Wordless Wednesday

{Modern, Alice in Wonderland}

Getting ready!

Craftin Outlaws is only a few weeks away! This will be my 5th year with the show! {Crazy, right?} It seems like just yesterday I started my little business. Five years ago, this was the very first show I ever vended. I was super sick, early pregnant with Lucian, but hadn't told anyone yet. I had no idea what to expect and felt like everyone else knew exactly what they were doing [except me]. Well, the day was amazing, I was totally hooked on getting to talk to my customers in person and the show. I've applied every year since with my fingers crossed tightly until I get my acceptance letter.

This will be my first year working the show that I'm not pregnant or nursing. YAY- I'm not going to be feeling sick or worrying when my baby will be joining me to eat. {while I love both pregnancy & nursing, it adds a small level of stress for me at shows}

I've been working hard on lots of new items for the show. I have some great new, colorful fabric prints and have expanded my organic line. Look for new items to make their debut: pillows, and coffee sleeves, in addition to all of my regular line up of bibs, blankets, boo-boo packs and accessories.

Hope to see everyone there!! Check the Outlaws website for early bird passes, {they are new this year}

New pic's

 We spent a little time Sunday, re-shooting a few Kunklebbay items and photographing lots of new stuff for the first time. I'm really happy with how they came out and we had a lot of fun.... Well, I thought it was a lot of fun. My husband thought it to be a bit chaotic and said "let's just go", several times. The thing is with 4 kids, a park, boxes of merchandise and shoot props, it's bound to be chaotic, it's finding the little bits in between that can be used. I am so happy with those little bits.

The chaotic bits: a three year old who was determined he was at the park only to climb tree's, and only those on the other side of the field, a large dog who wanted to join the kids pictures, a cranky baby who wanted to know what in the world we were doing in the park.. with his rocking chair & pillow. A grumpy seven year old [who think's he's 15] who just wanted to either be in every picture, or alone, in the woods.

All in all I took 432 pictures. We got to run in the park for an hour. We missed the rain [as soon as I started our van, sprinkles started dancing across the windshield. {sigh, really?} Undeterred, I drove to the park anyways with hope. Finally, I was happy to realize there would be no more rain.

Best of all, I got this picture below. Which makes me smile with happiness! If you'd like to see more of the photo shoot and some new items, check out the shop: Kunklebaby

We've been enjoying..

Lots & lots of  yummy homemade breads

Peach Lemon-aid = so good!

Best Homemade Peach Cobbler Ever... yes, ever!

The many faces of this silly little boy

Made Monday: Quilt

Finally finished up the quilt I've been working on. It was a gift for the new baby that joined our friends last week. I was hoping to get it done before his birth, but... he arrived a little early, so I'm going with that as the reason. hee-hee.

I forgot to take a picture of the back. It had a really vibrant blue print with modern little cars that looked abstract from far away. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It was definitively made with lots of love! This was one of those projects that whatever could go wrong did. My walking foot broke, and on & on. In the end, I do think the binding turned out perfect though. Hand sewn binding just makes a quilt for me. I also love the texture after I washed it and it got all nice & wrinkly through the quilting. Have a happy life in your new happy home.

New Beginnings

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to witness the birth of a new little soul. My best friend had her first son, and I got to be there. I even cut the cord-seriously. It was so amazing. I've had four of my own babies, and saw three more come into this world, but this was my first cord cutting.

As the cord was cut, this sweet boy was officially his own person. Separated from his mama's body, he now has to breathe, and eat for himself. The world is a new place with many sensations, noises and newness. I couldn't help but feel a sense of rightness enfolding. You see, I've wished for Mary after the birth of EVERY single one of my babies. We had a falling out & lost touch during college. It was always one of those wrongs that I've always wanted righted.

When I moved to Columbus I was an 18 year old kid, with no life experience other than being at home with my parents. [like most college freshman]. I was in a new city and pretty much on my own. I met Mary the first day, she was my new roommate from Texas. From the very beginning she looked out for me, making sure I woke up on time [i'm so not a morning person & NEVER was]. She made breakfast, went to parks with me, the library. Pretty much we did everything together. These things are all fine & great- many of you have friends like that. It was how she did it.  She was so nurturing & kind, wanting nothing in return. I was so angry & hostile at the time [although I didn't realize it then]. Angry at the world! I had built up this tough persona because I was so wounded, and actually afraid to admit it.

I started calling her Mama Mary after only a few weeks, I think. Without even realizing it, she opened my eyes to who I "could" be and the happiness I could have if I just stopped being so damn angry. Still it took years to pass until I realized it. When we had a argument, I responded in the only way I knew at the time-anger to mask my hurt & fear. She moved out, I grumbled.

A few years later, Dylan was born and all I wished for was to have Mary at my side to meet my son. While I hadn't seen her in several years, she still felt like a mother to me-to the NEW me. The improved me. The me I wanted her to know now existed. More children joined our family.. rather quickly and I still felt a sadness that wouldn't pass. I wanted to thank Mary for the mother I was. The mother I had become, the mother I wanted to be. It was all because of her & the small kindness she bestowed on me for a small year and a half, back in the day. The year and a half that changed me! Gave me the self esteem to realize what I could be- and someday would be.

When I randomly ran into her last year, I was overjoyed, but so cautious. Would we still be friends? Had I built it up to be so great, reality would fail me? Would she even want to speak to me after I spoke to her so unkindly. Then one year later -almost to the date- and I am cutting the cord to her baby. Cutting away the old- the pain & regret, the doomed "argument" A new future ahead. It no longer mattered that she wasn't with me when my babies arrived because she is with them now--all the time. I could be with her for her birth, and I hope I helped her just a little for those few hours, like she helped me all those years ago. Some way to even try and payback some of her kindness.

Thank you for letting me be present at the baby's birth. [she's now Mama Mary to three of her own little one's] It meant more to me than you'll ever know!

Wordless Wednesday

Words to live by:

Laugh often & laugh loud 

Whenever possible, make peace

Challenge EVERYTHING, you think you know

Sometimes you just got to get a little dirty

Always have fresh flowers in your house- it's like a little burst of sunshine

Never, ever forget the little guy

Made Monday

With the recent start of school, crafting time has slowed a little for now. [It's only temporary!!] With Dylan and Mia both in school and Julian napping several hours each afternoon, I'm finding myself alone.. with ONE kid for several hours a day. That hasn't happened in YEARS. I'm hoping to be able to get some "extra" work done in that block while he paints, or sews along next to me a couple times a week. Just the "idea" of being able to have a few more hours a week with the option of sewing or painting has me giggling with glee.

I made this pillow and chair cushion a few days before school started. I was in my glory-all super stressed about school starting, so cranking out sewing projects left & right. [I go crazy knitting & sewing when I'm anxious or stressed] I actually still need to finish the 2nd seat cushion, but one is better than none. I've had this Amy Butler fabric in my closet for a few years waiting to make it into a handbag, I thought it was time to actually use it.

We picked up these two chairs recently on a thrifting hunt. They were originally destined to be painted immediately. Once I got them home and cleaned them up, I realized they matched our dining table wood color-perfectly. Now I'm not so sure if I'll paint them or let them be. I had imagined a nice crisp white, or bold blue. For now, we are enjoying them in their natural wooden state.

The pillow was made with the leftover scraps from my living room curtains. I'm so into yellow right now. I find it particularly peculiar because I NEVER liked yellow-ever, even as a kid. About 2 years ago, all the sudden yellow was like the long long friend I hadn't even realized I was missing.

What will you be making this week?

A little Summer left

While the older two are off at school, and Baby Julian napping, Lucian and myself are soaking up every last bit of "summer" left. The days are still filled with sunny skies, but the mornings now have a touch of brisk, Autumn air. Tree's are still green, but just a few brown leaves have been making their way to our porch & yard. The squirrels have started hiding acorns in all my potted plants. Fall will be here before we know it.

Yesterday, Lucian found three of these little caterpillars. He decided they were a family and went to work reuniting them. A happy Mama, Daddy and baby were relocated together, under a large tree. "Now don't run away and go lost again", he gently tells them.

We made it

We made it through the first, and second days of school. I should say I made it. The kids are beyond thrilled- with their teachers, friends, studies. I'm getting used to a much quieter house with just the two little one's at home. It was so strange today to have the house absolutely quiet for about an hour while the baby was napping, and Lucian, resting in bed [aka- pretending to be a robot in his room, and making a mess. A quiet mess though and this mama couldn't ask for anything more!] I love him in the lat picture. His face says it all "NOOOOooooooo, don't go guys!!"

Tomorrow marks the end of the first week. So far, it's gone by so much smoother, less stressful and anxiety filled than last year. While I do really miss the kids all day, everyone seems happy, and that makes me happiest of all!

School starts

Today marks the end of many things, [at least for the school year].
It's the end of an almost eight year run spending EVERY day of Dylan's life with him. It's been bittersweet for me to send him off to school. The end of entire days spent in the yard. The end of our summer days, the unity of all the kids together in one place. The end of "official" homeschooling, {for now}. The end of staying up late for impromptu movie nights with the kids. The end of the "chance" of sleeping in {not that it happened all summer. sigh}

With the end of some things brings the beginning of many others.
The new daily rhythm of schools. A focused year on Lucian, helping him to build up his self esteem and work on his speech/language. Lots of time to spend with just the little boys.  Preparing for fall {my favorite season of all}, then the darkness of winter, with blankets, snuggles, hats & mittens.

Today will be filled with lots of hugs... and a few tears from mama. A few endings and a few fresh starts.

Made: Monday

Pillow for grandma. I can finally start showing off a few recent gifts I've made. I've had to wait until they were actually gifted to not ruin the surprise.

These are easy and really fun to make! All you have to do is trace your children's hands, {think grade school, thanksgiving turkey style} Depending on the number of children you have , design a layout that looks nice. Ant text would work: We Love Dad, Growing like a weed, 2011... whatever you like. After deciding, I traced the hand prints, and wrote the text to a piece of fabric, cut to the size needed for the pillow. Get to embroidering. That's the fun part! Choose all one color, rainbow, cool colors, warm colors.

Once finished stitch up the pillow, stuff or add pillow form and your done! These would also looked nice with the picture frame project I wrote about a few weeks ago here.

This week

Eating: This week, we are eating lots of tasty salsa, pretty much straight from our garden. This goes great with chips or homemade bread. yum! We've been able to do 90% of our weekly shopping at the Farmers Market & our backyard. I feel pretty great about that. Local tasty goodness!

Making: lots! Baby Quilts for friends, pillows, coffee sleeves, seat cushions, book slings, baby pants. Plus the 101 creative projects that the kids have going on each & everyday.

Enjoying: We are enjoying playing with that little kitten up there. He seems to be incapable of holding still for more than 30 seconds. He's also driving out two older cats nuts, so the children try to entertain him, for their sake.
We are also relaxing! Oh how I love just hanging out! School starts in a few daysand the next few weeks will be anything, but relaxing. I'm carry so much anxiety around with me before school starts. This will be the first year Dylan will be going off to school. We've always homeschooled with him, so it's a big change for me [& him]. He's my first baby. He's the child that made me a mom, not just Jessica. I'm happy & sad all at the same time about sending him off to school. Rest, yes... I do  need some rest.

Coffee Sleeves

I made this fun coffee sleeve for my Dad. He's a HUGE old school, monster, movie buff. The [hard to find] print has all the classics, the Werewolf, Dracula, Creature, Frankenstein. I searched for months to find this fabric for him. [last year I made him a pillow in this print too]. These are really fun to make and useful! Wrap one around your coffee cup or disposable cup and save some tree's without using a paper sleeve.

Other big news for us.. We will be at Craftin Outlaws 2011!  woo-hoo. This will be Kunklebaby's 5th year at the show. It's one of my favorite of the year, with an awesome fun crowd, and so many talented vendors. If your local, or wanna travel that weekend, come down & see us! Sneak peak for the blog readers: I'll have coffee sleeves with me this year at the show. These make great stocking stuffer, and gifts for friends and family.

Mark your calendars early for October 15th, and stop by and say hello.

Made: Monday

New slipper socks. I made these for my kid sister's birthday. [well, she's all of 26 years old this year, but she'll always be my kid sis], I used the pattern for the Broken Rib Socks from the book, 101 Designer one-skein wonders.

I really like how they turned out- color and texture. The pattern was pretty easy to follow, which was important to me because they are the FIRST pair if adult socks I've ever finished. yay! I totally want to make a pair for myself now. 

Happy Monday!

tip of the day

To keep fabric from unraveling and making a crazy, string web in your washer {and losing less of the fabric, esp. on short cuts} serge the cut ends before washing. Only takes a few extra minutes, but the result is oh so nice. I think I love my serger more than my husband today.