Snow Day

Another Snow Day here today, well I guess it should be called an ice day. A thick layer of ice covered everything here last night. Looks like we will spend the day crafting some Valentine's, and staying warm.

These pictures were taken last week when we went sledding-for the FIRST time. Having grown up in Cleveland, it may seem insane to family that they have never been. It's just something you do with your kids back home! If you are old enough to stand, someone will take you sledding!

Our sledding adventure lasted all of about 10 minutes. Miss {M} was the first to be "over it", quickly followed by Mr. {D} and then Little {L}. The baby was over it before it started. I think he protested the moment I tried to put his hat & coat on. Maybe you can play with the kids next year, baby J!

I can't believe you put me in this foolish hat Mama!

Thanks!

A big thanks to everyone that came out to see me at Craftin Outlaws!! Another successful year for the show. We had an awesome day! Loved the new location, loved the crowd. A special thanks to my friend Mary who came and kept me company for the day. [It was so fun!]

Getting close: Craftin Outlaws

Getting close to Craftin Outlaws! I'm so excited for the show this year! This will be Kunklebaby's 4th year attending the show as a vendor. The vibe of the show is what really makes it fun!

I'm sewing away trying to get ready. I'll have some new quilt designs, new boo-boo packs [so fun & useful], and a whole batch of cool, new bib designs. I'm really excited about all the new pieces, along with some old favorites.

Stop by and shop early for the holiday's. I'll have our newest addition with me for much of the day. While your there, say hello & meet the little guy.

A day of homeschooling

Our day of learning included some singing, dancing, playing with ducks, playing with friends, honking swans and a cute baby [haha]. Mr. {D} has started his second year of homeschooling. We are currently studying habitats, specifically forest animals. A trip to the zoo was in order to see a few of these animals first hand. Did you know a timber wolf [averaging 175 pounds] is more than twice the size of the smaller Mexican Wolves?

I love the freedom to learn "how" we want with homeschooling. I just finished a whole lesson plan for a year with a focus of photography for {D}. He would never have been able to take photography lessons in first grade in a traditional school. It allows him to flourish, be creative and incorporate letters, text, reading, science, art & design all at the same time. Lots of fun projects in the works-so perfect for him. So be prepared to see a few of his pics throughout the next year.

The only little hitch with homeschooling this year, is having Miss {M} enrolled in a traditional elementary school. We lose 1.5 hours a day to travel. In the car, outta the car, to pick up and drop off with 4 kids takes quite a bit of time [and a few meltdown from our resident toddler]. -sigh- Just the lunch making and shoe finding in the morning is exhausting. I'm tired and it's day 3...4? Of well, I guess it will work itself into a rhythm over time. I'm just excited to still share my day with my oldest son. A piece of my heart leaves every morning with my daughter, as she bounces into her school. I don't think it gets easier, you just get used to it.

Working

Kunklebaby will be at Craftin Outlaws for our 4th year this October! YAY! I know I have months to get ready, but... things have been going a little slower here since the baby joined us. I am actually trying to be prepared for something over time [-gasp-], rather than spending an entire week before an event without sleeping. The end result is the same, lots of kunklebaby goodness, but I'm hoping this is a little less stressful, path.

If your keeping tally, of the 4 years I have done Craftin Outlaws, I've been nursing for two[counting this year] and pregnant for the other two--yeah I'm that girl. Every time you see me, I'm either carrying a new baby or telling you about the new one I'm working on growing [and I love it!].

Looks like this is another year, hubby will have to shuttle the kids back & forth all day from the show so I can feed Baby Unicorn. If we get lucky, he may take a bottle or two, but O'm not holding my breathe on that one. Little {L} was a strict breastfeeder only, as in he would rather starve than have to even think of drink from a bottle [insert dramatic, baby -gasp- here].

This would be a handy time to have family or friends in town to babysit the bigger kids. Anyone in the family want to raise their hands and come to Columbus for a visit. Anyone... anyone...? Bueller? Anyone want to just come to the show and keep me company? Do I hear the kids Pet Cricket chirping?-lol.

More Fair

We were able to convince Daddy to go back to the fair. Yay! His mother was coming into town, and what's better than taking Nani to the fair? With all of our family living out of town, it's rare that the kids get to spend time with their grandparents, so we take full advantage when we can. Things that a lot of people take for granted are hard to come by for us. Finding a babysitter, playtime time or reading with grandparents, dinner with grandma or grandpa's are rare occasions for us! We are always excited when Nani come to town!

A few things had changed since we last visited. ALL the pregnant animals had their babies. There were three little sheep, chicks, and several calves. It was so fun to watch the new little creatures trying to walk, visiting with the children and just having fun!

Yeah...every year they make these huge sculptures made of butter. My husband loves them, I think they are so silly! He loves them because of just how ridiculous they are!

Flashback Friday

This is right about the time every year that I start lusting for Fall. When it's 100 degree's and the sun is beating down on me, I think, fall is so so lovely! So for Flashback Friday this week, I'm thinking of fall. We take a trip each year to Reznik's pumpkin patch in southern Ohio. They have as many pumpkins as you can carry for a set price. Each year the kids try and get their Daddy to carry more than the year before. [Pretty soon his arms are going to break on a trip-haha]

This was Little {L}'s first year to the patch. He enjoyed chewing on pumpkin vines most of all [yeah, gross!]. We've been going since {D} & {M} were babies. It's on the the fall activities that I look forward to most of all. Just a fun day hanging out at the farm. They always have some bluegrass band playing, scarecrow making booth, lots of yummy goodies in their shop also.

So I'm ready for you, Fall! Bring it on.

M.I.A

I've been away from the blog for a whole week. No, we didn't take an impromptu vacation, just busy with everyday things and 4 children to make happy. We've spent the week hanging out at Comfest, visiting friends, riding bikes, dancing, enjoying the lovely weather, and lots of baby snuggling-LOTS!

We made it to Comfest this year-even with four little one's in tow. We've gone every year since we moved to Columbus, so it felt right to take the newest baby along for the fun. We mostly hang out during the day now that we have kids. Back in the day it was a weekend of hanging out, drinking beer and enjoying the music & the people watching. The only thing that has changed is the drinking beer part...mama always seems to be pregnant or nursing. Truthfully, I don't miss it one bit.

Zoo Lights

We visited the Columbus Zoo for our annual zoo lights trip over the weekend. The trip had a rough start this year! Our van has been running poorly for weeks, but we decided to take a chance and drive to the zoo [about 25 minutes away]. Everything seemed to be going fine until we got about 10 minutes from the zoo. The traffic was so bad that it took up over an hour to make it to the parking lot from this point. It was inch by inch driving, {L} was screaming and the bigger kids whining away! Then the van started running SUPER bad and I was sure it was going to break down right in the middle of traffic causing a riot among the cars trapped behind us. In my head I pictured people yelling at us with anything, but Christmas spirit.

Luckily, that scene only played out in my head and we arrived, a little frazzled, but there! The kids had the greatest time. The zoo had several brand new displays this year and it was like being a kid again for me. {L} was so excited to be able to walk around like a big boy with us[not buckled into the stroller] that he didn't even try to run away once-a first for him!

All three children decorated cookies with Mrs. Claus, the highlight of the trip. The cookies were actually pretty gross tasking, but the kids said they were DELICIOUS! Lots of sprinkles and globs of frosting always equals tasty to kids!

Over the Weekend!

I had THE greatest time over the weekend at the Tiny Canary Show 2009. I sold lots of stuff, met some awesome new people and got to catch up with old friends.

The show was really successful this year! Tons of shoppers and a really happy, friendly crowd. A few items were really a hit this year. I completely sold out of sweater balls and got close to sell out with my hand printed, organic bibs. My regular bibs found their way into many new homes also!

It was fun chatting with lots of new mommies! There were many pregnant women, or friends of at the event, with great stories to share. Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table!

Tiny Canary this weekend!

Just a quick reminder for anyone local, Tiny Canary is this weekend! Get all your holiday gifts, handmade and all in one spot this weekend.

This weekend, November 14-15th @ Junctionview Studio's.

10-6pm each day.

I will be there both days, so stop by and say hello. I'll have all my usual finding, some fun new bib prints and lots of yummy, colorful quilts!

It's a great show that houses lots of talented artists! Plus, the organizers are passing out to the first 100 in attendance each day:

A FREE Tiny Canary tote bag stuffed with coupons and other goodies!

Feels like Fall!

It's been cold and rainy here all week! While I usually like a less damp Fall, it's been lovely. The tree's are all beautiful shades of red and gold. The kids are getting more and more excited about Halloween. Tomorrow night we break out the decorations. Our littlest guy was ill over the weekend, so we had to put off the decorating until he was started to feel better...and honestly when mama was a bit rested! Sick babies sure make for sleepy mama's!

I'm doing all my last minute preparing for Craftin Outlaws this weekend. If your anywhere close to Columbus, Ohio-come out and visit! The show will be at the Lodge Bar this year. I've got lots of new blankets, scarves and mini-houses to show. It's always a fun day! This weekend marks my wedding anniversary too. Maybe if we are lucky me and my husband can grab some carryout and snuggle up with a movie....wishful thinking, but possible. Ohhh, how things change after you've had kids-lol.

Accepted to Tiny Canary!!

YAY! I just found out I have been accepted to be a vendor at Tiny Canary for the second year. It's a great handmade, indie show that is housed at a local artists studio space. I have a fabulous time last year! Great crowd, great organizers and great talent.
Come visit me there the weekend of November 14-15th. Click on the tiny canary image in my side bar for directions and a list of vendors.

Now to get sewing!!

Pumpkin Patch

We spent Sunday afternoon at the pumpkin patch. My absolute favorite fall event. We head to Southern Ohio, to a cute little family farm. You pick your own pumpkins and then it's a flat rate for all you can carry. We got 8 this year!! My husband is really stepping up his game. Haha!

This year, the big kids loved running through the field in search the most perfect...green pumpkin. Every few years the kids want to get all green colored one's. While we got 2 out of 8 this year, the majority was still orange.

Mr. {D} found this cool one. The handles looked like a dragon face. He also found a few ladybugs. Little miss {M}, was happy to run around and play in the dirt and vines. The baby had just woken from a nap when we arrived. He was rather annoyed that we woke him up and spent the first part of the trip throwing pumpkins out of HIS wagon. Once he finally woke up, he had a blast running around and dancing to the bluegrass band.

Independence Day Festival

The festival went great over the weekend. Here's a few pics of my booth space. We had a really nice spot with pretty sunshine filtering in throughout most of the day. This was the only outdoor show, all year that it didn't rain on us. I was SO thankful!!

I got to chat with some awesome former customers, meet some really cool new one's, and talk with some old friends. My favorite moment of the day was playing with a sweet little toddler named, Theo. He has the prettiest little curls in his hair, and an awesome personality.

It was a long, long day, as I arrived about 9:45am and left at 10pm. There was so much going on with vendors checking in, traffic jams and getting the bands, artists and customer, but they pulled if off great[not an easy task]!! Lots of cool stuff to see, lots of fun people to meet.

I even picked up some pretty new blue & green wool yarn. This time, I am actually making something for myself! Yay!

::Sweater Balls and Quilts::

:: Scarves, tote bags and skirts ::

::Center of booth ::

:: More scarves and my mannequin ::