Last weekend for Holiday Shopping

My goods will be at the Pacific Arts Holiday Market one last weekend fri-sun,10am-6pm.
And then I get to have a week to do my own holiday gift making like a crafty mama should.
I am also working to finish all overdue special orders before the new year. Funny how I said I wasn't going to do any special orders this year with the baby,but here I am mid december finishing off a half dozen hats that have been hanging over my head (like anvils ready to drop, not like hats which should, in a sense, hang over your head.) Once I finally sat down to do them, they were each a little bit fun with their specific fabrics and odd sizes bringing out my creativity. (Unfortunately I am in such a rush to finally get them to their owners that I haven't taken any photos.)

Thank you for a fantastic Urban Craft Uprising.

merry christmas craft season!

I made a few very green wreaths this week in an attempt to both use every last little bit of fabric I have collected and make something that I could work on while Franklin was awake. He helped me mix up all the scraps of felted wool with a big orange rubber spatula on the floor. This insured a truly random and organic placement of colors and sizes. Then he was a champ for this photo session (in his just finished birthday sweater I have been knitting since I was pregnant.) You can buy this very very green wreath at the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle this Saturday and Sunday. Looks like Steeb may have some competition this year for winning moth and squirrel's unpaid employee of the month award...

radical gratitude

I am tempted to feel sorry for myself today.Franklin's play date (solo sewing time) was canceled due to illness (get well soon ryan!) as was one with jasper last week.It's still nasty icy out. Deadlines are looming.The heater at the studios keeps going out and it is my duty to try to do something about it. Holidays can feel lonely and disappointing even without the pressure to earn a living at Christmas. Juggling my crafty business and parenting can be isolating with all the focus it takes. You get the idea. Winter blahs plus baby blues times work anxiety equals self pity while the boy throws cheerios around the living room.So, in an attempt to change my attitude here is a thanksgiving inspired list:
I am thankful for...
a healthy curious almost one year old baby named franklin
a kind and capable father/husband/friend/number one unpaid employee named steeb
a studio in which to make big felty messes
a home that is cozy despite the weather outside
big pots of pumpkin soup and beef stew
strong coffee in favorite mugs made by cary lane
more ideas than time to execute them
making money from scraps and creativity
staying cuddled up under blankets sewn by loved ones
knit hats and mittens created with spincycle yarns

crunch time

It is that time of year again. When I thought I was doing well and then I realized I was terribly behind schedule.When unexpected health problems(this year just a nasty stomach flu)throw off my plan for efficiently using every last minute before the big shows. When my family celebrations take the backseat to potential family income. When I fall into bed exhausted then can't sleep with to-do lists and guilt taking turns running around my mind.
Also when I am most inspired and think of new items I want to make. When I want to sew gifts for friends and all the expected babies. When curling up with a steaming mug of something and a knitting project seems the perfect way to weather the storm.
Oh november. will you always be this way?
Here's what helps:
small doses of my favorite christmas music while sewing. This year the top albums are James Brown, Charlie Brown and a mix I made with contemporary classics like Do they know its christmas, simply having a wonderful christmas time and christmas in hollis.

the moment franklin falls asleep for a nap I take out my hand sewing.

networking with all the awesome crafty mamas I know to trade kid care.

a horoscope I received telling me that there was freedom in the unknown.

remembering I chose this lifestyle.