Ms. Ellaneous crafts a life

Basket for B

Lately, I have been working on very few creative things around here.  Awhile ago I knit up some baskets but I haven't finished any of them until today, during a visit from L and her two youngest.  This is a basket for baby B, who loves to carry things around, and then hide them!  I hope she finds it useful. 

I have been working on other things, Quick-books, trying to figure out how to go to a craft fair, and how to find time for Morning pages.  All of these things seem to be stumping me at the moment.

The signs of spring have retreated and it feels like we are stuck in perpetual gray.  I can't even imagine that there will ever be green again, but I know there will be.  Changes are lurking just under the surface, things are happening, you just can't see it yet.  I'm trying to be patient.  Unfortunately, patience has never been one of my strong suits.

Signs of spring

Spring seems to be a little earlier this year.  The temperatures are still low, but the light has changed and the birds are singing.  We even hear a woodpecker in the morning when we are leaving for school.  As the season changes there seem to be some changes on the horizon for our family too.  I have been doing some thinking about how I might want to try a craft fair, very low key, my parents are moving soon and there are changes for G too.  Not to mention I changed our seasonal decorations!  Very important.  I hope everyone is weathering their transitions well.  Happy first weekend of spring!

Stash busting for spring

The sun looks strong but the wind is still cold.  I needed a little taste of spring, so down to the closet for some supplies for new spring projects.

I'm trying to work out an original pattern that I've had in my head for awhile.  I've already ripped out twice and now I'm just knitting whatever comes to mind at the moment.  Should be interesting.  I'll let you know.  I hope everyone is having a good day!

A trio of potholders and packages

I've been working like a manic elf around here.  I'm determined to do some more stash-busting and didn't have the energy to come up with a "boundary breaking" project yesterday, so I made my mother some potholders.  They are moving to a new house soon to spend part of the year and she loves my potholders.  As in, "Boy, I wish I could have some of these in my new house!"

There's nothing too special about them. I think she's just used to them.  I made a big one that you can double for taking out cookie sheets, a doubled small one and a single layer small. (My personal favorite)

I've also been working, working, working trying to build up some stock.  I'm finally ready to send out some test packages to friends across the country, to see how they ship and see what shape they are in when they get there.  Tomorrow I'll try to figure out shipping costs. 

 

The fact that I am trying to do something that involves a great deal of interaction with the post office will amuse and delight my friends, at least the ones aware of my "postal challenge".  I have made people gifts, written out cards, and addressed packages only to hold on to them for six months until I actually see the person.  When pressed I will use my assistant (my husband,G) to mail things for me, but I'm going to try my best to overcome my problem.  Look at me with my big girl britches on!  Wish me luck.  

A4 turns six!

I have seen this statement on many blogs and I've heard my parents say it many times as well, but really, "Where does the time go?"  My baby turned six years old yesterday.

We had some old friends, and new friends from school, over to celebrate.  There were balloons, delicious pizza, from a friends' restaurant, gifts, cake, and lots and lots of playing.  I love a party where there are many ages represented and good old fashion playing going on.  We had 15 yrs old to almost two (sorry L) represented and no real meltdowns.  The parents even had a chance to do a little socializing too!  All and all, you couldn't ask for a better party. 

His birthday is always a little bitter-sweet for me though.  I never thought I would be done having babies and now my youngest is six and in school, all day long.  I miss the excitement of having babies, the sheer optimism of it.  I was always comfortable in the growing phase of our family, having babies, getting puppies, building houses etc., and now I am trying to get comfortable with knowing that I am in another phase of life.  This phase seems more subtle, so far, a little more relaxed, and a place where I am beginning to have a little time to think about who I am again, a little time to be still.  I still mourn the passing of our "Let's have a baby!" phase, especially around A4's birthday but I am beginning to see the gifts of this next phase of parenthood as well. 

Slightly inappropriate gift giving

Before you get ahead of yourself, the gift wasn't inappropriate, the gesture may have been.  I'll explain.  Anyone who knows me knows I love babies.  I love pregnant women, newborns, drooly little infants with chubby cheeks and toes.  You get the picture.  I don't have to know you, exactly, to want to swaddle your baby in hand-knits.  (Of course for those I love, your gifts are SUPER special)

Anyway, there is this very cute, young mother at A4's school who just had her third baby. (I also have a thing for people with lots of kids)  I don't know her name, but we've chatted in line at pick up.  I just saw her last week with the baby and I couldn't resist, because I had a little sweater and hat just sitting in the closet waiting for a little baby, so I put it in a gift bag and gave it to her.

I knew it might be a little strange but I have an affliction.  It couldn't be helped.  Of course, I added a little something for the big sisters too.  I'm not sure she knew what hit her.  She kept saying,"You shouldn't have," and I kept saying, "It's nothing," awkwardly and with a look of apology in my eyes.  So now I'm the freak that randomly knits baby sweaters (and hats) for people she doesn't know.  I suppose if you have to be known for something, that's not too bad.   

More snow, more dishcloths

I'm trying to appreciate the weather.  I really am.  Today we woke up to about 9" of snow and another snow day.  At this rate the children will be going to school until late June!  After having a taste of weather where you don't have to put boots, scarves, and hats on before you leave the house, I'm a little ready for spring.  We will try to make the most of the snow by doing some sledding and fort making today.

On the crafting front, I taught Grammy (SM's mom) how to cast on a Moebius to make some scarves and had a lovely trip to the yarn store to gather more materials for my business venture.

I had hoped to open an ETSY store by March 1st, but as you can see it's not quite up yet.  Part of the problem is building up some stock of the things I want to sell.  I seem to be using my product for gifts and thank yous.  I also am having trouble figuring out all of the things that need to be in place, insurance, packaging, shipping rates etc.  It's a little overwhelming right now.  Let me just say, I have a new respect for everyone out there who has done it, and there sure are alot of you.  Maybe that is a little overwhelming too.

I did finally finish some dishcloths and washcloths that I have been meaning to work on.

 

That leaves just a tiny bit more mental space for other experiments.