle of the night but when she's sick it's sleepless nights all around. And last night her little cold finally came into it's own and..oh. I'm so tired. Now she's snuggled up on the couch eating her cereal and watching Sesame Street. It's so hard watching your little ones feeling poorly, even worse to be so exhausted it's everything you can do to be patient and attentive. These are the cloudy days of parenting (it doesn't help that it really is cloudy and rainy and dreary outside and they haven't been able to go out in days).

I have so much I need/want to do. The sewing room is a wreck...again. I'm thinking I should just bring my sewing machine out here into the dining room. That way a)I don't have to deal with the disaster that is my sewing room and b)I don't have to take the girls in there or wait til hubby gets home to sew. I have so much to do to get ready for a craft show in Asheville next month. But, the thing is, I've been spending most of my crafting time making stuff for the girls, Kaiya's birthday, the house, even me. And I think today I'm going to start in on these: Aren't they cute? I got it into my head this morning that I wanted to crochet slippers and these fit the bill perfectly. And then after that I will work on....you know, work stuff. The part that pays.

OK, I'm off to be productive!

You Creative Types

Every Monday my teenage sister comes over and cleans my house. Scrubs the kitchen and the toilet, mops the floors, dusts. The whole nine yards. I pay her when I can but usually she accepts goodies from my shop, time with my camera...things like that. And she's very good. Up until a year ago my mother had her own business cleaning homes and my sister worked with her for a few years. Now, me? I really abhor house work. Not necessarily the process, but the time it takes away from all the other things I'd rather be doing. So you stick to the floors a little. So the laundry is overflowing. So there is dust and crumbs and dirty socks everywhere. So what? Not that I don't want the house to be clean. Some days it makes me crazy and if there comes a week that my sister is not interested in my bribes I do indeed break down and clean the blasted thing myself. One way or another it is clean for at least one day a week. But most of the time I spend very little time cleaning, lots of time crafting and with the girls .
I've actually never really thought about any of this but today my sister said to me as waded through dirty dishes and sticky counters in the kitchen, "You know, you creative types just never want to take the time time to clean. All you wanna do is knit and make stuff. I've cleaned for people like you you before. You're all the same." OK, so she has a point. I really don't want to take time out from the good stuff to clean or do laundry and yes, sometimes this means you have to dig through a laundry basket full of (clean) clothes and sometimes you hear the crunch, crunch of cereal underfoot.
But I do try to do a whirlwind pick up right before bed and the dishes are washed after supper about 90% of the time. But then you find us spinning around the living room dancing like a whirling dervish, trying not to trip over toys. Or you may find me digging through piles and piles (and piles and piles) of yarn all over my desk and everywhere else. But.....that's OK. I do wish I had more hours in the day so I didn't have to choose what's more important to me. But I don't and laughing with my girls and having picnics everyday and dreaming and creating...that's the important stuff...to me.
Sigh. No one ever said a creative life was a tidy life.

Tagged by SaraSophia

I've been tagged. It's been abit since my last and the first of this new blog, so I'll play along.

#1 What is your current obsession?

Waldorf toys on Etsy.
I'm scouting for Kaiya's birthday, coming up at the end of this month. I want everything....for her, of course. Like this sweet board game from Wishes and Whimsies. I wanna play, too!
#2 Who was the last person you hugged?

Kaiya, as Tait took her off to bed.

#3 What’s your favorite dinner?

Currently? Ummmm....I guess I would have to say anything my husband makes, since it means I'm not cooking!

#4 What was the last movie you saw in the Theatres?

Eeeks, that doesn't happen very often. Let me think. Ok, let me ask Tait...... Oh, wow, we're both coming up blank on this one. Note to self: go on a date, see movie somewhere without a couch.

#5 What was the last thing you bought? (to wear)

A rust colored, flimsy, hippyish dress. I bought it just a few days ago at the thrift store. I forgot about not having access to my breasts (for the leaches, I mean nursing children). It doesn't have buttons but if I wear a tank under it I can just pull off one of the straps when neccessary.

#6 What are you listening to right now?

Crickets chirping and Zoe breathing softly on my shoulder.

#7 What is your favorite weather?

Bright falls days!

#8 Say something to the person who tagged you.

Hi Sara!

#9 Tea or Coffee?

Coffee, unless it's chai.

#10 What did you want to become as a child?

A doctor

#11 If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Now I'm thinking to a movie theater. And I would see this

#12 Who do you want to meet in person?

Alice Hoffman, my favorite author or Noami Aldort. I could really use her advice.

#13 What is your most challenging goal right now?

Learning to let go when it comes to my girls.

#14 What is your weirdest obsession?

Stuffed animals

#15 Why did you start a blog?

I first started a blog to promote my shop but now I just really love it. I love writing and getting know so many great bloggers.

#16 What's your blog about (give me the 2-3 sentence elevator pitch)

Living a creative life.

#17 Which blogs are you obsessed with at the moment?

Soule Mama and Blue Bird Baby

#19 If you could change professions or careers, what would you like to try? (realistically speaking)

If it were not for my girls I would love to be a lay midwife.

#18 What is your dream job? (realistic or unrealistic)

To be running my own B&M shop with my crafty things and things from other local artisans.

#20 Who is your favorite designer of the moment?

Noone, I am completely un-fashionable.

#22 One thing that you would snitch out of someone's closet, with no regrets.

I've never really thought about it. See, I am totally un-fashionable.

#21 What's your favorite brand of jeans?

I'll let you know when I find them.

#23 What designer piece of clothing would you most like to own? (new or vintage)

See answer #22

Ok, that's it. Now this is the part where I am supposed to tag so many other bloggers but I rally hate that part. So, play along if you like and let me know if you do so I can check your answers out.

Rachel, You've Won!

Doesn't she look excited? My dear friend Rachel has won the radish giveaway. (Winner chosen randomly on Random.org) Those will be heading your way shortly, Rach.
Today the girls and I are going to have lunch with my mom. We do it every Friday. I think afterwards a little thrifting will be in order.

Happy May Day everyone!

The Night Max Wore His Wolf Suit....

and made mischief of one kind

and another

his mother called him "WILD THING!" and Max said "I'LL EAT YOU UP!" so he was sent to bed without eating anything.

The pattern for this knitted crown is now avaible. Free! The new 'Where the Wild Things Are' movie coming out has inspired me. I've had the beginning of the book in my head for a couple of weeks now. The pattern is very simple but if my rambling confuses you don't hesitate to contact me.

Enjoy!
P.S. I have started a Flickr group for items made from my patterns. If you make this or any of my other patterns (free or the ones I sell) I would love for you to join the group and post what you make.

ETA I have now added the denim and hot pink crowns to my shop...just in case you don't knit.

Here's Looking at You Mommy

Springs days = picnics in the front yard, everyday.



P.S. I will have the pattern for the crown the girls are wearing ready in a day or so...Free!

Ooey, Gooey and I Smell Like Smoke

I am delightfully stinky and have a sweet burnt taste in my mouth. We just got back from roasting marshmallows at my sister's house. Warm spring nights.....ahhhh. I am a cold weather gal but I am seduced by these middle temp months and I must say, the girls are loving it. We may just have to set up their beds out there, it's getting so hard to get them indoors. My sweet, timid Kaiya finally got up the nerve to bounce with my sister's kids on their trampoline. I gotta say, trampolines scare me. I have heard too many stories of kids getting hurt; my own brother plunged his leg through the springs on one, one popped loose and....ouch. Lots of stitches. I don't mind so much them jumping with supervision, though, so I was glad she finally overcame her timidity about it. And Tait and I enjoyed a little grown-up talk with my sister and her husband. I do think Kaiya is over-tired, though. It is very late and I can hear her in her bedroom with Tait, not much wanting to go to sleep.

Oh, and I wanted to tell you about a giveaway my sweet friend Rachel is having. Actually, the giveaway is being hosted by Ozark Scents. There is a terrific interview with Rachel and she is giving away this journal. All of Rachel's journals are one-of-a-kind, making them extra special. Though there are now quite a few miles between us, Rachel and I have been close friends for far too many years (makes me feel old just thinking about it). So I have been the lucky recipient of a few of her uniquely collaged notebooks and journals. And now you can be too! But, if you feel like you just must have one now and can't wait or risk not winning, well then, you can go buy one here.

A Fresh Start For Me and a Little Something For You

Welcome, welcome! I'm so glad you've found me here. I am in the process of closing my Knitsational shop and have written my last post in that blog. You can read more about the whys there. I am going to make this post short as there are dirty dishes and piles of laundry vying for my attention right now. Not to mention a sweet little red head hollaring at me through the backdoor screen for a nana (banana, if you don't speak toddlerese). But I wanted to drop in to say 'Hi!' and kick this newness off right with a little gift for you. I am sure you must have noticed all the radishes hanging around this place. They are currently providing me with so much inspiration and are my current favorite thing. So if you are a knitter please take a look to your left and notice the link to the pattern, free, for you. What?! You don't knit? (Gasp) That's ok, I have something for you, too. Leave me a comment on this post and this time next week (which would be Friday May 1) I will pick an entry to win a bunch of 5 radishes.
Oh, and if you didn't take the time to read my last post over at Knitsational, I have removed to Followers widget here but still invite you to follow. You can Subscribe or if you have a Blogger account you can, of course, cut and paste the URL into the Add box in your Reading List.
Happy Weekend!