There is always joy

This week.  Oh this week was one of those push me to my limits kind of weeks.  I could write about the madness that a teething baby can bring, or the breaking glass that seems to have followed me day to day (seriously, I think I broke a record), or this or that... but all of that stuff isn't important.  So I'm going to focus in on the joy.  Because joy is important. And if I look hard enough from the moment to moments, it can always be found.  

A friend of mine had texted me yesterday asking if Liam and I still had our weekly beach day outings.  Even though I hadn't been in a month, I knew that an experience at our spot was just what Liam and I both needed. To get away from our home to return refreshed and with a new perspective. To touch and taste and built and tear down.  All of it, we always find at the beach.  And better yet, we would have friends.  So yes, I told my friend.  We still have beach days.  So the snacks were readied, the beach bag was packed, we picked up our friends and then we were off for an adventure.  And my my oh my what a day was had.  

There was playing and eating and building and laughing.  There was finding the perfect pit and climbing.  There was learning how to share and learning how to be gentle with our hands.  There was grown up mom talk where hearts were poured and worries listened to and empathized with.  There was connection.  With loved ones and with the beach that has always brought us healing and comfort and shelter from so many different types of storms that rage.  

And then there was rest.  For the sleeping boy who has such a hard time at night because of those teeth... oh those teeth!  And another kind of rest.  The rest that comes from making with my hands for this little boy of mine. A bit of knitting (more on that later!) while watching my sweet one, and learning to love and be gentle past the fatigue and frustration.  

Was there joy to be found today? Oh yes.  My hands are heart are both full.  I hope joy can be found where ever you all might be today. 

Blessings today everyone. 

A long awaited finish

This little Hawaiian quilting cushion has been a journey, I tell you.  What started off to be a second year anniversary present for Ross and I, found its way into our home on our third year. Liam was born August of last year, and we were married in September, so of course Liam being that wonderfully sweet baby distraction that he was took my focus off of this project.  Understandably of course. Something though this year made me pick it up again, and stitch by stitch, slowly this cushion took shape.  

I love the history of Hawaiian quilting.  How detailed it is.  How traditionally Hawaiian quilting is primarily two solid colors. Cutting up whole pieces of fabric only to sew them up again didn't make any sense to Hawaiians.  And honestly, because of this project, sometimes I think that they had it right.  My attitude towards quilting has changed since I started garment sewing.  But that is a thought for another post entirely.  Anyways. Back to Hawaiian quilting. Do you know how to cut out a snow flake?  Remember doing that in school? How you take a circular piece of paper and fold it in half and then fold it again and again and then cut a design? That method, brought over by the mission schools was what influenced the method used in Hawaiian quilting.  Beautiful, that piece of history.   Another bit of Hawaiian quilting trivia that I find so fascinating is that the reason for Hawaiian quilting being so intricate was because due to the all year round warm weather, they weren't in any rush to finish their quilts for the intended purpose of keeping warm. Quilting in essence, became more about a sense of beauty. To connect with nature.  To see the patterns in wildlife, or flower, or leaf and manifest them in fabric.  To see the ocean in the echo stitch around the pattern, in how it ripples and ripples and ripples but is ultimately all connected.  It has been wonderful to create this project.  To feel connected to this place and these people in this way.  

Our little stash of handmade cushions for lounging in the living room is growing.  They are each so different. Each expressing and reminding of a time and purpose for when they were made and brought out to use and enjoy in our evening lounging or playing.  So much heart goes into these handmades.  So much heart goes into making a house a home.  A place to laugh, connect, rest, and live.  And life is so sweet in this season.  With a growing boy that brings the sunshine, a best friend to hold my hand and share our day to day happenings with, what more can I ask for? A new and needed cushion for the room that we do the most interaction in? Check check. Now what else does this little family of mine need? Hmmmm......

Happy Friday everybody.  Linking up to Finish it Friday with Crazy Mom Quilts.

Aloha.

A place for everything

We have a system that is working out for us during dinner clean up.  Liam helps us wipe up his high chair and then he gets a basket of toys to play with while we put food away and wash up the dishes.  I have been working with Liam on his shapes this week and it bothered me that his shapes were sharing retail space with his little animals.  I scoured the house and all of our baskets and bowls seem to be occupied.  Hmmm... how to solve this problem?  Well, make one of course! So during nap a little basket was crocheted for his little wooden shapes. The pattern was from here  and it stitched up pretty fast.  I think if I ever made it again I would use a chunkier yarn, or perhaps two strands to give it a little more body.  It is a great fit for his toy shelf and I am very pleased that his little wooden shapes now have a space of their own.   Circle, square, oval, star.  Over and over again we touch those shapes and identify them.  We usually get three receptions before Liam starts throwing them, which of course is a fun game as well. 

The quiet parts

The weekend seems to have flown by.  Many more activities in our lineup than I am use to, that's for sure.  It has left me feeling off and slightly anxious for the week to come. It's Sunday night and I don't feel ready.  Groceries not shopped for, the meal plan for the week not decided, last week's laundry that is following me into this week...

 ::sigh::

But Mondays come whether we are ready or not don't they?

Ross had work meetings all morning on Saturday so I asked him if we could carve out family time during the afternoon to just be home.  No other family, no friends, no other obligations - just the three of us.  The three of us playing together and separately, napping, eating, laughing.  Those parts of the day, the quiet everyday ones that we spend together - those are the moments that get me ready for the week.  Laundry. Meal plan writers block.  No food in the fridge.  Come what may.  We will roll with it and help each other and hopefully laugh through it.

Moments like this make me really appreciative of this space.  A place where I can focus on the happy.  Focus on the things that center me.  Like a new favorite muffin recipe, or Liam's currently favorite book that I have read at least twenty times over the past 48 hours, a coffee during a nap, a bit of stitching,  Liam's smile as he follows us from room to room saying: 'Haii... Haii."  Yes, his first word used in a conversational context is hi. How apropos for this little social boy of mine.

Here are to those quiet parts of the day and all of the craziness in between.

Have a wonderful week everybody.

Blessings.  

Five thoughts on mama handmades

One: Fabric Interviews! 
Fabric interviews for projects are always so fun! There are so many different types of combinations and colors and feels of different fabrics.  I am learning so much about fabrics by just doing. Like, working with linen can be a bit tricky when cutting for projects.  It is a lot more stretchy than cotton.

Two: Cutting 
When cutting a fabric that has a directional print, I've learned that it is important that your fabric not be folded in half horizontally because one of the cuts will be upside down.  That cute deer print was intended for Liam's performance pants, but I made a mistake with the cutting - lesson learned!

Three: Handsewing
My machine and I are starting to come to an understanding. I realize that when I expect my machine to sew with thick bulky seams, it doesn't like it.  It only wants to piece two layers.  For this pair of black pants, the hems were done by hand.  I think for this project I really preferred it.  There is something a bit romantic about hand stitching a garment. My imagination had so much food for thought as I sat there thinking about all of the women before me who once hand sewed garments for their loved ones. It's amazing - how a craft can tie you to generations before.  The connection and history that comes with it.

Four: Favorite Material 
Obviously, I can't stop making these pants! They come together so nicely and the back yoke of the quick change trousers just add such a nice pop of color! I think the black linen pair is the last one I will make in the 9-12 month size for Liam.  That black linen was a thrift store find.  I got yards and yards of it. It is a bit heavy in my opinion for this project.  Ross held it up and exclaimed that we would have to wait until winter time.  I'm not sure if I like pure linen for these pants, especially when it has two layers of material like this one does.  It indeed makes it very heavy.  But aren't the little birds on the back yoke too cute?  I love the way they turned out! =) I have learned that a cotton linen blend is my favorite for breathable light material. Next would be plain cotton.

Five: Joy! 
I am finding that garment sewing is very satisfying. The project comes together so quickly. So much quicker than say, a quilt. And the satisfaction that I get from watching Liam using his mama handmades in his day to day experiences is so very gratifying. It just brings so much joy to my days to see him covered in my love with a handmade garment.  I love making for this little boy of mine.

Linking up to Finish it Friday with Crazymomquilts and Amy for Five on Friday.

Happy Friday everyone!

Aloha.