I wanted to share a project I made for GreenCraft Magazine. It’s a cardboard portfolio for pretty papers, important papers, artwork, or whatever you like.  Above is my portfolio before I sent it off almost a year ago. I had almost forgotten what it looked liked.

It is completely made of cardboard, cereal box board, maps and old papers and scraps of ribbon, fabric, fringe and buttons. Oh, and a bit of paint and glue.

I really love this magazine. Beautiful photographs, and so many wonderful ideas and contributors.

I am also in the new issue of Somerset Home, but I haven’t seen it yet!!  I’m hoping to get my copy in the mail soon or I may just have to go out and get it myself. I’ll wait a couple more days…

Check out the books I scored at the library–not that I have anytime to actually read books. I just get all excited when I can find some craft books I haven’t already checked out.

Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin ~ I’m deep into my Flying Lessons right now, which has been incredibly inspiring and informative on the creative business front, so this book is just more fuel for the creative fire. I’ve just flipped though and it looks promising.

Twyla Tharp’s The creative Habit: Learn it and use it for life~ Another creative/inspiration type book.  Since I’ll be flying to Oregon soon, these first two books might be good plane-reading material.

Kyuuto! Japenese Crafts: Lacy Crochet ~I’ve been wanting to flip through this for a while. It has some really cute crochet designs.

The Artistic Mother: A practical Guide for Fitting Creativity into Your Life by Shona Cole~ Love this one! Great tips on time management, motivation, photography tips and artsy projects. Beautifully done!

Thriftychic: interior style on a shoestring~ Lovely ideas for decorating. Fun to look through.

This fellow came to visit our back yard a few weeks back scaring away all the little critters. I think it’s a Cooper’s Hawk and it looks like he’s been tagged. So beautiful and strong.

And this cute little dude fell from it’s nest during a wind storm.  Mama was close by when I took this photo, warning me to stay away. I did, using my zoom for this picture. He’s become strong enough to leave with mama. This is the second little bird to fall from a nest in our yard and it has been so nice to watch the mama birds work fiercely to protect their babes.

I made some little knitted flowers from a book I got at the library.  It was fun making something small and quick.

I was able to practice decreasing. I now know what k2tog means–so exciting!

I used some yarn scraps that I had and turned the little flowers into brooches. Now I need to make a pretty little fabric basket to house my newly growing brooch collection.

Here are some other books I borrowed from the library: 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet, Fabric Jewelry & Wrap Style. They are all really great.

Wrap Style has some beautiful wraps that I would LOVE to make. My favorites are in the above pic.  Unfortunately, the patterns look like gibberish to me–makes no sense whats-so-ever. I really need to learn how to decode all those letters & numbers! I will though! It’s a big goal of mine to knit something other than hats & scarves before the years is done.

We went to the library today in search of some really good holiday, before bedtime reading.  Get you in the spirit stuff.  We were lucky.  I usually can’t find any good holiday books this time of the year.

Here is what we found for the kids:
Aunty Clause, Home for the Holidays by Elise Primavera
The Christmas Rose by Sepp Bauer
The Best Christmas Hunt Ever by John Speirs
Who Would Like A Christmas Tree by Ellen Bryan Obed
Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve? by Jan Brett
The Finest Christmas Tree by John and Ann Hassett
Christmas City by Michael Garland
Nutcracker by E.T.A Hoffman (pictures by Maurice Sendak)
Zelda & Ivy: One Christmas by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
When Santa Fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke
Christmas Bears by Chris Conover

And for me:
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas by Anna Getty
Christmastime Treats by Sara Perry
Cute Stuff by Aranzi Aronzo

Others we had to get:
Thelonius Monster’s Ski-High Fly Pie: A revolting rhyme by Judy Sierra with delicious drawings by Edward Koren (perfectly gross and delightfully fun for two little guys – 4 stars)
Mind Boggling Teasers, Tricks, Puzzles & Games by Charles Barry Townsend
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (40th Anniversary Edition) We just had to get even though we own the small version already. Did you know Eric Carle is almost 80!!

I’ll be coming back to this post to rate these books as we read them.  It will help me to remember them for next year.  If you have any favorites, I’d love to know what they are.

Here are my finished little owl ornaments for Amy’s Ornament Swap. Yay! They are done and not even due until Dec 4th… I think. Yes, yes December 4th. I am never done early for an Amy swap. I would have been late again this year had she not moved the date back a bit. Thanks Amy.

AND this came in the mail yesterday. A book!! A One Yard Wonders book…. that I am in!!!

I was surprised to see my scrunchie bag in the book. I had almost forgotten what it looked like. It seems ages ago that I made it and sent it off.

It has been an absolute delight looking through this book to see ALL of the amazing contributions.  A great book to put on thee ol’ wish list.

Now, I am off to battle and conquer this stupid cough I have. It’s the cough that lingers. UGH!!!

butternut squash potage ~ recipe found HERE

I have felt on the verge of getting sick for the last several days.  Mostly I’m tired with a bit of sneezing. No flu symptoms, thank goodness.   I’ve been working really hard to take good care of myself with lots of veggies, soup, tea and rest.  I absolutely cannot get sick.  I am going to Eugene, Oregon next week to see my sister and her family.  Just me with no hubby and no kids.  I haven’t gone anywhere by myself in ages.  It will be strange, but I am super excited.

So, to keep me happy and well for my visit I’ve been reading my new magazines, eating some yummy soup and drinking lots of tea. Plus lots of positive thinking, rest and use of my neti pot for good measure.  Oh, don’t forget lots of hand washing- especially when I am at work. Body+Soul Magazine has a great immunity tea recipe along with a great list of healthy food, herbs & tips.  The Stitch Magazine, in all its sewing awesomeness, is just creative food for the soul.

Here are some great links to things that have been helping me make good conscious choices about my health. I believe completely in the connection of mind-body-spirit and think that actively participating in all aspects of your own personal health is key to truly being healthy.

* Maya*made has a nice list of healthy child reference books.
* Kitchen Cures  on MS (video)
* Sustainable Food Choices with Micheal Pollan on MS (video)
* Botany of Desire on PBS (video) a fascinating look at apples, potatoes, tulips and marijuana.
* Dr. Weil’s Cough & Cold Kit for Children(pdf)

I’d love to read Michael Pollan’s new book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What you Eat. I have a tendency to worry about everything I put in the kid’s mouth, lungs and on their skin too. Fortunately, Super E’s school is on the same track with helping the kids understand healthy food choices and safe hygeine.   Hopefully it will all payoff through out the cold season.

I bought the Green Craft Magazine over a week ago with my 40% coupon at JoAnn’s.  It was hidden under a bunch of other magazines so I was thrilled to find it. I couldn’t resist, especially after seeing it on so many other blogs.  It’s right up my alley, with the whole green theme.

It inspired me to use two thrifted tshirts to make this polka-dot tote for my friend Alexandra.  She’s been away with her family up in Oregon and I was so happy to see her, I showered her with gifts and yummy food. The bag? It’s double layered with reverse applique for the dots.

Here are some of my favorites from the magazine.

Since I had the sleeves left over from the thrifted tshirts, I decided to try making the tshirt necklaces.  It’s soooo fun.  I just cut several rings from the sleeve and gave them a good pull.  It’s like magic.  Perfectly tubular!  I tied a bunch together and that’s it.  I’m not sure If I could pull off wearing this, maybe with the right shirt?  Hmmm.

Thanks for the kitty love. Mr. Cat has been hanging out with us a lot.

I woke up this morning with a horrible sharp pain under my right shoulder blade. UGH! It’s been gnawing at me all day so I have been trying to relax today and take it easy. I had wanted to paint, but sitting at my table seemed to be making maters worse, so I lounged on the sofa, my little guy and his cat climbing off and on me, while happily looking through my new books. Eeeeks! They are so awesome. I tried not to drool, but they are completely delightful. Books + good food = the perfect remedy for a sore back.

1. A homemade Life: Stories of Recipes from my Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg. This book makes me want to eat potato salad every day with banana bread for dessert.The chocolate chips in the banana bread with ginger is killer.  I’ve made it with chocolate before, but the ginger makes it over the top good.  I used one of my vegan banana bread recipes and added the extra yummy stuff. I was only halfway done with the book when it was called back to the library. So now I have it on reserve again!  I should just buy it.  It’s a really yummy little book.

2. The vegan Scoop: 150 Recipes for Dairy-free Ice cream that tastes better than the real thing by Wheeler del Torro. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had real ice cream but I have to say this stuff is pretty dang delicious.  We’ve made a list of everything we want to try. The variations are amazing. Some classics, fruity and some very daring and interesting variations. We tried the mint chocolate chip first.   Sooooo good. I only put in half the peppermint extract that the recipe called for and it was VERY minty, but in an incredibly yummy way. I also spent a few extra bucks for high quality peppermint extract, so maybe that is why.

3.  Handmade Home: Simple ways to repurpose old materials into new family treasuures by Amanda Soule. Amanda’s book is so beautifully done . So many great projects for me to do on my own and with my little guys too. They have already thumbed through and picked out several things they like. I love the beach blanket, wall pockets, treasure bag and bath mat. I am making a list and it is HUGE!

4. Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More by Amy Karol.  I love the quirkiness of Amy’s book. Lots of good ideas and great explanations. I am particularly interested in the screen printing method and painting fabric. I love that watercolor look. LOTS of fun stuff.

5. The Awe-manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder by Jill Badonsky.It’s a lovely little twist on the Farmers Almanac providing daily inspiration and awe-inpiring tid-bits.  And since I am into all things inspiring and creative right now, I thought I’d grab it. It’s such a happy little book and I love it.

Now off to bed I go with a hot pack on my shoulder.

herbal vinegar, for use as hair rinse and facial astringent

I’ve been making my own shampoo, herbal vinegars and face scrubs.  I feel a little bit like I am making potions. A little Felix Felicis or Pollyjuice potion would be fun to make too, if only I could get the recipes (and a little magic).   Anyway, I’ve had a little bit of help with the basics of natural home and body potions with the following wonderful books.

1. Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal: A guide to living life with energy, health and vitality.  This one is my favorite of the group.  It is truly a classic and Rosemary Gladstar is the mother of herbal body care. I love to just thumb through and read about all of the healthy and natural things you can make and do.

2. Earthly Bodies and Heavenly Hair by Dina Falconi.  This one is a nice compliment to the Family Herbal.

3. Make Your Place, affordable, sustainable nesting skills by Raleigh Briggs.  a completely wonderful and delightful little book with A LOT of good info on health & first aid,  non-toxic cleaning, body care and  gardening.

4. Clean Body: the humble art of zen-cleansing yourself by Michael Dejong. Learn all of the magical wonders of lemon, baking soda, salt and white vinegar.  It is all categorized by body part, which I think is pretty cool!  I won this one from Jessica at Green Mamma and I love it.  Thanks Jessica!!

This is what’s in my potions cabinet.  I have slowly adding to my collection of essential oils and herbs. I keep everything in a little basket so I can pull everything out when I need it.  Someday I’d love to get little apothecary jars for everything.

Also, I actually used this shampoo recipe (with chamomile and lavender) for me & the boys.  I love it so far. Next I am going to try to make lotion!!

I finally got my hands on this book, Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase.  After seeing Michelle post about it, I had to get a copy and share my excitement. Thank you Michelle for sharing:)

I did two projects for this book that I am very excited about–the reversible sun hat and the simply red skirt.  It was great fun doing this and learning a bit of the process of getting something published.  Not as scary as I once thought. And it’s pretty incredible seeing your name printed in a book!

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Even some follow bloggers that I “know”, like Bella Dia, Oh Fransson!, and Vintage Chica are in this great book.

The book itself has loads of great things to make.  Twenty-eight projects within categories such as Wear, Show and Live. I’m looking forward to trying the lounge pants, sunny lunchbox, crocheted bowl, baby quilt and maybe a dress or apron for my niece.  I definitely have enough pillowcases to work with.

Go check it out!!