Patrick Paints! (and likes it!)

I had wild dreams that my child would love crafting as much as I do. I wanted him to be artistic and draw and paint and all that goodness...so it quite took my by surprise when Patrick came out all OCD.



Paint? You mean, GET DIRTY? No way, not his style. The kid doesn't like to do art. I'm thankful that he'll at least sit with me at my sewing machine, hitting the appropriate buttons and wanting to know how it all works, but get messy art? No way!



We still do try to show him the joys of art once in a while. The other day, he took to painting and really enjoyed it! Thank goodness for rainy day activities, besides trains of course...

A Package In The Mail!

Have you stopped over to The Pomegranate Chronicles yet? Sara just revamped her whole blog and it just looks fabulous! She recently held a giveaway for some awesome star crayons and we were the lucky winners! Patrick and I were both very excited when they arrived in the mail yesterday!



Of course, I let him open the package. He stands there and tells me, while patting his chest, "For me?! For me?!" and it's just so cute.. Of course buddy, they really are for you!



Stars! A shape he knows! He was more than happy to share that with me. Of course we had to take out the drawing pad to try things out! He wanted to put them to use!



Thanks again Sara for the great giveaway! Really, if you haven't stopped over there, you really should! She's got some great stuff going on!!

A Spring River Moment

Just a moment from our OUTSIDE week! Hope you are having just as lovely weather! Thank you Amanda for your weekly inspiration! What's your moment?!

Waiting for the Train

As we spend more and more time outdoors, our focus is shifted moreso than ever towards the sounds of the train.



I know, I've said it before. My dear child adores trains like nothing else. Hours could be spent waiting for the gate to light up and start falling as the bell dings....all for that 20 seconds of passing train. Watching his face is just a treasure!



We spent some time recently exploring the woods on the other side of the train trestle. I'm getting around as best as possible being 7 months (!!) pregnant, but will my little boy ever be 2 and a half again? I'll treasure what I can get!

Spring Sightings!

Look what I saw the other day! Spring is really coming! SQUEE!

A Moment Waiting for the Train

Just a moment from our week, one we are savoring always, we are back in action! Thanks to Amanda as always for her inspiration! What is your special moment this week?

Organized Knitting

"Start organized!" That was the advice Elise gave me many years ago when I was creating craft spaces. Of course, as a crafter, you need to have certain things organized. We all know that. But it has taken me 9 years of moving and reorganizing at least 3 times, to realize that organization is ever so important.



I'm still in the process of organizing my own craft room, which has come a long way since moving upwards into the attic space of our little house by the river. But it's coming along!



So when I started this whole knitting group, with some brand new knitters, I knew I had advice to pass on.

It was Raquel's birthday this week. She babysits my little boy every day. We've become very good friends, and we venture out to knitting together. She just started knitting, so it was a no brainer to make her something for her birthday!



She's starting out organized. I made her a knitting needle organizer. Yeah, I know, my needles are currently scattered around the house...where exactly did I put that other set of circulars? Why are there TWO knitting projects in my purse? Ahh well, someday I might learn too!

Design Potential

I've been a bad blogger...I apologize! So much has been going on here that I just haven't been able to keep up like I want. So many thoughts run through my head including so many missed blogertunities. Is that even a word? It should be!

I'm officially 6 months pregnant. This time, I think more and more about the potential to stay home with my babies rather than go back to work in a year. Yes, a year! I can't even remotely fathom going back mid year like I did with Patrick. That was the most painful thing I've ever done to my life. Perhaps we can make it work and keep me at home with my little darlings in the long run which would be most excellent!

I've been thinking about what I COULD do. I could open an etsy shop, I could tutor on the side, I could design fabric, I could...I could..I could...but I have to take a leap of faith. The mere thought of it is scary, but I've got a year to figure it all out. You know, a year with a toddler and a newborn....that kind of year. But I really think that kind of year would be enough to push me to what I want!

So when I saw this contest over at Project Selvage, I near died. I feel like I have to enter this. Design a baby print?! Seriously!? Could my name be written on this for a reason? I'll never even know if I don't even try! So that's just what I'll do....

In the meantime, I'm also working on setting up an etsy shop. I've sewn for a long time. I used to sell things once upon a time on Phish lot. It's time I get back to my roots!

Wacom!!

I got a new toy this week! I ordered a Wacom Bamboo Tablet. I figured if I really am serious about doing something while I'm on maternity leave to try and make a job, this would be a good investment!



Did I ever mention I was a Textile and Design major in college? I know...I teach..you'd never know..but really, my love has ALWAYS been with fabric. I remember when I was in college, I thought I don't want to student teach! Who does that? You don't get paid!! And there I was...with my love of art...making it work...

Then I came out and realized that I really DID want to teach! What had I done?! Oh, what a mistake! So I went back and got my teaching certification and thought Art is my hobby. Why would I want to do art for a living and get burnt out?!

Oh life is so conflicting! Here I am, 10 years later, thinking maybe art isn't such a bad choice! It's what I love after all!

So for now, we'll see... but in the meantime, I'll be honing my skills digitally and playing with my new Wacom!