Candles - WIP Wednesday January 27th, 2016

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Creating is my passion, my sanity, my sense of being "up to something", my way of contributing a little bit. I always have a few projects going, many left to the side for months or even years before I pick up the best and carry on. Here's some of what I'm working on this week:

Candles! 

What's Working Well Right Now - January, 2016

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NEW FEATURE! Occasionally, I'll post some things that are working really well. The similar post I did in July is one of the all time most popular posts on this site.

It's almost February, one of my hardest months of the year. The winter is no longer fresh, it starts to feel dingy instead of crisp. Even though the dark months are coming to an end, I'm weary of them.

Here are a list of things that are going really well this week:

I'm finally getting some admin stuff together! 

If you look on the left hand column of the blog, you may notice a few changes - you can now subscribe to my blog through email, and more easily into your feed reader. 

If you read this blog on facebook, you may be missing posts! Sign up and make sure you get every single one. 

Love and support from nearby grandparents - I got to go and get my hair cut for the first time since April. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! 

Cutest Cowl, commissioned painting, and a bit of color - WIP Wednesday, January 20th, 2016

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Creating is my passion, my sanity, my sense of being "up to something", my way of contributing a little bit. I always have a few projects going, many left to the side for months or even years before I pick up the best and carry on. Here's some of what I'm working on this week:

Someone has very much been wanting a cowl. After watching her sister and me wear ours, she's taken to trying them on. They fall over her shoulders and she can kind of get them to stay around her hips where they hang below her knees. There's something so satisfying about tiny knits.

I've received a commission for a new painting! I'm so excited! Plus this week is the first time I've painted since the last time we saw our beloved babysitter at our old house in early August. Phew!

The poor lighting makes it look really yellow, but I'm finally putting paint on the walls in the bathroom! Progress, not perfection. 

What are you working on? What are you excited about attempting? What are you proud to be working on? Take a picture or two and share it with the rest of us by leaving your link in the comments.

Yes, Mama is beautiful - and other truths our daughters need to hear

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I don't remember how it came up, but a little over a month ago, C turned to me and asked "Mama? Are you a beautiful woman?" 

This is one of those moments where I'm so grateful I was able to see the layers of what she was asking. 

"Mama, if I grow up to be like you, will I be beautiful?" 

Staying warm, keeping our heads, and a bit of yarn - WIP Wednesday January 13th

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Creating is my passion, my sanity, my sense of being "up to something", my way of contributing a little bit. I always have a few projects going, many left to the side for months or even years before I pick up the best and carry on. Here's some of what I'm working on this week:

Once again the world outside here is covered with crisp white snow. I can bear the cold easily if it's pretty out. 

We are each finding ways of staying warm.

A spot of sunshine

Big Energy on Cold Days

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While we try to get outside every day, when the temperatures drop below 20f or so, sometimes we need to burn energy off indoors - the days when it takes 45 minutes to get boots, coats, hats mittens, boots, scarves, boots, socks, and boots on everyone and five minutes after we get outside someone won't leave her mittens on, and someone has kicked her boots off more than once, outside, in the snow. 

Those are the days we need big energy activities inside.

Many of you may remember the lava game where you can't touch the floor.

When you have a one and a three year old, neither of whom know what lava is, and the idea of being burnt is just scary, not an idea with which to play, we build highways.

A new hat for me, painting, and catching up - WIP Wednesday, January 6, 2016

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Creating is my passion, my sanity, my sense of being "up to something", my way of contributing a little bit. I always have a few projects going, many left to the side for months or even years before I pick up the best and carry on. Here's some of what I'm working on this week:

The Christmas tree has been taken down, all the ornaments lovingly packed away, the garlands stowed, and the furniture put back in place.

Now, we're catching up on chores (and adjusting our weekly wheel for the season). Having the chart is reassuring, even if we don't stick to it too strictly. Just knowing that everything will get done alleviates a lot of the burden of such a to-do list. Sometimes tasks even wait until their day the following week, and they don't mind.

I've gotten several chances to cover more of the dark paneling in the bathroom with primer. Even with the meager lighting, the space is incredibly different. I'm so very much looking forward to getting color on the walls. We are also talking over what to do about lighting. There's an awkward lit cabinet over the toilet  and no lights near the sink. The previous owner had a long beard, so light while shaving was obviously never a need. The sink, and too big sink vanity are under the window. Any suggestions anyone? 

I'm doing some knitting for myself! When we bought the yarn for C's requested birthday cowl, I purchased some extra with the daydream of knitting something for myself, as one does.

 I struggle with hats, I love how they look, but rarely find myself able to keep them on my head for long. I also have a big head, It's true, and not from being complimented too often. I have made several hats in the past couple of years intending them to be for myself and invariably they end up being too small in some way. This works out just grand for a certain girl who loves to steal my hats. This time, having started it over thrice, and half ripped and redone parts countless times, this hat is going to fit, dagummit! 

Garter Stitch Ear Flap Hat (ravelry notes here)

What are you working on? What are you excited about attempting? What are you proud to be working on? Take a picture or two and share it with the rest of us by leaving your link in the comments.

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Introducing Wren - and Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year everyone! 

We made it through the busiest season of the year and are starting to settle down into our work and play for the winter season. 

When our dear C was just under a year old, I made her Willow doll. When A was about eight months old, I ordered the supplies to make another. The shop didn't have the same kits in stock but made one up for me to match her sister's. 

Stitch by stitch, month after month, and A had a harder and harder time keeping her hands off her sister's doll. I finally made the push to finish it in time for Christmas. 

I'm sorry there isn't a better picture of Wren. As you can see, every time I tried to get a good picture of her, there was someone who'd rather play with her.

It's very satisfying to make something so loved.

I wanted an animal or botanical name. When we read Admar Kwant's Pip the Gnome, a house favorite, on one page spread he plays with his friend the wren and she sings him a pretty song. I knew we had the right name, and color scheme, dark enough to hide dirt, and different enough from Willow.

photobomb by Lblblibby the turtle.

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