January was a Success

Just when I was thinking..."I haven't done enough sewing lately"...


Finished projects for the month of January:
7 dolls-3 for donations, one was a gift, and 3 were sales.
2 cats-one for Rhett's birthday and one for a special lady in our lives. Don't forget about the cat's dresses and pants!
7 banners long and short-one reads "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE."
One School House Tunic for my class sample at Bolt.
A new creature was created by Rhett with a little help from Mama...named "Red."


Other things I'm excited about...
Modern Domestic! My brain is a flurry with class ideas!
...and did you see this? That was nice.

Interviewed

Natalie has a new blog at Better Homes and Gardens. she is starting a series called: Crafting for a Cause.

She interviewed me to start off the series.

You can read the interview...here.

Thanks Natalie for getting the word out about Ethiopian Orphan Relief!

Craft Hope for Haiti...Item Sold!

This little blondie sold in the Craft Hope for Haiti ETSY shop.

I just happened to be finishing her up when I heard about the CHforH, so I thought she would be a great thing to donate.

Making this doll reminded me that I want to make a blond doll for Mezmur and an Ethiopian boy doll for Rhett.

Craft Hope for Haiti

If you craft and can donate an item...or you like to shop on ETSY and want to buy awesome things that will go to a great cause...go HERE.

Fraggle Rock Knits

The Doozers just need to practice...

We have been watching one episode of Fraggle Rock before bed over the last several weeks. It has become a fun family tradition. It has helped with the bedtime transition, which can be hard for our almost 5-year-old.

We have all fallen for the Fraggels with their lovable hippie personalities, the large huggable Gordes, the hardworking Doozers, the Trash Heap advice, and the Fraggle music.

Haiti

When I think about Haiti I think about suffering...

when I think about suffering I think about all the Haitian orphans...

when I think about the orphans I think about Ethiopia...

when I think about Ethiopia I think about Mezmur's birth family and I pray that they aren't suffering. I feel sadness for the Haitian people very deeply.

Tonight we plan on sitting down as a family and talking about how we can help the people of Haiti. I asked Rhett this morning how he thought he could help the people of Haiti. Without skipping a beat, Rhett said, "Oh, I know. They probably need money! I've been saving a lot of money (maybe $.80) in my red treasure box! I could send them that!" He ran to his room and proudly showed me what he had in his box. I was very proud of him. I do not want to shelter our children from the suffering of the world. I want them to feel empowered to help others who are suffering.

Please, talk about Haiti as a family. Decide as a family how you could help. Remember, prayer is free.

Mercy Corps

Doctors Without Borders

Unicef

Today's Knitting Date

Proof of our knitting date...

Rhett is especially proud of that hole in the scarf...he sees the lace pattern I'm doing and he is really proud of his lace pattern. This is the scarf he is making for Mezmur. He has been working on it for a year...it may be done for her third birthday.

The Quiet Corner

With the completion of this project...our quiet corner is complete.

This window alcove used to be filled with a huge chair until one day I had a vision...thus, the quiet corner was born. This is a place to go when you want to do art, read a book in the bean bag chair, get your shoes on at the bench, or if you are being too rowdy and need to calm down..."Go to the quiet corner please."
This is where Mez has been known to read every book on that shelf quietly...

It has also been called "the knitting office" by Rhett during one of our "knitting dates."

So far...it has worked. Rhett has been more inspired to do art with all of his supplies organized in jars. Mezmur has her books available whenever she wants them in our living room. I must say, I love our knitting dates at that table. The quiet corner vision is a success.

Adoniyas

This is Adi. He lives in Portland with his parents. Mezmur and Adi took a very similar path that led them both to Portland. They were at the House of Hope together and traveled home in the same month.

We are so glad they have each other. We are so happy they will grow up knowing each other.
His parents are nice too.

A Morning At Preschool

I was one of the parent helpers at Rhett's preschool today...pajama day.

I'm tired...

Mezmur's Christmas Hat

Yes, for Christmas the family got hats knit by me. I searched for the right pattern to replace Mezmur's old hat that I loved so much. I settled on the Stella Pixie Hat. I knit the hat with my favorite yarn and made one change to the pattern. Instead of knitting the neckband separate and adding a button...I picked up stitches around the neck of the hat, knit a band, and knit an i-cord on the ends for tying. I LOVE it.

Oh, I love this hat.

On My Desk

On my desk today...custom banner orders. There is a banner for a new business, one name banner for a baby shower, one that reads "mishpacha" (family in Hebrew), a birthday banner for a birthday girl, and a name banner for a baby boy.

www.craftymommy.etsy.com

First Ski

We took Rhett skiing for the first time today. It was comical and exhausting for the parents. Mezmur spent most of her time like this, because she couldn't walk in the ice packed snow...

Rhett spent some time being held up by Dan...

...some time on the ground...

...some time screaming and yelling...

...and some time skiing happily!

Mezmur also spent some time with Mom in the lodge eating crackers.

The best thing is...Rhett WANTS to do it again. You never know with that kid.

Happy New Year and A Little Video for the Grandparents

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We celebrated at 7:30 with a New York count down on youtube, confetti poppers, and fresh baked cookies. It may have been one of my favorite New Years. Yes, the mom and dad did stay up to ring in the new year.

Typical Rhett style...the streamers and confetti were saved. He said, "We can throw it up in the air like they do in New York."