Try to Remember, Those Days in September

I was busy (oh yeah - Hi I'm back)! I travelled I taught we birthday-ed and more, but mostly...

Mostly I did THIS:

I knitted and crocheted for hours on end as I became obsessed with Single Skein September 2009. A little event promoted by the Stash & Burn girls. My obsessive tendency (ok maybe it's more than a tendency) paid off as I completed 45 projects for SSS09. And I WON! I had fun racing and using up oddballs of yarn and working on new projects, but I'd be lying (and you guys would know it) if I didn't say that I love winning.

I had a blast and I felt so famous when the girls knew who I was (call me crazy) from the message boards. All in all it was very cool and I loved seeing what people completed. I think SSS09 was a huge success for everyone.

I'll be back with more soon. I think my blogging mojo is blossoming again - so I'll take it slowly and see how it goes.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

(Even when you're not)

It's been CRAZY around here! Where does all the time go?

* The Kids are home (woohoo, though quiet is a dream that once was)

* The Furniture is all ReUpholstered

* Too many knitting projects are underway (and it's driving me nuts)

* I've been planning and sourcing for the homeschool year (which begins in a few weeks)

* I finished watching season 2 of Dexter on instant view and now I have to wait for each season 3 disc from Netflix (UGH!)

* I've read about 20 books on homeschool, nature study, simplifying your life, gardening, drawing with children, Charlotte Mason methods, and more - now I think I need to read the next Alex Cross novel and give my brain a break.

* I'm cooking and cleaning (ok not too much of either, but still) and in general trying to get this house into shape.

* Today is picture taking day and hopefully I'll get decent pictures of all (well most or at least some) of the crafty things I've been working on over the summer.

WOW - I guess that's where the time has gone.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

An Apple A Day...

I LOVE apples! To eat to decorate with to look at on the tree - Apples are one of my favorites!!!

I am completely in love with this pattern!

It's from THIS book, which is rather charming on it's own.

These are so cute and easy to make and of course I can't stop at just one (it would get lonely).

These are for my friend Andrea - self-proclaimed lover of funky "pukey" colors!

This fabric was so very "Andrea" that I had to make her this as well:

I've been sewing and reading and reading some more - did I mention it's really quiet around here? Oh and I just treated myself to THIS (it's been on my wish list a LONG time).

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Too Much and Not Enough

There is so much I want to do and to learn. There are so many worthwhile adventures, experiences, explorations how do I choose a starting place? I sew, knit, crochet, quilt, etc - to what end; for what purpose?

Do I need (must I have) a purpose? Isn't the experience of creating fulfilling enough? If the experience is NOT enough - should it be?

I don't know yet - too many questions that beg to be explored if not answered. What do you think? How do you find your way in the sea of wonderful things to do and learn? Please share with me in the comments and we'll explore the questions together.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Be Vewry vewry Qwiet....

Oh wait - it already is!

The children being away is a strange and wonderful experience all in one. My house is very quiet (even with 3 dogs and 2 cats) and I'm enjoying it. I do have that constant feeling that I've "forgotten" something, but so far the stillness is welcome. Now ask me next week and I might have a different opinion.

I'm headed back to the sewing machine today and should have pictures later this week.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Thank You. Thank You. And Thank YOU!

Thanks guys for all the warm welcome back wishes! It's been a crazy crazy week.

I busied myself (read: ran around like a crazy woman) preparing the children to leave, with my in-laws, for a MONTH (gosh that's a long time).

I said last week that I sewed. I did - some fun playful playskirts for Anna:

Sorry for the bad photo (did I mention the CRAZY woman living in my house last week)

Anyway - she loves them and they were super simple.

I'm also working on a HUGE home project - recovering all of the upholstered pieces in my den. I think I might be crazy, but it seemed like a good idea and heaven knows it needs to be done! I've restuffed/rewrapped all of the cushions and covered them in muslin. Now I must make the actual covers. It's a large undertaking to be sure, but I am enjoying the process and it will help this homeschooling mom manage for a MONTH without the kids.

It's awfully quiet around here.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Hello... Is This Thing On?

Hi, Remember me? I'm trying to as well.

I know, it was a LONG, Unexplained, but necessary break. Thanks for patience and understanding. I've been working through a really tough time (I'll spare you the snoring details) and needed to clear the decks for a while.

With the aid of really good friends, a great counselor, and modern science I am finally ready to take on this little corner of my world again. I'm going to take things as they come and enjoy the ride.

Thanks for hanging with me. I can't wait to show you what I've been sewing.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

She Crafts - She Just Doesn't Post

Don't worry little blog - I have NOT forgotten you. I am just exploring my options. OK - I'm using Facebook - a little - not much - it's just so quick and easy.

I was telling my friend Angela (as we've fallen off the email wagon) that Facebook:email as email:letter writing. While I'm sure she is terribly impressed with my SAT style analogy, we agree that it's funny in a "sad but true" kind of way.

I'm busy and having fun and here's some photographic evidence - CRAFTY photos - (I don't post those other kind)



I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Ironic

I've heard of letting the cat OUT of the bag, but this is just crazy!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Communing with Nature

We had a great time hiking in the woods (yes I hiked in actual woods). I like nature this time of year. It was about 70, but because it's still February - there's no pollen and no bugs! WooHoo - that's the kind of nature I can handle!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

In a Book - or 12 or 13

That's where I've been. Well there and crafting, but more on that another day.

I've been reading LOTS lately and between that, hitting a groove with homeschooling, the kids activities, and more - I've neglected my poor little blog. I'll correct that in short order, but for now back to books.

So far this year I've read:

Knit Two - Kate Jacobs which felt sort of forced - glad I borrowed it from the library instead of buying it.

The Quilter's Apprentice - Jennifer Chiaverini charming and interesting - this was recommended by several friends and I'm glad I finally checked it out.

You're Broke Because You Want to Be - Larry Winget - interesting and in your face - Larry's not for everyone - I liked it and while it didn't really tell me much new - I liked the format and the "swift kick" attitude.

Financial Peace Revisited - Dave Ramsey - Dave's stuff is sound advice. I liked this edition as it had "looking back" perspective added.

Shut Up, Stop Whining, & Get a Life - Larry Winget - Again - Larry's NOT for everyone, but I am SO on the same page with most of his thinking.

Round Robin - Jennifer Chiaverini - as charming as the first and I am looking forward to the third book of the Elm Creek series.

Go Green, Live Rich - David Bach - Most I already knew, but it's always good to be reminded.

A Sister's Secret - Wanda Brunstetter - I love these books - they are interesting and wholesome - very refreshing - usually what I read after I've read several Alex Cross book in a row - to restore my faith in humanity and balance out the heinous images.
A Sister's Test - Wanda Brunstetter
A Sisters Hope - Wanda Brunstetter

Things I Learned From Knitting - Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - Always funny and fun to read. I'll have to see if "Free Range" is available at the library or from a friend.

A Wife After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George - While I don't agree with everything I realize that more is required of me and I apprecited the timing and material.

Cat & Mouse - James Patterson - Book 4 of the Alex Cross series. Better than some and I like the series so I'll keep reading them for a while.

What are you reading? Please share in the comments and let me know what you think of the books?

Wit & Wisdom of a 6 Year Old

Toby: Do you have a band-aid finger?

Me: Yes I do.

T: Why?

M: I cut it.

T: By a knife?

M: Yes, with a knife.

T: That's the danger of going too fast.

M: Yes, yes it is.

This exchange was followed by a sneeze from said wise boy who then proceeded to announce "HEY, I BLASTED SNOT OUT OF MY NOSE!"

Parenting - the great adventure.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

The blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort — the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person — having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

• Dinah Craik, in A Life for a Life (1859)

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe