Gearing Up

There is something not right about walking around a Christmas fair, in Calgary, in November, in t-shirts!  There is something not right, but completely wonderful!!! 

Yesterday we went to the Millarville Christmas Fair with Ali, Megan, mom and Phoebe, and all the kids!  It was a miracle that we got out of there with all 10 kids, but we somehow managed it, and got some great handmade goodies to boot!

 

Felt Frenzy!

A few months ago Marigold at hideous! dreadful! stinky! called for a craft exchange.  I had just participated in one over at Craftaholics Anonymous that was pretty fun, and so, without reading the fine print very well, signed up.  Turns out it wasn't a big old nameless, faceless exchange, it was a pretty intimate exchange just with Marigold.  She set the rules, picked 5 crafters and let us at it.  Well, it took me a month to just decide what to give her, and I was quite pleased with the results!

First of all, it could only cost $15.  I only spent $1.87, because most everything I had in my stash. It had to fit in a 6x9 bubble mailer.  I didn't want to buy one of those, so in an attempt to reduce and reuse, Eli and I used some of the carpet samples from our flooring shopping and wrapped up the gift.  I think it turned out to be about 6x9. It also had to take less than 3 hours.  Well, I'm pretty sure mine took a bit longer than that, but there was no way of telling since I did 2 minutes here and 5 minutes there over a few weeks.  I ended up sitting down finally and finishing it while I watched a movie, because I couldn't seem to find time to do it during the day.


So, here's what I finally turned up with, and I was quite pleased:

And, because I had it, and because her name is Marigold, I also sent her this, framed in an old frame I found in my storage unit:

In Michigan I found road signs of the names of almost every person I know.  We found this Marigold sign in Lansing, Michigan when we went there for Jared's grad.  I love decorating with names, and with a name as rad as Marigold, how could I resist!


This banner was a labor of love. If I had been allotted more than three hours it would have been a lot more polished, but I still had a hard time sending it off, because it just looked so good slung across the mantle.  I got the inspiration from the felt crown I made for Eli, and I used the idea from the leaf inspired garland for the circles in between the flags. I really loved how it turned out.

In return, from Marigold, I got the cutest package, all wrapped in tissue and everything (made me feel a little dorky for wrapping mine in carpet samples and an old brown paper bag.)  Inside was a great little notebook that she made a personalized cover for, personalized with the silhouette of a horse! Honestly, I love it.  Little did Marigold know, but I carry around a notebook wherever I go.  I always am thinking of things to write down, or see a quote, or think of a good idea, or just need to write down a number.  I love note books. The greatest thing about this, is I can reuse the cover on the same sized little book. I totally love it.


The tissue holder couldn't have come at a better time.  Our whole family was stricken with the worlds worst cold the very week she sent it.  I was getting pretty sick of snotty sleeves! Not I've got this cute little tissue holder in my diaper bag ready for any snot emergency.  I am blessed!


I loved doing these craft exchanges to see what other people come up with, and what talents others have. It was great how Marigold did something so personal to me, with the horse cover.  Maybe after Christmas I'll do something similar.  Until then, I've got a whole lot of knitting, sewing, and other such endeavors to do.

I love working with felt. For other projects I've done with felt, check out these links:
Felt Inspired Garland
Black Apple Dolls
Felt Flowers
Felt Crowns

Crunch Month

With the Halloween hangover now over, let's talk about what's coming: CHRISTMAS!!! 

I love Christmas.  I love everything about it. 

I especially love that this is the first year that we are going to be around for EVERYTHING!  For the past three Christmases we have missed so much, because we have just been in Calgary for a few weeks. But, this year, we are going to make the most of it and do it all!  I can't wait.

I sure am going to miss my family back in Michigan though, and all the traditions we started while we were there.

As it is November now, I actually have to start thinking about the gifts I will give for Christmas.  Every few years we purposefully declare Christmas "homemade."  Last year was one such year, and so all the gifts we gave were handmade.  It is always so much fun.  I generally like to stick to that principle other years as well - although this year we are going for "homemade or secondhand" as our finances are a little limited, to say the least.  So, if you're on my list, don't set your expectations too high...

In an attempt to make sure I get all my crafting done before Christmas, I am making a resolution.  I am going to do a present a week until Christmas. I think that will just about cover everyone I have to give to, and it will keep me focused and on track. I've made a spread sheet, figured out the supplies I need and am ready to go.  Sadly, because of the nature of blogging for all to see, I can't be posting any of the projects. Well, maybe just sneak peaks... we'll see. In any case, I'm excited to get started. The Christmas carols have been made into a playlist on my I-Tunes and I am ready to go!

Down To Earth Toys Review and another Great Giveaway!!!

One of my favourite places in the world is Sandpoint, Idaho, and one of my favourite things about Sandpoint is that when I shop there, for food, fabric, clothes, and canning jars from the local hardware store, I know who I'm buying from.  I buy milk from Rhiannon, I get my fabric at Ben Franklin's and the same ornery old lady has cut it for years, Mr. Merwin, who owns Merwin's True Value, lives two doors down from our cabin, the local grocery store lets me take my groceries home when I forget my credit card because they trust I'll come back the next morning to pay. There is something to be said for small town America!

Not many of us have the pleasure of living in a town of 6000. However, each of us can do our part to support our local shop owners, farmers and small businesses. We can put our money into the homes of real people who provide real service and quality goods, rather than padding the pockets of large corporations with shady business practices and substandard products.

One of my favourite 'local' toy shops is Down To Earth Toys.  I say 'local' because while I lived in Michigan, Down To Earth Toys was local. It is run by my good friend Carrin, from her home, and I can vouch for her being one of the most socially conscious people I know.  She hand picks each of her items, ensuring that they are quality, safe and built through fair labor practices. Her quality control board consists of her sweet four-year old boy and his friends, who do a fine job of making sure each of the toys she supplies is kid worthy!

First of all, let me talk about her baby toys. Last year for Chirstmas we bought Silas this wonderful wooden bell rattle.  Made in Illinois of natural wood, it is absolutely beautiful.  The bell in it provides a simple melodic chime without it being a noise maker.  Silas's tiny fingers could grasp it at four months through the rungs around the bell, and now he can firmly hold the base.  It is an absolute constant in our diaper bag!

For older children Down To Earth Toys has a myriad of natural and organic toys that are not only fun and promote creativity, but will also be around long enough to be played with by your grandchildren.  We purchased this sorting block for Eli last year, and while I knew it would be fun for him, I was blown away by how beautiful it is.  It is one toy I don't feel I have to hide away in a toy chest to have my room look good.

There are millions of toys out there you could choose to buy this season, but why not choose to be responsible in your choices?  Every item from Down To Earth Toys is safe, non-toxic and provided through fair labour practices.  While she could be looking for ways to make the most possible money, regardless of the impact, Carrin instead is looking for ways to improve the future for our children.  Check out her website
and read about the choices she is making and decide what choices you can make this year for your children, your country and your world!

This week marks the middle of my Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving giveaways.  Carrin, from Down To Earth Toys, has generously agreed to sponsor this week's giveaway!  She has offered a great little item from her shop, showing that you don't have to spend a fortune to buy quality, responsible toys this season, a wonderful elastic powered paddle boat.

One lucky follower will win the paddle boat next Sunday night!  The rules are simple:

1. You MUST be a PUBLIC FOLLOWER.
2. You must comment on this post to enter.

And, there are a few things you can do to earn extra entries this week (leave a separate comment for each):
3. Comment on any other posts during the week of the giveaway (Monday to Sunday.)
4. Commenting on this post letting me know that you  "Like" Down To Earth Toys on Facebook
5. Comment on Down To Earth Toys on Facebook thanking Carrin for the giveaway.
6. Visit Down To Earth Toys, and come back here to tell me which item you like best or something about her shop that you LOVE!

Good luck, all, and happy commenting!!!

Inspired By Finn Amber Necklace WINNER!!!

This week there were a few too many entries for me to do on my own, so I finally went to Random.org and let them pick the winner!  I am apparently not smart enough to copy the image here, so again, you are just going to have to trust me that I am honest (next blog post is going to be about blogging integrity...).

So, drum roll please!

The winner of this weeks giveaway (anything 16 inches or smaller from Inspired By Finn) is...

Comment 54: The Pratts!

Congratulations, Lindsay!!!

You have 48 hours to send me your shipping information, along with the piece of jewelry you'd like (anything 16 inches or SMALLER that is in stock - if there is a [0] after the size in the drop-down box it is out of stock.)  Inspired by Finn will ship your prize directly to you!

For those of you who didn't win, but would like to try out the amazing benifits of amber jewelry, don't forget to take advantage of their offer to save 20% on ANY purchase.  Go to http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=339&uid=102544519787403 to get the info!


Thanks for playing, all, and come back tomorrow for ANOTHER amazing sponsored giveaway!!!

Costumes Complete!

When it finally came down to it, Silas and Eli's costumes were no brainers.  With a little pondering, digging and creativity, I managed to pull together two costumes that both boys loved, and were pretty dang cute, to boot!

Eli, naturally, was the truest of the true, the bravest of the brave, the strongest of the strong: he was a knight, sword, shield and all.  He, who is really into comparing himself to others right now (and making sure he is always on top), was very concerned that his costume be "real."  What could be more real than a chain mail helmet, gauntlets and a foam sword? 

I sewed the tunic and crocheted the chain mail for him last Christmas.  Jared taped up an old cardboard box for the helmet, and the foam sword and shield were toy box finds.  I didn't have to spend a penny, and he couldn't have been more pleased!

With Eli's costume perfected, it was Silas I had to focus on.  Then it hit me!  When I think of Silas, I really think of one person.  Someone that he is most like, in almost every way. Someone that he looks up to, more than anyone else.  Someone he admires and can't get enough of:

That's right folks, my own little Harry Potter!  Can't you see the resemblance?

 Um, why does Harry not have a scar in that picture???  Don't worry, Silas does.

 Doesn't he make a perfect Harry?  And really, besides the fact that he wasn't attacked by an evil wizard... wait, Harry was attacked on Halloween night the year he was one, right?  Well, I guess I'm keeping my invisibility cloak handy tomorrow night! This baby is not growing up under any stair.  Back off all of you with your Smeltings Sticks, you can't get at my boy!

 Despite Halloween being tomorrow night, we are finished with our festivities.  We won't be Trick-or-Treating tomorrow, due to it being Sunday, the sabbath and all.   We did attended two "Trunk-or-Treats," and loaded up on goodies, which we will bring to my dad's Halloween Candy Buy Back on Monday night: because, as fun as it is to collect it, I'd rather it not be in my kids stomachs, or mine! I do hope everyone out there has as fabulous a Halloween as we have had!

Avoidance Behaviour

So, tomorrow night at 7:00 pm I am committed to bringing Eli to our church's Trunk-or-Treat (we won't be Trick-or-Treating this year due to Halloween being on a Sunday) and I have yet to even decide what Eli and Silas are going to be for Halloween, let alone get a costume put together.  Honestly! (I said that in my head like my Grandma Jackson would say it, with total disgust for myself.)

Instead of thinking about costumes I spent the day scrapbooking, cutting out Halloween bats, and crocheting at Eli's swim lesson.  I did not spend the day thinking about costumes. 

Check out how useful my procrastination is though!

Only two had the pom poms and googly eyes, because that was our craft in Nursery last Sunday. The rest were just cut free hand, folded in half, and taped to the wall. I think the little bats made that wall into a spooktacular little corner!