a little inspiration

Happy New Year! I've never been one for resolutions but there are a few things I know about the coming year and I am sure about them so I don't have to worry about keeping up with them. They will be happening- my participation is not optional. 1) I will be enjoying the first floor more because of the curtains I found at Ikea and my father was kind enough to hang for me. 2) I will be doing more laundry. The Bug's diapers have been washed by a service up to this point (thanks MomMom!) but we are transitioning to our own diapers and the service will be me. I have been working through the process of this in my mind to figure out the logistics. Diapers moving up and down the stairs, clean, dirty, often with only one hand to carry. I use the big Ikea bags to carry most of our laundry but who wants the chance that clean clothes will go into a bag dirty diapers just came out of? And I can't see using trash liners. Cloth diapering is supposed to cause less waste, right?

You : Love the egg rattle. : Are growing in fair hair. : Are rolling everywhere. : Have started EC and are going on the potty. : Are really talking in a different way than before, lots of "mamamamam", "nanana" and "dadada" : Have had an ear infection and now have ringworm. : Are loving your Christmas visitors and presents. : Move your hands all the time. : Try to crawl but aren't there yet. : Grab all the animals. : Are growing by the second. : Have just started saying"pah, pah, pah" : Pant like you are practicing to hyperventilate.

On the Winter Solstice the night is long and the day is short in the Northern Hemisphere. In ancient times, when humans were more connected to the earth, in almost every culture this day was marked by some celebration. The Romans worshiped a sun god called Sol and on this special day they celebrated his re-emergence from the dark. I can imagine a time before the sophistication of the Romans when the long night was a time to gather and share stories and warmth and keep away the pernicious thought of the sun staying dark forever. This is a night of great hope, of faith in the return of the sun. So this year, when we are finally home, near our garden (which worships the sun in its own way) and our friends we plan to gather together, share company and stories and burn a light through the night to help welcome the sun back from its long journey in morning. Won't you celebrate with us?

Okay- what I am about to show you may not be brilliant or anything but I do think it is cute, and hope it will be helpful. Ever since I saw Amy over at Angry Chicken make these simple envelopes with magazine pages I have been a little obsessed with using catalog and magazines pages. Luckily, this is the time of year where you wrap lots of things in paper! So first we just used the envelope idea to wrap our homemade, everyone gets it gift. We do this every year- pick a nice gift that everyone can use or enjoy and personalize it. Last year we made calendars (which were a huge hit, maybe we will do that again next year.) One year we made cook books, one year Christmas cards- anyway, you get the idea. The draw back to giving out a gift that is the same is it is the same. Does that make sense? I mean, trust me, I have thought of every person who we are giving this gift to and though they are different I can imagine them all using this gift, but still the sameness is a little boring

I have a few projects I wanted to show here at various times in the last few weeks (months) but haven't gotten to it for what ever reason. One was a gift and I didn't want it to go up until the person got it (though I am almost positive she never looks at the blog) and the others we can chalk up to laziness. Great craft blog, eh? First up- A little cowl I made a couple months ago and have been wearing ever since. I still haven't officially finished it as the ends are not woven in. Which is terrible but true. The Bug loves to grab it and shove as much of it into his mouth as possible while making what I will call his "attack" sound. Very cute. He also pulls on it if I happen to be wearing it while he is eating and that works out nicely as the cowl is stretchy and doesn't yank on my neck like when he plays with my (his) necklace. Number two- (Have I already shown you this?) I call this my "out all day bag." If I leave and want to keep my things

The time passes so fast. We have been under piles of laundry, piles of sewing, piles of crochet and piles of ideas. All of them lovely in their own way. (I am about to start laundry today just so I can fold warm clothes!) I also have the deadline for Holiday Traditions Exchange (which has a button in the sidebar if you are interested in what that is) looming. I have soooo many ideas and am trying to pull it together so I can finish at the end of the week like I should because I ended up with a really special partner who deserves something awesome. Go see her blog here . This past weekend was so fun. We put together our tree (the first one we have ever done together because Senor was seriously burnt out on them when we met) on Friday night after the Bug went to sleep so he got to come down on Saturday morning to see it in all it's glory. Of course Emerson loves the tree. It has lights! I have to turn on lights starting around 3pm or so because it is getting dark so early an

(or, oh my! is it Friday again??) This week I am thankful for: The members of the band. The delight in orders delivered and orders placed. The mountains of laundry that keep circulating the house. The generosity of friends. The celebrations of birthdays. Finding things long misplaced.

Thanks ladies! Here is a sneak peak :)

You: Charm everyone. Want to crawl so bad! Love banging on the drums, piano keys and anything else that makes music. Love eating so much you attack the spoon. Wake up and want to talk for an hour or so. Are getting blonder hair. Can really scream. Enjoy sitting and playing for extended period. Make us feel so thankful everyday. Taste everything. Love swim class. Stick you tongue out a lot. Do the Stevie Wonder. Say the sounds "mamamamamam" and "daddadada" a bunch. almost 18lbs and 27.5 inches

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Can't wait to expand our morning sing alongs this week!

This week I am grateful for: :: All of you and your kind words of support! Your comments kept me smiling all week long! :: The orders that I have already gotten. :: A baby really working his screamo voice. (and you are grateful I am not putting up a recording :) :: A new toy and then the chance to make a pretty cozy. :: The coming week of joy and thanksgiving with family and friends. And now, the moment you have all been waiting for- the random.org picked number 5! Cindy said... Husbands rule. November 17, 2009 6:44 AM Yay Cindy! On another note I have enough to make one more of those mats so send me an email if you have to have it!

Happy 200 posts to me! I can't believe that two years ago I started writing this because I was wanting to craft and be part of the amazing crafting/blogging community I had discovered. These amazing , vivacious artists , mothers and creators . Everyday I would read their blogs and be blown away by beautiful pictures of wonderful things that they were creating. And they had other jobs like being mama or owning a shop. I was inspired! And then we moved into this wonderful house and a month later Senor gave me a sewing machine. I was floored because it meant he believed I could really create something. My family and friends have always been supportive but this was somehow different. Senor has this almost magical ability to take my ideas and help turn them into reality. Okay- before I diverge and wax on endlessly, let us just say, "And the rest is in my archives!" :) I am also proud to present little a! My new business! For this moment I am only taking special o

Wow, has this weekend been full! Full of good things. A new car, an amazing gift from my family for my birthday, a total re-arrange on the Bug's room and a very special something that came in the mail. Something I have been waiting for so I could share it with you! This is post 199. I will be back tomorrow for post 200 to show you and I will host a giveaway to go with it in celebration. See you then!

(check out the drooly chin :) This week I am grateful for: :: Getting up early leading to early naps. :: Four doors!!! :: Being able to say, "I did not run out of yarn, this is finished." even if it wasn't how I imagined it originally. :) :: Scheduling massages for Senor and I this weekend. :: A sweet happy boy. :: New opportunities coming my way. :: Not feeling as snappish everyday as I was this morning. :: People coming over to the house because they just need some Bug time. :: Getting a handle on the upcoming season of gifts. What are you grateful for?

Laughing Bug - Pet Battles , originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed . Happy Sunday!

I made a hat for the Bug over the weekend because I had some time to kill in the car and crochet is so easy and fun to travel with. I started out thinking I was making a hat with ears but the tweed I used and the shape the hat had at the top made me go in a different direction in the end. I added a little needlework to bring some gender neutrality to it. I am a little worried everyone will think he is a girl because of the cranberry color. Oh well, they think that anyway. Poor guy is really going through it right now. He has just started sitting up and fell over this morning and whacked his head on the hard wood floor. And then all day with the hands in mouth, drooling and bursting out crying, big lip out, full on sadness. I feel so bad but there isn't much I can do. We just have to beg the teeth to hurry and stop torturing our sweet boy. The picture above was taken in one of the few smiley moments of today. I am using the teething tablets and we gave him tylenol tonight.

Emerson 6 months , originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed . You: Are practicing frowning. Love to splash water and test other things (like blankets and food) to see if they splash too. Like talking to the dog. Have stopped sleeping very much at night. Grab everything and try it out for taste. Can drink from your own glass and sometimes help me with mine. Love music. Just started 'dancing' by moving one foot while standing or bending both knees. Love the jumper. Love the ergo for naps, walks and house chores. Grab my face and latch onto my chin. Aren't really so interested in the food part of eating. Are sitting more and more. Roll and wiggle off the sheep skin. You are 27 inches long and 17lbs and 4 oz.

What a packed weekend we had! So full of all the lovely weekend-type things that we almost needed an extra day just to rest. On Friday Senor's mom (Mommom) came up for some business in town and we went out to eat at Clementine . Can I tell you how wonderful the food was??? So, so good. I must say it is one of the only meals I have eaten out in Baltimore recently that has wowed me. I did find some amazing places this summer while traveling but not here. I have kind of become snobby about food since working for the cafe. I want the food to be really good if we are going to have to pay for it. Clementine was perfect- inventive but approachable, rich but not heavy and oh, so yummy! It didn't hurt that we know the chef. Anyway, if you are in town- go there! Saturday after a haircut for me, dentist appointments for both of us and a quick trip to the store we met back up with Mommom at the aquarium . We all had a great time watching the Bug enjoy the fish and water. I am p

This week I am grateful for: :finally feeling well. :the changing colors and light outside. :a chance for rest last night. :a new beginning percolating. :a wonderful, supportive family and circle of friends. :the chance to carry around my crochet, even if I don't have the chance to work on it.

Ah ha! I am back and still a little tired with a slight hangover like feeling but I think I am really on the mend. I walked all the way to Charles Village and back today so I must not be dying... I don't have any idea what I had. No fever but one afternoon and night of puking followed by a day of thinking I was better followed by a little more sick time. And then I thought I was better, and then I felt bad the next day... quite the roller coaster (ha- with similar results.) Right now I think I am better, again. So if it holds though tomorrow I'm declaring victory. Wish me luck. In other news I am approaching my 200th post on this blog. In honor of sticking with it for so long I am planning a giveaway. Stick around. I promise it will be fun. There are also some things I am trying to get going behind the scenes here and I hope to be able to unveil them at that time as well. There are also a few crafty things floating around that have yet to be photographed so I can sha

These jar lanterns got finishing touches from Senor over the weekend while I was working. Jeremy was kind enough to use his fabulous camera to take dark pictures of them tonight. I used acrylic paints because I didn't have oils as suggested. I would have put another layer of orange on the inside but Senor liked them all drippy. Which isn't normally how I roll but he is really the arty one so I listened to him. And he said it added to the creepy factor... I do think they are cool. I kind of want to make them for every holiday. So easy, practically free, and endless options. Yay! Aren't Jeremy's pictures great?? It just blows my mind... Thanks man!

bico on , originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed . Here is the bico in action. So sweet, I am sure to make more of these as he grows.

I am always nervous about using the word "appreciation" because I hate the spelling. It never looks right. There are a quite a few words I feel that way about... Anyway, I had a couple of pictures from going to the BMA the other day that I wanted to share. This one I took for my mother. You should really click on it and look at it in the larger size. I love the shadow it makes and the stone is so beautiful in the light. We started out just going for our regular walk in the morning but then I needed a coffee. We sat outside and enjoyed the perfect temperature. We ran into some old friends and chatted. And when I was finished I wasn't ready to go home. So we wondered over to the Baltimore Museum of Art, a place I have been meaning to take E for some time now. We went in and right from the start everyone was so kind to us. Interested, helpful and engaging. I felt like we were the only people there (it isn't like it was terribly busy mid-morning on a weekday

Some days I walk around with a running blog writer going in my head. This week seems to be one of those days, and yet- no blog has been written. But you know, it it the thought that counts. Right? This week the Bug has learned about yelling. And screaming more recently. Which is really funny and totally changes the experience of eating in a restaurant. Until now I have not gotten one evil look even if my boob is sitting on the table. Last night I am sure we got some. I was too absorbed in watching him to notice but I don't think it is ever happy for your fellow diners when your baby reaches that octave. Even if it is only for a moment. The table right next to us thankfully was already in love with him before he turned up the volume. I feel like we might have hi-jacked their evening. In other news he slept with us all last night because yesterday there was a mouse in his bed. That's right, in. his. bed. Ack! So, yeah, we are working on that... There are two parts

I got the itch to make some Halloween things for the house. Since the Bug and I spend so much time here I think that there is going to be much more decorating going on in general. I have to say that I really like what Martha Stewart does. She makes most of her designs available for download from her website at no cost. Even if she also has a commercial product using the same images. Which is cool because some people are willing/able to just go buy whatever it is and some people are willing/able to make it themselves. I am falling into the second category as we are trying to be a little more frugal around here. I think that it is impossible to take pictures of these bookcases without glare, so glare there is. Sorry about that. The black are just silhouettes I printed from marthastewart.com and then cut out with an exacto type knife. The orange and gold are felt pieces from the stash. I thought about ironing these but decided the wrinkles went with it and added some depth. The

I finished Emerson's sweater a little bit ago and finally added the buttons. The buttons are wooden and I got them at Joann's. They were in a little basket of clearance buttons and I thought it was a quarter for the two of them but in fact then all of them were half off that. If the Bug hadn't been so ready to go I would have gone back and really gone through them. I never have buttons... The edging is actually a creamy white but it was bright outside and the contrast was too much for my little camera to imagine. The blue is the alpaca blend that I used to make my felt hat last year. Maybe I will make a white flower to go on my hat and we will be matchy, matchy. I imagine that the Bug will felt parts of the sleeves and the front of this sweater pretty fast. He does love to chew on his sweaters... :) The only thing I don't like about this pattern (ravelry link) is the arms are big all the way down the the wrist. Part of what makes it so quick to work up is that

A good time was had by all. It is a little hard to tell but that is a little dinosaur made from sugar sprinkles. Cindy was sweet enough to make a cake for the Bug('s mama) since Cindy was itching for an excuse and I mentioned (casually) that he just past five months. Yummy. Next week I am hoping we will celebrate him being five and a half months.

I finished Emerson's sweater a little bit ago and finally added the buttons. The buttons are wooden and I got them at Joann's. They were in a little basket of clearance buttons and I thought it was a quarter for the two of them but in fact then all of them were half off that. If the Bug hadn't been so ready to go I would have gone back and really gone through them. I never have buttons... The only thing I don't like about this pattern (ravelry link) is the arms are big all the way down the the wrist. Part of what makes it so quick to work up is that there is no shaping. (Which you hardly need for a baby anyway.) You don't have to worry about following the pattern every line and counting and recounting to make sure you have it right. It was so easy I thought of making a grown up sized one as well. But the sleeves would make me crazy and I am not skilled enough with the hook yet to be able to imagine how to do the decrease properly. And I have so many other

emerson jumper 015 , originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed . You: Have just started to enjoy this jumper. Are beginning to taste foods. Have your own chair at the table with us. Can sit up assisted and sometimes on your own. Roll both ways! Lookout! Are waking more in the night than you used to. Kick and kick and kick. Are enjoying rubbing the cats when they come rub against you. Can get going talking or laughing and just go on and on. Are beginning to really enjoy story time. Still hum at me. Have made a couple new friends.

Yesterday was the equinox. A day of perfect balance. In March the vernal equinox will occur and we will be in balance again. Earth is a funny place. Only two days a year of equilibrium. All the rest we must find for ourselves. In order to find that perfect balance I am going on a little break. I am not going to buy any yarn or fabric for the next six months. I have to use what I already have to create new things. I am publishing it here so that you all can hold me to my word. The rules are no fabric or yarn. I can buy things to help me complete projects (thread, machine accessories, buttons.) This way I can get things done, and make some space. And get really creative for the holidays. Of course, the moment I decided to do this I thought of a million things I wish I had gotten before, but now I have to make due with what I have. And I like that. In theory. We will see how it goes... Thanks for being my willpower. I am going to go unsubscribe to the emails I get from fa

I can hear him downstairs with papa laughing his head off. See ya. Click the picture for more Bug fun.

Fabric.com was having a sale... This is always how these things start... I found this lovely fabric and fell in love. And then it got here and I saw how big the prints were and realized that I couldn't cut it up into small pieces. And then I found that quilt pattern in the link, but really, how are you going to use that size quilt? I needed it queen size so I can sleep under it every night... Yum. But of course, that means doing math that I don't really even know where to start from. And I don't have a name for this block style so it is harder to google. And then I found this calculator ! Which was sort of like angels singing from behind a bright light. Now I can't wait until John is home and I can get cutting! (In re-reading this I noticed I use 'and' and 'but' too start most sentences... hope that isn't a problem for all you English majors out there.)

garden 002 , originally uploaded by Mr & Mrs Speeed . One year ago I came back from the bathroom and crawled in bed to tell Senor he was going to be a papa. And now we have this beautiful, amazing boy to share our lives with. I cannot imagine one thing to be more grateful for.