Occupied

On Christmas day, I found all of us, busy with something that needed our attention.  I got a glimpse of our future and I think I like it.

Alone and focused, but very together.

Asking questions.

Sometimes I forget that if you ask a question. You get a really good answer.

Like, when I asked a painter friend of mine (whose children are now grown), "How did you keep creative when your children were small?" She answered, something so surprising. She said, "I think, perhaps, that I was more dedicated. I was working on small textiles and I would take five minutes to sit down, glue a piece and then move on."

And later she said, "Or I'd sketch in the car. Since the scenery was always moving, I'd take a few moments to view it, draw it. You have to work quickly that way and it keeps your eye engaged, in shape."

Something for me to take away for today.

And how do you stay creative with little time? I'd love to hear how you keep your creative eye, engaged? In shape?

Making: Roving Dolls

Isabel drew this face herself!

Over the last week or so Isabel has been begging to make dolls. She loves to draw pictures of something and then we'll make it into a "stuffy" (stuffed animal). This usually takes an evening and we send the boys somewhere then we put on a movie and get our creative mojo going. BUT, midweek this kind of creativity is a bit, um, time-consuming.

We made these this summer! From left to right: Astronaut, Olivia (our friend), Isabel,
Margo (our little friend), Cowboy, William (from the Olivia books),
Olivia the pig, Truman.

So I thought about ways we could have the same creativity but with more hands on time. And Truman could join in too.

I collect large wooden beads from the thrift store (macrame beads seem to always get left without a thought), they are perfect for making wooden dolls and now for rag dolls. And we cut up some delicious wool roving. It was a bit heart breaking to do that, but things that are not used aren't being loved either.

 

I tied them into a basic structure. And then the kids embellished them.

This little lady has a friendship bracelet and is getting her hairs done!

Isabel had to make them more fancy. Friendship bracelets (out of pipe cleaner)! Golden Hair! Faces! Scarves! Some out of scrap palm tree fabric instead of roving!

Robot Monster!

And Truman took creativity to a whole new level. A robot monster with a scarf, hair and a kite tail-- out of a dixie cup. What a smartie.

After about an hour. We cleaned up, had time to get in our jammies, brush teeth and read books. And they slept with their new dollies.

I think we all had a great time!

*Also, I'm over at What am I Cooking? today. I made Almond Milk!

Yarn Along: The Rhythm of Family

We've been in need of quiet family time. This weekend we took some time just for us. My goal for comfort + joy and together, togetherness has been pounding in my ears and deep in my heart. So loud I couldn't ignore it anymore.

I've had to stop, listen, adjust our lives and go out on a limb-- I can let life take over and I have to remind myself so often what is important. My little people are important, good food is important, spending quality time together is important, playing outside, good food! Remember I'm in the middle of making my manifesto work. And it is hard work, rethinking, retraining my work-a-holic tendencies so that I take care of my children, my husband, myself, my body.

I ordered Amanda's book a while back and it came in the mail in a divine envelope, meant for that moment in time. My ears are open, my hands are open and I am listening.

I also found this from Ida's blog, there are lots of little tiny babies in our lives. So I'm knitting away!

What Remains: Creativity

As I was cleaning up last night,  tucking lovies into the arms of heavy-breathing, heavy eyed cherubs, scrubbing spots of the kitchen table and swooping up arm loads of trains, I noticed something-- our desks were all filled with projects, favorite things and in short, our personalities.

The creativty we've captured in our house this week:

On my drafting table, a little painting (on a tiny canvas,
from a beautiful friend-- the slipper is from her too!),
a journal from Kerry, a painting from Truman, art supplies and a little painted
stone that says 'do small things with great love.'

Isabel's desk, found leaves, purplicious book,
2008 Madame Alexander catalog for inspiration,
her fleece coat and paper dolls.

Truman keeps his desk much more sparce.
But he's so into the stamps on his chore chart!

What's projects is on your desk, are you doing any New Years creating?

Scenes from California

Playing in the sprinklers is a thrill in October!

We traveled a bit the last few weeks... staying 10 days in California with family. Here are some of our favorite scenes from the trip (a few more posts to come!).

During a blackout, we lit candles and antique lanterns.

Grandma P's beautiful roses.

This is the scene from my run. Foothills and sunset surrounding me!

Playing at the park with Papa

Doing crafts with Grandmommy

Yarn Along

 

As promised, I'm am knitting again. I made a pair of baby booties, but they turned out spherical once sewn together, so unless these little babies have feet shaped like a cabbage patch kid, I think I'll just give them to Isabel's cabbage patch... 

But! Last night I did finish this cowl-- it's so warm and cozy. The wool is just from the big blue box store and the buttons belonged to some coat at one time. I snapped this photo to send to Kerry, but I guess I can share it with you too!

  

Now, on to books. Last week, I finished The House on Mango Street, My Life in France and Fly Away Home (audio). This week, I've got Children the Challenge and Operating Instructions in queue. 

My favorite from last week was My Life in France. Julia Child has this amazing way of making her extrordinary life seem attainable, building it with one footstep in the right direction after another. She was passionate about food, so she sought out cooking, when she was realized her potential in cooking she sought to be the best and impart her passion. One little step after the other. 

She makes me believe that we too can accomplish great things, one tiny step at a time. Plus, this book is all about food and wine. Really, who doesn't love reading about food and wine...?!?

What are you reading? Knitting? 

*Visit Ginny to see what she's up to!

I have a little project going...

365 paintings-- not nessisarly one a day but, I'm moving toward painting more. Ending my day with a 4" x 4" painting. Big enough to fufill my soul and communicate something. Small enough to finish in one sitting.

I only have pictures of the ones I've given away. Like this one.

The Family Studio

The playroom has become an evolving space-- blocks and tinkers, cars and dolls are now on new shelves in the closet. Books are in the huge closet too. Actually those shelves took care of most of the clutter in the room.

For years, I've been wanting to have a family studio, some place where creativity and homework can collide. I wanted all of us to have a desk (Eric shares my drafting table with me). I used this tool storage for art supplies (you might remember it from here).

 

This is Truman's desk, he chose this poster to hang above his little space.

This is Isabel's desk, both desks were rescued from the elementary schools trash bin years ago (before kids!).

And my desk is getting a lot of use-- I've resolved to paint a bit every night. And so far, I've kept that resolve!

the summer we sent letters:: photo projects

I've been working hard a writing little love notes to my friends and family. Not just because, I'm trying to write letters this summer. But because I want to remind them how much I appreciate them.

I came up with two fun photo mini-projects that could help you get on your way to writing more letters.

Turning Lemons into Lemonade: 

I had ordered a few new photos from snapfish and for some reason, about five of them were blank or like this beautiful picture of the little man, just a half photo.

Some creative thrills with Sharpie and save this bum photo from a life in the garbage.

A Postcard for Papa:

The second mini-project was just a way to send this lovely little memory to Papa, by way of homemade postcard.

Here's a simple step by step.

You'll need: 
Photo (make sure it's not the *only* one you have. If it is an original, make a copy to use.)
Water color paper (or thick card stock)
Acrylic gloss medium (mod-podge or glue will work too)
Old paint brush (for applying the gloss/glue)
Fine point permanent markers for drawing

Gather materials!

Brush a thin film of glue onto the water color paper.

Carefully place photo on top of wet glue. And press down firmly.
If you are worried about finger prints, use a washcloth to help you.

Let set a few minutes for the glue to adhere but not quite dry, then
trim the watercolor paper to photo size.

Place between two books and scratch paper to dry for 20 minutes or so.

Draw on you little love note.

I used a label cut in half for the address portion.

Address and stamp your postcard is ready to mail!

*********

Have you been sending letters too? Do you have a project or a great idea you'd like to share for the summer we sent letters?

Next week Thursday, we'll all link up and show what we've created!

Yarn along:: Water Color and Washcloths

I've been knitting a little bit, just little bits and baubles for a few friends upcoming babies! I took a detour this week with washcloths. I was inspired when my twin sister started crocheting washcloths for her family.

I'm also reading Water, Paper, Paint. Run to buy this book. It probably deserves a whole post of it's own.

Today's post is short and sweet-- to see more Yarn + Reading visit Ginny. 

Sketchbook Saturday Morning

There is something that our family loves to do. We call it Sketchbook Saturday Morning.

We sit around a table, mostly at our corner coffee shop-- we bring our sketchbooks and a pile of art supplies. Then, we spend an hour or two in conversation and giggling, drawing, coloring or painting and eating baked goods, drinking coffee (or hot chocolate).

It's a precious time during the week. It's technology free (we are most of the time anyway) and just a time to connect to each other. The conversations that we have while our hands are similarly occupied are at times deep and knowing-- but at others silly and wistful.

On our camping trip, we spent our Saturday morning at the picnic table drawing with Mommy's special pens (THEY WERE SO EXCITED)-- until it was too hot and we moved to our chairs in the shade.

It is a surreal feeling having the kids sit next to me drawing and painting. Learning to enjoy the things I love.

Do you have a technology free day/activity? How do you like to share your passions with your children?


**********

A special Thank You to Kerry for her lovely post. Go visit her to get a code for 10% off Revisiting Sanctuaries. 

Spring Manifesto:: Momentum

A friend of mine sent out this funny little quote yesterday about Momentum. And that got me thinking.

Momentum:: You have to reclaim it daily, hourly, minutely. And you do, so many things have lost momentum in my life. Due to a few months of reality-- in no particular order... death, grief, beauty, friendship, work, marriage, growth, moving on, staying content.

So things that I love in life have lost momentum. Cooking with joy, bedtime with read aloud books, songs, blogging here, making garden plans, creating, painting, loving, writing.... all the things that make life worth living.

When I got home from my weekend away, I was greeted with kisses from my sweet husband, a clean house, happy children, a 'decorated' room and potted Gerber daisies on the kitchen table (in that order!).

And that joyous reunion, coupled with the weekend away has given me back the momentum... Last night the simplest dinner brought me the most joy. Reading Little Women(we are almost done!). And then taking the evening to do something I never do... curl up on the couch with a quilt, a glass of milk, a warm brownie and (gasp I know) THE DOG to watch an hour of mindless TV. Then I quick picked up some laundry and changed our bed before I settled into my robe and a good book.

Life at a frantic pace is not sustainable for me.

I'm choosing to find the release valves that help me get back to what I love.

Late Spring Manifesto:: Things That Creates Hospitable Space in My Life.

Read with the kids everyday

Read something for myself, everyday

Grow! Cook! Eat! Invite!

Paint the sunset

Dry herbs for winter

Use fresh herbs now

Sing

Make homemade ravioli

Plant flowers

Be gracious to my children, slow to anger and abounding in love

Eat outside

Get into the sunshine

Let worry go
Farmer's Market, every Saturday
Coffee and tea with girlfriends
Sewing

This is just a taste of my dreams for spring, but such a hopeful taste! 

Will you join me in writing your own?

A little watercolor prayer...

I painted this with intention for my sister whose been very sick. And with the events happening in Japan today, it seems to have been a timely intentional painting.

I Love:: Snow Days

Ok so we don't officially have a snow day. But I am home with the kids today, so we get to have breakfast together, ride to school, have a play date!

And Truman will continue to color and sticker on the front window... sounds like a  good day to me!

Do you want to join I love for the month of February? Click the button to the right!

Girls Craft Weekend...

This sounds silly to say but, I am rejuvenated by the weekends. We usually have just a few things planned and we spend the majority of our time together, cooking, playing games, playing trucks, dressing up... you know all the things you want to do when you're in preschool.

This weekend was a bit different, about once a quarter my girl friends get together for a crafty weekend. We rent a space at a local church and set up tables then spend most of Friday and Saturday together. We craft or scrapbook, sew and paint, eat and laugh.

I love these weekends-- it's rare to get that much time with each other without kids and husbands. So we cherish-- and look forward to our next weekend.

*********

Exciting house keeping:

What am I cooking? is a new food blog with a few blogging friends. I have a gluten free beef and veggie soup up for today.

Revisiting Sanctuaries is filling up, secure your place soon!

Kerry is starting a new series tomorrow! Yay!

Allison won the spot in Revisiting Sanctuaries! We'll be so glad to have you!

Weekending: Around the Kitchen Table

This weekend was wonderful... both kids have Strep and though that was a bummer, we had a few great days of housebound-ness. It was just what the doctor ordered.

On Saturday we spread out on the kitchen table. Breakfast and beads intermingled with water colors, finger paints, crayons, markers, window markers.

They felt too awful to really move any where, so I just brought all the stuff to them and we spent a few hours together staring out the front window and enjoying each other--  I got some time for journaling/water coloring and Eric baked!

{Lemon Cream Tart}

Christmas Printing...

A few days before Christmas, I was knee deep into making. Ask my family.

The living room was covered in sewing-- fabric and thread. Towels lots of towels. I made 9 hooded towels for nieces and nephews, and little friends. The kitchen covered in embroidery and felt at one end of the table, drawing and painting in the middle of the table, print making on the end of the table... and ironing in the laundry room.

And then there was printing. I wanted to use these wooden printing blocks that my mentor, John had given me years ago. I do drag them out for projects once in a while but I'd wanted to organize them in alphabetical order. So I didn't have to play the "Who can find Mommy an S? Now an R?!" game.

And organizing them gave me so many options. Oooo what if I printed on paper, for cards! Posters! Tea towels!

With a few short lengths of furring strips and hot glue, held everything in place as I printed.

And I used acrylic paint as ink-- so it would dry faster.

I loved how these turned out. And the process was just so fun. I think I will get these out more often.

What have you been working on?