Me & She: What We've Been Up To

If all goes as planned, it will be a very simple and almost totally handmade holiday. Of course, there are always the unforseen circumstances that will not allow this single mama to crochet and craft every night from now until Christmas! But I'm hoping for the best.

This weekend, I stocked-up on some lovely yarn that will be turned mostly into scarves and wrist-warmers for family and friends. That seems to be my theme this year.

I am loving the look of this Homespun yarn by Lion brand, even if it is a bit fussy to work with. I think my friend is going to like her new skinny scarf. I'm finishing it up with some brown fun-fur yarn, too...Very "her."

Here are my first pair of wrist-warmers. I found this super easy pattern, but it took a little longer than I wanted to spend. Luckily, I found a shorter version. These look cute cuffed at the end, if you don't want to wear them long. Almost all the girlies I'm crocheting these for are getting them in black, which I think is a good choice. I will also use a smaller hook and some softer yarn. Cub says I look like I have "monster hands" when I wear these. But of course, she wants her own pair, "in pink and purple." Thankfully, she still has small hands. They should be fun to make, anyway.
She has been very busy caring for her "new" pets. I'm astounded at how much time she takes caring for these two. Baths, dinner, toys, bones, bedtime stories, the works.
I have always been touched by how she loves and cares for all her beloved dollies and stuffed friends. How I wish I wasn't allergic so she could have a real pet of her own!
Maybe a fish isn't such a bad idea after all. I wish I wasn't so creeped out by them.


...And this proud mama just had to share what I woke-up to the other morning. Cub playing school with her friends and name-tagged them, too. I think phonetically, she did really well!
Meet: Peanut Butter, Wally, and Sophia!

Hope everyone is happy, healthy, and peaceful.

Finally Inspired!

Well, I am finally emerging feeling stronger and more content than I have in a long time.

It's nice to feel inspired, too. First and foremost, I have my beautiful crafty-genius friend Jenn to thank. She has provided the necessary spark I needed to begin thinking about holiday crafting. Until she mentioned it, it wasn't even a blip on my radar. As always, her enthusiasm and overall attitude toward life and art are contagious...and so I crocheted a scarf and a simple pair of wrist warmers this weekend. I even started a hexagon afghan for my Cub, who put in her request immediately after seeing the one I completed for her future cousin.

Now, ideas seem to be sprouting up everywhere. This is one I particularly love and I am in love with the idea of pendants made with spoons and power tools. Awesome.

SPOON PENDANT BY JEAN

Gratitude

Yes, it has been over two months since my last post here. What can I say?

"Life" did get in the way and I guess I needed to give myself some breaks.

My energies were needed elsewhere, I suppose.

Anyway, I'm back for now. I thought I would share the progress I've been making on my very first afghan blanket. This hexagon pattern has been very therapeutic and meditative.

Now that I have the hang of it, I've been able to relax and enjoy it. I need 42 hexagons in total and I think I'm up to 27...not bad! This is for my daughter's first cousin, a baby girl who will arrive in December.

Just a little list of things I am thankful for:

My little Cub who keeps me going every day with her love and hugs.

The support of good friends, everywhere. Thanks for not giving up on me!

Family.

The changing of the seasons, finally. Goodbye, Summer- you were a tough one this year.

My challenging and wonderful job. My sweet co-workers and students, too!

A renewed sense of what is really important in my life.

This time, I will try not to forget, Universe. I promise!

Simple moments of peace and joy.

The books and music that are inspiring and healing my soul.

Love and blessings to you all. I have missed this little place.

xoxo

Beautiful Day in NYC

On Sunday we spent the most exciting and joyful day in Manhattan- more specifically on the west side along the Hudson river, my old "stomping grounds." For ten years I worked in a high school located on w19th and 9th Ave...Not always as glamorous as it is now, The Meatpacking District is known for its high-end designer boutiques, trendy restaurants, bars, and hotels... I still appreciate its urban beauty, both old and new.

The High Line park is so pretty and surreal. Have you heard about it yet? You can read more about it here. How cool is a park on top of old elevated train tracks? Very.

Check out this restaurant underneath the tracks? Tres chic, no?

I see myself there someday sharing a drink with a new love...

Creepy, beautiful wall on W22 St.

Me and my girl took lots of portraits together using this as a backdrop.

Still love my graffiti. Love the drip on this one.




We have been surrounded by so much love and support from family and friends the past few weeks. It has been wonderful. I feel truly blessed.
And...
as we were leaving, this jumped out at me.
So hopeful and appropriate.

Sewing for Her

One of the things on top of my summer to-do list was to begin making clothes for me and my girl. I've already upcycled a bunch of old t-shirts into cardigans, necklaces, and shrugs (soon to share) for myself...and the undies are going to happen before season's end! But today I am feeling especially satisfied after making these comfey bandana pants for Cub. (They couldn't have been any easier, either.) She put them on immediately and has already requested a pair in red.

No problem, my Sweetie.

Luckily, our local dollar store carries a whole rainbow of colors.

Cute, cozy, practical, and quite affordable.
Next on deck is the popular pillowcase dress.
It's going to be one of the handmade gifts I give her for her 5th birthday next week. The other is a set of handmade pillowcases. She picked out the fabric last night and I went back to get it today. I'm so excited!

Her Many Faces

My little one often comes up with some excellent craft ideas for herself.

This morning, she made some masks, "for Halloween." I didn't bother to tell her we have a while to go until then. I sat back and watched as she drew out each emotion with marker on paper. I think she did pretty well: Sad, Shy, Angry, Happy, and Worried.

This is how we're feeling today.

The only mask Mama would to see added to the collection is "Sleepy."

Us

The steady downpour of rain earlier today left me in that "I hate my hair!" mood.

I suppose it's not that unusual considering I've been letting my gray grow out these past months. Actually, that hasn't been bothering me as much as I thought it would.

What's more troubling is I've been losing A LOT of hair. My thick ponytails have been feeling thinner and thinner. I hate to be vain about it, but I have always had thick hair. Could it really be my age that's causing all this thinning? This hasn't really happened to any of the friends I have in my age group. Hmmm...

Anyway, a short bob seemed like the right thing to do today...

for the both of us!