Ransacked Goods

Tea Tins For Paint Brushes

The other day I turned this tea tin into a cute little paint brush holder for Chickpea with a little bit of doodled paper and glue. Am I the only one who hold on to little tins because they could be useful for something and they sit and sit empty forever? I think this one has been in my desk for at least 2 years. Better to turn things into useful objects than hoard them right. So then I ran across these tins below in an old copy of Martha a few days later. Leave it to Martha to have already figured it out. They do make a nice collection though, don't they.

Martha's Memorabilia Tins 

The Girl Effect

I’m working with a professor who sent me a link to this. Have you seen it? Check it out.

More Buckets

I had a productive weekend of sewing. Here are a few more of the fabric buckets (pattern from Maya Made). They are so great for stashing toys and projects and just the right size for Chickpea to carry around the house and pack back up again. I’d love to make one in a huge size though, maybe 20” in diameter. I could just see it filled with stuffed animals or laundry. And since they are all made out of fabric they are easy to stash when not in use unlike a basket.

Perfect Day (almost)

It was a more than beautiful day here. Winter, you have been officially kicked out for another year. 75 degrees and total sunshine, tank tops, flip flops, open doors, lemonade and cool Vietnamese food. I surprised Chickpea with a trip to Fairyland this morning and she was over the moon with excitement. We watched an outdoor puppet show about a princess and a unicorn, rode the Jolly Trolley and ate our special lunch - a very successful adventure. We packed in some gardening to boot. It was a perfect day...

That is except for you bitter, ice queen, parking ticket lady.Who gives a pregnant lady running across the street carrying a 2-year-old on her hip a $55 ticket on such a wonderful day? And I'm just telling you now because I was keeping my act together in front of my child - You suck! And I hope you have a terrible weekend! No sunshine and fairies for you!!

To the rest of you, have a wonderful weekend filled with goodness.

Clover Cookie

 

irish soda bread scones

via smittenkitchen.com

I was thinking that I'd get all festive and try an Irish Soda Bread this year. I'm going to cross it off my list because the list is already SOOO long. But don't they look great. There is always hope for better planning next year... or the year after that.

Archiving

So I'm working on archiving around here - a task that I have put off over and over again. Old home movies, new videos, prints, digital photos, albums... I'm trying to get it all backed up on DVD or organized in books and boxes. Above are super 8 reels from 1974-82 that my dad shot. I haven't seen them in about 20 years but I've had them sitting in this box and they aren't going to last forever. There are notes written on the cases indicating my first steps, my younger brother being brought home, a trip to Mexico, the beach house, birthday parties. Not many people my age have moving documents of these events like we do for our children now. They are worth preserving even though it will cost a pretty penny. I'm eager to pick up the DVDs and watch them in a few weeks. I have a picture in my head of what my great grandmother's house and land looked liked to me as a child that I explore in my head occasionally as I'm trying to go to sleep. Will I be surprised by what it really looked like? As I go through all of this I'm reminded that we can only hold on to so much of the past. We can't nor should we document and preserve every last detail but rather enjoy the present.

Research

I did a little "research" at the fabric store today for Apple's quilt. Really, I've been very good about buying new fabric and haven't done so in months. I love the gray one with the chartreuse birds. I've found myself drawn to gray fabric lately but it's so hard to find good ones. Here are some more quilts I've found for inspiration.

via Crazy Mom Quilts

via kelly mccaleb handmade

via Film in the Fridge

Today's Pick-Me-Ups

via www.orlakiely.com

What to do when you're in self imposed exile from childcare because of Slap Cheek during pregnancy? Why useless pick-me-up, guilt free shopping of course. I snagged this bag in a brand new Spring design from Orla minutes after I spotted it in the shop window. I'm saying I can justify it because I know it is such high quality it will last a lifetime. Plus, dang it is so cute and we're all allowed an impulse buy! I'm still kicking myself for not picking up the pieces she designed for Target a little while back.

via www.calicocritters.com

Chickpea was head over heals picking out this Calico Critters set from the toy store. Frankly she hates the wooden dolls that came with her doll house and prefers these little animal families. I can't blame her, the wood ones are a little scary. She kept saying "Thank you Mommy. I'm so happy." and went down for nap clutching her baby kittens and their little plastic potty. (Thanks for the tip Nicole) Our lives are so full of generous hand-me-downs it's nice to remember what it's like to pick out something new you really want just for yourself.

A trip to the nursery for spring plants and a yummy lunch of Thai food with the hubby near campus made for a good day too.

Growing a Girl

I'm working on my snack repertoire for Chickpea. Seriously, this girl is growing... Every other minute for the last month she's saying either "I'm hungry" or "I'm tired". By 9am this morning she had eaten: a bowl of Cheerios with milk, half an English muffin, a glass of green juice, half a banana, a full graham cracker and half a yogurt. I don't think I could even do that if I tried. And afternoon snacks are serious around here. When I picked her up from school the other day she ate a bowl of cottage cheese, fruit leather and a whole carrot all at once. Did I mention she's not even 3? This appetite reminds me that satisfying hunger is an opportunity to fulfill nutrients, explore food diversity and broaden her pallet. And we're lucky we have a fairly adventurous eater here who is only turned off by potatoes and spicy food. I realize some kids have difficulty try things beyond toast, mac n' cheese and taquitos despite having food loving and happily cooking parents. They grow and tastes change, I know mine do. But food is about exploring, savoring, sharing and keeping our bodies healthy. It's a long journey to nurture and cultivate that sensibility within a child, perhaps one snack at a time.

Here's a little more food for thought...

Hungry Monkey: A Food-Loving Father's Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater

White Elephant Sale 2010

via www.etsy.com

Elephant by Orange Willow

Hit the White Elephant Sale again this year with my friend Julia. We both scored with very modest dents to our wallets. Lesson learned, even if you get their early, just pay for parking. The crowds were overwhelming but organized chaos prevailed at this Costo sized garage sale. Never know what you're going to unearth!

My favorite find was this first edition printing of a childhood favorite called The Stray by Betsy James Wyeth and illustrated by Jamie Wyeth who was a classmate of my mother. It's long since out of print and I believe my brother has the copy we grew up with. So glad to have my own.

Finished Bench

After much pestering and pleading the husband finally painted the bench for me (darn those toxic chemicals or I would have done it myself). Even though it's bright, I'm so happy with the way it turned out. It will look darling outside or even inside. Certainly a happy kid place.

Etsy :: Graphite Petals Necklace

via www.etsy.com

This little pick-me-up from Wish By Felicity just arrived at my door today. Isn't it pretty for spring? I love her bead work with the subtle oxidized silver, plus it's really affordable.

Apple's Quilt Pattern

via www.dsquilts.com

I'm thinking about the baby quilt I'll make the latest wee-one (nicknamed "Apple" by her sister "Chickpea") before she arrives. This one is called Single Girl by Denyse Schmidt whose designs are so lovely they can do no wrong. I used the another DS pattern for Chickpea's quilt in greens which I adore (below at 8 months). There is also a really pretty version in orange over at Wise Craft.

Check out her other free download of a really cute Scottie Dog stuffie. I may need to make one of these too. I'm so optimistic aren't I.