summer of making part 1

I decided to follow my heart this summer, and to focus on making things with kids.  Now I could have chosen to make jam or pickles, or felt wool bowls, all of which would have been so very enjoyable and satisfying.  But I chose to stretch myself further, and decided to build a structure - with 5-11 year olds.  With power tools.  And what crazy fun it was.   First I built a model, working with my daughter, to test things out; from design to process to engineering.

I was teaching at the amazing CAMP 510, along with many other talented maker/artist teachers.  We had 3 groups a day, with a total of 60 kids working on each project.  In my class, day one was filled with onsite testing (to see what size the structure would ideally be) and model making using balsa wood and cardboard.  And pins - an approximation of nails.  The kids learned about why bolts are better connectors than nails in the most hands-on way, as their pins popped out.  They learned about basic structural design, and on their own came up with how triangular braces can make a frame more rigid and strong.

Then we moved to full scale building.  We used donated varied length lumber, which meant that the math calculations were even more interesting - e.g. 11' 3 3/8" divided by 4.  The kids did it all: measuring, drilling, sawing, and screwing in those bolts.  Many girls joined me during lunchtime to help work on the project.  We did all the assembly on tables or the ground; including the slightly sloped (as students determined it needed to be) corrugated metal roof.  Using a level and string, we set concrete post bases in a square, and then added column base hardware.  And then we erected the frames, and they actually fit!  How empowering it was.

The roof was raised, with the help of many counselors.  As the structure was a shelter for a kid-built cob pizza oven, on the last day we built work counters on the side.  It all came together, as though it was all meant to be.

east coast christmas

We typically travel to the east coast to spend time with our families over the holidays.  It is a slower time of year, when there is time to sit and visit, spending quality time with our loved ones.  And watch the kids play.  At each stop there are rituals that we enjoy: walks along the canal, playing with antique toy cars by the fire, time spent with cousins riding on various vehicles around the race course in the basement, travels around the farm on the ATV, sledding on nearby hills, oatmeal breakfasts spent visiting and enjoying the beautiful wintry landscape, and driving around looking at the lights.  This year we had our own family fireworks display, as the new year came in with a bang.  Thank you, Eric!

wooly snowman

Our snowman project evolved from some natural white roving I found when cleaning up; I had been wondering where that went to.  We started making wet felted balls, and then, aha, making them into snowmen.  We used some borrowed orange and black wool and needle felted the face and to put it together.  Added some twig arms from the garden, and a little scarf, and he is done.  It is such a fun thing to do with kids, and the end result is wonderful.  My kind of winter decoration.  

holiday crafting

We've had some sick kids in our house the past week or so, and that has caused us to slow down and rest a bit.  A good thing this time of year.  And for me, it has allowed my attention to be turned to sipping tea with my kids, and then to crafting.... and more crafting.....and then some more cooking.  A very nice kind of home busyness.

When my daughter got sick, she reminded me (again) about sewing her fleece bathrobe.  We had bought the fabric and pattern back in October, and I wasn't sure if the project was going to get done before Christmas.  But it was the perfect thing to do with her, and she wore it every step of the way (when I wasn't sewing) the week she was home sick.  Today I finally put on the finishing touches - hemming, and finishing the collar; not hard to make at all - even for me and my basic sewing skills and simple 100 year old machine.  It is already a very loved robe.

And then there were the date balls, snow flakes, sugar cookies, and candles........ My, we were busy.

sunny shop

We had a wonderful pop up shop this past Sunday.  It was so great to see the storefront filled with beautiful crafts and art and happy customers.  It was a great group of women artists who handcrafted some fabulous items.  The sun came out just in time to shine down on us, and filled the shop with a warm glow.  Thanks to all who made it so successful - we couldn't have done it without you.  And to all those who didn't get their napkins before they sold out, please let me know how many you need, and your color preferences.  Pumpkin House studio will start handprinting napkins again next week.

freshly printed

I am so happy that I made time to make something for the Pumpkin House pop up shop.  I love how the napkins turned out, but enjoyed the process of making them even more.  That 60 minutes of printing gave me more joy than I could have anticipated.  Here's to more printing in my future.

pop-up shop

It's coming.  I'm busy preparing.  I only wish that meant more crafting and less clutter-clearing and cleaning.  But it feels good, that is when I don't get overwhelmed.  A sunny afternoon after a stormy morning warmed me up to take on the preparations.  Hoping to stamp some napkins tonight.

So, if you live nearby, please come to our holiday pop-up shop this Sunday 12-4pm.  We have 10 amazing local artists selling their beautiful creations, with something for everyone, or at least most.  Come in from the rainy weather anticipated for Sunday, and join us for hot tea and homemade treats.