Christmas Crafting

We've already started the Christmas crafting here.  I know, I know, Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived yet, but when it comes to handmade items, one cannot start soon enough!!
I haven't made any of my little birds in a long time (scrolling back through the archives I see the last one I made was back in 2007!) and I can honestly say, I haven't really missed making them.  While rummaging around in closets, I've come across a few old unfinished ones and haven't felt the least bit of interest in completing them, so there they have sat.

But recently the girls discovered these incomplete birds and...started playing with them.  So I've pulled out the felt, my old pattern pieces, and some embroidery floss and have started sewing again.  And, I have to say, it has been really enjoyable!
These little birdies will be for the Doll's Christmas that the girls and I are planning.  Each of their dolls will receive presents under their own little Christmas tree on December 24th.  There will mostly be new clothes and cradle blankets under the tree, but there will also be a few of these little guys.  I think the dolls and their "mothers" are going to like them!

Flowers

A few months back, I started a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  I needed to greatly reduce the amount of scraps spilling out of the craft closet and this seemed like the perfect quilt to use them up in.  I started full of gusto, but after finishing my fourth "flower" I quickly realized that the vast majority of my scraps were of only two colors--red and blue.  There were a few pinks and even fewer greens and just a handful of purples and  yellows...but that was it.  I could have made just a red and blue quilt, but I really wanted a full range of color.  The problem with more colors meant that I would have to buy new fabric in order to make a scrap quilt and that just seemed terribly, terribly wrong.  Unable to solve this little problem, I finally gave up and packed the project away for another time.

Just a little while ago, while browsing an antique store, I stumbled across a candy box full of little fabric hexagons, all ready to be made into flowers!  Of course I bought it and without any guilt!  I mean, yes, it is "new" fabric, but it feels okay, because I'm helping to finish someone's unfinished project and in the process I'm completing mine.
And besides, how could I really pass up those adorable vintage prints!

Long Summer

It was a long summer--a really long, ridiculously hot, summer.  It was one of those summers where it really was too hot to do anything.  Yes, it was even too hot for swimming at the pool!  For once, I can't say I'm sorry to see summer go.  No, the only thing about summer that I will be sorry to see go is...
...this little gal, who has become so accustomed to me, that she will now happily hover at my elbow while I weed the flowerbeds.
Yes, fall means that she will be taking off soon, but that's alright--I'm sure she'll be back next year and, well, I'm really, really ready for some cool nights, hot cider, and sweaters!  Come on fall, hurry up!

Colors of Spring: Red

The first spot of color this spring was, not green, but...

...red.

Green was only a couple of days behind though.

Nature Walks

It's been too nice to stay indoors much and so, we've happily welcomed "nature walks" back into our school days.  When lessons are over, the girls grab their pencils and sketchbooks, I get my camera and the water bottle, and we all head outdoors for a stroll.  This week we headed to the lake in search of something new and exciting for our nature journals.

Sadly, although it's been warm, it's still a bit too early for much of anything to be out--the wildflowers are just barely budding, the turtles are still residing at the bottom of the lake, and the bugs are practically nonexistent.  But, thankfully, the ducks were there.  They're certainly not new and I'm not sure they're very exciting, but the kids were thrilled to have something to draw.

Hopefully, we'll have better luck next week!

Violet Valentines

We had a little tea party for Valentines.  I made up some chocolate macarons with purple buttercream frosting for the occasion.  The buttercream frosting was delicious, but sadly the macarons weren't.  They came out hard and flat and were a challenge for Pookie (who is missing two front teeth) to eat.  I think the lack of clear instructions concerning the egg whites might have been part of the problem.  Another time perhaps...

And really, the food wasn't all that important--the kids and I just wanted an excuse to use our new (to us) tidbit tray.  Little hand-painted purple violets--we're all head over heels in love with them!

The Dollhouse

This year, there was one Christmas gift that I just couldn't wait for the girls to see... 

...the dollhouse!

This is the Vermont Farmhouse Jr. kit by Real Good Toys.   I wish I could take some credit for this one, but my husband did all the hard work--painting, assembling, and (my favorite part!) wiring it for lights.

I love the lights--they makes it all seem so real and the whole house glows so beautifully at night!

The girls love it and are constantly playing with it--rearranging the furniture and creating new little scenes.  We talk about what things need to be added (curtains and some kitchen shelving being tops on the list) and what things we could possibly make for it (some towels for the bathroom and quilts for the bed will be made shortly.)

I'm looking forward to seeing how this little home changes as the girls age.  I remember, as a girl,  attempting to create all kinds of miniature items for my dollhouse.  I can't wait to see what my girls come up with!

2011

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!  Ours was full of lots of excitement and glee, as well as plenty of much needed peace and quiet.

And now, the Christmas decorations are all packed away, the house is mostly back in order, and we are all slowly falling back into our regular day to day activities.

As sad as I am to have the holidays already behind us, I must say, I'm excited about what lies ahead.  I think 2011 is going to be a good year!