March 26, 2010

Mother Goose

I had a meeting today with some Mother Goose friends, and we had the great news that we'll be offering two baby classes at the Library this spring!  So in celebration I thought I should share some of our favorite songs we use all the time around here!

Our favorite silly song:
A peanut sitting on a railroad track
His heart was all a-flutter (pat your chest, over your heart)
A train came roaring down the tracks (move your arms like a trains wheels)
Toot-toot! (pull a handle in the air)
Blthhhhh! (raspberry sound while squishing your hands together)
Peanut butter!

A good diaper change or tickling rhyme:
Jeremiah blow the fire, puff, puff, puff
First you blow it gently (blow gently)
Then you blow it rough! (give child a raspberry!)

And for a lullaby, to the tune of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender":
Rock me gently, rock me slow
Rock me where the robins go
Rock the branch and rock the bough
Rock the baby robins now
Rock me up and rock me down
Rock me off to sleepy town
Rock me gently up the stairs
To cuddle with my teddy bears.

March 25, 2010

Current Craftiness

So I feel like my current creative energies are being channeled into the extraordinary Art of Packing Tape Repairs!  I have a pile of stuff on my kitchen counter that is ever-growing, and requires me to devote several hours to the finicky, sticky and extremely frustrating Art of Packing Tape Repair.  I can't remember my daughter ever being so rough on her toys before, or her being as destructive as my son currently is.  The combination of both their efforts on their toy/book selection has been lethal of late!  And so, I sit around during sleep time taping (and cursing) and refining the Art of Packing Tape repairs.

The other stack of things in my home calling out for my attention are Aria's tights.  I swear there is a hole in the toe of every single pair (and she probably has about 14 pairs!).  I am so tempted to just throw them in the garbage, but they're not beyond salvation... they just need some attention, and darn it! Some darning.  I can't wait for the temperature to warm up that little bit more, and then I can send her along on her merry little way in skirts and dresses, and NO TIGHTS!

My husband's grandfather enlisted in WWII, and was training to be a paratrooper until he broke his leg and couldn't be deployed.  One of my favorite stories about that time in his life, is how he used to darn the other soldiers socks for some spending money!  How resourceful was he!  Maybe I should send him all of Aria's tights and see if he's up to the challenge more than I am!

Well, off I go to sort through the disaster known as Aria's puzzle box, to organize, and probably tape some boxes back together...

March 17, 2010

Spring Break!

We had such a lovely day today.  We've been spending the last week in Fairmont, with some friends, at their timeshare.  It has been such a fantastic week... full of much swimming, which the kids have loved, a muddy attempt at hiking, much relaxing, crocheting, and today, a road-trip to Fort Steele, Cranbrook and Kimberly! 
I managed to finish a mohair baby pod for my photographer friend Sharla (www.sharlapike.com), FINALLY.  Seems as though its taken me forever!  Its very soft, and I'm hoping its big enough.  I'm still trying to perfect my patterns as I venture into the world of photo props.

I also managed to do two hats to add to my Creative Chaos stock, and hope that I'll get some more done tonight... although I'll probably end up working on some matching sister hats that I've promised to a friend who just had a baby girl.
I was inspired today by a little shop I found in Kimberly called The Back Door.  I could tell from the outside that it was a shop I'd love to poke around in.  It was probably a good thing that I forgot my money in the car, and didn't have time to go back to get it!  I saw this super cute black bird coat or towel hanger by Umbra that I may have to hunt down somewhere else... The shop had all her items displayed on apple crates, which is what I like to display my hats on when I do a show... so that was what inspired me.  I liked how she had them stacked, and she had her shop name stenciled on the bottom.  So, I may attempt that for the CC show in June.  Hopefully my mom and dad don't mind, since the boxes are on loan from them!
I've been enjoying the convenience of using my husband's laptop as we've been on vacation.  Its been so nice to just have it wherever I want to use it, rather than running to the kitchen everytime I want to use the computer at home!  We debated getting a laptop when we purchased our iMac four years ago, but wanted to have a stationary computer for when the kids were older... I think I'd probably be on the computer WAY more if I had a laptop, so maybe its a good thing I don't!
We head home tomorrow.  Back to the real world of work and meetings and commitments. Its been so great to have this little holiday together.  I took some great photos that I'm looking forward to scrapbooking eventually.  And I mean, eventually.  I'm still working on Aria's baby album, but getting there.  Going away for a scrapbook weekend really helped in that department, and it was great to spend a weekend on myself with some girlfriends!  Hard to believe that was only three weeks ago.
Well, good night for today!  Cheers.

March 10, 2010

Inspiring Moms

I made a new friend today!  Her name is Michelle, and she is a stay at home mom of two who has also started an at home business selling her creative projects.  We got together today for a playdate, because as it turns out, her kids are similar in age to mine.  We had a great time chatting about life, kids, and starting up businesses over a nice cup of tea.  It is so nice to have someone local to share ideas with and "talk shop".  She makes BEAUTIFUL belts for kids and moms.  Check out her stuff at www.inspired-life-designs.com
Another creative friend that I've made since starting my business is Elizabeth, who is also local, but from Kamloops.  I am constantly inspired by how much she has going on in her life!  I don't know how you do it, Elizabeth!  She creates fantastic wraps for mom and babe, and aprons for children, among other things.  See her stuff on facebook http://ko-kr.facebook.com/pages/Bloggy-Mama-Creations/85416270331?sb=0
Another mom I want to highlight is my girlfriend Jenn.  We met in college, as we lived across the hall from each other.  We were instant friends, kindred spirits.  Jenn and her lovely mom, Jan have started a business as well sewing buggy covers and sleep sacs.  You can find their products at www.gomomgoproducts.blogspot.com
One other friend that is busy balancing family and business is my friend Krista.  I met Krista in college as well, and she was always such a dedicated hard working and super lovely person.  She makes hairclips for little girls!  They are super cute!  Her site is www.facebook.com/pages/Kristas-Clips/192595675148
Please check out these amazing ladies and their incredible creations.