costuming

tis the season of thread, felt and creativity as Halloween fast approaches.

the little wanted to be a pumpkin this year.... imagine how thrilled I was that even as a 9 year old he still wants to be something fun, cute and easy to make (of course we all remember the year when he wanted to be Mt. Vesuvius).  I had the costume all cut and ready to sew when I asked him to draw the face he wanted for it.  problem #1... BIG MISTAKE.
he drew this super elaborate face and was set on it being so.
the eyes were easy.
the nose was easier.
the eyebrows... well, he needed eyebrows.
but that  mouth.
ack!!!

I went through felt section after felt section trying to perfect the "super scary" mouth.  It was never up to the standards of the costume wearer.... so, in the spirit of giving....
I gave him a chalk pen, some scissors, and a square of felt.

problem #2  I SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT A LONG TIME AGO.
his first drawing, first image, and first cut.  He was done.  But, most importantly, he was happy.


In closing I have to add a conversation we had today walking to school.
mom: " B, you get to wear your costume to school on Friday.  Would you like that?"
B: "oh no mom.  I can't do that."
mom: " yes you can.... its OK with the school."
B; " oh no mom.  It is a way to scary costume for school.  All of the little kids will not want to see something scary."

oh, how cute is he.  He thinks his costume is a scary costume.  I don't have a heart to tell him how adorable he looks.  Pictures will be posted over the weekend.... we don't want you to be too scared!

pay it forward.... crafty style

a friend.... who I have never met (yes, we bloggers know how that happens)...
I call her Ems (although, I don't know if she likes that or not!)
but, Ems had a craftiness pay it forward kinda dealio many months back....
and well, I love her and her talents... so I said "sign me up!" and... then...forgot about it.

last week I was sick, in bed and a beautifully wrapped up package arrived with some great overseas stamps on it...and I knew that within moments my spirits would be lifted.

and they were.
I opened the package and out poured all sorts of crafty fun.
yarn, beads,wood buttons, fabrics, a cute pin, a book (about chickens... a memoir of sorts!) and a lovely book bag.  

lots of handmade beauty...
for me!

and now it is my turn...
my turn to pay it forward...

I need three people to sign up to receive a handmade package from me and in turn they must be willing to pay it forward to three more people when their turn arrives.  You have 365 days to make and send your package and I am looking forward to making some packages over the next year to make someone else just as happy as I was when I received this one.

The first three people to email me at tiffers72"at" msn "dot" com will hear from me in the next week or so and then it will be time for me to start working on my crafty magic.  

When you least expect it... a sweet surprise will be found in your mailbox!  

ombre~ness cowl

knitters... well... they have lots of yarn.
many of you crafty people out there read that sentence... and totally chuckled... because... well, because, you know how true it is.
If you ask my family they would say I have yarn all over the place ( I disagree with them... but at times I wonder if they may be "a tiny bit" right.).
my container of yarn is bursting at the seams... even with all my stash busting that I have been working on all year....
one day I was looking through my stash... and found something pretty cool
( no it wasn't a larger container to store my yarn... but that would have been pretty cool too!)
I had three colors that seemed to have practically been next to each other on the color wheel, each very similar in softness and weight, and in the perfect amounts to create something with.
With my trusty bamboo needles and the knowledge of cowls that I make...
I got to work.
In no time at all.... I had created a scarf that was a perfect ombre style that PINTEREST seems to be filled with. and I think I have a new accessory piece to wear this week.

stash busting cowl pattern

needles: size 8, 24'" circular needles
three colors of soft worsted weight yarn.... amounts unknown... we are using scraps her people!
with your lightest color ( color A)
CO 200 and connect in the round.
row 1-5~ Knit 2, Purl 2 in round ( you should be knitting your knits and purling your purls)
rows 11~ who knows..... Knit in the round until it measures 6 inches.
with your middle color (color B) continue knit in round until the color measures 4 inches.
with your final color (color C) continue knit in round until the color measures 3 1/2 inches.
next row ( your final 5 rows) Knit 2, Purl 2 in the round ( once again... knitting your knits and purling your purls.)
Bind off.

I am not a fan of taking my photo... but the hubby wouldn't wear the cowl for me....

your piece ends up being 14 inches wide and 48 inches around.  perfect to wrap around twice.
Ta~ Da.
simple. easy. and amazing to wear.

even with my plate full

I am still crafting.
not lots...
but a little here and a little there...

.

The easiest thing to do is knit.
I can bring it to the boys' practices and games....
and I can put it down, for a little while, to teach a lesson or two.

The only bummer is that it takes a LONG time to complete a project.

yet, I am still knitting myself happy!

One project, this baby blanket, is almost done~ it's bittersweet because the blanket is the perfect length. It keeps me warm in the ice rink while I watch hockey.....
so, I am knitting it slowly.
unfortunately the little boy it is for... was born a month ago.... and he should be needing it soon to go with his little orange hat I made. oh shucks-a-roo!

oh how I love little babies.... isn't he the cutest!
photo credit goes to his mom~ ms. karie 

Orange you glad

I finally did it.
I went orange.

I have been longing to paint my front door a different color for a long time.... Actually, since we moved here 9 years ago.  In California, we had our door a cherry red color (with the exterior paint colors of  light blue with medium blue trim).  I loved it, the red was just perfect.

Here our house is a light grey with white trim and the door was a dark blue.  I liked the dark blue, but it just didn't quite do it for me.....it did look nice.  A few years back I found this photo online via Better Homes and Gardens and PINNED it for later.  Then I came across this photo of an orange door  with a dark grey exterior- and knew....this was the route I wanted to go.  PINNED it for later, again.

I bought the perfect color of paint Benjamin Moore's Soft Pumpkin (its a smidge softer of an orange than the photos~ but perfect for me and my little door!). It was $7 for a sample can, which was plenty for 3 coats on a door.
We waited for a blazing hot day...which came, without fail.  Took the door down and painted one coat of primer, and three coats of orange.  A few hours later- a door of orange was hung.  And my heart sung with happiness.  taa~daaa!

Now, when we have the budget to paint the whole house a dark grey....  but until then, this simple change made a huge difference.
feeling the love for the orange!!!!
(oh by the way, please dont tell me its peach.... Its NOT peach!)

a little sign

our garden this year is growing like crazy!!!
The unusually warm spring allowed us to get our starts out sooner than usual.
We have enjoyed lettuce for almost a month now,
strawberries for a few weeks,
peas, raspberries and some broccoli for the last couple of days.

The new raised bed space is awesome~ but, it needed a little.... I dont know...

a creative touch.

so I started to add a bit more color.  I took a piece of an old 1x4 from the play structure that use to be in our garden space and decided to make up a little sign.  tracing some letters, some blue paint, and a black sharpie~ did the trick.... HERBS it is.

 keepin the creative juices going!  

ahhh.... let's all look at that pretty little sign.

working on...

a Mario party.

someone turns 8 soon...

and this mom has done a little painting with white.

kids will get a mustache and mario hat to look the part!

more party supplies and fun will follow soon.

clip... trim...

things are still moving along here in the House of Elves....

when I am not out and about volunteering,

or grocery shopping....

my hands are busy at the machine.

cut, sew, snip... cut, sew, snip....

Advent week 1

  Tis the season around here...
and we are in full swing.
kids helped dad put up lights, and the advent cups are hung.  Activities each night keep the kids on their toes,  and there is an excitement in being together.

Alongside the Advent activities we are also reading a chapter book together titled NICHOLAS st.NORTH and the Battle of the Nightmare King . We are reading a chapter or two a night, and its just perfect for two adventurous boys (ages 7 and 9).  We are all finally healthy, and the season is wet and cold.

This week's advent activities are
Dec. 1 ~ make a paper chain for your room
Dec. 2~ get tree together.
Dec. 3~ string popcorn for tree
Dec. 4~ Decorate tree.
Dec. 5~ Listen to the story of the Crippled Lamb (narrated by my dad... who passed away 7 years ago)
in all honesty- probably one of the best gifts ever.  I recorded my dad reading this book, because my children were so young... and I wanted them to be able to hear my dad, every year, read to them.  Something that I loved as a child.... a very special gift!
Dec. 6~ deliver our Santa Letters to Macys ( they donate $1 to MakeAWish for every letter to Santa)
Dec. 7~ holiday travel to Seattle.  craft of Clay snowmen.
Dec. 8~ holiday in Seattle.Craft~  Santa hand print cards for birthfamilies

paper chains

popcorn strings

I don't think Cider can get much closer... silly girl!

I am still stuck to my sewing machine or knitting needles... but 'tis the season!  and to be honest, I love every moment of it!

Just Ribbon

So I went to the craft store for just ribbon.
Plain and simple... go in, grab the color I need... and get out.
but, wait...
there's yarn over there.
and some buttons over this way.
Next thing I know I am flipping through my books for a pattern that will work with this fun bulky yarn I just bought.
48 hours later~I have this cute new accessory to wear.

I'm happy....all smiles.
but, now I realize.... I forgot to get my ribbon.
Darn it.
Can someone please come with me and hold my hand as I go to get "just ribbon" this time.

makings

Christmas makings... equals a large mess on the dining room table.

This year I decided to get an early start....

but, everyone is opposed to the scraps and mess on the table.

 "tough cookies boys... this momma's on a roll!"

right now its all assembly line work... cut, clip, design.

once some are actually made... I will share.

I promise.

Trick or Treat!

What a day!
We started talking about it the night before.... we wrote the plan on the chalk board to make sure we had smooth transitions and no mix-ups about what was to be expected of everyone.
To my surprise... the night went very well.

I figured out that I hate touching pumpkin goo... and so does my mom.
We had very little rain... which brought out all the kids trick or treating ( probably one of the best turn-outs of kids in a few years!)  It was a blast!

Volcano Bjorn

Jedi Odin

B and O were trick-or-treating together for about 45 minutes, and then O headed out for a Harvest Party. This left B and I going back out door- to-door.  B lasted for about an hour more, and he was hilarious!
I have never seen anyone so excited and structured before.  He knew the routine...
1. look for lights on. (if there is a car in the driveway~ that was a huge plus!)
2. walk on the sidewalk ( not the lawn.)
3. ring door bell, AND knock ( they might not know that there is someone there... so you must do both.)
4. say "Trick or Treat" as loud as you can.
5. comment on their costume, or their decorations.
6. (optional) say " I am a volcano"
7. say "Thank you" and "Happy Halloween".
8. wave (optional)

He always had cute little comments about other costumes he saw and I found it adorable at how he awkwardly engaged with  the ones who opened their doors with candy.... priceless!

TRICK or TREAT

Some of my favorite quote from the night were

• " I really like walking around in my favorite costume and having fun like this."
• " It is important to BEWARE of cars that drive by and scary decorations"
• " Do you know that volcanoes are very dangerous... but I am just a pretend one"
• " I am so strong that I don't need help to carry my heavy bag"
• " I just saw the most beautiful cupcake costume... it made me hungry"

what house now!

 Another great year was had.... and now the candy comas are in full swing!

this volcano is sugared out and ready for bed!

working

I have felt everywhere,

string all over the house,

and glitter galore on my table.

a very unique Halloween costume is in the making.
I am having to really use my head on this one!

3 beautiful things

a little mouse friend hosted a birthday blog swap...
and this is her third year.
She asked us to put together three packages of three beautiful things.
As I previously posted...
there is nothing more beautiful than Autumn.
so I put together a package with a autumn photo card I made,
my favorite Apple Chicken Chili
and a pattern for a small knitted pumpkin.
~ and a small little sweet treat from Portland, Or. since all three of my girls are in England.

wrapped them up perfectly~
and sent them on their merry way.
oh happy happy heart.
Swaps are so great~ each time a package comes in the mail~ you cant help but get a little giddy.

Sunday+Friends=

Craft day!

I have this faboo friend who is creative, crafty and lots of fun... and she had this idea to get some girls together and paint shirts.... she has this "silhouette cutter", some freezer paper, and an iron..... and we brought shirts (or a bag), paints and brushes.... the perfect fixin's for a fun afternoon of crafting.

ooooo!

ahhhhh!

my side-kick taking a much needed snack break

This is the grocery bag I made... perfect for the Farmers Market

I love this caption!

and I made these Halloween shirts for the boys.

Boooo!

FUN FUN FUN!!!!

how often do you get together with friends and have fun,

if its been a while.....

get on the phone, brew up some coffee (or moscow mules!) and set aside some time.

It is totally worth it!

It's curtains... I tell you!

Finally!!!  I finished the curtains for the trailer.

It took me forever to get all the fabrics together and sewn.

doesn't she look pretty?!?!

now if only I could finished her cushion covers before we leave... although the sheet coverings are so trendy now a days...and easy to clean.
(its not gonna happen.)

but, at least, now, I have something to do when I get home ( like that is ever a problem).

Stash Busting Monday #5

I know, I skipped last week's post of Stash Busting ....
that was because I didnt really work on anything~ that got finished.
I started cutting fabrics for the cushions in the trailer.
I started making leg warmers that I promised my cousin in a swap.
I started some summer skirts for myself.
I even continued to work on my blanket.
but didnt finish anything.

so today, my stash busting.... I can share some of the finished things!
oh wait...
Everything is still all in the workings.
my down fall is that I have started to many things.... and havent finished one....
but, thinking about it.. I have cut about 19 yards of fabric.... which in turn has cleared out a huge chunk of my fabric stash.

cushion fabric~ all organized

Summer skirts. waiting for  hems and elastic

off to sew some more....

If it doesn't get done by Thursday...

My Friend K is an amazing volunteer at our local school.  She does everything, thinks of everyone, and gets things done.  She has become my closest of friend over the past two years~ and she is everything that I am not.
The third grade class is doing a Portland Musical next Tuesday and she was put in charge of the back drop.  The backdrop was to be of Mount Hood, and K was hoping it would be done by volunteers she had scheduled in.  Unfortunately, circumstances happen.... it wasn't getting done.
So I told her, If it isn't done by Thursday, I can come and help you.
We had a few pictures to go off of (thankfully~ I cant imagine ever getting it right without them)
And my crafty little self- had all sorts of ideas.....
So, we worked on it, using pastels....
and I am glad I did it~
I still have a little bit of drawing skills under my belt!
(as I pat myself on the back)

I totally love the team that K and I are.
She kept me at simple. on time. and organized (things that I struggle with)
and she didn't have to sketch Mount Hood.

I may never climb this beast of a mountain~ but I can draw one!

(my favorite part are the tree stumps)

"Your WHAT!?!?!"

I heard it....
last week.
He said it loud and clear.....
just the day after his birthday party....
he said the dreaded words of summer....
and he still had 1 1/2 weeks of school.


I'M BORED!
my sassy self thought of wiggling my shoulders and waving my finger "oh, no you didn't...you didn't just say that....!"

but I knew~
I knew it wouldn't be the last time I heard it either...

That is when I realized I needed to be certain to have a plan in place for summer.  So I began to search.... (Pinterest, of course!)... and found this great blog~ ShabbyBeachNest and her idea for an "I'm Bored" Jar.  Now, of course- her tongue depressors are amazing~ and they look like  A LOT of work. But I took her idea, and simplified it.  I printed out her ideas, added some of my own, and cut them out.  I, then, rolled them up into small scrolls... and popped them into a jar.
Decorated the jar.

and now... I am ready.
armed with the tools for the next time a little voice says "I'm Bored"

::side note::
some of the tasks are things for the kids to do on their own, and some are for us to do together.  I know that if I am to make this a successful craft~ I may have to stop what I am doing... and participate.  So, if you intend to do this, you too, must realize that sometimes we have to stop what we are doing~ to be sure that a follow through happens.

a simple Lego Party

 Odin turned 9 this week and his request for a lego party was granted... without all the bells and whistles that I normally pull out for  a birthday shindig.  Trust me, I had many times where I had to show restraint.... but, I did it. Simple. Nice. and Legos.  Just what the boy ordered.

Pre party set up was easy.
I had Odin get all his legos together into a tote and we brought them all downstairs.  I used the circle garland that I made for Bjorn's rainbow party and decorated the house... but added a little lego guy print out to some of the garlands.  I also used the lego guy cutout to put on the gift bags to send home.  Inside the gift bags were a lego creator 3in 1 set ($2.99 through Amazon!!! can you believe that!!!) and some candy treats.

The Lego guy print out was a free download from Winks&Daisies Blog, whom I found through Pinterest.
I filled up a few vases with legos and set them up on the food table and throughout the house.

I had three games planned.
GUESS HOW MANY  I filled up a large round glass container with legos and each child had to guess how many were in there.

WHO MADE WHAT  with 5 minutes on the timer ( and the birthday boy out of the room), each child had to make a creation.  When the time was up, Odin came in and looked at the creations and had to put a name tag by the creation he thought was made by that person.  (the hardest part of this game was encouraging the kids to not share any information about how build what)... The kids loved this game.  It was hilarious as the suspense built each time Odin got one right or wrong.

BUILD IT  (this one was the last 20 minutes of the party- which has kids quietly focused and entertained while parents came to pick up)  They got to open their gift bags and make the creator from their gift bag.  The first person to finish... won(nothing!).

The food was all Odin's choice~ chips, cookies, carrots, strawberries and pizza (all crap food but easy stuff!)
the cakes were cupcakes in the shapes of legos (my mom had the form, and I had to figure out how to frost them... possibly the hardest bit of this whole party).

I also had drink boxes for the kids and they were wrapped like little Legos that I used a free printable from DeliaCreates Blog, whom I also found through Pinterest.

Fun Times!!!!

Who Made What game

Birthday boy's role in Who Made What game

foodies

gifts

birthday boy

Most of the guest walked home from school with us... I felt like the Pied Piper.  When they got there they were on their own most of the time.... the easiest party EVER!!!