Wordless Wednesday

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I'm in Heaven

Thanks to my friend Cindy, I am now the proud owner of 4 boxes of buttons (shoe box size - boot box size). Cindy forwarded the Craig's List ad to me... there were originally 7 boxes, but someone beat me to three of them. I was a little disappointed (yes, I know I have a problem).

But when my husband brought the boxes to me - I felt much better. The boxes are better than I could have ever imagined! The pictures aren't showing the same box over and over... each one of those boxes is unique. LOVE!

Not only that - it looks to me like most of them, if not all of them, are vintage. I'm not one to discriminate - I love all buttons equally... but there is a certain beauty about many of the vintage buttons.

So what am I going to do with all these buttons? We'', I've already decided that these buttons will not be for the kids to play with like they do with my other three tubs. I hope to sort these and wash them and love them :) Some of them might become tacks, some of them will be used for hair clips, some will be little hoot eyes... and eventually some of them will end up in the supply shop I plan on opening on Etsy (I have definitely hoarded too much) and at the Black Door Studios.

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Muffin Tin Monday - on Tuesday

What a hectic schedule I have these days! I figure, muffin tins a day late aren't the worst thing I could do. And Lyssie was needing something special to mix up her non-preschool day.

Since there isn't a theme this week, it was a perfect time to try out this new holder I found. Okay, it's really for candles. But these votive holders work perfect for holding muffin tin liners. And it mixes it up a little! Granted, my daughter already has a hard time reaching the table, so she has to stand to eat from this one... but it's a special lunch (and she often stands anyway).

It contains: grapes, string cheese circles, oyster crackers, ham and chex mix.

Not the healthiest one I've done - but we are running a bit low on her favorite healthy foods. And she's still going through a bit of a picky stage.

Be sure to check out all the fun Muffin Tins at Her Cup Overfloweth!

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Routines & random thoughts

I feel like I'm the only one struggling to get into some sort of routine now that school is back in session. The three hours, three times a week that I was supposed to get hasn't quite worked out. That's what happens when you've plan ahead. I was going to spend that time working a few days and every once in a while going out and doing something for myself. So far, I've only had a handful of those though as we have had to juggle schedules, heal sick kids and cover unexpected changes - such as power going out at school. The good news is that with those few hours that I have had, I've used them to do things for myself, mostly. But the bad news is that I haven't had nearly enough time to dedicate to work.

But, I'm making slow progress. And at this point, I feel like any progress is good, though. I started a Facebook page for my NueToMe shop. I really like it as I'm able to post new designs with a link to the dress on Etsy... and FB automatically updates anyone that signs up as a fan. Yay! I haven't been great about spreading the word about the page... but that will come in time. At least it's there and ready for me to utilize it.

I've also been doing lots of fun stuff (well, fun for me) in the shop. I've been experimenting with patterned shirts, using more appliques and even screen printing a few with my own designs! You should check it out... and maybe even "fan" me in Facebook.

As we've been working on getting into a routine, I've been struggling to find the time to get projects together for them (in fact, I'm failing in this area right now). I did manage to get them outside the other day though so that they could experiment with color. I found these great trays at Creation Station and the little eye droppers. The kids had a great time mixing colors. I highly recommend this for the little ones as well.

The same thing could be done with mini muffin tins and small spoons (or even straws if you have them use their finger at the top).

I do finally feel like things are starting to get a little easier though. My son comes home from school and goes through his routine himself without my help. My daughter waits patiently while he finished his homework before she tries to play with him. Getting the kids to their after school activities is becoming a little bit easier as well. That means that soon, I'll be able to work back in to our schedule and start preparing for holiday shows. It's amazing how close the holiday season is!

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Work in Progress Wednesday

Well, it's not really in progress anymore. I finished it up yesterday. But it's been a while since I've shared the things I've been working on. I had a request for a Tinkerbell-ish costume. So, I did it two ways. The first, is just one of my pixie skirts using a fancier fabric. The second was a full costume. She chose the full costume... and I can't really blame her. It's lined with super soft minky!

In the past week, I also finished up another peacock costume and tiara. This one didn't include a tutu like my first one (I'm really not a fan of making tutus) - but I used a fun knit band for the waist and a matching one for the tiara. It came out just as cute!

With all the costumes I've been making lately, I feel like Halloween should already be here. I still have to make one for each of my kids. Who knows what those little imaginations are going to come up with. I can hardly wait!

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A Week of Bentos

This week, we had more bentos than normal. And, I think I even missed getting a picture of one of my daughter's. It's been a crazy week and while my son has been at school, my daughter and I have been on the go. Bentos are perfect for keeping her happy while we are out. Food works on her.

Son's lunch: grapes, carrots, peanut butter & jelly sandwhich and apple chips on the bottom to push the sandwich to the top. And a treat in the egg (I bought a bag of Halloween candy and I've been sneaking small treats in his lunch).

This arrangement is a quick, easy to do lunch that I know my son will eat. I am a bit bored with it, but I guess he isn't.

Son's lunch: grapes, whole grain crackers, almonds, organic saltine crackers, tuna and a treat in the egg.

** These small easter eggs are perfect for treats. It hides the treat so that he is suprised at the end of his meal.

Son's lunch: almonds, peanuts and sunflower seeds (sunflower seeds are on the bottom since they are small and I didn't want them to spill all over in transport), peanut butter and jelly rolls, a few cheese nips to keep everything in place and grapes.

Daughter's lunch: grapes and peanut butter jelly rolls, almonds, cheese nips and steamed carrots.
I'm pretty bored with the things I have for their lunches - but I try to change it up and it ends up coming home. Like the tuna. He didn't eat it. In fact, he didn't even open the box. He does eat tuna (at least when it's on my plate), so I thought it would be a nice change. On the day that I packed tuna, I put an ice pack on the bento box and tied it all up with a cloth napkin. It worked great.

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Wordless Wednesday - Really, I have no words

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Cashmere Hoots

Today I made a batch of cashmere hoots for Heidi of Haute Goat. She'll be at the Queen Anne Art Walk this Thursday... and so will the hoots! If you are local, stop by and day "Hi" to her. Unfortunately, I'll miss it as I'll be playing taxi that evening for my kids.

Heidi makes some wonderful things out of reclaimed cashmere. My favorite right now are the scarves. She has so many different kinds, it's hard to choose a favorite. Check out her shop if you can't make the Art Walk (or even if you can). It's never too soon to shop for Christmas gifts - so be sure to keep an eye on her shop, I know she'll be adding new items as well.

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Muffin Tin Monday

Today's theme was apples. And since I'm only feeding Lyssie, who is allergic to apples... we skipped the theme this week. We used her heart muffin tin which makes it special all on it's own (after all, Grandma did get it for her - she frequently reminds me).

Contents: Jelly sandwich, carrots, grapes, Cheese Nips, Almonds and Japanese cookies.

There wasn't much in the fridge. We are in desperate need of groceries. I also need to take advantage of the fridge being so bare and just clean it. Yep, I'm sure you envy me right now.

Be sure to stop by Her Cup Overfloweth for more muffin tins. Her apple one is sooo cute!

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First day of preschool

Today was my daughter's first day of preschool. She's been looking forward to this day since Robbie started going to Kindergarten (he's now a first grader).


Last night over dinner, I reminder her that she'd be going to school the following day. She was excited.

"Are you going with me?"
"No, Daddy will be taking you"
"Will Daddy be staying with me?"
"No, he's going to drop you off and then go to work. I'll be picking you up after school"
"Yay! I get to go to school all by myself!"

A victory dance followed this little conversation.

I am so thankful that my kids enjoy school. She obviously had a good time because when we got home, she was singing "Waterloo" while eating lunch. She's a happy little girl.

Here's her special First Day of School muffin tin (her idea) - she was excited that she got to use her heart muffin tin. We only have one, so when her brother is around... we can't use it. He is, after all, the police of everything fair.

Contents: Carrots, string cheese, hot dog cut into pieces, left over pizza, crackers and grapes.

Her lunch request was hot dogs and pizza. I lucked out and had both of them in the fridge. She ate like a champ. This is one of the big advantages to her brother being away for lunch - she actually eats. When he's around, they are both too busy being silly and entertaining each other. Apparently, mom is not nearly as entertaining.

And as promised, here are my son's bento lunches from the week. Since we let him buy lunch on Tuesdays and Fridays, and it was a short week, I only had to make two lunches.

Wednesday's Bento: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on top of apple chips (you can't see them, but it helps to push everything up to the top so that things don't spill over), edamame, raisins and cranberries, and a special cookie. I smashed the cookie on top of the whole thing.

Thursday's Bento: Rice, Salmon, Edamame, raisins and cranberries, pretzel sticks and an egg with a few chocolate pieces.

My kids never get treats and I'm finding it fun to stick on into his bento every now and then. Who doesn't like a little surprise, right?

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Muffin Tin Monday

Ah - a three day weekend! This means that my husband did Muffin Tin Monday. Yay! He does such a nice job. And the kids ate it up!


Contents: Homemade pizza, mozzarella cheese, more pizza, edamame, pepperoni and wheat crackers.

Over the weekend, my son and I made our own tomato sauce with tomatoes, basil, carrots and zucchini from the garden. It was fun. They used it on their pizzas, we used it on some tasty meatball sandwiches. Yummy! And some great mom/son time.

Be sure to check out Her Cup Overfloweth for more tins!

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Week Wrap Up

You can't imagine how happy I am that this is Friday. Not only is it the weekend, but it's a three day weekend - my husband is actually getting a normal holiday off. Gasp!

Aside from the challenges this week that have nearly drained me... I've had a pretty great week. My son started 1st grade with a few bumps, but things are starting to look up. My daughter has been taking her first swim lessons and the last one is today. I never imagined that her swim lessons would be as stressful as they are. I have to worry about her retaining her heat through the whole class (yesterday she had to be pulled 5 minutes early due to blue lips) - she is barely tall enough to walk in the shallow part of the pool (her other classmates, that are the same age, are a good foot out of the water when they walk in the shallow end and she keeps trying to sit on the lower step with the other girls and can't because she's too short (which means she goes under water). It's very stressful. It's times like these that I am reminded how small she truly is. But we've packed a whole lot of spunk into that little package!

I also had lunch with a friend this week. And with it, came some fun gifts. She went garage sale-ing and scored me some awesome trims (some from Germany!). And while this week hasn't allowed for a lot of work, I have managed to start making a few more cashmere owls. I've found a new love working with cashmere... it's sooo soft!

Next week is another busy week. We have Lyssie's preschool orientation which I have many obligations to fulfill before that, Lyssie will start school and I need to figure out my application for UCU and Crafty Wonderland. I've also agreed to do a show on the weekend of September 26th (more information on that to follow).

I'm hoping that I'll have just one more week of chaos and then we'll fall smoothly into a routine. With three mornings to myself, I have high hopes. Of course, at this rate, i can see me using that time to catch up on sleep :)

Have a great weekend!

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First Day of School

Yesterday was Robbie's first day of school... and it had mixed reviews. He came home telling me that he had fun, excited about getting two recesses and informing me that he saw Giselle on the playground (this is his "girlfriend" from last year that unfortunately is not in his class this year). But after filling me in with the highlights, he quickly started in on the low parts of the day. The first one was lunch. Apparently, they didn't let him finish his lunch. He's a marathon eater... so this isn't surprising. But, I'm sure he wasn't prepared for it. And like a good boy, he was saving his special treat for last... which he never got to eat. Top it off, he left his lunch box at school... so he couldn't even eat it at home. The other thing that didn't go well was that he said his teacher didn't listen to him. I tried to explain that she has 27 other kids and that he isn't going to have her complete attention, all the time. After many discussions... I'm hoping that today goes better.

I think because of the length of the day, the unexpected incidents on his part, and all the new information... when he go home, he lost it. He was explosive and it made for a very trying evening. But he and I have put plans in place to avoid a repeat - since he agreed, it was not fun.

Routines... I love them during school. So when he gets home, we will now have a light snack to refuel him. After snack, he will go to his room and do one of his word searches. This will give him some quiet time to decompress. After the word search (they normally take him about 20 minutes), he'll come down and we'll get his homework out of the way. Lucky for me... he's looking forward to homework. After homework, on some days, he'll be able to redeem some of the screen time he's earned... or he'll be going to Karate. I'm hopeful that knowing what to expect and giving him some decompression time will help. Only time will tell.

Today, to make him feel better, I packed him a special bento lunch. We had meatballs and pasta last night that Robbie loved. He asked for him again for breakfast. Luckily we had popped a few meatballs into the freezer last night. I also make this a smaller lunch than I normally do to help with time management. Hopefully he can finish this one in the time they give him.

Contents: raisins & cranberries, wheat crackers, feta cheese (in the container - he likes to use it for his pasta), edamame (lightly salted), whole wheat pasta (also lightly salted) and 4 meatballs.

He'll be taking his lunch several times a week and buying a few times a week. Friday he gets to buy and have their pizza. He's excited. I'll be doing one post a week with all of our bentos (didn't get a picture of yesterdays).

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Wordless Wednesday

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