greetingarts

lavender

Jessie's little "Po-eee", held in her chubby little hand. 

My husband and I don't do Santa Claus.  I can't remember which comedian it was who did a whole bit about how, when he was growing up, there was never any Santa Claus.  His dad would say, "There ain't no fat white man in a red suit.  I did that.  I worked hard, all those gifts are from me and your ma."  Well, I kind of agree.  Why give someone else the credit?  We still read The Night Before Christmas, and we don't actively discount Santa, but we don't make a big deal about him, either. 

This year, however, after all the Christmas Day hubbub died down, Rebecca suddenly got sad.  She said Santa forgot about her and Jessie, because there was nothing under the tree from him.  She ran to our couch, which we have backed up to the hearth to block the kids and the cat from the fireplace, and said maybe he couldn't get in because of the furniture?  Yikes!  Mommy had to think fast.  I ran into the other room, hastily wrapped one pink and one lavender My Little Pony (from my stash of sale and dollar store items saved for just such occasions), made sure they sported large "From Santa" tags, and tossed them behind the couch (in front of the fireplace) when she wasn't looking.  It totally worked, and Jessie now has to have hers every night before she goes to bed, and she brings it downstairs with her when she wakes up.  She squeals "Po-E!" whenever she sees a pony, and so... we had our theme for this year's birthday party.

One of my least fancy cards ever, I think.  Ah, how our standards drop when we're tired and stretched too thin.  Oh well, they were super fast, and they're done.  Half are already in the mail, the other half will have to wait until Monday, when I can go and buy some more envelopes.

Thank goodness for a little bit of glitter, or I would have been too mortified to send these out.

it's the thought that counts

Oh my God.  I am so embarassed, and utterly appalled that it's taken me over five months to get these baby gifts out to my friend.

I first posted about them back in October, and the Swing Coat has been ready since the end of that month, when I missed the baby shower because my kiddies were sick.  I still remember how bitter I was about that, having to miss a rare free afternoon at a party.  I don't get invited to things all that often, and alone?  Hardly ever.  Anyway, I stayed up late working on it, so that I'd have at least half of the twins' gifts ready, but then I had to cancel at the last minute.

So of course I waited a little bit to work on the Blu jeans, since now there wasn't any rush, and then I was done with the knitting but still had to do the finishing.  And I've told you how much I hate the finishing part, right?  By the way, don't ask about that robe.  Yes, I'm done with the knitting.  No, I'm not done with the seaming.  Enough said.  So anyway, the babies were born.  Christmas came and went.  New Year's.  Valentine's Day.  St. Patrick's.  I finished putting in the elastic last week.  Yes.  Last stinkin' week.  I know.  I suck.

They were wrapped in tissue and mailed out this afternoon.  The babes are now four months old.  But, they were preemies, and so there's still the slimmest of chances that they'll be able to wear those items, lovingly made, for oh, a week or so? 

Well.  What's that other saying?  Better late than never?  Maybe I should start working on their first birthday gifts now.  Then I should be right on time.

burnt sienna

Aah, two babes playing together at last.  Not quietly, but I'll take what I can get. 

I was looking for a burnt sienna dog to photograph, but alas.  None this week.  I distinctly remember giving my sister such grief when we were little because she used this crayon to color in a picture of a dog in a coloring book.  "A burnt sienna dog?" I was incredulous.  I thought the dog should be brown.  Just, you know, brown.  Not burnt sienna, tan, chestnut, or tumbleweed.  God, how uncreative and unoriginal I was!  So lame, I know.  Thank goodness, I've changed.  Now I try hard not to make my daughter color between the lines, and I *never* tell her what color things "should" be.  Purple sky?  Fantastic.  Orange hair?  Great.  Burnt sienna dogs are the best.

break of the month

Last month, I paid $10 to my local quilt shop, and was given the fabric and instructions to make two 12" quilt blocks.  As long as I complete each month's blocks, I get the next month's for free.  So, an entire queen- sized quilt top for $10 (plus you have to provide some fabric for background and setting triangles).  But that's not the important part, the main thing is that I get to have some time to myself once a month.  It's just 90 minutes, including driving back and forth, but heck!  I'll take it.  In fact, I hadn't even seen what the quilt was going to look like, or what fabrics were being used, and I signed up.  I didn't care if it was hideous, flourescent orange or grey (no offense to flourescent orange or grey lovers out there), I get to do something I love and get away from everyone in my family for one guaranteed moment every month.  I can't contain my excitement!

While they aren't fabrics I would immediately be drawn to, I do like the way the blocks look.  Maybe I'll end up giving away the final product, because I think it's a bit too feminine for my husband's taste, and a bit too traditional for mine, but like I said, I really don't care.   I'm just in it for the relaxation.

I'm handpiecing all of these, as I almost always do, and I find that the most time consuming part is drawing all the quarter inch seam lines on the backs of the individual pieces.  I think at this point, I could probably eyeball it all and still maintain a pretty consistent seam allowance, but I guess I don't trust myself and still find myself using a little ruler, my sandpaper board (just fine grit sandpaper and a clipboard) and fine line mechanical pencil.

Haven't even started on the blocks that are due April 7, but, whatever.  That's eons away, isn't it?

green

Yup.  The two of them fit snugly inside a standard storage box. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day, we're mixing holidays and are off to have lunch with the Easter Bunny.

"v-v-v-vuh!"

Becca's been wanting to read so badly lately, I've been trying everything I can think of to help her.  We're doing Hooked on Phonics, watching LeapFrog DVDs, and reading stacks and stacks of books.  Even catalogs and junk mail.  So, of course, throughout all this, Jessie is sitting right there, next to her "see-see" (Jessie-speak for "sissy" or "sister"), like the little shadow she is.

And tonight, as they're getting ready for the bath, Jess grabs two magnets off the wall, a capital v and a lower case v, gives them to me and says, "V-v-v-vuh!"  Yes, Jessie!  V says "vuh!"

This afternoon I also finally signed Rebecca up for preschool, she'll be starting in April and it's high time.  We'd been looking for ages, but this one finally fit all the criteria: close proximity, convenient times and days (only three days a week), good reputation, recommended by people we know, and - gasp!  We can afford it!  I actually found it three months ago, but *just* missed the enrollment for Winter quarter, so we had to wait until now.  The morning Spring session had already filled up by the time I called, but the afternoon still had some openings.  Whoo hoo!  She's so rarin' to go, and very excited.  Becca strikes up a conversation with everyone we meet, waving and saying "hi" to people in the parking lot.  She's a favorite at the post office, the bank, the grocery store, and now she'll be able to make friends with lots of kids her own age.  I'm scared for her, but I know it's going to be so good.

Oh, help me, my kidlets are growing up!

made for china

When I went to my knitting guild meeting last month, I mentioned Carol and the Made for China project, and showed a few things I'd been working on.  I was so incredibly touched and really quite speechless when, last Wednesday during the March meeting, I was presented with bags and bags of items destined for China.

Twenty-five knit/crocheted rectangles, about 12" x 18", most with a crocheted border, for little ones to drag around and cuddle.

A bunny from this pattern, such clever construction.   Wish I'd thought of it myself!  I used some Homespun that I had, even though I hate to work with it, because it really is soft and snuggly.

Four cute, palm-sized teddy bears, from Judy.

A kitty, four bunnies, two chicks, two teddies, and... a monkey-teddy finger-puppet thingy (anyway, it's super cute).  And each one could fit right into your front pocket.

Betty knit up the Goldilocks and the three bears finger puppets, but changed the color of Golidlocks' hair to better fit with the little Chinese girl who will soon be getting a new friend.

And 28 (30 minus 2 because Jerri said you wouldn't mind... my girls spent *so* long choosing ones that were *just perfect,* and wear them every day and are so sweetly careful with them!) sparkly, delicate, amazing beaded bracelets.  From Patti, who lives in another state, and doesn't even know who I am.

Along with the items I created earlier, and a couple of scrunchies, I'll be sending off two large boxes of goodies to Illinois tomorrow afternoon.  I thank Marsha, Jerri, Diane, Betty, Lynne, Judy, Carol, Sue and Patti so very much, from the bottom of my heart.  I am truly amazed and moved that all these people would simply take my word for it and so quickly, so generously, so wholeheartedly take their own time, supplies and effort to produce such wonderful gifts for children halfway around the world.  Thank you, thank you, I'll have to find some way to show you how much your efforts meant to me, personally.  And I know those babies and children will feel loved and know that people care, even people they'll never meet.

maroon

Whoo, boy, was it hard to find something meaningful this week.  Guess this color isn't much on my radar.  But Becca found something.

Mommy, me and Jessica, marker on copy paper, 8.5" x 11".  Created during one of Jessie's naps circa February 21, 2007.  It *must* have been during Jess' naptime, because that's when Becca pulls out the big guns, the big girl art supplies.  One of the things I love most about this photo she took is the stripes in the background.  Lots and lots of "sticky tapes," smacked all over my living room wall, right behind the couch.  If I get brave, one day I'll take a photo of the whole wall.  Luckily, it hasn't been painted yet.  My husband and I decided the interior decorating will wait until the kids can wield crayons without covering the walls, sides of furniture and other assorted surfaces, and until my kitty cat is no longer around to claw the heck out of every upholstered object in the middle of the night.

We can wait.

does it come in my size?

So now that Hillary's revealed it, I can safely show off my Olive sporting her fresh new duds.  I think the jumper turned out so cute.  And it holds up well, considering Rebecca and Jessie have dressed and undressed her about a hundred and ten times since last weekend.

Oops.  Better go find Olive's bow.  And sew on her collar.  Details I omitted because I had to finish sewing her up quickly in order to properly test knit and try on the finished garment.  A big thank you to Kathy for sending me her blank make-a-long heads and fabric for the arms and legs.   I really should make  Archie, too, since Olive wasn't so difficult, even for me, who is usually so sewing-machine challenged! 

incoming, outgoing

I've been lax in posting about the wonderful mail we've been getting around here lately.

First, is the amazing package I received from wonderful Ragan, because I was the winner of her 100th post raffle.  A terrible picture, but an unbelieveable box of goodies.  Not everything made it into the photo, there were oodles of things for my girls, scarves and neckwarmers (love that word!), knitting magazines, and so much stuff.  My absolute favorite things, though, have to be the handmade stitch markers.

Again, bad picture (which is why I've avoided posting all this, I think), but they are so well made.  Just the right amount of weight, and oh so sparkly and much better than my bent plastic paper clips.  Thank you so much, Ragan.  For picking my crumpled up name out of a paper bag and sending this package, but, more importantly, for being the first person to regularly comment on my blog and connect with me, a faceless blogger.  Well, strangers no more!

Next up, the Miniswap 2 from Little Pink Toes.

Isn't the bag pretty?  So pink and feminine, Becca loved it immediately.

Wooden toys, candy, craft supplies, cookie cutters and chocolate (just for momma), and lots to keep little hands occupied.  Note to Mom: I know, I know, Jess' hair is a mess and in her eyes.  It's not always like that, just whenever I want to take a picture!

You can see we sent here, since I forgot to take pictures, and other participants' packages here.  I love these miniswaps, such fun!

And then it was my turn to go to the post office, to mail off my Special Swap, to Lorinda.  This time, I did remember to take some photos.

The theme was hearts and roses, which was great because it was around Valentine's Day, so those things were plentiful.  My favorite items that I sent her was the printed heart toilet paper (ha!) and the potholder I made.

Front.

And the back, with some of my favorite rose and daisy fabric, hand-stitched with some batting in the middle.  I think I'll make more of these for gifts, maybe even a set of coasters.

I've always looked forward to getting the mail, ever since I can remember.  In college, I was the envy of all my friends because I got a letter almost every single day.  That excitement to open the mailbox tapered off a little as my friends and I stopped exchanging snail mail, and I started getting more and more bills and junk (my husband is not a member of AARP, I don't want any more credit cards, and 'm fine with my current mortgage rate, thank you).  But now,  I can look forward to those squeaky wheels and that distictive, boxy vehicle once again.