Welcoming December

December 1st brought the 1st snowstorm of the season. Connor went out with Grandma and Grandpa for a bit, Justin went to work, but I stayed bundled up inside all day (except that hour I spent hanging outdoor lights)! There's something about the first snowfall that makes me immobile. Felted beads seemed appropriate, made with wool from this shop.

I wasn't sure initially what they would become. The end result - ornaments:

Winter Trees

Another field trip for Connor and this time I got to come along. We visited a local tree farm where the little ones got to enjoy a hayride, cut down a tree (well, they watched), haul it in, and prepare it for someone's home. Fun, but really cold. I think it was the coldest day we have had yet this season - something like 15 degrees in the a.m. At least we all dressed warm and the sun was shining - the apple cider helped too!

So here is a fun fact straight from the tree farm:

Your average Christmas tree is eight years old!

Oh, and here a better photo of one of our turkey friends, through the blinds. If I had opened the door he would have been gone. Maybe one of these times I will get a good shot. I think I am becoming obsessed with doing so - it's a challenge. Bring it on turkeys!

Gobble Gobble

In honor of Thanksgiving, a study in turkeys by Connor:

In addition to the handmade turkeys, we have seen some real ones around our neighborhood in the last few months. In fact, as I was writing this entry I looked outside and saw a group of them behind our house. By the time I found my camera they were pretty far away, but I did manage a to grab a picture. The quality is horrible as I was rummaging through the woods in my slippers trying my best to zoom in, but those two fuzzy black blobs on the left are turkeys. (I think anyway)

Shop Update

I have added some new things to the shop, here are a few:


That messenger bag was great fun to make. Another one is coming soon, same style but a more muted color scheme.

The Jewelry Maker?

Well, I tried my hand at some jewelry making and it is harder than it looks with all those tiny little beads and precise measurements. Yes, sewing obviously involves lots off measuring, but if you are a millimeter or two off on a seam no one will ever notice. If one earring is a millimeter or two longer than the other it is much more noticeable.


I used some vintage beads from here and some others I had lying around. My favorite pair: the lemon drops on top.


No more earrings for awhile. Last night I returned the pliers from my sewing room to its rightful home in the basement workshop.

Simply Stated

Just feeling lucky today, that's all.

Halloween Snippets

-Some Halloween highlights-

-Carving pumpkins at home-

-Getting full of goop -

-Coloring gourds at school-

-Costumes: The Cowboy-

Chaps handmade by Nanny, vest handmade by Mommy, with a lot of guidance from Connor.

Badge holder handpicked by Connor from Nanny's recent bag of goodies.

-Connor's measurements for the vest (Mommy measured, Connor recorded)-

-Costumes: Mother Hen-

-Also from Nanny-

-Trick-or-Treat-

-Equation-

layers of bulky clothing (yes it was chilly) + running full speed to get to the next house + a month of built-up excitement + the thrill of seeing friends + dark + SUGAR

= at least three tumbles by each trick-or-treater

(none serious :) )

Can you match the pumpkin to the carver?