Berlin's Whimsy

The question of pink eye.

My daughter's eye turned a bit red and puffy today and, before reality set in, I thought to myself, "Hmmm, maybe we should go have that checked out..."

Until I realized we no longer have health insurance. What a stark contrast to our years of pampering with excellent health insurance coverage. In fact, I have had health insurance most of my adult life.

Now, without insurance, I feel like I'm precariously perched on a high-wire with my kids heavy on my shoulders while I tenuously tiptoe over the hazards of the little things, like pink-eye, and the bigger ones like a broken limb, or even worse.

But I know I'm not alone. In fact, if I held a meeting with all of the other local families without health insurance--- well only the local event center could contain us all. And that's a scary thought.

Here in Oregon, we have the option of the Oregon Health Plan, however. Though its resemblance to my previous insurance is something like comparing a ziploc bag to an oversized umbrella in terms of coverage, any insurance is better than nothing.

But I haven't registered the kids yet. Why? There are a few reasons for this, though none of them are adequate: laziness and my avoidance of bureaucracy, my reluctance of entering a "hand-out" demographic, feeling more comfortable in the helping role rather than the receiving role, and...well, laziness once again. I repeat, none of my reasons are adequate!

But today's little scare (thankfully, it wasn't pink eye) provided the kick in the behind to get over myself and take care of necessary business...

Little Bookmark How-to

These little bookmarks make wonderful gifts when combined with a fun book. Simple to make, the most difficult part is in choosing a small enough design for the size of the bookmark. (And please note, I got carried away with the size of the one in these pictures; it is larger than the mushroom one, for example).

Materials:

1. Some natural linen (my preference) or cotton---this is a great opportunity to use up scraps and thrifted shirts or fabric as the bookmark is very small.
2. 8" ribbon that matches your embroidery design, or seam binding
3. A button with large eyelits, or a wooden bead.
4. Embroidery thread and needle.

To begin, choose a small embroidery design (here are some ideas, above). It should be aproximately 3/4" to 1" across. The simpler the better---small flowers, initials, whimsical designs all work well here.

---Transfer your design to your fabric. I transfer my designs by drawing freehand but there are also handy transfer pencils available from craft stores that enable you to iron the design onto our fabric.

---Embroider your design onto your fabric.

---Cut out a circle aproximately 2" in diameter with the design placed smack in the middle. I use a glass so that each circle is uniform.

---Cut out another circle the same size. Make sure you allow at least a 1/2" around the design---in fact the more the better because you can always pull in the edges to fit snugly around your design.

---Now you will create a yo-yo. Aproximately 1/4" inside the raw edge of your circle, create a running stitch around the parameter, secured in the beginning by a good knot.

---Pull up the thread while simultaneously using a finger to work the the yoyo into a circular shape and evening out the thread.

Press the edges down and then iron the yoyo flat. Do the same with the second circle, trying to make this yoyo as close in size to the first yoyo. Iron it, too.

---Place the two yoyos wrong sides together. Manipulate the yoyos so that the circles match up---they don't have to be perfect...

----With a very small and discreet whip stitch, stitch the two yoyos together, like a yoyo sandwich...

----Begin your stitching at the 4 O'Clock position with the design verticle (shown in picture above----this allows a space to add the ribbon below the design). Stitch counter clockwise.

---Once you come to the 8 O'Clock position, insert your ribbon below the design and continue to stitch the two yoyos together. Stitch the ribbon inside the yoyo sandwich with a running stitch----be sure to sew it securely (especially if it's intended for a child)!

---For decoration, using embroidery thread, stitch a running stitch around the perimeter of the circle.

----To tie off the bottom of the ribbon, either thread the ribbon through the eyes of a button and tie a knot, or thread it through a large bead and create a knot large enough to hold the bead in place.

---To thread the ribbon through a button, coil the ribbon's end small enough to thread from the bottom up and back down through the button. If your ribbon is too large, just sew the button onto the end of the ribbon...

---I will share another bookmark idea with you in the coming days...

Choose a wonderful book to go with this bookmark-----here are a couple children's books on my kids' wishlists...

The Daring Book for Girls. My daughter was very displeased last year when there was The Dangerous Book for Boys but there was not a girls' equivalent... Until now!

Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. My son loves all of the books in this series. 

More little projects.

I mentioned recently my love for little knitting projects. Little projects are relatively quick, useful, and they don't cost much (important for me right now).

Well, I was excited to pick this book up from the library: the newest edition of One Skein Wonders. Look at these cute projects!

There are so many little projects to love...

Shhh.

Quiet moments.

Watching deer in the distance.

And with that, she's gone.

***I might use one of these images for my holiday cards this year using Qoop. Have any of you used Qoop's services before? I'd love to hear feedback/reviews...I'm looking for a good service to print cards from my pictures to sell---any recommendations?

Meet my new friend, Jack.

I suspect he'll be here for an extended visit, this Jack Frost. In fact, he'll probably bring along his friend, the Snow King, too.

Lucky me, a pair of silk long underwear are on their way (thanks to this place). I never thought something as unexceptional as long underwear would make me this happy! But with winter hiking, Cross Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing in my future, I will appreciate those long underwear!

Yep, I'm enjoying this new visitor in my life, so much more than my winter visitor on the coast, Mr. Soggy Bottoms. No, Mr. Soggy Bottoms always overextended his welcome...

Knit to process. Craft to live.

Where I used to live, a bumper sticker was ubiquitous amongst the old beaten down Volvos and Subarus: Art Saves Lives. When I first glimpsed this bumper sticker I felt a bit of confusion---what? How could Art save a life?

And then, as the years passed, I returned to my inner creative self, and I understood. I understood how it saved me from that day forward in so many difficult situations. Like those obsessive nights going to the local quilting class, not so much to learn to quilt (thought that was a great benefit), but to get out on my own as an adult---to be me again.

I remember the routine I performed just to earn my time out: fix a gourmet dinner, set the table all perfect, make sure my daughter (who was just a babe) was fed adequately, everyone happy. Everything was just so. Oh, the feelings of elation I felt as I traveled to that class, the radio turned to NPR with adult conversation and abstract topics to muse over.

In the class, the elderly women asked me about my kids and nodded in support and understanding at my tales of diapering and days without showers. It saved me in a time of great isolation.

And I notice my need for knitting in times of doubt. It's not so much a conscious decision of mine---no, it's something I notice when I reflect on those times in my life that pose too many difficult questions without enough easy answers. Like right now. I'm obsessively knitting socks while I decide what school to transfer my kids into after the winter break. Ah, too long of a story to write about here and now. It keeps me up at night.

Again, I understand how much creativity is integral to my being. In a relationship that was not conducive, nor supportive of creativity, I still managed to carve out quite a lot of it, dragging those around me along behind. And sometimes, if I let my mind wander, I wonder where I would be if only I had pursued this side of myself----if only I had not made the decisions I made. If only I had went to art school. But I try not to go there very often----I am who I am today because of my decisions, good and bad.

Instead, I focus on where I am now and what I can truly achieve with the tools I posess. I weave creativity in my children's lives and empower them to follow their dreams----perhaps that's why I am where I am.

I now believe art saves lives. It saved mine. And it continues to do so.

Out amongst the frost.

On the day after the big feast, we needed some exercise. So, off we went in search of a nearby geocache on the top of our local butte.

What a glorious day. The temperature hovered around 35 degrees but the bright sun made up for it. We carried along with us a "hobo bag" (my daughter's idea) of crescent rolls filled with cranberries and turkey. Yum---the best part of Thanksgiving! 

I was pleasantly surprised to find my newest Moo cards in the mail as we left for geocaching. I ordered these cards to leave as "calling cards" in the geocaches we find. They include our geocache team name (Smitherines) and email. Perhaps we'll find some local families who enjoy this hobby like we do.

Right after all the preparations for Thanksgiving----and the wonderful overindulgence---it was peaceful indeed to be out in nature amongst the frost-tipped junipers.   

Lovely.

Thanksgiving was lovely. Oh sure, there were frantic moments of checking turkey temperatures and wandering about with molten-lava temped pans trying to find a single square inch of free counter space--- but that's Thanksgiving, right?

I may have produced my life's best stuffing. It was scrumptious. I might as well retire now.

And what would a Thanksgiving turkey be without finding a missed bag of giblets in the middle after all is said and done?

We were treated to a wonderful performance by the kids and their dog. The "turkey" (seated, center) was invited to dinner in this play, the newest masterpiece by my aspiring playwright. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

A Thanksgiving self-portrait...

I love Thanksgiving. Food and thanks. Two topics near and dear to my heart. I try to be thankful every single day---I don't think I'm one to forget it. However, taking the time to share your thanks with others is a good thing.

So is eating----breaking bread with friends and family. I don't think it's a secret how much I love food. Though I love experimenting with new tastes, I tend to fall back on  old traditions for the holidays---passed on through childhood memories and most likely my ancestors. Dishes like my Dad's corn pudding, my Grandpa's Oyster Stuffing, my Mom's buttery Crescent Rolls, and homemade Pumpkin Pie. This year, I'm making Apple Squares instead of pie. I'm also serving Roasted Brussel Sprouts with blue cheese and walnuts. If you're a brussel sprout hater, you just might enjoy this version: they carmelize in high heat and with a honey-dijon dressing studded with blue cheese and walnuts, they are so yummy! Well, even my kids eat them.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving--eat up and be thankful...

Dog-ears be gone.

I'm absolutely the worst culprit for dog-earing my books. Perhaps one of these little whimsical bookmarks will alleviate my problem.

Little projects seem just right for me. In fact, small projects are my preference even in less hectic times. I love to knit socks, washcloths, hats, mittens... Embroider little bits of linen.... Sew headbands, make little cuffs, head scarves. Though I would never consider myself an "accessory girl" maybe I am?