barn raising

27 January

pants!

I've been waiting for a bright day, bright-ish even, to show you Coco's new woolen trousers!  The stormy west coast may be perfect for imagining mermaids in the misty seas, but the wintry overcast light here can prove difficult for taking photos.  Still, as chance would have it, when I saw some great ones here just yesterday that are also made of wool, and when the sun came out, it seemed that was all the push I needed to get these pants photographed.  There are lots of great versions of these trousers out there, but the inspiration for our woolen Quick Change Trousers (pattern by Anna Maria Horner) came from 100% from Ella, whose clever idea to pair wool and flannel together seemed to me to be just perfect.

Perfect for keeping warm, perfect for throwing rocks into the sea, perfect for playing, baking, and long rambles in the woods.  And jumping, they are perfect for that too!

22 November

fair news and a shop update

The Waldorf fair was a huge success all round.  I sold some handmade things, but more importantly we got to know more of our growing community- me in with the crafty folk, and Coco and her Dad out exploring the Winter Fair with the other families.  The educational community we've chosen continues to inspire and enrich us as a family; I so often feel blessed that it is fast becoming such a part of our lives! I was also lucky enough to be selling next to some seriously talented (and very fun) crafters, and fortunate to bring some of their gorgeous handmades home with me.

Thank you to all of you who stopped by to say hello and to support me!  It was so appreciated!  I tried to stay as true to my deal as possible, but I will admit to a little stress in the last few days before the fair- due in part to my ailing sewing machine (but that's another story).  Even still, it was all worth it and I can't wait to do it again!

I've updated my shop, fable and folly, for the first time with some of my handmade goods.  There are more to come so please stay tuned. 

I also want to celebrate my friend's knitting collaboration (with the talented Martha), Wanderings.  I know what I'll be knitting over the Winter holidays!

Stay warm, friends!

22 August

a year of sewing: the pinafore

Years and years ago I saw a little girl out and about with her mama wearing the most adorable little pinafore.  It looked quite plain in the front but the back straps crossed over making it the most precious little outfit I had ever seen.  I asked about the pattern, but it was one of those things where it was gifted to them by a distant friend of so and so and tracking down a pattern wasn't going to be easy- especially because they were complete (but very nice) strangers to me.

Since then, I've been on the lookout for a pattern very much like the pinafore I fell in love with. I searched thrift and fabric stores, but nothing seemed quite right.  I did find a lot of pinafores without the criss cross in the back, but none just like the one I wanted.  Thank goodness for Etsy!  I found a lot of pinafore styles on Etsy that are equally as adorable (and well crafted- I bought a couple as gifts) as the one I saw that day, and there are a lot of patterns too! 

In the end, I used what I loved most from the patterns and pinafores I ordered- shortening here, widening there.  The end result is my own interpretation of the pinafore and one that is closest to the pinafore that started this whole journey in the first place.

I'm sure it will fit Coco for a long time to come, but I'm going to work on sizing it up for the next stage.  If you are equally as smitten by this design, here is a great pattern to get you started.  Mine is reversible and I can't wait to make these in all fabric combinations as a staple part of Coco's fall and winter wardrobe, paired with a woolen shirt and pants. 

I'm excited to get back to the sewing machine!  My heart brims over to be able to make clothes for my sweet little one!

18 July

school's out

Recently, I finished university.  I've been working away on my degree now for years throughout different careers, travel, and life's ups and downs.  It's always been an important goal of mine to finish university and it helps that I really like school, learning and even, if you can believe it, writing exams.  I love knowing how to craft a good academic paper and the challenge of pursuing knowledge in spite of so many things has been well worth it.  I feel such a sense of accomplishment mixed with some very real feelings of newfound freedom.  I keep feeling the familiar nagging thought that I should be studying, writing a paper, or on a web conference unitl I realize that there is nothing left to do.  What I am left with is a beautiful presence in the moment that I've been missing for a while now- uninteruppted attention to my family and myself, the freedom to nuture without the anxiety of academic deadlines and pressures. 

So, what now?  Move over academics and make room for home economics!  I now have the time to devote to practicing other important lessons in life- the home arts: sewing, knitting, and (learning) weaving.  There was a time when I would easily whip up a pair of pants for a camping trip, or a throw together some new cushions on a whim, or piece a quilt in an evening for a newborn babe.  But, in all of the flurry of life's surprises, work and school, and a high risk pregnancy followed by a little girl who has only just now realized the benefit of a regular nap every day, I've fallen a bit out of practice. 

But now, I have a whole year to focus on handwork.  A year of knitting, a year of sewing, and a year of weaving.  My passion for knitting picked up right where my final academic paper left off and my current project has followed me everywhere- in the car, to the park, standing in the kitchen stirring the chili.  It feels great to have the energy and the inspiration to do these things that so rightly feed my soul.  I want to use this year to learn to sew clothes for Coco really well, and to finish off some quilting projects that are begging to be completed.  And back to the knitting- have you been on Ravelry lately?  Oh my goodness- the patterns available out there these days are amazing.

One year.  Then, it's off to school again.  Though this time, by nature of what I'll be studying, I think the inspiration will only continue to grow.  But, more on this next step later. 

For now, back to my knitting!