"Weeding Time"

Justin has become an avid "weeder." He regularly brings books to whoever is willing to read to him and says, "weed, weed!" He is able to identify many of the letters of the alphabet already and will point to words and ask what the letters are if he doesn't know them. It looks like I have another reader on my hands already! His very favorite book is a Curious George book, "Curious George Rides A Bicycle", and of course the book must be read at least four times per sitting! I snapped a pic of this cute "weeding" session a few days ago. It's rare to find them both experiencing moment of stillness, so I grabbed the camera quickly!

another intellectual in the making

Back to Blogging

Hi Friends! After a long 9 month break I'm back to blogging! My break began when our computer hard drive got sick, then life got busy I quit blogging. Recently someone advised me to take the plunge and start again. I've missed blogging, and I'm glad to be back! Here is a quick re-cap of the highlights from the past 9 months, (starting recent and going back.)

I'm a designer now...sort of! & Justin's quilt

I've been contemplating creating a vintage style kids' clothing line for a long time now. Well, the time has finally come. I recently checked out an amazingly cool store in Eureka called Shipwreck. This is my kind of store! It's like etsy, only you get to see and feel the items first hand! The store has all kinds of cool vintage things from pottery to suit cases. It also features local boutiqueish hand made items. The store owner told me she is always looking for new sellers, and after thinking about it I decided I would go for it. Honestly, the store was what inspired me. I believe in supporting the local artists and local stores here in Humboldt, and what better way to do it than to create a kids' clothing line and sell it locally? Here are a few shots of my first creations. I appreciate feedback, so let me know what you think! I'm working on dresses now, and pants will follow....

"Bluebell" Size 18-24 months. Made from repro vintage fabrics & a vintage embroidered napkin.

vintage embroidered napkin detail

"Apple Blossom" Size 2 T Made from repro vintage fabrics & vintage pillow case lace.

Cargo pocket detail

Justin's Quilt

Justin's quilt is finally done at long last! I worked on it from when he was about 6 months old, and finished it around his 2nd b-day, so it took about a year and a half. It is my first pieced quilt ever and I had it machine quilted at Scottie Dog Quilts (Thanks Liz!) Now that I have two kids there just isn't time for things like hand quilting any more! Justin loves his quilt although he insists on using it as a floor mat, (I think the reason for this is that I had it laid out on the floor for months while I was designing it.) :)

I love my new floor mat...I mean quilt, mom!

At Ron's suggestion I put the colors in diagonal rows, a boy quilt must have male influence I say.

Close up of the quilt block, these took forever to cut and piece, but the end result was well worth it!

Seascapes Dance Performance

Sarah had her Spring ballet performance in June and it was incredible! The performance was in the Van Duzer (Humboldt State University's Theater.) The dances were all based on various sea creatures and sea life. Sarah was a damsel fish. I had the privilege of being able to work on costumes, props and set design. I painted the clam shell and treasure box you can see in one of the pics. I learned how to construct hats out of foam, wow was that an experience! It was much more challenging than I would have thought. You sculpt the foam with a razor blade, (very carefully!) I made and painted the damsel fish fin hats for Sarah's class (9 students in all.) I also made a puffer fish costume and hat, dolphin hats, painted the sea turtles, worked on the sea rock, and did more that I can't remember!

Our beautiful damsel fish

Seascapes Set (Clam Shell & Treasure Box I painted)

Some of the dancers the night before the performance painting UV light paint on the turtles I painted. When the lights went out in the dress rehearsal the cracks in the turtle didn't show up (they were supposed to be bright blueish) so we had to coat them the night before and they looked fantastic the day of the show!

Sarah with her dance teacher Erin - we love her!

After the show

The Garden

This year Ron planted a veggie garden in addition to his usual green thumb splendor. We had broccoli, lettuce, sweet peas, tomatoes and carrots! I've enjoyed delicious home grown salads all summer, ahhhh! I don't have pics of the veggies, but I did take some of the amazing flowers! I love the fact that I have such a talented gardener for a husband! I get to enjoy, eat, and photograph the fruit of all of his hard work.

Sunflowers in full bloom

Astilbee - my favorite

Lamb's ear...I think

Lilies

Astilbee & Geraniums

This kid loves to water. He would water all day if we would let him!

Trip to North Bend, OR

Trip to North Bend, OR

The kids and I headed up north for a week vacation on the Oregon Coast. We had a great time visiting family, (we stayed with my Aunt Mimi, thanks Mimi!) going to the beach, and hanging out on the family farm. Here are a few pics from our trip:

The beautiful Shore Acres Botanical Gardens

Sarah taking pics with her great kid camera

Justin braving the wind, brrr, it was cold! We went hunting for agates, but only found a few that day. It was fun none the less...

Justin had his first official hair cut done by my aunt Becky. Here is the before...
...and after! Thanks auntie, I can see again!

We took a visit out to see my aunt Julie and her lovely garden at the farm. There is a beautiful old walnut tree there which has been there forever. My family decided it would be the final resting place for my grandparents, so we go there to visit them.

A friend made the wooden plaque which reads: Papa's Tree, Psalm 1.
It's a perfect tree for climbing, so the kids had to climb on up there. I know Papa and De Dee were smiling!

Justin's 2nd Birthday!

Justin turned 2 March 31st! It's hard to believe he is almost 2 1/2 now, time flies! We had his party at Redwood Park. Here are a few pics from his small party:

Mmmm, carrot cake!

Our wee tree hugger

Thanks so much for coming Isaac! You're a true friend! :)