finding the fairies

The kids and I engaged in some fabric painting adventures yesterday, and I’ll be the first to admit that I was pretty sceptical at how well it would go. Usually, crafting adventures like this lead to gigantic messes very fast. But maybe my wee beasties are finally reaching an age where it’ll be possible to broaden our horizons a bit when it comes to indoor craftiness. I have to say, that would really be a pleasure from my point of view! Here they are, hard at work. I had them all take off their shirts, just in case the paint did start flying …

 

And here is a closeup of Rowen’s artistry. She was making fairies – big ones, little ones, ones that lay down, and a Queen Boss Fairy who had her very own camel to ride (the camel was done after my photos, so don’t try finding it here – LOL!).

 

While the kids were busy with their projects, I tried my hand using some of the preemie-sized T-shirts that Arden didn’t need to wear. These are slated as gifts for a couple of special friends who are having/have had babies.

Another fairy in my life is Nic. We recently decided to swap some fabric for some charts and I’m delighted with my end! Today the mailman delivered these wonderful charts, a kit, some ribbon, and a bookmark kit (which mysteriously disappeared from the room with my eldest – LOL!).  Nic, thank you so much! I hope you were as happy with your end of the swap!

Speaking of stash, I have to admit that I indulged a bit for my birthday. Niek’s parents were sweet enough to give me some mad money for my birthday and instead of doing something sensible like buying a new pair of shoes (mine are older than three of my children), I did some very careful budget shopping for cross stitch goodies and purchased the following:

• 3 online primitive charts by Shelly Auen – a nice thing about online charts is the automatic savings of about $8 for shipping!
• Primitive Betty’s Blue Tulip and Bunny Sewie Roll (actually slated to stitch as a gift) (note that Betty usually has free shipping, too!)
• Sheepish Antiques Sarah E.A. Hunter 1821
• Sheepish Designs Meg’s Bunny
• The Prairie Schooler Farmer’s Alphabet (bk 76) and Kitchen Table (bk 78 ) (again, gifts in mind for these)

So far, I only have the Blue Tulip and Bunny Sewie Roll in my hot little hands. Stalking the mailman…

No new stitching to show. I started an end-of-school-year gift for one of Rowen’s teachers, but made a miscount fairly early on (how do you mistake 19 for 23, for heaven’s sake?) that threw the rest of it off to the point it needed to be totally frogged … and I just didn’t feel like it. We have three kids in school, and they all have two teachers each, meaning six end-of-year gifts. Argh. Gift certificates seem more reasonable, don’t they?

Even with no new stitching to show, I seem to have some very fun stitching/social events on the horizon – but I don’t want to jinx myself by talking about them before they’ve happened.

Thanks for visiting with me today. It’s always a pleasure to hear what’s going on in your corner of the world.

and a meme from Marita…

Marita tagged me … I have to say, I’m afraid my answers here are quite boring so feel free to skip it. I won’t be offended.

Foundation -
I remember reading, as a teenager, that at a certain age in a woman’s life, a good foundation garment will become her best friend. Didn’t I laugh and laugh! I think I’m actually approaching that age, but I haven’t met the right garment yet.

Mascara-
My mom has to send mine from the US – it is the only truly waterproof/smudgeproof/flakeproof non-irritating kind I have ever found. I have ridiculously sensitive eyes.

Day Cream -
I have to admit to using my handcream. A Kneipp product.

Essential Beauty Product-
Beauty product? I totally cracked up over Marita’s answer. I would have to say toothpaste, though. No, it doesn’t really do much to enhance one’s appearance, but I have such a thing about stinky breath that it wouldn’t matter how attractive someone was if their breath were foul.

Favourite Make-up Product-
Oh, this is splitting hairs. Beauty, make-up, tomato, potato. Again, Marita’s answer was very funny and following in her vein, I’m going to say ‘banging the cupboard doors’. If Niek hears me banging the cupboard doors, he knows something’s amiss and gallantly apologizes for any unintentional idiocies he may have committed.

Perfume-
I am quite fond of soap and shampoo for extra scent. There are few thing more unappealing than being hit by someone’s perfume like a physical assault. For something worse, refer to “Essential Beauty Product” response.

Nails-
Must be short and clean.

Hands-
My most essential body part. LOL! As a writer whose driving hobby is cross stitch, I worry a lot about damaging my hands somehow.

Feet -
Also a pretty important body part, don’t you think?

3 Products to bring on a deserted island -
When I went back through the list of women who’ve answered this meme I had to LOL at Jeanie’s response of bringing a boat. Now why didn’t I think of that?

Women I admire for their beauty -
I don’t admire physical beauty, per se. I mean, you’re born with it to some degree, and then you work to improve it. Does that mean that those of us not genetically gifted with sculpted cheekbones and legs that are 60 cm long are not to be admired? There are some famous women I admire who also happen to be attractive – I think Cate Blanchett is an incredibly gifted actress as well as a truly stunning woman, Angelina Jolie is a wonderful actress and a true advocate of child welfare, and Jodie Foster is my all-time favorite and I’d ask her to marry me if we weren’t both already taken.

Women with the best sense of style -
As I have absolutely no style myself, it’s surprisingly difficult to recognize it in other people.

My ultimate dream -
My secret dream would be to be thin & fit. My ultimate dream would be, I suppose, to be happy and healthy.

How do I define womanhood-
That’s really tough. Womanhood is too individual to slap one definition on it and have it apply to every woman. I guess, among other traits, womanhood seems to be the ability to put other’s needs before your own when it furthers the greater good. Or am I mixing up womanhood and motherhood?

Favourite fashion publication -
OMG, I haven’t looked at a fashion magazine since I was about 16! LOL!