handmade workshop :: full swing

colorful coloring wallets,

eco-pixie hats waiting for the last finishing touches,

sweet dolls ready to come to life,

the handmade workshop is in full swing! hoorah!!

sweet orange

my baby is approximately the size of an orange. i am 14 weeks in. by next week baby will have grown to small grapefruit proportions. i am feeling good more often than bad these days. when i posted my first belly photo while pregnant with harper someone commented that i was quite big and rivaled her 10 week belly which had contained twins. i think i am bigger this time around. however there is only one heartbeat to be heard in this womb- one big, strong heartbeat pulsing through a tiny citrus body. and that is a joyous sound, for sure!

yesterday was, today is

yesterday was a play day at the discovery center with the whole family, silly disguises, illuminated pumpkins, trick or treats with good friends, sleepy kids and very sweet (literally!) dreams to end the festivities.

today is sorting and sharing gobs of treats, roasting pumpkin seeds, drinking tea and cocoa, watching halloween movies one more time before they are packed away for next year, welcoming november and thinking about the celebrations to come.

happy sunday, friends!

feeling scrappy

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!

the pattern is the hudson hat from ky baby knits. i used leftover worsted weight yarn from various projects to create the funky stripes. i like this pattern, quite a lot. fun to knit, fun to wear. what more could you want?

ah, TWO 1/2!

he is two and a half, and he can do everything all by himself...

and getting dressed is no exception. make it work!

rainbow fluff

from raw fleece...

to fluffy rainbow batts! i can't wait to spin this into something wonderful!

also, THANK YOU for the well wishes on our happy news!

beans being spilled!

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...

a new little life is on the way, expected this spring, and we couldn't be happier!

he will make a fine big brother indeed!

celebrating 9 wonderful years!

we have two kids home sick from school today, but daddy has the day off so we are going to make the best of it. lattes, pancakes, hot cocoa and a day of lounging with my loves!

happy anniversary sweetie! thank you for everything!
~xoxo~

weekend

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...

... and ring pops for the ride home.

we also visited a very special new baby girl this weekend, and took her these handmade gifts :: a faux cabled jester hat knit with super soft merino wool and this little kimono - pattern from habitual.

today, we are low key. movie watching, mama knitting, bubble blowing outside...
happy sunday, friends!

thinking warm thoughts

at long last, the big striped knitting project revealed!

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?

firsts

monday was the first day of school and the first day of 1st grade for esme'.

tuesday was the first day she rode the bus to school (that is her, climbing aboard!) and then back home. i was terrified that she would not be on the bus when it pulled up to our stop that afternoon. but she was. in fact as the bus was slowing to a stop in front of us she was calling out the window to me. she did it! she got on the right bus and made it home safe and sound. all is well.

and today was the first day that harper succumbed to the sleepy afternoons that a new early morning schedule brings and he napped. not for long, but he napped. it took me nearly an hour to get him to sleep, but he napped! and so did mama....

while you are here check out the celebrate autumn swap! there are still a couple days to join!

hand stitched and homespun

a rusted root (though i call this one rusted hoot!) for autumn. i replaced the lace panel in the pattern with these cute little cabled owls. i love the owls!!

handspun merino on my bobbin. destined to become a hat? mitts? something warm and happy, no doubt!

and my latest magnificently striped knitting project, in progress. any guesses on what it might be?

random acts of handmade kindness

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.

today my littles and i decided to make a toy drop of our own.

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!

our next toy drop won't be as girly! i am already thinking robots and rocket ships...
stay tuned!

oh, and while you are here be sure to check out the celebrate autumn swap!

seasonal celebrations swap :: autumn

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!

we celebrated summer...

and now fall is right around the corner. i will be posting details for the autumn swap this weekend!

visit the seasonal swap flickr group for even more lovely photos.