January Crafting

Oh January....

I certainly spent many days and evenings in my studio...

What a lovely thing to do in the midst of this season....

x2 Guide Bags.  Pattern from Handmade Home 

x2 pairs of Quick Change Trousers- size 0-3 months

Peppermint lip balm- x19, 2.0 oz containers!

&

the start of "Six times the Charm" baby quilt from Handmade beginnings

Ps- Sewing for baby is much more fun, as you can see :)

Bringing in 2012

I began 2012 stress free.

I enjoyed so so much time at home with my hubby.

I made batter for chocolate chip cookies at 10 pm, just so we could try them out in our cook stove....fast forward to 11pm~ Full bellies, warm cookies, fresh milk watching northern exposure.

We stayed up late and slept in without an alarm clock.

I started a friendship with Jackie, making homemade lip balm.  She stayed for 5 hours.  We had so much to talk about....it flew by.

I make random projects, just because i could.  I started a baby quilt for Jackie and made some cute baby pants.

I made Artisan bread, pizza dough and foccocia.  It was delicious.

I went for an afternoon snowshoe with my pup and camera.  Being still in the woods.

We had some of our dear friends over for brunch, then spent the afternoon ice skating at Bean Hill Farm.

I read two books, almost done with the third.
I spent days in the woods with my husband, our favorite place to be together.  Getting ready for the sugaring season ahead.
I watched, as kayaker's made their way down the river, a new years tradition.  Although this year, they did not have icicles hanging from their beards. 
This new years day rang in with 40 degree temperatures & a beautiful light at sunset.

I stayed in my pajama's all.day.long.

We went on day trips; up north to antique shops; over to Maine, and north of Portland.

We worked on our beloved house. 

We enjoyed each other's company, laughing and just being.

I started a homestead notebook, which i am very excited about.

I didn't fret over keeping the house spotless.  I did laundry when i felt like it.  I didn't use the dryer.  I had time to hang the clothes on the drying rack. 

We had spur of the moment dinner parties.  (My very favorite kind...)

We ate out of our freezer and pantry.  Our food bill was cut in half because of that.  Oh how i LOVE that feeling.

I took out fresh berries from July and made berry cobbler.

We ate well, slept well, laughed fully and truly enjoyed the peace surrounding our days.

Yes, 2012 started out in a slow and simple pace, filled with calmness and fullness.  This year will have its struggles, I'm sure, but i will approach them with calmness and happiness. 

Slow & Simple

Greetings 2012

Holiday Homemades

:: Holiday Homemade Gifts 2011::

:: Personalized coloring books for the kids ::

:: Homemade skirts for the three girls....corduroy lined with flannel ::

:: Neighbor / Family gift baskets, comprised of zuccini relish, applesauce or Jam with gingersnaps & mini maple syrups ::

:: For our parents, homemade throw couch quilts.  Shades of blue for Theresa & Ross.  Earth tones for mom & dad ::

It felt so good to be able to put homemade gifts under the tree and in our friends bellies,

Very good, Indeed.