beauty that moves

Handmade Home: Projects, Giveaway, and More!

 

A few weeks ago I opened a special package in this very room. I knew it would be coming, an early copy of Amanda Soule's new book Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures, but it's arrival still felt terribly exciting. I settled in with Emily, right on that sofa pictured above, as we poured through the many beautiful pages... my keys were still in hand as we were literally walking out the door to pick blueberries just as the mail arrived that day!

We've been enjoying this treasure of a book ever since. Emily was naturally drawn to the cozy, colorful photos and many craft ideas, of course I was too! But my mind keeps going to a few different places with this book as well. Like Amanda, and like so many of you, our home is central to our life. Tending to our nest and making it a warm and beautiful place to land, away from the hectic world, is some of my greatest work in life. Maintaining the soul and rhythm of our family is a great privilege.  So when a book like this comes along, and celebrates so many of the home arts, while emphasizing reusing, recycling, and sometimes even going without (gasp!), it will certainly hold a permanent place on our library shelf, and will of course be taken off the shelf quite often to make lovely things for our home!

The first project in the book that caught my eye, was the unbelievably perfect and functional use of the pretty handkerchiefs that we thrifters (and lucky grandchildren) love to collect. With our house going on the market very soon, the sprucing up of a few window treatments was just the right project to start with. And my goodness, I am so glad I did.

This Handkerchief Curtain came together so easily, and the pretty factor for the time involved, start to finish, tips the scales (rather severely) towards the "make six more of these now!" direction... maybe that's not such a bad place to be.

 

I also knew immediately, upon first glance, that the Art and Hooks Rack was a project we needed to make. And here is where I pay huge measures of appreciation to Amanda for the permission that she gives readers. There is a very deliberate mantra throughout this book that reminds you to "use what you have... make it your own..."

The yogi and yoga teacher in me loves some good permissive language! In the end, our version looks different than the one in the book (pg. 109), but that's okay. This version worked for us for a few reasons...

 

The hooks. When we purchased our home 5 years ago (a 1922 Arts and Crafts Bungalow), every closet and corner was filled with these incredible, high quality wire hooks of a very heavy gauge. In total there must have been at least 40! As part of those early renovations, we removed every single one of them and repainted their cute selves, then re-hung them in places throughout the house that suited our family's needs. And yes, we had many little holes that required a proper filler, sanding, and repainting... it was worth it and part of the thrill of renovating your own house. Anyway, the hooks... knowing we will be moving from this house soon, we thought, "maybe we could just take a few of those with us... we love them so much!" We were happy to put them to use here.

 

And the wood? Well, that came from a recently dismantled lemonade stand that was the rock star of all lemonade stands. Adam built it for Emily when she was just shy of four years old. It was made one Thanksgiving Day when she walked her little self up to him early in the day and asked if he could please make her a lemonade stand... she wanted to serve our guests from it when they arrived later. So, putting aside the day's rituals of football games and salty snacks, he spent hours outside constructing what was indeed the most perfect of all lemonade stands.

We made the decision recently to carefully dismantle it (Emily is now much too tall for it), and use the beautiful old barn boards in other meaningful ways. This was the perfect place to start. I couldn't bring myself to paint the wood though, we chose to leave it natural.

 

We did add our child's artwork, which is the most important feature of this project! It was also a wonderful way to feature some of Emily's art, which has taken some really unique twists and turns lately and we are thoroughly enjoying watching her process. I am in love with so many aspects of her drawing, but those bangle bracelets she's been putting on many of her girls lately... they make me smile every time.

 

Oh! Did I mention that I had nothing to do with this one? Adam and Emily worked together to create this and it couldn't be more perfect. Remember when I shared my cousin's wedding that was featured on Design Sponge? That little handbag was made by one of Heather's groovy and talented Brooklyn friends, and was won by Emily at Heather's bridal shower. If I remember correctly, many, if not all of the prizes that day were handmade. Emily still loves it Heather!

 

The background in the photo is the Embroidered Patchwork Picnic Set, made by Amanda, loved (and used heavily!) by us...

Millie's Hot Pad is next on my list, my supplies are gathered. Amanda mentions in the book how she loves the sweet, petite size of these hot pads. She has one (that was the inspiration behind this pattern) from her Grandmother and thought best that she try and make a few that were similar before she wore this one precious hot pad out entirely! I was reminded of two pot holders that I have in the very same style, and barely use for fear of ruining them... one is packed away (the prettiest one), and one is shown in the photo above (which is still very cute!). I've got just the right assortment of vintage cotton pictured here that I've been collecting for a little while. When I have a little money sitting around in my paypal account, my weakness is late night vintage fabric shopping on Etsy... I suppose there are more damaging things a girl can do with her time. ;)

I am so in love with this book. We all lay our head down somewhere each night, this is home to each of us. Whether we rent, own, have five children or none, we each have a nest and we each have an earth that would really appreciate our walking lightly on each day. Handmade Home shows us many ways to look at everyday and occasional items that we use in our homes, to stop and consider whether the item could be made by our own hands rather than purchased brand new, and whenever possible, to gather the materials necessary right from the corners of our home, a tag sale, or a thrift shop close by.

The two projects that we made from Handmade Home required nothing more than a walk around our own home to gather supplies, and a lovely afternoon of crafting for our family. Quite a simple investment for the beauty and function we were rewarded with!

An Interview and a Giveaway!!

To add to the fun, I recently had the pleasure of talking with Amanda about her new book and other yummy things. You can read that interview on her blog today, but before you go, make sure to enter the drawing for one of TWO copies of Handmade Home!

Amanda Soule and her publisher, Shambhala Publications, are generously offering TWO copies of Handmade Home to Beauty That Moves readers! Please stop by the comments to be entered and please tell us this one thing...

What do you love about your home? What little corner, quilt, window view, memory, or who knows what, brings you peace and comfort? Forget the perfect location, size, restorations completed... right here and now, what do you love?

Comments will be closed and winner announced on this post Wednesday morning. Thank you Amanda, it's been such a fun time, I couldn't be happier for you my friend, many congratulations on the release of your second book!

Comments are now closed... I'll be back soon!

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The Winners Are...

Angie  - "I'm in! I love my backyard."

Alyssa - "The rocking chair passed on to me that used to belong to my great-great grandpa (!) Wherever it is in the house (it's been several places) it's where I knit, read, rock the babes, it's perfect. "

Congratulations ladies! Please email me your shipping info (if I don't email you first) and your books will arrive soon!

Thank you to Amanda and to Shambhala Publications for your generosity, we had a great time! Amanda's shop is stocked with signed copies of Handmade Home if you'd like to pick one up today. You'll be so glad you did :)

corn, love, dreads, farms and books

He brought me a special, first of the season, pre-ordered from the farmer, basket of corn... because he knows that's the kind of gift you get a girl like me.

I made him a salad of raw corn (so good!), cucumber, tomato, and oregano, drizzled with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. The plate was completed with sliced avocado and pepper-jack cheese... because making and offering food is one of the most natural ways for me to show love and gratitude.

We are a good match.

A few things I'm loving right now...

:: Boho Dread Journey- the slide show and Denise are both so beautiful!

:: D Acres - Recently discovered through the suggestion of a friend. Incredible things are taking place up there. It's like so many of my dreams are living and breathing right on that farm! I hope to pay a visit very, very soon.

:: The anticipation of Amanda's new book, Handmade Home, with it's quickly approaching release date of August 11th! We've been devouring a very special pre-release copy in our home over the last few weeks. It is as beautiful, sensible, and inspiring as we have all come to expect from Amanda, and it is so much more too! I will have more thoughts, projects, and maybe a surprise to share next week... ;)

Enjoy the day!

a performance to remember

Good morning! Emily has been home with a fever (this is day two), which means the working mom is home too... hence my ability to post two days in a row, just like the old days. ;)

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Before I get to the main point of this post, I'd like to direct you to a wonderful interview Rhonda Jean of Down to Earth and the creator of the Simple Green Frugal Co-op (of which I am so honored to write for twice a month) was invited to do with Radio National  in Australia (seems like our NPR here in the states). You can listen to the entire program online  (Thursday, April 2 - Not cheap, just frugal!), or to hear Rhonda's segment only, fast forward to the 8 minute 33 second mark. Rhonda is so sweet to listen to (that beautiful accent!), but I was most impressed with how natural and comfortable she sounds. It doesn't surprise me, I know how warm and genuine Rhonda is from our behind the scenes Co-op group emails (which I think she once referred to as the bat cave - ha!), where we brainstorm and support one another... Rhonda is a very wise lady and sets the tone for us, making sure that everyone is encouraged, valued and happy. I'm so proud of her and wish her all the best on this book writing journey.

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Now, for all you parents out there, or anyone who just needs a little comic relief... please come on a little tour with me of Emily's Geography Fair at school two nights ago.

This post isn't about her highly unusual request for a special dress and magnetic clip earrings... or that awesome, goofy smile.

It's not about whether or not she wanted an up-doo or a down-doo or an up-doo or a down-doo (repeat that 12 times...).

It's not even about the fantastic job she did on her presentation of Venezuela, or the delicious platter of Arepas Con Queso that she offered as people stopped by her booth. Those were actually really good by the way... we used 1/2 the sugar suggested, pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella, and left the corn kernels whole. We also mixed the batter a day in advance and it made them even fluffier and more pancake like. Trying to be frugal and efficient... when Emily and I sat down to choose her recipe, I suggested we make something that we already had all the ingredients for... and so we did!

This isn't even about the fact that my girl actually loves playing the recorder and how cute I think that is - because when I was in 5th grade, pretty much nobody in my class found this to be fun.

No, this post is about none of that. This post is about those moments in our lives as parents that will remain etched in our memories forever. You see, after her class played a few South American numbers on these traditional instruments, it was time to perform a number using their homemade instruments that they had made in art class. These instruments have been in the creative stage for some time... I'm just saying there was probably time to change one's direction if they were so inclined, but they were not. They were perfectly content and quite amused (as was the rest of the class) with their bamboo flute type thing with the trumpet mouth piece insert... yeah.

It was quite a sound, check it out...

Am I a terrible mother for laughing out loud while video taping this performance and practically dropping the camera in my husband's lap? It was made even funnier by the fact that she just saw the humor in it and wasn't too shy or mortified to get up there and play her flute in front the crowd and her peers... even if they all do lovingly refer to it as The Fart Flute. I think that may be the one and only time you will see that word typed on this blog. ;)

Oh well, all in good fun. Her music teacher (who is my good friend and neighbor) was just so proud of her for being able to "get a sound out of such a very difficult instrument, flutes are so hard to play!" This cracked me up because she meant it in all seriousness and kindness.

Have a good one friends, Emily will be resting up today hoping to kick this fever. She needs to get back to her musical pursuits... afterall, there is talk of a summer tour to prepare for.

running on...

 

With all of the rainy, icy, gray weather we've been having I haven't been able to get the best photos to post about the custom mantra quilts. It's all set to go, just waiting on a little sunshine! If you have a minute over the weekend, stop back in and have a look. The set up for ordering one will be smooth and very user friendly which was really important to me. Sometimes if things like this are too complicated for the customer and require too much communication it can be hard for folks to find the time or patience to make it happen. This will be a breeze.

You all had some great info to share in the comments yesterday, be sure to check it out if you haven't read yesterday's post yet. I love it when the comments section becomes interactive and ideas other than my own are shared in this space... makes everything feel connected, so thanks for helping with that. 

Take care, I'll be back as soon as the sun is shining!

still putting up those apples

 

It never fails to surprise me how little sauce results from pounds and pounds of apples. Every time I make applesauce there's a "no way, that's it?" moment. Never fails. But this is it, the very last of the apples (picked in the fall) have been put up to get us through until next apple season. Those apples in the basket don't count, they are from a friend... for snacking. Total  apple-y goodness tallies for the season are:

6 quarts applesauce (freezer)
8 1/2 pints applesauce (canned)
12 apple pie fillings (freezer)
12 1/2 pints apple butter (canned)

And you know what? Crazy as it sounds, I bet it won't be enough. But it will make such a huge difference. Dare I say 200 pounds are in order for next year?

I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for your considerable support and generosity in my little shop lately. It has truly meant more than I can really convey at this time, but I am incredibly grateful, thank you. I do have an idea that I hope to share on Friday... hint... custom mantra quilts. Your mantra, maybe your child's name, you decide the word(s) then choose from 5 fabric combination options. I design and ship it out to you. Awesome! I suppose that was way more than a hint... if you think that might interest you, look for the details on Friday.

Now, how about some things I'm loving...

Holiday cards from blog friends.

Boho baby's arrival

Cathleen's knitted dishcloths. (oops... I just nabbed some. don't worry, there's more. and such a bargain!)

Rhonda Jean's latest post at Simple Green Frugal Co-op.

Rubarbsky- I love Carrie, she is so funny and always has rockstar recipes. I wish she lived closer.

And, what's a link list without a you tube contribution... my favorite Graham Parson's song, She, performed by Norah Jones, so pretty.  

Hope you are enjoying holiday preparations and are making it top priority to keep it mellow and stress free. I am pretty deep into gift crafting myself, which explains why I am blogging about apples in December - can't show much else here right now! I love being a busy elf...