Got some yummy new colors of dyed wool roving, and thrifted a few sweaters (felted in washer) to try my hand at some hats, mittens, slippers... really needing to get making on xmas presents here... Inspired by this book:

I cant really post much about gifts i am making, but i can post a few pics of things i've started for etsy... haha, hopefully i dont end up slacking and needing to give these, and the suprise is ruined..oh well, ill risk it..

This was actually my more stylish adaptation of a classic favorite, the  fanny pack.

I was putting it together for myself, so i could keep track of my new phone which i got 2 weeks ago. Well, guess what, not yet finshed with my snazzy hip purse, and i have already lost my phone.

Life is funny sometimes...not haha funny, i mean painfully WTF, are you serious?! funny .

Oh well, i acually do laugh about these things, because, i never cease to amaze myself... and, if i do not laugh, i will cry, hysterically.

ok, where was i? oh, so, this pouch is the perfect size to fit a blackberry( boo hoo hoo) and a wallet, and i think i will be adding a fabric pocket for a pen or change or something... It is made of 2 wool crocheted swatches, from just practicing, and i needle felted a flower on with some roving and yarn.

Felted sweater, needle felted roving and yarn...

I am going to be adding a bit more folksy  style needle felting to these...

i think they are major cute!

i added some details to my pretty little mama here, added a scarf to keep her head on:)

working on getting this lil fellas face right...

Isn't she beautiful? I named her Grace. 
A spontaneous gift from my brother visiting from Kansas, who brought it on the plane with him for his weekend birthday visit.  My sister was in town here visiting from VT at the same time, and we have always enjoyed singing together.  

(photos courtesy of ketura rich)

Our family was kind of like a poorer, slightly more dysfunctional, less famous (we actually werent famous at all) version of the  Partridge family, but with more kids, if you can picture that...hmm.Ok actually bad comparison. Von Trapps? Jacksons? Anyways... 
  My mother is a very talented musician, and instilled a great love of music in all 8 of us. She also managed to foster some pretty decent singing voices and the even the ability to harmonize in those of us who care to try. 

                                                           
Anyway, to finish my guitar story...i was asking my brother some questions about what i should look for in a cheap acoustic, as i've been wanting to learn to play for the kids for a while now, and just didnt have the confidence to know what to look for, and.... he offered i just keep this one...sweetest thing ever right?  I sure love my lil bro. And the rest of this crazy bunch for that matter.

needlefelt doll, in the works...

Started sergee's holiday baby...shhh...dont tell.


We are very grateful and excited to be going to Vermont this holiday season as we always do, to spend time with our families whom we miss so much throughout the year. And, as always, suitcases will be tight, and expensive, so I want to give Sergei a very special present of course, but it must be small and light enough to carry there and back...(along with the boy, the carseat, stroller, diaper bag, 2 weeks of luggage and presents...) 


Anywho, i ordered this book,

Sweet Needle Felts:25 Projects to Wear Give and Hug By:Jenn Docherty, from the library. 


 I opened it up, and among all of the absolutely adorable creations, several of which made their way straight to my mental to-craft-for-christmas-gift list...there was a doll, "Miss Penelope Poppet" to be exact, she is larger than i usually see the wool roving needled dolls,and oh so darling! Upon seeing her, i knew what sergeis special christmas present would be. Of course far from following her directions, as i just dont ever seem to do so even near exactly, with any project (possibly why everything i make turns out a bit crooked, and a little strange) but hey, gotta put my twist on it. So, i have big plans for this doll and i hope he turns out how i picture he may, cuz in my mind, he's pretty darn sweet. PS..can you tell which parts have been my favorite to sculpt? hee hee.. (he has a fully formed bootie under those undies  you know:)

             (My Inspiration:"miss penelope poppet")

frosty the snowman...tra lal la la la la la... *trails off humming....*

Ah yes.
 it was a day for mittens, a day for stew, a perfect day for a snowman , or two... i swear i did not mean to rhyme, i am just that cheesy clever...that i actually think in rhyme sometimes. i know. im trying to stop...
so,  we started with our favorite snowman books...

and then we were off to build backyard snow friends of our own...

Pops helped the big one started.

1 raisin for "snowbaby"'s face...a raisin for milo's face:)

baby's mouth is made of goji berries, and it's little nose? straight outta the garden... can you believe we just dug these up 2 days ago! (when it was 75 and sunny..)  sweet rainbow of carrots.

Too wet to go out , too cold to play ball...

Do we sit in the house and do nothing at all? (but drive mama lyssa up the wall?) heck no!

Time to bust out the cornstarch/cornmeal (50/50 makes a perfect texture for indoor sand),  favorite  trucks, animals, cooking utensils, whatev... and a cookie sheet for each bored tot (to keep it somewhat contained)

and voila! At least an hr, killed.

Or..if they have hit the age where imagination has begun to take hold...it could be much, much longer...

Oh boy...another popular favorite activity around here involves putting on a favorite kids music album, kinda loud...  (pick of the month would be Sherri Lewis  sing-a-long)
Making a large circle of stepping stones (throw pillows) a top the sea of lava (living room floor)... walk around and around pillow to pillow, to the music..but dont fall in! 

 Variations include taking all pillows off couch and just jumping crazy to the music... or...both games simultaneously (couch pillows included in lava game of course)

Kombucha Be Brewin'

I know, i know, she can be a bit intimidating...IF you are one to judge a book by it's cover...But let me tell you, this beautiful SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) is one generation of a Kombucha family that has definetly aided in my good health and truly gives me a feeling of wellbeing each morning i drink it.

Kombucha General Information
Although commonly called the Kombucha Mushroom, Kombucha is not a mushroom. Kombucha is the cultured growth of beneficial bacteria and yeasts that form a mushroom shaped colony bound in cellulose matrix. Kombucha propagates or recreates another "culture" similar to itself during the fermentation process. When it ferments it produces alcohol, which is then converted into acetic acid (ie. vinegar).Vinegar has been used by humans for thousands of years. The Assyrians, Greeks and Romans thought it an important medicine in its own right.

Kombucha is used to support the healing of a wide variety of diseases and is used in many countries throughout the world. It is said that in Manchuria, the home of Kombucha, not one case of cancer has been detected where the people religiously drink the Kombucha tea. Kombucha contains Vitamins B and C as well as concentrated amounts of protein that is available for immediate use by the body. The naturally formed acid content of Kombucha helps to counter difficulties associated with aging and is thus used as a longevity elixir. Kombucha delivers positive influence on the entire body, rather than targeting specific body organs. It has strong antibiotic, antiseptic and detoxifying properties. It is a blood pH normalizer and assists the body in stabilizing metabolic processes.
Kombucha Uses & Scientific Evidence For
Kombucha Tea has been reported to benefit the following conditions such as arteriosclerosis, cholesterol, high blood pressure, stomach and intestinal problems, constipation, dysentery, all digestive disorders, gallbladder difficulties and gallstones, hemorrhoids, cavities (prevention), skin rashes, boils, hair loss, cancer, AIDS (helps to strengthen the immune system), allergies, tonsillitis, gout, rheumatism, respiratory problems, asthma, bronchitis, kidney and urinary stones, headaches, nervousness, insomnia, stress, low energy and fatigue, diabetes, glandular imbalances, weak eyes, and impotence.

(info taken from www.herbalremedies.com)


(If anyone is interested in starting their own batch of kombucha just message me, i got babies ready to send/give away.  It is extremely easy and cheap to brew, and you can flavor it however you like too, with fresh fruit, ginger,etc...)

happy halloween!

mommy's little monster

soooo... sergee's costume is turning out pretty darn cute *ahem* i mean...




SCARY!

Considering i just kinda made it up as i went along... i think it's looking quite well.

-made simple pant pattern using another pair of his pants

-the eyes and teeth are just felt hot glued to a knit hat

-and the shirt is one of his thermals with jaggy fur and fleece strips sewn on...not done yet, but you get the idea.

i'd say there was def  a bit of "wild thing" inspiration...

i'd say he fits right in, wouldn't you?

And why i wonder, could good 'ol Social Distortion be through running my head...?

*sigh...* Mike Ness is soooooooooooo dreamy......

 (sorry, flashback)

hmmmm....

   ...but luckily this monster will always transform back at request... 
                      "see? just sergee, kid"
             (please pay no mind to the blob of almond butter on his cheek)

my fall door mobile

though it seems out of season now, with over a foot of snow on the ground...
thought i'd share anyway..

Super easy to make, and i thought it turned out quite pretty.

Tied a few strands of yarn to a stick, had the kids collect some leaves for me...(obviously done last week)

And busted out the trusty hot glue gun.

Though appearently the storm has torn a few leaves from their spots...shouldnt take more than a min to fix.

paper mache and 2 year olds.

step 1: wait for the postman to come on wednesday with all of your junk mail and grocery store flyers...

DO NOT forget to yell "mailtime" in a sing songy voice (blues clues influence here, kids do this every day the mail drops through our slot)

tear up those flyers in a frenzy, whirling and screaming, into little tiny pieces and strips.. (think this was their favorite part)

i didn't get pictures but it looked something like this

step 2...thoroughly saran wrap your bowls,holding with masking tape on the inside...

mmm...floury-watery delicious....

Dip strips and smooth onto bowl.

For obvious reasons i did not attempt photographing while bowl making was in session.

Let dry overnight.

Gently toss 3 very messy toddlers into big soapy bath tub.

Now, let the painting begin!

sergee's room update

comfortably imperfect.
i suppose that should be my motto.
i am a crooked seam sewing,  infinity to-do list writing, tangled hair sporting, mismatched sock wearing, always running a bit late, got 10 books and 9 projects going on but i cant necessarily tell you what they are kinda gal.

always have been,

always will be. 
but even amoungst the chaos that is my mind and sometimes my home...
i somehow get stuff done. 


and i'm not sure if all that makes sense to anyone but me, but you know what? doesn't matter.
heck, this blogs only got 3 followers anyways ;)
where i was going with this... 


I finished Sergei's  (recycled wool pants and cloth scraps) name banner! and it's extremely imperfect. ha. i ran out of the tan thread that made sense 1 letter into it all i had left was red so i said hey, why not? then serge decided instead of playing his last few minutes before bed in his room, he'd much rather watch/ help/ climb on me, sewing his "cool gigi mine"
Bold red thread and some crooked letters later...we wouldn't change it a bit.

(as a work in progress)

and... TA DA!

and the list goes on...

  create for S bedroom
bird mobile in progress
wall pockets in progress
name banner
rag rug in progress
fiber garlands 1 complete
pieces for felt board in progress

fruit roll-up tree! (carrying on the age old tradition)

harvest fair

pine cone friends

pine cones + buttons + glue gun + a little felt = cutest (pretend) mice on planet earth

                                                           sergee calls them "squeaks"

(mama and baby mouse)

needle felting

i got some felting needles and a bit of wool roving @  fancy tiger tonight. there is a little room there just packed with every color texture and type imaginable...i chose a few to begin with that really caught my eye, and some natural to try dyeing myself.

i'm trying it out now...
and i think i'm already a bit addicted.

making a little waldorfy type fairy doll for the kiddos...
i'm just wingin' it...but she's actually turning out kind of cute so far

and i've only stabbed myself 3 times!

sergee's curtain fabric has been chosen...

and i must say...i am a bit excited about it...

it is a michael miller fabric and i think it is just right.

though it's much nicer in real life ...

and i'm thinking a crocheted panel along the bottom would look pretty.

sergei's new room ideas....

Serge has been sleeping in his own room for the most part, since our big bedroom swich. (The exception to this was when i believe we had the SWINE FLU last week, and i forced him to sleep with me,because we really needed all the sleep we could get...
 of course i am in there a couple of times each night still (i am more than happy to be invited for a snuggle now and then)
so... i've really been working on cozifying his room, and what better to do so with than some mommymade goodnes, right?
so i have like a million  projects in the making... ok, maybe 6 or 7.


first, there is this birdie mobile that i've had my heart set on making for a while now...

I finally made the first little tweeter for it last night, and yes, she is a bit wonky and some may mistake her for a seal at first glance. but all this just adds to her handmade charm, right? ;) 
Also coming along slowly but for sure are...

- his rag rug (which is actually about 3 rows bigger than it was when this photo was taken...)though i've run out of his old baby blankets (ones that i could justify cutting up that is) and had to move into my old fleece and fabric stash.

- sleep banner(like the one on the cover of the book listed below) i am thinking sergei's should probably have lambs instead of birds, and read "cozy" since that is his fave word to describe his bed, animals, and general good feelings around bedtime) 
- several fiber garlands 
aka:old sweaters,etc... cut into 1 inch(ish) squares strung together with large needle and yarn (heres a video i took of tesla helping me with one) 
...2 ideas so graciously shared by the inspirational mama, Amanda Soule, in her newest book Handmade Home. 


Also in the works are curtains,and somekind of wall pocket organizer...
Oh, and i started a special friend for sergee to read with, put jammies on and to keep cozy company at night.
 (here's a sneak peak of him chillin' with o'malley...)

And last but not least...look at this adorable 6 ft stuffed animal tree i got at the thrift store! i have no idea what it's actually supposed to be, but im thinking it's probably pretty content with its new job. 

VEGGIES!

PUMPYKINS expand! We have 3 growing , 1 for each of my little musketeers.

Pickin' beans off of the vine (best green beans i've ever tasted btw)

These 3 have def become pro huskers this summer!

(and remember our corn husk dolls)

This 1 zucchini made a huge zuc lasagna, a loaf of zuc bread and a batch of choco zuc muffins!

What began as a seemingly impossible feat... my first real garden... has exceeded all of my wildest expectations! Honest and true, we are swimming in veggies. Look its a purple carrot!

makin' pickles from the garden!

Inspired Bedroom Swapping Part 1: (includes excruciatingly shameful "before" pics!)

The Ugly Ducklings...

Sergei's re-did bedroom featured recently here, turned out much too chaotic and full of toys for the kids to focus on actually playing with them...

It is always messy, no matter how many times a day we sing the "clean up" song, even though it is rarely played in for long... a real mystery.

Well, Ive been doing some thinking and have decided that for sergei to feel the most comfortable or "cozy" as he calls it, moving into his own room, i think that a smaller more simple room is best.

i'm thinking sort of a Montessori inspired layout.. few toys out at a time (cycle them to keep their interest) everything accessible to him, his own dresser where he can pick his own clothes from.

Handmade surroundings.. which means his baby blanket rag rug may finally get finished...gosh, i'm a slacker!

(plus a couple of items i am quite excited about crafting from Soulemama's new book, Handmade Home.) Ooooooh, getting excited now, all these pictures in my head....

And this......is our bedroom. It is tiny and cramped for a queen sized bed, and just never felt right. We've lived in this house for 6 months now, and i am really just completely disgusted with the state of this room. I mean come on..dresser on dresser?

These pictures really are quite embarrassing, but i'm thinking they will get me movin towards the big swap... yup, its happening.

p.s. i'm really not sure why there are a toothbrush and spatula on my bedroom floor, then again, who left the partially eaten banana on the bed...? eek.