Sea + Prairie

wip: tote bags

Quickly posting while Wyatt is down for a nap and S has gone to get Ian and Zane from preschool to show you my Friday WIP, work-in-progress.

I am addicted to these dishtowels from the K-mart MS collection. I have used them in the past for other projects, aprons, etc. But I hadn't made tote bags out of them yet. These little beauties will be going to the boys' teachers as thank you gifts for being so wonderful.

Notice the pocket? It is one of the vintage potholders from this post. Like it? I do. One down, four to go. Or, maybe five. I think I need to make one for myself too.

Happy weekend to you!

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Oh, and if you are participating in project: hacky and have not received the mailing address yet, please shoot me an email to send it to you. I think I emailed everyone, but they are so many (thank you for that), I might have missed someone.

spring is...

green grass...
barefeet...(even if they are rather hobbit-like)
linen aprons...
rolled up jeans...

climbing trees...
garden seedlings...
yellow rainboots...
snacks outside...
birdwatching...

daffodills...
cool mornings...
a return to cotton sheets...
and (please continue if you wish)...

old apron, new tote

I know...two posts in one day. Well, I take the time when I can get it. Just a quick post to show you a vintage thrifted apron turned into new totebag. I have already taken it out this morning and love it. More are definitely in the works.

Only one showing of the house so far, but all of the flyers have been taken, so hopefully some more interest in the house this week.  Off to call the realtor...again.

random little things

Lots of little things are making me happy these days (other than the hacky love going around).  Most of them involve birds, or flowers, crochet in cotton instead of wool, my boys outside or a combination of them all.  It is apparent, spring has arrived here in Wisconsin.  Thank goodness!

Here are just a few little things to make you smile too:

• The above knot book with drawings of over 3000 different knots ... boys and knots go together like peanut butter and jelly. Not sure what happened to the photo to make it so washed out....Im still working on this photo taking thing. The best part of the book is that there is a section of arranged by occupation. (knots for seamstresses, knots for falconers, knots for gardeners, knots for butchers, knots for play, etc. ) This has been keeping all 4 boys (hubby included) busy for hours.
• Spotting our first robin at the park this weekend.  Spring can officially start now.
• Mood Swing's sweet story book charm line of necklaces that incorporate the most beautifully colored beads, vintage book images and silver...all three are genuine loves of mine.
• The new HouseMartin blog...I love the eclectic mix of flowers, fruit and pods.  My mother was always good at this kind of mixing of flowers and other random object.  Inspiring, I think!
• Flor's new embroidery blog.  Some of my favorite embroiderers are there...lovely.
• Marianne's small people project
• Reggie sleeping in the sunshine on the granny squares.  I guess he is not the only cat who loves the crochet.  Oh, and have you seen the new granny square along blog?  And the corresponding flickr group?

I think that is all for now.  I am off to finish my hacky sacks.  Oh, and if you want to steal the logo for your blog, feel free. It is on flickr and you can get the code there.  Or if you need some help, let me know and I can email it to you.  Keep me posted, I cant wait to see them and don't forget to shoot me your address for the thank you.  Happy random Tuesday to you!

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here is the code, I thought this would be easier...

<a href="http://http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_life_and_times_of_thi/2007/03/projecthacky.html"> <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/430478508_735e38dc7a_m.jpg" border="0" width="185" height="58" alt="project-hacky" /></a>

project: hacky patterns

First of all I am overwhelmed with all of your offers to help make hacky sacks (juggling balls, footbags, etc).  I sat in front of the laptop last night with misty eyes reading everyone's responses.  Thank you...from the bottom of my heart thank you. (the photo above has nothing to do with the text, it was just one I love of Ian holding this year's first worm)

Now on to the particulars.

• Supplies:  hook or needles, beans any large beans will work be it black beans, kidney beans, white beans) a yarn needle, and cotton yarn
• Crochet Patterns:  Here are a few...this one or this one , or here is one more via Craftster.  These three are most like the ones I am making from the Kids Crochet book.  I would post that pattern, but I am afraid I might be violating copyright.  So, get the book from your library or use one of the links provided above.  One of the links recommends to use birdseed to stuff the bag, I would use beans or the plastic beads.
• Knitting Patterns:  My farmgirl friend Catherine , expert knitter and amazing mama, offered her help selecting a knitting pattern after I begged her for help in an email.  Here is her recommendation...hackey sacks from Shazzas patterns.  Or for you fancy knitters here is one with a swirl pattern.  And one last one from Craft Bits.  And Dana posted a pattern in the comments section in the previous post too.
• Several of you mentioned that you were new to crochet or knitting.  This is the perfect project.  Believe me, if I can do it then you can do it.  Do not feel like to have to change colors if you don't want to.  Single colored balls will be played with just as much a stripey balls Im sure.
• I need the hacky sacks to be IN the mail by the last full week of April...let's say April 24th...because my friend Joe is leaving for Nicaragua the first week of May.  I will email you privately with the mailing address if that is OK.  This should be doable I think.  I am working on an alternate address so that Joe's house is not flooded with little yarned balls.
• Also, if you would, please email me you addresses so that I can send you a photo of your creations being put to use in Nicaragua.  You would like a follow up Im sure, right?

And one more of our lettuce seedlings planted in egg shells...

Many, many chica blessings to you all today!

project: hacky

There are several worthy projects for crocheters and knitters out there currently. I am hoping there is room for just one more. I am making these crocheted juggling balls, more popularly known as hacky sacks, for children that live in the Nueva Vida refugee camp in Nicaragua.  I took the above photo when I was there in 2004 with an organization called Orphan Network.

My good friend Joe has organized a feeding center in Nueva Vida and it has been operating successfully now there for over a year. It is an amazing testament to what one person can do. You can see more on this at Katie's blog. Joe will be returning to the area in May.  I am not exagerating when I say that my heart aches to be going with he and the other volunteers, however finances, the move and other factors prevent me from doing so.  Instead, I would like to be able to send as many hacky sacks as possible with him. Mail is difficult in that area, so the only way to get them there is to send them with him in his luggage. Hacky sacks are perfect as they do not take up much room.

One thing that my last visit to Nicaragua taught me is that more than food, more than clothing, these people need to know that they are genuinely cared about.  It was not plating up food for the children, or handing out American hand me down clothes that made the biggest imact on them (and us).  It was the interaction...playing Marco Polo in a dirty, half-painted swimming pool, it was the older girls teaching us their dances. I think that handing these kids a hacky sack and then playing a game or two with them after their bellies are full can have the same life changing effect. It is such a small thing, but one that can leave a lasting impression of somone caring enough to make a small ball with thier own hands and then the game that follows.

If anyone is interested in crocheting or knitting one or ten of these, please reply in the comments section. If there is enough interest, I will post the complete info. (with patterns, etc.) in a more formal fashion.

P.S.  Erin, thank you for your yarn.  This is where it is going.

ayoc: burnt sienna

a clay pot waiting to be planted sitting on a rusted metal tray :: the stain on our backyard fence

(love the mosaic maker on flickr toys, don't you?)

blue and white pattern

blue and white pattern, originally uploaded by thisvintagechica.

Today I am having a difficult time of being here...do you know what I mean? Of being here in the moment of where I actually am...where I need to be. (do I sound out of my gourd yet?)  In many ways I have already checked out of this house and into the next.

I found myself putting fabrics together for the master bedroom in the beach house instead of calling the realtor again and dealing with Navy Household Goods.  I keep thinking of how closets and cabinets will be organized and if the boys will all three go in the same room.  Hmmm...maybe it would be better if everyone had their own, and next how to decorate it all.  I find myself over at flickr on and off looking at craft spaces and obsessing about the one I will have in the beach house.

Now, I ask you...which would you rather do?  Of course you would.  OK, I will stop procrastinating, make another cup of cafe con leche and tackle my to do list.  But I would much rather be taking a nap with Mr. Mooch.

an in-between purse

new crocheted purse, originally uploaded by thisvintagechica.

You know how as the seasons change, as they are now from Winter to Spring, the in between time gets a little difficult. Around here it is still cool enough to wear sweaters and jackets and scarves, but my body is so ready for skirts and sandals. Am I the only one who has issues with this?

So here is my answer...the first purse I have ever made. Crocheted and warm looking on the outside. Springy and fun on the inside.



I would do things a bit differently next time. I would make it a stitch or three wider and I think it is in need of an applique on the bottom corner from the same fabric as the inside (an April Cornell place mat).

What do you think?

projects of the non-sewing variety

caok seed packages, originally uploaded by thisvintagechica.

Darn it! After the last post, I had full intentions of writing to you again with some finished projects. Ahhh, life. Some of the mentioned projects are done, mostly the non sewing variety. My Calculated Acts of Kindness (CAOK) seed packages have been delivered to the neighbors. The boys and I made little seed packets out of newspaper and filled them with seeds we had saved from our last year's garden...mammoth sunflowers, zinnias, African daisies, marigolds. On the back of the tag is a sweet sentiment and thanks for being such great neighbors to us while we have lived here. Check out Kelli's CAOK page on flickr for more inspiring photos showing how others are changing their communities       for the better.



And I have a new addiction. Yes, aprons still, and picnic sets, and crocheted potholders. But now 70's and 80's contact paper!!! Who knew this stuff could be used for so much more than shelf liner? S was ready to pitch this little serving tray in the trash after seeing that a little boy (who shall remain nameless) colored on it with a sharpie. Insert photo of S rolling his eyes at me, thinking that this will yet be another project that I think I will get to. But a fresh coat of paint and some contact paper...wallah, new life. S did not mind so much when he was getting breakfast in bed.



It has been a great mail week! So quickly, as I hear little feet upstairs already, some thank yous to Meg for the great springy fabric, and Jenn offered to send me these amazing paper birds she is making after I commneted on how much I liked them.  Thank you Jenn.  My friend Clare over at MJF commented that she liked some of the fabric in my barter post and sent yard and yard of coton floral fabric and the Sew What?  Skirts book you see in the sidebar.  Thank you so much Clare, I did not have it already, but am dying to make one of the skirts for Spring.  How perfect.  And lastly, to my partners from the Flibberty Gibbet Fabric Swap for two great fabric packages.  I can not wait to get cutting on them, but judging by the title of this post it might be awhile.