paperchains continued

It's amazing how much we ALL respond to newspaper and watercolors. I also think paper chains must  be part of our shared childhood memories... so I couldn't help but continue with the leaves. These are so little and delicate. I think I'll make several for hanging in the windows.

Next, I tried using an xacto knife and highly recommend it for adult paper-chainers. I discovered two newspaper tricks along the way:

1.  Pencil erasers work wonders on taking a little ink off for creating faces.
2. Glue sticks are indispensable for reattaching heads... ouch!

I also painted some new children for my daughter and created some "blanks"  for her to fill in when she gets home today. I miss not having her at my side constantly, and our afternoons are always about reconnecting. A gentle art project, as simple as watercolors or markers, facilitates talking. It gives her an opportunity to share her daily adventures and tell me all the little details I'm hungry for. When asked too many  questions of the "how was your day" variety, most young children can't respond with much more than one word answers. I find that joining my daughter in some good creative work increases her ability (and desire) to relive her day or any feelings that have come up... naturally and without pressure. She's quite happy and insanely in love with her friends, but don't you think paper dolls lend themselves perfectly to discussions about friendship. Just saying...

newspaper chains

What do you do when your child is sick in bed for the second day in a row?  Climb right in with her for a little crafting and storytelling. Using the old fashioned method of cutting accordion folded paper, we created an instant village among the snowy white mountains blankets.  We took turns making up silly tales. When my daughter was ready to return to the stack of books at her bedside, I couldn't resist snipping some little acorns. I had been dreaming of a mixed fall leaf chain, but frankly my sleepy brain (lots of middle of the night waking going on these last couple of days) and uncoordinated fingers needed something easy.

Later on, when we both felt a bit more energized, we went downstairs and applied some watercolors.

Both of us are happy with how they turned out.Quite. I get a crazy amount of satisfaction out of cut and painted newspaper, as you well know! We'll be returning to these kinds of chains even after her sore throat disappears.

With all of the big box stores out there, it's easy to forget about simple materials and traditional crafts. But you and I won't, will we? Please keep spreading the word: you've already got everything on hand... or maybe out back in those recycling bins! Now, onto those leaf chains...

salsa verde!

I have loved salsa verde my entire life. One of the first "meals" I ever learned to make for myself was a quesadilla. Corn tortillas, cheese and a bottle of green La Victoria hot sauce were staples in my childhood fridge. They were some of the flavors imprinted on my young palette to represent comfort. So, with all of the cooking I do, isn't it odd that I've NEVER made my own green hot sauce before... you know, from scratch?!  Mexican salsa verde is made with boiled or roasted tomatillos, which look a little like a green tomato. Our CSA has an abundant tomatillo U-PICK crop going on right now. Have you ever plucked one off the vine? It's quite fun searching for the ones that have ripened enough to fill up their papery husks. My son and I gathered a nice bowl-full on Saturday morning for some weekend Mexican cooking, our family's favorite food.  I was dumbfounded by how easy this salsa is to make. What took me so long?!

Salsa Verde

1. Husk tomatillos, a more perfect job for children couldn't be found!
2. Cover with water in a pot and boil until they turn a pale gray/green.
3. Remove with a slotted spoon and puree in a blender with:

• one white or yellow onion
• a handful of cilantro 
• 1 poblano or jalepeno pepper to taste
• salt
• a squeeze of lime

Several variations were made with different degrees of "heat". I could have drunk an entire jar, I loved it that much! We used the mildest version to top off incredible black bean enchiladas last night. They reminded me of my Lita, and that's saying a lot... she made amazing enchiladas for us weekly.

This truly is my  favorite kind of cooking: seasonal, local, quick & easy.  You better believe I'll be returning for more tomatillos before the first frost comes... I'm bringing along a huge bucket next time!

the reinvention scarf #1: how-to

That stack of deconstructed linen clothing has reinvented itself once more. Now it's a super soft scarf. This simple "pieced" scarf turned small fabric scraps into a very useful accessory on brisk morning walks. I've made this style many times before, but check out the new twist that I'm super excited about:

A stash pocket! Perfect place to slip a key or credit card if you don't want to carry a bag and your clothes are pocket-less. All scarves should have them!

When taking apart clothing to use for its fabric, there are often buttons, pockets, etc, that are leftover. Reinventing these pieces creatively makes use of already constructed pieces, which saves time and adds a nice design element. Plus, it makes you feel extra clever! That little loop I made to cinch the two sides together already had the button hole in it, so it took only minutes to create.

Would you like to make a reinvention scarf of your own? These are so simple that they don't quite warrant a tutorial, but I'm jotting down the how-to just in case it would be helpful.This is a great project for a new sewer. The process is just as fun as the outcome is lovely. You'll need to go through your closets or the racks at your favorite thrift store to find the perfect clothing that inspires deconstruction. Linen, wool, and corduroy are my favorites for this project.

Make

1. Decide the width of your scarf. The one above was 7 inches before sewing. 
2. Cut lots of lengths of your coordinated fabrics, keeping all of the widths the same.
3. Lay them out on the floor to create a pattern.
4. If you have a pocket that you're planning on incorporating,  make sure it's positioned in the right direction and towards the bottom of one side.
5. When happy with the combination, stitch together until the scarf is  your preferred length. Try it on as you go to see what you think.
6. Iron seams flat. If you want to add embellishments like lace or applique do so now.
7. Use one color for the back piece. I used the leg of a pair of thrifted linen pants. Pant legs are great sources for fabric for long scarves. Cut the fabric to match the size of the "patchwork" front piece.
8. Place right side to right side and stitch all around the edges leaving a small opening at bottom of one side.
9. Turn right side out and iron the opening shut. Sew a decorative stitch across each bottom hem (closing the hole shut on that one open side)
10. Wrap around your neck and take a walk.

 I have another scarf with a twist that I'll share next week. Hope your weekend is filled with love and creativity!

wooden rainbows

I'm so glad you enjoyed the rainbow pictures earlier this week. Who doesn't stop in their tracks at the glimpse of nature's masterpiece? We're lucky to live in a valley that's blessed with lots of rainbows, and my children know the exact weather conditions, and kind of light that shouts "rainbow alert". During our hunts for those arcs of color, we've inevitably talked about the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet (Roy G. Biv).

This has led to creating our own with crayons, markers, paint... etc. One of the simplest and most satisfying art projects we've done recently was stumbled upon by chance: painting watercolor rainbows onto wooden craft sticks. The water colors bleed into one another creating a seamless spectrum. Our countless rainbow sticks have been used for book marks, magic wands, and building materials for fairy houses. They're also considered "lucky sticks", good for tucking in pockets when going on adventures.

Such success with simple materials led us to paint watercolors on any scrap wood we could find:  the gorgeous outcome was so enticing. At the peak of this wooden passion, we rediscovered the the "Curiosity Bags" sold at our favorite local shop: Mama Goose.  Curiosity Bags are a wooden treasure trove of odds and ends, seconds, and leftovers put together by my artisan neighbor, Wild Apple.

I've shared my love for Wild Apple toymaker, Gunther Kiel, before here and here. If you live anywhere near Mama Goose, don't pass by these humble looking bags. They are not sold as toys because they might need to be sanded or could be missing a part, but we found many pieces that were gorgeous... and for water coloring:  they're pure bliss. Parent supervision is necessary for young children because some of those bunnies and sheep are so tiny (and cute).

My daughter created this play set (I love that pink goose):

So grab your watercolors and craft sticks, maybe peek into your garage for any scraps you have lying around, and count on hours of fun. You can also find inexpensive wooden shapes, animals and letters at all craft supply stores. But if you happen to be local,  run down to Mama Goose!

beginnings

The first day of a brand new season holds so much promise. I'm setting my sights on a morning walk several times a week. I've gotten out of the habit. It's time again.  On today's walk, I collected acorns... and thoughts before I dove in to my very full plate. The gathering of those thoughts steered me in the right direction. I know that prioritizing a new goal will touch every part of what I do. Maybe you'll join me in choosing something new to accomplish this fall. Here's to new beginnings.

p.s. Yes, I added the salvaged lace to a neckline of an existing shirt. I like it... at least for now! :)

epic journey

Twelve years ago we welcomed our first child into the world. A dozen years later, and that beautiful little baby boy is now as tall as me. It happened in the blink of an eye. They tell you it will fly by, but it seemed impossible in the early years... I mean those sleepless nights felt like a year unto themselves. But here we are on the threshold of the teen years, and I can't quite believe it. Not possible! I've been tender and nostalgic all day. Truth be told... I've felt this way all week, as I recount my last few days of  pregnancy. I've always done that with my children around their birthdays,  think back to what life was like around their birth.

I am so eternally happy to have my son in our life. He made me a mother, and I continue to learn something new about parenting and life everyday with him. His sweet and enthusiastic words following tonight's birthday sundaes:  today was "epic". And I would add... this journey is epic, and I'm so grateful to be sharing it with him.

shop update

Today is vastly different than yesterday. The skies are blue, the sun is shining abundantly (as predicted), and I'm embracing the turning of the season with a smile,some more baking on my mind, and the  first shop update I've had in months. I wish I could have made more... I always feel that way. So many ideas, and never enough time. You feel that way, too I'm sure. Well, we'll keep writing our lists together.

In the meantime, I'm happy to welcome you over to check out a few new items in my shop.

autumn pillows

Just a little reminder that I'll be adding a few new items to my shop tomorrow at 11 am EST. This morning I went in search of light that would show the true rich colors of these autumn pillows. After marching them through the field and back, it was evident that the best ones were shot inside. Humph. I decided to include an atmospheric one anyway so you can see our season's change. I'm loving these sturdy linen pillow slips featuring color blocks in plum, slate and dark chestnut. Two embrace a bit of that tatting lace from Madison Bouckville. The third has a center square of pleated plum. Each is a stand alone pillow, but would love to be nestled together as a set. More pictures coming when I list everything on Etsy. Enjoy your Sunday and see you tomorrow!

shop update preview

I was hoping to give you a full preview of Monday's sale items, but the misty gray skies have made it difficult to photograph anything with bits of color... but burlap and oatmeal linen are always easy to shoot. So, here are a few items you'll see in my shop along with that "big boy bucket" you admired yesterday. The dimensions for that biggie will be included in the shop listing... so if you have a burlap bucket pattern, I think you'll be able to figure out just how to make this large size, too.You can always e-mail me for help.

 Now, I'm off to eat, bake and sauce all those apples... I'm sure I'll have some helpers!  

Have a great weekend!

sponsorship

I'm happy to announce that I'll be accepting sponsors for the holiday season. It's the perfect time to promote the small businesses I love, while sharing in the high traffic maya*made consistently receives. The winter subscription is effective from October 1st through December 31st, 2010. Rates are reasonable to make this an affordable option for small shops and indie businesses. Please get in touch with me for my new pricing and details: mayaluna{at}yahoo{dot}com

the salvaged neckline

Sometimes a quick and tiny project thrown into the mix creates enough diversion to spur me on to the finish line with everything else. So it was with this little crocheted necklace/accessory I refashioned. I'm not quite sure what it should be, though. Maybe you'll help me decide...

It started out as the neckline of a .99 cent blouse from the thrift shop. I picked it up on a scorching summer day, when I ran in for a few seconds with kids in tow. The thin white gauze and sweet crocheted neckline made me grab it off the rack without looking too closely. When I got home, I noticed some spots on the front. I thought a bit of tea-staining might disguise them and create a nice antique look. Oops!  The tea didn't just stain it, yikes! It highlighted every previous stain the former owner had put on the blouse... including underarm sweat stains.Yuck! Almost didn't give you a visual, but here you go, just in case you ever get the notion to tea-stain a thrifted top... do so with caution.

I cut out the neckline (and salvaged a few bits of the fabric), which had turned to a nice cream color.

In the top photo, you can see how sweet it looks as a necklace on Goldy with an added vintage button in the center. Another little button serves as a clasp at the back. Nice.  However, I'm still wondering if I shouldn't just re-attach it to a new top to recreate its life as a neckline. What's your vote:

1. Sew it to another blouse?
2. Keep it as is a necklace?
3. Another idea?

These were my deep thoughts(ha!) as I sewed buckets yesterday.  Here's a peek at a new size I worked on: low and large

It's one foot in diameter! That's a whole peck of apples it holds, with room to spare

sewing...

Just peeking in for a quick hello. You are a such a lovely distraction with my late-morning cup of tea, but I'm determined to stay focused today.  I'm hoping to put a few new items in my shop on Monday morning, so for a couple of hours my sewing machine and new Pandora station (Ray Lamontagne) are my companions, as I dive into making. The custom flower girl buckets above are an example of some of the only burlap sewing I did this summer. I'm making a couple of similar ones for next week for forest foraging. It's fun to to get reacquainted with burlap, the perfect fall fabric.  I'm adding sturdy linen, wool, and corduroy to this season's material list. There's a stack of  deconstructed clothing and wool blankets in gorgeous hues of autumn that are desperately wanting to be repurposed into new and useful designs. I'll share more glimpses later this week.

Is the shift in seasons inspiring you with new palettes and textures, too?

apron blouse: how to

 What do you get when you put together two vintage half aprons? A perfect little smock for stacking wood...or at the very least, a new blouse for layering in September's fickle weather.

 My mother came up with this idea a couple of weeks ago, when she was sorting through her stash of aprons. We bought an entire LOT of old 30's and 40's aprons at an auction years ago and have been coming up with ways to use them ever since. I love this new inspiration for two humble pieces that were completely ignored until they were merged as one. I'm much more likely to wear a tunic/smock/blouse then a half apron. I found that it added a little romance to the otherwise mundane task of stacking our winter firewood... a job that has been known to drag on for weeks.

Not everyone has a collection vintage aprons, but they're quite easy to come by at any flea market or antique sale. And of course, you don't even have to leave your house:  Etsy has pages upon pages of them right here.

Apron Blouse: How To

• Find two half aprons that coordinate in size and color scheme.
• Lay right side to right side and sew up the sides, leaving several inches open for under the arm.
• Turn and fold up each of the waist ties to become a shoulder strap. Sew in place.  
• Tie new straps together.
• Take in the waist band... (now turned neckline) with a tuck, gather or pleat if it's too wide.

It takes 5 minutes to make and is reversible! Layer it or wear alone on  a hot day... here's to hoping we have one last heat wave in the northeast!

suspended screens

I pulled out of my grandmother's trunk... remember that game? I know it was more about putting into the trunk, but you get the idea. Sometimes it feels like my mother's barn is a bottomless trunk (think Mary Poppins' carpet bag!) of treasures. She has three of  these delicate little collapsible mesh tents that were once used at picnics to keep the bugs away from food. I'm sure they have a name, maybe you know what they're called. Each one is quite fragile, but seemed too lovely to stay packed away in a box. The moment  I popped one open, images of  floating parasols came to my mind. And since the barn loves parasols so much...

 

They've now spent the summer suspended from wire curtain rods in the bathroom.

They twirl in the breeze and catch the light, especially the one that wears jewel encrusted napkin rings.

Their ethereal structure looks different depending upon the time of day...even catching and holding the evening shadows.

 I often suggest turning objects upside down to give them a new purpose, now I'll  try hanging it above my head, too.  As long as it doesn't weigh a ton of bricks, of course.
Have a great weekend!

stolen minutes

Within almost each day there are stolen minutes laced with simplicity, perhaps in the company of zinnias and cosmos...

or discovered in the magic of stumbling upon unexpected afternoon sunshine streaming through a window.

It's these fleeting, quiet moments of abundance that I hold onto when the rest of the world seems to be spinning a little too fast.

So in the midst of adjusting to new fall routines, family sickness, and crazy country internet connections {that flub any attempt at getting work done}, I recognize these captured bits of peace for the gifts they really are.

I'm hoping you catch a quiet moment for yourself today, too!