Today I had an 'ah-ha' moment with the zipper installation. I really can't tell you how much easier the 'right way' is. I decided to forget the band at the top...it wasn't functional - and you know at the Art Nest I'm trying to live and create more simply. I now need to work on polishing the details: 1) lining up the zipper in the center 2) sewing closer to the zipper 3) what is my new fascination with zippers anyway?!
I carved the little bird stamp by hand several months ago and she's appearing on lots of my creations these days. I have recently been neglecting my block prints - my first love. Poor, lonely printing supplies~

My first knitted beret! I have never knitted before until now. I used the Purl Beret pattern from the Purl Bee blog. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to knit this hat. I did have to do some background research for certain stitches and at one point there were 5 needles attached to the hat (scary!). I am very proud of this hat and have been wearing it around town all day. Next I believe I will tackle some fingerless gloves!

One of my favorite activities is sneaking into the book sale room of our local library to dig through the children's section. I always find something admirable and lovely. I recently found this Finders Keepers book and loved the 2-3 color schemes on each page. Books like this inspire me to keep up with my block prints.

Tonight I served one of my favorite meals to my family: pot roast, mashed potatoes, lima beans and pear halves. I don't know if the lima beans and pear halve combination is southern or just a family tradition, but they are an odd mix non-the-less. My husband always cringes when I served whole kernel corn with spaghetti. I keep an unusually vivid picture in my mind from age five of my mom, dad, and I sitting on ice chests in the new kitchen of our new home eating spaghetti sandwiches and corn. Strange, I know, but this memory still coaxes me to serve corn with spaghetti on a regular basis. What strange food combinations do you and your family enjoy?

I created this Washer and Dryer Play Set for my children and they loved it. I originally created this as a prototype so that my handy husband could build a play set out of wood. The prototype was such a hit that I never even asked for the other one! I would love to share my instructions with you if you fancy trying to make one. It's quite easy and inexpensive. Just e-mail me, subject line: Play Set and I'll send the instructions your way. Don't forget to tell your friends. Merci!

Our household has enjoyed a lovely lazy Sunday. I sat the children free in the backyard with some washable paints while I tidied up the studio for tonight's printing adventure. Chocolate chip cookies are cooling in the kitchen and I have a date with the laudro-mat at 2pm. You see, I am quite behind on the laundry and I prefer to knock it out in one afternoon rather than play catch up for four days. I must go wake up Miss B from her nap now. I love Sundays.

The thermometer outside reads 70 degrees. This sudden southern temperature swing has made me anxious for sweet, warm summer months. In honor of this fabulous weather, I've made lemon squares. I used this simple Krusteaz mix. The lemon squares are perfect and oh so lovely.

Do you ever have a vision for a project and never follow through? I am the queen of this sad state. However, today I conquered one of my "I'll get to it someday" ideas and ended up with these pin cushion rings. I created my own pattern for these and they turned out just as I had envisioned...simply lovely!

Bonjour! I've created a new tutorial for you. The Knitting Needle Travel Pouch is a wonderful way to carry your knitting needles with you. I created this tutorial after I spent my vacation this past weekend constantly digging in my knitting bag for the right needles. This is also a great travel pouch for colored pencils, crochet needles, maybe even toothbrushes? The world is yours...

I recently acquired a French press pot after much hinting to my mother who owned three. I can make two cups of the smoothest coffee with the French press and not use an ounce of electricity. I feel smart, savvy, and oh so European. Simply lovely.

We all bundled up this morning after a breakfast of bagels and coffee and took a kite down to the marina. Of course it was sunny, cold, and windy. The picnic tables were a beautiful blue. I took advantage of them and snapped the above picture of a spool of thread that was in my pocket. The children and I have enjoyed this simple, relaxing vacation.

This morning my mother took me to a quilting shop and said, "Why don't you pick 10 fat quarters...I'd like to buy them for you!" I was thrilled and she even helped me pick which ones. Aren't they beautiful?
After the excitement of the quilting shop, we went to an authentic Middle Eastern eatery and treated ourselves to shawarmas, hummus with pita, and falafels. Next, to a clothing store where I found some desperately needed jeans and finally to the ice cream shop for mint chocolate chip ice cream on a sugar cone. Aahh...I love being on vacation!
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In honor of Valentine's Day I'd like to share this poem:
"Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a schizophrenic...and so am I"
-Bob Wiley (played by Bill Murray)

I spent an enjoyable afternoon baking sugar cookies while I conversed over the phone with my dear friend, Summer. The children were happy with their afternoon treats. I think that children's hands are so sweet. I love when B grabs my face and turns my eyes to look at hers...magic!

Birds of the Sandwich Islands
Frederick W. Frohawk
Watercolour

Isn't this postcard divine? My lovely cousin mailed this to me from Europe during her recent travels. How sweet~

I just snagged a Wanderings Coat Pattern from Sugar City...it's on sale for only $10!
You must, must go get one before they are gone.

This is my newest piece of costume jewelry that I put together. I enjoy wearing it with my green tunic.

Fairy Houses

Our family was delighted to discover that a band of fairies had made camp in our front yard. Sneaking up as cat-like as I could, I snapped a few pictures...of course no fairies would come out (they are awfully camera shy), but my children were completely mesmerized by the houses none the less~

Afternoon tea in the studio. I'll allow my children to make a slight mess so that I can paint in peace...This is the tea set from my childhood and I was delighted to share it with my little ones.

Fairy Bread by Robert Louis Stevenson
Come up here, O dusty feet!
Here is fairy ready to eat.
Here in my retiring room,
Children ,you may dine
On the golden smell of broom
And the shade of pine;
And when you have eaten well,
Fairy stories hear and tell.

Bella's First Birthday Brunch! We had such a grand day celebrating our little one's first year. Over twenty guests arrived for the occasion. Lots of laughter, talking, and eating. I love a good party and I think everyone enjoyed themselves!

We took an afternoon trip to the park this Father's Day. Jeffrey is quite the photographer. He is a professional photographer...I don't know that I've ever mentioned that! He is one of the most involved father's I've ever witnessed. He plays, protects, and loves his children to the point where I get a little jealous sometimes.