Make Stuff Archives - Page 19 of 23 - Enjoying the Small Things

Falalalala. For reals.

November 28, 2011 By Kelle

I have danced to Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree probably sixteen times now this week. And it’s only Monday, so that’s saying something. That’s sixteen living room twirls, sixteen jazz hands and sixteen final high kicks.

I am loving the process of filling this last volume of stories as purposefully as we can before we add it to the shelf and slide the bookend into place…our year, our family, our good, our not-so-good, our celebrations.

Molded Star Ornament, Lisa Leonard. Her holiday decor is simple and beautiful.

I have nothing of real substance to write today. To be honest, I’m about one Christmas carol away from donning green tights and taking my high kick to the road–a one woman Christmas variety show. I was going to simmer my enthusiasm down a bit for the post, but that’s, like, holiday blasphemy. So here’s me, ice skating a choreographed performance to Joy to the World, in the Christmas village that dwells in my head.

Dude, we have a Christmas village now. A magical Christmas village that takes Lainey’s imagination to cold, snowy, picturesque places. It was the boys’ when they were little and their mama passed it on to our house.

This weekend, we continued the tradition of attending my friend Amy’s annual gingerbread party.

We watched as little girls tediously piped frosting, arranged gum drops, and overlapped candy-coated chocolate dots to make festive roof displays.

Followed by an animated reading of Frosty the Snowman.

And at home, we frosted every corner with decorations–sparkly little things that caught the eyes of curious girls who will know that this time of year is special.

With all this holiday cheer, I might not even need my daily positive energy spray.

More on this later. Wait for it. It’s good.

Cool D.I.Y. Holiday Gift. We actually made this right when we returned from Blog Her, after I hit up a S’mores Party one of the BlogHer sponsors was holding. It was basically a table with a can of Sterno, a fondue stick and some S’mores ingredients, but when you put them all together, it feels like a cozy indoor camping party. And I thought, how easy a gift would that be? Answer: Very.

Decorate a shoe box (we used an empty photo box I had), wrap ingredients (2 Hershey bars, a bag of marshmallows, a bag of graham crackers) with pretty ribbons, make a few cute tags, throw in a few fondue sticks and a can of Sterno (ethanol gel), and Voila.

Party in a Box. Or Box ‘o Party, however you want to call it. Great holiday gift for cool neighbors, teacher, friends, yourself.

We are making these later this week.

And my current favorites on our holiday playlist:

Sufjan Stevens, Joy to the World
Mason Jennings, Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Brenda Lee, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
The Carpenters, Selections from the Nutcracker
She & Him, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Zee Avi, No Christmas for Me
Jack Johnson, Someday at Christmas
Sufjan Stevens, Lo! How Arose E’er Blooming
The Carpenters, Merry Christmas Darling
Leone Redbone & Zoey Deschanel, Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Eartha Kitt, Santa Baby
Bing Crosby, White Christmas
Frank Sinatra, The Christmas Song

And finally, today’s sponsor? I’ve been waiting for them all my life. The Unicorn Breath Spray? Yeah, that’s them. Blue Q. Amazing, funny, unique, fill-in-the-adjective gifts that are sure to be conversation pieces. I must have spent a half hour just clicking on different products on their site. And then I started reading the “About Us” section and I fell in love with this company. What they’re doing, how they’re doing it.

First, check out the bags, made from 95% post-consumer material. Big bags, little bags, bags with zippers, bags with handles, bags with hilarious sayings, bags with colorful art. Their overnight bags hold more stuff than you could ever imagine–and this coming from a serious over-packer.

My Darling, Planet Earth Airmail Zippered Pouch

Lux Shoulder Tote

And their funky retro cigar boxes:

And before I show you more, let me tell you a little bit more about this company. Blue Q designs and manufactures everything they sell. And they have fun doing it (obvious from their products and a work environment that sometimes looks like this). Blue Q has been the largest private employer of individuals with disabilites in Western Massachussetts for over 10 years, and if you watch this, you’ll appreciate them so much more. They have art and theater classes and company football games–all beautifully blending their work force of employees of all abilities.

Not to mention, they sell a “Savin’ Up for a Unicorn” Tin Bank. Be still my heart.

Left, Happy Food Town Tote, our new restaurant bag; Right: Unicorn Bank

Once you’re in the site, you’ll go poking around and, I promise, you will laugh. You’ll find stuff you love. You’ll stop complaining that you picked Uncle Floyd’s name for this year’s exchange because the man is in dire need of some Erase Your Past Tea and a Yo, Check the Perm book.

Heavy Lifting Paper Lantern

Hello Stocking Stuffer Gum.

Alright, I’m done. But seriously, put Blue Q on your radar. They know what they’re doing. On orders over $40 through December 1, use code freerules for free shipping. And keep checking their site. They have new deals every week (and free stuff next week!)

Time to deck some halls. The North Pole is coming to our home later this week. More to come.

Pssst….the cat came back.

Happy Monday, Friends!

Craftastic

November 14, 2011 By Kelle

My day today can best be expressed by a scene played out by Giselle, Nella’s Doll.

Act II, Giselle’s Picture Frame Demise, Scene I:

Why is it so funny when I find dolls in compromising positions, dolls without heads, dolls with bodies facing the opposite way as their heads, or dolls whose hair has been recentently butchered by a pair of kindergarden Fiskars?

The latter happened around 10:00 this morning, the evidence of blond synthetic curls strewn across the 6-foot span from Lainey’s bed to the hallway. When I found her, guilty, holding the butchered doll head in her hand, I wanted to tell her she needs to ask me before ever taking scissors to anything in our house again. But instead, I found myself so completely impressed by her shearing skills, I gasped. Seriously, Sister can cut hair. A little mousse and some hairspray, some skinny jeans and a rocker tee and I’d so walk out the door with that cut. Joan Jett, baby.

In my head, I high-fived her and booked an appointment for my next trim. And then I told her that despite her mad scissor skills, she needs to ask me before ever taking scissors to anything in our house again.

Today, it was–well, long. Nella’s still not herself, and Lainey was feeling very experimental in the making-art-in-the-home arena. And by art, I mean messes. My patience was thin–present but spotty on delivery. I had work to do, Nella wanted to be held all day, there were messes, there were tears, there was the constant motion of one step forward and three steps back.

I did what I know best. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, so I made messes with my kids.

Enter Craftastic Monday mantle art. We don’t have the best mantle in terms of elegance and architecture, but we do have a fireplace in Florida and for that, I’m happy. I’ve had the same display for a few years now, and I wanted something more colorful, maybe even a little kitschy this year. I found a tiny picture in the Garnet Hill catalogue the other night, of a snowman collage that inspired me. I happened to have an old frame with an ugly store bought picture in it, so we flipped the picture over, painted the mat board black, and Lainey helped me create a little snowman out of cotton batting, felt, buttons and sticks (for arms).

We added three small terra cotta pots (painted) and three Styrofoam floral cones which we covered with thick white yarn and buttons.

The result: something more fun and colorful for our mantle. Still needs some kind of scalloped garland, but for now it will do.

*****

My favorite weekend moments?

Craft Bazaar. Don’t get too excited. My friend had this idea that the Christmas craft bazaars she frequented with her mom as a child could be found down here. So she searched the papers, asked some friends and eventually practically crashed her car to read a roadside sign announcing a local craft bazaar. We came. We saw.

And I have to say, it wasn’t so bad. While perhaps not as craftastic as the midwestern barn-raising events of her past, a local church delivered just fine. My scores? A vintage red velvet romper for Nella–for a boy but nothing a Peter Pan collar, some white tights and black patent leather Mary Janes can’t fix–and a beautiful embroidered itty bitty tablecloth, just the size I was looking for to cover Lainey’s little table for Thanksgiving dinner. And matching napkins, to boot. Thank you, Craft Bazaar.

Farmer’s Market. I don’t know what took me so long to check it out. It’s literally up the street but, like similar disappointments comparing Midwestern past times with our not-so-hot representations, I didn’t think I’d be impressed. I was wrong.

And I’ve got some handmade soap-on-a-roap and a fragrant bundle of fresh basil to prove it.

Outdoor Fire. Beside the crackle and glow of an outdoor fire Saturday night, we roasted marshmallows and kissed on our babies.

It was a little bit wonderful.

*****

And today? It had its shining moments as well.

Like walking in to find my girls…”making stuff,” as Lainey says.

Or watching Nella try on my shoes.

I’ll save my “this day blows” for the times it’s really true.

Besides, that photo of Giselle and the picture frame? She didn’t really die. She was just being dramatic.

*****

Giveaway Winners:

Comment #110, songskatesang: I am so sorry that she is sick… she and I would be good company right now. I have a sore throat and tired body that isn’t quite gone yet, but it makes me slow down and gives me time to read about my lovely bloggy friends. Hugs to you sweet Nella. Feel better soon! And oh Lainey, Nella is so blessed that you sing to her. What a wonderful and perfect big sister.

Comment #31, Elise: I envy your fireplace, and love Lainey’s yellow hat!

Congratulations! Please e-mail your contact info to [email protected], and you’ll be Arbonne shopping soon!

*****

Mamalode returns this month in sponsorship. If you haven’t been acquainted yet–Friends, meet Mamalode; Mamalode, meet Friends. There. You’ve been introduced. And, if we weren’t in Blogland, Mamalode would offer you a seat, pour you a drink and in no time you’d feel at home…inspired. Because that’s how Mamalode is. Yes, a subscription to this thought-provoking publication would be a great holiday gift (check it out!). You can also like Mamalode on Facebook and follow them on line every day for free–inspiring stories, meaty essays, and truths that will validate and empower your motherhood journey. One new “liker” will be winning a free year’s subscription to Mamalode and a back issue with a familiar little face on the cover (winner announced in Wednesday’s post).

Like ’em, and share the love.

*****

Act III, The Long Day Ends, Scene 4:

Line-dried sheets, open windows, sleepy girls…Good night.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a Hallmark sponsored post.

I’ll take Holiday Craftastic for $400, Alex

November 7, 2011 By Kelle

Hear ye, hear ye: Holiday love shall now be proclaimed from this day forward. Thanksgiving’s only two-plus weeks away, putting Christmas at six–give or take–and by my calculations, that makes today Raise the Freak Flag Day (cue cartwheel, cartwheel, interpretive dance move, cartwheel).

Let there be crafts. And smiling. And high-on-life reflection.

In case you wondered, shadow pictures make me happy and no, I’m not wearing elf boots.

Oh, I had something good to say, but let’s just do this stream-of-consciousness, shall we? Because deciding to do a blog post stream-of-consciousness is like showing up for a job interview in an expensive borrowed blazer with a prepared stage-crap, sell-yourself speech only to find your soon-to-be boss in a kaftan, with his feet on his desk, holding a popsicle with your name on it. “Sit down,” he says. “Let’s talk about our kids and how we’re going to change the world. Over popsicles, of course.” And we sit, laughing, licking Bomb Pop juice off our fingers and tapping our popsicle sticks in a toast to Coldplay or aged cheese or, maybe, to Mary Oliver’s poetry, if I’m lucky. We both cry, trade friendship bracelets, and then he gives me the job.

*****

Weekend Delivered. Or perhaps, weekend delivers every single time it arrives, but it’s our job to accept delivery and sign for the package.

So, Friday night, I signed. In a moment of “I take thee, Life, to be my lawfully wedded whathaveyou,” I called my friend to arrange something grand at the beach. Last minute parties? Oh, they are the best.

Really, truly, I heard word that temperatures were shifting again in our parts, and if you take it to the beach at night in November, there’s a good chance you will encounter a sweet sliver of the north. Cold winds, cool water, the opportunity to bust out some ear-flap hats and sweaters. Hollah.

Top it with a bottle of “kid wine,” some grapes and cheese, and a line-up of jam jars full of candles as the sun is setting? Take me away. A secret place. A freaking pocketful of sunshine, at twilight, on the beach.

My friend, Andrea, actually said once we got to the beach, “I know you. You just did this for the sweaters and hats, right?” This is true. This is true. She knows me well. You can take the girl out of Michigan, but you can’t take Michigan out of the girl. Pink-flecked skies and Mason jar glow was just a bonus.

I interrupt this blog post to gush about what I love right now.

Billie Holliday is breakin’ it down on Pandora, and the great loves of my life have collided…late night writing, candle light glow, and my sweet baby, asleep on couch cushions next to my desk.

This makes me insanely happy.

So, I’ll keep it simple.

My happies, this weekend:

T-Soup with Parm
Tomato soup, doused with parmesan cheese and garnished with easy Jiffy buttermilk biscuits (smeared with butter and honey). Holiday magazine, optional yet imperative.

Twirl-a-whirl
Lainey put on a 12-18 months size dress this weekend and decided to give us a show. Cue Gustav Mahler CD and Nella in a chair watching, entranced.

And I had an “I am blessed to have two beautiful daughters” moment.

Car Wash
Daddy’s car first.

But, most importantly, the kid car. No airbags, but seriously, the workout that Flinstone pedaling gives ya?

Sister Rides
Late afternoon, when our feet hit the driveway pavement and the sun is slowly bowing out, you can hear this staccato giggle from Nella. Most likely, it’s induced from the thrill of Big Sister thrusting the little car forward on a fast ride along the sidewalk. And, in the exhileration of a fast ride, Nella stands in the back of that car and smiles while Brett and I holler “Nella, sit!” from the sidelines.

Sometimes, she listens and sits. Sometimes, she keeps on smiling while she stands and proclaims “I’m doin’ it my way!” And though I appropriately react with attention to safety and obedience, somewhere within, I’m fine with her defiance. I freaking love her spirit.

*****

And this is the part in that imaginary job interview where my kaftan-wearing soon-to-be-boss finishes his popsicle and says “Break it down, now.” As in, bring it. High on life? Show me. Like holidays? Prove it.

Oh, I’ll prove it. It’s November 7th, Dude. I see your kaftan and I raise you a 20-minute Christmas Craft, okay?

Here’s the deal. The word “Christmas Craft” alone makes me perk up much like a text announcing a new baby.

The first presence of the holidays in our home? A quick, homemade wreath. I wanted to add a bow or buttons or something more, but I loved it for its simplicity. Simplicity is good for me. Sometimes I peter out. And this craft easily welcomed a four-year-old’s assistance.

It’s as simple as a styrofoam wreath form from a craft store, some fabric scraps and a bottle of Tacky glue.

Voila. It’s a little grandma-ish and, being that I’m thirty-two and now appreciate the beauty, wisdom and experience of that generation, I dig grandma-ish.

Of course, Wreath is begging for some friends, and he will soon be joined by some other freak-flag-waving decor cousins.

*****

Meanwhile, we are brainstorming special gift ideas for friends and family. And I am loving watching my girl beam from the satisfaction of creating things to give away.

An easy, inexpensive gift for friends?
Embellished chalkboard.

Seriously, it’s a five dollar gift, and it took maybe fifteen minutes to create.
Materials: Wood frame, assorted felt, embroidery floss, embroidery needle, Tacky glue, primer, chalkboard paint.

Prime frame, paint with chalkboard paint, adorn with felt bunting.

Keep for yourself or decorate with twine and chalk to give away for a holiday gift.

*****

Remember cool artist chick, Casey Leigh?
Well, congratulations to Comment #202, Talia: Love the photo of the girls sharing. Just lovely. Like you, we are practical and when the opportunity presents itself for me to take my girls to dinner – we go and cherish each moment!

Talia, your home is about to be graced by Casey’s love of art. Please e-mail your contact info to [email protected], and your wall will be soon be happy!

*****

I’ve gone through far more pony tail holders and barrettes for my girls than I’d like to admit. I’ve proclaimed new methods for organzing trinkets many times, but I’ve never found the right fit for us. So, naturally, I’m excited to lauch our our new sponsor, The Adorned Abode, which provided the perfect fix for our hair accessory storing problem.

Kelly, of The Adorned Abode, does custom decoupage work to all her trinket and jewelry boxes, and her husband custom creates all the wood recipe boxes.

We love our new accessory box. And Lainey likes the whole idea of opening drawers and choosing accesories from a tiny dresser, just her size.

You can enjoy a 10% discount from The Adorned Abode, using code ENJOYING10, and two commenters will be randomly chosen from this post to receive a $25 gift certificate, courtesy of The Adorned Abode shop.

*****

And tomorrow is a special day. Gary turns 50. Happy Birthday to a very special part of our family…thank you, Gary, for everything you do. We love you. 50–that’s a big year, Dude. Celebrate that life.

(and sleep it off later)

*****

Have a great week.

Brett has proclaimed his holiday love by promising only to use the snowman mug for his coffee from now until the New Year. If only I could think of such a badass way to declare my holiday love.