Bunny ears

Bunny ears
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

hey look, can you believe it....something crafty! that i made!!!! & actually photographed!!!! I made them last year....but it still counts!
I have been crafting recently & do have some photographic evidence to show.....
the bibs....


happy easter! must go & finish the potato salad, yum!

just because

Originally uploaded by zavodk.

oh dear me....I could not help myself from posting this photo....he is to me, like chocolate in human form....I simply can't get enough of his plump little self!

uke, my friend

uke, my friend
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

So I promised a post of a new friend I recently acquired. I would like to meet Uke, short for ukulele. He & I have already worked our way through a plucky rendition of Twinkle. Twinkle Little Star....& feel that we have much more love to come...
This has all come from Nate's great love of music. He really enjoys singing & musicing of all sorts. I've made a plethora of great but forgotten songs for him. Lucky for me his name rhymes with so many fine words. I hear that he love dates & does not like to be late....tis fate I do believe...
stay tuned....no pun intended!

a winter escape

Last week an opportunity arose for the children and I to escape to the wilds of Delaware. We left on Monday afternoon to go and visit Nana and Poppy. It was a lovely trip, we went beaching in 75 degree weather....

and slinging...

and thrifting (we acquired a lovely plate, white to the knee tube socks and 2 inspiring books....one is a photo history of ships and the other is a Mother's Almanac from the mid-seventies)

sand collecting...

hanging with poppy

a bit of music-ing

and one self portrait

fun was had by all.....and I aquired a new friend....which will be revealed soon!

catching up

For Christmas this year, my love got me a gift certificate for my online wet dream
its been heavenly legs ever since. The quality is superb, I am happy to report...I found them linked from one of my favorite clothes bloggers here at Some Girls Wander
Here is a bit of a crafting report from the holidays...better late than never, I say...

The hat was made by Milo for Nate. He sewed it on the machine, with a little help from me. He loves using the snippers. Nate looked awfully cute in it as well....The elf clogs were made by me, pattern courtesy of all sorts. I unfortunately did not get a photo of him decked out in his gear.....but that only means more elf clogs for next year!
Next up were some fun favorites that didn't make it out in time for Christmas, but have finally made it to there respective families in Maine.
I would like to introduce the Aguiar and Leavitt families. I had such fun with Milo making these little people. Modeled after our friend's families and complete with a little case embroidered with their names. I had thought to make the pouch into the shape of a home, perhaps in the future. I was feeling a bit pressed for time, as usual.


And last, but certainly not least the little man himself. He has recently found his hands and started drooling everywhere. Hands in mouth when he can get them there...or he uses me as a chew toy.....if Nate is anything like Milo teeth are sure to be here soon....
He is quite a pleasure, as always.

Tedyuscung

tedyuscung
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

Whilst hiking last week in Fairmount Park in the Wissahickon Valley, we stumbled upon the "Indian on the Hill" To locals here he is known as Tedyuscung, but as the handy placard noted, he is a nameless indian watching his tribe push westward for less populated lands (aka William Penn tricked them out of there land.)
It was a banner day finding him....along the trail back the crick (Philly speak for creek) there are many such landmarks; the red covered bridge, devil's pool, the falls.....
I had searched for him before, but I think my mistake than was searching in the summer while the foliage was much denser. In the winter (if you could call it that) it was much easier.
All is well here in small child land. I still can't believe I have 2. Whoosh.
At the moment the baby calls me forth to nurse and its quite hard to blog one-handed. The boy is somewhere in the house, I am sure up to no-good at all. He is angry that I commandeered his seat to write this blog post. I had to mention that it was "our" chair not "his chair"....
Happy Friday!

speechless

Rachel Brice in the Blue Mountains dancing to Beirut's Prenzlauerberg.

enjoying the weather

Originally uploaded by zavodk.

This past week it was in the 60's here in Philly and we celebrated with hike's a plenty. It was amazing to be out enjoying the sunshine and it gave me an opportunity to photograph Nathaniel in lovely outdoor lighting...yippee!
One of our goals this year is to hike early & often. Its sadly exciting to be enjoying a mild winter. Last year was brutal....snow and ice, living in a small Maine town with snowstorms into April.....so this year I will happily great the warm weather even if it doesn't necessarily feel, "right"....
Crafting Update:
Even though I haven't posted a craft sincec October, I have been crafting abundantly....for Halloween this year, Milo requested a green dragon....and this is what I came up with....

The pants, lord help me, were my first time sewing with a jersey fabric...there was much cursing involved, finally after discovering the right tension-stitch combination...it went ok....
the rest were an "ikea hack" of sorts, the patches on the shirt and pants are from ikea cushions and the head & tail were a stuffed dragon that I cut apart. I opened up the head of the dragon and added a stretchy gusset made from the excess sleeves of the shirt to keep the head on...it was a good gamble b/c he actually kept it on. For the tail I just attached a fabric belt and tied it around his waist, it had a nice effect of puffing up, making the tail stick out...twas cute. I was all up for giving him the wings....but he didn't want them.
All in all, I thought it was a charming costume....he definitely pulls off a dragon's behavior perfectly!

getting on with it and more Xmas fun...

Originally uploaded by zavodk.

Big plans, my friends, I've had big plans for the holiday gift making....and I am only a smidgen there, with not much to show in the photo department. Only photos of this little nugget....
Being a Mom of two if pretty amazing, and I am loving that little Nate. Milo is the one who has been testing my parental prowess of late. He is three and testing boundaries at every turn. Nate's been a dream....thank goodness, even Milo thinks so.
Looking forward to showing of some goodies very soon. Hope everyone out there is having a wonderful holiday season....

this is a photo of Nate with the "Lucia Girls" Zoe and Cece, sisters and the daughters of a very old friend of mine name Juno. They were in a festival this year, Lucia Fest at the Old Swedes Church here in Philly.....twas lovely!

Nathaniel

DSC02820.JPG
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

I was very excited and pleased to welcome in our new little, Nathaniel Charles on November 5th....exactly three and a half years younger than Milo, born with a bit less difficulty and weighed 9lbs 130z. 21 inches long...
ah, sweet love, falling for another prince all over again......

full

Originally uploaded by zavodk.

This has been a very challenging pregnancy for me. We as a family took on many strains and met many difficulties on our journey. Still not quite "set" for the baby, we tread onward....I read this on a blog today and it resonated with me......

"This has really been a tough day for us. Lately it is as if God is alowing us to feel our total dependence on him. I know that this is a very important and valuable time but it is also hard. Maybe it is a bit what a pregnant woman feels when she is so uncomfortable as her due time draws near. She is carring a heavy burden that makes so many of lifes everday activities more difficult and awkward and yet she can bear with this hardship beause of what she has to look forward to. Similarly I know that there is some real beauty and wisdom on the other side of this valley we are walking through right now." www.studiobeerhurst.com

Lately I feel those that have passed walking with me, giving me they're strength...so that I know in the valley will be the beginning beauty of new life,
the complexity of a family growing
the blossoming of new love...

& a few dogs in the mix

Pillow Covers
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

I was recently feeling the need to spice up my life with some new pillow covers. The rest of the house is a disorganized mess and I am working on pillow covers, yikes! The count down is on and I still haven't finished my nappy bag or my mei tai carrier. I did wake up the other night at 4am and cut out the straps for the mei tai, but have yet to put them together.....soon, perhaps....
I did happen to make it this friday evening to a fantastic art opening for a friend Martha Medeira....her work was fantastic, here are some of her paintings....


This was Milo's favorite painting, "Sugar"
I was truly amazed at how the paintings conveyed the dog's personalities...they were lovely. Her work can be seen at The Regency Cafe in Lansdowne.
Also found out that it was Martha's Birthday today and whipped her up a gift that night when I got home....

Inspired by fellow blogger and former dance partner, Catherine aka Coco Latte....I constructed a lined eyeglass case with custom card. Hopefully Martha won't see this till it arrives at her home....
This weekend wasn't a loss for the craft finds at the yard sales either. Found a bundle of bias tape and ric rac for $1. and a bag full of vintage buttons.....I have to promise myself to finish the baby projects before starting on something else....but I have an inkling that won't happen.
Also found some fun love on the Martha Stewart website last week....if only I had know when I was in Portland.....SailBags.....

what I have been up too lately.....

Originally uploaded by zavodk.

well, you got it folks, this is how I have been spending my free time...

30's

This is one of my first attempts from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules sewing book. It was given to my friend Holly for her 30th Birthday which we celebrated this evening. We had pizza from our favorite joint with "oh my mushrooms." They are canned and lovely on a super doughy sweet sauced pizza. Than after our indulgent supper we feasted on a Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake. Not just a cheese cake with chocolate chips in it, oh no. Its a layer of chocolate cake on top of cheese cake with chocolate chips, iced with chocolate frosting with cherries on top. Milo & I made the trek special this afternoon to this here bakery. A funny thing about this particular cake, I celebrated my tenth birthday with Holly eating the same kinda cake from the same bakery twenty years ago. I even have a photo somewhere in the hovel here eating that cake and celebrating. I will dig it out one of these days. Its amazing to think I have been so fortunate as to have a friend so long....Happy 30th Holly.
As for the clutch, I had a good time making it. Its quite sad really, but it takes me forever sometimes to wrap my head around pattern directions. Even if they are 4 steps and really quite straight forward. I would be happy to lay the blame on my pregnant mind and a three year old dog tormentor underfoot during the process. Now that I "got it" I will be spreading the artsy clutch love around. Can't wait really though to do that Elvin Hat!

getting it in there, mate

I delay often in posting my craft exploits, I think its getting the camera out in time to actually photograph something before out it goes, last minute as usual....but this time I think I possibly delayed because I wasn't sure if I actually like my new curtain tie-backs I made a few weeks back....I am in love with the curtains, those Ikea lovelies....I must say its nice to be back to the city which house not one but two Ikea stores is quite nice. But I was unsure of the fabric choice for the tie-backs...I love the polka dots, but the flower pattern was definitely not winning me over. My fabric stash is still packed away and hard to get to at the moment, due to my present condition, so I chose what I could reach....what kind of crafter am I?
I am not much loving the photo either, I think its the ghastly air conditioner, but I thanked the gods for it this summer when I was sweating it up, oh yes indeed.
My other craft project I have been plugging away at is the baby wipes......they are coming along quite well and they are fun to make. The photo reminds me of another craft blogger out there one year ago doing much of the same....Jess's photo is much sweeter, I must say
I have a list of projects before a certain someone's imminent arrival.....there is the mei tai carrier, a little man's Halloween costume and a Nappy Bag
Also with the new arrival of this fantastic book which I am trying not to let occupy to much of my very short crafting time......
wish me luck!

always a little late

Originally uploaded by zavodk.

Went for a lovely walk this morning with Chris and Mr M. avec the dog and Milo took this photo of me.....
Just a funny little not, within the 8 block 1 hour time period excursion I ran into 4 different cousins all in different locations....gotta love home!
This is my contribution to last week's feet photo festivites....

Back in the Saddle

sewing corner
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

Just getting the sewing machine out again since May when I packed it up, and said "See you soon!" Little did I know that I wouldn't see it again till September. Its been a sad, hot summer for me with not much crafting to show for it. So this post, is a tribute to our pent-up creativity and craft mini explosion.
I'm happy to report that our beloved machine has been whirring away. Finally last week, with an encouraging project from my cousin, and inspiration from a busy bunny Jess, I set up the machine by the stairs in the living room and set upon making a gift for "T", Milo's cousin, whose 2nd birthday party was this past Saturday.
I posed the idea to Milo Thursday morning, told him to think about what could be fun to make and at lunch the same day he said, "We should make a Super Hero's Cape!" So off to the fabric stash it was....& what luck the right fabric for the project was right on top! With a few sketches we were off....or shall we say up, up and away....

I was very happy with how the cape turned out, Milo reported that for his he'd like softer material....but for my novice sewing abilities....I was very happy indeed....

a little Brezina flashback

strom

strom
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who Intimately lives with rain.

Poemas are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree."

Joyce Kilmer
from an Anthology of Modern Vers for Boys and Girls

Summer Photo

This is my favorite photo from Goddess Gathering this year in New Hampshire. Lilymoonstorm fire dancing. Absolutely stunning.
I hope to keep regular with some blogging very soon. Its been a truly hectic summer and now that we are in our home and have reliable internet service I have no excuse but to blog. So to Saturdays and heading out the door for September Yard Sales and more to come!
Points of Interest:
Foxy's Attack on Iran

Art Walk Gardiner

A Memory

18th birthday
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

Sharing a bit about myself, going with a blogging theme. This photo is from my 18th Birthday series. My Mom has been pretty excellent documenting my life in photographs, this being a small example of her "work." She is known amongst family & friends for her birthday pictures, gathering momentum and clicking away with each phase of the birthday song and the pen ultimate blowing out of the candle. She really outdid herself with this particular photo. She captured my wish. To my 18 year old self I wished for the one thing that I truly, with all my heart, was willing to go without chocolate forever for...
I wished to fall in love.

maine lover, birthday boy

Milo at Kettle Cove
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

I choose to blog this old photo, to show one of the things I love about Maine. Kettle Cove. Quite little beach in Cape Elizabeth, a true cove and My Milo, My explorer. Making his way in the small waves and rocks, collecting and exploring....playing and making new friends.

Saturday will be his 3rd Birthday & it amazes me the person he is becoming. His sassiness, his friendliness, his cheeks, his imagination.......determination! He is "some kid"

audrey's birthday gift

the gift
Originally uploaded by zavodk.

A little post for a late night Sunday.