a post worth a thousand posts...the SWEATER!

Oh man. I gots a lots to say. I gots a lots a lego to get building, I gots a lots a two year old to keep happy, and I gots a lots a baby to feed! Swimmin' in mammahood!

(side note - did you know you can order individual lego pieces? I just learned this and I am so excited about that! We lost a wheel the day we bought our last pack and It has been driving me crazy...who knew I could just go and buy it from the website for a grand total of 17cents!!!)

So cool that m'dme tired of smiling has written a post in my post...on friendship. Oh the post circle! Just want to say I agree with her, and have some thoughts now about it too. Firstly, I think when people work together rather than just hang out it is a good thing, like really putting heart into something...plus, I heard somewhere that a friendship is only worth keeping if one of you is learning from the other one (or you are both learning...) and its important to keep balance. Maybe that's what I need...balance! Oh, and I think there's also something to having a "gang" or a group of friends that love each other and work together. There's an energy when people get together as a group, that is different than one on one. Both are good, but its not often I find myself with a group of friends, that all enjoy each other's company...d'ya know?

I been doing Qi Gong in the mornings again. So. Good. I do the Micheal Tse version of "healthy living Gong". I have the three DVD's and periodically I pull them out. I have done a couple workshops in person with Michael Tse and a friend who is a teacher in his school. But I think the DVD's are OK on their own. I have found that having the DVD is good to do in the winter and when big M is not really ready to let me just do my own thing in the morning. This way he can watch the DVD too, and practice a long and its not so torturous for him. Also, I actually do it, cus its a limited time and I can conceive of just following along. The benefits of Qi Gong, its history and the joy of learning it are subjects for further posts...but I can say it is bringing me much joy and contentment...

OK, and now the grand finale! The sweater is DONE! Thank you, thank you, yes yes, I did it myself, no, no please stop gushing..I know, its gorgeous.



That's how I feel any ways, like I deserve a standing ovation! I wish I could spread this sweater over like, 20 posts, as that's what its worth to me. And to think I m using up all this crafty show-off-ability in just one post, is, well, sad. But that's how it is. I wish I could be like some out there who seem to post a new sweater, purse, back or outfit handmade every day! But no. From me you get one sweater, made from a pattern, in adorable crochet for babies and toddlers - in the "naturals" section. I loved the pattern and am so pleased as to how it turned out. I used a bamboo/wool blend as it is washable, warm, natural and so soft. (also cheap!) So, here it is, modeled by the handsome Emery... sigh, my baby, in the sweater...what is more lovely?

Oh, yeah. (there's more?) I am attending the calgary urban agriculture meet up tonight...should be cool. Will you be there? See the facebook group for details, come if you can. I'll post about it when I get back...growing stuff...yeah, I know - its so COOL!

link d'link link.

(above is a recent family pic...)

Hi all.

So I am cleaning out my favorites box, and realize there are some great links I have saved for myself that I want to share!

Firstly I got a haircut today. I have to remember to do that more often. It feels so nice to have hair that is, well...like...cut. So smooth and all that.

And so, heres a link to a really wicked activity idea...We are planning on going to NZ in december, and though it is many months away I am already thinking about that 2day plane ride, with a toddler and baby, that may kill us. I think this activity bag idea may be the ticket!

And then heres a recipe for baby wipe solution. cool. We will be cloth diapering it...might as well go all the way!

And then, I havnt been doing much crochet recently. I have the excuse that I've been busy, but the real truth is that I dont have the right supplies, nor the funds to really go out of my way to buy nice wool. I made many mitts out of merino wool that is so soft, but expensive! And, I want to make bigger things, but realize that I need to find a good source of material before that happens... Anyways, for when it does, I cant wait to make these socks!

OK, and for those of you not also addicted to the Angry chicken blog, I have also started washing my hair with only baking soda and vinegar. Ive been doing it for almost two months now, and well, its working out pretty well! I wouldnt say my hair is as nice as today out of the salon, but it is clean, healthy and easy to keep. And I only need to wash it like once a week! I even died it recently, and the colour looks great because my hair is so healthy. So there you go. Its also really cheap, and I dig the fact that I can use the same stuff to wash my hair, exfoliate my skin, and clean the tub! And I could eat it too! For details about how to wash your hair with Baking soda and vinegar, check out this website.

Actually, flipping through her blog, there are so many things in there that I have adopted! The rice cooking, the baking soda hair thing, the bread making, the arts and crafts...man, I should be paying her!

Shes got a great idea for baby clothes. This is totally my style, and I think that I may just do this for the next baby and get rid of the piles of stained hand-me-downs from big brother, and others. A simple tie-died wardrobe seems most appropriate...no?

Oh, and I am still meaning to make my own deoderant too.

I am in the market for one of these.. If you cant tell from the site its a high chair. I know a couple people who have it, and its great. I love that it could work for Mr. 2 year old, until baby can sit in it, then pass it on. It also looks nice, and doesnt trap food in it the way my current one does, and that totally grosses me out...

OK, I think thats enough stuff for one day. I gotta keep these things straight you know!

Play toy oven for toddlers!

Last weekend we had a little creative moment around here. Marcel has been second hand watching the Jamie Oliver show, and well, I guess its also common for kids his age to become interested in cooking...
Hes been cooking everything!...and I wanted him to have a cute little oven to make his muffins and cookies in. I dont have the room for a play kitchen nor the money to buy a beautiful wood one like I want...so we improvised! I stapled a door to the bottom of our microwave stand from IKEA (staples on the inside so when we remove the door they will be invisible...) Also bought some knobs and a handle at Rona and Presto! A little oven to make muffins, cookies and whatever else this little guys heart desires! Muffin trays and little muffin papers are a lot of fun, but I am researching buying hand made - pretend food, (or trying to make some myself) because I think that its adorable, and would make such a nice toy around here.

I'll keep you posted!

OH, and in case you are in Canada, don't forget to POWER VOTE for Martin Kerr - Hes got a big challenge ahead, and we all want to see him in the top 10 on Canadian Idol! Vote 9:25 - 11:30 as many times as you can - its free! Thanks!

a new(ish) bag, and a book!

We are having so much fun around here. I finally bought Amanda's book - The Creative Family. I have had in on hold for like two years...!
So, I havnt read all of it, maybe like a quarter of it. I am already inspired, and its ideas have coloured our activities around here. Firstly, I realized we hadnt been to our local thrift store in a while... so off we went. I had to snatch quick moments to shop,as the toy section was far too exciting for Marcel to leave. I realize I need to bring someone, then we can trade off thrifting while one watches kids...any avid thrifter out there want to come next time? I bought some fun stuff there...I will show and tell soon.

OK, back track. I'm going to post all my stories at once if I don't get a grip...first things first. A while back I mentioned my kid needs a bag... well, soon after his auntie made him one! It is so wonderful to have a sister that sews! This bag has become quite special to Marcel. He takes it to the mall with him. Often when we have a hard time getting out the door, we tell him to get his bag and put the toys in that he wants to bring...sometimes he goes and does this on his own. A little firetruck and a race car are the two favorites right now. They play "stuck!" that's when one gets stuck and the other car has to help rescue him. (I think this comes from watching Pixar's "cars" - so glad, that what he got out of our little regression into mass media!) Anyways, this is a big big thank you to Auntie for making the bag. It is well loved, and used, and I think makes for a really cool outfit! (He wont wear it over one shoulder - but around the neck as in the pics. Dont know why, but thats his style!

montessori furniture for homes, sketch

Hi guys. Here are a couple sketches of some loose ideas I had for Montessori furniture for homes. I have been looking on sites that sell Montessori furniture, and as far as I can see all of it is meant for classrooms. It is not designed to fit into a home environment, where there is less room for furniture. In a home it needs to fit with the rest of the decor, and often serve multiple purposes.

For this reason I started thinking about a "kitchen" piece a "living" piece and a "grooming" piece. (sorry sketches of the grooming piece have yet to be drawn, but you get the idea - a place to sit, a mirror, tooth brush, water, face cloths and hair brush...all tucked away in a pretty box that fits on your stair landing...)

Now I know these are pretty sketchy, but the kitchen one is meant to serve as a seating bench, that could, after dinner transform so kids can wash and put away their own dishes. It could also be used for "wet" educational activities, when not needed as a bench.

The living one is meant to hold a lamp, and be a sort of low buffet or coffee table, but could have a roll-out little chair, and places for activites and books. It also can roll into the center of the room, and kids can stand around it to do their work.

Anyways, those are my ideas. I hope they inspire you. And if any of you know a cheap furniture maker for hire, I'm in the market!

how I make fingerless mitts

So I make a rectangle shape like this. I first make the band, to wrap tight around your wrist. I make this using a single stitch where you only cast into the back side of the stitch each time. Then I work single stitches into the top row of the band. I add a couple stitches on each end to make room for the bulk of your thumb. After enough rows to get from the top of your wrist to the crease in your thumb I back off like four stitches on each side and keep going till the knuckles.



then I fold in half and stitch like this:

(leave a hole for the thumb)



It should look like this:

and like this on the other side:


but then...I do the thumb. Now this is very complicated...in that I do it different each time. And I gave the gloves away before taking a photo of them finished, so you have to look at the other ones I did...

For the thumb I basically single stitch around the hole adding and subtracting to make it slant upwards on the same angle as the thumb. This basically means stitching back and forth at the bottom enough times to catch op to the top and then just go around and around. You can decrease quite a few stitches at the top, as its nice for the thumb hole to be nice and snug around the top.

OK, thats it. Not really a pattern, but Its the best I got.

Fashion maven...

I am not. But I am realizing more and more that I like clothes! I always felt that fashion had to do with body image, and poor self esteem...My friend wrote a post on her experience with the body image blues and I know exactly what shes talking about.

But in my travels through blog land, I am finding so many creative and talented people who are dedicating their time to making beautiful things for people to wear, and to feel beautiful in! - Have you seen uniform studio? An architect turned fashion designer. I love her sense of texture, and colour and minimal beauty. Or another blogger, who has made this dress , that I think is absolutely gorgeous! It makes me rethink how we clothe ourselves as an expression of how we feel, and a way to really enjoy the way we look, and to have fun!

So, I have found, for me, the perfect alternative to the happy-sucking fashion magazine. I secretly enjoy fashion magazines, especially the fashion pictures. (hmmm maybe thats not such a secret anymore...dang it) I love seeing, you know, what "they" are wearing these days...and getting inspired about how I can rearrange my wardrobe. Unfortunately I also get bombarded with other stuff, and find myself considering buying cellulite cream, or anti-aging products...go figure.

But this! This, is awesome. (click on "this" to see what I'm talking about - mom...) People take photos of themselves in outfits they remixed from their own wardrobe. Outfits that they will actually wear that day. This is so fun! I can scroll through, look at the outfits, get inspired, re-think my own look, and never have a body image thought go through my head. All sorts of people put pictures here, and all sorts of fashion too. This really is how I can find out..."what are they wearing these days"...and really enjoy doing it! (Oh, what fun!...I dont know if I would ever have the guts to post one of my outfits here, but I have to say, I am tempted!)

Below are some photos from yesterday's pool that I really dig. FYI.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/27665206@N00/2214907806/in/pool-wardrobe_remix

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vappuaneri/2214497272/in/pool-wardrobe_remix

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88373917@N00/2215148432/in/pool-wardrobe_remix

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jemnifur/2214381467/in/pool-wardrobe_remix

my man needs a bag...

Hi.

Just a quick note.

In my blog trails I came accross this post by a mamma who has made her son an adorable tote bag. This has made me realize that my son needs an adorable tote bag too. Now that hes, like, drawing and bringing his art supplies to day-home, and such. Also, to pick up bits of things that are important that have been left on the road. Also, of course, to insure that a mini tractor is always on hand.

Now, I dont sew...but I could choose some fabric and perhaps my lovable neighbour will sew it for me...or my sister...any pattern suggestions? Maybe I need to do some more searches. Luckbeans always has gorgeous bags...but is this possible for me? Maybe I need to buy that book by angry chicken...maybe.

baby painting

So. I am so excited to show you this. M and I did this painting together, and it now hangs in our kitchen. We had do much fun making it. I am desperate to get another canvas and do it again!
What makes this painting different is that I allowed M to paint however and wherever (on the canvas) he liked, but I was in charge of choosing and mixing colours. I also limited the amount of paint as we got into the top layers. I made the paint transparent using acrylic medium and water so that the layers below would show up. I also changed up the paint brush size as we went...

I saved paint from when we painted the kitchen and used this in the painting, so it matches perfectly.

The painting is 28" x 28" and painted in acrylic.






M was so into painting this. We would do a layer a day, sometimes two. Using a big canvas made the project more special, and helped M stay on the workspace...which is helpful when the alternative is the kitchen floor! And here is the finished painting: (The colours are subtle and hard to photograph, especially in this winter light...the depth and layers are a little stronger in real life...IMO!)

And here is the little artist taking a cuppa, while he ponders the deeper things in life.


I'm thinking of doing this as a business. I could come over for an hour every week and mix the paint and do a little education on abstract art (depending on kids age) and let them paint their parents a great master piece for over the couch or fire. Wud'ya think - a viable business idea, or just my daydreaming?

crochet - fingerless mitts

I made myself some mitts. Finally. I was inspired by these ones soulemama made. But I'm too cheap to buy the book, and hey - I can't knit anyways. Once a crocheter - always a little defensive I guess. Maybe its cuz theres like 200 knitting books and couple crochet ones, and most of them look like they are from the 1970's, (which could be cool, except its not.)

So I made these ones up. I had a little trouble as they are fitted, and, well everything else Ive made has been rather loose. I also used two colours...TWO COLOURS! I even amaze myself sometimes. You may notice they are both different. I thought it would look cool. No one has told me otherwise, and if you don't, then I'll be none the wiser.

So, like, I would tell you how I made them, 'cept I forgot. I really need to write these things down. I'm going to make some more. Maybe I'll write it down then. You know what? Its actually slightly comical when I go to make the second mitt and I can't remember how I did the first...but they turned out remarkably similar...I think theres a fluke bug going around.

Anyways. These are the best things. I'm going to rename them mamma-mitts, as I haven't taken them off. Doing up kids jackets, with mitts on, is rather irritating, if not impossible.

I sort of feel bad with no instructions. So, I should get on that. I mean theres no reason we all shouldn't have some crochet fingerless mitts.




PS, notice all the punctuation and apostrophes? I'm really working on the typo thing...

painting - once again

Oh, hi. s'been a while eh?
So, I just wrote Mechanical Electrical on Friday. For those of you interested it was a very hard exam. I was ready for it. Ask me anything in the study material and I had it. Unfortunately around 40% of the questions were from somewhere like Mars. Completely off the map.

Anyways. Being a mom and working is hard. Being a mom and trying to write professional exams and working is hard. Being a mom, trying to work, write registration exams, still be human, creative and inspired is...well...don't even go there.

The night after my exam, I painted a picture. I dedicate every minute I have since that exam to enjoying the pretty, and lovely things in life. (which, for your information, does not include boiler systems, or three phase transformers...man! if only they had asked about boilers and transformers...sigh)

Every minute I spend with my nose in a very fat book, I remind myself that I am doing this because I firmly believe the world needs more women architects. It needs more mothers who are Architects. In my work, and in my home life I feel sometimes like everything I am doing is unprecedented...even though there have been lots of other professional women, its just not the norm in my circles...

One day I will be able to offer something to someone, that will make this work worth it. Its that knowledge in side me that keeps me going. If you know some way that a woman, mother, creative architect can offer something to the world, you can let me know. That will keep me going through the "contract documents exam", and the "predesign exam". If not, I'll just have to find that inner xi, and go from there.

I know this is worth it....I just feel it in my gut, and thats all I got to go on right now.

And here is a painting of roses, and a tractor. for all your metaphorical needs:

crochet - broach

Well, this is a little late. I made this broach a few weeks ago. I made it using chain stitch going around and around. Then I put beads in the middle that Marcel really, really wants to pull off. I sewed a safety pin to the back. Its nice to have a broach. I never really wore them before...but I'm really enjoying having something I can decorate my jacket, or sweaters with.

embroidery for men

flicking thru flickr I saw this. For our embroidery boys on sundays, I thought you'd get a kick out of it. Everyone can needlepoint! This photo is from an artist who has some gorgeous photos and work up on flickr. Her tag is bugheart you can check it out...

crochet - shawl

OK, and then I made this shawl. I got some lovely wool from my mom, that was oh sooo natural, and rustic...and yes... oh so scratchy. So I chose to make a shawl that I would probably wear overtop of other things. I need a better button, but this will do for now. Actually I am taking apart the edging and making a more solid band at the bottom. Hopefully this will give me the impression I want. I never wear shawls, but I find this one great, and oh so warm. I really need a better clasp for it. A broach? perhaps?




And other than that I bought egg shell blue paint for the kitchen. I'll post pics as soon as I can get batteries for the camera. Almost finished season six of smallville...and a new pair of mitts (black of course) for me hubby. Baby been sick for the last few days. Its strange when he becomes sick so slowly. I didnt notice how under the weather he was, until now that hes feeling better and Im like - WOW, now thats a fun kid! (we missed halloween due to baby being too sick, bummer.)

We have also been watching a lot of P and P....(Mr. Darcy - or , er Pride and Prejudice for those of you not in the lingo...) So fun that its Marcel's new favorite show. Mine too. Even DH is into it.

Ive got many big plans up my sleeve - like painting with the bubba this winter, and potty training.

Been experiencing some difficulties on the working mom depatment. Balance is so hard, and it seems both sides of my life are pulling in opposite directions.

I'll think more carefully about this and write later. For now, I leave you with...Colin Firth...(sigh)

crochet - mitts (do it, so "they" will come...and we'll build it together!)

Well. After that vest I decided I could do just about anything (by way of crochet!)...and since its getting colder I needed some mitts. Unfortunately (for me) these ended up too big, but thats OK, I have a friend who will enjoy them. These are made with no pattern. I just used the same stitches as the vest...I made a band for the wrist, then a square, which I gathered like the slippers. Then I folded the piece in half and sewed it together. The hardest part was the thumb...but it was made by switching back and forth along the bottom, and decreasing stitches at the top. Sounds tricky but its not. I did the thumb in single crochet stitch, and decreased at the top for the end.

Well, that all doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense, but thats that. If you want to make one, (or two) let me know and I'll tell you how...or maybe you are more careful than me and able to read a pattern!

Ive got lots of ideas now, and too little time to do them (let a lone write about them). Ive started studying again. Mechanical and electrical building systems. Its so fun! Boilers, HVAC, furnaces, conductance and resistance.

I wanted to buy this house in High River based on the fact that it has a detached studio. (well, heres a pic of it...actually its pretty darn cute, if you ask me...just hope its on the market three years from now...when we will be too!)



I really, really, want a detached studio. I think to myself, if I had that studio I would start my own art school, Id have kids from the whole neighborhood over in the afternoons and we would paint and build things. And I would be more proficient, Id finish that comic I keep saying I'm working on, I'd produce many paintings, books blog entries...maybe I'd even have a student to help me get organized and publish something...like a design curriculum for kids who want to be architects...hrummmm....and I don't even have time now to make a blog entry about my new mitts!

But heres the point. Ive been thinking well, If I don't have the studio, that doesn't mean I cant start building my little empire without it. I'm not too good at starting small, but I'm going to work on it. I don't really think the idiom "if you build it they will come" applies in my case. Instead I need to live it, breathe it, do it, and they will come...and then we can all build it...right? (metaphorically speaking of course...you don't all have to build my house - trust me, I'm excited to do that too!)

Oh, and Tara...your house is for sale in High River as well...right across the street! Anyone out there, the one below is $695,000 on weelist.com, And my house with the red roof is listed for $385,000 so, if you have the money you can have it...(for now!)

crochet - vest

And here is the vest in action. I have a mission to adorn my son in this sweater vest for as long as it fits him. This is an important mission, as I also have one to keep him dressed in his plaid and cord pants while he will still let me. I let him choose his own clothes of course, as long as it includes such pants and said vest. Isn't motherhood fun? This vest, was, again very easy. Its worked in half stitch, while the ribbing is single stitch on alternating sides. I followed a pattern, thus revealing my inability to do so. I just can't stick to all those rules, so I made part of it up. It was small so I added an inch to the side and left out the neck band as my kid has an inexplainable fear of tight neck bands...and the last thing I need is for him to get stuck in this one and henceforth refuse to wear it. So, here it is in all its neckbandless glory. I like it so much I think I'm going to make myself one. All hail the sweater-vest love!

crochet - slippers

Its finally time to post some of my recent crochet stuff.

In Bath I was able to make some slippers for my sister.



These are bigger versions of the ones I made for Marcel.



(which he simply will not wear. They are a little long for him seeing as I didn't measure him properly, so I cant blame him...) These are also the slippers I have chosen to teach my friends how to make at our craft night. I found the pattern online. It is so easy...even I can do it! Here is the link to the pattern I found - which is the simplest I could find: Easy slippers

You basically make a rectangle. One length as long as your foot, the other long enough to wrap around your foot. And thats all the crochet! Then you stitch the end that should be at the end of your toe, and pull the thread tight to gather it. You stitch up the foot leaving space for you to put the slipper on, and stitch up the back for the heel. This is not much of a tutorial but please, its that easy!

Anyways, we also made a trip to Bradford on Avon, and there I bought some beautiful wool and started Marcel's vest.



This wool came complete with a look through the photo album of the sheep who donated it. Unbleached, hand shorn and spun, this stuff comes with a lot of love...

I included a couple context photos. The church is Saxon,



like 6th century...and the tithe barn roof,



an immense structure of gorgeous heavy timber...And the town. so picturesque...



Now I am home, I want to go back there...having just watched Elizabeth i think I could live in my own fantasy version of 17th Century England forever...well, on the other hand, maybe not...

pre craft night

well, tonight is the night! we will be making our books. I am already searching teh cast net for ideas for next night...there are so many ideas out there! now it is tricky because we have only on enight to dth the majority of it, so I think crochet is sort of out, but man I want to learn to make little japanese guys sooo bad! maybe that'll happen on me own...

Here will be a list of things I find, fo ryou to browese and for me to remember!

love these wands - I think they are easy to make, but difficult to paint...have to experiment with that...

crochet happens...

well, there goes any thought of will power. I was trying soooo hard to hold off till december - but I couldnt stand it! My hands started twitching and I woke up friday morning, and jut magically found myself at Micheals - looking at yarn! AAH!. so I started a little early. I taught myself the chain stitch, the single and double chain stitch and then I chain stitched myself into exhaustion all weekend. I made a neck cozy for the hubby, a little purse for the sister, and I made a cozy for the medicine which I didnt photograph yet. Also missing from the set is a little card wallet I havnt sewn buttons on yet. Im having so much fun!...but those NCARBS...rrrg.

crochet

OK so I am having hard time focusing on exams. I have decided to write them all before december - even if I fail a couple.

My reward for completing these exams will be to learn to crochet.

OK, I dont need another hobby, but how can I resist when there are people like this making beautiful things like this

I was totally into embroidery - for like a week...and yes I love it and I made me little boxes, that are loverly. But I am not like soulemamma who I am totally jeolous of, and may move to Portland just so I can meet her and may learn something from her...

She can sew...she has a studio...a sewing machine, and well, knowledge and skill. (in these areas, I know nothing...) Oh well. I could learn, but I want also to write comics, be an architect, and try to feed my kid healthy home cooked meals, with a clean house, a well balance relationship with my hubby and of course fix the problems of the world with Ruhi, Qi gong, yoga and maybe a little homeopathy for good measure...Oh did I mention I am going to build a Dacha village for you all?

So, about that...embroidery is fun. But I can only embroider things that are made, and I just dont want to learn to sew...to many machines and gadgets required. But crochet....you can make things, completed whole things you can use... (and they are smaller than when you knit.) - sweaters, one stitch at a time are simply huge! In crochet you only need one hook and some yarn. You can crochet while watching TV, at a picnic, in bed, on the beach (yeah right - theres no beaches here, but I can dream right?)

Anyways, I'll still try to embroider everything, and maybe I'll make some of these adorable birds..

But once I learn to crochet there may be no going back...I'll make you all mits and hats and scarves. And to keep me from going NCARB insane, Im going to start collecting patterns and pictures. If anyone out there wants to teach me to crochet - please come and move into my basement in December. I will not be putting that hook down - for a week at least!

If you want to buy the things in the pics above - you can off Etsy. (amazing place!) I need to have a girl to put this cute hat and scarf on!

these little guys are also for sale - and a pattern to make them!