Sprung

Hazel is learning parts of the body. Here she demonstrates "eye".

We are trying to take one day at a time here in Hoboland. Still searching for a house to call our own. As much as I think I don't care if Spring comes- I then remember I need Spring like a plant needs fresh water. It renews the soul- the creativity and life in general.

Letting fresh air into the house and opening windows is always welcome, especially by the cats who usually inhabit the windows year round. The fresh air is a trigger like a full moon- it makes them crazy!

But sometimes Spring makes some of us sleepy.


Last night- much to both of our surprise- during American Idol- I started re-organizing my fabric. I put away all holiday/fall/wooly/flannel/toasty variety and replaced it with vintage floral sheets/apples/fruit/lightweight cottons and seersucker.
I was up till 11ish doing the finishing touches- because I also semi-color coordinated them as well as purged a huge bag full. It feels good- looks much better and gave me some inspiration that I needed.

Today this morning- which I almost actually wrote "smorning" as in this morning. Anyhow, this morning my stomach has been somewhat normal- no 15 trips- so I am not sure what is happening- but I feel good. I'm reading Dr. Weill's Heart Health publication and trying to take notes and create a new regime for health for myself. I need structure- I need to stick to it- what is it 21 days to start a habit?!

With the beautiful weather I think a trip to Nyack is needed. A stroll into our favorite thrift store for some birthday treasures. Ahem- myself (23rd) and (Zach in May) you never know what you'll find!

Enjoy the day!

Quick Sunday Show & Tell

( It turns out the woodgrain is more on the greenish side- which I am starting to like even more than the original)


(estate sale a few weeks back- vintage)


(parasols- I want to call it Tokyo parasol- because I don't know the real name)


(reminds me of the 4th of July and making summer wishes)


(folded a favorite way to see fabric)

Last day to a very busy weekend.. A million things to do. Very sleepy & hungry
Enjoy the day!
xo

SALE SALE SALE over at Hobocamp Crafts

Craft books and fabric stacks on Sale now! We're having our annual moving sale over at the shop- so if you're in the market for some fabric or crafty books (more books available)- check it out!


In other news- I cut my hair- I was going to go and then I decided to just do it myself. I've done it so many times before- so I went ahead with it.

I'm happy with how it turned out.

On Saturday we hit the rummage sale and I found some great clothes for H. About 5 pair of cotton pants- she can wear now- 18 months,2 adorable dresses (18 months & 5 years) and a few tops- all for $3.00! We finally got our most recent orders out the door and are taking a breather for the moment.

A very serious girl:

Hazel is getting so big- she laughs all the time-talks a lot and loves doing her kicks. She is really starting to notice the kitties and some of her toys. She still hates tummy time on the floor- but is growing stronger a little bit each day. She amazes me every day- I can't wait to start putting her in the Moby facing outward. She seems to really enjoy seeing everything when we hold her in our arms that way.

Well have a great Tuesday-maybe I can go take a nap before she wakes up!

Confessions of a Fabric Maverick

(Sorry I just had to use that word)

Some days fabric jealousy seethes through my gut. I am so inspired by seeing fabric finds of others on blogs and Flickr- but of course I always wish (secretly) I found it first! Tee-hee! I know I'm terrible~"You're terrible Muriel".

:::With that said, I did find a few lovely things at our local shop the other day:



These were $4.00 and are smaller then an actual twin size quilt.Which made me think that using one would be perfect when the baby is older in her toddler bed. They're vintage- yet made from a fabric that *looks* like a quilt. Which reminds me of Denise Schmidt's new pre-made- lovely quiltey fabric. When I first saw these I was so excited I scapped one up - the one in better shape. Because I'm a crazy person- all I could think of was the other one I left behind and the possibilities it held (like a new quilted tote bag, pillows, soft blocks for baby... so I went back the next day.
I found this too ::::
A vintage (some of the fabrics really look very old)sheet full of 2-sided patchwork.It has a few tares, which I'll stitch up. I'm tempted to use it as a table cloth or split the two pieces and just start making, making, making. But I'm sentimental and don't have many of these things- so I may just hoard it and use it for a picnic blanket or baby blanket. It was a whopping 3 dollars!





The last thing I found were a pair of Dansko clogs(sorry I forgot to take a pic)::: for $7 bucks in my size, 10!! These things don't happen every day and they're hardly worn! They're not the cutest- but I don't have many brown shoes and I look forward to wearing them with toasty tights & thigh-high socks once the baby arrives and I can get my legs into such things.

Today Z is home, I like when he's home- the weekends go so fast. I'm also sure once the baby arrives we'll surely wonder if weekends still exist.

Saturday, this gorgeous gift arrived in our box:::

( picture was stolen from Jessica Jane's Flickr) It was one of the sweetest gifts we've received and to have an original of Jessica's is also very special. She is so very talented and inspiring. Thank you!!!
Well have a great Monday!
M

October Crafting

Above are two pictures of how my holiday garland is coming out. I chose not to put numbers on each piece(but there will be 25), I am using this gorgeous green ribbon that our Land of Nod gifts came wrapped in as the loops.I've been using fleece & old sweaters recycling them into little boots/stockings,pockets and mittens. Yesterday I made a quick trip to Joann's to get rikrak. This is how it went:





I did actually get rickrack in green and red(although not shown).. but as you can see the remnant piles we're calling my name. I found the adorable houses fabric, which is by Heidi Grace and purchased 1 1/2 yards using my coupon. I had never heard of her before- WOW she had some wonderful little prints.

Last night we did watch the season finale of Project Runway and I was a little disappointed. The entire season was sort of a let down.In between commercials we watched the debate. Every time McCain spoke I just felt slightly ill. When Obama spoke- on the split screen McCain had such a smug look on his face I just couldn't stand it. I'm glad it was the last one.

On a positive note: Today I'm having a very special lunch date. My niece and nephew are coming over with my mom & dad. We'll be eating sandwiches (BYOS), since they're kind of picky eaters. Our yard is full of so many colorful leaves- so I thought we'd make window-leaf catchers.. I don't know if they'll be interested when there are 2 cats here and the kids usually have their GameBoys everywhere they go. But I'm going to try and encourage them to make something today.
Here is my picture for Self-Portrait Thursday

Hope you have a great Thursday!
xo
M

Tuesday Afternoon Doings

So yesterday I made it to the fabric shop! It was pretty sweet- all fleece was 50% off and some flannel was only $2.99 a yard! So I think I am officially set for the holidays when it comes to the coffee cuff explosion of the 2008 Holiday Season. Of course there were a few pieces of remnant fabric, some peachy-keen-colored thread and some black felt.. for a few surprises.




I made a stop at the library, who was holding several books recommended on Soulemama's blog. Among the titles are Raising a Spirited Child, Putting Food and Living Simply with Children. I also picked up the Lilith Fair Cd, Dar William's The Green Room and Found Style by Amy Butler for good measure. I really want to get Amy's new book
Little Stitches, but I think I need to go easy with the spending. I did just get a winter coat and a bag full of fabric. (Which I even brought my own fabric tote to Joann's!) No one seemed to care!



Today I met with my midwife, well her partner. Who is equally as cool and helpful.She answered all of my questions as silly as they may have been. The baby's heartbeat was strong and she is a good size. I'll have a 3rd trimester sonogram in a few weeks- due to my stomach issues. I've actually lost a pound or two and I'm not gaining as much as maybe I could be- all due to IBS. But I just need to monitor myself.

I am really excited to be a part of Etsy's Virtual Baby Shower. You can read about it here. It was started almost two years ago by Fickle Faerie. Participants who are expecting get gifts from 4 different Etsyians as shower gifts! What a warm way to welcome a baby into handmade land as well as a great way to get free advertising & networking! I'm going to be contributing as well.

Lastly, I'm in love with this website, Make Baby Stuff. You can find free tutorials on some awesome things like pants, jumpers, toys,diapers and some great decor ideas for nurseries. I think we are going to use a bunch of embroidery hoops with beautiful fabric to decorate the wall next to the crib. Well I am off to start my contribution for the Etsy Baby Shower.
Tonight starts the new season of Law & Order SVU, my favorite Law & Order. Enjoy
Be Well
xo
M