Stationary Activities

So with a sprained knee comes lots of time to sit. UGH. That is something I am NOT good at. At all. My children share this affliction (as do most) and there-in lies my challenge.

I have come up with a few ideas to keep them busy without over taxing myself.

Painting in the Tub. Such fun for them and easy clean up for me!
Just strip ‘em down and let ‘em go. Then hose everything down.

Painting rocks at the table while I “supervise” from the couch.

Firework Poppers. These I had to help out with, but are a great craft for the Fourth of July. They use the old toilet paper rolls, and you can fill them with anything you want.

I found them Here.

I hope everyone has a very SAFE and Happy Independence Day Celebration!

We will be at the Farmer’s Market tomorrow with Bagels!! See you there.

Crutch Cozies

Last night I accidentally bashed my knee into the corner of the wall. After 5 hours in the emergency room, I find out that it is sprained. OOOOOOWWWWWW.

They gave me crutches to walk with, but since I have many many allergies (too many to list here), I was getting a rash from the rubber on the handles on my hands. So what did I do?? I came  up with a crafty solution, of course!

I hobbled over to my sewing machine, where I knew I could only sit for a short while at, and sewed quickly.

I made Crutch Cozies!

Much better!

Back into Sewing Again

I am Back. Those cute Vintage Pillowcases were calling to me. They said “Make us into dresses….“. So I did.

I don’t normally follow the voices coming from the bedding, but in this case, they were so right!

They came out so beautifully. I can just imagine my girls running through a field of daisies in these . They are borderline nightgowns even because they are so sheer. Maybe they’ll skip the running in the daisy field and just have dreams of daisy fields wearing them.

Of course I couldn’t just stop with these. I needed something to wear to the Kingston Farmer’s Market 4th of July celebration, and I have no Red, White, and Blue. So I made me a cute little skirt.

My oldest daughter was still awake (awaiting her finished dress), and she said to me “Do you really want to walk around with a bunch of cows and pigs on your skirt?”.

Yes.

Yes I do! It is Red, White, and Mooooooooooo.

Thrifting Madness

Today was the Annual Rotary Auction and Rummage Sale. It is quite the event. If you have never experienced it, I will give you a picture. The Rotary Club hosts it at one of the Middle Schools and they fill virtually every spot imaginable (inside and out) with used donated items. You can find everything from instruments to boats to toys and cookware. HUGE.

I got up at 4:45 AM to get there and find a parking spot and still wound up parking about a mile away. The Event didn’t start until 8 AM. That is when Hordes of bargain thirsty people, who ordinarily are polite civilized creatures, turn into ruthless thrifters.

I, myself, take a more lax approach and walk instead of run to find my treasures.
I apparently wasn’t fast or furious enough to get some of the things on my list, but I did find some great things to give a new home to.

Just to give you an idea, I found vintage lace pillowcases, and a stock pot to dye fabrics in, and a sweet little bike for my 3 year old, and wonderful puzzles for both my girls.

I am so thoroughly exhausted, even typing this, that I will save pictures for another post. For now I am going to get some sleep and dream of all the wonderful things that I found.

Mama Got a Brand New Bag

I have been wanting to make a book bag/knapsack for a very long time, but was so afraid of it. I had no idea where to begin. So I took to the internet!

I found several hints and helpful tips and every night have dreamed of jumping in and giving it a try.

Tonight I did it!

Not too bad for a first try! Next time I will have a better idea of how to do it.

Summer Riding and Picking

Lately, at night, I have been just working on some things to sell at the Market (along with the Bagels) for the Fourth of July celebration. Nothing to report, yet.

During the day, we have been going to the pool and beach and riding our bikes, A LOT. I was looking for a bike trailer so that I can take our 3 year old along on my bike. Last night I found one on Craigslist, and jumped on it.

Here is my great find being put to good use.

The other happening around here is the total obsession with our cherry tree by my children.

We found ONE ripe cherry today and it HAD to come down.

They got it, and split it between them. Seriously. ONE cherry.

They both had to have some.

It is so funny that they are willing to split a cherry (happily) that we have grown, but if they are asked to split, say a cupcake or even a slice of quesadilla, it is like I have just asked them to stop eating for a month.

Through A Father’s Eyes

For Father’s Day, my husband woke up early with the girls, then mowed the lawn, and then put up a shelf I have been asking him to hang. Today was the day of catching up with the list I normally have for him. (I almost thought it was Mother’s Day!)
I also was very aware at how he relates to the girls, and how wonderful a Father he is. He helped our younger one on her tricycle by adjusting the handle bars and then watched her ride in circles. Then he took the older one and rode in the street on my bike while she rode hers. All around the neighborhood. What a treat.

Our day to day lives can fill up so quickly, and there isn’t always time to slow down and watch, but I did today. I liked what I saw.

I hope the Father in your life was noticed today.

Rain

Although Rain is very much a part of life in Washington state, this June has been unusually dry. Not even one rainy day. Until Today.

After having a very active day, I find my daughter in her room, unwinding by writing a poem. I think it is something worth sharing.

Rain

The Clouds are crying,

the winds are weeping,

the mist is moist and sad,

and the worst bit of all is that the sun

is sleeping and the grass’ eyes are wet.

That, my dear friends,

is Rain.

Wow. I think someone misses the sun- and it has only been ONE day!

Hang in there. The sun will return.

Garden addition

Let me start by saying, I LOVE Freecycle.

Today I went and picked up some more plants for our garden. This time they are Sedum (a lovely ground cover that spreads fast).

It seems like lots of people are catching on to this website and it is difficult to get things before they are scooped up by someone else (but that makes it all the more sweet when you actually do)!

Yay for less waste in the world!

Thanks Freecycle!

Mama Needs a Brand New Skirt

I think most Moms tend to put themselves last.

I know I do, usually. It is ever so much fun sewing for my kids and it makes me feel good to sew for others and of course I need to make things to make money, so I normally get pushed to the end of the sewing line.

Today I decided to sew for myself. Woohoo! Made me a brand new Batik Skirt. I love it. Just in time for that sun to come out and make me want to go bare legged!

I realized that it is extremely difficult to photograph one’s self all on one’s lonesome.

That’s when my 3 year old gets to try her hand at photography. Not Bad!( I just fear for my camera the whole time).

Juliaism Aside

I feel the need to share what my 3 year old says sometimes. It always seems random and very creative. She also has a really good sense for comedic timing.

As we were riding in the car the other day, My little One was kicking this organizer pouch thing that is attached to the back of my seat.

I asked her what she was doing, and she told me she was kicking Boofy.

Who is Boofy?

“Boofy is here *Points to the organizer she is kicking*. Boofy Can’t talk. He can only Hum” Hummmmhummmmhummmm”.

OK.

That is Juliaism #54.

Boofy.

Cloaks or Capes

I introduced a new product to the Noggin’ Topper Booth today. Cloaks, or Capes. I called them Capes, but I think they technically may be Cloaks. Whatever they are, I think they are very cool.

This is our friend “Little Red Riding Hood”. A very cute model for these cloaks (or capes).

If anyone can solve the whole Cloak/Cape debate, please feel free to comment!

Meanwhile, I am on to the next project!

School is Almost Out

I really can not believe that this school year is almost over. Didn’t it just start? Really. When did I become the Mother of a FOURTH grader??

OK, well, even if I don’t remember how it got here, it is upon us once again. Along with the fun of planning the summer, we are making gifts for the Teacher. Carson had the best teacher in the world. She is truly an amazing woman. I went on one field trip and lost my voice from all of the talking and reigning in those curious third graders. Seriously. Just like corralling kittens. Impossible. My daughter’s teacher gained even more respect (I didn’t think that was possible) from me after that. She is brilliant. That being said, I really would like to make thoughtful and equally great gifts for her.

I came up with making a very cute Summery tote, a Rice Pack, and  homemade Handscrub.

Tonight I made the tote.

I used a left over piece from a recycled pillowcase from the Pillowcase Pants I make, and the liner is from a beautiful piece of fabric my friend Carolyn gave me. Thanks Carolyn!

Can’t you just picture beach towels and sunscreen carried around in this bag?

This weekend, Carson will make the Hand Scrub. I found a very simple straightforward recipe  here .

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

For those Locals, I will be at the Kingston Farmer’s Market once again tomorrow.
Come on down and enjoy the sights!

Zoo

Today was another hectic day full of activity and fun. We went to the Woodland Park Zoo over in Seattle which involves a ferry ride and driving (in other words exhausting). We had a great time. It is such a lovely park to just walk around in and observe. It is incredibly different from any Zoo I grew up with. I remember them as very depressing places to be with iron bars on cages keeping sad looking creatures captive. These mini wildlife preserves they have set up at Woodland Park are as wild as you can get at a zoo.

Who is Observing Whom?

My personal Favorite.

I think we have crammed a full summer’s worth of fun in ONE WEEK. I guess the pressure’s off now for the rest of summer.

The downside to all of this activity is, I haven’t been sewing very much. I am still thinking about projects that I really want to do,though. Does that count? I will be back with more creative things soon. For now, I am so enjoying all of the adventures we have been on and all of the sites we have seen.

Discovery

The past couple of days were spent discovering. We first visited a friend’s Farm on Sunday. The kids held and fed and touched and listened and looked and smelled the wonderful things on this farm. We discovered how beautiful Turkeys can be and how sturdy their feathers are (My older daughter is making one into a quill to write with).

They also got to see the different plants
and how there is a symbiotic relationship between the life there. The barn swallows need to feather their nests with soft feathers from the ducks. The plants need fertilizer from the rabbits to grow and the rabbits need the plants so they can eat and make fertilizer, and so on. It was a microcosm of the bigger world and how everything depends on something else for survival.
Very educational.

Next was a field trip to the Aquarium with my little One and her friends. Another  example of creatures and plants living in perfect balance
with each other.

We had so much fun. Julia has such a passion for sea life and I enjoyed watching her enjoy it (Fish make me tense and a little anxious, but I got over it when I saw her happiness).

She wishes the Orca was real. It is, by far, her favorite animal.

I discovered how everyday life can be new and interesting through the eyes of a child.

Discovery Abound.

I hope you all had fun learning this weekend too!