Sale in the Shop!

To gear up for Fall, we are featuring our button bags on SALE for $25. Regularly $40. These are durable, sweet bags with hand-stitched button designs. Zach, who does most of the sewing for these projects- made one for Hazel- that she uses as her Halloween treat bag... although he must have made it with a whole in the bottom because he ends up with all the candy!


I was pretty pregnant in the last photo! I look pretty tired too lol! These totes are perfect for carrying a few books, magazines, knitting or the like. If you use the word HOBO in the message- you'll get free shipping~
visit the shop!

xo
M

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!

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!

the days in photos

So the rummage sale did not let me down. The first day, I scored a bunch of beautiful & useful items and Saturday I dragged Zach back for more. It amazes me how I can go over a place with a fine-toothed comb the first day- yet when I go back there are gems I've missed!


A couple of vintage berets, a wool skirt, some wool sweaters for felting and upcycling. A pair of jeans that a perfect for roaming around town-running errands or working in the yard with leaves.


Some vintage tablecloths


Some cotton longjohns- which is perfect- I've been looking & trying to collect these!


The haul- the first day!


The last of our nursing. Hazel woke around 1 ish and Zach took a few shots in the dim light of our last nursing session. I've been dealing with it. Hazel has been a true champ and is much enjoying her bottles. This kid has an amazing spirit. She's very much a go-with-the-flow, easy going babe. Maybe her mama should take a few tips from her!


Still trying to have hope this new medicine works. But I am very skeptical as I'm sick every morning for at least 1-2 hours. The weekend is here and so is the rain. Got some light sewing in last night. Made Hazel her witch's tutu for Halloween as well as added some tulle to a new dress for an upcoming wedding. Running to the market,maybe bake some spiced muffins- defenitely drinking hot cocoa and cuddling. Then there is our new obsession,Fringe. Zach brought home the first season and I'm hooked!

Living in Hoboland

I'm so happy fall is here. I don't know if I've mentioned that. In the last few weeks I've been in blog lala land (I can't believe it has been so long) I have been trying to calm my tummy and watch as our Hazel grows like a weed and gets into everything.

We are currently taking part in a sad state of affairs, called weaning little Hazel. It isn't a real choice as it is more of a necessity. Since being diagnosed with Colitis, the doctor told me I need to take medication. A medication that isn't recommended for nursing or pregnant mamas. I've tried alternative options and nothing is working. So to help myself and to be a better mother ( one that isn't stuck in the ladies room all day) I need to try this. I feel like an emotional mess, wondering if it will affect Hazel (although everyone says no)- perhaps I am the one who is really having the issue. Hazel has always taken bottles, sippy cups,breast milk or formula. So we are really lucky. She also loves eating (accept blueberries- whoops my fault). Parsnips,kale,squash,rice & beans, tomato,potato,pumpkin,peas,quinoa,just to name a few. Tonight she had her first bowl of soup along with bread and butter. This past weekend her first taste of baba ganoush. This little girl grows into a silly,giggly,happy elf more each day. Well on her way to taking that first step any day now.

Hobocamp is quiet and slow. Ideas race through my head for the holidays- before you know it those days will be among us. My sewing table again is covered with projects needing a quick sew or a full spell of the machine. But I've started collecting leaves and dreaming of ways to stay warm in our cozy bedroom with no heat. The bed looks like the princess & the pea, covered in patchwork quilt after quilt. Hazel has started co-sleeping. I was afraid before as she was just so tiny, but now she rules the roost and I welcome any sleepy cuddles or scratches for that matter. Concerned about the fire retardant used in most children's sleepwear, I've been looking for thermals that have no chemicals, to wear under one pieces of natural cotton. My mother told me her mama would put them in long vests or sweaters with no sleeves to sleep in over their night clothes. Wool is so toasty.. so I made one for Hazel out of a sweater of my own. It just needs a few stitches. Stay inspired and enjoy the season!

33 Weeks and Counting~

33 Weeks , originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

This morning I woke around 4am. I guess this is what everyone is talking about when they say "you won't be able to sleep much". The baby is kicking in a more uncomfortable manner and I have some serious achenes. In addition to a weird, itchy rash on my forehead! I put calamine lotion on it- so now I have a smear of pink, like a crazy birthmark.

I finished getting my shower thank-you cards in the mail- well I'll finish today. Then on the 24th we're going to Rhode Island to see my husband's family, who have graciously agreed to host a shower for us with his family and friends in the area. I'm very excited- there will be a fall theme!!
Since my husband started bringing me up to visit( a few months into dating) it has always been a little retreat-treat We go to the beach, have picnics, eat at lovely little places and sometimes go to The Blue Mitten ( a great little thrift). I love New England. As close as it is to NY- it still feels so different. The cooler air and proximity of a Tim Horton's on ever corner- just says " I love you" with a big hug New England style.
Yesterday I made a surprise trip to my parent's house. My mom and I talked politics- which is always a very calm discussion- b/c we pretty much agree on most things. She was making a meatloaf, which of course smelled good. I stole a few baked-french fries from the stove and I seemed to be OK. We went through some Rubbermaid bins in the shed full of MORE wintry clothing! Just as I thought we had finished and found it all. I am really amazed to the point of embarrassment on just how many scarves-gloves-hats we own. Zach said, "we're cute we need the accessories to go along with that"- what a supportive husband! We both spent about 1/2 hour last night organizing our new found-wintry wealth into our closets. I love seasonal unpacking- it feels like I've just gone shopping and snagged some awesome pieces- only I've freed up a Rubbermaid and haven't spent a cent!

With that I am going to get back to the hat I am knitting myself. I'll leave you with a small list of Gratitude I've been thinking on:
my husband
fall weather
a roof over my head
a nice neighborhood
the ability to work from home
changing leaf color
pumpkin butter
toasty sweaters
xo

Feeling Toasty

This is the latest girl added to the Scraparella posse. I haven't quite come up with a name yet, but the song by the Moldy Peaches
little bunny foo foo keeps swirling through my head. She's the first bunny I've made and with my excitement, I forgot to turn her ears right side out! So she's a little rough around the edges!



Friday night was spent putting the finishing touches on my cousin's shower gifts, signs, recipe box and such. Saturday, I didn't feel well enough to make the trip to her shower. It hurt, to not be there.I'm her matron-of-honor. This is only the most recent event I've had to miss due to my tummy issues during pregnancy. yikes. Luckily she was understanding.

Sunday, I felt a little better and we headed to Trader Joe's for groceries.It seems the pumpkin butter they had last year, is not yet on the shelves. However, today is the first official day of Autumn! 11:44am to be exact! So maybe next time we go.
On the way back we stopped at a flea-market at a local fire house. There was a woman selling fabrics, but nothing jumped out at me. But these did...


How could I pass these up for $1.50? She had other pieces, but I didn't want to over do it. I already have a couple of other mushroom pieces- some match, some don't. I scrubbed them clean and now they sit on the top of a bookshelf, next to my mushroom cookie jar.

In an attempt to find a proper winter coat- I had hit the thrift store closest to us last week. I found two tan jackets, neither of which actually button up really. So Zach and I decided it made more sense to buy a real, proper coat. Our winters are cold! With the lack of cool plus-size vintage in the area, I chose this coat from Old Navy. My hopes are that I can wear it all winter long- it doesn't look too much like a maternity coat.

I'm loving the charcoal color and that collar! Plus it was 20% off with free shipping, so I feel like we did a pretty good job.

Later in the day, the organizing bug bit me- actually more like took a chunk out of my brain. Because this is what I started doing around 7:30pm..


I know, scary. Zach could hear me doing something and when he came in- it was too late. I had emptied my closet and there was a mound of books,clothes etc. I got down off the chair just in time. But in my defense, I wanted to clean out my closet for a while- definitely before baby arrives- because yes, that is the corner of your crib you see there.


Here is a burp cloth I made and a bunny-girl onesie. Both are for baby Oat. I'm going crazy with the burp cloths, but why not?

With fall officially here and me hitting my 30 week mark yesterday,I can't believe we'll have a new person in our lives in less than 3 months. There is so much to do.
I better get back to my Fall-Clean-Out-The Closet-stint.
xo
M