Noticing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is so easy to look around at our life and think "This isn't what I signed up for" or "How did I get here?"

We look at our big plans. We look at our facebook feed. We look at our favorite blogs. We wondered what happened. We wonder why we don't have the life we so desperately want when every one else makes it look so easy.

The funny thing is, I think if most of us slowed down and looked around we would realize that we are in fact living the life we wanted. Our lives, for the most part, aren't that different from the blogs we drool over. We bake, we take walks, we go for ice cream, we do special activities with our kids. The difference between our lives and the lives of the people on the other side of the glowing screen and polished blogs is documenting. The ONLY way that "other" woman is different from us is that she taking the time to notice, document, and dwell on the little moments. She takes time to make much the life's small celebrations.

Like ice cream for dinner on a hot Thursday night.

Baby's in diapers on hand-made quilts.

A big jar of pop beads.

A baby dedication.

The first watermelon of the season (even if it is a bit early).

Hot dog fingers.

So here is to noticing my life more. Lifting up prayers of gratitude for simple moments. And capturing the beauty in the mundane.

A Summer Solstice Bag for My Nephew

I have been sewing none stop for the past two days. I can't show a lot of it here yet becuase it's a surprise. So I won't post anything until it's safely to it's destination. (Hopefully by Friday!) However, since my 6 year old nephew doesn't know how to find my blog, I think it's safe to post his stuff.

He turned six back in February, but due to packing up my house I kind of forgot his birthday. So to make it up I am sending him a bag of goodies for his Summer Festival this weekend.My apologies for the dark picture it was really cloudy all morning and I had to get it packed up.

A drawstring back pack. I used pinking shears instead of turning in the seams. I used a different fabric for the front and the back. I use roughly a fat quarter for each side. 

 These are felt circle garlands. I got the idea over here. This is actually was inspired the entire project. The Lion loves decorating!! I didn't use wool felt becuase I was trying to de-stash and I had a ton of the eco stuff in my house.

A picnic place mat and napkin for picnics down by the lake. 

 A fabric ball.

A little Waldorf inspired Gnome with sleeping bag and pillow. I figured he was just the right sized to be a perfect buddy on Summer adventures. I used the dolls house doll pattern from  Making Waldorf Dolls.

After making him I swore I would never use the pattern again. Something about it just didn't work for me. However, Bear found him and fell in love. So... I may be making another one after all. I did use wool felt for his cloths/cap and sleeping bag/pillow. I love it so much better then the eco stuff.