New Quilt

Just finished this for the baby & couldn't be happier. He's quickly outgrowing the baby blankets I've made him {gasp}. It's so strange to have his little feet... and legs, stick out of blankets that once {wasn't it just yesterday?} seemed enormous for his little body. {although to appease my sister here, I must say he was 9.5lbs at birth, so never "that" tiny.}

It is backed with a nice, soft, blue flannel and cotton batting = super warm, but not super heavy. I started & finished it in a few hours the other night. It's actually just a really cool fabric, ABC print {by designer, Jenn Ski} that I quilted. No sewing blocks at all. I'm really happy with the binding, and think the colors show showcase the print, perfectly. I subtly embroidered his name so that he will always know it is, 100% for him and only him. You need to remind fourth children of this sometimes, as they get lots of things that once belonged to the siblings.

This is one Christmas present ready to be wrapped up and put under the tree!

Making

Life is what you make it. So why not make it beautiful, lovely, make it grand. Make it happy. Just make it, for you! I spent years angry at the world. Just kinda fluttering by where the wind blew me. I was miserable... and lonely. One day, I woke up and decided "I" was going to lead my life. I was going to stop being angry, blaming people, and feeling sad. I was in charge of my destiny. I would create the life I wanted. I can say with perfect honesty, I've never looked back! My life is so full of love & happiness now. That said, I still have bad days {sometimes years}, I waver a bit and think I have no control. The truth is there are things in life that no one has control over. Sometimes, things just happen-good or bad, it is, as it is.

Life is what you make it. A dandelion "weed", becomes a treasure for mama, in a child's eye's. A piece of paper, an endless opportunity at creativity. Or, you could look at it as a weed, or a simple sheet of white paper, nothing more, nothing less. Some tough moments in our life have taught me compassion, and gratitude. With the thanksgiving holiday, just passed, I've reassessed all the wonderful things I have to be thankful for. I am living the life I always wanted, a houseful of children, with lots & lots of love to go around. A career, making. I am a maker-whether I am sewing, painting or knitting, or growing babies, I am always making. Life works in spells, right now I am making less, and spending more time with family. Some days I wish I had just a little more time. One day when I have hours a day to just sit and make, I'll most likely be missing the rhythm of our days now. With all it's noise, messy meals, and tiny hands to kiss & hold. I am so very thankful right now.

 Life is what you make of it. Just go where the day takes you. 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in @ Soulemama.

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life-big & small. I'm feeling so blessed today!

more knitting

I've been knitting up a storm these past few months, for Christmas. I'm saving my sewing projects for last since they can be done a little quicker than the knits. Although I have a long list of sewing too-quilts, dresses, dolls, coasters... In the meantime, lots & lots of wash clothes have been coming off my needles. I think they make a nice, useful gift when paired with some fabulous handmade soap. {My absolute favorite is from Honeyrun Farms, local to Columbus. try the honey too it's amazing!}.

Hand knit washcloths take something simple& often, not even thought about, and makes it a little special. I have a special bowl that I like to eat out of. It's nothing fancy, just pretty with a petal shaped rim {actually picked up at the thrift store for less than $1}. Food just seems to taste better when eaten in it. It takes something that is often rushed through & makes it {just a little} more special. My pile to be gifted is growing, and growing.

Tree Lighting

 

All bundled up warm, we went to the local Christmas Tree lighting, over the weekend. It's one of my favorite winter activities!  All the favorites were present, Santa, a huge Christmas tree, fireworks {the kids are watching them above}, nutcrackers, gingerbread men, marching bands. This year, they added giant, helium parade balloons too. A great time was had by all! We finished the night up with bagels at Panera and headed for home. A few of the kids drifting off to sleep before we arrived... maybe sugarplums danced in their dreams?

Made Monday: Slipper Socks

Finished up these fun socks over the weekend. They are done in worsted weight yarn, so a little more like slippers than socks. They are a Christmas gift, for someone special. The pattern is an easy, simple one & a quick knit too. I think I may be knitting a few more of these before the holiday's.... maybe even a pair for myself if I find a little extra time.

{this moment}

 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Join in @ Soulemama.

New Curtains

I finally finished our new bedroom curtains. While these are not the "greatest" pics, but it's one of the projects I've been working in that isn't a Christmas gift. Yay-something I can show you. They are made from a really thick, warm fabric-perfect for our giant, super old, drafty window this winter.  I got the fabric on clearance with an extra 50% off coupon, so they were a great price too!

As an after throught, I almost cleaned my dresser off, but ehhh, that's how it looks so "normally", that's how it stayed. I have 4 kids & a house to clean and a business to run, what can I say?

Enjoy your day!

sick day

We had a sick day here today. Three of the four kids home with coughs & colds. It's kind of a miracle that they all got sick at once. This NEVER happens. Normally it takes weeks for a simple cold to get through our ranks. Each one getting it just a few days after the last, with mama super sick as the grand finale. Typically, by then, the kids have long forgotten how yuckyy they felt, and mama gets no sympathy. Just laments on how boring it is without me to entertain, play with them. Ahh, motherhood. Not always a pat on the back. 

So far, it's just a little cold. Nothing that lots of extra kisses, snuggles, some warm chamomile tea & honey, can't cure in a few days. So, my day looked a little like this:

 Lots of little snuggle pals strewn through the house.

 

A pony fashion show, with live Fairy commentary. 

Lots of hair braiding & brushing.

One half of a pair, of knit socks completed. {in record time-yay}

Some yummy, homemade chocolate chip cookies & milk. {with almost licked clean plates}

Even with a sick bunch, it was a good day!

New Stuff & Smiles

Some of the new stuff in the Kunklebaby shop... and {let's be honest} a reason to show off that cute baby of mine!! He's so easy to photograph, always with a smile on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. 

Start stocking up for the holiday's, baby showers and just because, baby gifts. 

This holiday give handmade!

Weekending

We had a really nice, calm, productive weekend here. The yard is finally ready for winter. Leaves are raked, plants tended too, little feet got lots of exercise, running & climbing. Mama caught up on some much needed rest with lots of knitting & relaxing--and fit in a photo-shoot. I've been knitting away, but most of the finished products can't be shown until after Christmas, as they are mostly gifts. I am working on a set of children's hats for a local homeless shelter. I'll share those when they are complete-two more to go.

Lots of new stuff will be added to the shop this week. Next Saturday [12-4pm] I will be at Sprout Soup Crafty Mama's Sale, with all my fun Kunklebaby merchandise.  There will be a silent raffle too. Come by and enter, you could win an Organic Kunklebaby bib.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  join in @ Soulemama

Today

So today didn't go exactly as I had planned in my head. {if rarely ever does} I managed to {possibly} break my serger this afternoon, find out one of my sewing machines isn't "exactly" working and the new fabric I purchased to make curtains is ridiculously difficult to work with. {insert reason for broken serger here}

All that aside, we had a great day! Some knitting was done, those silly curtains,finally  did get finished and we had a wonderful day celebrating our daughter. Lots of hugs, smiles & laughter. I'd say it was a pretty good day after all. Nothing better than being a mama!

They're back!

Back by popular demand: Kunklebaby Organic Milk Vampire bibs. Perfect  for any little nursling.

Check out our organic section of the shop for unique hand-printed designs. 

Fall Harvest

We were celebrating these wonderful kids of mine over the weekend, with a fall harvest birthday party. What could be better for November? We had hot soups, warm homemade breads, yummy veggies and lots of goodies-apple pie, and my favorite banana cinnamon cake. The best part for me was, a [then] six & seven year old decided on the theme. Classic, fun & so something this mama wanted to plan. It was a nice, little gathering of close family & friends. The kids had a great day and so did their mama.

This year was so different than last. Over the weekend, I realized just how thankful I am for so many things. Last year was the sickest, most difficult year in the history of our family. Right around this time we had already had numerous ER, doctor and urgent care visits, with more sick days than I can even say. I was a tired, drained mama, just trying to pull everything together and keep up some happy spirits among us. While we haven't hit winter yet {prime sick time}, I am so grateful for the past few months of relative health & happiness we've enjoyed. Autumn has been so wonderful this year! I'm feeling re-energized & so very happy. Happy Birthday kids! Thank you for making my life so full of love & laughter-you're the best!