Spinning Out of Control

I am completely and totally in love. Head over heels. I think, for the umteenth time in my life that I have finally found the love of my life. (Insert husband laughing at yet another crafting endeavor less than a week into it). Last Thursday I learned how to spin yarn by hand on my new spindle from lovely roving purchased from multiple etsy shops, and now I have all kinds of delightful fluffy woolen goodness, and I'm spinning out of control. It's my new favorite thing ever, so much a new favorite thing that I completely forgot about finishing up the lovely organic cotton hats I promised. I will get those up sometime in the next week. . . ish. . . really. I have been wanting to learn how to spin for a very long time, and I finally just ordered a spindle, lots of wool, and jumped in. I can't say enough how much I enjoy it, and I am thinking that this winter, not only will there be lots of handspun woolen goodies to warm a frozen human in the tundra, but I might even be so in love with spinning that I might make some of my future new yarns available in my shop (that's right, I have my eye already on more wool to purchase, oh yes I do). :) I have many more new creations coming, but I can share one yarn in fall colors that excited me quite a bit. A deal this time with the blog? I'll continue with the 10% off anything in my etsy shop and free shipping if you mention my blog at checkout. Interested in yarn? Convo me and I would completely delight in the idea of spinning up a special custom yarn just for you, and by being my first yarn order, I have a very special deal for you as well. :)

Being Busy

I know it's been a little while since I've updated. . .it's been a busy couple of weeks here, as I've been trying to plan for the fall/winter season and keep up with new cocoon colors, diving into my Lovely organic cotton, all while caring for my precious family. My now 4-month-old daughter has become, as my husband likes to call her now, "Kid Daughter". Remember those dolls from the 80s, My Buddy and Kid Sister, with the jingle, "Kid Sister, Kid Sister, wherever I go, you're gonna go"...? Well, that's her now. She LOVES to be with Momma all the time, in my arms. She's my shadow, and everywhere I go, she's gotta go. We water the garden together, dress her brothers together, grab a snack together, and even shop online together (etsy of course - just bought new delicious yarn for this upcoming cooler season, more on that later). As long as it only takes one hand, so I can hold her with the other, we're set. She is my little snuggling darling, and doesn't want to sit even a foot away from me. Is she spoiled? Mmmm, probably. It's ok though. . .to everything there is a season, and this one, although I don't get as much physically accomplished, our hearts are knitting together, and we're going to savor this while it lasts. . . at least until she warms up to my oldest a tad more and he can hold her some. :D haha.
Anyways, I have gotten to work on some wool toddler hats in glorious oranges, blues and cream. I will probably be listing those in a week or two. I also did some toadstool baby hats last week, as well as some more cocoon sets. My most favorite and extensive project has been those new organic cotton baby hats. I love the colors, fun and vibrant, and the yarn is the softest stuff I think I've ever worked with. I am trying to get about a dozen completed before posting, just for fun, so within the week I should be sharing those. Here is one picture, however, of some of the yarns. The deal with this posting? Order anything from my shop, mention my blog at checkout, and get 10% off refunded via paypal. Thanks for reading!

Bright sunshine, bright colors, bright babe

So I've decided to make a change my blog a tad, starting now. It's going to get personal, because what in this life is better than personal? What, really, are we without that? So, that's what it's going to be, I'm going to start chit-chatting about my thoughts and life, not because I'm narscissistic, but because I hope through sharing to ignite something out there in someone else. . . Together Each Achieves More. Hahaha! :) Let's just be raw (which is a tad more than being real) and see what happens, shall we?


We're in the heat of the season, even here in Ohio. These July days with all of their humidity make one certainly thankful for AC, even for us who try not to use it but in the most sweltering of times. I love how the garden does so well right now, though. It's like the earth just knows that we're hot and a little wilted, but we get the joys in those colorful butterflies, the abundance of squash, and the occasional sprig of something else deliciously useful. Like in the yard, I found the starts of some peppermint, completely wild, mixed into one spot in the lawn. I immediately told my husband about it, so he wouldn't mow there, until I get it transplanted to a safer spot. I had actually been shopping for some on etsy (xoxox) to plant, and here our gracious God provided some for me, how, only He knows. . .since we're surrounded by carpets of beautifully chemically-serviced lawns (pouty lip). My husband is a little less fanatical about foraging than I am (so many things have become a faux pas in our culture, foraging is one of them. . .interestingly the most useful of plants like the dandelion and milk thistle are looked down upon, but they're SO good for you!! Those most copious we clearly need...isn't He SO smart?!?) and we are those interesting people on the block who live in very fine suburbia with every luxury within a mile, but we don't spray our lawns, plant whatever we want to eat in our backyard (not the front....yet, ((grin)) ), and my 5-year-old scolds our neighbors about the hazards of chemical fertilizers and pesticides every chance he gets. I have GOT to figure out a kind and easy thing to say when that happens, though of course, he's right.

Anyways, the thrills of protecting our aquafer aside, I am featuring my primary color cocoon this week. Free shipping if you mention my blog AND 15% off (all refunded via paypal, just mention my blog in message box while checking out). Think it's wierd I use acrylic yarn? I am destashing by making up so many fun things right now. . . I can't wait to dig into my new stash of organic natural fibers, which my shop will be going to exclusively once everything else is wisely utilized. You've heard it here first, will share pictures of my beloved organic cotton soon! :)

Little Lady Hats

So, I still have my new little lady, as well as a new idea for flowers, a pattern that I altered to make the beautiful burst. Thus, these new little lady hats were born. Soft and durable acrylic in bright colors that pop. I'm still lovin' that not-so-serious pixie point on top for new babes. If you snag up this set, free shipping for you! Just mention my blog at checkout for a refund. Enjoy this summer weather and these bright fruity colors while they last!

Let Freedom Ring

Happy Independence Day everyone! June flew by, that was a little crazy, but now it's July, and I love the long weekend and warm sunny weather. I'm still doin' the baby thing this month. . .eventually I'll move on, but I thought, "how fun to do a patriotic cocoon set to honor the mothers/fathers either in the active military or veterans. My husband and I are both veterans (Navy) and have deep patriotic love for every service member past and present. The roots of our country and our forefathers are cherished in our household, and so I couldn't NOT make one of these. . .and just one there is! Free shipping if you mention my blog - perfect for any new babe in a family full of sweet patriotism.

Summer!

I have never been a huge fan of summer. . .I grew up in suburbia, no siblings, and spent most of my summers out of school with my cat watching reruns on tv, or playing at the neighborhood pool. I love to learn, so schooltime was my favorite. Now as a mother of 3 LITTLE boys and a baby girl, summer is quickly becoming my favorite. We have adopted holistic living, and are enjoying planting as many gardens as our lot can support and our family can care for, and are loving it. Today I'm featuring my Summer Leaves New Baby Blanket and Hat Set. . .perfect size for a new little one and a perfect weight for this time of year. Mention my blog to get 10% off and free shipping in the USA. Happy June!

Little Sprout

So, my little darlin' is here. :) She was born at home as planned on April 6th, in the morning, with the windows open, birds chirping, and caught by her wonderful Daddy (though our fabulous midwife was here also). We are rejoicing in God's tremendous blessings, enjoying this special time with her, and her three older brothers are just thrilled. We now have four children age 5 and under, and are loving ever minute with them all. They are so precious and each have such unique personalities. At the very end of my due date, our baby still hadn't made her appearance, but I was delighted to be featured on the front page of etsy with my Sprout cocoon set - http://www.etsy.com/listing/43107423/leaf-sprout-pea-pod-cocoon-hat-newborn-s It was a really wonderful surprise at the end of an otherwise uneventful milestone, so today I'm featuring that cocoon set, and offering 15% off if you mention my blog at checkout (to be refunded via paypal). Hope everyone's enjoying this season of fresh air, sunshine, and new life!

More Baby Month

Well, I have a week until my "due date", and am still enjoying creating baby things. . . I recently was approached by a friend from high school who is now a photographer, and wanted to use one of my new cocoon and hat sets for an upcoming shoot. I have been really enjoying making these, and with easter right around the corner as well, they are very versatile for springtime. So, today, I'm going to be featuring my new custom cocoon set http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42879365, featuring the photography of ThorPhoto (www.thorbisher.com). Free shipping if you mention my blog, and I do them in any custom color combo your heart desires. Happy springtime, and all of the goodness of this fruitful season.

Baby Month

I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but I can say that it is thrilling how busy I've been with etsy, and just keeping up with my little ones the past 2 months. This month my two youngest have birthdays, and I'm also due to have a baby at the end of this month, so we are "nesting" and of course rearranging the house, and so on, so that we don't have to think about doing any of these things after the little one is here. This is our fourth, though, so we have done this three other times previously, and life just happens. . . of course there are things that you think of that you need to do after the baby is born, there just are, you just can't plan for everything. Thankfully I have the best husband ever and he just loves to ride the wave of my nesting instinct, and sweetly embraces the chance to rebolt all of the furniture to the wall in a slightly different spot. What a trooper! :-)

Today I'm featuring my octopus blanket, because I'm getting all ready for little baby to come soon, and I have been inspired as of late to explore baby knit items (or the lack thereof in some instances), so anyways, I love these colors, and how fun the octopuses are to play with. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41131048
I'll offer free shipping and 10% off this featured item this month to anyone mentioning blog in checkout (or at least until this child decides to come, and I go on "vacation mode"). :-)

Spring IS Coming SALE

So, I know it's been a really long time since I've updated. . .these things happen. . .but I think my mom is pretty much the only one who reads it anyways, Hi Mom! :-)

So, since spring is around the corner, and I do make scarves, hats, and the non-beachy like. . .I'm having a sale. Spring really will be here eventually, really. . . no really. . . but in case you need a little reminding that the bike path will be thawed out again someday, I am featuring my yellow bicycle scarf, great for any cycling enthusiast who can hardly wait to get back out there when it finally gets above freezing. Mention that you saw my blog post, and I'll throw in free shipping at the check out. . . either convo prior to checkout and I'll change the shipping price and reserve it for you, or checkout and I can refund shipping via paypal when you add the note about the blog. Either way, you will be keeping warm and counting down till that glorious green grass returns.

:-)

Falling Leaves

Time seems to be flying by, and the leaves are also. . . already it's almost November. I love these days, with the crisp weather, the wonderful aromas, and cozy plans for warm and peaceful days inside. The changing seasons always give a change to lifestyle for us Ohio-dwellers, and I think for most of us it is embraced warmly, at least until January. . .then we wish we lived where it was a tad warmer! Anyways, I can't help but wish to feature my Autumn Tabletopper. . . good for apples and dips, a bowl of warm cookies and cocoas, or any other gathering you can imagine. Functions as fun centerpiece, with attached coasters, each coaster different, so hopefully everyone can keep track of "whos is whos" :-) Also in many other color combinations, and I can do custom whatever your heart desires. Keep warm, and don't rake too hard! :-)

Back to School

I always love the back to school season, though it's been 10 years since I graduated high school, and 6 since college, I just love the fall colors, and the idea of looking forward to school time starting. I always loved school, and everything that happened throughout the school year so much, that I usually didn't really look forward to summer coming. I know, weird. Hope everyone has a great back to school time. . . my oldest will be starting kindergarden this year, but we've chosen to homeschool. We are thrilled to have him home and to teach him ourselves, but since my husband and I were both public schooled, and we loved it so much, we are really hoping to give him as delightful an education as we both had. Today I'm featuring my child's cowl in primary colors, mixed with woody browns in chenille to give it softness, sheen, and that cozy fall feeling. :-)

Hippie?

So, last night I baked my first loaf of home ground wheat bread. I had made bread before, but this time, I had just gotten a grain mill, and ground our own flour from whole wheat berries. It was positively delicious, and is so much better for you, preserving all of the vitamins. I said as such on facebook, and now one good friend says, "I always knew you were a closet hippie". . . am I? Hmmm. I don't think of myself at all as a hippie, but what are the standards for hippiedom? Anyways, today I'm featuring my new "leaf table-for-two placemats". . . fun leaf coaster sprig attatched to each placemat. . . so you and a friend can bake your bread and eat it to. Far out! :-)

Rainy Day

Today, overall has been rainy. I love the rainy days. . . not only do we enjoy listening to it through the open windows, but I get to read to my boys more (since they're not playing so much outside), and the veggie seeds that we just planted yesterday (yes, yesterday.... we're going to get the most we can out of that garden this year!) get watered. For the love of the rainy day, I'm featuring my raindrop toddler hat. Fun raindrop on top moves as child jumps, runs and plays. Hasn't this been the best July weather Ohio can ever remember? Ahhhh. :-)

Treehuggin' Rocks

Over the weekend, I got to hang with many of my family, and I have an uncle in particular, who has always been very green. He basically eats only what he grows in his backyard, makes his own wine from his fruit trees, reuses as much as possible before recycling, and he even uses a scythe to cut his grass. He only puts out one bag of garbage every couple of months. . . awesome! So, to honor him today, and his love of nature and eco-friendly living, I'm featuring my tree scarf. Tunisian crocheted from cotton (vegan of course), this not-too-bulky scarf is a dedication to respectful, simple, clean living. :-)

Beach Baby Blanket

My father's birthday was a lot of fun, he is now back on the bike path, enjoying the beautiful weather. We have the bike trails here, which are wonderful. . .they take the old train tracks in this area, and have converted them to bike paths. . .there are many sites for this, but here is one that I like: http://www.miamivalleytrails.org/whats.htm . It's called "Rails to Trails", with the motto "Spikes to Spokes", and it is changing the way many in this area commute and spend their recreational time. Hopefully you're also enjoying the beautiful weather. Speaking of, here is one of my favorite summer items, inspired by the idea of having fun in the sun, this is a very "fun" baby or toddler blanket. Each sea creature is crocheted freeform, which means it was created without a pattern, so each one is one of a kind, and unique. I enjoy the freeform crochet, and have had requests to create many different shapes...so far they have all worked out, from cupcakes, to flowers, to flamingos. Anyways, I always enjoy a challenge.

Blog Startup

I am finally getting around to starting up my blog. It was mainly considered to link with my etsy page, as to my ideas, inspirations, and just a fun way to share. The cat is my cat, who was just returned to us after 7 months separation, as we had lived in Baton Rouge temporarily over the winter. . .now we are back at our house, and everyone is getting settled. We have "re-moved in" as we are terming it, since our young children are now a little older, and new arrangements were desired for sleeping and storage situations (aka: momma has had it with toys everywhere...we were in desperate need of safe, yet simple storage furniture..."bravo zulu" to Ikea's Trofast, it has worked wonders in the past month). Anyways, the cat is a himalayan, which is supposedly hypoallergenic (I have no problems with her), and she is very good with small children. All of my items that I create generally stay in a particular room (the "creative" room), in which she does not roam. The bicycle coaster was an idea I originally got from my father's love of the bike path and road cycling. His cherished road bike is blue, and so I made one for him, and decided to make another to share with all of you. I can make them in any color, of course, and have also made them in a wholesale lot, which I am also happy to do. My dad puts more miles on his bike than his car, by far, and in a community online site where he tracks his milage, he is second in the state. . .Ride on, Dad!! He turns 60 on Monday, happy birthday!!! :-)