Herbert Hoover

Herbert gets a bit of sewing trim that makes him adorable (and allows us to check off the "create a portrait of your president" part of an assignment). We would've loved to have kept decorating the poor man but worksheets, a written report and an oral report were calling.

Sewing fabric over the plate was easy for Sarah and when we're done with our homework, we'd like to return to other creations fashioned this way. I hope to turn her loose with scraps and a stack of plates. And lots of time to play.

Stitching One's Life

A very interesting idea indeed.

Josefina Day

Today we attended Josefina Day at the Eiteljorg Museum, the Native American museum in Indianapolis. While the Josefina events were geared toward tweens toting their American Girl dolls, we found there was something for each of us.

Sarah chose Kit to go with us.

Sarah tried her hand at metal tooling...

and grinding corn with a mortar and pestle.

There was Mexican folkloric dancing.

The boys had some time together.

Both kids took in the history, including this wigwam.

My favorite single item was this fiber piece by contemporary artist Marie K. Watt.

I also couldn't get enough of the color, beading and embroidery shown in the clothing pieces (some details shown above).

Headband and Messenger Bag

The Bernina's been exercised lately. This tutorial was easy to follow for Sarah's headband. We have more in the works.

And, I finally put something in the etsy shop. It's a take on my longtime favorite patchwork bag, sized slightly larger so it can hold more (and function as a messenger bag). The patchwork and decorative topstitching are time-consuming and I'm hoping someone likes it (soon) as much as I do. Like the headband, I was able to use scrap fabric I had on hand which was a fun part of the creative process.

Loving Snow

No matter that more snow got stomped back onto the shoveled driveway or that the wind made little cherries of our cheeks. There was much brightness to be had by all.

Cirque du Squirrel

[This photo courtesy of my husband who has taken up bird squirrel watching this winter.]

Christmas Spirit

The new year began today but I'm still hanging onto Christmas. We've been home as a family, having some much-needed time together. I'm reluctant to step back into the windy stream of living. For me, the slow place with family has been the real gift of the season.

We've had time for play...

and more play...
laughter...
baking...
and sweet treats...

(for all, of course...)
reading together...

and gifts of color and light. Peace on earth.