mummysam

lost love letter

2012-01-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

...2nd animation attempt.

...oh that poor, dear Henry. When we he notice that his hand-written love letter to her has gone?

seemed so simple at the time...

2012-01-24T07:16:00.001-08:00

...a little film experiment

2012-01-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

...my first attempt at animating illustrations. Now I just have to figure out how to add music!

SPECIAL SALE THROUGH FRIDAY!

2012-01-19T09:12:00.001-08:00

the front cover of my upcoming book!, originally uploaded by mummysam.

oh what the heck! Thought I would throw something fun in for the end of the week...
through tomorrow I am offering my book plus a free fat quarter of mummysam fabric for a special price. Please visit my shop for more details! Offer ends Friday, and feel free to spread the word! (and if you do spread the word, share your link here....I'll enter all of your names in a little hat and send one of you some mummysam tape!)

into the woods...

2012-01-18T07:22:00.001-08:00

...and into the woods she goes. Apparently looking for the
blanket she had laid out earlier for herself and a special "guest".

...Let's do hope she gets there before the bread turns rock hard.

It feels so good to be back designing fabric, and I hope you will join me on this venture!

upcoming fabric...in sketch form

2012-01-17T10:29:00.001-08:00

...created this sketch today, and now I have the painstaking process of turning this into
a repeated design for fabric. (that's what happens when you don't plan things out ahead of time....something that would obviously save time, yet something I never think about until it's too late.)

..I wonder where this lady is going with that loaf of bread? who is she looking for? hmmm?

how to avoid looking at "shiny things"

2012-01-14T16:43:00.001-08:00

trampoline break, originally uploaded by mummysam.

...how I keep my ADD at bay when I try to work and keep
focusssss...

I'll wear it next Wednesday...

2012-01-13T07:01:00.001-08:00

...the struggle to get him to wear something new.

the cutest thing I have been meaning to share...

2012-01-12T11:38:00.001-08:00

Lala's vest (reversible), originally uploaded by Happy Find.

I was contacted by Happy Find months ago about this beautiful vest that had been made using my fabric. I immediately had to share it, and as life goes, things got in the way a bit and here we are much later than I would have liked.

Thank you Happy Find for making something so absolutely adorable out of this fabric. ( I think that baby could make anything look good, don't you?)

The Joy of Books

2012-01-11T12:10:00.001-08:00

...a little inspiration for all of you out there. (thanks Shelley for introducing me to this!)

another upcoming textile

2012-01-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

..another quick sketch for an upcoming textile piece. This idea came about after a recent
observation on a typical playdate. All three boys (my two, plus a friend) were playing an imaginary game of treasure discovery. As I sat in the kitchen enjoying a quick cup of coffee, I started to hear the cries of a frustrated little soul. While the other two were able to completely immerse themselves in an imaginary world of fighting villains, he began to struggle. He could not see what they were looking at, and could not understand why they kept pointing to "precious gold jewels" that didn't actually exist. As I listened to his pleas for them to show him what they were looking at, my heart couldn't help but ache when I realized just how hard it was for him to play along.

...Thankfully they asked him to build some shields....something concrete that he could touch and see. His excitement returned as he poured all of his energy into making them perfect. Imagination took over, and before you know it he managed to build something that excited the other boys tremendously.

...His imagination is incredible. It just shows in a different way.

a new piece in progress

2012-01-05T07:43:00.001-08:00

while I anxiously await for my computer to get set-up, I thought I'd share a quick sketch for an
upcoming textile piece.

..textile, you say? It seems like an eternity since needle and thread have been put to use, and I am quite excited to dive into the world of fiber again. It will be interesting to see how this little
paranoia of public playgrounds turns out...

in the meantime...

2012-01-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a little sketch of roots to enjoy as I try to get this new computer sorted. This transition could have easily gone much smoother had I saved all of the installation disks for my scanner, printer, etc. That's where chaotic organization gets you.....always in control until you actually need something. (probably a good push to get the baskets of tossed bills and randomly placed documents into their own organized files.)

bear with me....

2012-01-03T08:31:00.001-08:00

...I will return shortly after I get everything transferred from my old computer to my new one...
see you soon!

monitor panic...

2012-01-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

o.k....so have all my pictures really been as bad as I have recently discovered?
After getting a new computer for Christmas (which was needed after using this laptop for over ten years), I completely panicked when I saw all of my posted photos on the new monitor. A rush of panic coursed through my veins, as I slowly went from photo to photo. And the added dread of what all of those viewers out there had been seeing caused even more panic than I thought possible.

I finally put to rest the crazy idea to go in and re-edit everything, and instead thought it best just to start from here on.....

anyone have good experience with color calibration for the computer? Any input would be very helpful to this somewhat-still-panicked soul over here....

happy holidays!

2011-12-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

(our Christmas card....the trees were inspired by the lovely illustrations of
Marc Boutavant. I had to use them!)

...Here's hoping all of you have a wonderful holiday! (and yes...I finally made my card today. So, based on the fact that they won't even arrive from the printers until after the New Year, I should have probably said "Happy Valentine's Day" instead...

365 days of LARABARS

2011-12-13T09:26:00.001-08:00

...welcome to 365 days of LARABARS.

...a project devoted entirely to the daily documentation of my son's consumption of
peanut butter cookie LARABARS.

..being on the autistic spectrum, our son prefers to eat these particular bars everyday for his morning snack at school. Although each bar is the same every day, the way he tears off each wrapper is completely unique. By photographing each wrapper separately, with the intention on eventually juxtaposing each wrapper, I hope to create a very dynamic and visually striking collection of 365 LARABARS.

...let's begin!

a conversation about Thanksgiving...

2011-12-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

...a page from my daily sketches on a recent conversation about food.

...I have a sneaking suspicion we will have a very similar dialogue at Christmas.
(click on image for a better view)

how to gross your friends out...

2011-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

..a little printout I made to make eating fun. It's quite interesting, as both my boys
love sardines....perhaps it's because they enjoy watching me squirm as I spread the fish on the toast? (I absolutely hate sardines. The smell is enough to make my stomach question it's own stability)

..I find it even more interesting that my child on the spectrum will eat these. He abhors most fruit, vegetables, anything with a mush, all meat, etc....you get the picture. With such a limited palette, I am just currently thankful that he will consume these. (It's also what he chose to eat in lieu of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner). So, the more "grossed out" my preparation performance is, the better my chances of them eating even more.

...perhaps I have recruited some new sardine lovers?

*** note: I wrote this for a child with a gluten and dairy free diet. Simply substitute with your normal foods, and print out this image for some sardine eating fun!

make your lunch!

2011-12-08T11:17:00.000-08:00

...allow me to introduce a new guide to help make lunches a success. Come back every week for some ideas on how to get your kids to take more than one bite out of their school lunches. I will have suggestions for both kids with dietary needs (gluten/dairy/soy) and those without. This should be a fun way for all of us to share our many successes and failures when it comes to preventing those full lunch boxes coming home!

Spoonflower News....

2011-11-08T05:24:00.000-08:00

...before I address my complete absence from this blog world, allow me to announce my decision to start selling mummysam fabric directly from Spoonflower. This new move will allow all of you to buy fabric at a much cheaper price, and also allow me to focus more time on creating new work at home. Please visit my shop at Spoonflower and have a look around! (site: http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/mummysam). With less time devoted to the cutting, packaging, and delivering to the post office, I should have more "free time" to whip up some fun designs to add to the collection.

...stay tuned for many an update of the changes and happenings around this little home/studio of mine!

miss marple's bread woes...

2011-09-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

:: poor ms. marple.

:: she has tried, and tried, and tried some more...

:: but she has yet to find that one recipe that will solve all her woes. After spending a bank breaking amount of money on a new bread machine, her plan on going home and whipping up some instant gluten/dairy/soy free successes was interrupted by a day of utter frustration and despair.

:: her first bread was much too lumpy...

:: the next one was far too spongy...

:: and the third one. Well, that was just plain yucky. She even felt too bad for the birds to give them this one...

:: oh dear! what ever will she do? The school bus is nearing the corner and some surely disappointed boys will be heading in the door.

::don't despair ms. marple. You will get there....just give it some time. Every loaf is one step closer to that perfect loaf that can only be described as "too good".

:: in the meantime, there are always the squirrels. I don't think they are too picky when it comes to bread.

another reason to love Parenthood...

2011-09-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

:: I didn't think Parenthood could get any better, until I saw it.

:: It took a few rewinds to make sure I really did see what I thought I had, and after a few moments of going absolutely ballistic, I calmed down enough to snap a photo of this perfect sight.

:: Mum, your painting looks so incredible, and I still can't get over the fact that you are on t.v.
I am so truly proud of you. (and the "wee" bit of jealousy only lasted for a bit ...)

I know there is a second one of her pieces on set, so if anyone sees a small painting of chopped apples please let me know! ( and yes...I am taping every show. I have to watch each episode twice.. once to look for her paintings, and the second to actually watch the show.)

:: alright, off to rewind it again and stare at it some more...

update: just found out from my mum that she has a third pig painting on set as well. O.k. My jealousy just went up a big notch.

the best gluten/dairy/soy free cookies ever...

2011-09-14T10:24:00.001-07:00

:: finding a perfect gluten/dairy/ soy free cookie can be a bit challenging, especially when you are trying to get a reluctant 8 year old on board with his new diet. Finding good substitutions for food that he loved so much pre-diet was a must, and since discovering my own intolerances to gluten and dairy, I was desperate to find that perfect chocolate chip cookie. Sure, I was a supportive mum who kept cheering on the eight year old with such lines as "we will be just fine without gluten and dairy....soon you won't even know the difference" (of course I said this knowing that after he went to bed I was going to raid my hidden stash of chocolate and bread like a mad woman...because "god forbid" I make it a whole day without that stuff. I went on the diet with him to help him adjust easier...little did I know that I would soon discover my own need to eliminate that food from my diet as well)

:: so here it is. the perfect cookie. and it is good.

::who needs gluten, dairy, and soy anyway? (o.k...so I have to admit I am still struggling a bit. It's one thing to put your child on it, and then another to stop yourself from eating it as well. Especially when you are out with your friends and that pre-dinner basket of fresh, hot bread comes out. Nibbling on your own back of gluten free crackers doesn't quite cut it...)

scratch that...

2011-09-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

...now for a more realistic portrayal of daily lunches. Instead of just leaving you with the seemingly perfect "before" picture, I thought it may be realistic to give you the more important "after" picture as well.

...if any of you have a child with sensory issues, you probably understand the unpredictability with their ever changing taste buds. Sure, there are fixed issues that one can apply to all meals (for example, anything with a "mush" to it gets a wonderful gag reaction...), but there are also the foods that unexpectedly get rejected and banned from any future meals. (and of course it always happens to be the one staple food you can count on)

...so, here is my response from yesterday's lunch

mum: "how was lunch?"

child: "good"

child, 2 seconds later: "except for the apple slices. They were too mushy. The corn was way mushy. "

mum: "alright, well thanks for giving everything a try. At least you were able to eat the remainder of your lunch."

child: "oh...and I didn't eat the snap peas. (his favourite food of the past year).
I don't eat snap peas anymore"

"...but the toothpicks were fun"...

I'm back!!!

2011-09-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

...I am officially back! With both boys now in school full-day, I am beyond thrilled to begin working again. The jam-packed summer is behind us, and here begins a new adventure of writing about recent discoveries and a lot of creative sharing.

..Being that we are into the second day of school, let's start with the daily practice of preparing school lunches. With one child on the spectrum (and eating a restrictive gluten/dairy/casein/and soy free diet...more on that later) and the other able to eat pretty much anything put in front of him, I have the "fun" task of trying to come up with lunchboxes that come home empty. Since the one child is more difficult to work with(and very very picky....food has to be very simple), I find it easier for my own sanity to prepare the same lunches for both, with just a couple of tweaks here and there. This was our lunch for today:

1. toothpicks: the idea of eating small bits of food with toothpicks will instantly turn something once deemed "unacceptable" into the most exciting food in the world. I plan on using these twice a week at the most, to ensure that they remain exciting for the rest of the year

2. apple: chopped up into cubes to allow for more toothpick fun.

3. avocado: cut in half and served with a spoon. My eldest son won't touch avocado, as the "mushy" texture of the fruit bothers him too much. I replaced the avocado with some baby carrots.

4. sugar snap peas

5. chopped up hot dogs (I use Amy's organic grass-fed hot dogs that have no nitrates, and are gluten and casein free). The hot dogs are an option that allow for my eldest son to feel like he is eating something the other kids around him would enjoy as well.

6. corn on the cob. (I cut one corn on the cob in half, and boiled for three minutes while the boys were eating breakfast. A quick and easy food to cook the morning of school)

morning snack: zucchini bread with chopped up fruit

If any of you have been following me for a while, you will know that I usually start these projects with a lot of gusto and energy....we shall see how long this burst lasts before I loose steam and start dumping handfuls of cereal and stale crackers into their lunches.

where on earth have I been?

2011-06-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

(little M (on left) at his last school event before his "graduation" next week from Montessori...)

where in the world is mummysam? (or where has she disappeared to for the last couple of months or so?)

here's a quick overview:

:: working on an exciting project that seems to have taken me away from this blog world of mine, but will be over in just a couple of weeks. I promise to surface soon. (although summer vacation is rapidly upon us, and I have to be realistic in how much work will actually get done during that time! I am desperate for a couple of months of complete "laziness".)

:: putting the phone in the refrigerator, and taking half the day trying to figure out where the ringing was coming from.

:: wracking my brain to come up with "exciting" new foods as we venture into a world of no gluten, casein, or dairy. (yes..this one has taken a big adjustment, but the results have been nothing short of miraculous. more on that later)

:: putting the phone on the top of the swing set and leaving it in the rain.

:: getting lazier and lazier when it comes to making school lunches every morning. I'm officially done.

::putting the phone on top of my car, and remembering where I put it after making it to little M's school (thankfully it was still there)

:: getting ourselves ready for a new addition coming very soon from an amazing organization...

:: being given a repeated suggestion that I should probably put the phone back on the charger when I am done.

where in the world have you been?

...for the birds...

2011-05-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

...a bird watching corner for the boys...

...at least I thought I was doing it for both boys, until the reaction from little M
came out.

"mummy...let's build a screech owl house. Then he will swoop down to the feeders and eat all of the other birds up"

...Three seconds later, he was rushing to the window (excitedly) to see our first bird visit
the feeder we had placed out back. Clearly his previous statement was said solely to get under his
big brother's skin. (and it worked. too well)

..so yes...it turns out the table is for both boys.

...although we are still being assured (whenever the big brother is within earshot) that little M only uses it to look for that screech owl...

halloween and communion together?

2011-05-20T05:25:00.001-07:00

...the marriage of halloween and communion.
...that's what happens when you completely forget about the second child until fifteen minutes before heading to your eldest son's communion service. After an exhaustive week of trying to find an emsemble with a thumb's up approval, I completely forgot about his little brother until it was too late. Of course he would want to dress up once he saw his brother all nice and spiffy. Of course he would insist on a shirt and tie as well. And shoes? Of course. Those need to be dressy as well.

...Thank goodness I had brought home two pairs of shoes for big A to try on. Sure, they were two sizes too large for little M, and if any attempt was made to go up stairs they would immediately fall off. He looked like he had skis for feet, but at least little M thought he looked cool. The shirt was found in a plastic bag of saved clothes from our ten year old neighbour, and the pants just barely stayed on. (thanks to the extra yards of fabric from the shirt that were tucked in)

...yes. it was definitely a sight for sore eyes, but he thought he looked as cool as his brother and Dad. And in the end, that's what matters....plus I couldn't stop smiling at the guy every time I glanced over. It felt like one of those perfect visuals from a Ramona Quimby book, and one that makes childhood memories so much fun. (for now, at least!)

I need some wellies....

2011-05-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

...I have come to terms with the fact that my studio will never look like those lovely
ones featured in design literature. I am a "wannabe" cool studio owner, but the fact of the matter is that I am messy. I may start off with perfectly organized storage bins, but give me a week of hard work, and those bins soon become a mixed blend of everything that was once so neatly separated. Yes, I probably spend way too much time looking for tools that have been put down in a spot "I won't forget", but in the end I work much better that way. Everything gets emptied out, which in turn allows for more free-flowing thoughts as I work.

...And if that's not enough, I am blessed with a lovely room that floods every time the rain comes down. (which has been a lot lately....)

..how's that for an inspiring space?

and the winner is...

2011-05-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

and the winner is...

handstories! when asked where you like to create, handstories wrote :

"end of the couch, meetings, camping, anywhere there's peace...lately it's knitting with 3rd graders (not so peaceful, but lots of fun!)"

congratulations, and make sure to e-mail so that Lark Crafts can get this lovely package on it's way!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your favourite spots...I loved reading everyone, and have been introduced to some new places to create myself!

Sewn by Hand blog tour and giveaway!

2011-04-22T04:52:00.001-07:00

"Hand sewing is a bit like taking the two-lane highways instead of the interstate. It's a bit slower, but the character, charm and unique soulfulness of those back roads are priceless beyond hours"-Susan Wasinger

...yes. I have indeed come out of hiding today, and I have the perfect reason to do so.
With the past few weeks being full of business as I work on a very exciting project, there have
been "much needed" moments to take a good little pause and slow down a bit. Susan Wasinger's new book from Lark Crafts has fit that need perfectly, and I cannot be more thrilled to introduce this book as part of her current blog tour.

..Sewn By Hand: Two Projects Stitched With Needle and Thread is a wonderful book that takes Slow Food's way of living into the sewing world. With just a handful of stitches to learn, one is able to create projects ranging from a Thread Caddy with Pin Holder to a Buttoned-Up Tote with
Handmade Buttons (a personal favourite of mine). I love how Susan included a Portability Factor rating for each project, allowing readers to selectively choose which projects may work best when toting a project with them. (think cafes, subway trips, relaxing at the beach, sporting events, etc...)

..yes. I have been indeed busy, and nothing was more needed than a book that allowed me to take some much needed moments to breathe and take pause. A book that allowed me to sit amidst the hectic sounds that surrounded me and focus on the one sound that mattered...the sound of each hand-sewn stitch as I guided it through the fabric. A sound that calmed my soul, and reminded me of why I love to sew.

...As part of the blog tour, Lark Crafts is offering my viewers this lovely package that Susan has put together! (don't you love all of the accompaniments?) Is there a place you like to create?
If so, please leave a comment below....and spread the word! Twitter, blog, Facebook.....I will count a vote for each, giving everyone up to 4 chances to enter.(just please leave me the links)
You have until Thursday at 10pm EST...good luck!

...Make sure to join the rest of the tour:
4/4 Blog tour kickoff at LarkCrafts.com
4/6 Sew Daily blog
4/8 Click here for a free travel thread caddy project from the book!
4/11 Pink of Perfection
4/13 Artsy-Crafty Babe
4/15 MayaMade
4/19 WhipUp
4/20 CRESCENDOh
4/22 MummySam
4/25 Feeling Stitchy
4/27 Zakka Life
4/29 BurdaStyle blog

and the winner is....

2011-04-15T05:08:00.000-07:00

using the random.org site to come up with the winning number, I am happy to announce that
the giveaway book goes to Michelle! according to our winner...

"Think me and the kiddiwinks would have fun with this book "

Congratulations Michelle! Please e-mail me your address, and Big Little Felt will be heading to your home :)

Thank you everyone for participating, and have a wonderful weekend!

Big Little Felt Giveaway time!!!

2011-04-08T06:13:00.001-07:00

...When my youngest son ripped open the envelope containing the book, Big Little Felt Universe from Lark Crafts, my eldest son's immediate reaction was one of disapproval. He was clearly "too old" for this type of book, and that was quite evident as he continued to spend an hour looking through each page carefully. He was still adamant on his beliefs, even after writing a full page list of all the projects he anticipated mummy to make. Seconds later, he was downstairs emptying my bins and trying to figure out which project to make first. He was completely hooked... it just took a little while for this cool kid to finally admit it.

...my youngest son, on the other hand, was instantly captivated once he saw that s'more. Within seconds he had followed suit by writing down every project he thought would be fun to make in one afternoon. (which, for both boys, ended up being everything but the purse and make-up. Just 75 projects in total...)

...I was completely taken away by not only the number of projects that Jeanette Lim was able to create for this book, but also the amount of step-by-step projects dedicated for each piece. I can only imagine how much time it must have taken for Jeanette to prepare such a book, and found myself just tired thinking about all of the work that must have gone into this project. The boys really enjoyed the ability to see the step-by-step process, which helped keep their patience up as
mummy worked with them on their chosen piece.

...The only frustrations I found in the book were not in the projects themselves, but in the book's presentation. While I found the step-by-step photos very helpful, many of the detailed shots had to compete against strong shadows, often finding it a bit tricky to see the fine detail of what was being demonstrated. It also took me a bit to figure out who wrote the book. (aside from looking at the cover...) There was no mention of Jeanette on the back cover, which took away from the personal connection I often like to have with a book. Yes, I did soon find more about her near the end, but I would have like to have been emotionally pulled in right away.

...That being said, the book truly is a wonderful book to add to one's collection. While many of the projects take some time and patience, Big Little Felt Universe by Jeanette Lim is perfect not only for crafting alongside your children but also a perfect resource for making many a gift.

...Thanks to Lark Crafts for giving me this copy, I am able to offer it to you for a fun "Big Little" giveaway! Please leave a comment below, and if you have the ability to make note of the giveaway on your own blogs (or twitter..facebook...etc), I will count you for an extra vote! Just include your link, and good luck! The giveaway runs until WEDNESDAY at 10PM EST.

*** note: there are still winners from previous giveaways that have not contacted me. If you are one of them, please send me your info so that I may get your treasures out...thanks! ***

BOOK TRAILER: Fanciful Felties from mummysam

2011-04-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

a fun little video on youtube for you all to enjoy... please spread the word!

the start of a long journey...

2011-04-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

road trip: embroidered linen 4"w x 5ft long

I am about to embark on an intense month of work, and begin a project that I never envisioned having the chance to do. It's something that must be devoted to in its entirety, and one that requires me to drop everything at hand and just go for it. Someday there will come the time that I can scream it from the rooftops, but for now it is something that must be kept with me as I work feverishly like a hermit for the next few weeks. I will try to pop up every now and then to say hello, but for the majority of April you will find me holed up at every non-kid moment in my "cozy" little basement. (and by "cozy", I mean completely damp and full of spiders...)

I will be halting all shipment of fabric orders placed in April until the beginning of May, but will ship any orders placed through tonight (April 1st).

have a good weekend!

stop your complaining already (expletives included)

2011-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Often times when those bouts of insecurity hit when living your life as an artist, I always find it helpful to read this letter from Sol LeWitt to painter/sculptor Eva Hesse, in response to her letters discussing the uncertainty in her work. (and yes...there are a few expletives that follow...)

"You seem as always, and being you, hate every minute of it. Don't! Learn to say 'F*** You' to the world once in a while. You have every right to. Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, gasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, rumbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-sh**ing, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose-sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eying, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding grinding grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just DO"

"...You are not responsible for the world_you are only responsible for your work, so do it. And don't think that your work has to conform to any idea or flavor. It can be anything you want it to be. But if life would be easier if you stopped working then stop. Don't punish yourself. However, I think that it is so deeply engaged in you that it would be easier to DO."

{excerpt from book, Eva Hesse by Lucy Leppard}

...definitely something I need to hear every now and then...expletives included

a moment of transition...

2011-03-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

...I often view motherhood as a continuous series of transitions, and I am probably going through one of the bigger ones thus far. It's a transition that has been long coming, and one that both boys are now anxiously ready for. A combination of nerves and excitement meets me at this stage, as I ready myself to accept and appreciate this need to let go. They can most definitely play outside in the driveway alone now, and in all honesty do much better than if I were sitting outside watching. I resist the temptation to stare out the window like a hawk (which, if you know me, is taking a bit getting used to) and am starting to quite enjoy the motion of making dinner and telling them to stay outside until dinner is on the table.

...And, if your kids are anything like mine, they tend to play much better with each other when I am not in their space. The arguments are a lot less frequent (and much less dramatic...clearly a tactic to get me intervening more...man, they are good at that), and the play is more creative. They must have been out there for over two hours yesterday, and by the time we were reunited at dinner, I had the pleasure of listening to their made up games that had way more creativity than if I had taken part. "o.k. so you have to shoot the ball in the hoop three times while the other one sits in the chair. Then you grab your scooter and race around the driveway three times while the other guy counts. Grab the ball, put it in a bucket, and count how many steps it takes for you to walk up to the other guy. You get three points if you hit a crooked shot, ....."

...They were so full of excitement, and were anxious to get back out there as fast as they could.
While the oldest one has been going out on his own for quite some time, it took me until now before I was completely ready to let go with both boys being out alone. Sure, I still check out the window now and then, but instead of looking for potential feet darting to the street I am now just wanting a sneak peek at what I enjoyed so much about being a kid....just opening the door and running out to play.

...This transition definitely has taken some getting used to, and I have learned over the years that your kids will let you know when they are ready . My eldest one now takes such pride in the fact that he has the independence to go off in the bookstore to his own section while little M and I stay at the benches and read. If he has the money, he can then go wait in line and purchase a book on his own, with that sense of "awesomeness" that he feels when he gets change back.
He wants to do more things on his own, and it is time to let him do so.

...It feels good. It feels a little scary at times...and it feels right.

time to pre-order...

2011-03-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

...I can't tell you how excited I was when the sample of this fabric finally arrived today!
It really is better than I thought possible, and cannot wait to see what you can do with it.

...Each figure measures roughly the size of my thumb (the first image is displayed with an espresso cup), and looks perfect. I will be setting up a pre-order in my shop today, as new fabric designs tend to work best if I can get a good sense for how much will need to be ordered. The pre-order ends next Wednesday, with an order being placed next Friday.

..after a few big "misses" with test patterns, it feels so good (and necessary) to receive a piece that turned out as well as it did. whew!

fabric fun...

2011-03-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

(watercolour sketch for fabric pattern)

...I must have a thing for beds today. Could it perhaps be the gloomy gray sky that seems to be working ever so hard to entice me back into bed? Perhaps, but I am determined to will the sun back out after a glorious tease of beautiful weather we had over the weekend. Granted, I do love the coziness that can come with such an overcast day, but I need some days of warmth first before I am ready to really take advantage of what those cloudy days can bring. I need some sun. I need some warmth....

(finished design for upcoming fabric for my shop)

...So Mr. Sky, your plan may work after all. I may indeed succumb to the warmth of those sheets yet again for a bit before the little feet come trampling in after school. But let me at least decorate the bed with colors and textures that remind you of my eagerness for spring to come.
(after I take a little nap)

collection jars finished!

2011-03-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

...I finally finished the collection! I am so thrilled with how this entire piece turned out.

... now I have to decide whether or not to sell them separately, or as a whole.

...by selling them individually, I would be able to reach more people who may find it too expensive to purchase it as one entire piece. hmmm....what to do...

...any thoughts?

a jar to collect things....

2011-03-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

hand built stoneware jar with paper clay houses, thread, and wax. Wall hanging piece

...there is something about a collection of objects that I find aesthetically wonderful. Whether you are a young child excitedly sifting through an odd assortment of bits and bobs from a shoe box that sits hidden under your bed, or an adult proudly displaying years worth of collecting in a favourite hutch for all to see, the tactile sensation that results from feeling those pieces results in am emotional connection that drives you to collect more.

...there are all types of collectors out there, with different passions for different objects. My tendency to shy away from clutter when it comes to furnishing my home is contrasted heavily by my desire to fill up my studio with drawers of old letter types, found pulleys, vintage stamp blocks, etc.

..the wonderment that comes from both boys when they open up their little boxes full of found objects is so fun to watch, and you can see the joy they feel when they pull each object out and carefully lay it out on the floor before the commencement of trading with each other.

..we all love to collect, don't you?

mondays are for wristbands...

2011-03-09T08:36:00.001-08:00

...thought I would attempt watercolour this morning

... a little documentation of the extremely "varied" wardrobe my son has.

...I swear any day child protection services will come knocking at the door...this kid literally wears only 2 different pants and 2 different shirts for school.

...except of course for that flashy red wristband for gym on Mondays.

...that's my risk-taker :)

and off he went...

2011-03-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

red lunchbox...new fabric design inspired from today's post...

... I should have remembered, and then stopped before it was too late.

... I should have remembered those days my sister and I used to spend as professional hairdressers. Those days hidden in the basement with our barbie dolls , confident that we could give them fancy haircuts that looked exactly like the ones we often "oohed" over in the pages of Sassy magazine. (yes, that magazine should date me...). It always started innocently enough, with a few good snips here, and a few more good snips there. But we had one problem...we didn't know when to stop. And it is because of this minor fault that our barbies quickly went from red carpet appeal to a look of bitter despair. They were as close to as bald as you can get, with scattered chopped up remains of what once adorned their delicate heads.

...I should have remembered this as I sat my eldest son down for a long overdue haircut. Yes, the first few cuts went quite smoothly, and I must admit I was quite proud of the progress that was being made. And then it happened...I didn't know when to stop. I kept going, trying to correct all of the long bits that kept cropping up as I made my way from the front to the back.
The poor child went to school with a very strained "thumbs up" from his dad, wearing his hood over his head all the way to class. Oh dear.

..But next time, I swear i'll remember. I will remember to take him to someone that actually knows what he/she is doing. Someone that can cut, and most importantly knows when to stop.

...someone that probably still has a few dolls worthy of the red carpet...

caught in the act...

2011-03-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of the amazing Thea Coughlin...

... I didn't even realize it had happened until my photographer friend showed me. During one of our photo sessions for an upcoming project, she managed to capture a moment that I failed to even remember occurring. It wasn't until I stepped away from my role as participant into one of an observer did I really get what she was saying, and the emotions it brought about allowed me to feel this moment from both perspectives. My eyes started to "sweat" ( a 5 year old's view on crying), as I found myself completely taken aback. The observer in me had never seen his grabby hands in action, and my role as participant had quickly forgotten it.

... His grabby hands are a part of who he is, and of his daily rhythm. Whether it's the inability to keeps his hands to himself at dinner, or the intense urge to touch every end cap in the store, his hands are forever moving. My role as a mum is to not only teach him how to re-direct/control his hands when necessary, but also steer him to activities that would satisfy his need to use them. It's a role that is new to me, as my initial reactions were more often based on frustration and exhaustion. I didn't understand it, and in the beginning found myself annoyed at his inability to stop.

...But now I get it. As both the observer and participant, I get it. As an observer, I watch those hands create the most detailed and beautiful sketches in a matter of seconds. The confidence he has when moving the pen around the paper is brilliant, and I often find myself yearning to draw the way he does. If I am lucky, I can sit down with him and become the participant as we draw together. Yes, I may need to reach over and carefully re-direct a hand that may be losing it's way, but that's o.k. It's who he is, and he knows I am there for him.

..Both as and observer and participant.

yes, I am here...

2011-02-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

asperger's...

yes, I am here.... but I had to get away.

Not only did I have two very active boys home for a week of winter break, but also a mum (me) who needed time to re-focus and understand the direction her work was starting to take. There has always been a back and forth motion when it comes to my work, with various mediums taking their own moments to have center stage. From painting to ceramics, and woodworking to sewing, transitions from one medium to another still take place since I started working over 15 years ago.

And now I find such a transition taking place again, although this time the change is not about materials, but rather the subject matter itself. It is a subject that I keep returning to, because the therapy that comes about from addressing such a topic has been so crucial in my ability to mother the best way I can. It is a subject that I live with everyday, and one that has often brought about more heartache and stress than I ever thought possible. Yes, it can be a very sensitive topic, and of course I get quite nervous about the response from putting those feelings out there...but it is something that I have to do.

yes, I had to get away. But now I am back and ready to embrace this new transition that has clearly been taking place for a quite some time...and oh how relieved I feel to have finally figured out where I needed to go...

The artful bird stops here...

2011-02-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

:: welcome to the next stop in Abigail Glassenberg's blog tour as she promotes her lovely new book, the artful bird. I was thrilled to be asked to take part, and today is my turn to share with you what makes this book so utterly delightful.

:: I first met Abby through her blog, and when both of us realized our lives were somewhat parallel (we were both writing our books at the same time), a lovely phone connection was made and a great conversation ensued. I felt such amazing support from her as I opened up about my journey as a new writer, and knew seconds into the chat that she was in the process of making something wonderful. The ideas she conveyed sounded just so good, and when her book arrived at my door, I couldn't wait to dive in and see how those thoughts had materialized.

:: It is perfect. The artful bird is one of those books that instantly gets promoted to one of those few sources you find crucial to have in your reference library. Aside from all of the lovely projects (and there are many of them!), I have to say my favourite part lies in the techniques section at the front of the book. It's brilliant,and has opened my eyes to a completely new way of construction. The initial draw to find out how she makes those amazing legs (the first thing I hurried to find when opening the book), was soon taken over by the many pulls to learn everything else I could learn about making birds.

:: Abby, if you find yourself in this neck of the woods today, I hope you truly hear how beautiful this book is. The amount of time you must have spent breaking down the parts of constructing each bird is nothing short of amazing, and the overall collection contains something for everyone. It's perfect for those new to bird construction, and equally satisfying for those more comfortable with soft sculpture. The beautifully written introductions to each project draw you in, and make you eager to finish every single project in the book...

:: Thanks again Abby for asking me to be a part of this tour, and thanks to all of her fans who have come to pay a visit. Now, stop reading this post and go buy yourself a copy!

special shop sale today and tomorrow!

2011-02-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

...my mum is here for just a few more days, but the time we have had so far has been filled with a lot of quality time together and plenty of cups of tea. With the weather bringing a much needed sanity break ,warmth-wise (it has reached past 50 today!), I thought it would be fun to offer a little special out there to all of my followers.

...enter the code MUMMYSAM15 in my shop Monday and Tuesday, and receive 15% off your entire order.
(you must enter the code, otherwise discount doesn't apply...)
That should put a little "spring" in your step, no? Offer ends Tuesday...have fun!
(psst....tell your friends too....)

mum's the word...

2011-02-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

I would enclose a great picture here, but am afraid I have been quite poor at taking any pictures whatsoever as of late. Not only am I lacking in the photography department, but my absence has also drudged on for a bit. My mum is here for a visit, and being that it has been over a year since her last trip, I will be taking to the hermit life for a bit to spend quality time catching up. ("catching up" often requires the accompaniment of daily glasses of red wine) .

I will see you all in a week, hopefully with a new studio space to share with all of you. And please join me on Feb 17th, as I host a day in Abigail Glassenberg's blog tour. I will be reviewing her new book, The Artful Bird.....see you then!

new interest

2011-01-20T18:46:00.001-08:00

mixed media: embroidery on linen, oils, and graphite

...I was readying myself for another day of work, when I stumbled upon a quirky little drawing my eldest had done at 3. It was this simple, yet lovely, image of a dinosaur that he has scribbled quickly in my sketchbook when I wasn't looking. He was obsessed with them, and for the better part of three years spent the majority of his time talking your ear off about them.

...then it stopped. like that. Three years of a complete obsession suddenly vanished. He decided in a moment's notice that dinosaurs were no longer of interest, and from that day on showed no desire to dive into the piles of dinosaur paraphernalia that laid scattered about every nook of the house. This soon became his standard approach to all interests, and to this day goes all or nothing when it comes to an interest at hand. There was world cup soccer (he could tell you every score of each game, along with the proper pronunciation of every key player. I, on the other hand, could just tell you the name of the incredibly attractive player who kept my interest in world cup at an all-time high). Then came the Tour de France ( my approach to world cup applied here as well), and several interests later, we currently find ourselves knee high into football.

... As I "excitedly" read to him the scores of every football game score since 1968 (his preferred bedtime story at the moment), I am reminded of those many nights spent pouring over every dinosaur book we had. The dinosaur names I once knew so well have become quite faded as I sit here learning the new facts being read out loud. I then look over and see his drawings on the bedside table...pages full of made up football games.

...The drawings are more complex and detailed than those simple line drawings he had done a few years back, and full of "really cool action". As I look through each amazing page, I cannot stop but think about that little dinosaur drawing I had stumbled upon earlier that day.
I had no idea back then what those drawings would eventually tell us about our child, and it makes them even that much more emotional when I look at them today.

...He gets so passionate about things, and the enthusiasm he has can be quite incredible... I am just not so sure I am cut out for three years hearing about every score in the history of football. Now if he were to pick up cycling again, that would be a different story....

we actually did the opposite...

2011-01-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

... The holidays for us were not what we had intended, and the emotional strain that resulted in this period caused some serious concern on how things were going to move on. Could we find a find a solution that fosters the peace and happiness we have so desired in the home? The one thing we were certain of was the need to change our approach...it was clearly not working.

...I truly believe that regardless of whether or not you are dealing with Autism, there always comes a time where a shift in parenting needs to occur. Even with our youngest, we have found the need to change our approach as he developed and grew. What once worked so beautifully at three may not be working anymore at four, and it often takes a few weeks of frustrations to finally realize that a shift needs to occur.

..With our eldest, the shifts are more dramatic, and the the moments in between can often leave you feeling helpless and lost. After hearing some unwanted advice about what we should do (you may be able to make sense of it in the above image...), I took a step back and realized it was time to make that shift again...albeit a much more positive one that would respect the wonderful person that he is.

...I needed to let go a bit more, and give him more freedom and independence to do things without me looking over his shoulder all the time. Letting him accomplish some more challenging tasks without my watchful eye changed the way he felt, and allowed him to feel the respect I have for him. He wanted me to ask him questions, and thus allow myself to be the learner...it made him feel good, and I soon realized that this was one of those shifts that needed to occur. He wasn't feeling the respect that I had for him, because I wasn't showing it enough.
He was showing me that, and for a long time I didn't see it. Now I do, and because of that, the peace and calm we so loved having has returned.

.

impulsive project number three....

2011-01-15T10:09:00.001-08:00

..it was only a matter of time before that impulsive nature would get the best of me, and this time the victim happened to be none other than the dreadful ceiling fan. (and of course I didn't notice the immense amount of dust it had collected until posting this image...) Apparently five years of passing under this fan was enough, and far be it for me to actually go to the store and buy a replacement. When my impulsive urges hit, they hit hard...action must be taken immediately, and I am left trying to find a solution with what's on hand.

..The old blades were removed, and thrown immediately into the trash

...a lamp I had sitting around was taken apart,(which still had it's label on...I have a weird thing about forgetting to take tags off) saving the harp, finial, and shade for use in this project

I stretched the harp over the main body of the ceiling fan, and secured with a heavy-duty rubber band (a.k.a. the asparagus band I managed to take out of the hands of a cheeky little boy who looked suspicious in how he planned to use it. ) You could easily use wire, but that meant going down the stairs to find it. Too much fuss...

The finial and shade were assembled to check that everything looked level, and then removed until the base for the shade was made.

...Although the lamp was already looking much better than it's brass adorned predecessor, the ugly bulbs were in plain sight and something was needed to cover them up. An embroidery hoop I had in the studio was stretched with my portraits fabric, and then stiffened using a product called "Stiffy". A hole was slit in the center, and the finished hoop placed on top of the harp. The lamp shade and finial were placed back on the fixture and tightened.

...And there you have it! A lamp that really makes me happy as I walk by, and a project that came out better with the limitations I had set on myself. Impulsive behaviour may actually be a good thing, right?

..at least this little monkey thinks so (seen here trying to reach himself high enough to retrieve that rubber band)

did I mention Ms. Peri Menopause?

2011-01-12T18:26:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of Thea Coughlin

... Yes. I do believe I mentioned my lovely photographer friend Thea in my musings about Boston, but did I fail to mention my third companion? The one that decided to start visiting me at 35 and manages to find herself (still) accompanying me without my permission? I do believe her name is Ms. Peri Menopause, and Thea managed to snap an image of her the morning after our show.

... Well, in case you haven't been blessed with her presence before, this is what she looks like. She makes you hot enough to suddenly throw every sheet off, where you swear you were just thrown into a sauna against your will. And just as you think it couldn't get any hotter, you reach over the bed desperate to grab some knee high socks because the sauna has since been replaced with the polar plunge. After a night of repeating this fun ritual many times over, the aftermath of Ms. Peri's visit was documented above. Perfect timing to pay a visit, don't you think?

... and to think that I only have about 5-10 more years of these surprise visits until the real Ms. Menopause makes an entrance...I guess I better go out and get some more socks. (and plenty of towels)

Images of Boston...(and a few glimpses of me...)

2011-01-11T19:38:00.000-08:00

...As two boys lie asleep with their jammies inside out and full of superstitious hopes that this way of going to bed will undoubtedly bring about the snow day they have been wanting, I thought it fitting to share with you some images of my trip.

..I may not be full of many words in this post, which can happen when you decide to start writing near 11 p.m., but what I can show you are the wonderful images that can come about when you have a wonderful photographer by your side...

...Thea and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at Montserrat College of Art, and the opening gave us a chance to fully engage in some wonderful conversations with the faculty, staff and visitors at the event.

...A moment to step away and sign a young girl's cast was a highlight of the night...so much so, that I had quite a bit of "stage fright" as they handed me that permanent marker. I ended up drawing a man with a mustache, because you just can't go wrong drawing a mustache, right?

..The intentions were all there to fill this post with details, but as I have stated before, starting this post at 11pm probably wasn't the best idea. I was just too anxious to share some of these lovely photographs with you, and hope that you don't the lack of written detail.

..Thank you so much Montserrat for inviting me to do this show for you, and for putting together a wonderful night. And my dear Thea....you do realize that you are now coming with me to ever event from now on? (and it's not just for your photography skills....the chats in the car alone were all I needed!)

Anyone near Boston Thursday?

2011-01-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

carol schlosberg alumni gallery

Montserrat College of Art

Hours
Mon. – Fri. 10 am - 5 pm
Thur. until 8 pm, Sat. 12-5pm

Samantha Cotterill

January 4 – January 27, 2011

Artist Reception: Jan 6th, 5 - 7 pm

Samantha Cotterill, Journal Page: Wednesday

Samantha Cotterill, Fixation

By marrying line work, tacticity, and cadence, Cotterill celebrates the obsessive and the charming found in raising a child with Aspergers. Cotterill practices a free-motion stitching technique to draw a series of whimsical, antiquated narratives inspired by British aesthetic, motherhood, and obsessive compulsive behavior. Repetition can be found in the patterned milk men, double decker buses, and phone booths that reminisce of fairy tales told with old English twang. Iteration is thematic in her work, documenting Sunday through Saturday in fabric journals, her son’s inclination to recognize each and every different license plate, or depicting the way he tattles on a tattler. The childlike aesthetic of Cotterill’s stitchings go hand in hand with her meticulous care for the material.

Samantha Cotterill is a fiber artist, formerly a painter and sculptor. Her day to day musings as a mother and wife heavily influence her lines of work: fine art, design and hand made kitsch made under her alternative alias, “mummysam”. Heavily influenced by her British upbringing, Cotterill produces work that echoes the stories she reads her children and the aesthetic she, too grew up with since childhood. At the same time, the works presented in Stitched illustrate the anxieties and struggles she shares with her son as a parent of a child on the autistic spectrum.

happy holidays from a cheeky little monkey...

2010-12-22T07:05:00.001-08:00

...with a five year old having a tough time "behaving" lately, this mum was driven to the need of making a serious warning. If the behavior did not change, then mummy was required by the elves to send in a report. That moment came sooner than mum expected, and the result was a very upset little boy who thought mummy was the one in need of the warning.

...after hiding under the dining room table and doing something very "cheeky" looking, little m approached dad with the sealed envelope.

little m: "dad, could you please put this in the mailbox?"

dad: "is it a nice letter?"

little m: "yep"

dad:" is it about mum?"

little m : "nope...and you don't need to open it. It's closed. Just put in the mailbox, okay? "

...so in the mailbox it was placed, and mum sent little m to school. Upon returning, mum and dad carefully opened the super-sealed shut letter.

... he clearly was not happy with mum that morning, and it wasn't too long before the guilt got the best of him and a confession was made on the way home from school ( "mom, I wrote a really really bad word today")

...dad and mum had a good chuckle in the morning, and little m felt better after finding out the elves were proud of him for being honest.

... and there you have it. Our cheeky little way of leaving you all for a moment as we celebrate the holidays. See you next week!

Winner announced!

2010-12-20T19:31:00.001-08:00

congratulations Monda-Loves! You are the winner of this lovely package!!!
Please e-mail me, and the goodies will be in their way....

thank you so much to all of you who have entered, and how wonderful to meet so many new people! The response was overwhelming.....thank you!

I was the one not quite ready....

2010-12-16T08:11:00.001-08:00

** don't forget about the giveaway on the previous post! Thanks so much to all of you who have entered thus far...good luck! ***

...I was the reluctant one. Ever since I first laid eyes on the movie "A Christmas Story", I knew instantly that when I had kids, sharing a room would be a must. The two single beds placed perfectly with a table in between was the only reason why they have shared a room since little M was 9 months old. (I am also a little obsessed with that movie...) And every night since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed peeking in as they slept soundly side by side. Sure, there were moments that proved troublesome when trying to get them to sleep at an appropriate time (especially when little M moved out of the crib. There were many a night of screams from big A protesting, "he won't stop climbing on top of me!", and many more nights of hearing little feet running back and forth for what seemed like an eternity.), but the overall pluses of sharing a room made it all worthwhile. The conversations were always fun to eavesdrop on, and this was usually the time that both boys got along really well. Phrases such as, "wouldn't it be awesome if..", and "do you want to hear something cool?" became quite popular as they got older, and both found more enjoyment in conversing with one another. (There were plenty of moments when little M was too young to converse back and forth with big A. It was often a case of big A wanting to talk, but little M just finding pleasure in shouting out potty words and jumping on big A)

..So when big A started approaching me with the idea of moving to his own room, I was quite reluctant. I thought about it for a while, and after the umpteenth request, decided it was worth a try. The spare room was quickly painted, and "cooler" stuff was arranged just so on the shelf.

...That night he went to bed excited, but at the same time quite nervous about being alone for the first time in 6 years. I had to lay with him down to sleep, and as I did so, found myself feeling quite sad. The room seemed so empty....there was no little body nearby sleeping soundly, and the room just seemed so "empty". Once asleep, I went downstairs and spent the rest of the night "mourning" the loss of what I had loved so much about them being together.

..A couple of nights went by, and as the fears of being alone faded away, a new and older boy started to emerge...a boy that thrived in the feeling of independence as he read himself to bed at night. No longer did the lights have to go out when mummy left the room in order for both boys to fall asleep quickly. He was now old enough to be allowed an extra 20 minutes to read with the light on, and given the important job of following mummy's instructions to turn it out himself at the designated time. And every night since then, I have crept up the stairs and watched as the light goes at exactly the right time, knowing that in that room lies a boy who is loving this new sense of independence.

...It was time, and I am just so thankful for the wonderful years they did have together.
(and I have to say, as much as I loved those long conversations, it is nice not having to call up several reminders to stop talking and quiet down...those boys have been known to go for up to three hours doing so!)

***P.S! don't forget about the giveaway!! thanks so much to everyone who has entered thus far, and how wonderful to meet so many new people! Deadline ends tomorrow!!! ***

holiday giveaway!!!! (part of Sew Mama Sew)

2010-12-13T07:04:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays! Let me treat you to a book, tape, and some fabric...

..as I sat on the couch last night being all "festive" and watching Christmas shows with a jack-o-lantern bucket of forgotten candy in my lap (this is the probably the last year I will be able to get away with "hiding" the candy until they have no memory of it), I thought it fitting to have a big holiday giveaway today....

..how does a book, tape, and some fabric sound? hmmm?

..just leave a comment below...and if you become a follower, tweet, and/or blog about this fun giveaway, I will count you in for up to 4 votes! Make sure to let me know what you have done, and I hope this approach will allow me to get to know a bit more about my followers.

...The comments will close Friday at 10pm EST....good luck!!!

how to make your kids festive....(and the winner is...)

2010-12-08T08:26:00.000-08:00

How on earth do you tackle the dreaded holiday picture when one child refuses to remove pajamas, and the other insists on wearing his favourite skull shirt? Well, first you don't do what I did and try to force one very reluctant participant to climb on board. ( "please? can you just put on this cool striped shirt for 5 minutes? I will let you have extra dessert? an extra sticker for your chart? c'mon, something?")

After an emotionally exhausting few minutes, I took a deep breath and looked at the stress I was creating. Why would I adorn them in clothes they would never wear in the first place? Unless pants come in soft flannel or have "sports pants" written all over them, the one child is not happy. That's who he is, day in and day out.

Instead, I came up with a plan to not only show you who they really are, but also allow myself to give those family members and friends something a bit more festive. Our holiday card became a project that both the kids and I enjoyed creating together, and as a result new excitement was generated when posing for the picture. With big A wanting to be a "cool" snowboarder, and the other one wanting to carry a log, we were able to work on something that, in the end, represented who they were and made them festive at the same time! whew....

...I may need to keep an extra card on hand for those days when I want to see something other than red or blue sports pants...a little eye breather is always good, no?

**** winner announcement! using the random.org site, the winner of the lovely Spoonful zine is
bananenblatt! Please e-mail me your address, and this perfect little companion will be on it's way....thanks so much to everyone who entered! ****

a spoonful giveaway....

2010-12-02T06:19:00.001-08:00

...this seriously is the loveliest publication that arrived at my doorstop the other day, and what makes this even more special is the inclusion of a little piece of mine! I am beyond thrilled, and to be amongst so many other talented artists and writers is an honour...

..Anthea does an incredible job creating what she describes as a, "...short and inspiring little publication which, in light of our insanely busy lives, can be finished by the end of a train ride. It's quick to consume, beautifully soft, & after reading will genuinely make you smile."

I may not have a lovely train ride to absorb myself in this little zine, but I do have a preschool parking lot that has allowed just as much enjoyment as I wait for the little guy to finish school.

...Thank you so much Anthea, and I happen to have an extra copy for someone out there to enjoy as well! If you would like your own little inspirational zine, please leave a comment and spread the word. I will close the comments Saturday at 10pm EST.

...good luck!

tattletale

2010-11-30T12:48:00.001-08:00

:: my youngest son came in to the kitchen the other day with that face....

...that face that clearly lets me know he is about to tattle on his big brother.

mum: "if you are about to tattle on your brother, I do not want to hear it right now. You need to go back and figure this one out yourselves"

little m: "mum...I am not going to tattle!", said with a very clear look of disapointment that I would even suggest it.

mum: "I'm sorry. Please tell me what you would like to talk to me about"

little m: "mummy...big A is tattling." (said with the whine of a century)

a tattle on a tattle. That's what I worked on today....

** now available in my shop! **

he needed that (well, we all needed that...)

2010-11-29T07:00:00.001-08:00

:: he needed this hot cup of cocoa, and we all needed the crisp walk around the lake that soon followed.

:: Within a lap of running through the trails and discovering new dwellings, we were all living in a moment of happiness and relief. The stresses that can come with the unpredictable nature of the holidays were behind us, and instead we were laughing and just enjoying the present. My husband looked at me with this "oh man, how glad I am we are here" kind of look, and I quickly reached over and gave my eldest son a rub on the back.

:: We are still learning when it comes to figuring out all of the kinks that comes along with the way my son's mind thinks. What for many people can be a great excuse to eat massive amounts of food in the mid-afternoon, becomes a source of intense stress for him. To him, meals are at three designated times of the day, and having dinner at 2:30pm makes no sense. I had just finished cooking the day away, and wanting nothing more than to enjoy a glass of wine and enjoy the "fruits of my labour". Listening to the protests upset me, and admittedly made me resentful.
It was the holidays, and I just wanted to enjoy this nice meal.

:: Then I looked up. I looked up and saw somebody so tense and hurt. I could see his pain, and immediately understood. I should have expected this, and even more so, planned our meal time more appropriately. But I sometimes forget, as I think many of us do when raising children. It's definitely been a learning process, and although I pick up many ideas and suggestions, those same ideas and suggestion can get lost and you forget your way. You find yourself consoling a little body that cries out, "nobody hears me sometimes", and then you remember. He leaves the table having eaten only one bite, and you happily let him go knowing that when 5:00pm rolls around, he will be ready. And we we all be there to celebrate Thanksgiving with him.

(Although the nature of the holidays can bring about a lot of unexpected stresses and upsets, there are many tips out there on how to help your family create a fulfilling and memory loving experience. I have found many a helpful suggestion here ....)

it just took an old key ring, a paper clip, and some wire...

2010-11-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

:: i'm back at it again, and this time it's with that annoying hall light. I cannot pass this thing without expecting breast milk to start dripping from it's engorged shape, and like most of the other lactating ceiling lights in the house, it has become a source of annoyance every time I look at it. Similar to the sudden decision to re-do the dining room table, this light also became the victim of my impulsive way of thinking.

...using my "work with what you've got" philosophy, I was determined to figure out a way to change this lamp in a hurry before the little one needed picking up from school. The outside frame was taken off, and the dusty remains became the backbone for the new frame. (and yes. it did get dusted...just with a sock that I had in arms reach because I was too "lazy" to actually step down from the ladder and find an appropriate cloth)

... the IKEA lamp was given a good clean....(o.k. no it wasn't. I actually forgot until I installed the whole thing. I am impatient....but I swear I will get to it...)

..In order to make the lamp fit around the existing light fixture, I needed to take off the top support and clip a notch through one side. (think pac-man). The light was placed around the frame, using an old key ring, paper clip, and found piece of wire, and I thought it was done. Stepping back to take pride in my work, I soon realized the old light fixture had never been rid of it's "aged bronze" glory. So, the light was taken back down and the old fixture was given a good spray coating in high-gloss white.

...After a mad dash to the hardware store to see what now "had to be done" to finish the room, I managed to squeeze in just enough time to number all of the stairs (..and of course leave the 13th step blank...)

..ta da! Hastiness can indeed lead to perfection, no?

..Even if it does mean using an old key ring, paper clip, and scrap piece of wire

DIY: holiday door ornament

2010-11-19T07:37:00.001-08:00

..I thought it might be fun to do a little ornament tutorial today, even though I am notorious for waiting until a couple of days before Christmas to start anything holiday related at all. Maybe this will give me that little push to get started, and hopefully eradicate my annual tendency to express mail everything at the last minute (maybe.....)

step one:: grab your favourite doors fabric (ahem...)

step two:: cut around your door shape, leaving as much white space as you can around the door.

step three:: Place your door on a slightly larger piece of fabric, right sides together, making sure to extend the back piece beyond the bottom edge of the door.

step four:: Sew the fabric together, making sure to leave the bottom section open. Trim any extra fabric from sides and top, and clip the curved seams.

step five:: Turn the door ornament right side out, and fold the bottom cotton edges into the body. You may want to thread a loop of floss through the top if you intend to hang this project. (or perhaps forgo this step to create free-standing doors for your fireplace mantle!)

step six:: stuff. (the corners are pretty hard to reach, unless you have the delicate hands of this dear lady. The back of your kid's paint brush will work perfectly to pull out those tricky little corners...)

step seven:: Stand the door on top of a scrap of felt for the base, and trace around the edge.
Cut out the felt, and attach it with a blanket stitch in a floss colour of your choosing.

step eight :: hang your lovely ornament, sit back, and enjoy a glass of wine.

:: this could also work well with the buses, no?

oh.my.word.

2010-11-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

(warning!: this is too intense for young children, so you may want to enjoy this once the kiddies have gone down for the night.) I also seem to have a problem sizing the film correctly for full view, so please feel free to visit here if you are having any difficulties.

..ever see something that is so amazing, you cannot seem to think about anything else?
I am in awe, and thought you might like to see what kept me glued to my seat. This is ,both aesthetically and emotionally, some of the most beautiful work I have seen in a long time.

..brilliant.

free fat quarter for my followers!

2010-11-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

..a fun little treat for my blog followers today...
...Order a book (includes illustrations)from my etsy shop today, and receive a free fat quarter! Just type in "free fat quarter" in your comments when purchasing the book, and I will include a fat quarter of mummysam fabric. This fun little treat ends at 11pm EST. Happy Wednesday!

working with what you've got....

2010-11-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

..Like my approach to re-doing the dining room, I also find it fun to "work with what I've got" when it comes to textile design. It can be good to set limitations, and the challenge that comes with working this way can be a great asset for enhancing creativity. To be able to pull from one's own library of resources to create something new, is an activity that I find necessary to grow as a designer.

..It can be down-right hair pulling at times, but when it works....it works. It's good to change things up a bit, just like a freshly painted room or new arrangement of furniture can liven ones senses again. Images and ideas were pulled from different sewn images and earlier textile designs, and in the process new techniques and ideas for future projects were discovered.

..anyone up for something a little different?

Where my distraction led me....

2010-11-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

... How did I manage to pass by this table, eat at this table, vacuum under this table, fight at this table, laugh at this table, and draw at this table for four years and not notice?

..Four years of daily use, and only yesterday did I notice it. It was too dark. And according to my impulsive nature (yes. I still have yet to get behind that radiator to finish painting the living room), I had decided in a blink of an eye that it must go. I also knew that if my husband came home to yet another partially done "masterpiece", my days of tackling any future necessary transformations may be a thing of the past. I had five hours before he would come home......

..after priming the table a few times with a shellac-based primer (this was the scary part....no turning back....), I applied several more coats of Martha Stewart's pure white paint in semi-gloss.

..The chairs were replaced with old Ikea ones we had collecting dust in the basement, and given a new look with some of my mummysam fabric. (We hadn't used these chairs since our oldest was two, and wow. Taking off the old cushion was a similar experience one gets when taking a car seat out of the car. The grotesque amount of powdered cheerios, crackers, and dried up mushed bananas was quite overwhelming. I forgot how much mess those little fingers and mouths can make!)

...my favourite wedgewood pottery was brought out of the cupboard (mind you, only for this little presentation...these will be replaced with piles of homework, stickers, and older kid food mess...just let me indulge for a bit.)

...the rug was switched with my studio rug from IKEA, and two of the chairs were recovered a second time when two boys came home and "requested" the foxes instead. I finished the project just in time, and really like how it turned out. We are a family that use this table more for colouring and homework than entertaining, and needed a room that better fit that purpose.
And what do you know? I actually finished it this time. (except if you count the yellow dresser in the background...a previous project that got every side painted except the left one. With one push of the dresser closer to the wall, no one has noticed yet....)

...any projects in the works for you?

Charles Takes New York while I take on a dining table..

2010-11-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

As I undertake yet another project, (this one involves the "sudden" need to prime over my entire wood dining table and hope that this new idea of mine works out...), I thought i'd share with you another little project that fellow crafter Alisa made after attending my craft night event in Brooklyn. Little did I know the transformation this Charles character would take, and even more so the adventures he would soon take!

I wonder what else Charles has been up to lately? (nothing suspicious I hope.....)

eeek!

2010-11-03T17:11:00.001-07:00

...eeek!
...I must say, I went a bit silly when this arrived in the mail today.....
I love how it turned out, and cannot wait to put it to good use. I have seven yards available in the shop, and would love to see what you come up with!

a sewing opportunity for you out there......

2010-11-01T06:17:00.001-07:00

Clutch purse with portraits on cream, originally uploaded by Jennifer Ladd handmade.

...I finally came to the realization that I need some help. I receive quite a few e-mails asking to see my Spoonflower fabric "in action", and although my intentions of making examples are nothing short of great, I have to admit defeat. (Besides, there is no way I would make anything nearly as lovely as this clutch bag from Jennifer Ladd!)

..I would love to include not only a sample project in my etsy listing for each particular pattern, but also a link to your own shop if you should have one. Full credit would be given, and hopefully this would be a great opportunity to send some more exposure your way...

...what do you think?

**Update! I have already received a lot of e-mails with some questions regarding this post.
The deadline is open, which should give enough time for those far away who do not yet have any mummysam fabric to purchase some and create a project. I will wait until I receive an image that I think best represents the fabric. If I receive a lot of submissions for one particular fabric, I will post an image on that etsy listing on a rotational basis. ***

he's lucky I had to get home....

2010-10-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

...it's a good thing I had to get home, or else he would see me walk in with yet another unnecessary project at hand (I still have to put back in some quarter round in the kitchen, finish painting the doors upstairs, paint that annoying hard to get to spot behind the living room radiators....you know. The projects that should get done first before I tackle anything else)

..I have officially painted the kitchen four times, the living room three, and my studio twice in the four years since moving here. As my husband sees it; once you paint it, it's there for life. As for myself; once you paint it, it's good for about 4 months until you see an image in a magazine that shows you that the color you originally picked just won't do anymore.

..I drove past and tightened my hands against the steering wheel, ready to pull in. (not quite the intensity that Meryl Streep had with the truck handle in Bridges of Madison County, but you get the idea....) I was right there, and oh how I just wanted to go in for a quick look. The boys' room has been looking kind of bland lately, and they could do with a fresh coat, right? The justifications started rolling in, and I was ever so close to caving in.

..Then the quarter round started talking, and the leaky faucet began to scream...pretty soon a whole orchestra of 90% done jobs started to play. And oh how loudly they played right into my ear. I couldn't do it. For the first time I resisted that urge to bring home yet another project, and found myself driving home with my hands a bit more relaxed on the wheel.

..Besides, I have to go that way again tomorrow...if I get one of those looming projects done today, maybe that orchestra of unfinished tasks will let me add another instrument? (I swear I will finish it this time. Really. Well, maybe except for that spot behind the radiator....but do people really look behind that anyway?)

"mum...it was a real hug...I got a real hug!! "

2010-10-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

(my youngest son with his dad..)

:: upon going to bed, my eldest son ran upstairs breathless and happy. "mum! mum! I got to hug dad! And it was a real hug (demonstration quickly followed...). He gave me eight of them!!!!"

:: he was so happy, and by the look on his eyes, you could really tell just how much he needed it.
It has been two weeks since their dad's cycling accident, one that I had been told should have been fatal. And along with this type of accident comes not only the physical pain from recovery, but also an emotional one of how to handle it all. Being told "not to get too close dad", "watch where your leg is kicking!", "be careful how you walk past dad", "daddy can't play right now" on a regular basis to two young boys can be quite challenging emotionally on both the kids and parents.

:: I'll be honest. It has been tough. My eldest son's symptoms have skyrocketed these past two weeks, as the overall change in the flow of the house has made him quite uncomfortable. I don't always remember to step back and look at what is really going on, and will often react to his outbursts with my own sense of frustration. I have to remind myself that we are all in some way affected by this accident, and my eldest son just has a tougher time expressing it.

:: When he finished giving me the exact play-by-play of their hug, I could see just how much this has affected him.....more so than I had realized. He needed that hug. Dad needed to give that hug. I needed to see those huge eyes light up when told about that hug.

:: We are thankful....ever so thankful that the accident ended the way it did. Yes, there will be quite some time of rehabilitation ahead of us, but that is nothing compared to what it could have been. No brain injuries, no internal damage......he will be o.k.....he just has to get ready for the massive onslaught of hugs!

in the shop.....

2010-10-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

:: some holiday (or winter, if you want to be more general) fabric has arrived in the shop....

:: and how did I not notice those dirty little seven year old nails until now? (he assures me that the rest of his hands were washed to perfection).

as the holidays near....

2010-10-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

while we continue to mend, I have managed to sneak in little pockets of time here and there to feed that little creative bug of mine that cannot be left alone...(plus it helps tremendously to keep some sanity when one needs it most!) My posts will be brief and sporadic for still some time, but allow me to again treat you to a little pattern heading my way in about a week(although the pattern for the fabric will be in a half-brick layout instead). Look for it in the shop soon!

wishing everyone a wonderful weekend....

thank you......

2010-10-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

..first of all, it must be said that I am ever so thankful for all of your support. Your comments were just what we needed to hear, and again I thank you....
..We are hanging in there, and as a good friend suggested, looking at his progress on a week to week basis vs. comparing each day individually. There is still time to be had for mending and healing, but for now what I really need is a little distraction. Allow me to share a little something I have been tinkering on, with hopes that this fabric will arrive in a week or so. (and for all of those waiting on Mr. Fox, portraits, and other fabrics....they will be arriving any day!) I didn't quite think it through enough this year, as it suddenly dawned on me that creating holiday fabric should have been done weeks ago...(drats). With the time running ever so short, I managed to sneak this little number in with the hope that you may all get to enjoy a little mummysam version of the holidays......

...alright, I am off to mend now. Thank you for the distraction....

Renegade Canceled...

2010-10-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

I am afraid this Saturday's workshop and book signing at Renegade Handmade in Chicago has been canceled. Please bear with me as I take time off from blogging to tend to some matters at home. My husband was in a bad cycling accident (he will be o.k, thank goodness...) and I need some time to help him recover. I will start posting again more regularly next week. Thanks so much.

his view of the city...

2010-10-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

(embroidered linen with encaustic)

we went to the city...

we were all excited, as was he....

...but he was also overwhelmed. The unexpected noises, the crowds, the smaller spaces....he couldn't adjust and was ready to go home. Then we found the perfect little playground shaped like a ship. With no other children there, he was able to take a mental breath and return to the noises hand in hand.....

they weren't as itchy this time....

2010-10-07T06:07:00.000-07:00

...remember those itchy tights? Well, a few washes later and the "itch" factor seems to have died down quite a bit. (thank goodness for that!) I am a bit hooked on these tights, and thought it would be fitting for an upcoming magazine article about myself and my workspace. With a quick call to my lovely friend Thea, an afternoon was spent with some good coffee, great chit chatting, and really fun photography. We decided to put my sewing machine on my lap, as it truly plays the role of a pencil when it comes to my own approach to fiber art. I don't use a pencil when it comes to the stitched work, but rather use the machine solely as my drawing tool. What do you think?

...along with my "fashion" shot (can you tell how hard I am, yet again, trying to disguise the lack of any chin? There's really only so much one can do....), came the need for a basic studio shot as well. It may not be in full-view, but what it does showcase is the corner that I find most inspiring.....that one little spot that I find comforting, and in a perfect rainy day, can become the most comfortable space to be in. Thea captured it so well, and the collaborative process in itself was so inspiring. It's been a long time since I have gotten together with someone and brainstormed ideas back and forth, which was much needed. (even with a heavy sewing machine on my lap......)

it told me off, but I kept going.....

2010-10-05T07:32:00.001-07:00

The time: 9am, Monday morning
The place: the crime began in the kitchen, and then made it's way to the family room
The crime: I ate the last cider doughnut from the apple orchard.....the last one that was being saved for my eldest son.

The Reenactment:
7am: big A speaks: "mum, can you please save that last one for me?"
mum: "of course..it will be there when you get back from school."

9am: Mum could no longer stand looking at that morsel of utter goodness when passing through the kitchen. She stood for a moment and pondered the situation. "Well," she thought..."It does look like it might be getting a bit stale. And who would want to ruin their cider doughnut memories with a tainted doughnut?" She knew it was wrong, but her jaws stood there aching to just have a bite. She was starting to drool......

930 am: a satiated mum looked down at what she had done. Sure, the doughnut was even better than she thought, but looking at the last remains brought about the guilt. She couldn't bare to eat that last bite, and so it was left there.....where it remained until the afternoon.

2pm: With one final walk past the plate, she stopped in her tracks and looked down. It was definitely stale now, so eating this last little bit would be guilt free. Within seconds the evidence was gone, the plate was washed, and she was at the bus stop waiting for her son's return.

3pm: Big A states, "where's the doughnut? I thought you were saving it for me!"
mum's horrible reply "Oh, it went stale..I had to throw it out. We'll get some more the next time we visit the orchard. I promise."

oh what a naughty mummy I was, and when I looked at this picture I was convinced this food was talking to me (well, more like telling me off). At least it tasted good, right?

scratchy but worth it...

2010-10-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

I am trying....really trying to get used to the idea that I no longer have to wear plain cotton shirts and the same pair of jeans everyday. After several years of just not caring due to the inevitable smear of wet crumbs from little fingers and little mouths tagging my shoulders with cookie drenched drool, it's time to break free. Starting from scratch isn't easy, and it's taking me a bit of courage to buy things that cost more than $15. So, one pair of shoes and some cool tights later, I am setting off on this new journey to become "me" again. The one problem about wearing clothes that are just shy of wearing jammies, is that your expectation of comfort is extremely high. Am I constantly shifting my jean skirt side to side because the waistline isn't familiar? yes.
Am I scratching my legs because the .00000009% of wool in them is making me itch something dreadful? oh yes yes yes... Am I thinking it would be just easier to go upstairs and put some comfy pants on? Yep.
I went upstairs this morning (after the scratching hit an all-time high) to look in the mirror, and found myself quite excited to see a woman no longer looking ready for kids to unleash their damage. (did you ever get as bad as I did? I can't tell you how many mornings I put on the same shirt the next day, noticed the milk stains on my one shoulder, and just scraped the stain off with my nails. why add more laundry?)
As a result, the comfy pants will go neatly back in their drawer, where they will remain until the kids go to sleep. (I never said I would dress this way all day...besides, how can you relax on a couch with itchy tights?)

The balance (and imbalance) of motherhood.....

2010-10-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

(remember this photo?)

...I may not be locked up in the bathroom eating ice cream this time, but I am still escaping.
With two boys clearly exhausted from a week of school and deciding that Saturday morning was the perfect time to test out waking up at an ungodly hour, I am taking a "break" from the resulting emotional drama as I hide out in my little studio. A coffee at hand, I am laughing as I type this post with the sounds of "brotherly love" in the background. What better timing than now to send you over to the lovely Leilaloo, where I discuss the balancing act of simultaneously being an artist and mum?

...So, if there are any other "escapees" out there, please pop over and say hello!

poppytalk love....

2010-10-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More indie love

today I want to share with you a wonderful little ensemble featuring all the loveliness that can be found at poppytalk. If you are like me, and are finding it hard to break out of the snugglies due to cloudy skies and pouring rain, then grab a nice cup of tea and enjoy......

about time, huh?

2010-09-30T08:52:00.001-07:00

...today was one of those days where I just needed to do something for myself. As a one woman show, it's amazing how little of your time is actually spent creating. Many a day is spent with e-mails, paperwork, packaging, posting, and all the other bits and pieces that inevitably leads to a week where I haven't created a darn thing. In order to keep some sanity around me, I have come to realize how important it is to just clear the desk and be completely selfish.

...after one last look at my e-mails, (really not a good idea that I have the computer so accessible...I am one of those easily distracted souls that will "just check my e-mails quickly" every few minutes while I am working...have to stop that!) I turned off the computer and began to work.

...I didn't spend the day rushing to meet certain deadlines and bolting to the post office before the school bus arrived, but rather put on my comfy jammie pants, had a cookie, and started to play. These solo play dates are so needed, and I often have to remind myself that they are also a necessity to keep my other work fresh and creative.

...alright. Obviously I have the computer back on, but I swear I won't check it every couple of seconds! Besides, I have to run off to the kitchen for another cookie.......

fabric and book giveaway!

2010-09-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

would you like a chance to win a free bundle of mummysam fabric from Robert Kaufman and a Fanciful Felties from mummysam book as well? Well, please hop over to Stash's lovely site and enter a comment today....

(so sorry for the lack of any advanced warning! The chance to win ends this Wednesday...good luck!)

whew!

2010-09-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

whew!
I am back from the most wonderful night in Brooklyn, where I took on a new role as "teacher" for a few hours and lead a wonderful workshop in the even more wonderful work space of Etsy. Being completely surrounded by such a creative environment was just what this mum needed, as it brought back instant memories of those super late nights in art school. (oh how long ago that was!) It was fantastic, and if only I had remembered to actually bring my camera (ugh!), I would have something visual to share....

...so, for the time being, I shall give you a little peak into a new fabric design I have been playing around with.

Thanks to not only the Etsy staff for making my visit so incredible, but also to all of you who made it out for a fun night of stitching (and chatting...of course). Please send me images of your finished pieces, as I would love to see how they turned out!

Friday excitment (with a lot of butterflies....)

2010-09-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

...I am heading off to bed with too many butterflies in my tummy to count, as tomorrow brings about a big day full of excitement!

...First, grab a cup of coffee and head over to Martha Stewart's site and look out for this free tutorial I have cooked up. (Yes....it even includes the telephone booth tutorial from my book!)

...Then, after a day sewing up your own little bag, head on over to Etsy Labs Craft Night for a fun afternoon/evening of even more sewing. (are your fingers tired from just thinking about it?)

Wish me luck, and now I am off to grab a quick mug of warm milk in hopes of putting some of those butterflies to sleep....

Reserve a copy for Craft Night!

2010-09-22T06:03:00.001-07:00

...I have received e-mails from those attending Etsy Labs Craft night if a book can be purchased in advance, and picked up at the night of the workshop. Certainly! For the next two days, I will post a special listing for those attending the workshop in Brooklyn this Friday. Simply visit the Etsy shop and reserve your copy.......Oh how excited I am getting! It's looking to be a fun night of creating, and of course some good old "chit chatting" as well!

Sunday Showcase (on a Monday)....

2010-09-20T06:04:00.001-07:00

...as I sit here surrounded by the overwhelming aroma of Vick's in my "not so pretty" jammies, I can't help but wish I had these lovely lounge pants to wear...

..a big thank you is in order to Kleja for sparking jealously on this end, as I wish so much to be sporting them myself. I absolutely love how she incorporated the mummysam fabric into the pants....something I would never have thought of.

..Congratulations Kleja on being our second showcase, and your free fat quarter will be on it's way! To all of you new to this event, I encourage everyone to send me work using mummysam fabric. Every Sunday I will not only feature the work but also send a free fat quarter his/her way!

(Thank you to all have submitted thus far...all the work has been so lovely to look at, and will be kept in the pool for later showcases. So keep them coming!)

Showcase Sunday delay...

2010-09-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

just a quick heads up to all of you out there...we are home with two kids not feeling too hot, so I am postponing "Showcase Sunday" until tomorrow. see you then!

Etsy book pre-order?

2010-09-17T17:59:00.000-07:00

..I thought we could have a little fun this Friday evening, no?

..with my upcoming book events happening ever so soon, I thought it would be fitting to have a little event of our own right here.

..I am setting aside twenty copies to launch a pre-order on Etsy this evening. ( Did you notice above the little intro tease? I was so honoured to have the lovely Julie from Etsy Labs write it. )
Along with the book, (which I will sign, although I haven't practiced writing my name this much since grade school when I wanted to see what my name would look like when I'd marry my fifth grade crush ) I am also going to include printed card stock scenery for you to make you own little environments!

(note the drawn scenery in the background? I thought it would be fun to include some for you to have fun with as well!)

....So please come join me and spread the word.....

coming soon to Martha.....

2010-09-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

....a little something I "cooked" up for The Crafts Dept. at Martha Stewart Living next Friday, September 24th.

...Please pay me a visit and get crafty with me!

come sew with me at Etsy.....

2010-09-16T13:41:00.001-07:00

"Join us on Friday, September 24 for a workshop led by Samantha Cotterill of mummysam, in conjunction with the Dumbo Arts Festival. We'll play around with different techniques of embroidery as we work on a project from her new book, Fanciful Felties from Mummysam. This should be a fun evening as we dive into creating one of her characters, Charles. To make it even more entertaining, options will be provided to allow you to customize and make him your own. Whether it be choosing from one of several different faces, jackets, or sweaters, you are sure to come out of the workshop with something completely original. We are even including illustrated cut-out scenery to make a complete environment for him!"

The Craft Night scoop:

Where: 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York, 11201
When: Friday, September 24 from 4-8 p.m. ET
What: Join us to stitch, chat, and meet artist and author, Samantha Cotterill (that's her on the left), who will also have early copies of her new book for sale and to raffle off to lucky winners.

And, online: Live far away? Join us online at 5 p.m. ET for a live how-to demo in the Virtual Labs, our online multi-user chat room. (See what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.)

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need to round up the following supplies:

Stuffing
Embroidery thread
Patterned cotton fabric for the back ( roughly 5" x 9" for each piece)
Wool felt:
- White wool felt (4" x 6")
- Cool blue wool felt (3" x 3 1/2")
- Scrap of wool felt for base (3" x 3")
- Scrap of wool felt for mustache
Embroidery needle
Transfer paper

what to make for lunch......

2010-09-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

(click on image to enlarge)

...I had every good intention last year of making lunches for the boys that were not only healthy, but also appealing enough to get them excited about what they were going to eat. I think I was brilliant at the job for about three weeks until I "lost my steam"....pretty soon I found myself frantically scouring the cupboards (knowing that the bus would be arriving any minute) looking for something to pull together, and thus would often get repeated reminders that "I always get that...." I was tapped out of ideas, and I couldn't seem to remember those lunches that were a big hit.

...This year I am determined. (Again, we are only one week into school mind you......)

...Lunch for the week is being planned ahead of time, to hopefully avoid staring at an empty fridge on a Wednesday, only to realize that we had already gone through all the fruit. Rather than rely on my memory to come up with different combinations (which worked "so well" last year), I am documenting every meal with a little doodle. It is with this idea that I hope to eventually have a bunch of these little memory cards, which will then allow for a much less stressful approach to lunch planning. I hope.

..what do you have planned for lunch today?

fixation....

2010-09-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

(embroidery on linen)

..my eldest son goes through "obsessive" moments, where he will focus like nobody's business on one particular subject for an insanely long time. Right now we are into license plates, or more appropriately, the need to see as many different ones as possible. Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Connecticut, Florida are to name but a few of the plates we saw over this past weekend in one of our favourite local towns.

..With this obsession, however, can come a lack of thinking when he is in the "zone".
This past Saturday we arrived in town ready to visit our usual coffee hangout when he spotted one. The excitement was building up in his little body when he spotted it from across the street.
It was a new one. The letters were blue and the picture was different. He had (sorry,"had") to find out right away if he was right. So far he had documented about 17 plates, and this would bring him even that much closer to twenty.

..Without thinking, he started to bolt towards the car. Luckily I was there just in time to grab his tiny frame and hold him back before a car got dangerously close. After I calmed down enough to take a breath, we went over to take a look.

..He was right. It was a new one. And yes...he is that much closer to twenty. (and I much closer to being absolutely frazzled!)

upcoming "book tour".....

2010-09-13T07:15:00.001-07:00

...as the nerves begin to stir in the belly with the near release of my book (eek!), I thought it fitting to invite you on a little "tour" I will doing to promote this little labour of love.
Albeit a short and quick little expedition, it will be an intense one....one that I hope will allow me to get a chance to connect with many of my readers (and possibly gain some new ones as well!)

..September 24th: (Friday)

1. Look for me on Martha Stewart's web-site! I will be doing a guest tutorial on a cute little bag and piece from my book for their craft department, and I would love for you to visit...

2. ETSY LABS Craft Night (in conjunction with Dumbo Art Festival)
I am so thrilled to be taking a little trip down to Brooklyn to introduce a project from book, and would love to see you there. The event runs from 4-8, and will be a great opportunity to "... to make things, sharpen your craft skills, meet new friends, and hang out." There is no need to worry about missing a demo, as this will be a come and go as you please type of event. Come anytime!

*** I am also going to be selling some books at the event, and this would be a wonderful chance to obtain a copy before they become available in most stores and on-line! ***

October 2nd (Saturday) 11:30 - 1:00pm

1. Craftland School of Craft Lecture Series:
Love and Art/ Balancing a Growing Family and Creative Time
time

Please join me at the Craftland shop in Providence Rhode Island for a group discussion on how to balance your life as a parent and artist. I will be talking about my history as a painter and how I expanded my career since returning to the art world as a fiber artist. "...Group discussion will include sharing tips and strategies for staying both inspired and attentive. Tea and cucumber sandwiches will be served!"

If you are interested, stop by Craftland to register...

*** Even if you cannot attend the lecture, I encourage you to stop by after, as I will be selling copies of my book and fabric!*****

October 16th (Saturday)

1. Renegade Handmade in Chicago

This is going to be such a fun event, as I will be hosting a workshop that evening where students can work on a project from my book. There will be giveaways (yay!), so please save the date until I have more details to share...(You can follow Renegade's blog for more information...)

** again, I will be sticking around for a bit after the workshop to sell/sign copies of the book! ***

whew. It may be a quick whirlwind of a "tour", but it is going to be packed with so much excitement.....hope to see you there!

Showcase Sunday.....

2010-09-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

...As I sit here in my favourite blue cardigan getting ready to bake some cookies (can you tell yet that I have a slight addiction to fall?), I couldn't help but wishing I had this lovely potholder to take them out of the oven (I use an old sock and scary looking dishtowel....not the prettiest sight. One of those things that I just never get around to doing....). Anyway, I wanted to thank Rebecca for sending me a perfect image of what she made for this first edition of "Showcase Sunday". Using mummysam fabric, I have asked you all to share with me your wonderful creations, and were so pleased with the results! For those new to my blog, every Sunday I will pick a work to share, and in appreciation will send the featured artist a free fat quarter of mummysam fabric!

...All of the images I have received were so lovely, and will be kept in the "pool" for upcoming showcases. I would like to eventually put a gallery together of all your wonderful creations, so please....keep sending me your pictures....and thanks again for all of your great submissions thus far..

..Congratulations Rebecca, and thanks so much for participating in what I hope will become a fun tradition!

it's Tuesday on a Friday....

2010-09-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

...first of all, please excuse the quality of my photos, as the night had gotten away from me but the need to share this overrode any need to present the perfect image....

...O.k. With that out of the way, let's talk a little bit about my little "struggle" this morning.
As many of you know, I am documenting the good (and not so good) bits of raising a son with
Asperger's, and with that comes this next piece in my series of sewn journal entries. As I am sure many a mother can relate, this morning was met with a lot of frustration on my end as the battle of finding that perfect sock seemed to last excruciatingly long. We must have gone through an entire bucket of socks before finally settling on two mis-matched ones that received the thumbs up approval. Where one sock failed in it's excessive fluffiness on the inside, another was similarly disqualified due to a seem that sat uncomfortably along the front edge of the toes. Some pairs weren't equal in height when pulled up with the same force, and others felt too tight or too "mushy"....

...After what seemed like an eternity, my patience started to wear quite thin. My frustration was showing, and he could see it. He became agitated, and so did I. Tears started to ensue, followed by my little guy feeling bad about "being that way".

...I felt bad. Not because I couldn't understand him, but rather because I could. I am him.
I lived through this myself, and continue to do so today. I can remember many a morning growing up and screaming because my sleeve was wrinkled under my sweater and my poor mum would spend an eternity trying to pull it "just so" in order to calm me down. I cannot wear socks with a seam across the front either. Anything with the slightest amount of wool is bothersome, and fluffy socks on the inside are definitely out of the question.

..I took a deep breath and stepped back. Of course those socks won't work because I know how awful it feels to be so uncomfortable. We talked for a bit until everyone was calm again and started all over again. We found the right socks, one red and one blue. One fresh from the laundry and one not so "fresh". But they felt right, and that's what's important....

..Sometimes you need to just step back and breathe....(but make sure you are wearing comfortable socks when you do so....)

a bag fitting for the first day....

2010-09-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

...with big A safely on the bus and on his way to 2nd grade (and not without a few watery eyes on my end mind you....), it was time to get the little one ready for his last year at Montessori.
And being that it is his final year (oh, the weepful soul I have become!), I thought it fitting to send him off with a bag much more his "style". It really was a fun project that was easy to make, but also an opportunity to put in a little fun fabric of my own. The face fabric was perfect for it's function as a pocket to include notes for the teacher, and as little M discovered, perfect for much "better" things as well :)

...just please don't notice that I put the handles on the wrong way...can I pull it off if I say it was "intentional" ?

..P.S. Don't forget to send me your images for our upcoming "Showcase Sunday"! (see post below)