Happy Birthday, Stephen!

The Helgren family welcomed their second baby boy in the wee hours of July 4th, yesterday. His name is Stephen Christopher and he comes just a week shy of his big brother Thomas's 3rd birthday. We are very excited to meet him this coming weekend.
Look Stephen, we made these decorations for you! Well, actually we made them for our 4th of July dessert and fireworks party, but how cool is it that you'll get fireworks on your birthday every year! Once again, we failed to take photos from the party but it was fun. Lots of kids, lots of dessert and the annual walk over to the open field to see the fireworks. This year I made fresh fruit tart, brownies, blueberry crumble, and peach cobbler. Chris made peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies. The peach cobbler was the biggest hit.

I decided to try batik dyeing silk play scarves for the 4th of July party this year. First, you might ask, who in their right mind tries batik dyeing for the first time and decides to make 17 silk scarves all at once the day before 40 people are coming over? Me. Ok, so it was a little ambitious. But I have a reputation to uphold. Every year we've done this party, I've given some sort of creative, homemade party favor to the kids.

I certainly have a new appreciation for batik dyeing. The results of my efforts were nice enough, but not at all what I intended. Partly the problem was that I had limited tools and it made painting the wax much more crude and messy. I had all these intricate patterns in my mind (I know, silly me). Also, I was under the impression that the blue I used would cover the red better so I really intended these to be red, blue and white - not red, white with a tiny bit of blue. I think I didn't use enough dye and maybe didn't use enough of the fixer.

So, I won't quit my day job to become a batik dyeing professional.
Lastly, here's a view of the birds from the kitchen window while we were getting ready for the party. I'm off to Oregon tomorrow for some soil and groundwater sampling. Then I'll rendezvous with Chris and the girls in the Bay Area to visit with our new nephew and his family. Have a great week!

Summer Fun

I have some fun stuff to share, all which are not original ideas, but still so fun. But first here are the birds looking cute. This is Poppy, Daisy (?), and Rosie. We can't tell the Barred Rocks apart at this point so it could be Violet, but no matter.
Last month I was browsing around in the Azure Standard website and found a sprouting screen. Ooo, that sounds like fun, I thought. So I bought one and some sprouting seeds and voila! Sprouts in just a few days. So easy! I followed the instructions on the screen package - you basically soak the seeds for a few hours, drain, rinse and store inverted to continue drainage. Then you rinse and drain a couple times a day, store in a cool, unsunny place. It took 3 days to fill this jar. And Maia likes them - bonus!
I don't remember where I saw the scrabble piece pendants first, but I've been gathering supplies for this little project for a while now. I had a 40th birthday party to go to last weekend and thought these would be the perfect gift. I followed the instructions in this tutorial by makeandtakes.com. I found my scrabble pieces on ebay. My designs are made with some papers I had, except for the little bird, which I drew. I used a product called Ice Resin which seems pretty easy to work with (I've never used Diamond Glaze so I can't really compare).
I gave three pendants and a ball chain necklace to the birthday girl. This one is my favorite, on a leather necklace. Sofia and Maia each chose a favorite too.
This necklace tree idea comes from a couple places. My mom has a necklace tree made from twisted metal wire that I've admired and a friend of mine uses tree branches in her home to display various pretty things. I have some beautiful jewelry boxes but somehow I always forget to wear necklaces. Maybe I'll remember now that they're staring me in the face!
Chris had trimmed some branches from our pepper tree to use for the coop and there were some leftover branches - my jewelry tree was born! Its base is a glass cream bottle with glass marbles to hold the branch and weigh it down.

We're halfway into the second week of summer and having fun so far. Swimming lessons, library trips, lunch with Chris, harassing... er, playing with the chickens, eating snap peas straight off the bush... But work has reared its head and I may be traveling to Oregon for a few days. So, we may be scrambling to arrange child care but at least it's some work. How does the saying go - beggars can't be choosers?

A Very Happy 7th Birthday

Sofia invited a few friends over for her Kings and Queens Brunch. The crowns were lovely but I didn't expect the kids to wear them much. One friend wore hers the entire time and she was an adorable queen. The crowns were made using a process similar to that described at Bitterbetty's blog here.
The kids seemed to enjoy the restaurant-like party. I took their drink orders, brought them drinks, took their food orders and helped Chris briefly in the kitchen. Then we played a few rounds of 20 questions while waiting for their food. They were very polite (mostly) and I had fun being their server. Chris did an excellent job preparing the food. We served it all at once and most of the kids cleared their plates - those who didn't had eyes bigger than their stomachs ;)
After the party, she opened some presents. Part of Sofia's gift from us was her own knitting basket with a starter skein of red wool and size 8 needles. We also gave her three horse books. Her face says it all. She was very happy.
We spent the afternoon working on a puzzle and rounded the day off with a movie and bean and cheese burritos for dinner (Sofia's request).
I've heard 7 is about the right time to learn knitting. She has been asking for a couple years for me to teach her but I have held her off. We started a simple garter stitch scarf. I was a little nervous about teaching her to knit because I'm not the most patient teacher and she's not the most patient apprentice. That and I'm left handed and she is not, so I am learning to knit right handed along with her. She seems to be picking it up pretty well.

Hello Blog

I have written so many posts in my mind since my last post but somehow they haven't managed to show up here. Summer time kind of kicks my butt.

There's the one about my sister, Erin - pregnant - yay!! And all the stuff I want to make for that new baby coming to us in late December. I mean, it is OUR baby, too. Can't wait, really, I'm very excited.

There's the one about this sweater I started. And the wonderful linen-wool yarn I found at the LYS in Encinitas while we were visiting last month. I could go on and on about this project, mostly because I seem to be having some trouble reading instructions... or paying attention or something. I have started this project over twice and fixed several major mistakes involving going back several rows. But, I guess the bottom line is that I must really like knitting because I don't really mind. I mean, I hope to get a wearable sweater out of this eventually, and hopefully sooner rather than later, not that I need it now - hello July heat - but it's the process, man.

Then there's the one about some sewing I did back in June. My niece and nephew turned 3, so I made a "Kai's Shirt" and a "Smocked Sundress" from Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. There are so many projects I want to try in that book but so far I haven't made it back to sewing. And since I didn't want to leave out big sister Shealyn, she got a peasant skirt. Shelley sent this picture of them in their outfits, so cute!!


Then there's the one about how much I hate the poking. And I'm the poker. Not the pokee. Enough said of that.

And the one about our 4th annual 4th of July party with friends, neighbors, and family. There was a pack of wild animals here, too. Actually it was the crowd of 6 and 7 year old girls. They had so much fun but they sure are loud! I put together a little craft project that was a bit too ambitious but it all worked out. Next year, I'll make something ahead of time so I can socialize a little more. The project was in a nutshell, a half of a toilet paper roll wrapped around a LED tealight, with a piece of white German kite paper wrapped around and taped to the other end of the tp roll, which was decorated with stars of various colors (this part was done by the kids). It made a fun light saber sort of thing for the kids to take on the walk over to our fireworks viewing spot. Pictures? No, darn. But it was a hit from the 2 year olds on up to the almost 13 year old boy.

Well, that's going to have to do it for this evening. I'm off to make some chamomile tea, and hit the sack. Tomorrow we've got a blood draw for Maia in the morning (didn't we just do one of those??), maybe a trip to Pandora's Paintbox as a treat, and swimming in the afternoon.

When It Rains It...

is pouring... I'm up to my eyeballs in life going on. The good news is that it is raining. Finally.

I've got Maia's birthday party mostly under control, but I did have to scale back a little. I'm fine with it. We're still going to make fairy clothespin dolls, and they are coming along nicely. Here's a preview:

More bad news from work. Ugh. Less work will be coming my way due to v-e-r-y slow economy. I guess it's the risk you take being a casual part time employee.

Maia's treatment starts Monday. She'll get IV steroids for two hours, 3 days in a row. I really don't know what to expect. She's already resisting physical therapy a bit - it's just not fun. Sitting with an IV stuck in your arm, three days in a row - not fun either. But I'm working on a doctor/appointment bag that will contain special fun things she can do while at our not-so-fun appointments.

Fly Away Little Birdies

The birdies are on their way to their new homes. That was a fun little diversion. But holy smokes, I have less than two weeks until Maia's birthday and have compiled quite a to-do list for her celebration. First and foremost, I need to finish her birthday ring - she remembered that I said I would and so it must be. Then we have a small fairy party planned and I decided that I wanted to make fairies as party favors - so we're going to try a clothespin doll/fairy scavenger hunt. Maybe a little ambitious for 4-year olds, but should be fun. Then there's a fairy/birthday coloring book in the works. Oh dear, what have I got myself into - all self-imposed of course.


Did I ever post about this birdhouse? I think maybe it got lost in the "back to work" shuffle. Chris and I made this birdhouse following instructions from Sunset magazine. It's supposed to be suitable for Western Bluebirds, which I would love to attract to my yard. I've seen them here a few times but very rarely. But, the exciting news is that the Oak Titmouses, who are around pretty often, have been fluttering about and even in and out of the birdhouse. I'm very excited. I'll try to get a better picture.

Happy Bird for a Happy Day

Here's a happy bird to give away on a happy day. I settled on a slightly different bird for the exchange, but this one is a favorite of the several test birds I made. She is inspired by a bird I got from my grandmother as a child, seen here.

Leave a comment by Friday 5:00 PM PST and I'll pick a random winner. Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, and you don't have to be part of the bird exchange to win the free bird - so please leave a comment.

This Swap is Right Up My Alley...

Why not start the year right by jumping right in to a swap? We're going to make 5 little birdies, send them to Creative Kismet, she'll divvy them up, and send us 5 birds from other participants! I'm picturing a permanent bird tree display in our future.

I'm not sure what I'll be making but here's some inspiration found right in our house:
I made this one using some home dyed refelted (by a friend of a friend) felt. She sits at my desk and at Christmas time on the tree.

I bought this wet felted beauty at the Felt Club XL event one year.

OK, this one's from Starbucks, but it's cute too.

And last, this one came from my Nana, at least I think it did - it reminds me of her anyway, and it was made in Mexico. I've had it in my Coca Cola box display for as long as I remember. I love it's colors, and paintings. So this ought to keep me busy.

It must be almost Christmas...

I've been super busy finishing up some projects, but fun busy. Here's a quilt top for Sofia's doll cradle...

The cradle was a hand-me-down from a friend, which I decoupaged. No pictures of the cradle yet, as I haven't had too many moments to snap pictures of the gifts. And here's an almost finished fairy pagoda for Maia.

I made it from a pattern found here. I started this in early 2008 but had to put it away in the closet for months before I could bear to take it out again - too much satin stitch. It is very cute though and Maia will love it, especially since Santa is bringing some little fairies.

Lastly, there's been some gift bag making to supplement what a friend gave me last year. So far, we haven't used wrapping paper - yay! I'm sure it will remind some people in my family of my Nana, who used to wrap gifts in any old bag she could find, even a trash bag, but hey, I figure it's saving me time and money and makes me feel less wasteful.

We were supposed to leave this afternoon to begin our annual tour of California, also known as visiting our extended families. But, Sofia and Maia both came down with colds and Sofia has a fever and a stomach ache, so we decided to wait until the morning to head south and then north. What would a long car ride to visit family be without the threat of vomit? Ahhh, the holidays!

Merry, merry!

Sweet Birds and Snowflakes

Aren't these sweet? They came from Creative Kismet. She gave me the white one last year for one of her giveaways, and I bought the red one this year so they could keep eachother company. I love little birds on the Christmas tree.


And for a little winter fun, we had a little snowflake making frenzy yesterday , since it was freezing outside. Most were made with cupcake papers but these were made with paper doilies.

Reading

I was tidying up my nightstand this morning, which is usually not so tidy with a stack of magazines, books, knitting projects, tissue, lotion, glass for water, etc., when I got the urge to share a picture (of the tidy version of course!)

I think what you're reading can say a lot about a person. Most of these books are not new, several are family oriented, and I have to admit all could be categorized as "preaching to the choir". So make of it what you will. Here's a brief description:

The first was lent to me by Maia's "Mommy & Me" teacher when I told her I was reluctantly going back to my old job part time. This is the subject of some future post. Yes, I have started working again, no, I'm not completely happy about it, but not because of the working part but because it's my OLD job, the one I never intended to go back to. My friend in a similar situation says I will feel much better when I get that first paycheck. I haven't started this book yet and I doubt it will have too much I can use. We have made every adjustment possible over the past 3 1/2 years and my working has mostly to do with our choice to keep the girls in Montessori school. Oh, and that darn car... the subject of yet another post.

The second was lent to me by a friend over a year ago and I have started it but can't seem to get through it. Maybe it's the yucky subject matter, maybe it's her writing, or maybe it's the dorky title, but it's important so I really should get back to it. It's about being safe, how to help your children listen to their instincts, make good choices, and avoid being taken advantage by long lost Great Uncle So-and-so (or whomever it may be).

Last Child in the Woods was given to me by my mother-in-law, Julie. She read it, enjoyed it (mostly), and said I might enjoy it too. She said we're already doing most of what he suggests, but then again, it's always nice to get some reassurance.

The Creative Family was written by a really neat blogger (Soule Mama) who lives in Portland, Maine. She homeschools her three (soon to be four) children, sews, knits, crafts, gardens, cooks with them, and she takes wonderful pictures to share with the rest of us. I'm sure the book will have some ideas that I can use.

Affluenza was lent by another friend. It's a critical look at our consumer society. Chris and I have suffered from affluenza in the past, but it's amazing what three years of one income will do to cure it!

Grub was co-authored by Anna Lappe, the daughter of the woman who wrote Diet for a Small Planet. It seems to be written for a younger audience, which I don't exactly like, but it has great information about how eating local, organic, fair food can help the planet. And it has recipes, too!

What are you reading?

Felt Projects

I'm working on two birthday rings and have finished the painting and felt cutting. Now just sewing and gluing left. I'm also tracing templates this time so I don't have to reinvent the wheel every time I make one. Plus now I can give the them to people who want to make their own birthday ring people with pointy hats, capes, collars, etc.


I always have this pile of scraps when I'm done with a felt project and I just can't bring myself to throw it out. I have this little voice in the back of my mind that says, "Packrat!" but ha! this is why I've been saving them...


I've been wanting to make a felt necklace since I first saw something similar in Petra Berger's Feltcraft. This was just a quick 10-minute necklace. I trimmed a couple pieces but mostly just grabbed what I had in the pile. I can see now that the possibilities for patterns and color combinations are endless. I already have several requests from Sofia and Maia.

Big Changes Coming Our Way

Sofia has several loose teeth and the first is ready to go in the next several days, really just as soon as she gives it a good tug (I have no interest in doing it for her). I have been thinking about the big changes coming for her. Big girl teeth for one. I can't imagine how she is going to change in the next few months, with those big honkin' teeth coming in. No more baby face. First grade for another. I am so happy we kept her at her school for the three year program, the way it was intended. It seems like such a logical time for her to move on to the next phase. She is so clearly not a preschooler anymore. It's all very exciting and a bit bittersweet. I never knew that I'd feel sad about losing teeth.

Oh, and I finished up the tooth fairy fairy this weekend. She is made from wool felt, cotton embroidery floss and wool stuffing. She has a little pocket to hold the tooth for the tooth fairy and just enough space for a Sacagawea dollar. I modified the pattern for these tooth fairy bears to get the basic shape and made up the rest.

Note Cards Swapped

I received my notecards today - they're beautiful! They're made by (clockwise from upper left) Anastasia, Deborah Crawford, Heather S., Regina, and kate vee & me. Thanks everyone, and thanks Regina for organizing. My contribution was this.

Fun Project

I go to a parent-child class with Maia once a week. There is always an art project for the kids to do and this week, Maia was particularly engaged. The flowers are made from coffee filters, diluted food coloring, and pipe cleaners. I think she made about 8 of these. The idea was to get them to use an eye dropper, working on their fine motor skills, to drop the color onto the filter. Then we twisted the middle of the filter, attached a pipe cleaner and voila! A beautiful bouquet.

Wedding Shower Gift Box

My good friend is getting married soon and a friend of hers is having a "tea" for her. The gift theme is lingerie, and well, I'm sorry but I don't buy lingerie for 35-year old friends. So in trying to stay close to the theme, I bought her some body oils and creams, some washcloths and here's the fun part, decoupaged a box and made a little lavender filled sachet. The illustration on the cover is from our joint "Naughty Natalie" project, which is shall we say, on the back burner. She created this fun little character and book and I illustrated it.

Next up, my first sewing project since those dreaded bear costumes - much simpler matching peasant skirts for Valentine's Day.

Birthday Party

Sofia mentioned that she wanted to have a dinner party for her birthday this year. I latched onto the idea, hoping to save a little money by keeping it small. There was a total of 8 kids plus the parents, but the kids got to sit at the birthday table. I wanted to create a magical birthday atmosphere, not in a Disney princess way, but with some nice homemade decorations.Each guest got a favor box with chocolates inside. They were a little young to expect them not to eat their chocolate before dinner was served. I used some mismatch silverware I got from my grandmother, and Sofia chose her favorite colors of our cloth napkins to use.
The centerpiece was made of tissue flower arrangements and the birthday ring. Sofia helped make streamers, paper lanterns, and tissue paper cutouts to decorate the walls. It was a lot of fun for her to help. The tissue flower arrangements were an idea from here, one of my favorite crafty bloggers.
I had to recreate this after the party, since in all the excitement of the day, I forgot to take nice pictures of the table before the kids came. Sofia chose a roasted rosemary chicken, broccoli, fruit salad, and bread with butter.

Birthday Ring

Chris and I made Sofia a birthday ring for her birthday this year. There are twelve little characters made with felt, glue, acrylic paint, embroidery floss, ribbons and beads. Chris made the ring with his computer numerically controlled (CNC) router. My flickr site has more photos.

Kool Aid Dyeing

My friend hosted a yarn dyeing play date and this was the result - yummy colors! This was a skein of undyed wool from Joann's. The basic recipe is, unwind ball and rewind into a big loop and tie in several places to keep from getting tangled, soak the wool in water (we used large basins outside), add vinegar, and sprinkle several packets of kool aid in the bath (do not stir to get the nice variegated dyeing), sit for a while, then rinse until water runs clear. There are many recipes out there on the internet. I have a cute knit elephant pattern that I think I will use this yarn for.

What Have I Been Doing??

I've been doing some toy making as well as some art. These little guys are root children and they go along with the Story of the Root Children, a traditional german story about the seasons.This is a quickie painting I did for my honey for his birthday in November.
I got together with some friends to dye silk scarves for playing. My girls got one of the rainbows pictured for Christmas and they love it!
Christmas card production this year...


A butterfly mobile for my twin niece and nephew.

...and lastly, a set of puppets for my niece to go along with a really cute story.