From the Work Basket: February

A little birdie reminded me that I had better get a work basket project posted before the end of the month, so here it is

either a really late or a really early tummy time mat (no, I am not pregnant). Remember this was a project to incorporate BT's virtually destroyed baby blanket into a new blanket for Hank. I was able to cut out a piece of fabric from the blanket with minimal staining to use as the backing for the play quilt.

When I left this project, the fabric was cut and the top about halfway done. The story book fabric was found quite some time ago in one of the $2 fabric bags at the thrift store. The fabric was, truly, scraps, so it was difficult to fussy cut pieces this small to show off the scenes and provide variety. Other fabrics from my stash.

Not much interest in tummy time any more

Remaining work basket projects (not in order)

- Quilt for my mom

- Sandwich wrap

- Carpet bag

- Tunic

- Apron repair

- Hooded towel repair

- Vest for Hank
- New bulletin board
- Men's shirt refashion

- Skirt

Completed projects:

- Baby pants (January)

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Favorite of the day: Another of those "one of each, please" posts

Working on: Not much. I'm lazy.

Valentine's Day

with friends,

fondue, and homemade marshmallows

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Favorite of the day: Love this!

Working on: Still recovering - but getting closer!

A Valentine from my burly man

(just for the record - the beard was never a major issue)

On this day, a guy will give lots of things to show you that he cares,
like chocolate or flowers or fancy underwears.
With that in mind, you may find this year's gift to be a bit weird,
for I'm giving you the heartfelt gift of my burly beard.

My beard presents an issue of which I am well aware,
that prevents you from properly showing that you care.
And so when my curly fuzz disappears without a trace,
I look forward to all your kisses upon my naked face.

-BT-

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

I've been waiting

to put together this gift for a 3-year-old

I bought these felt lidded containers forever ago at a Japanese dollar store. Of course, one could easily make something like this, but for a little over a dollar, why bother.

And now, with a special friend to gift them to, the containers were filled with 1 bouncy ball, 2 cars, and 3 homemade chunky crayons.

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Favorite of the day: An idea for next year?

Working on: icy/hot. Yes - granny threw out her back AGAIN

Transition

My little boy is growing up.

Of course I knew this would happen, but it still just surprises me sometimes to see him running around the house doing whatever his little mind leads him to do, versus my memory of the little spaced out bean in a too big bouncy seat who could barely keep his head up.

{sigh}

Now he asserts his likes - sunbutter and jelly sandwiches instead of chicken. Water instead of milk. Read this book not that one again. And again. And again.

We had to remove the chair in the corner of the nursery as it was becoming a safety hazard. The corner looked very empty, so I put in a bean bag chair and some stickers of one of his favorites - cars. He loves to push cars around and make Vroom noises. So we also got a playmat to encourage his imaginative play

and I made him a new comforter cover using a Marimekko sheet from Leslie

I could have bought him a new car-themed comforter cover, but I would like to make something that incorporates cars, but is not an all over car print. I need some time to figure out how to make this a big boy room.

This will do for now. Cars and jungle animals all jumbled up. We're in transition, after all. He's still my baby, with the little boy peeking through.

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Recent favorite: This is such a cute idea - perfect gifts chosen for Rome, as implemented, but could be fun with other words as well.

Working on: Getting back on track with dinner making

Be Mine.

So I've been going a little overboard making Hank's Valentine greetings (again).

I can't help it! It started with a random purchase of a package of temporary tattoos of hearts and roses. Then I saw these, which were perfect to go with the tattoo/bad boy image. Next, I saw this picture in Parents magazine

and thought hey, Hank could pull off that look. I was totally right, by the way

I gave him a cookie after this shot to compensate for impeding on his play time and to thank him for giving me the perfect sulk. I put the tattoos on the back of a wallet size print of the picture.

Next, I found out about these lovely Valentine cards (forget the source!)

They are really nice quality, and totally worth the price, but I could only afford to get them for Hank's cousins.

Suckers are cheap, though, and I've put together 42 guitars so far. 42! I didn't know we knew that many people! Since I'd already boarded the train headed to Crazy Town, I decided to use this idea, too, this year for a few of Hank's girlfriends using socks from the Target dollar section

Next year would somebody please tell me it's ok to just buy a box of Valentines from the dollar store and call it a day?

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Favorite of the day: Ok - this freaks me out a bit

Working on: Listening to some great tunes that remind me of you all :)

Bubbles!

It's times like these I wish I knew how to take better pictures

The eyesore of a whirlpool tub that came with the house may be good to have around after all. Hank is standing up in these pictures, so yeah - there are a LOT of bubbles!

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Favorite of the day: Vans

Working on: Should work on Valentine stuff, but will I?

'Cause nothing says "I love you" like itchy, scratchy burlap

I've been seeing a sprinkling of burlap wreaths on the internets this past month

and decided to make one of my own for V-day. I used this site for a tutorial.

I found a scrap of red burlap this past summer at the church rummage sale. None of my rummaging finds at that sale were priced, and the poor folks manning the cash registers were not quite sure what all of the items were, let alone what to charge for them. I suppose they looked more like trash than something of value. By the way, I have been meaning to share a kitschy craft with you inspired by a rummage sale find - just need to purchase pin backs. But I digress...

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Favorite of the day: I'm one of dozens who favorited this today.

Working on: Helping poor Hank feel better

Do something creative every day

A challenging endeavor, but certainly rewarding if implemented

Some days my creativity sessions are a little "weak sauce" compared to someone who can, oh, cut, piece, quilt, and bind a quilt in one day. But, the simple act of cutting a few textured fabric pieces to put in a basket for Hank to explore is still to some degree rewarding.

So is watching him dump said basket of fabric scraps over his head.

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Favorite of the day: More Valentines! 1 2 3

Working on: Too many ideas - not enough action.