poppy's first haircut

Last night, I decided it was time to give Poppy her first haircut.  Her ringlets are often quite tousled and out of control, but when she began to grow what looked like a ringlet rat tale I knew something had to be done.  I have, on many occasions, cut my own curly hair with the kitchen scissors with both great and not so great results.  Curly hair hides a lot of sins, that I know for sure.

I was a little nervous about cutting Poppy's virgin curls, but I strapped her into her booster seat, Daddy distracted her with funny animal videos on you tube, and I gave her a little curly bob.  I quickly collected the lost curls for her baby book and released my restless toddler.

I spent the rest of the evening admiring the fresh cut curls as they bounced prettily around her shoulders and marveled at how quickly these milestones come upon us.  Some days it is like watching grass grow, but other days it is like watching a wildfire rip through, both can be equally difficult in their own rite.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

a room of my own

I recently registered to be a vendor at the Annual Peterborough Folk Festival.  I haven't been all that productive in the crafty department since Silas's arrival nearly ten months ago, but I thought this show, which happens August 27th, may be just the thing I need to push me, ever so abruptly, back into crafty-dom.  Months ago, I promised I would be re-opening my Etsy shop, but between the move, and a lack of time and focus, it never happened.

So, first things first, I had to clear the room just off the kitchen which we had affectionately begun calling the 'Room of Boxes' and make it into something functional.  It is a small room, but it is well lit, looks out into the woods and it is all mine.  It is a work in progress, but it does feel good to claim it.

Now to begin creating.  I am feeling the need to streamline my products and presentation for this show.  Start fresh.  Clean out my market box and begin again.  Pick a few items and focus on those.  Think through the presentation and meaning and {minimal} packaging.  Concentrate on what I enjoy making and leave it at that. Yeah, enjoy the process.

I will keep you posted.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

this moment

{this moment} 

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

bleach pen t-shirt

I recently pinned this idea on Pinterest and couldn't wait to try it.  One of the things I sell when doing craft shows and markets are upcycled screen printed clothing.  I just use the simple freezer paper method seen nearly everywhere now, but first seen in Soulemama's first book The Creative Family.  It is effective, but a little tedious when doing many items and sometimes lacks the fluidity I would like.


Enter the three dollar bleach pen.  I don't know why I never thought of this before!  I just free-handed a design onto a perfectly worn gray t-shirt I found at Value Village and rinsed it off when I liked the colour it had changed to.  I was on the phone when it was time to rinse so I couldn't be as careful as I should have which resulted in a few rouge bleach marks, but I think it adds to the rather weathered look of the shirt.

Seriously simple and rewarding project.  Try it.


go gently + be wonderful


e.

thirty one things you may or may not know about me...

1. I turned thirty one today.
2. I have a diastema {gap between my two front teeth}.
3. I wish I hadn't filled it in 8 years ago now that Silas has the same family trait.
4. I find my birthday to be the loneliest day of the year.
5. I don't think I can come up with thirty one "interesting"  truths about myself.
6. I weighed 167 pounds this morning.
7. I would like to weigh 20 pounds less.
8. I can't burp.
9. I swear like a sailor.
10. I like Randy Travis.
11. I still miss my Gramma.
12. I make a lot of tea.
13. I rarely drink it.
14. I am an only child.
15. I often wish I wasn't.
16. I met my husband online. {Lava Life}.
17. I think every house should have an outhouse.
18. I want a pet crow.
19. I would like to ride horses again.
20. I prefer bare feet.
21. I believe in ghosts and past lives.
22. I sort of like watching Sesame Street.
23. I am painting our front door yellow.
24. I eat a lot of cilantro.
25. I love Indian food.
26. I like the number 26.
27. I firmly believe that the toilet paper should come over the top.
28. I am trying to convince Mike he should bring back bow ties and suspenders.
29. I love The Waltons.
30. I would like to make pottery again.
31. I have big feet.

a mess of berries

It was a good weekend.

unfettered thrifting

a new to me Filter Queen vacuum

a fenced garden

 a newly discovered swimming hole not 7 minutes away

peonies, daisies and buttercups

Father's Day at Ellenberger's Organic Farm

berry picking

working horses in the hay field

stained fingertips

sticky, happy, sleepy children

Sun warmed berries

the year's first sunburn

a birthday trailer

sun soaked laundry

one blessed and charmed life

Yes it was one lovely, productive weekend.  Now, if you need me, you can find me in the kitchen hulling and freezing a mess of strawberries for the winter months.

P.S.  as you can see I am having way too much fun making new headers.  The novelty should where off soon.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

she has come undone.

I love the suspense and promise of the peony.

How perfectly elegant + frivolous they are.

Like the puffed sleeves Anne so desperately wanted Marilla to sew onto her dress for the Strawberry Social.

{or was it the Ice Cream Social?}

Or the fluffy icing on a tall white cake.

Or the colour of ballet slippers.

Or swan feathers.

Sometimes, when I let my mind wander, it nestles into the petals of a peony, listens to the gossip of passing bumble bees, and just moments before quiet slumber swaddles me in her blanket, I remember where I came from.

The wind and the clouds and good summer dreams are held within these petals.

go gently + be wonderful

e.