kidding around

Every year I love the challenge of coming up with creative Valentines. Sometimes it’s just cut out hearts with large amounts of glitter poured upon them. Other years we make “shrinky dink” necklaces or paper airlplanes made from maps. I know this year Ellie will probably forgo the school valentines (I don’t think middle schoolers can handle it?!) and Simon will be up for anything…maybe a comic he creates.

But my key victim is Penelope Tess. She is willing to take my ideas/control and make it her own! I figure I have about 6 solid years still of Valentine making and I’m up for the challenge to come up with something every year!

Her problem? The concentration to create 30+ valentines. We have time! I can help! Hurrah for a crafter in the making!!

Before the holidays even began, a friend asked if I could make her a birthday themed “table dot”. I was flattered she wanted one and was willing to wait after the Christmas season. It was perfect to jump into a craft project- I think this is my favorite one so far. I aimed to keep it simple and concentrate on using wool felt and use “heat and bond” with fabric I had from my stash.

Unfortunately I didn’t take a lot of time to set up shots of the completed dot. The weather is crappy and we haven’t seen sun in days, so the prospect of a nice shoot is “zero”. But I managed to take sections and photographed them so I can remember for next time…I think I may make a few to sell at my sister’s specialty shop and maybe on Etsy. What do you think?

No matter how old a person turns, a couple dozen of their favorite cookies is the perfect gift!

Awhile back, one of our friends turned 11. Although I’m sure we could have found a book he liked or game, I’m pretty sure he was thrilled to have his own treat all to himself…it was up to him to share!

What were the cookies? SNICKERDOODLES!

…last day of school photo with the beginning of the year alongside…I now have a middleschooler, a 3rd grader, and a *gulp* kindergartner! What a great school year- wonderful teachers, no divisive and cliquey girls, lots of learning and one last year I had with my baby! And time marches on…

We are in full blown summer vacation around here and it’s nice to have a different routine… and maybe not so fun to hear more squabbling, but we are working on it and I’m working on ignoring the conflicts!

One thing I am determined to accomplish this summer is to work on projects together. Enjoy the time we have and scrap my “to do” list. My kids are at such fun ages that it’s my goal to be totally present with them. I am such a focused kind of gal that I’m afraid that I may allow time to “slip by” before I know it.

First thing: a handmade beach blanket for my sister’s birthday. The kids all designed their own block and took about a day to stitch. It was so fun to sit in the living room and just work together- it wasn’t all peaceful (especially since there were lots of tangled floss ), but it was time I could tell the older kids really appreciated.

Didn’t it turn out cute?

It’s that time of year! Teacher gifts!

I actually enjoy thinking of something for my kids’ teachers. Sure, I have added to the “gift card” pool, but with 2 kids in school (soon to be 3!) I try to think of something handmade and a thoughtfully written note. These people have been huge influences in my kids’ lives and there is absolutely no way I can thank them enough. I feel fortunate that my kids attend a school that have extremely dedicated teachers and there are no real “qualms” with the teachers.

Anyway, I thought strawberry jam and Nathan’s famous toasting bread would be a perfect treat. No more early mornings speeding off to school…but hopefully a few relaxing days are ahead…

I used Everyday Food’s, June 2009 (I tried to link the recipe, but couldn’t find it on their site)recipe and love it! I did triple the batch so the cooking time took WAY LONGER than the recipe said, like 90 minutes longer. But I really cooked it down until I thought it was thick enough and it worked! I loved the addition of lemon juice (totally makes it) and not a ton of sugar.

I plan to make more until some other fruit is in abundance. I can’t wait.

Here is the recipe:
In a food processor, process 1 quart (4 cups) hulled strawberries until coarsely chopped.

Transfer to a large skillet and stir in a 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 T of lemon juice.

Cook over medium-high, stirring often until jam is thickened and little bubbles cover surface, 9-10 minutes (this is not long enough, cook longer until strawberries are really cooked down and the jam turns a deep crimson color).

Transfer to a jar and let cool to room temperature.

It’s wonderful on bread AND icecream.

I just realized that I neglected to share what Simon made for V-Day this year. He is well known in his class to be a master paper folder. As I was walking around the craft store a few weeks back, I had a bright idea for Simon and his cards…paper airplanes! There was a sale going on which gave me a perfect excuse to browse the paper section and buy 24 pieces (and a tad more!).

He loved making the planes. I loved that it didn’t require a ton of time (remember my last post?). Hopefully his teacher won’t hate me. I can just imagine the V-Day party with airplanes flying all over…there are 18 boys in his class and 6 girls…I better hide my face tomorrow!

I also love to give the kids a little trinket for V-Day.

Nothing big and it’s usually handmade. I generally have a harder time coming up with something for Si as he gets older. I don’t know how I came across it, but I found comic strip templates on the internet and knew this was for Si. He is my illustrator and has such a way in making simple line drawings look purposeful. I just printed out the templates and stitched a front and back cover (note to self…change needle!). He will love it!

I stumbled upon this adorable fabric last week and knew immediately I needed to make Penny and my niece Tizzy matching skirts. I love that it is not so overtly “Valentiney”- my kind of seasonal fabric.

So what are you all doing for V-Day?

Funny that I get into the festivities with the kids. But as for Nathan and I, a kind note is all we really need. We may do cheese fondue or maybe an indoor picnic and oh…with the kids too…And then of course, the next day we celebrate Si’s Day which in my opinion is my Valentine every year.

Since Ellie’s birthday in August, I set some serious goals in regards to gifts for the kids handmade by me…

1. Create and Complete each kids’ baby book.

2. Organize all of their photos from baby to present.

3. Make a quilt for their bed (did this for Ellie in 2007).

I am pleased to say that I HAVE FINALLY MADE SIMON A BLANKET FOR HIS BED! I have been promising him one for at least 2 years and now their is no reason to feel guilt.

Things I learned:

1. I love fabric and get all nutty when I have to choose just a few designs.

2. When I put my mind to something, I can actually get it done within a reasonable time.

3. I have no patience and did not hand stitch the binding. I did this for Ellie’s twin sized quilt. Good grief, full sized would have me really crabby.

4. Hand stitched binding is really the way to go. Glad my personality is reflected in Si’s blanket. HA!

5. It really is beneficial to pay attention to when organic batting goes on sale.

6. I am not a quilter and really appreciate those that do…

7. I had to remind myself to set aside my ego and enjoy making something for my son. Who cares if it is not perfect and there are wonky stitches. Simon doesn’t care, he will be thrilled to have something made from me!

I’m sure this list could go on, but now I am off to make curtains for his room. I’ll be sure to share shots of everything in use. And, yes, the other goals with photos and baby book are being checked off too. Nothing like the winter to get things accomplished.

I was trying to get a consensus with the kids and their Valentine-making plans. I asked if they wanted to get boxed valentines and all 3 looked at me like I was nuts. There was my answer.

Making homemade valentines is a wonderful winter project, but in the end it’s like pulling teeth to complete 25-30. There’s all the supplies and all the cutting and glue and glitter and making sure every kid gets one- times that by 3 kids and I am pulling out my hair (all with a happy face and attitude of “this is fun, right?!”)

I discovered my “Shrinky Dink” paper pack that I have had for about 3 years and knew this was the year to get out the SHARPIES and turn on the oven! My kids loved it, I loved it and look how cute everything turned out!

The charms just below are Penny’s creations. Ellie’s are above.

Ellie made necklaces for all of her girl classmates and for the boys…what do you do in 5th grade? We decided a frog magnet was funny and in Ellie’s opinion “who cares if they like it, I had fun making them”. That’s my girl!

Simon made some really cool creations too, but I will save his Valentine idea for another day. Let’s just say it involves something he is really good at and it is a frequent request from his classmates.

What are your kids doing?

I may blame this crafty project on my compulsive hoarding of cans, toilet paper tubes and jars. Or I may blame it on this girl and her birthday. What to make a crafty girl?

Well, for awhile I have been saving empty ribbon spools thinking they would make darling cake-like sculptures. Perfect as a token to celebrate a festive day…because I’m all about celebrating. Anyway, shortly after Christmas I was planning my next non-Christmas project and thinking of my pal’s day. Seemed like the perfect time to buy some more ribbon and venture into other parts of the craft store I don’t normally visit (scrapbooking supplies and different kinds of glue- wow, there are lots!).

I have had so much fun watching these little “cakelets” emerge that I decided to venture out and sell them in my sister’s shop. Guess what? 2 have sold and 1 other is a special order (the lime green one!). Fun!

Also, I want to thank this fellow blogger for helping me name these creations. I had several people comment on my Flickr account (I asked for name help) and they were all so darling. I knew you guys could help me out.

I can’t take the credit for this cute garland! Ellie stitched all the letters herself…I just gave her the idea to turn it into a garland to string across the tree. The only problem, it’s not for me! She did a great job stitching 14 letters!

I’m totally happy with the way this family photo turned out!

Some people go to a studio…some people go to an exotic place and have their photo snapped…we had a random stranger (that offered) shoot this portrait and it is totally us…I wanted the kids to help me with this collage so I just gave them some ideas and they had a ball. I had a lot of fun myself!

I did let them know that not everything would make the collage and they were fine with that~ they were thrilled to see what made our scene. I just cut and pasted…didn’t put too much thought into it…took it to the copy shop and was pleased that the colored copier gave me no problems!

Here are some close ups…

Okay, off to work and to battle the negative temps!