words for wednesday

you know you knit too much when...

...your child announces that he would like

to be a ghost for Halloween

and you immediately decide that you will knit the thing.

after all, if you sew the eyeholes shut afterward,

a knitted ghost costume could totally be a white afghan.

-Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

the best days are family days

"these were the best two days of my life."
"really? why do you say that?"
"because I was able to be at home the whole time."

as a mom, your heart just has to warm with conversations like this one. even though he missed the halloween party, missed trick-or-treat with his best friend, missed wearing his costume, and took a trip to stat care (all because of a fever and flu symptoms), he was still able to think the past two days were the best yet.

I'm with spencer. the past two days were really great family days! our moments were spent at home together...

{reading}

{listening to music}

{taking time outs for knitting}

{finishing projects}

{carving pumpkins}

and {decorating for a new season}

have a safe and happy halloween!

one fall day

we had the most perfect fall weather today! you know the kind...a cool air temperature, a shining sun, and the smell of fall all around you. after lunch with mark, I enjoy these wonderful sights on this one fall day.

words for wednesday

There is nothing so rewarding

as to make people realize

that they are worthwhile in this world.

-Bob Anderson

words for wednesday

you know you knit too much when...

...you've worked out that the smartest

thing to knit while you have a bath is washcloths...

because it doesn't matter if you get them wet.

-Stephanie Pearl McPhee

mrs. quick (project 5)

ever feel like your world is spinning faster than you can keep up with? like you want everything to just stop, so you can catch up? that pretty much describes me and my world the past few weeks. I've had to be away. I've so wanted to stop by and chat with you, share something inspiring (like so many of you are doing), or just visit you in your spots, but that just hasn't been possible. I have some light shining in on my schedule this week, so I hope to share a bit of what's been happening with me.

but before I do...I have to finish the little 5 in 5 series I started. my fifth and final project from my crafting weekend was a teacher gift for lisa. you already know she's the most awesome homeschooling mom I know...and sometimes homeschooling moms don't get all the cute teacher gifts the public school teachers receive throughout the year. now, some of you teachers may think this is a blessing :), but I think they're fun, so I created a back to school present for her.

I waited until the school room redo was finished, so I could match my frame choice to her room colors. this is what I came up with:I started by lining up and gluing the crayons to the white card stock with mini glue dots.

I added her name, the frame, and it was complete! super simple and super cute! because I don't have many original ideas, I'm sure I saw this or something similar somewhere, but have no idea who to give credit to.

yesterday I touched my knitting needles for the first time in four weeks! It was so good to relax and knit. I hope I'll be doing more of that this week.

words for wednesday

what we love to do

we find time to do.

-John L. Spalding

words for wednesday

Sweater, n: garment worn by child

when its mother is feeling chilly.

- Ambrose Bierce

cards, cards, and more cards (project 4)

I love writing note cards. I love buying notebooks. I love journals. I just plain love paper! and one of the fruits of this love of paper is a love of blessing others through correspondence. whether birthday cards, thank you notes, get well greetings, or just hello notes, I enjoy them all. and as I've said before, if I allowed Hallmark to create all my cards for me, it would cost me a pretty penny. so out of necessity and now out of a love of the process, I make cards.

and while I can't seem to put together a tutorial like larissa or lisa, there are a few basic tools that I think are necessary if you have a desire to do basic paper crafting. as with any craft, having the "right" tool for the job allows you the freedom to create without boundaries.

so here are few of my favorites:
1. quality cards- I prefer the white note cards sold at Michaels over the cards offered at JoAnn's.
see the tool belt:
2. paper trimmer-one that is easy to use;
3. great adhesive- I use a tape runner and these awesome glue dots;
4. sharp scissors- these from Creative Memories are the best $5 value around!
5. a "pick up square" from Creative Memories. this little square looks like a gum eraser, but is a work horse for removing any stray adhesive. love it!
I can't give you a specific formula for creating the perfect card. I usually start with a type of card (birthday, get well, etc) then move into a favorite paper or sticker. I use up what I have cutting, bordering, and embellishing.