Kleas

closing out 2010

We had a lovely trip "up North" to celebrate Christmas with my family.  We stayed poolside in a hotel so it was a wonderful break from the tedious winter cold.  We hang out for a few days in our bathing suits and shorts looking out the big glass windows at the thirty-eight inches of accumulated snow we've had already this year.  Back home and back to reality, the weather has been all we talk about these days.  Such crazy weather.  Record snowfall leaving us all to wonder where to shovel it, where to park our cars and leaving most roads single lane only.  Then a huge thaw, snow dams on rooftops and many damaged homes.  We did not escape this new assault of the weather.  Ice damming on my gutters caused melting water to pour into my basement (once again) leaving me to (once again) shuttle boxes around to dry space.  And now, we are bracing ourselves for a deep freeze.   

We decided we needed to help those poor confused birds who sit on branches outside our window.  We always leave all the seed heads intact on our perrenial flowers so they have something to eat come winter, but the snow has easily buried anything for them to munch on.  So we made a half dozen peanut butter pinecones with seeds for them.

 
With a twist of floral wire on the end they tie very easily to the branches.  The boys have been enjoying watching the birds feast...we may already have to make more for them.

We are still happily in our pajamas, quietly enjoying the mess of Christmas all around us.  I love this last day of the year...the dreaming, the planning, thoughts of the fresh start that comes with the opening of a new calendar.  I love looking back on last year, all my goals, I laugh as not one was accomplished, but I don't really care.  It's the dreaming that I love. 

One thing that has been on my mind ever since I read Lisa's post about crafting for ourselves is that I would like to spend some time creating for our home.  She has a flickr group dedicated to posting inspiring things you make for yourself and I began to think how very little I do make for me.  So I decided that for the first week of the new year, I'd like to try and create something useful for our home.  Anyone care to join me?  Just for one week...seems like a manageable goal.

For starters, I was thrilled to re-discover this beautiful yarn in my stash while moving boxes around in my basement yesterday. 

 
Araucania Nature Cotton.  I bought it at Loop Yarn shop while I was studying at Lifeways in Milwaukee.  It is soft and thick and just perfect to knit some face cloths for my boys and me.  Now, just to find a good pattern for these...any suggestions?

We're still deciding if we will attempt to go out tonight...the roads have all turned into ice rinks and safety is always a concern.  Whatever you do, where ever you are, I wish you all the best as you too close out 2010.  Many blessings to you in 2011.

Season's Greetings

Jen always has the best ideas.  She turned me on to Dala gingerbread and we've been baking it up almost every day this week. 

 
Pan and gingerbread mix.  It's the perfect holiday treat.  And so easy!

We're packing up to head out of town for Christmas so just wanted to wish you all a happy holiday.

 
(I love a 39 cent thrifted puzzle with ALL the pieces!)

Wishing you all a season of peace, beauty and much joy. 

With love, from my family to yours...

 

 

 

still digging out

 
We were hit with a super snowstorm last Saturday and my head is still spinning trying to keep track of which side of the street to park on.  Plows have been coming through daily trying to clear the snow away.  Any storm that can delay and MOVE an NFL game is worth noting.  Did you see what it did to our Stadium?  Considering that it's still officially autumn, I can't wait to see what winter brings!

 
So the boys and I have had a few snow days which meant we stayed in our pajamas all day, read lots of books, made cookies and of course worked on ornaments.  I finished all the fish I started making two weeks ago.  Made from my favorite wool felt in every color I had, sequin eyes and lace.  I dug out a huge old spool of vintage lace I found at the thrift store a while ago, it is quite aged and has lots of brown spots on it, but I just love it!  So each of the fish got (what my boys call) a "tutu".

 
I made them for a swap, but of course could not mail them in time since we were house bound...I'm not even sure the post office was open!  While I was stitching away on these, my boys made almost every one of Cassi's advent ornaments.  Have you seen them?  I especially loved making the mini lanterns, the jingle bell flowers, and the poinsettias.  Since I never throw away a single toilet paper tube or egg carton I had plently of supplies on hand.  How grateful I am for these instant resources. 

 
School is out until the new year and I'm ready to slow down a bit.  The last few days at the preschool were extra crazy with all the snow, trying to finish up projects and then on top of that, three birthday celebrations!

Well, it's Friday again (already).  Happy weekend!

for the holidays

I've been enjoying all the holiday gift giving guide posts I've been reading lately and thought I would share some of my favorites too. 

A cutting board is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to cook.  These boards by grayworksdesign are functional as well as a piece of artwork for the kitchen.  I'm particularly fond of the footed ones.

What is not to love about a hand stitched pinecone made from beautifully hand dyed wool?  I think anyone would love to have one of these to adorn a tree, to hang on a doorknob or to use in a centerpiece.  At such a bargain price, I can't imagine the four pinecones lovelyworldhandmade has left will last very long.

Anything from Eireann's shop would make any hard to please person happy as can be.  I'm totally in love with her watercolor prints.

It's no secret here that I am a fan of all of Mimi's work.  Anything from her shop will bring a smile to your face.  I love all of her dolls, but whenever I see this one, it always makes me happy.

Looking for something vintage?  These Vintage Dansk Kobenstyle Enamel pots always make my heart beat a little faster.

And what a great gift for the bike riding fan in your life.  This journal by paintedfishstudio is classy and beautifully handcrafted.

And just because I love all things felt, I think the geode-making kit by Kneek would make a fantastic gift.

And finally...the must-give book for all of your photo-taking friends is WORD.  Get it here.

I'd love to know what some of your favorites are!

Happy Friday!!

please note: all photo credits belong to the individual shop owner listed above

ornament making...

...it's slow going in my home.

 
But I keep plugging away.

It was 2:50 in the afternoon when I took that photo, the sun already on it's decline.

one busy weekend

The preschool craft fair was a success despite the snowstorm.  Thanks to all who braved the weather and crazy traffic to either come as a vendor, or visit the school.  I loved reading Liv's take on the evening, and Jen's.  I just had fun seeing friends and families of the school. 

My partner bought me these sweet mittens from one of our vendors...made from thrifted sweaters.

 
Saturday I was happy to meet up with some girlfriends at Jen's pARTy.  I wasn't in a very creative mood but was happy to fiddle with making a few stars from some of Jen's origami paper.

 
Sunday we had our Advent Spiral at the preschool.  No pictures, but last years can be seen here.

And today while I stayed home from school nursing my first grader back to good health, I was surprised to get this in the mail.

 
I had completely forgotten about a give-away I had won from Bustle&Sew way last October, and although Helen sent the book right away, it only just arrived this morning. What a lovely book it is!  I had no idea each project has a suggested charity to contribute to...so clever.   There are several projects I already have my eye on, but before I look at anything else, I have to stitch Helen's sweet project, (she even gives us the pattern!) I can't get over how cute the deer are.

And on the topic of give-aways, I used the number generator to determine the winner of the WORD give-away. I've seen it used on other blogs and am not sure I used it right, but I went with the top number they generated for me which was 24.  And if I counted correctly, that means that Regina is the winner of the book!!  Thanks to all who stopped by to leave a comment and congratulations to Regina, (who happens to be having a give-away on her blog at the moment...check it out).

Finally, one big thank you to Elle España for the mention of my reindeer from a glove project here.

Preschool Holiday Craft Fair

I've been busy all week preparing for a craft fair at the preschool.  Now that all the planning and organizing is done, I've just got a few projects to finish up.  I took a break from all the hand sewing last night and painted these little wood sorting games for fine motor development.  They are adorable!!  And the boys had fun playing with them all morning...I may have to make extra for their stockings.

 
We have lots of beeswax candles to sort and wrap too.

 
I'm looking forward to a fun event...hopefully the looming snowstorm won't keep people away!!

Happy Friday!!!

edited to add: in my haste I failed to mention that two of my dear friends, Jen and Jenn will be selling their beautiful work at the fair...and yes!  Jen will be selling her newly published book, WORD, so come check it out!