happy holidays

I am hoping to have some more steam after the holidays- and working on some positive steps towards a better well-being, if that makes sense. Be well and enjoy this cuddly family & friend time xo Happy Holidays & Winter Solstice!

2

Can I still call her a little peanut?


(indulging in some Thanksgiving Day- birthday celebrations)

On the eve of Hazel's actual 2nd birthday- I just can't believe it. The words that come out of this kids mouth. The things she does. the climbing, the silliness, the talking back.. I'm learning each day to hold my own tongue, because it isn't easy- I'm NOT perfect and some days are really difficult. Now to throw the dog into the mix- what was I thinking.?!@ But then I look at her enveloped in a puzzle or a book or wrestling with the dog and I realize- how lucky I am. Happy 2nd Birthday, Hazel Juniper!

mine & yours

mine & yours, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

I've had this design in my mind for quite some time. I finally got some time to make it! These are in the shop now, along with a few other goodies.

Been under the weather- now the whole family is. Dang sinus infection! We're hanging in there as we re-coop. Bella our pup, goes to the vet tomorrow. The house inside is feeling like Christmas. Lights up in some places, the mantle is all decorated. Trying to work on a new attitude. Some new parenting ideas, more patience. More patience- leading with my heart and not my ego. All and any advice on the subject is welcome!

{this moment}

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. From Soulemama's blog. This is our picture:

Question of The Day

marie antoinette, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

How do YOU get work done with a toddler in the house? Whether you sew, make soap, metalsmith or make your own wine- How on EARTH do you get this done while caring for a toddler? As you can see- I'm a desperate mama, but I think other crafty peeps with kids might also like to know!

New New

My parents are coming up for a visit today. They haven't been here in over a month. We usually see each other every week- but last week we missed a get together. So, today they'll come up and maybe we'll grab a bite and share treasures I've recently acquired or they have brought up for us. They love spending time with Hazel, which is nice. They'll get an extra dose of her this weekend, when Zach and I go to see Harry Potter and they babysit! Can't wait- I so love Harry Potter- but the near end of the movies and books is so sad!

In other news, my brother came up to help install new cabinets.



And a week ago yesterday, we adopted a little 6 month old pup, we are calling Bella.

We were told she is a Hound/ German Shepard mix... either way she may be about 70 pounds! whoa!
New things popping up in the shop!

New Faerie Hat in the Shoppe~

New Faerie Hat in the Shoppe~, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

Last night I finished this magical little cap and listed it in my shoppe! It was so much fun trying to imagine what a butterfly faerie's hat might look like.
Yesterday, my brother came up to help Zach rip down the old cabinets and put up some new ones! Yay! While I am still getting use to it- I am enjoying the new space and picturing what the space will turn into. A quick trip to the Goodwill with the family. Zach found a great pair of Clark shoes, I found a Gary Null book and a pair of chocolate brown cords and a burgundy sweater for felting.

Well, I think Zach fell asleep in the rocking chair while putting Hazel down. I want to try and get some more hats finished to put up on Etsy.

I heard some Christmas music in a store today- it made me smile. The most fun time of year! xo

Hazel's Second Halloween

With a free dress- handed down from a yard sale. We made a TinkerBelle- Faerie of sorts. I added some trim and felt to freshen up the dress. Grandma found the wings and wand for $1.oo at the Dollar store!

Even Papa dressed up:

Note: I should add the pumpkins were our neighbors, not ours!

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
Starting something new-to-me, from Soulemama.

This kidlet is growing like a weed! The night of this picture being taken, she got a little hair trim. Nothing drastic, just a few snips of some long bangs in her eyes. She looks even MORE like Zach now as a child- didn't think it was possible! Still holding out for her older years to bring on some of mama's features!



Leaves are changing. We went up to Oneonta this past weekend- only for 1 night to stay with family. We had a super fun time, eating,laughing and picking out pumpkins. Yesterday I decorated the mantle for Halloween. Happy Fall!

Circles in Autumn

We have this butler's closet and let me tell you- it's full. Full of doorknobs and paint cans and screws and window treatments and just about anything you can think of- it's probably in there. We've sort of been using it as our project closet. Supplies live there- get lost and sometimes even multiply. Kind of amazing. But the problem is an at-the-bottom- of your belly overwhelmed feeling- at least for me. I know it takes 30 years to get everything together- but this little house has been an exception.

Today I took my 1st hot shower since we bought the place! IT turns out something was lodged in one of the pipes. Thankfully our neighbor was able to help Zach figure it out! Tonight I am sooo soaking in the tub!Here are a few pictures of what has been happening other than house stuff! Fall in the making!

New Mini Quilts are hitting the shop in the next few weeks. This is my 1st one to sell. I've made a few for family,friends and myself. This one is a mix of all things I love about fall. This is a close up of the cool stitches my new machine makes- love it! It will be up in the shop today!


Making homemdae pizzas every Sunday. Zach does the dough, I do the sauce and Hazel does the cheese- then we all partake in the added veggies and devouring it!!



Hazel learning how to draw circles. I love it!


Making toasty forts!


Hope your future leads to toasty socks,warm drinks and cozy blankets. Fall is defenitely here and we have to get that chimney looked at! xo

It hasn't been very long, but I just needed to pop in and freshen things up a bit. Fall is knocking on our door. We have so much to do in our little cottage- it is a little overwhelming. We have lists upon lists of what we want to do- need to do-must buy in order to simply live.. um hello hot water heater. But we won't go into that! The leaves are starting to turn, the lake is getting a little bit quieter- no kids jumping off the docks- less swans than when we first moved in. Little changes to let you know all of the little creatures are foraging. Here are a few pictures from this week.


A few new cuffs in the shop!


A little girl who loves reading about the magical land of Busy Town and is not liking her picture taken at the moment.



See you soon!

TTFN

April 4th, 2007 was my first ever blog post! I've posted 572 posts since then, which is amazing that I have stuck with this for so long. As this blog grows older, I am realizing my zest for writing is not what it use to be. When I started it, I was working from home without a babe in a wee little apartment. Boy things have changed!

As for now I am taking a little break. I'm not quite sure- how long but for a couple of reasons. One being, I need to focus the time spent on the blog (which as of late has not been very much) and channel that into the shop. I also have not been as active on Etsy or even on the blogs of friend's I adore- because I am not handling my time so well. I also struggle with the content of this blog. I never wanted it to be negative or a spot for complaining, yet somehow I think I did allow that sometimes- in my writing! Well no more nagative thinking! Positive! Positive! I'm sure I'll want to post this fall as my 2 favorite holidays and that magical time of year approaches- but this takes the mental pressure off of myself!

Thank you to anyone who has read this over the last 3 years or commented or even glanced! Please do check back once in a while- for shop updates as we get closer to the holidays we might surprise you! Thank you for all your kind wishes and support- I'll be seeing you soon! xox

sweet land of liberty

Last week Hazel and I traveled to Rhode Island to see her grandparents. We hung at the beach and did a little local shopping, went for walks and of course she did a lot of cuddling with the grandparents. Friday Zach arrived on a very delayed train to New London. A short New England trip, but fun! Some photos from our trip!


Hazel walking down the beach briefly with her grandparents (she was a little frightened by the waves- the ocean is a little vast to a small person- even to a big person!)


Our encounters with the Beluga Whales at the Mystic Aquarium. Wow are they gorgeous and majestic creatures.


more beach


Peek-a-boo with the Beluga


I really fell in love with this guy. It helps that he always looks like he's smiling.


Saturday we went to visit Zach's grandmother... she always generously gives me fabric, but this was amazing.



VINTAGE LIBERTY of LONDON!!







Everything is now washed and folded sitting on my shelves waiting for some crazy project. So grateful!! Back to the grind.

a little here a little there

Is basically how we're bringing our house together. I found the best Goodwill the other day on an adventure around Connecticut. Who knew?! But here are some of the lovelies I found:


Two of the sweetest children's reads


and a mama read I've wanted for awhile. It seemed to be out of print- so you can imagine, finding it on the shelf was kind of amazing!


A few other goodies, a wooden Dansk bowl for fruit- to go with my handed-down Dansk dishes. A big glass jar for treats (we've got some moths visiting on and off- so keeping food in glass jars is important!) and a smallish stainless steel frying pan- perfect for eggs for 2 or even 3~

Along with trying to square away the house- I've been putting a coffee cuff bonanza box together for a friend's shop (Jen, if you're reading this it's coming soon!) then we just got an order for our little sweater cards to be used as Save the Dates for a wintry wedding. I'm so happy to have work and it is gearing me back up for the holidays.

Since Hazel's room and our room is coming along, now we've got the 2 bathrooms, kitchen and living room to tend to. Out of them all the kitchen is the most challenging. Here are a few pics of the cabinets without the doors. We are kind of in a stuck mode. We've got so much work to do in here- I feel a little overwhelmed.. but we're working on it. I'm also trying to purge- purge - purge. Little dishes and mugs we don't need and picked up over the years, fabric i love but need to pass on. Our house is small and I need to be mindful of exactly what I bring in. So the one in one out is another rule I am trying to live by. I'm also trying to come up with a virtual clothing swap- I'd love to hear if anyone is interested.





Sorry they're a little blurry. The paint I picked up for the kitchen is called Peaceful White in Yolo. I am hoping once it is finished we'll have a definite om moment.
Hope you are enjoying your summer xo Off to Rhode Island this week!

P.S. I'll be selling some of my fabric stacks in the next few weeks in my other shop, Button Chops!!

Making Up in Pictures

I've been absent. A little under the weather. But, I guess a lot of people just step away from the computer during the warmer months for whatever reason. I've also been pretty lazy. Yup. In the last 3 years I haven't been working hard enough in my shop. I have been focusing so much on parenthood and our steps to home ownership- that I just haven't had the time. But I've been trying to take some pictures to show you just what has been keeping me from Hobocamp and other craftiness.


drinking milk in a vintage Sesame Street mug while wearing an armful of mama's bracelets


our version of those fun little stars people have on their house. I painted them a citrina. we got the color from The Center For Green Building


the ferris wheel at the Danbury mall!


the lillies blooming in our yard


dressing herself


trying to figure out a way to spiff up the kitchen with out a lot of money or renovating- 1st try is taking off the cabinet doors- next painting.


making my day a million times a day




Pesto I made- so we had a green & white pesto pizza! Delish!

We've got a big order and a new sewing machine, Confidence by Singer- Ms. Martha Stewart herself approves. So hopefully I'll have some snapshots to share real soon. Oh and we finished painting our bedroom- finally!