I was looking at college pennants online to get some ideas about font for something I am planning on making the girls.  Over at Antique Athelete I spotted this:

We’ve had a busy week…spring break and all. We’ve been learning about quilting this week, so a lot of sewing. We checked out a ton of kids books on quilts from the library, and spent an afternoon looking at all of my old family quilts. Here’s the rundown.

Monday: The husband’s family stopped by for several hours. We had scones and tea.

Tuesday: The husband took the day off to work on the new room we’re adding on. More on that in a latter post.

Wednesday: The girls and I went out to the park, and library and fabric store. I’ll be honest, the park and library were totally a bribe for good behavior at the fabric store.

Thursday: we went to the Valentine Museum here in town with my parents. They have a lot of textiles and we were hoping to see some quilts, but not much in that vein was out. Then over to St John’s church…it’s where Patrick Henry gave his “Liberty or death” speech. That part was sort of a hoot. There were at least 7 guys dressed in colonial garb. They were doing a reenactment of the speech for a reporter from the Pilot & Ledger Star. We skipped the speech, but the girls still liked all the “old fashioned” people.

It is from a pattern I made a while back. We’ve adjusted it so it has the exact right amount of twirl.

And as a funny postscript today she asked if we could take creme-brulee into school instead of cupcakes. Hard to say no, but I do not think they’s appreciate the blowtorch.

For all the dress encouragement. Amanda over at Bulldog Knits is so right about the Dress a Day blog. Amazing stuff.

( Shirt for big-sis. Ottobre Summer 2006 Tunic Top-from yesterday’s sewing-marathon)

I do need to tackle some sewing for me. It is so fun to sew for the girls, and they are so appreciative I need some of their attitude. Big-sis always talks about the things I make for her being full of “momma magic”. I need to wave that wand my way. Funny how it always seems easier to do for someone else, I am so much less judgemental…

My Nemesis for years has been button up shirts. I tried years ago, and in all fairness the pattern I picked was a bit baggy…I need some shape. I have a pattern in hand now…better shaping. McCalls 5138. My plan is to try it in some leftover calico, and tweek from there.

Of course my biggest concern is needing to carry around a fan to blow my hair like the model…

OK, with the tonsils this week I have had a lot of TV and internet time. And a lot of frozen dairy around the house. I am off sugar for lent and it is taking self control not to pig out.

And in my wanderings I came accross Social Innovation Camp. It’s a four day camp in April…to quote “Our aim is to find ways that easy-to-build web 2.0 tools can be used to develop solutions to social challenges.”

How snappy is that? They have a whole page of ideas folks have submitted. My fave is the one about personal cycling routes in London. I realize I do not live in London, and I rarely get to cycle anywhere, but it still sounds fun. My sis would be all over this.

We are planning on expanding the garden this year. We’d like to eventually build up to growing most of our own veg again, like we did pre-child, that golden era where the laundry was all clean at once and I never found purple smudges all over the toilet seat.

Anycase, I have been doing some reading on the old Victory Gardens from WWII. The most practical Site I have found is called “Revive the Vistory Garden for victory over Global Warming“. I love the idea, plus they give a bit more structure on how to start planning. According to their info we can start Swiss Chard March 15th…I am hooked on the stuff after eating at Edo Squid’s this fall…total digression, I know.

The Earthly Pursuits site has several of the old books uploaded, plus lots of British garden guides from the same era. A really nice collection. The graphic above is from the book Food Saving and Sharing from 1917. The tagline states “Telling How the Older Children of America May Help Save from Famine Their Comrades in Allied Lands Across the Sea.”

This cracks me up for some reason. I really cannot picture a campaign today to try to get children to help with some problem, much less eating less. Not such a bad thought…but can you imagine it?

This article fromt the Sierra Club is also pretty interesting. It has a broader scope than just the victory gardens, but also some interesting facts. Did you know that by 1943 VG’s were producing 30-40% of our nation’s vegetables?? I find that rather incredible.

So where to start? With our last frost date….whch is reported for Richmond as anywhere from April 7th to May 4th. According to the horticulture teacher at my school tax day is a safe bet.

Oh, and don’t forget:

I am taking a few days off from the crafting, if you can call it that. I coach debate and Saturday our team is hosting a meet. I just found out we are going to have about 220 people there. I just ordered the pizza. 50 pizzas are very expensive.

I’ll update all the Handmade Holiday additions on Sunday. Until then I get to listen to a lot of teenagers discuss military options in Iran, plea bargaining and US, and health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.

And in case you are wondering I am a lifelong member of the NFL, since 1989!

Another Wreath-here’s the how-to

Yeah!! Rosie over at www.rosieknits.com just signed up to participate in Handmade Holiday. Check out her blog, lots of snappy things!

Personally I am rolling along on the gifts. I had lots of good knit time on the DC trip this weekend, so I now have a cardigan done for little-sis and half a sock for a family friend. Deep calming breath, it will all get done.

Need an idea for what to make? Here are some smaller projects I’ve come across. Have a good idea for a simple handmade gift? just e-mail me and I’ll add it to the list. (becca (at) handmademom dot com).

• Portfolio from Amy Butler - I think I might make one of these for big-sis. She’s writing a book-a-day right now. This looks like something she would love, and I can make in an evening…perfect combo. Have I mentioned I love her fabrics:

• Knitty’s winter issue always has tons of great quick gift ideas.
• Did you say baby? Here’s a pattern for a knitted baby kimono over at The Complete Fabrication. Too cute.
• For the kids this year we are doing lots of books. I am including a set of my Doggie Bookplates with each one. If I have time I also plan on making a busy bag to hold them….right, time…

I’ve been playing with Google Maps

I thought this would be a fun way to keep track of knitting stores. I even included Toku-Hands that we visited last summer in Tokyo.

I don’t know about y’all, but I am already getting a bit overwhelmed by the thought of the holidays. I generally try to give as many handmade things as possible. especially this year with toys since what you buy may be poisonous and recalled in a week anyway.

So, to keep my momentum going I decided to host a craft-along to encourage people to give handmade this year.

Handmade Holiday Craft Along

Goals

1. Encourage people to give handmade gifts for the holidays
2. Turn away from the over-commercialization of our holidays (you never really wanted to be a corporate stooge, did you?)
3. Give resources for gift ideas

As we roll throught he holiday season I’ll post gift ideas and links to cool projects. I’ll also publish a list of participating crafters. I’ve set up a Flickr group for folks to share what they are working on.

Rules

1. Make something
2. Give it to someone
3. Show it off

To join e-mail me (becca (at) handmademom.com) or leave a comment.

Here’s a button for you. (Please save to your server).

The girls are still at the point where they like goofy hair accessories. This is the Santa Barrette cover made of felt.

Here are some plain red ones with light blue snowflakes.

Materials

• Felt in various colors
• Embroidery Floss
• Needle
• Clip style Barrettes

Directions

• Print out the pattern below and cut out all pieces. The top and back are flesh colored, the hat red and the beard white (duh)
• The bottom rim of Santa’s Hat was done in French Knots
• Add the face-eyes French Knots, Mouth in an outline stitch
• Use a Blanket Stitch to attach the beard to the face
• Put the back and top pieces together, wrong sides facing. Put the hat on top. Work around the back piece using the Blanket Stitch, making sure to catch the hat as you go.
• Slip the barrette in, and your set to go.

Need some help with the stitches?

That snappy gal over at Primrose Designs has an excellent stitch school with directions. Very clear directions and great pictures.

Enjoy!