{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words -  capturing a simple, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

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TEND magazine

I just got my first copy of TEND! If you've not yet heard of this quarterly downloadable magazine I recommend that you take a moment to  check it out. The pages of TEND are filled with a generous offering of lovely photos and articles intended to nourish the head, heart and hands. 

After perusing through the pages of Issue 3 :: Autumn 2014 I can hardly wait to dive in a savor it's contents. I love that there are several pieces of art available to print and have already chosen a couple of my favorites for our home. There are also patterns, tutorials and recipes that look deliciously perfect for the autumn season.  I am especially anxious to try the Chocolate Applesauce Cake with Caramel Sauce! Doesn't that sound heavenly? This issue even includes a segment for preschool in the education section. So perfect for the stage my children are at right now.  

I really feel like I've found quite a treasure with this magazine that complements my personal values of home and family so well! 

First Yarn Along

I am so excited to join in on the yarn along for the first time this week! I even have a completed project to share. This Shibui Baby Hat from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders just came off my needles last night. I've knit this hat up before for a friend's baby and was delighted that it seemed even easier the second time around.  I wasn't quite sure about the yarn at first, it seemed a bit too dark for a baby, but it has really grown on me. Now it's time to cast on for some matching little socks. They'll be perfect for keeping our new baby warm when he arrives in the bitter cold of February. 

As for my reading, I've started Charlotte Mason's Home Education and have been delighted with it thus far.  Though I'm not very far into it yet, her suggestions seem very well grounded in common sense.  I've also noticed similarities between her educational philosophy and that of others I've looked into.  My daughters are still a ways from being 'school' aged, so I'm grateful to have a few more years to prepare myself for educating our children at home. 

~ Happy knitting, and thank you for visiting!

makeshift studio

We've spent the past couple of weekends cleaning, organizing and rearranging.  It all started with a need to sort through all the boxes and bags of too large or too small kid clothes that have been accumulating in the basement. As we worked, I realized that with a little rearranging I could make much better use of the limited space we have in the basement, and give it another use.  Because laundry, storage and food pantry just isn't enough for one little room! 

I accepted the reality some time ago that very little, if any, sewing or crafting would be possible with the current location of my sewing table. Right in the living room, where little hands can reach everything! Now that I've relocated my crafting space to the basement, I've at least got a good chance of actually accomplishing something every now and then. Provided I can steal a few moments to myself.

Last night I was lucky enough to spend a couple of blissful hours alone, locked in the basement.  Yes, locked! On my way down I asked Robert to *please* lock the door behind me so that no one would follow me. (Otherwise, the sound of that door opening is like a magnet pulling my children from any corner of the house to come a see who's going downstairs, and what they're doing.  And of course, once they get down there, what treasures can they rummage for to bring back up.) I spent the time sorting through my sweater scraps and planning a new project. I feels so nice to be able to leave a project out and be ready to pick up right where I left off.  I think I'm very much going to like my new makeshift studio. What it lacks in aesthetic, it certainly makes up for in functionality. And for now that's just right. 

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words -  capturing a simple, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

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It's a HOOT! Quilt

My second ever quilt is finally done! Only took me three and a half years, and that's ok.  What started out as a baby quilt is really more appropriately sized for a toddler anyway.  And she does love it so.  Several weeks ago I pulled it out in it's quilted but unbound state to show a friend that was visiting, and Lydia was so excited that it was for her and wanted to keep and use it right away. Now that I've actually done the binding, and see how easy it was, I feel a bit silly that this quilt has been sitting for over a year awaiting this final step.  

Getting the top put together was the easy part. In my pre-baby fabric purchasing frenzy I also selected a couple of charm packs from the It's a HOOT! collection by MoMo for Moda.  Hours were spent sitting on the nursery floor, arranging and rearranging each little square until I had just the right combination and balance of color.  All the while dreaming of the new baby, so long awaited, that would soon join our family.  What would she look like? What would sort of personality would she have? What fun it will be to raise a daughter! Just as this quilt has come together bit by bit, so too is my dear Lydia growing to be such a fine little lady.  

It melts my heart each time I hear her say "Mama, this is my special quilt that you made for me",  and to hear in her voice that she knows it was an act of love. That's what mama crafting is really all about, isn't it? A tangible, snuggly bit of love, crafted specially for those we hold most dear.

As good as Grandma's

There has been an awful lot of cookie baking going on around here lately, and none of it by me.  Since reading The Doorbell Rang with Lydia, she had been requesting to bake some chocolate chip cookies of our own. Knowing that he enjoys making them, I suggested that perhaps she might make some with her papa. Aprons on(or 'pockets' as they are called around here) and chocolate chips in hand they got to work, while mama got some much needed rest. The joy and laughter that wafted my way was as sweet as the cookies themselves, which were almost as good as grandma's. 

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words -  capturing a simple, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

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Nursery Rhyme Quilt

My wonderful sister Laura recently completed the last finishing touches on a baby quilt she's been working on for Evangeline.  So much love went into the fine details of this sweet baby quilt.  The dresden plate and Sun Bonnet Sue are in memory of Robert's mother. Many of the quilts she was known for making, including our wedding quilt, were made up of many squares with dresden plates.  Among her massive collection of fabric (which, sadly, I was unable to take with us when we moved from Alaska) there were several different pieces featuring Sun Bonnet Sue.  

I feel like I notice something new each time I get the chance for a closer look, when it's not being snuggled by an equally sweet little girl.  Like the flower detail on the shoes,tight little quilting on the white spaces, sunburst quilting around the dresden, and even flowers stitched around the binding. All done freehand on her sewing machine! 

Not only is this quilt a delight to look at, Evangeline seems to think it's perfect for snuggling up in too. And why not share with a friend or two while she's at it?  I truly special gift that will be cherished for many years to come.  Thank you Auntie Laura!

Why?

I've been thinking a lot lately of my purpose for creating and writing in this space.  Why am I doing it?  Does it mater what I write about, or if anyone else ever finds and reads what I have to say.  Though I think the title does a fair job of telling what I endeavor to write about, I'd like to try and articulate, mostly for myself, the why behind it.  

As a homemaker, and mother of little ones, it can be very easy for days and even weeks to go by feeling as if nothing has been accomplished.  A lot of the same things happen every day, meal prep and clean up, diapers and laundry, bath and bed.  In between all of the  necessary tasks of raising a family and maintaining a home, I strive to make a little time to nurture my own creativity.

By documenting even the smallest amount of tangible creative efforts, I am able to look back and see that, yes I have indeed *done* something. This encourages me to continue on in spite of the everyday bits of living that often cause me to push many of the things that I enjoy to the back burner for some day. I choose for 'some day' to be *today*, and every day!

Of course there is the ever important and daily task of nurturing and guiding children as they learn and grow.  I am encouraged in my mothering as I capture moments of wonder along the way that show the fruits of my efforts beginning to blossom. I am in awe of each of my dear children, and honored to share with them the wonder of home.

It's a HOOT! Mei Tai

 With last week being International Babywearing Week, I was reminded that I've never shared the mei tai that my mom made while she was visiting me in anticipation of Lydia's birth. I am very lucky to have such a talented seamstress as a mother! I credit her with the crafty talent that my sisters and I all share.  

As soon as we found out that we were expecting a girl I spent hours and hours dreaming up cute outfits and the perfect nursery decor.  While shopping with a couple of my sisters I fell in love with the It's a HOOT! collection by MoMo for Moda Fabrics. Even though I didn't have any pattern's to go by at the time, I picked out a few print's in the amounts I guessed that I would need.  More is always better when fiber shopping, right? Needless to say I had plenty left over for other projects after the bedding was complete.  Ha! to this day I *still* have fabric left over from that collection.  

Robert and I had waited a long time to be blessed with our first child, so I had already had lots of time to research and think about the way I would someday mother and raise my children.  The idea of carrying my precious baby close to my heart has always resonated with me and the vision I have of parenting. Whilst researching all the options available I came across a very thorough tutorial for a hood to headrest mei tai.

As we waited for Lydia's arrival our time was spent either sewing or visiting the different fabric stores around town for more supplies.  She certainly took her sweet time deciding to come into the world, so we had plenty of time to squeeze in one more project.  I did help a little but my mom did most of the sewing since I was still gaining confidence in my sewing abilities at the time.  The instructions in the tutorial are so detailed that it came together beautifully.  

I have mostly used it for front carries with young babies and the headrest is so handy for that. Recently I've discovered that I love it even more for back carries.  The construction is so sturdy that it even holds Lydia all these years later!  With each new baby that we welcome into our family, the memories in this carrier build and it becomes that much dearer to me.  I'm already dreaming of snuggling our new baby boy in it!

A new look!

After nearly three years in this space, we finally have a new look!  I've been wanting to make a change for some time now, but just haven't gotten around to it. This weekend I decided it was time to really start looking for something that might be the right fit.  There were so many lovely options available that I was beginning to think it would be a tough choice to narrow the contenders down to just one winner; until I saw this look, and knew it was just perfect for right now. If you can't tell, I really am *over the moon* pleased with the change!

~What do you think of the new look?

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ Following along with Amanda's Friday ritual.  A single photo - capturing a simple, extraordinary moment.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments. 

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Warmth

The nights are getting much cooler around here these days.  As I was piling on the blankets one evening I realized that each one had a story behind it.  A story of love and nurturing.  A king size quilt made by Robert's grandma.  A smaller blanket sewn and hand tied by his mother when he was a growing boy.  Anyone who knew her has very likely been the recipient of either a quillow or quilt lovingly made for those she cared for.  It was one of her love languages to ensure that all who entered into her sphere where well fed and warmed with a lasting fabric hug from her.  

On top I always like to have the quilt my mother made for me several years ago when we still lived in Alaska.  She had recently begun learning to quilt at the time, and because I was so far away from family she sent me one first so that I would be able to wrap it around me and get a hug from her whenever I was feeling lonely and longing for family.  It has since been my favorite.  Each of the fabrics used holds dear memories from my childhood.  Memories of shorts, dresses and skirts worn by each of my sisters, doll clothes and a sweet little fabric doll house, all sewn with love by my mother as she raised her own children.  

No doubt, as the nights turn from cool to cold, I will soon be adding more blankets to the pile on my side of the bed.  And there are many more to choose from that were stitched with love by those dear in my life.  Even an extra snuggly one that Robert sewed for me while we were dating!  He certainly is a man of many talents that one.  Wishing you all love and warmth in the cold winter months ahead.

weekend

This weekend I . . .

:: completed a bit of sewing that was long overdue, on a project I started over three years ago!  Lydia has been anxiously waiting for me to be done.

:: knit quite a bit on a funny little sweater that I am eager to see on a certain funny little girl.  Just a few more rows and some finishing touches left to go.

:: enjoyed some increasingly rare post nap snuggles.  Well worth the delayed bedtime.  I hope she'll never be too big to snuggle with her mama. 

:: almost got completely caught up on laundry.  There are times when *almost* is just enough, and Oh it feels good!

:: enjoyed spending the entire weekend together as a family.  These moments are so precious and dear to me.  I dream of some day having Robert home with us *every* day of the week.  Who knows what dreams may come?

and best of all . . .

:: listened to the words of a living prophet of God in a world wide General Conference.  

A wonderful weekend indeed!

{ this moment }

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{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.  (inspired by SouleMama)

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