it is time for the celebrate autumn swap! and i do believe this is going to be my very favorite seasonal swap. seriously, i have been daydreaming about what i will create for this season for months! here are the swap details - i hope you will join us!
what is the seasonal celebrations swap? the seasonal celebrations swap is an exchange that incorporates handmade crafts, nature, and family traditions. participating in this swap is a great way to celebrate the beginning of a new season as well as adopting new traditions and ideas into your family. the swap will focus on handmade, seasonal nature table and home decorations.
how do i join? simply send an e-mail to InspiredMama(at)msn.com with
celebrate autumn swap in the subject line and the following information::
name::address::
e mail::
blog address::to your partner you will send::1. a handmade seasonal decoration. this can made from fabric, yarn, wood, pinecones, paper... the sky (and your seasonal backyard) is the limit. the decoration can be something to include in a nature table display, a table cover in autumn colors, a vase to hold seasonal flowers or branches...
2. share with your partner your family's tradition to welcome autumn- this can be as simple as a fall poem or a autumn craft. or maybe it is a cultural tradition that you would like to share. you could also include photos of your tradition in action or the supplies needed to create your autumn craft.
3. please also include your favorite seasonal recipe.
sign up until
friday sept. 4th, and i will send an e-mail with your recipient's name and information the following evening. swap packages should be ready and shipped by
monday sept 28th. that will give us 3+ weeks to work on this project.
please feel free to go above and beyond when creating your swap partner's package, but do not skimp- we want everyone to be thrilled when they receive their seasonal celebrations swap package! also, please,
please let me know as soon as possible if something comes up and you are unable to fulfill your swap obligation. there is also a
seasonal celebrations swap flickr group where we will discuss the swap and share photos, so be sure to go join! there are several photos there from the spring and summer swaps to give you some ideas and inspiration.
the fabulous thing about this swap is that there will be a brand new one with each new season! i am looking forward to celebrating autumn with you all!
i knit harper a new hat this weekend. last year's hat still fits him fine, but this pattern was calling to me.
he obliged me with a few pictures (that is his new photo face) and then...
... the photo shoot was over!
oh, this boy! he is silly and cuddly and mischievous and loud. whatever would we do without him? he is growing up like nobody's business, changing a little everyday. and, he is not going to be the baby of the family for much longer... 
yesterday we spent our day at the hyde park street fair. the afternoon was filled with handmade crowns, painting, jumpy houses (that daddy had to climb into and physically remove harper from when it was time to get out), cotton candy, kettle corn, live music, dancing, running into good friends, more food, people watching...
this is clapotis, modeled by lovely niko, knit in self striping noro kureyon sock yarn, though i alternated skeins every 2 rows to get the small stripes.
this week, i am anxiously awaiting autumn! how about you?
monday was the first day of school and the first day of 1st grade for esme'.
handspun merino on my bobbin. destined to become a hat? mitts? something warm and happy, no doubt!
several months ago i stumbled across the toy society blog. are you familiar? if not get over there, fast! it makes me seriously happy just reading all of the drop and find stories and looking at photo after photo of handmade kindness.
sweet cherry coloring wallet, dropped at saver's thrift store in the boise weekly dispenser out front. i hope someone finds it soon! i hope it is loved! i hope it makes somebody's day wonderful!
for lunch we ate spaghetti squash from our garden. vine to oven to table to tummy in an hour!
then we made play dough using this favorite recipe. i spent most of the late afternoon pretending to eat play dough cookies, play dough pasta, play dough pizza, and unrecognizable play dough creations offered to me by harper.
a little gnome doll, stitched for my friend's little boy. his back is orange minky and he is oh, so soft and cuddly! esme' insisted he is an elf, and now i have visions of a holiday elf made from this pattern roaming around in my head. i also find myself pondering what the difference is between a gnome and an elf. esme' says she does not know...
