On the eve of grateful

Charlie's Angels?, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

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In other subjects, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. regardless of how you spend it- I hope you get to see the ones you love or do something you love.

I try to remind myself what I am grateful and thankful for on a daily basis. I don't write it down- I've tried but never get the hang of it- however I have mental lists going. I just wanted to share a little of those lists here.

i'm grateful for my amazing daughter and patient husband
i'm grateful for a loving, supportive family
i'm grateful for the days when my medicine is working and i don't remember i'm sick
i'm grateful for a roof over our heads and shoes on our feet
i'm grateful for fresh air-freedom of speech and that special holiday zest
Just to name a few... what are you grateful for?

Gathering

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and Christmas about a block away- both equal winter essentially, I've been on gatherer mode. Trying to find GF foods to have through out the holidays and winter. I found a huge bag of quinoa at the wholesale store, which was a great price along with some packets of gourmet hot cocoa which will soon be broken up and divided into individual little gift packets. Of course I wished I could enjoy them, but I have become quite the hot cocoa master- from scratch. I've made a switch over to rice milk, as I had been doing mostly soy milk.

I've been baking more and cooked up a new soup last night. We went to our first kid's party- where they ran around laughing & playing in a gym-like atmosphere. Hazel had a grand old time in the ball pit and by time we got home- I was raring & ready (must have been that soy chai on the ride home) because I put together a big pot of soup. It ended up being sliced sweet potato,carrots,mushrooms, veggie stock & quinoa. Very savory. Now I have a pot of mac & cheese in the oven for H's dinner. Maybe a 1/3 c of cheese, 1/3 c. of sweet potato mashed,flax & nutritional yeast as the topper and some of her formula to give a creamy milk consistency. I hope she likes it. I didn't want to use a lot of cheese because I am really trying to watch our sodium, cholesterol etc.



Since we'll be celebrating Hazel's birthday in 3 different locations, I am trying to make something special for her to open at each place. I'm still working on a wall pocket, A large piece of fabric with pockets- that in the past when I made them I used dowels. But with Hazel's I got the idea of using a nice piece of branch from Soulemama. So that needs finishing, a small quilt I want to make for the doll bed we got her. Then there is the matter of the doll. Her scraparella, I just embroidered the eyes and Why didn't I know it was soo much fun to make doll clothes & accessories?!! Where have I been?! So there's that matter. A crown, a dress to match mine? Oh that probably won't happen. So you see there is craziness! In the shop, we just ordered a screen of Milkshake and Brother- so the boys will be back- hopefully in time for the holidays. What lovely & craziness are you enjoying?


Have I mentioned she's on the loose? Have a wonderful holiday if I don't get back here!

asking and receiving

Macro Blonde with Scarf Coffee Cuff, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

The idea has always made sense to me about asking the universe for things. Putting your wants/needs out there and letting the universe and those who inhabit it help you out. It seems to work with easy things and more complex ideas like a soul mate or getting that house you want. In my case recently it happened with a tall wicker basket I found on the side of the road- I have wanted something for Hazel's toys near her crib- but baskets are expensive these days. So I am going to make a bag to go into this tall basket I found. Then I've been checking our local Freecycle and have been gifted with material,baby clothes, g diapers, some great vintage Sesame Street hardcovers, a 35mm Nikon and 2 baby gates,which we especially needed.

Today I found myself at a local thrift in Piermont. Where I found a great piece of wool fabric for some unsuspecting sewing projects, a great vintage kids kimono and a sweet dress for Hazel. On the way out they had 2 huge garbage cans full of garbage bags- full of clothing,vases,artwork it was insane. The more insane thing was that they said they were getting rid of it! So I was free to grab what I wanted! Our living room sliding door is very drafty- since we spend all of our time in that little room we were in need of some heavy curtains to keep the draft out. Bam! 2 long panels of velour lined curtains! In addition I found a bunch of clothes, in great condition. They said they just had too much stuff and needed to get rid of it! Thank you universe!

I recently purchased The Etsy Seller Success Kit by Business Minded and I'm loving the common sense approach & positive tone. It was enough to get my butt in gear and start back with my Flickr account. I've neglected it with everything going on these days. But I realized that I feed off of all of the gorgeous photos & interactions and I also get sales from Flickr!

With that said, I've uploaded some of my new cuffs and I plan on making more this weekend. Staying positive and looking forward to spending time with Zach's family next week. Hazel turns 1 in a little more than a week. Still so much to do xo

Embracing the Caterpillars

Aside from one actual caterpillar who was crossing our driveway during the late summer, the caterpillars I am referring to are my eyebrows. Since high school, I have usually kept them very plucked- no hair out of place- very 1940's chic. I would pluck them to no end and they always grew back- much to my surprise. But in the last few years, I've really gotten tired of getting them waxed. My last experience was while visiting my in-laws in Westerly. I went to a random shop one quiet Saturday morning and had them waxed by a very quiet, older gentleman. Aside from his quick "OK, I"m finished" neither of us said a word. I was the only customer there and when I looked in the mirror it was like a Monet (if I can quote Clueless) From far away my eyebrows looked great, but up close they were a true mess! Instead of plucking the strays he cut them. It was not pretty. This all on the tail ending of me waiting weeks for them to grow out to get stood up by the threader at a local salon. So now, I am embracing my Brooke Shields caterpillars. I am letting them grow in and just taking care of the real rambunctious ones, aren't you happy I shared that!?

Now for something cozy...



everyone needs a little cozy spot every now and then even if that is in mama's basket of new yarn!

In other news, we've (well, I and my parents) have started decorating for Winter/Christmas. Zach does not seemed very excited- but he's always been my little
Ba humbug anyhow. It is just a magical time of year and our little girl is turning one- so I want everything to be festive.


our little autumn leaf faerie



I'm working on two Scraparellas- which have taken waaay to long at this point, it is sort of embarrassing. One is for Hazel and another for a dear friend's daughter. Yes it will be for Christmas and thank God they aren't paying me- because I would feel even worse. But all I can do is harness the power of Santa's elves and get it done. Then that doesn't even begin the list of holiday gifts I need to make or presents for Hazel I want to make.. including our outfits for Thanksgiving! With all the hustle of lights going up on the house, wooden beads draped on the windows, my bird collection in it's winter best.. I am searching for inspiration and a firm kick in the tush to keep the locomotive
(emphasis on loco) moving at full steam! xo Have I mentioned Hazel is having 3 parties?!

veg city

Veg City Diner, was one of my most favorite places in the world to go to. It was located around 14th street in NYC. One of the only places in the area where you could get a vegan meatball parm hero at midnight! Then one day they were gone. But don't let me fool you, I was speaking entirely about myself. I am- veg city. Veg city is the glazed eye, TV on,do nothing look I've had the last few months. Some also use the word couch potato. Running around after an almost-toddler is paying its toll and I'm beat! So when Zach gets home at 7- it is all I can do to hand him the babe- hopefully make us dinner or be smart enough to have something cooked or on the stove and then put her down to sleep. After that the TV goes on (in my defense, Zach works for Television Without Pity and needs to watch in order to edit content and write reviews). I have no real excuse.

So tonight, I will bring the sewing machine into the kitchen and begin. A ritual? I don't know yet, but something I would like to try every week. Shop projects and handmade gifts for the holidays and for our home. I am so inspired and read so many crafty blogs and then feel frozen.. almost overwhelmed by the amount of energy so many people exhibit. With kids? How? Even without kids- working full time?! You are my hero!

I am also going to stop the consumerism. I have been telling myself "oh this is OK, this little thing was on sale". But in the end it all adds up and it all comes from our little nest egg we are guarding.. ( in order to own our own nest some day) so if I can push myself forward through this lump of a moment and learn something- we'll all be better served.

With that said here are some pictures I took for inspiration, yesterday on an adventure with Hazel. Maybe not a traditional place one might look for inspiration, This is Letchworth Village, located in Thiells NY. Built in the early 1900's it was used as a home for disabled,epileptic, and other illnesses or disorders doctors didn't understand. It closed in 1996. We didn't even get out of the car, but as you can see there was some real history here- a lot of it sad, unfortunately. My sister worked here briefly, years ago and she had some happy tales to share. Now it is closed up and a source for ghost stories, double dare ya's, and the unknown. From photos of what I've seen inside, there is water damage, rot,graffiti and everything else you would expect from an abandoned building. It calls me every time I drive by. The piece of a curtain blowing out of a boarded window, the broken glass panes, the old stone. I'm no photographer, but I was happy with what I got from a car window. Zach has said he'd go walking around with me, because it is all paved.













Hopefully next time I'm back I'll have some sights to share- no pressure though!

First of Many

Although we were semi-rained out, we still managed to have a great time. We kept the costumage very simple. A handmade pumpkin hat (thank you aunt Linda) a handmade tutu ( mama) and some very inexpensive (dollar store) wings. The group consisted of my parents,brother & wife, their 3 kids, Zach and us. We only went to the houses that knew us- but Hazel wasn't that into it- just yet.

The remaining weekend was spent rearranging bedroom furniture and books. Switching the books in the living room from my craft/sewing/art books - Hazel's board books etc. This way when she is pulling them off the shelf, she isn't doing any damage. We also rearranged her crib and our bed. Living in a small space- you MUST be able to have an open mind and be willing to try something new. Parts of our space is cramped- so other parts are free of clutter in order for Hazel to play & crawl etc.

Was advised to call my GI tomorrow and then we can go over a new medication. I'm just happy he seemed open to helping me via telephone, because it is a big deal to go into the city to see him. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Trying to e a s e back into gluten free, not that happy about it.. but t r y i n g to stay POSITIVE!
xo