kidding around

don’t you just love giving a gift that you wished was your very own?

that’s how I feel about this year’s mother’s day gift for my mom. i selfishly want it all for ME because i know i won’t take the time to make it myself. it’s completely practical, but totally fun and summery…her own set of napkins with a cultlery caddy and reusable flatware…

i’m pretty sure she will be thrilled, if not, i can always steal it!

happy mother’s day! i’m not sure why, but this year my mind has been focused on how much i am not a great mother. i hope that this year some of my faults will soon be battles i have won and i will truly feel pride next mother’s day.

I’ve become slightly obsessed with making all things miniature.

This doll quilt will be another gift for Penelope and I love it.

I totally just went with it and tried to NOT coordinate fabrics and do too much measuring- and you know what? It was totally challenging to just cut fabric and randomnly sew it altogether. I have always loved the vintage quilts I stumble upon in the thrift stores or in books and admire the spontaneity of all the pieces. But sheesh, I didn’t think I was so “matchy”.

This process reminds me of my college years as an art major. We were studying Jackson Pollock and our professor had us all out on the lawn painting using Pollock’s method of splattering. It was such a challenge. To just let go of what you think is “right” and just create by listening to music and becoming immersed with the paint. Oh and to ignore the snickers of the other majors passing by.

Okay, enough of that- it’s only a doll quilt. But you know what I mean, right?!

I often find that my most enjoyable and creative projects are for my kids. It’s a natural intention to want to make something appealing AND be actually used. Sure, there are toys out there that will bring lots of fun, but I have found that they are really grateful for the things I make for them. That in itself is inspiring and makes me want to create more for them.

But I don’t always feel very creative. Fortunately, the kitties below brought much creative juices this week. I get to thank my pal and creative genius, Hillary for this…I bought this pattern way back and I am so glad I made it. Not only did I sew one, but 3 cats seemed to be the perfect number for my soon-to-be birthday girl.

Then, I couldn’t stop and decided there had to be a perfect picnic scenario. I created this little picnic blanket for Penny and her many tea parties she hosts, but I am also thinking that an adult version may be on the horizon (maybe in my etsy?). It’s so simple and I can imagine many good times will be made this summer.

The girls are so anxious to introduce themselves to Penny, they almost hopped off the table and ruined the surprise!

I’m gonna shake things up here on the blog. Starting next Monday, I will be sharing my favorite gifts I have made for the kids. I’ll probably just re-post from my archives. This should be fun, I have almost 3 years of posts to look through…A walk down memory lane is always nice.

I’m not much of a “gala” event goer (who is?), but I did want to support my kids’ school. So when a note came home a few weeks ago asking for basket donations, I started thinking what I could contribute.

Since I have been in the world of “table dots” lately, I decided making an extra would be perfect. I also included a handmade banner and was pleased to raid my wool felt and scraps of some of my favorite fabric.

Of course, a birthday is not complete without a cake. So a “Barefoot Contessa” country cake mix (they are good!) was included along with plates, napkins, streamers, mixing bowl, wooden spoons, and balloons. Man, donating something like this was fun…

The not so fun part was ripping out the edging last night at 9:30. The perfectionist in me (I do have a bit!) could not stand how the fabric was getting all “wavy” once I sewed the 2 circle pieces together. I knew that I had not paid much attention to how taut the fabric was…to my dismay I ripped 2 lines of stitches (I thought the double stitch looked cute, heh.). I was so angry I couldn’t even watch TV or talk to my husband.

Whew. I was glad that after I fixed my problem, the “dot” was to my satisfaction.

Unfortunately, this was a huge set back and my etsy shop will not open until next mid-week some time. This is supposed to be fun, right? So I am keeping with the fun and not stressing out…I mean it’s not like people will be banging down my doors…literally!

Thanks for all of the really nice comments lately! I really appreciate every one that is made…I love it and am not so good at responding…please know it makes my day!

Hurrah, I finished my project I started this past summmer. I like it!

I wanted to create something for my family to mark birthdays.

I love to celebrate such occassions.

Handmade is always good and appreciated- especially by my kids.

I also love table linens and using fabric napkins for each dinner.

Since I liked making this table dot, table topper, whatever…(WHAT should I call this?) I will be making a few for a shop I will be opening in the near future. Fun?

I’m thinking they won’t all be birthday themed, but you can be sure there will be a couple because making cupcakes is just too fun.

I know for me, once I start a project I need to finish it fairly soon after the idea was conceived. Now there are a few exceptions, like my 2 other kids’ quilts and I fear it will be awhile before those projects are complete. Or my kids’ baby books or patterns I have cut out…okay, I need to stop this negativity!

What I am trying to share is an idea I had this summer. I started out all ambitious and then I just lost interest.
Just. like. that.
I couldn’t even look at the “thing” and was tempted to just get rid of it all together. You know, use it as a duster or rag or allow my dog to shred it.

I’m really glad I didn’t go to extremes.

These past few days have been kind of rough in the Shack house and somehow I found inspiration in my detested project. Now I am so excited and can’t wait to share the finished product.

The best part- it’s for me and my family. There may be plans for a few more to sell, but I have always avoided this subject and maybe I should just go with it…

I know I said I wouldn’t write until the new year, but had to give credit to this fabulous ornament idea.
These are so cute- of course Nathan(high school art teacher) had to add that I would be sent to the Dean’s office if I were to attempt any project like this due to the drug connotations…good thing I am way beyond high school and making them with my kids!

My head is spinning! How about yours?

I can now officially say that the workshop is closed. All my handmade items are complete and I feel really good with what I have accomplished. Like for so many, this time of year can be crazy and if you work in an industry that benefits from Christmas spending it’s even busier. I was able to juggle baking, cater parties, be a mother/wife, and playing Santa’s elf…this took a lot of strategizing and now I am ready to read a book, watch movies and do nothing…but I will have to wait until AFTER Christmas. That’s okay, like I said… I am done!

Oh, I do have planned some ornament making with the kids for family gifts, but this will be an event…something I am looking forward to and not fitting in at odd hours!

Okay, on to my gifts.

I made this suitcase for Ellie thinking she needs something when she spends the night at a friends. I loved making it and was completely inspired by this talent. Can I tell you how tricky it can be? Not easy and I have a new appreciation for those that can pull it off with no wrinkling and odd cut shapes.

Below are some pencil rolls for the kids. I’ve made several of these and my kids finally get one for their very own! Maybe this will solve some of our missing pens and pencils…nah, probably not!

Thanks to “the Small Objects” stacking tree tutorial, my kids’ teachers have something thoughtful to put on their desk.

AND gingerbread caramels that are heavenly. These caramels were fun to make, but be forewarned, it takes a lot longer to reach 248 on your candy thermometer.

Nope, I didn’t make these dolls. I had on my list to make Ellie a doll for Christmas, but got realistic and decided to buy her and Penny these sweet girls. I found them at a shop that sells a bunch of Fair Trade items. To erase the guilt, I hope to make some doll clothes with Ellie over Christmas break. I’m thinking she will think that is just fine!

Thanks to this blog, I have kept to my handmade gift list (minus the doll, yikes.)! It’s nice to feel slightly accountable to a whole slew of crafty blogs that are making Christmas so very personal and handmade. Hurrah!

I’ll be posting Christmas shots for the remainder of the month- just images, no words until the new year.

Merry Christmas!

check!

Nothing like a little freezing rain and dreary weather to get you motivated! I used wool felt for the crowns and reminded myself once again to “keep it simple”. Man, I love to use felt!

I’m feeling pretty good about my list…did you just read that?!?! I know, I can’t believe I am actually admitting this to the world. It’s my goal to have all my handmade gifts done by Sunday…throw in work and a party…can I do it?

Thanks everyone for your dollhouse suggestions! I will use the wooden dolls and even get my older kids involved. Penny will love to have all sorts of characters and not just made by me. Perfect for older siblings to give to the younger.

Okay, off with my modge podge and crossed fingers.

Things are moving along in my workshop.

I adore this dollhouse and some of you may remember when I found it at a church rummage sale. I was going to give the house to Penny last year, but decided at 3.5 she is the perfect age to receive such a gift.

My biggest challenge when designing ANYTHING is loving color and detail and time…so, with this house I took a deep breath and chanted to myself “keep it simple, keep it simple”. I wanted a sweet little house, but bare enough for my imaginative girl to get lost it in it all on her own. I am happy.

So what do I do for furniture? I’m thinking wooden from my local toy shop OR maybe just blocks and she can stack to her heart’s content. And then dolls, should I make these?

Okay, so I am asking for all of your input. Don’t be afraid to comment, I want to hear all of your thoughts!