christmas crafting IV: bookmarks

calvin made these little bookmarks for a few special readers in his life.  we made them just like the ones we made here.

i love his little drawings right now.  he adds little details that are very important to him.  after he drew on the linen with fabric marker, he picked out a fabric that he thought the recipient would like and we sewed them up (he sat on my lap).

that is the last of the chirstmas crafting posts.  and it is only january 22...

christmas crafting III

calvin loves to write letters, so when i saw this little letter holder in amanda's book i knew i had to make one for him.

i used a barnyard waffle weave fabric that i have had forever on the outside and an alphabet print for the lining.

i chose to add divided pockets to the original pattern to organize the envelopes, cards and pens.  i got the envelopes and cards from paper source.

calvin loved it and has already written some letters.  in an age where most correspondence takes place electronically, i hope calvin continues to handwrite letters as he grows.  in the last six months or so,  his writing has changed dramatically.  he now can write all his letters (sometimes with a small reminder...) and wants to know how to spell everything.  he also will say or write a string of letters like, "mommllivvvvin" and ask me what that spells.  i love love love watching his sense of language develop.    

more christmas crafting

sam and i have a tradition of giving each other an ornament each year.  we like to search and search for just the perfect, little, sometimes quirky ornament.  this year i found these little houses here and i just couldn't resist.  i took liberty with the idea of an 'ornament' but sam loved them just the same.  

maeve got a stocking this year!  last christmas somehow passed us by and little miss moo did not have a stocking.  i was determined to remedy that this year.  i had pink and green fabric fabric that matched the stocking i made calvin a few years ago so i decided to use it.  i wasn't sure about the whole matchy-match thing but i loved how they looked hanging together on our mantle.  i used the martha stewart pattern found here on her site.

snow day already called for tomorrow!  we are supposed to get 12 inches!  i am looking forward to an impromptu relaxing day at home with the little ones...

christmas crafting: a girlie quilt

this quilt was given just before christmas.  it was really late in getting finished...

it was given to a beautiful little girl named cambria.  she was born in july but with two little ones myself i just don't have the time to sew that i once had.  but the important thing is that it did get done!

although it is not technically a gift given for christmas, i am counting it as one of the handmade christmas gifts i gave this year.

i love the way it turned out.  playful and so pink.  the quilting was freehand and added a touch of whimsy.  love it!

our (homemade) advent calendar

this was one of my very favorite parts of the christmas season this year.  i used this tutorial for the calendar and based our daily acitivties on uncommongrace's advent list.  this is definitely a tradition that we will continue!

2011!

happy 2011!  i have several posts that are half written but never got finished so i will be posting some fun holiday stuff into january.  it was an awesome holiday season this year, filled with togetherness, family, cookies, snow (a blizzard!) and gifts (given and received).

i wish everyone a safe and healthy 2011!

mindfulness

I read this quote from Thich Nhat Hanh today over at uncommongrace:

"If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not 'washing the dishes to wash the dishes.' What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact, we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea, either. While thinking of other things, we are barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus, we are sucked away into the future -- and we are incapable of actually living one moment of life!"

i need to remember these words, especially in this busy month full of excitement and 'stuff' to do.  this special time is fleeting and i want to be present to enjoy each moment.