30 Days of Summer :: Day 29 :: The Pillows are Multiplying

I joked here about using lots of some colorful pillows throughout the house to perk up some family spaces, but I was really somewhat serious.  I've done a couple now (including this one) backed with linen that I really like the look of.

While the one pictured above actually seems to blend in with the rug, it pops perfectly on the tan living room couch.

And have I mentioned how much I love Michael Miller prints?

30 Days of Summer :: Day 28 :: A Little Fabric Tissue Case

 

Evidently, with the somewhat cooler weather, I've been a little more inspired to get back into the studio, even if just for some quick little projects.

I had bookmarked this Tissue Holder Tutorial way back when and finally tried it out last night.  I adapted/adjusted it a little bit and am excited to have one more homey piece to stick in E's backpack when she starts school...  If I can get her teddy bear to release it's new 'pillow'.

I'll be back in the studio for real after the weekend of the 19th and will have the shop re-opened by the end of September.  I'm really excited about some new things coming down the pike.

Thanks for checking in!

30 Days of Summer :: Day 27 :: Signs of Fall

The air has begun to cool here.  It may be temporary, but I am really enjoying it.

With the chill in the air, we have also welcomed:

• The reappearance of long pants
• Hot Chocolate (Just once, yesterday at the diner.  For the kids.  With whipped cream!)
• Oatmeal for dinner (yes, tonight, so easy!)
• Pajamas and blankets at bedtime

It's really coming, isn't it?

In a way I hope we get one more short hot spell - just a day?  We had the last two of our three new ceiling fans installed today and would really like to use them. 

I know, silly...  But really?  We spent all summer looking forward to them, saying "Oh I can't wait until the fans are installed.  Then it will be so much cooler in here!"

Oh, the irony.

30 Days of Summer :: Day 26 :: Attempting to shoot the Storybook Skirt

To re-open my shop, I need to get some pictures done.  Which means I need some cooperation - both from the weather and from the kids.

Usually, I attempt some pictures on a sunny day when the children are playing quietly.  Although this usually ends the playing quietly piece.

So today I thought I would try to incorporate them into the shoot.

I may just have to wait until school starts...

30 Days of Summer :: Day 21

Some of the materials taunting me from the table in my studio.

Some fun, fresh Metro Market fabric I received in a swap with Julie of Jaybird Quilts. She was one of two people I met at Art Star who bought dresses for kids they didn't have yet (with husbands they didn't have yet) because they loved the fabric. I love that!

So this fabric, combined with some red Michael Miller checked bias tape and ruffle rac, hasn't decided what it wants to be yet. It's coming, though! I had first thought of another pillow case dress (which needs another name, by the way) but maybe a fun little skirt with a trimmed pocket... Or something from my Japanese pattern book... It's so hard to decide!
I will though. Maybe tonight...

30 Days of Summer :: Day 20

I had the good fortune this weekend of being able to hang out in a coffee shop for a bit all by myself.

A great iced mocha, a good book (that makes me feel like a much better mom in comparison), and an amazing almond croissant.

I have picked up numerous habits and lessons from my husband over the last decade. One of my favorites being how to order in a restaurant when you're not really sure what you want.

I eyed the bakery case - scone? chocolate croissant? It all looked good, although I wasn't sure what everything was.

So I asked, "Is there one thing in there that is better than everything else?"

"The almond croissant is amazing."

"I'll take it."

And it was.

Sometimes, the waitress or counter staff isn't quite so opinionated. Or accommodating. Maybe they are worried about admitting that some items just aren't as good. They'll give me the "Oh, everything here is good." That doesn't really help.

But most of the time, when they do recommend something, they are spot on. And I greatly appreciate it.

30 Days of Summer :: Day 17 :: The Lunchbox Napkin

I haven't had nearly enough studio time since The Dad began working from home. It's much more difficult to keep the kids quiet enough up on the third floor while he is on the phone.

But I did manage to get about 20 minutes the other day to whip up E's first Lunchbox Napkin.

I hope to make a handful of these (I don't do laundry as often as I should) in different fabrics for her to take to school in her lunchbox. The napkin is double-sided, so it's thick enough to be a good little mat to spread out her food, as well as absorbent enough for any little (?) mess she may make. I'm sure it will eventually be stained with blueberry juice or the like, but that's what napkins are for, right?

She's having a hard time getting ready for Kindergarten. She's anxious and worried with lots of questions. I forget what a huge transition it is, going into a big school that you've never been to before with a teacher you know nothing about.

I hope that this napkin will bring a little piece of home to her in the middle of the day.

And save some trees at the same time.

30 Days of Summer :: Day 16 :: Camping With the Kids

We finally made it out for our first camping trip of the season. And it was... mostly fun and interesting.

I got a little scared when I climbed into the tent for the first time and had flashbacks to previous trips where no one slept and babies nursed all. night. long.

This trip, bedtime went smoothly (albeit late, after a struggling fire and dinner in the dark) and everyone was happy enough in the morning to get in a good hike. As much as the kids complain about being tired, wanting to be carried, scraped hands from falling, and wet socks from stepping (purposefully) into mud and puddles, they love being in the woods.

E collected treasures along the way - red leaves, sticks, rocks, and a toad (that one got away), brought them back to the campsite, and took pictures of them before we left. I had to pry the camera out of her hands. We may be in trouble.

O even squeezed in a little pretend play as we packed up. Digging a dirty, unmelted marshmallow out of the fire circle and pretending to roast it.
I love it.

Monkey see, monkey do, right?

30 Days of Summer :: Day 11

A Peek into O's Room

Both kids' rooms are still a work in progress, but I'm excited about some of the little touches we've added recently.

Even more important, we've culled through toys and books to minimize the clutter which makes it oh-so-much easier to clean every day.

Right now I'm all about minimizing the extraneous and surrounding ourselves with beautiful (to us) things that we love.

Thanks for looking!

30 Days of Summer :: Day 3

30 Days of Summer :: Day 2

Before I agreed to do camp, I planned on making one day of each week 'Field Trip Day'. Today was our first of the summer.

We drove to a nearby farm and market that has not only pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, but also cut-your-own zinnias.

While we were there, we got to see the month-old baby turkeys. "They're for Thanksgiving, " the marketwoman whispered to us, "but don't tell them that. We haven't told them yet."

To find a similar farm near you, check out this great site.

30 Days of Summer :: Day 1

I consider today our first official day of Summer.

Yes, it is already the second week of July. But camp finally wrapped up yesterday, having started right after school got out. So for us, summer vacation began today.

This morning began with a little impromptu 730am strum along with The Dad. His guitars are kept in our bedroom and the kids love to pull them out and choose a pick to play along.

Inspired by SouleMama's 30 Days of Summer last summer, and looking for a little push to get me posting more regularly now that things are slowing down a bit, I am bravely embarking on an attempt to post every day for the next 30 days. And am ignoring the fact that when those 30 days are over I will be school shopping and preparing to send my daughter to kindergarten and my son to nursery school...

May you also be intentional in recognizing each of the next 30 days to keep them from simply flying by...