animal of the week

photo by the amazing cynthia st.clair. throne fixed by her equally generous husband phil.

Animal of the week is one of the great traditions born of the farmer's market. I generally choose the newest critter as the recipient of the honor. It is my own rule that no animal can wear the banner two weeks.I have regular market goers who stop by every week just to see who is on the tiny throne, so I have a bit of pressure to make stuffed animals regularly. Interestingly, the animal of the week rarely sells the week that it holds the title. Maybe people think it is too special to possibly buy.

sheep pins are baaack.

find a small flock grazing at the farmers market this week.

I wanted to say something about Portlandia, and how this sketch forever altered the face of indie craft markets and my own tiny production line of bird pins in particular. But the babysitter will be back any minute with Franklin and you probably have your own opinions about this show by now anyway. And I know you still want to buy a bird pin for your grandma or a whale for your child's preschool teacher or a sheep for your co-worker who knits...so I'll just say, after a sketch inspired break, I'm crafting some felt cuteness again. enjoy.

headed to the lake (No market 7/16)

These blog posts only seem to go up when I'm not going to be at market.But this time I will at least show you some hats. We are going out to the peninsula for a quick visit with franklin's cousins who have never met him. Naturally, it's supposed to be rainy all weekend. My mom keeps saying, "you can always go for a walk in the rainforest in the rain." sigh.

franklin is still wearing this cotton johnny cap that fit him last year at toad lake. Although this year he doesn't keep it on his head long enough for photos to be taken. Since handcrafted hats can feel like a ridiculous luxury for rapidly growing heads,I am pleased to see if you buy a little big,you can get more than one season out of a moth and squirrel lid.

this may be more accurately how we will be dressed this weekend with layers or wool and hoods and my prototype cotton feather cloche. Look for these in the fall with reverse applique and two layers of cotton. I think it will be the perfect fall(Or northwest summer)lady hat.

I have been trying to recreate and update my all time favorite,scuzzy from so much wear,comfort hat. Favorite Hat is basically a long stocking cap that calms crazy hair,keeps off the rain and makes me feel invincible. It is one of the very first hats I made from a reclaimed sweater, before I was officially moth and squirrel.I have years of photos of me in this hat, all seasons, including just moments after franklin was born. No matter how many new hats I make, I keep digging out the old favorite one. It is surprisingly difficult to get just the right roominess and hug with perfect slouch.I think this feather cloche is pretty close to my ideal with the bonus of being machine washable. Favorite Hat is white wool, which needs to be hand washed, and therefore is always slightly grungy.But perhaps that grunge and mojo is part of it's charm...

Not at Market this Week.

I will be going on my first adventure to Lopez Island with Franklin to celebrate Emmett's high school graduation. I lived with Emmett when he was five. [cue wedding song from fiddler on the roof]I don't remember growing older, when did they?...

uh.uh. guitar.

It is almost impossible for me to sew with this guy around. But I try to get my scrappy craft fix in anyway, especially on a rainy afternoon stuck in the house.
I'm pleased with the results, but honestly, it was a screaming tear filled battle to get this cardboard masterpiece made.He wanted the scissors. And the cardboard. And the tape. And not the pieces I teared off for him. Either those other bloggin' crafty mamas aren't telling the whole story of the things they whip up,they secretly have nannies,or their children are nothing like this busy curious dude.

I intended to cover the whole guitar with paper mache for strength and these would be the in process photos. But living with this guy I am learning to let go of even my scrappy ideas of completion. The masking tape has held up fairly well to his teething. The neck is now bent but in a very rock and roll bend the notes kind of way from playing so hard. And that's exactly the way it should be.