Quiet, beautiful stillness

Handmade Holiday update...

Poor lighting, but this bunny really turned out so cute! The belly is the same color as the inner ear! Made from two upcycled wool felted sweaters!

Upcycled sweater kitty! Cute striped belly to match the tail!

Teah helped make cookies to ship out!

mmm...Christmas cookies!

Felted wool brooch made from upcycled sweater bits~

Recognize these colors? ...from the bunny? I also made a dachsund puppy from these two sweaters!

Another upcycled sweater brooch!

Can't forget that handmade wrapping paper! We bought an end roll of newsprint from the Courier Express for $7 at the beginning of September and we still have plenty left after making the gift wrap! Be Green folks!

Voila! Beautiful Gift Wrap (and three proud children!)

Eco-spun felt brooch!

One tired but crafty mama!

Pretty flower brooch!

Rag wreath...revealed!

The children have really embraced Handmade Holiday this year! Their hard work paid off with this beautiful wreath they created from my scrap box! It is really beautiful and it makes me so proud to see them creating "green" crafts! Not to mention how successful I feel remembering where all those scraps came from!

Pure Solitude

Calm, Quiet, Still, Beautiful.....this is what I saw upon opening my drapes this morning. Just the inspiration I needed to brew up some tea, take out my knitting and give myself permission to stay in and embrace my family and my craft! No place to go, No one to be...that's my mantra today.

Self-Portrait

Well..actually, I didnt' take this one..Nakai did! I'm often pleasantly surprised when I clear the camera after he's been shooting! I was amazed to see that my double chin isn't visible from this angle! Good job, Nakai! Perhaps all my self-portraits will be from this angle from now on!

Happy Solstice!

Teah made a delicious suncake! You can't see them in this picture, but there are beautiful sunflower seeds spiraled on this cake too! Yummy!!
Solstice feast with friends!

Stars to symbolize light!

My neighbor and fellow home-schooling mama and I hosted a solstice party for our children this year. It was wonderful! The children were so excited! We had been counting down the days until solstice all month by lighting one candle each night and so they got to follow the progression and tonight all the candles were lit in a spiral formation! We told stories and recited verses and had all sorts of activities planned! Everyone enjoyed themselves and we feasted on delicious food and sun cake for dessert! Happy Solstice Everyone! Let's bring back the light!

Just like a man...

My son Nakai took this picture of me! I think it would be perfect in the "Conspicuously Incognito" Flickr pool featured below: don't you?

http://www.flickr.com/groups/900190@N24/pool/ Hop on over there and see what those girls have put together! Maybe I'll add this one to the pool.....

Happy Bday to Me! Self Portrait Wednesday

Monkey Bread....made just for me by my beautiful daughter Teah! Monkey Bread, although not a bit healthy, always reminds me of my mom-mom...who always made me monkey bread. Yum!

That's me! The birthday girl!

You know, some people really despise having birthdays...but me...not so much. I'm thankful for lessons learned, for friendships gained, for opportunities presented. Thanks to all of you who add those special touches to my life...you know who you are!

101 Reasons to buy handmade

Click here to go to the list: http://poppytalks101reasonstobuyhandmade.blogspot.com/

So, I'm taking a day off from actual crafting, to allow myself time to recover from this nasty stomach thing I picked up yesterday, but I'm trying to keep my brain on track, so I'm thinking and reading up on things I still need to make. I found this list on a blog that I follow and thought it would be something you all may like to read! So, in the spirit of handmade holiday 2008, brew up a mug of tea or cider and pull up your comfy chair....these are great reasons! I hope you think so too.

Etsy Shop Update!!!

Hey there, friends!

***In the spirit of Handmade Holiday 2008, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on all U.S. orders of $20 or more! I will also include a FREE GIFT from me!! This special is good through December 24, 2008.
To redeem: enter this secret code: FREESHIP20 in the message to seller section during checkout and wait for a revised invoice before paying! Easy Peasy!
The Holiday Season
Is
Just around the corner.

Why not go handmade this year?

Visit: http://www.dalaimamasday.etsy.com/ I have just added several new items!

Your stop for handmade, recycled gifts!

You can feel good about reducing your footprint, supporting real people, keeping your dollars local and giving unique, eco-conscious gifts!

GO GREEN! TAKE THE HANDMADE PLEDGE! SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!


The Holiday Season is just around the corner!
Why not go handmade this year?

Visit: http://www.dalaimamasday.etsy.com/

Your stop for handmade, recycled gifts!

You can feel good about reducing your footprint, supporting real people, and giving unique,
eco-conscious gifts!

GO GREEN! TAKE THE HANDMADE PLEDGE! SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISANS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Shhh...don't tell...

Handmade Holiday sneak peek #2:

Ahhh

one of those deep breathing moments that I cherish so much! After I've given all that I can all day long, I just love to sit, to be...silent. Chai made at home, served in a handmade mug, that's what does it for me! What do quiet moments look like in your world?

Corners of my home

This corner (well, it's not really a corner) truly is a favorite of mine. It symbolizes childhood ambition, dedication, perseverance, a wonderlust for all things musical. Be still my heart when a young one sits down and plays me a tune......bliss for this mama! A music corner....such a great place to be!

self-portrait

I felt so accomplished in this photo...I had just come from the YMCA after a very long hiatus! It felt good to push my body to limits recently unknown. As a family, we are going to try hard to visit our Y at least two times a week during this non-soccer season! It's a hard thing to commit to, though. We run and run and run so much during most of the year and I love to hibernate in the winter, turn inward and pursue my domestic goddess passions...baking, sewing, crafting, creating. But really, we do need to remember to be fit...so, I guess we'll hang at the Y a few evenings a week this season!

Handmade Holiday 2008 is under way!

Sneak peek #1:

Because handmade=love!