Let someone else do it

Since I began my project of not starting any new projects, I have had no fewer than 800 brilliant ideas. Okay, that's an exaggeration. But it is definitely hard to turn it off. I love making things. But, I have also been so much more relaxed the last week. L and I have been doing some hardcore playing. Plus, I just feel happier. I think I needed some down time.

I didn't sew at all last week - and I was thrilled not to work on that flip doll. It was stressing me out. I'm working on it today though, and it's ALMOST done.

So, what I've learned thus far? I need to make things, but I need to take on smaller projects, rather than huge stressful ones. At least for now. So I've learned my lesson, do I still have to wait three months to start something new? Hmm... maybe so.


In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to let someone else do a project for me. Eva from AppleandEve is doing a hedgehog project right now. Send her your vintage fabric, and she'll make two hedgehogs from it - one for you, one for her. What a fun idea! Eva has embroidered hedgehogs in her shop. Her embroidery is all by hand - and it's stunning. Be sure to check her out.

Fall Blessings: Porch Time

Okay, I don't think it's technically fall yet, but I'm so grateful for the cooler weather! It's been hard to get out with the heat and a little baby - but L loves a little time outside. We're blessed with a nice big covered porch, and all summer we've been collecting things that we keep in various containers on the porch. When we need to stay close to the house for J sake, we enjoy playing on the porch with our sticks, acorns, rocks, flowers, and pine needles. It's always exciting to shuffle them around and look at everything.

Spoonflower Swatches and Purchases

I'm digging the new Spoonflower Marketplace, which is still in beta - but it's coming soon to all, I hear. I bought these two lovely prints Retro Pattern by susiewe and Apples by snork from other individual designers. I know I said I was looking for small prints - and I didn't choose small prints. There were so many lovelies to choose from, and some I'm regretting not getting. I just had to make a choice - and look at these! Great. I haven't made plans for them yet - I'll need to find just the right fat quarter project...

Here are my two flying pig prints:


The pink was a little darker than expected - which will be a simple fix with my updated spoonflower swatch. But I still love it anyway. I think I might like the pink print to be even smaller - so I may update that, too.

Plus, a few weeks back, Spoonflower had free swatch day, and I took the opportunity to print a couple of designs I hadn't tried yet, on some of their new fabrics. The sheep are on organic cotton knit, which has a surprisingly strong feel, and the fitonia leaves are on the bamboo/cotton/rayon blend which feels so nice and would be great for a blouse.
(In case you're wondering - I'm planning on using the sheep swatch for a couple of bath mitts for two little girls for Christmas - just stitch it to a washcloth in mitten shape and cut it out.)

Nature Walk Coloring Book

Eek! My first drawing project in quite some time. I've really enjoyed playing around and making these little drawings. This is a collection of 18 line drawings of things you might find on a nature walk like caterpillars, acorns, rainbows, and fireflies; each with a little fact. I've put it together into a 24 page coloring book, that measures 6.5 x 5.5" It is printed on 100% recycled paper, except for the cover, which is 80 or 30% - I already forgot! I thought this would be a fun project for me to make, and a nice stocking stuffer for all the kids we're related to.

I'll be putting a few books in the shop, and also a printable coloring book which includes the pages of coloring book, along with instructions for assembly, as well as 18 full page coloring sheets, which would be great for class settings.

I'm thinking of making a larger size book, if there is any interest. It may be around soon. But not in any rush, since this is the first of two in the No New Projects Project. :)

The No New Projects Project

J is 3 months old. I look at the last 3 months, especially at all of the crafting I've done and I realize I've gotten out of balance again lately. I was supposed to be taking a break - but I've currently got 4 projects going, and a list of 8 new ones I'd like to start. I keep finding myself frustrated that I don't have more time to work on them.

But these are precious months when my baby is learning to laugh and sit up, and my little girl is learning her ABC's. These are happy times, and I don't want to miss them.

It seems like the right time to start a new project:

The No New Projects Project.
Silly, yes. But I am so much more on task when I have set rules. So here goes:
1. I will finish the two bigger projects I am currently working on within 2 weeks, and let the other two go for awhile.

2. I will start no new projects for 3 months (until December 14).

3. Any drawing or sewing I do during the 3 months will be solely because I have down time and I feel like drawing or sewing.

I need to get back in balance. Making used to be fun and not stressful. Mothering used to be my primary job. I need to get back there for awhile. I'm actually not sure if this is a commitment I can keep. But I need to try, I think. Then reassess when the three months are over.

I'll post about the two projects I'm completing when I get them done. One is the flip doll I've hinted about - and the other is a drawing project that makes me very happy. I can't wait to show you.

Tell me, how do you balance the many aspects of your life?

*October 8, 2009: After, a few weeks, I remembered making and crafting is a good thing. And since I believe it can be compatible with being a mother - and that's what this is really about - I renamed the project the Make It Work project. Just so you know.

Photography Setup

I've been putting some new things in the shop, and I always think my photo set up is kind of goofy. My itty bitty kitchen converted to an itty bitty studio. he he.

Fall Blessings: Eggs!

You may remember we got some chickens last spring, including quite a few roosters we don't know what to do with. But we're enjoying their crowing. The oldest chickens are bantams and they started laying last week. Bantams, if you don't know, are smaller than regular chickens. In turns out, their eggs are, too. Their about half the size of our store bought eggs. I'm not sure what the rule for cooking with them actually is, but I use twice as many as the recipe calls for.



We have about 6 hens now, so soon we'll have more eggs than we know what to do with. I see lots of omelets in our future.

George and The Dragon Flip Doll

He's made mostly of linen and stuffed with wool. He's also got some vintage bits. I'm so happy that the visor flips up. He's pretty big, too - about a foot tall when sitting. He's in the shop.

I meant to have this finished last week, but it took so much longer than I expected. I had lofty plans of making a whole bunch of different flip dolls for my shop before Christmas, but I am beginning to realize it just isn't practical right now with the little ones. It's hard balancing motherhood with me-hood sometimes, but I'm getting there. I make charts and that helps. ;)

I have started a second one - I'm not sure when he'll be finished, and he may be the last for awhile, but he's going to be super. Here's a sneak peak - I love these colors:

The Return of Chocolate Meat

When I first woke up on Tuesday, I was excited about the chill in the air because I miss the cool weather. But then after John came out of the shower and the smell of his shampoo blended with the smell of L's oatmeal - it hit me. It was one of those memory sensory things. This time last year (and this time 3 years ago), I was in the throws of morning sickness. It's unfortunate that the cold weather immediately reminds me of that icky feeling (and seriously, can we throw out that shampoo, yet?).

So I thought I should do something drastic. I went to the kitchen for the solution - I needed something hot, something that smelled savory, something totally indulgent, something that I couldn't bear to eat in that first trimester. I didn't plan it. It just emerged from my skillet:

That's right. Turkey bacon on whole wheat toast with chocolate gravy. It was good.

Spoonflower Marketplace!

I'm so excited! Spoonflower has finally launched their marketplace. It's still in beta - but I think it will be open for everyone in two weeks. I'm thrilled to be one of the beta merchants, and I've been spending a little time here and there to get my prints listed for sale. Tonight I hope to browse around and see what other have for sale, and maybe buy some. You can see my patterns for sale here, but I'll update here when you can browse everyone's designs.

Here's what I'm looking for: single dominant color, multi-directional print, small pattern, and an intriguing design of most any kind.

What will you look for?