handmade holiday goodness

i LOVE this wreath elise made from shoe boxes.
it's so cute i can't stand it. i'm definitely making it next weekend.



i think i'm also jumping on board the handmade holiday 2008. money will be especially tight since i lost my job but there are so many wonderful handmade things to give.
a few weekends ago i made granola and bread that i think i can perfect into perfect holiday gifts as well. so exciting!

my inspiration

i haven't been doing anything lately because i feel like i don't know where to start. today i thought i'd take a walk and photograph for inspiration and the only things that have been jumping out at me lately are signs!

insPIRATion

ARGH!
so, my son is turning 3 friday, the 26th and i have been manically planning the occasion.
it isnt a big to do, but i finally feel up to it AND he is anticipating it, he "gets" it.
super cute side note, today, i asked what he would like for his birthday present and he brings me this little wooden tow truck that i bought for $1 and he says, "this super cool truck toy mama, this not a super cool toy? this is a super cool toy mama, wrap it in this blanket for me now." so, i thought he meant wrap and give it now, and when i offered it back to him, tears shot from his eyes and he said, "no mama, today not my birthday, its coming soon, no giving me present now!"

ok, so, i have been making the gift bags and 17 of 24 are finished and i am really pleased.
i would have prefered 100% hadmade, but, i couldnt live up to that this year.
pictures are below.
at his party, there will be a treasure hunt, the bags will be stashed in a treasure chest.

my husband works for oracle.
today open world opened and he was there, not here.
our son, who is getting more and omre into pretend play decided to be papa.
he turned one end of our sofa into oracle.
he turned my dining table into work from home.
and he asked me to make him a wallet, which i did, which he left at oracle while he worked from home, the apple really doesnt fall far from the tree, does it?
pictures of wallet below too, it took me about 5 minutes really, so dont expect much, but, he loves it so much, it went under his pillow for sleeping...






contents:
1 pirate pillow
1 eye patch
1 bandanna
1 mini spyglass
1 ring
1 pirate theme temporary tattoo
1 dress a pirate sticker sheet
1 pirate paddle ball

polaroids

since polaroid announced in february it would stop producing film, there has been so much internet activity related to saving/using/sharing, etc polaroid. it got me thinking about how i haven't touched my cameras in forever. i dug out my camera a few weeks ago and it's been sitting on my floor ever since. today, i will finally use it. i found 4 packs of film with the cameras, 2 600 color and 2 600 b&w. i figured i should buy some more since you won't be able to it after next year so i did a quick search on the b&w film since it's my favorite. it's no where to be found. apparently they actually discontinued that years ago (my film on hand expired in 2003) and on that note i guess it's in hot demand since it's impossible to find. so do i keep mine and use it or try and sell it? i'm stocking up on color so i'll have some for at least a few years.

shannon & dawn - polaroid - date ?

Save Polaroid
Flickr: Save Polaroid

matryoshka maddness...

song has taken a back seat to my matryoshka collection...
well, ok, collection of stuff for Aria, robin and gregs little on on the way.
i finished 4 of six burp clothes this morning, must finish second blanket this afternoon
as well as one large nesting doll plushie/pillow.
i have also been inspired by etsy seller emilie friday and wish to make a hanging piece
like this (nesting doll themed of course):


i love her creations!!!

ok, i really hope i can wrap this and post some pictures today.
i also need to post pictures of the beautiful felt patches irene joy made me!!!
love that girl!!!
theres nothing she cant stitch!

more later, i hope!

lazy days and beautiful weather

my boss woke up at 6:45 this morning.
luckily, my assistant, his papa got up with him while i enjoyed a lie in.
my boys are well trained, they know i dont get up for less than a pint sized mocha.
and i am lucky they humor me.
by the way, my husband makes the best ever espresso drinks.

munchkin and i played in his room for an hour with a set of soon to be customized nesting dolls.
it is amazing the things that will occupy and entertain a not yet 3 year old.
he would put them together, shake them, ask, "mama, hear that? whats inside? hmmm...maybe lunch? just ate dinner? or 'nother one dollie? lets see!" and then he would say his magic words, "zimmin-pocus!" open them up and get really excited and surprised to find another dollie. every time was just like the first, that amazed me.

the dolls are going into the the gift for my girlfriends baby, the one who is obsessed with martyoshkas...i have become a bit derailed with that entire project, as i decided to make a terry cloth multi purpose blanket for her with nesting doll appliques...it is really duper cute. pictures soon.

after our dollie play, we practiced spelling with a spelling puzzle, made sandwiches with his wooden foods and the played with this really cool geometric stacking toy...then embarked on a 3 hour walk through the marsh.

now, i am working on a project for him, making pirate plushies for the goodie bags we will give out at his birthday. i am also appliqueing little pirates onto tee shirts and i bought some felt eye patches and am debating make or buy scarves? all pirates need scarves...i was really happy to find the vintagey pirate fabric that i am using, it is little kids playing pirate dress up, so cute.

still working on my necklace and earring line as well...
song.

lots to do.
and it is such a lazy saturday.

nesting dolls and pirates...

a girlfriend of mine is having her first baby.
it is a girl.
all my friends have boys.
i have a boy.
extra excited that finally, someone is having a girl!
my girlfriend collect nesting dolls, and is very "shabby chic."
so, i have knit her a blanket, sewn her a blanket, sewn and embroidered her some nesting dolls to be framed...am working on bibs, a mobile and mini nesting plushies.
i also hired a girlfriend to felt some patches and embroider some felt faces for a set of real nesting dolls. it is all coming out very cute. i think...


now, my son is about to turn 3.
and for his birthday we are going for a pirate theme.
we are doing it in a park, having an octopus topped bounce house.
i am having pirate cupcakes, a treasure hunt, and i am trying to decide what to make for the gift bags...i am thinking tee shirts with pirate appliques and mini pirate plushies, eye patches and bandanas, maybe even some exotic seashells...

good reads?

i haven't read a book in awhile and i'm really missing it.
i'm not sure where to start so i would love any recommendations.
what have you read that is fabulous and unforgettable?

we've only just begun...

the song line is in full swing.
i am just taking a break from stringing, wrapping, snapping, playing with my new and
wonderful materials.
this is really exciting for me, making things, is such fun.
something i am especially enjoying is using the same elements and components in most pieces yet achieving different results in each and every piece! looking forward to the big finish.


the set pictured here is "sally cinnamon," yes, inspired by the stone roses song.
she is possibly the only piece made in the line using silver toned metal! as for the rest,
it is a wait and see situation!!!

back to work,
shannon
xox btw, if you love sally c. you can have her...follow this link (-M)



ps...
i am currently LOVING the surreal photography of
Irene Suchocki. I find her ethereal images hauntingly soothing. Her sense of what I like to call "dirty pretty," is refreshing and amazing, timeless and breath taking. Be sure to visit her Etsy Shop, irenesuchocki.etsy.com!!!

etsy find

i'm loving these 'through the viewfinder' photographs from ScarletBeautiful2's etsy shop. the subject is photographed with one camera through the viewfinder of another camera. very cool! i'm just about to buy a few.