handmade full of love

Earth Day Promotion!

2010-04-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

Find this adorable gnome in our shop, or any natural kids team shops, and get a free pdf book that has natural crafts, recipes and ideas.

Earth Day Promotions from the Natural Kids Team

Earthday on the Horizon!

2010-03-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

In honor of earthday we made this adorable upcycled dress out of the softest t-shirt ever that our friend sent us (thanks Laura!) All cut from the patterns of our spring line, other upcycled hand full "copycats" will be available in the earthday giveaway on the Natural Kids Team Blog http://natural-kids.blogspot.com/p/earth-day-promotion.html. Check this out and all of the other great deals on amazing handmade goods for children!

fee fi fiddly i o!

2010-03-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

I received this picture the other day from a friend who bought a hand full banjo hoodie as a gift. I love picturing where our clothes go but it is totally exciting to actually see where they land. This is baby Wylder-- and he is an adorable model-- don't you think?

Today I am grateful for:
1) cute babies-- oh how I love babies
2) a day off-- tomorrow I don't have to go to school and I am going to spend the day cutting fabric-- it is my form of meditation.
3) my friend Sarah's voice-- she made me a cd of her singing and I listen to it at least twice a day. It is so fun to have my friend singing with me on my way to work-- sometimes I even sing along.
4) my family-- totally wacky (and outspoken) but extremely loving as well.
5) Wisteria Chic-- an adorable store in Sisters that just placed a wholesale order yesterday. We love Debra, the owner who has been a big supporter of hand full since it's inception! Check out her amazing shop! http://www.redmondcommunity.com/wisteriachic.html

next door neighbor

2010-03-07T19:57:00.000-08:00

As many of you know when I am not working on hand full I am a school counselor at an elementary school in Eugene, Oregon. My next door (classroom) neighbor is a wonderful woman named Phyllis. I love her being right next door-- she frequently stops by to say hello, check in about a student or tell me something cute. We have shared a lot of laughter and tears. For the past 3 years we have become quite close-- I was elated when she became a grandma for the first time last year. Baby Levi is adorable--- I love seeing pictures (especially when he is wearing hand full).

Givit Away Givit Away Givit Away Now!

2010-03-06T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hooray!  We are going to do our first ever hand full giveaway! 

This is all you have to do:

Leave a comment and tell us something you are grateful for.
First bonus entry: Become a hand full blog follower.
Double bonus entry: become a fan on facebook.

We will do a drawing on March 14th.

What is the prize?

a $25 gift certificate to hand full

And the winner is:
Jonah Lisa who commented,
"I am grateful for funny children."
Congratulations!
There's a gift certificate headed your way!

spring collection

2010-03-05T22:17:00.000-08:00

Spring is in the air-- gardens, umbrellas, and whales-- adorable skirts, short sleeved shirts and clamdiggers. We could not be happier that the days are a little lighter and our colors are a little brighter.

Gratitudes:
1) friendship-- I am delighted each day by my friends and love that I get to teach my little girl about how to be a good friend.
2) colors--- bright- bold-beautiful!
3) daffodils- they are cropping up everywhere! They are like little patches of joy!
4) my washing machine-- i hope it lasts through this next round of dying
5) you all -- for reading our blog.

Find us on Franklin Goose

2010-03-02T10:20:00.001-08:00

hand full is now available through Franklin Goose. Franklin Goose specializes in natural products for home and baby. Here's a little about what they say:

Franklin Goose focuses on providing mindful baby products for consumers unsatisfied by the offerings of mainstream baby retailers. We know there are so many decisions to make about raising your child, so many products available, and things to stay away from it can be overwhelming. At Franklin Goose we believe you and your child will benefit from a place where we make natural, organic and eco-conscious products available to you in one place, so your free time is spent with your child, laughing and growing together instead of searching for the right products.

Read more about Franklin Goose here.

It has been a pleasure working with them to set up our account. We feel honored to be a part of another natural family.

Gratitiudes:

1) when people call us about our products, versus soliciting. feels like a little gift to us.
2) i three graphic design bustling away helping with logos and banners and more.
3) health! Oh my...how thankful I am to be healthy!
4) as the snow still sits...the knowing of a Spring Break get away!
5) Craft Shows and Fairs...and a summer full of sales.

A Huge Day in Jackson!

2009-12-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

Susan got up at the crack of dawn to set up hand full's big debut the Jackson Holiday Bazaar. It was a huge success! The feedback she got was amazing and it did not hurt that we had a ton of sales. Susan made the booth look like an adorable shop-- maybe foreshadowing for our future when hand full has it's own shop.

Thank you Jackson Shoppers for coming out to visit us.

We are so excited to be together next weekend in Eugene for :

Gratitudes:
1) for hard work paying off!
2) for susan's amazing energy and talent!!!
3) for the people of Jackson having such fabulous taste (wink)
4) for our friends and family for supporting our adventures in the world of kid's clothes
5) for 3 little hand fulls snug in bed.

hand full Dance Party

2009-11-30T13:17:00.000-08:00

Wally, Owen, and Isabel get together once a week for a play date. Today, despite the beautifully sunny fall day, all three wanted to stay inside and mold with play-doh, paint, draw and have a dance party.... Oh, they would want me to mention the bed that turned into a rocket ship that carried every single stuffed animal we own up to outer space and then back to their planet, Erff.

I felt so lucky when they spotted the hoodie longs, fresh with star stitches, hanging from the cupboards. It is not every day you have three babes in "hand full" dancing to their own beat.

Gratitudes:

1) Having most of my "to do" list accomplished for the upcoming Christmas Bazaar in Jackson, Wy.
2) Being a stay at home mom that gets to have dance parties at 10 a.m. Regularly.
3) Having the Warner family in our lives, sharing play dates, date nights and friendship.
4) Beautiful fall days.

A day of Unders

2009-11-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

What a fantastic day! One pair of unders after another. It just seemed to all come together that way. Although I love them all beyond words, the most fantastic pairs came from the idea of a 3 year old. Coralie decided that her potty use would increase dramatically if she were wearing unders with specific pictures on them. Like a book, an eye, a dinosaur, a monster, a fairy, and a princess.

Cora, here they are: (and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.)

More amazingly soft and comfy unders: Check out the new eco-unders on our Etsy site: Trainers size 2/3T and Unders size 4/5T.

Also, Women's organic unders now available at Pasque Flower Designs.

Enjoy.

coming into our new look

2009-10-30T21:58:00.001-07:00

Rebecca and I have been hard at work preparing for upcoming holiday shows. We are slowly gaining an array of hoodies, dresses, tops and every color of yoga pant in every size....and this takes us away from blogging. At first I was relieved...but today I kind of missed it, so I decided to share these new photos. They have been sitting, hiding really, in piles of emails and today I finally dug them out. I think this shows the essence of a photoshoot in Ohio this fall.

Jennifer Lea Photography so kindly photographed some elements of our exciting fall line on real live adorably cute and patient toddlers. We are in love with these shots and they are finally up our our Etsy site showing a glimps of how amazing hand full clothes fit and feel on our lovely babes.

Gratitudes:

1) A pile of firewood covering our front porch...means we will be cozy all winter long.
2) Two little bundles, tucked in bed.
3) Beginning to feel settled in our town while friendships continue to grow, as the newness falls away.
4) The hope of a trip to Eugene for my birthday. (May the airline prices fall a bit!)
5) Family headed to town. Ma and Pa: the first time to the Tetons.

I Love Custom, I Love Trades

2009-08-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Click photo to go to her knit pants.

The Sitting Tree Etsy shop is a gem. Liz, the shop owner, knits the most beautiful knit rompers I have ever seen. It took me about one second to click "contact" and hope for a trade. (Our two icon pieces are both equal amounts of money so it seemed like a hopeful barter.) Liz was up for it and this is what we settled on: I (or I guess Wally) gets the gorgeous wool rompers and Liz's boys received a custom train hoodie, although "wooden train"--because we don't do fuel. Here's another of her boys sporting the hoodie and a pair of her knit pants:

Thank you Liz for the experience. You are wonderful and I love your shop. ht, sj

Interview with a Maker: Rebecca Cohen and Susan Maddrey of Hand full

2009-08-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the world of blogging!

Interview with a Maker: Rebecca Cohen and Susan Maddrey of Hand full

Enjoy reading it.

ht, sj

Good Night Stroll through Etsy

2009-08-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

On my good night stroll tonight I found these cloth snack bags and had to add them to the list. Time to get ready for those school day lunches...Or I was thinking what a great gift for birthday parties.

6 Reusable Le Petit Sandwich Snack Eco-Conscious Bags

I found these on Evelyn Field's Etsy shop.

Good night and happy trails, sj

Etsy Favorites

2009-08-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Each night before bed I stop by the computer and check on my Etsy progress. Usually a quick peak at the number of visits and see if there are any new traffic sources and then a quick look into the hearts. I love connecting shops through hearts. Some nights I quickly log off to get some sleep and other nights are like tonight. One new favorite shop after another. Here are tonight's favs: (click photo to enjoy the Etsy shop.)

Adorable blowfish by ergoriginal's--and on sale too!

Chickyloo and too cute!

Pamela Tang--Wasn't she in Mothering not long ago?

Oritdotandolls from Isreal

Gratitudes:

1) Vacation time with my family and the Salmon River!
2) Mary Janes Farm Bake Overs! Awesome quick dinners in a cute pan too.
3) Those of you supporting us on this adventure of the handmade life. Thanks for all the sales recently! And return customers too!
4) A good nights sleep.
5) Two healthy happy boys that love to play, play, play and finally sleep.

ht, sj

Dog Days of Summer

2009-08-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

Where are those dog days? I feel like I am running around non-stop trying to accomplish everything and I still have weeds, weeds, weeds in the garden! Oh well, at least it is producing something... And I have been able to get some sewing time in the last couple of day and it has felt great to be back!

Here's a few photos. Whoops! A little twist--many adult sizes are coming out of the shop these days. Some of which people have purchased! Where will this lead?

Although, after a very exciting, re-energizing, confirming chat with Reb today we are back on track with our childrens line and gearing up for a great look in the fall line-up. Which also means there will be a great hand full sale coming up to close out the summer season! Keep checking in.

Gratitudes:

1) Family time.
2) Soaking up all the daylight of summer.
3) A productive garden.
4) Healthy living.
5) Love.
6) Friendships near and far.
7) A turned off alarm clock.

hand full give away winner!

2009-07-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Ali for winning the hand full give away on The Toby Show (If you have not yet checked this site out you have to! She is amazing. The photos are always beautiful and her ideas are countless. When drawing a blank I now just go to her site to get inspirations on what kid friendly activities to focus on for the day. Check out this post on Popsicles. I know it is a no brainer; but hers are beautiful!)

Ali's daughter picked out the colors and the "brown dog" all by herself. I hope you enjoy it! it was so fun making it for you.

Meet Your Maker--Eugene, OR

2009-07-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

Here we are at MYM! It was really fun...despite the heat and extreme slow pace of the evening. I was really impressed with the idea and intent behind the MYM event held every first Friday. If there were not several other local events being held, like a huge fireworks display and art fair, maybe we would have had a few more visitors. Oh well...it was a nice evening.

Gratitudes:

1) That the world is full of "go-getters" to inspire me to keep my head up.
2) A garden full of produce
3) Long drives where you have time to think
4) Rebecca, Jeremy, and Jori sharing their house, food and patience with us.
5) Crafting with a conscience

Locally Made. Locally Sold.

2009-06-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hand full's going public...or locally public. With a nervous stomach a latte in hand (not always the best combo) I carried this tote of clothes to Dark Horse Books on the main drag of Driggs, Idaho. Dark Horse is a locally owned bookstore with a comfy "meeting place" vibe. Many local artist sell their goods amongst the numerous beautifully displayed books.

Hand full's rack now rests in the corner of the kids section (which is as roomy as my living room). The rack fills the corner and so perfectly has one spotlight glowing back its presence to the onlookers. We are so excited to become a part of Dark Horse with all our glory. This is a good fit for hand full.

Gratitudes:

1) My number one fan--my husband. Every time I bring in a new item, or pull a new color from the wash I hear, "Oh My Susan! That is my favorite! Look at that!" And he is really sincere.
2) Long distance coaching from my sewing partner, Reb.
3) Sunny days and chirping birds.
4) Give Aways to support cool blog sites like The Toby Show. The Nest Cam is the best!
5) A weeded garden.

ht, sj

A Week of Give Aways

2009-06-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

Head over to The Toby Show this week for daily give aways! Tuesday is hand full's spotlight and a chance to win a poncho or hoodie (your choice)! And knowing The Toby Show everyday is going to be a grand and lovely give away. Look at todays catch:

Babus Givaway!

Also, check out the adorable Nest Cam catching a glimpse of the daily adventures of Clemintine, the robin, and her four baby chicks!.

Good Luck and have fun!

Gratitudes:

1) A visit from the Charlotte cousins sharing their enthusiasm toward life's little surprises.
2) Rain, rain, rain soaking the garden and all those little seeds.
3) Friends and all the love the pouring through phone and emails.
4) Summer vacation and road trips heading West.
5) Summer and more time to sew.
6) Local shops supporting hand full.

Handmade Toy Give Aways

2009-06-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

A peek at Orit Dotan Doll's Shop.

A peek at Princess Nimble Thimble's Shop.

Once a month the Woolies Blog gives a chance to win a handmade natural toy just by visiting an Etsy shop and adding your input. This month the shop give aways are: Orit Dotin Dolls and Princess Nimble Thimble. Look at these beautiful items just given away after a quick peak into their shops. Enjoy the visits.

Gratitudes:

1) A completely planted garden and lots of rain to keep it happy.
2) Restful nights sleep
3) Campfires in our own backyard
4) A summer schedule allowing more time to craft!
5) Two little guys in my life brightening my adventure.

happy trails, sj

Natural Kids Team

2009-06-04T20:23:00.001-07:00

Hand full is now a part of the Natural Kids Team on Etsy! The team consists of "Etsy sellers who sell natural toys and products for children. Wool, cotton, silk, wood, organic, etc. We strive to keep our products natural and safe for our children." Seems like a good fit!

Below are links to other sellers from the Natural Kids Team! So many beautiful, hand crafted, obviously loved items!

Also check out the blog: www.natural-kids.blogspot.com
And the Natural kids Store

(I am not sure how to make these links permanent, so starting now they will update as I update my favorites on Etsy. Therefore, not always someone on the NaturalKids Team. To View the most recent NatualKids Team products on Etsy click here.)

birthday girl

2009-05-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Banjo loved her camping fairy birthday party. She danced around the forest making fairy boats, "instructing" her babies and eating tons of sweets. The best part was her gratitude-- she repeated over and over "this is the best birthday ever" "oh-my-god-- I love this" "this is the greatest baby ever." The most difficult part of the weekend was trying to convince her that she could not wear her fairy dress and new sunglasses to sleep in her sleeping bag.

To copy Aunt Susan I will list my gratitudes about the b-day girl:
1) Even at 3 jojo understands gratitude.
2) Her appreciation of sticks, rivers, rocks and even digging a hole and pooping in the woods.
3) Her absolute love of babies-- there is nothing more sweet than watching her nurture her little friends-- it is also pretty funny when she calls out (after she was supposed to be asleep), "Mom-- I don't know what to do-- baby phyllis is not following directions."
4) Her enthusiams for life.
5) Her strong will....
6) all of the hugs and kisses I got this weekend-- they were just delicious!

Happy 3 Jori!

2009-05-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Thinking of J's today--for Jori, Jo Jo, BanJo....all her names! Owen, Wally and I thought about all the things that Jo brings to our lives. Here are some of them: 1) big words, little words, and new words. 2) laughter over the simple things 3) a sense of fashion and style 4) confidence in short hair and bringing headbands back 4) memorizing all the words to our favorite songs and books 5) the sound of a banjo 6) a strong connection to big and small friends 7) the importance of knowing what you want and not stopping until you get it 7) dancing 8) nurturing your babies....even it there are 20 of them...really! 9) telling those that you love what's most important and 10) practice, practice, practice.

The list goes on...We love you Banjo! Happy Birthday.

ht, sj

Potty Training

2009-05-18T22:51:00.000-07:00

I am in the midst of potty training two toddlers and I am in constant awe to all of you who have been down this road before. Wally and Owen turned three a month ago today and I have always thought I would give potty training it's own due time. They have been into it off and on for almost a year now. Unfortunately, last week they had the flu and I changed one messy diaper after another. By Saturday, while I was at yoga, Owen had a terrible rash and evidently only wanted to wear underwear. As I was returning I saw him in the distance and thought he was wearing the cutest pants I had ever seen. I could not put my finger on it, and as he approached I realized they were my little chickie pants. The only difference being he was wearing underwear and they took on a new very cute shape. Upon hearing the news of the rash it all came to me in flurry. We are done. No more diapers. No more diaper rashes.

Today we peed through 9 pairs of pants and 11 pairs of underwear. (I remember a friend telling me to go out and buy 30 pairs of underwear for potty training...so I guess we are doing pretty good!) The best part though is the need for more yoga pants--a great pant for potty training. We carried our breakfast out to the little studio this morning and the boys picked out several colors of yoga pants and their own appliques. They ate and played with all my bobbin thread while I stitched three new pairs of pants (Owen got two pairs because he forgot to tell me to put a screwdriver on before I sewed up the leg seams.) And check out that new underwear! Now for sale on Etsy unders for girls and boys!

Gratitudes:
1) toilets
2) scrap fabrics that are hand-dyed and organic
3) fresh asparagus for dinner from our very own garden!
4) text messaging...I think...
5) play groups with like minded folks

happy trails! sj

Girls get busy stitching...

2009-05-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

...and pattern making, and dying, and brainstorming....Mothers day weekend was a fantastic mesh of crafting and and chit chat. Rebecca was here, in Victor, Idaho, for exactly 48 hours and we actually accomplished a few things on our to do list, which had 47 items on it to discuss. I believe the greatest accomplishment was gaining confidence in our line. All these unpaid hour have been worth it. We are selling a product that is truly "made with love" and intention. We are so excited to offer these clothes made of 100 percent organic materials and patterns designed in my little house. We will be showcasing our summer line on June 1st, and although there are still 37 things on our to do list we will accomplish more with each season and probably never get through them all, which keeps it exciting...

Gratitudes:
1) Husbands adding mama duties to their plates so the mamas can craft.
2) Airlines that accommodate missed flights with little disruption...whoops!
3) A business partner that is an amazing friend and the confidence this experience only grows us closer.
4) The longer days of summer.
5) A planted garden.

Quit My Day Job

2009-05-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Wait! This is my day job!

I have really loved wearing these Lucky Brand jeans, that I purchased used for 7 dollars! (And thank you Jackie for my Luck Brand jeans from Savers for only 4.99! You saved my year long depression of having no decent jeans to wear!) The knees gave out on these jeans about a year ago. For some reason they just were not as fun to wear with holes in the knees....which I am usually perfectly okay with. But as I was emailing with a good friend Patt the other day she mentioned she wanted to do a childrens sewing class focusing on revamping their clothing or using the fabric for another piece. Her energy leaped through the line an I immediately had to give this a try.

I have lived in the West for seven years now. I thought it was about time for a jean skirt. This one turned out really cute. When I walked through the door, coming from my little sewing house, my husband jumped from his work and said, "I have been waiting for this for seven years!" Apparently, I do not wear skirts very often. This one has a great fit, a great line, and I love the unfinished hemline.

Maybe I will wear it to the airport tomorrow to pick up Rebecca! Oh my, is it really happening? I will have to post our itinerary for you all. I think we have 47 items on the agenda.

Gratitiudes:
1) A pair of great fitting jeans.
2) Good friends with good ideas.
3) Two women pulling crafting all nighters!
4) Coffee and bagels (homemade of course)
--I have made spelt bagels three times this week and they are that good!
5) Rebecca coming all this way to share in an amazing adventure called hand full.
6) My husband giving me an entire weekend dedicated to Rebecca and our craft.

happy trails, sj

my heart

2009-05-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes good friends make your heart feel like this-- light and airy with wings made out of green leaves.

This is taken from an image on my "right hand ring". I love the ring-- and I love the image-- although this applique was just thrown together I still think it is sweet.

It is so hard not to live in the future but I am so excited to be going to Susan's next weekend-- the visit is long overdue!

Gratitudes:
1) Eugene is filled with tons of crafty people-- I am so happy they have been there to help pave the way for our dreams to come true.
2) My daughter's little tush-- this morning I made her a pair of "unders" as she calls them-- this was somewhat out of necessity because she wet the bed last night. Now she is running around the house with just hemp natural undies on-- too cute for words.
3) Sara Reddig- She is our current guest artist and her images are amazing.
4) the grateful dead-- I took a long sabbatical from listening to them but I'm back on, they make me smile.
5) Susan, susan, susan and every thing she is in this world. We are two very energized women and this manifests itself in completely different ways-- her way is incredible and a blessing. Although we met at the perfect time I can't believe I lived 32 years without her.

This is

Look at all these coffee pots

2009-04-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how I bumped into this Etsy artist; Browington Forest. I think I was doing my nightly routine of connecting shops through every body's hearts. Wait a minute. I remember how I found her! She hearted us; hand full!

(Oh my gosh....I feel like if people like this are hearting us we need to get our shop up to snuff....which reminds me...I guess I will let the cat out of the bag: SHE's coming! Rebecca is packing her fabric, her scissors (make sure you check those Reb!), and cute little self as I am hunting down a second machine! We shall craft and brainstorm for three days straight in my little house. It is really true and I am not sure how this all came to be; but somehow Rebecca is coming to Please-Stop-Snowing Idaho! I am sure there will be many blogs of our glorious weekend. Stay tuned.)

Back to Browington Forest. I would really like her to do a few appliques for us. Check out her shop: Browington Frost on Etsy. She is amazing. This little collection of oh-so-adorable-and-perfect coffee pots is just a nibble of her deliciously precious pieces.

Gratitudes:

1) Pots of coffee..really my favorite is the Latte...maybe a sketch of Espresso cups Browingtong?
2) Long afternoon naps.
3) Strawberry plants bearing their fruit..I know we have some time; but we cleaned out the Strawberry Patch today.
4) Healthy Asparagus plants emerging from the garden.
5) Airplanes that safely travel to Jackson and carry special cargo; such as Rebecca!

happy trails,

sj

Handmade Shoes from S. Africa

2009-04-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

This a beautiful video about a group of extremely talented women in South Africa making shoes completely by hand. It is worth watching; and although I do not own a pair of these shoes, they are obviously worth buying.

Tsonga shoes are amazing and very fair priced!

Watch Video

So much goodness!

2009-04-21T20:55:00.001-07:00

This is Wally and Owen. They are currently trying to recover from three days of celebrating their three years of life. Is that really true? Does time go this fast? I guess they are proof that it certainly does. I believe we need to intentionally slow things down. Do more yoga, sit with a cup of tea more often, eat family meals at breakfast and dinner, and reflect on all the goodness we have in our lives as often as possible.

Wally and Owen are sporting adorable knit hats made by ThreeAM. These little turtles are by Mrowe, also an Etsy seller, and possibly the cutest thing you have ever held besides your newborn baby.

Gratitudes:

1) Etsy.
2) My babies (can I still call them that?) in their moodiness and all.
3) Finding people, in this small rural town, that I like.
4) The sunshine! Today was 70 degrees!
5) The green grass showing itself everywhere! (only a small patch of snow to go!) Last night I walked out to my little sewing house for the first time since October with no snow in my way!

Birthday Treats

2009-04-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

My head was in Idaho today-- celebrating the birth of O&W and hoping that the birthday brunch was delightful. Susan is an amazing cook-- a mindful cook. We used to create fantastic Tuesday night dinners weekly and exotic treats for special occasions. I am sure today was fabulous.

Banjo had a favorite-- muffin tin dinner (not pictured). It included baked "tufu" as she calls it, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, beets, cheddar, strawberries and challah. The deal was that for every muffin tin that she ate there would be a desert to replace it. So I used the small side of the melon baller and made tiny ice cream scoops, cut a mini-muffin sized brownie into 4 and she had one jelly bean. It was a little over the top-- but we were celebrating!

Gratitudes:
1) Owen
2) Wally
3) Three!
4) warm fires-- even though the days are getting warmer its still cozy to have a fire at night.
5) relazing abot dying fabric-- temporarily.

Hoodie in Action

2009-04-14T21:30:00.001-07:00

Walking along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on a sun filled, chilly day.

Wally decides to jump.
I thought this captured a bit of the essence of hand full.
happy trails, sj

Inspiration

2009-04-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

Searching for inspiration, and I found some.
This is a cute little bird found in my Mother-in-laws garden. I have been a bit obsessed with birds since this adventure began and have looked endlessly at adorable birds on other peoples work--all clothing related. It was nice to see something three dimensional that I might be able to re-create. Stay tuned.

Gratitudes:

1) Life. After so much travel in these last weeks, and of course picturing us never making it home, I am happy to just be alive. We are so lucky.

2) Good friends sharing their talents with me.

3) Appetite. I have had the stomach bug for the past 48 hours and am so excited to have my appetite back; maybe tomorrow.

ht, sj

play clothes or Play clothes

2009-04-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

I love when spring arrives-- I love the amazing flowers, the warm sunshine, eating fresh fruit and to be honest, I can't resist a cute new spring outfit. After months of layers of brown and black--sweaters, dresses, pants, knee socks, and legwarmers-- I love a day where I can wear layers of black and brown capris, dresses, tank-tops-- (just kidding--sort of). For those who know me-- I pretty much wear the same thing every day-- lots of layers of soft clothes-- primarily made by Sweet Skins, one of my favorite local clothing makers.
I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree (or trees in this case) because today Jo and I went to hang out with our friends Kristen and Chiara. It was no surprise that everyone was wearing something new-- Kristen a brown Sweet Skin hoodie (I was wearing a different SS top and skirt) and Chiara was wearing her new hand full outfit (busy pants, bird-n-branch dress, and busy jacket)-- a birthday present from us. Jo could not wait to wear her new outfit too-- Aunt Susan just sent her new stretchy pants, a pocket dress, and a light weight jacket with a note that said "Happy Spring." I thought it was the perfect for Jo's first time to the theater-- we went to see Annie. Of course-- the trip to the playground meant that Jo ended up seeing the play in torn jeans and a tacky t-shirt. I guess we had different a idea about play clothes today. Oh well.

banjo and her blue hoodie

2009-04-04T11:57:00.001-07:00

Banjo loves her blue long hoodie. She wears it EVERY where. Whether it's puddle jumping in Eugene, on the beach in Santa Barbara, or at the starting line of her road race debut (she came in last because she "felt shy") Banjo wears her blue hoodie with pride. This week she decided it needed pockets-- so we created them together. Jo used fabric markers and I stitched over the design with matching colors. As soon as the pockets were attached the blue hoodie was back in action.

slow down and look around

2009-04-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

For those who know me one of my greatest strengths and grandest stretches is the speed at which I fly through my life. This can be really exciting and sometime exhausting. When I do take the time though to slow myself down I can find inspiration almost everywhere I look Our recent road trip from Eugene, OR to LA and back was a time to slow down here is a bit of what I saw. I can imagine that many of the images and colors will be seen soon in our clothes----

Today I am grateful for so much:
1) For the last two hours I have looked out my craft studio window and watched the same gentle deer snack on the fresh green grass. It seems particularly sweet to me because my dear companion Kelev was laid to rest there last fall. Kelev was very deer-like and I find it comforting that a beautiful animal is grooming her spot. The life cycle amazes me.

2) Susan-- can you imagine having a friend that you can laugh, cry, cook, craft, give birth, run a business with AND be hypnotized by? I definitely hit the mother load when I met Susan and the best part is our friendship only improves with time. I am blessed.

3) Kombucha-- I love it. It's so sour and crazy and yummy and yuchy all at the same time.

4) A child as wacky as her mom. Today Banjo was yelling at the top of her lungs "I want Sea Weed and Soy Milk" (she really only drinks almond milk but doesn't know it". I like a kid that knows what she wants-- especially if it is Nori!

5) My husband-- last night he fell asleep sitting up in my craft room. I wanted him nearby as I created and he wasn't very excited at first but agreed. I'm lucky.

Travel Day

2009-03-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

scrappy satchels

All my sewing takes place in our "little house," a detached small scale version of our "big house" --which is really only 1000 sq ft. So tonight, as we are busily packing for our trip East, my husband had a grand idea of wrapping some fun gifts for the boys to open on the plane. I was easily convinced and ran out to the "little house" to get some wrapping. As I stood there picking out nice papers I realized that I did not want to deal with all that wasteful paper on the plane. I also noticed my huge tote of fabric scraps just waiting for the right applique. These thoughts easily came together and I ran back to the "big house" to announce to my husband that I would need about an hour to wrap these gift. So here I am after midnight posting my most recent goods.

Gratitudes:

1) My "little house" where I can explode all my sewing projects with no need to baby proof.
2) My understanding husband allowing me the space and time to put all of my energy into my passion.
3) Vacations that take you to places that have no snow on the ground
4) All the onlookers that keep saying, "These clothes are so great! You should sell them"
5) Having a business partner that is willing to take this one step at a time and give me confidence in our impending grandness. And the daily quote: "Okay. Where are we now?"
6) The flash...when there just is not any natural light to be found.

ht, sj

Thinking of fairs

2009-03-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

a sample of our goods

I took this picture the other day for an application to an upcoming fair. I actually inspired myself to sew late into the night after looking at my own photo. I get to give credit to photographer Kisa Koenig who simply said, "Whatever you do, don't let your flash go off." I am now more patient with photos of my clothes, waiting until the sun comes up, waiting for a sunny day, waiting for the perfect afternoon light. I love how the mist of the sun pours through the window and onto my clothes. Maybe the clothes were inspiring the light to come in?

Gratitudes:

1) Natural light
2) Outdoor adventures
3) The simple lifestyle
4) Vacations (headed away soon!)
5) Love
6) Deep Breaths

Happy Trails, Sj

Happy Trails

2009-03-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Susan found a Happy Trails sign in Jackson, Wy

Happy Trails is our Mary Janes Farm Chapter name. In the midst of one of your late night craftings (I am certain we were making the red and white aprons--our chapter color) we yelled down the hallway to my husband to look up online what you need to do to start a Mary Janes Farm Chapter. Minutes later he hollerd back, "What do you want you name to be?" We quickly, and very appropriately, came up with Happy Trails. A few seconds later he said, "Done!" Of course this time we went running down the hall to see what he was talking about. Sure enough in New Romans Time font it said, "Rebecca and Susan Carbondale, CO Happy Trails Chapter of Mary Janes Farm". We happily shook ourselves a martini and celebrated.

Gratitudes:

1) Good energy being spread about hand full
2) Dear friends volunteering their energy to help us get this off the ground
3) Play groups to give me time to sew, sew, sew
4) Spring Break
5) Flowers popping their little greens up everywhere

Happy trails, sj

Saturdays

2009-03-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

I love Saturdays because they start later than any other day of the week. On Saturdays I get to go to yoga at Yoga Tejas (Driggs, Idaho) which is the best yoga I have ever been involved with. They beautifully provide a peaceful, spacious, committed entry into each session that allows time for a connection to its message. I love that. I love it when people say, "lets slow down!" and then they show me how.

After yoga today I met my husband and sons at Pendls Bakery for lattes, muffins, and banana bread. That little gathering over baked goods would make any day just perfect. Today Smith, my husband, gave me great news while we sipped and chatted. He had seen a sign for a quilt, fabric and bead sale that I could stop at on the way home. And so I did. This is where I met my new friend "primitive horse".
Nancie Miller of Victor, Idaho makes these horses with her daughter Michelle, who owns The Magpie Bead Store in Driggs. They use reused materials found in second hand stores, or just things accumulated through their lifestyle of owning horses, beading, fusing glass, etc. I met Nancie as she greeted me from behind a table piled with beads. We talked a lot about crafting, craft fairs, and the whole community of talented people in the Teton Valley. Out of the corner of my eye I kept catching glimpses of Primitive Horse and almost left without her. Luckily, I stopped just short of the door, turned back to Nancie and said, "Wait! I have to have that horse!" She gladly gave him to me with the promise I would send a check in the mail.

Gratitudes:

1) the time to have long conversations with friends
2) family time
3) local food
4) yoga
5) purchasing local crafts

Happy trails, sj

My Other Life

2009-03-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

In addition to being a stitching mother of wild 2-and-3-quarter year old, I am also an elementary school counselor and the coordinator of an after school community education program called ACE. I love this job because it allows me to spread love and compassion to so many people through a variety of channels. When we get back from spring break I am starting to do gratitude journals with our whole school. I had a group of parents come in and make them for our kids out of cute card stock and rings. They are much like the journals Susan and I used to make (our first bed rest business idea).

Gratitudes:

1) Sunshine

2) Having a craft mom.

3) Spring has sprung in Eugene.

4) The movie Annie and the song "you are never fully dressed without a smile"

5) Friends-- near and far.

Happy trails!

Reb

Circle Scrappy Journal

2009-03-17T15:59:00.001-07:00

Upon moving away from each other Rebecca sent me my first circle journal--Rebecca style. Meaning, that is was no simple affair. She had set her intent on a red and white, full-on scrapbook journal with a catch--somehow I was supposed to return the journal with a similar level of scrappiness that it arrived in. With a focus on children and a lot about life, our journal has traveled by car and by plane between Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Our journal is currently a bit dusty and with this entry I am intending to scrap it up and ship it back to Miss Crafty herself. (I must say I love receiving it. Rebecca always includes a little paper, buttons and trim to get me started again.)

Gratitudes:

1) Our circle scrappy journal
2) Able to be a stay-at-home mama
3) The color green
4) The grass emerging from the melting snow (did I say that last time?)
5) Time to just sit and sip tea with no particular need to focus

happy trails, sj

Raw Edges

2009-03-16T22:02:00.001-07:00

The true beauty of working with knits is that you do not have to hem them. Yes, it does give the clothing a rather "scrappy" essence; and that is what we LOVE about them. They are perfectly imperfect. Much like our children...their raw edges forever shining.

We have chosen to work with an organic cotton and hemp blend of fabric. Why do some give nervous looks when see say "and hemp"? These fabrics are softer then many 100% non-organic cottons and I will easily say equally as soft as 100% organic cotton. There are several companies using the fabrics for clothing and a lot of yoga pants our there using hemp blends. We all know yoga pants are the softest! If they can create so soft bamboo fabrics, you have to trust what they can do with hemp. We love this fabric because 1) hemp is grown without use of any chemicals 2) it is sustainable 3) it is very durable and 4) to our surprise not many people are choosing to make childrens clothing out of it.

To find out more about hemp--the textbook version, go to the NA Industrial Hemp Council.

Happy trails, sj

Gratitudes:

1) Whitewater cookbook
2) Clean, fresh mountain air
3) The grass beginning to show beneath our piles of snow
4) A good nights sleep
5) Keeping healthy through the winter (Why is it still winter here?)

I love peace signs!

2009-03-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

It was probably 6th grade when I figured out what a peace sign was and let me tell you...I loved it. I drew them on my jean jacket and my converse high tops, I had had dangly peace sign earrings, and I collected anything I could that had the symbol on it (and of course I criticized any "poser" who drew a mercedes insignia instead of the real deal.) I still love peace signs probably to remind myself that it is out there if I want peace-- its out there.

I am grateful:

1) moments of peace.

2) that Susan is at home with her boys right now-- I love being able to talk to her 30 times a day.

3) the triple stitch-- I love writing with my machine.

4) tea.

5) learning new things.

Non Bias Tape 101

2009-03-11T21:22:00.001-07:00

I am very pro non bias tape. All of what we do is in the moment. A quick reaction to what the garment is asking for. If it wants bias tape, then yes we must have it quickly. The realities of true bias tape are painful. You have to cut triangles of fabric--which takes up your precious yardage. Then you must breath deeply and determine which edge of which triangle lines up to make a conscious loop of fabric sewn just off the selvage to allow room to cut....the confusion goes on. Therefore, I have decided it is very appropriate to use non bias tape whenever possible. With knits, there is no compromise.

Here are a few steps to making non bias tape:

1) Cut across the grain of fabric (perpendicular to the little lines of knit) about 1/4 inch less than what your bias tape maker is needing. (If you want the end result of your bias tape to be 1/2 inch wide, then you need a 1 inch bias tape maker. In this case you would feed a 1 and 3/4 inch wide strip of fabric into the maker.

2) At the ironing board...iron set to very hot...cut a diagonal at the end of your strip. Feed the point into your maker, possibly using the tip of your seam ripper to help guide it through. Once the tip pops out the end gently pull your fabric through until the entire width is smoothly running through the maker. If your fabric is lumpy and bunchy most likely your strip is too wide for that maker. Trim it down a bit and try again.

3) Set your maker down, metal handle up, on the ironing board and use the tip of the iron to push the maker slowly along your strip of fabric. Once you have allowed an iron's length through let your iron sit for a minute to make sure your fabric is well creased. (This is especially true with knits. ) Then keep pushing, waiting, pushing waiting...

4) Once your maker slides off the end of your strip go back to the beginning and fold your tape in half and iron it again.

True bias tape purchased in the store is folded just off of center. This allows you to put the widest side on the under side of what you are stitching...allowing a greater chance for you to catch it on the back side of your work.

good luck.

ht, sj

Gratitude:

1) to my mother for teaching me to sew starting at 8 y/o
2) childrens early bed times
3) good food on the table
4) spelt sourdough starter
5) friends

Videos to help with the lingo:

Apron Strings

2009-03-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

Rebecca and I had many "great ideas" enter and leave our conversations with each long walk we took while living in Colorado. The first idea that went beyond our walk was an entire line of "mini" books ranging from gratitude journals, to baby books the size of a 4 x 6 photo. (We are both left with hundreds of pre-printed sheets waiting to be torn and placed into these mini-books. I think Rebecca still has all the metal rings purchased spontaneously in the middle of one of our walks.) But the catalyst for our first sewing project was a Mothers Day gift I received from my husband. A book titled, "MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook - For the Farmgirl in All of Us". As we leafed through the chapters we stated talking about aprons; designs, fabric we had on hand, fabric from curtains never used, flower buttons....the next thing we knew we had scraps flying through the air, thread tangled around felt flowers, babies crawling over pin cushions, and some how amidst the chaos evolved one beautiful apron after another. Finally, after 100 miles of walking, talking, printing paper, and scheming another plan we had produced something!

Happy trails, sj

Aunt Rebecca Saves the Day

2009-03-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like opening a gift. Even better a gift that is handmade. I think extra love pours over the edges of the box and fills the air. You become intoxicated with love and peace, knowing that somebody put their time, energy, and intention into a gift that is actually a little piece of themselves. Knowingly, they box it up and ship it out to share with their friends.

We got extra lucky today. We live in the Tetons where apparently spring does not come until May. We are covered in snow and today's weather did not let us venture out until about 3 p.m. We made it to the post office just before closing and the woman behind the counter gave me a hard time for bring my kids out in weather like this. I said nothing and gave her the glance of a stay-at-home mom--the desperate, "you do not even know" glance and she responded with a huge smile and a package! (I love nice people.) Wally and Owen were beside themselves and happily returned to the car as we hurried home to find our precious gift. The rest of the afternoon was filled with learning the ins and outs of our new tipi, handmade by Rebecca.

Gratitude: 1) handmade gifts
2) friends that make handmade gifts
3) my precious children
4) a roof over my head
5) honest people

happy trails, s

little flower

2009-03-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this little frock-- jo was elated to model- although she was slightly disappointed that there was only one big flower instead of 5 small ones.

Today I am grateful for:

1) an easy morning with jojo

2) my sewing machine-- I love sewing!!!!!

3) soft fabric-- I always tell people that although I love doing tons of things with my hands the reason I am not a welder or a woodworker is because I love touching the fabric-- hemp/cotton blends are super fun to work with

4) a craft space

5) long distance sewing lessons

I'm not biased....

2009-03-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

but I am soooooo excited about my new bias tape maker. I am in Corvallis right now and I can't wait to get back to my threadbanger and start sewing.

A little hisory:

Susan and I came to sewing in very different ways. Susan started young and is an amazing "technical" seamstress. She understands buttons and zippers-- makes patterns. She made her and her best friend's prom dresses and even made her sister's wedding gown. My beginnings in sewing started after 18 years of being told by my mother "our family doesn't know how to sew." The closest thing we had to a sewing machine was a tiny sewing kit that my mom got at a hotel once. I started sewing when I was graduating from college and wanted to fund going to concerts in the summer time. From there I started taking classes-- and have figured most things out on my own or with the help of friends.

When Susan and I sew together it is always entertaining-- she says-- things to me like "you do what?" and "if you put the pins in this way you don't run them over with the machine"-- We once took a quiz in a book and Susan came out as the crafty perfectionist and I am something a little different like a crazy creative crafter. Thank goodness for skype-- that way Susan and I can still sew together and we can learn from each other. It is amazing for us to be working on similar pieces because we come at them in such different ways. It takes all kinds and I am grateful we found each other.

Gratitudes for today:
1) Gutterman thread
2) Amazing seamstresses leading the way
3) Etsy and everything hand made
4) Coffee-- mmmm especially when it is made by a good friend.
5) Mary Jane's Farm

Happy Trails-- reb

when the boys are away...the girls will play!

2009-03-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

Our first business idea before we decided to get into the "simple" task of making children's clothes was gratitude journals. Even though the business of making them got dropped the idea is still one that plays a huge part in our lives together and separately.

Today I am grateful for:

1) Susan's ability to get our blog up and rolling for the second time-- she can be so techy.

2) BanJo cooperated and went to bed so we could actually talk without interruptions for over an hour! That is unheard of.

3) My sewing machine is back from the Doc and is running smoother than ever-- I also have 10 new bobbins-- which makes me so happy.

4) Our husbands going away on the same night so we could have a much needed date-business meeting-synergetic conversation. Sometimes the living 786.29 miles apart and being business partners can be a challenging at times. Wasn't it easier when we lived across a field from each other?

5) Care packages-- a bunch of colors, a new tipi and another surprise actually made their way to Victor today-- I am excited for Susan to get the box-- since I packed it in November it is pretty cool that in March you are going to receive it. (I vow to be better about using the postal service!)

Tonight I am going to work on a couple of outfits for 2 little girls whose birthdays are next week (2 and 4). I am psyched to see them open their gifts. JoJo tried on the dress the I made for Chiara and said, "Is that purple dress my dress?" I guess that means she liked it.