This Just In...

Our reversible kid's apron- New to the shop!

I guess sometimes when life is happening you forget about writing about life! This blog was started in 2007-last night I was going back and forth trying to decide if moving to another blog host was what I needed for this little blog. Zach and I decided to stay here and try to keep this blog chug-a-lugging.

 I hope you will stop by from time to time to see what's new in our shop and just in our lives. We are reworking the blog- for a fresh, new feel- simplifying and just making it happier! So stick around- you won't be disappointed! What are you working on?
xo Melissa

Wednesday

Hi There!


I'm trying to make my way back into doing... sewing, blogging and turning a small profit from Hobocamp. Hazel will be 3 in December and since she was born and I became sick I have had just enough energy to get me through the day only to pass out on the couch at 7 o'clock. Thankfully, Zach is willing to put her down almost every night so I can fold clothes,sew, clean and or just relax. The last few nights I have used my time for sewing.. so there are a few things I want to share this week. I always wanted to start fall (my beloved season) early... I have my fabrics out and that is just what I have been doing.






Along with the cuffs, I've been mending clothes for Hazel. We think we may have found a preschool for her that is affordable and seems to be a perfect place for our special girl to grow. I would love to homeschool her through her preschool years- but I think what she needs most is socialization with children. She knows her Alphabet to & fro, she can count to 30- and has a great vocabulary (forgive me for being so proud!) but what she really does need is the play with kids .. so I do hope this all works out.

Back to the grind- school hasn't started yet and our swim lessons at the lake have ended- I'm so grateful for the story times at local libraries to keep somewhat of a schedule for us. We've really been trying to stay busy. My diet and medication are still amazingly working... so grateful for that. So grateful for many things.

More Updates to come- New Cuffs in the Shop Now!
here!

in the swing

This will be short, because I think part of why I took such a hiatus from this little place was because the blogging was feeling like I HAD to do it rather than I WANTED to. Funny how our brains work sometimes! After our computer crashed- we lost practically everything. I was grateful to have this blog and be able to reminisce and see all that I posted over the years.

Hazel is 2 1/2, I have been on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet since March and it's working! My Colitis is mostly always in check and I am able to better understand what I can and can't eat. Zach has switched jobs and is now able to work from home with exception for 1-2 days a week when he travels into the city. So much is changing. Our cats still lounge and meow at us to fetch them food, Bella the puppy dog still chews everything in sight- but she's trying. We've got a wee container garden.. Ozark strawberries, tons of basil ( my favorite thing to grow), tomatoes,lavender,beans,cilantro,Russian kale and spearmint & apple mint.

Way Back When...

Some New Items in the Shop! Snack Bags!

This little girl is my WHOLE world!

silly big boy Jasper

and Papa's world too-- Iron girl?!


We are coming on 1 year of home ownership- which is kind of crazy! We love it- but had NO idea just how tough it was going to be. Every day we try to make a little bit of progress, whether it's hanging a picture frame,switching out curtains or hanging a new plant. The nesting still goes on. The crafting is starting up and I am trying to climb out of the cold weather funk. Inspiration come to me~

a few things

Months ago I fell in love with these and because I am trying to save money, I just couldn't. But since I wasn't mass creating them- I made some of my own for our own little budget.







We used a Sharpie and velcro- I don't do so great with zippers well actually I hate sewing them! Although only 4 are shown I made 5 pouches. I used some recycled,vintage and new fabrics- trying to stay within a similar color scheme. I only have 2 labeled. Gas & groceries and perhaps fun money or chai money will be designated.

Our wait still continues on the house. I have started packing and we now are in a sea of boxes. Packing with a toddler is kind of impossible. I put 5 things in the box she manages to pull out 7! I have also started purging stuff. We have a yard sale planned in a few weeks and I want to be able to have something to sell.

I added a new cuff to the shop and I have 2 more I am adding. Must go through my inventory and possibly find more unlisted items. Oh and my sewing machine is having a slight bobbin issue- so I'll have to take it back in for a tune up. Anyone else have issues with a Huskystar?
xo

First Attempts

I finally finished a pair of wool soaker longies for Hazel. I made them from one of my favorite sweaters- that after having for years just started shrinking. The pants are very plain. The legs are my sleeves. I left them the same legth, with hope sthese can be worn for several years. Right now our bedroom does not have heat. Although we do a bit of co-sleeping, I wanted Hazel to have toasty,wool pants to romp and nap in. To finish them, I tied them with a recycled bit of t-shirt I used as a cord.



When I first started Hobocamp in 2004, I saved ever little piece of fabric and worked it into another piece, somehow. Well with various moves every year after the creation of Hobocamp.. I started getting lazy. Perhaps it was the idea of packing up bits & scraps or then finding a place in our new home for them- either way both were a challange. I've since started using suitcases, which stack and allow me to savour some of the little bits I am just not ready to part with. This also goes for my growing wool sweater collection. When Hobocamp was a wee toddler, I made a couple of hats from recycled sweaters- listed them and voila they sold! So to keep with tradition I am digging into my sweater collection, mixing some little bits and coming up with a line of recycled caps for babe, kids & mamas and the odd papa thrown in. Sunday was spent sketching,pinning and cutting. Monday night was spent sewing. Today I took some quick shots. I mean very quick. Hazel has a superior runny nose and is in an all-around grumpus mood, so my pictures are not great. BUt this is my first attempt. Hope you enjoy them! Stay warm! The caps, I am lovingly calling Nifty Pixie Caps- will be available this weekish-weekend. They are a mix of creature,pixie,gnomes and whatever else you might imagine.




xo

decisions lead to more decisions

(the Hudson River in fall)

When it comes to certain things- I have my decided view point and am usually willing to sway when I hear more details or ahem facts. But on the whole I can be very indecisive. That is why I've been talking about getting a bread machine for a bazillion years now and am yet to get it. Well after reading several Gluten-free blogs over & over some pro bread machine- others not.. I decided to go without. I guess I have always been afraid of bread making and baking in general because the proportions have to be exactly right.. or something tastes funny or doesn't rise etc. I also don't have the right tools.

With the thought of going gluten-free I decided instead of spending money on a $100+ bread machine, I would look for the supplies to bake my own bread from hand- still using a mix- at least for now. So I scoured the web searching for a somewhat comprehensive, realistic list of tools I might need, The Kitchn
had just the thing. So today I am going to try and gather these tools be it new or old.

A quick trip to the fabric shop this weekend landed me with a gorgeous 3 yrds of Heidi Grace mini damask for $1.00 a yard! I bought what was left on the bolt. I want to use this to make Hazel a little jumper and myself a skirt for Thanksgiving.We'll see how it goes.

Here are two of my vintage winter hats I've been sporting.

(a few weekends ago, Zach had a cold and we were trying to find our winter clothing- in tubs in our shed. The shed my parents so graciouslly bought us since our clothes runneth over.)



Have a cozy Monday!

Weekend Sewing

I've been saying I wanted to sew some sort of jumper for Hazel,well since before she arrived in December. I did make her a small frock- but wanted to make a little sundress. Renegade was very inspiring for children's clothing and just crafts in general. I've had the dress in my head and used Amy Butler's Little Stitches to get an idea for construction, but ended up not using the pattern, well because I don't do well with patterns. Here is the finished project:



It took me about an hour to construct and sew. I took Hazey's measurements and winged it. Right now I am loving the unfinished hem, but I will probably sew & shorten it a bit. It is very much a handmade dress and very free-form- I eyeballed most of it. Sorry I didn't have the hub take any closeups. I'd love to make a more funky, vibrant one. I chose these soft fabrics to start with, just yardage I had around for a long time. Next I'll try to make my own pattern from a recycled paper bag and go from there with different fabrics. She could wear this to a spring wedding! Too bad we don't have any to attend!
Happy week- happy sewing!
xo

Two Things I Love

As the days get longer and my list of to-do gets even loonger- my blog postings, may get shorter. Sprinkled with what we are doing,making and seeing- the summer is a time to fill yourself up with sun- enough to last through the shorter,darker days. With that said- here are a few things I am loving right now.
This fabric, it is available at Fabric Farmers Market on Etsy I kind of want some.

Skirt Weather is Here! This is one of my first ever skirts that I made. I plan to make a few more this summer as well as some for Hazel and a couple of cover-ups for her.


Inspired by the awesome Soulemama Summer Skirt Collection- I am going to try an photograph my summer skirts, get a count and have fun with them.
Much to do- Have a great one!

Delicious Perfection

I have no pictures to share with you. Although my little bakey-bakey party I threw myself last night, while most of my family and friends were glued to the couch watching the season finale of LOST I was getting my bake on. Trust me when I tell you- I made 2 1/2 loaves of delicious gluten-free, pumpkin-banana bread. I cut myself a steamy, gooey piece and then enjoyed a piece around 3am after a Hazel feeding session. I say delicious- because it was-perfect because for me and my track record with these two ingredients- my track record is horrible. Maybe it was my mother's new oven or my father's encouragement hovering over the bowl.. either way it was topped with just enough brown sugar to melt and cover the top and fill my tummy with deliciousness.

Thursday was rainy. H and I met a good friend and her daughter at the farmer's market. We walked & talked and laughed. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who thinks something- then I'll say it out loud and realize someone else thinks the same thing. Let's just say the thing revolved around other mothers who were VERY excited about a local kid's band playing at the market. We were not as excited and found that pretty funny. I'm so glad there are some bands out there that appeal to children AND adults and don't have to sound like Barney or the Teletubbies.

After calling everyday for 3 days-I finally heard back from my doctor.. it seems there was some inflammation as it seems like IBS. He offered no real advice except for "don't eat dairy" which I haven't eaten in a year. So back to square one and yes, doing it on my own.He did tell me, my test for Celiac came back negative again.. but I'm still skeptic. I'll be monitoring my foods and writing a diary on it to try and find some pattern- exciting!
Mom, Hazel and I went to the Trader Joe's today, so Friday is free. Since Saturday is Zach's birthday- I'll need some time for extra special birthday planning. Maybe even get some sewing done. I've got an idea to make a traditional pillowcase dress- out of an oversized t-shirt for H. We'll see how this goes.
xo

Bob and Weave

Everything has some sort of pattern, a rhythm or routine- but we just don't notice it. As I am starting to understand this little kidlet's patterns,caring for her is getting easier in ways. However last night she woke at 1am,3am,5am and 6isham. After trying to let her lie in her crib for a bit- I came to terms with neither of us getting another wink and we went to the living room.

Yesterday was a day of days- I got a good amount accomplished- one of those things was putting down an easy-to-clean, play-mat/rug for Hazel. So this morning she happily played in her rain forest gym ( on the rug) while I happily finished 7 coffee cuffs- it was kind of amazing. I put a new Celtic Lullaby cd in and we both focused..her chewing,sucking and drooling- me snipping,pinning and stitching.


(terrible grey,rainy day- with no light)
No real plans for the weekend except the transfer of more furniture/clothing/randomness from the old-the new. Hazel is 5 months tomorrow which I am still amazed by every day and every month she grows.

I had hoped to get some screen printing of our new wee Snuggle Bunny screen under my belt- but considering I haven't placed an order for the clothing pieces- maybe next weekend. There is a lawn that needs cutting- some plants to be transplanted. The outside work never seems to be done- but I really enjoy it. I am grateful that my parents let us do so much in their yard. Helps us get ready for our own yard someday.

Happy Weekend xo

Bread Lust

I guess I've already written about Bread Lust before, because it popped up in my blog titles- before I could finish typing it in. Only the bread lust I was talking about then was the non-glutenous. This morning my bread has gluten and rosemary and olive oil. It is quite delicious with some garlic hummus. It is a difficult, slippery slope of gluten- I'm climbing these days- with strict orders to eat eat eat gluten before my endoscopy.



Hazel woke to yet another large piece of baby toy-furniture... the jumperoo. Although our babe's feet do not yet touch the ground, she played enough this morning to seriously conk herself out for a good, long nap.

Zach has started configuring his action figures on what was once, my mother;s niknak shelves. He too has strict orders, only from me. Anyone who is a lover of action figures or married to a lover of one- the heat is not their friend, and once one falls they all start. So the strict order is a line of fishing wire to keep these guys (ahem Wolverine, I'm talking to you) in place. Zach happily obliged.

Our new place has become a life-size game of Tetris, which I love playing and am pretty good at, while the old place is a graveyard of yet-to-be-packed items, fur balls and loud neighbors. However the new place does have a train coming through a million times a day/night ( does this count as a loud neighbor?) How did I ever sleep as a child? I guess the same way I do now and the way Hazel will for the next year- deeeply!

With not too much to report- I'm back to the daily grind..Hazel,laundry,dinner (turkey meatloaf & garlic mashed) and maybe- just maybe some sewing & product shots- along with a few hopeful sketches of new new things to come.
xo

Pouches- Not Just For Kangaroos Anymore

The world is full of stuff. So what better way to carry your stuff than in other stuff.( this intro reminds me of George Carlin) Also it doesn't hurt if the stuff you are using is pretty adorable and made by a rad person to-boot. A crafty mama with a new kidlet of her own, sews these thoughtful little pouches. Please check out AwesomeAsAOne . Allegra (crafty mama in charge) chooses sweet fabrics and adds these little touches that are just perfect. Her quarter pockets and gum pouches.. um amazing! She's taken an already cute pouch and just added a wonderfully quirky and handmade element- which is what crafting is all about. These are perfect for a night out or everyday- just always remember to restock! There is nothing more insulting than an empty Wriggler . But for now these babies arrive with gum included! Also check out Allegra's blog, AwesomeAsAOne blog where she features a new awesome item daily.
So show Allegra and AwesomeAsAOne some love and find the perfect pouch for you or a friend. BTW Mother's Day is coming up, why not give her the very best and give handmade?
xo

Farewell 2008

What a happy little creature!




I was able to get a little bit of sewing accomplished.Now if I could just find the natural light to take pictures- I think it is supposed to snow.

Yesterday, we had planned a walk to the park across the street, but by time we had lunch- took a family nap ( including the kitties) it was just too chilly. So we ran a few errands then came home and had a Kashi- thin crust pizza for dinner (which was pretty darn yummy). I was saving it for a celebratory dinner for tonight- but that didn't exactly happen.

So I think I'll make some kind of winter soup for tonight, then tomorrow we'll have black-eyed peas & collard greens for New Year's Day. I haven't been eating a very good diet,I must admit. Which is a problem because- I'm still breastfeeding. I mean I'm not eating like Buddy the Elf, but I am certainly not back to the normal "me" foods. Part of this is due to IBS, which I am still experiencing in different forms. I'm hesitant to eat certain things, yet I'm not eating crucial things. Today though, I'm going to make an apple crumble with the remaining apples and use the sweet potatoes for a mash. I'm going to plan our dinners for the next 2 weeks or so- then when we go food shopping on Friday it will all be somewhat organized- somewhat.


Here is a sweater handed- down. It had some stains on it- but fit Hazel perfectly, so I just added some kooky- free form appliques and two blue buttons. She looks pretty cute.

Well as everyone gears up for the hustle of the New Year, I'll leave you with an excerpt from A Child's Calendar By John Updike-illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. I read this to Hazel a lot while in my tummy and plan to read it even more now that she's out!
:::::December::::::
First snow! The flakes,
So few, so light
Remake the world
In solid white.

All bundled up,
We feel as if
We were fat penguins,
Warm and stiff.

The toy-packed shops
Half split their sides,
And Mother brings home
Things she hides.

Old carols peal.
The dusk is dense.
There is a mood
Of sweet suspense.

The sheperds wait,
The kings, the tree-
All wait for something
Yet to be,

Some miracle.
And then it's here,
Wrapped up in hope-
Another year!


Happy New Year all- be safe & have fun!

The Squeaky Wheel

We've all heard "The squeaky wheel- gets the oil"- my mom has said it to me my whole life. I never wanted to be the squeaky wheel- I guess because I do complain- but usually to people in my life who just listen and I don't expect anything in return.

But in the last few days and just the last year- I've noticed squeaky wheels- really DO get the oil. About 2 months ago we opened a savings account for Hazel at our primary bank. When we went in, the person who helped us was very nice and joked with us about his own children. Because the baby was still in my belly- we couldn't open it as a minor account, it had to be a regular savings.However, jokey guy never told us that when you open an account with less than $300.00 you'll be penalized $4.00 a month till you reach the $300, unless the account is for a child.( which we weren't able to do just yet) So when I checked the baby's account and saw that she was charged $4 I was really surprised. Poor kid- isn't even born yet and she's losing money!! I called the bank and requested the account be cancelled and the funds transferred. I would just open a free ING account. On saying this I was asked what could be done to keep this account? So I was offered the fee to be waved for several months till we reach $300 or once we can change the account into the baby's name and then it would be free regardless. Her account was also refunded the $4.00. It felt really good to get the $4.00 refund and to straighten the situation out. In all honesty- it was the fault of jokey guy (who happens to be the branch manager!!) he failed to tell us. But now we know to ask.

My second Squeaky Wheel moment was when purchasing organic white rice-(a HUGE staple in my IBS diet these days). We purchased 2 bags of it, got it home and noticed bugs in one of the bags. The other was fine- I went through it almost grain by grain. So we went to another shop a little closer and exchanged it (no problem) for another bag- which also had bugs in it ( but of course we didn't see them till we got it home)- how frustrating! I have to get to the store and RETURN this bag b/c I won't be buying this brand again for a while, but I wrote to the company. I explained spending the money, time and gas and I got a nice reply offering a $10 gift card for the specific store. Normally I may not have said anything and just been irritated- but giving a little squeak changed the situation.

I know I have other situations- but I won't bore you anymore! If anything these things taught me to speak up for myself.

In crafty land ventures, here are a few photos of wool & fleece soakers and our almost-finished advent clothesline as well as a new fallish tote I had to make for myself. Zach will fill the odd numbers and I the even.




P.S. I've been craving Cold Stone Creamery, which I've only had like 1-2 times. I of course can't enjoy it- somebody somewhere- eat a big bowl of it for me!
Have a great weekend getting cozy!
xo

So Project Runway, last night was kind of a disappointment. I won't go into details, but if you read Pulp Sushi, I'm sure Marilyn will give you a wonderful explanation! Let's just say the contestants don't seem to be as skilled as other cycles. Not that I could ever be on that show! Too crazy!

Yesterday, I created a new blog header. I'm having fun doing these every month, we'll see how next month goes~ I also had a prenatal massage, which was really great. I'm grateful that we have a friend who not only charges a reasonable price, but is willing to come to me!

I've decided to try and make an apple pie with a caramelish topping for my shower. Possibly a little bit ambitious, but hey what better time to make one? I'll be using a vegan recipe. Boy how I miss caramel apples... sorry just thinking out loud.
In addition to making the apple pie and iced-chamomile tea I'm aspiring to stitch up a cute little makeup bag to house the soap, chocolate bar & lavender sachets for one of the winners of the baby game. I'm silly.

Two Works in Progress:


I'll tell you about them a little later.

Well I hope you all have a lovely Thursday!
xo
M