And more

G's Monster

More

 S's Monster

Monsters!

I'm home with the boys this summer, so when they showed some interest in sewing I jumped on the chance for a new activity. The big kid spotted Wendi Gratz's Monster contest at Shinyhappyworld and we were off.

First we printed all the pieces, cut them out, and designed monsters.

Then they chose fabrics, I cut all the pieces, and basted them on.

We had a lesson in contrast!

Turns out my sewing machine has no low speed, so the boys couldn't do much more than help me guide the fabric. And since it was my first time doing appliqué we muddled through. They're happy with the results! For now they'll be wall hangings.

K's monster

S's Monster

G's Monster

Pottery Life

I'm still getting a little work done. Nap times and an hour or so at night. I'm a lot more focused than I used to be. I'm often amazed at how much I can get done in an hour.

For many years I've worked in long cycles. When I make my to-do list it always adds up to about 3 kiln loads. That's the most efficient way to work anyway, so I've been firing 3 loads at a time 3 or 4 times a year. This time however I have almost no inventory and don't want to wait 3 months. So I'm working on making one kiln load of pots. Harder than it seems. I've thrown about 40 mugs so far. That's enough for a kiln load, but not nearly what I'd like to have finished. Those will last a week by the time I restock a couple of galleries and fill the individual orders. Yikes!
But I'm giving it a try. Hopefully I'll have some finished pots by late summer.

Harvested my garlic yesterday, about a dozen heads. My studio smells!

Someone found an old Halloween costume this weekend. Some people trap or spray their carpenter bees. We just confuse and amuse ours.

Knitting Update

I'll just take the projects in the order Blogger put them up.

All links are from Ravelry

Mondo Cable Cardi
Yarn Cascade 220
Made April-August 2010

V-Necked Raglan
based on Barbara Walkers Top Down Raglan
Cascade 220

Monkey Socks

Zarzuela's Fiber Shiny Sock
October-December 2010
Sadly I wore these so much this winter that I blew out the heels in a few months. Got to remember to reinforce!

Laurel's Sweater
My standard baby sweater pattern based on
Barbara Walkers top down raglan
Yarns I hand dyed
January 2011

Twin Sweaters
also based on Barbara Walker's Top Down Raglan
Yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy
February and March 2011 and of course already outgrown

Revival?

I'm feeling the urge to blog again more regularly. I don't know if it will actually happen, but I'm giving it a go. I've got several posts in my head. It's just a matter of choosing the blog over playing Words With Friends. I'd love a comment so I know who might still be reading!

Going to start with a kid update for today

The little guys turned 1 last month!

First present

First sugar

They are both walking now, still wobbly, but making progress. Everyone keeps telling me how hard it will be once they are more mobile, but really it just keeps them from being frustrated about being left behind. It's not like they couldn't go anywhere crawling and pretty fast too.

The big kid helped me make cookie dough to get ready for the studio tour. We had to bake a few before freezing the rest! He's doing the summer program at the Montessori school and really loving it.

New Video

At least the boys can entertain themselves!

Spring Break

After asking for the 10,000 time if he was going to school tomorrow the big kid finally decided to enjoy his spring break. He spent some time with Grankat and Grampa Mike at Wildacres and we went to feed baby goats again at Mountain Farm.

This picture is from the first time we went several weeks ago. The goats are about twice as big now and we fed from outside the fence to keep the rowdy pack from bowling us all over.

The little two liked it just as much and find goats almost as cool as they do small dogs. Lots of giggling and finger nibbling. I'm sure there would have been some nibbling in return if we'd let them close enough.

Quick

John Cusack impression

Both sleeping at the same time!

Meet Martin
Martin needed a home, we did not need another pony, so of course we took him. He's off at boarding school for a couple of weeks and doing great! This was yesterday, my first time on him.

I hope to ride him again next week before he goes home to Wildacres to live with Skunk.

TWO Baby Borthers

We've got one really excited big brother around here!

The boys are here!
Born on Monday Morning May 17 at Spruce Pine Hospital
The first was 5 pounds 10 ounces
and the second was 4 pounds 15 ounces
Both are doing great and we got home this afternoon
We have to wait for tests to know if they are identical,
but they are pretty hard to tell apart especially as they gain some weight.