Weaving - My New Obsession!

This is a long story and so I will tell all of it, in excruciating completely irrelevant to the point detail. It all started with an Etsy gift card, as all good shopping stories should. I have been in possession of this gift since the beginning of May and I have about a thousand (okay, 5 - 6) items on my Etsy wish list that are all so well ... completely perfect in every way. So I just can't make up my stinking mind and I'm sitting on this, waiting it out.

And then I get those Etsy Finds emails every day. And if you get them you'll know that they highlight what's trending (flamingos, pineapples, succulents, flowers, neons, neutrals, galaxy prints ... you name it). Tends to be what's trending on Instagram and sometimes on blogs too. NOT, mind you, amongst the serious fashion bloggers, but rather the mama, party inspiration, or creative DIY type blogs. Have you noticed that often a blogger's Instagram account is much more exciting than their actual blog? Oh goodness, you might even think the same of mine! It's often more down to earth, a true picture of their day to day that isn't necessarily presented online. Mine is definitely that. I find that I have little time to write really in-depth posts that describe my daily life and so I focus on telling my stories with pictures instead. They often do a far better job of capturing a feeling or emotion than my words ever could. And Instagram is my favorite absolutely instant way to capture my family's every day. Fabs. But I digress ... 

So these Etsy emails keep featuring these wall tapestries. And I'm digging them. And then I start to see them on Insta, one pretty pastel piece commissioned for a baby's room and a black and white version hung oh-so-cooly above a minimalist console table paired with a tiny potted plant. And before I know it, I'm completely engrossed. 

So weaving, this new-to-me textile art, really impresses me. It's a sort of nostalgic craft (hello 70's!) that now seems to have come back in a new way. And the artists that create them, those like Maryanne Moodie (top 2 images), are just plain incredible. Their creations are so beautiful but crazy, crazy expensive to purchase! I ended up selecting a few Etsy shops that were creating some amazing pieces but decided that really, I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money. 

So I went the DIY route and began to search for tutorials, eventually discovering what I thought to be  a really simple tutorial (out of a plethora of them) that seemed to have clear instructions, inexpensive materials, and an end result that I really liked (below). Let me assure you, I'm not trying to channel Anne of Green Gables here and I'm certain my sisters will have a good giggle about this. :)

But off I went to St Vinnys in the hopes of 1. finding a vintage version with a chic enough look and color combo to work in my home OR 2. finding a loom (did a little research on those too, prices/DIY  options) and other supplies. And absolute shocker, I found a handmade loom, needle, yarn and twine. All there! Total of about $8 spent on all of it. And just in case I am an absolute failure at this, then no hard earned cash wasted right?

So there's my loot. I hope to find a quiet morning when I can start working on my first project but realistically this may have to wait until school starts again in the fall. I will certainly keep you up to date on all weaving shenanigans. If it goes well, I'll try more color combos and designs. 

So how about you? Are you into the trend too or is this the first time you've noticed it? Would you give it a try? Woulnd't it be fun to meet up at a coffee shop and tackle it together? Or have a pro teach us how? Perhaps it could be the DIY for our next big workshop event. Would you go? And with that in mind, do you create these beauties already and if so, would you get in touch with me? I'd love to see your work. Let's collaborate!

Little Edward's One Year Portraits

Happy Friday friends! I have Mr. Edward for you today, a little friend of Scarlet's, who joined me and his mama for a walk through the park not long ago. He brought along a bouquet of colorful balloons which were a fun pop against the bright blue sky and fit in quite nicely with the cottonwood fluffs floating like snow around us. I chased him around the park as he explored the gardens and woods, even had a toad sit on my foot for a few dramatic seconds (with plenty of screaming on my part). And then he took us down to play by the water. Take a look ...

Mama and Mini Style {overalls and ponchos}

Mid-week style on a day that fluctuates from 60's - low 70's means overalls for me and a sweet little poncho-y blouse for Scarlet. We had a blast celebrating GB's kids day yesterday, with a free lunch at Pizza Ranch and How To Train Your Dragon 2 at the movies. 

{me: overalls - Free People, blouse - T J Maxx, shoes - Lady Savannah (GB)

Scarlet: blouse - Old Navy, jeans - Gap, shoes - Sweet Peas (GB), cupcake purse - Target}

 Hi friends! I feel like it's been some time since I've shared everyday pictures of the fam and how we've been spending our days. Now, after a good 5 weeks of summer break, I have loads of them to share. I thought I'd start it off with the Bellin Run, a run that the kids love to participate in to get summer rolling. It's always a beautiful evening, lots of families and energy, cheering parents and sweating kids. Lots of proud moments. Here is our evening in pictures.

And another spectacular day, the Saturday that we celebrated Monty's 7th birthday. We met up at the pool to swim with cousins and friends. And then we sang a very loud Happy Birthday and inhaled a rice crispie treat cake made by my favorite baker in all the land, Heather with Hey Sugar!

 

 

 What a swing!

Ro, you are so incredibly awesome. You are light years beyond what I expect of your age. Strong, independent, smart, brave. At 6 and a half you were given a kid's motorcycle and now you're tucking up your legs and doing tricks that make me squeal and you're asking to do jumps. You're a wild child. You love reading the same chapter books that Parker does even though I try to tempt you with picture books. No way mom, I like the hard books now. You're just so cool. You're good at everything you try and such an incredible talent. God has blessed you with many abilities and I can't wait to see what you do with these gifts. Love you so much little man.

I think we've finally fallen into a really comfortable summer rhythm. Doesn't it always take about a month to get back into the school season and all the changes? So why not the same with summer? But it's good … so good. The boys are all sleeping in till 8:30 or sometimes even 9 in the mornings. Fantastic! On most mornings we get to take it easy but on Tuesdays and Thursdays I wake them up so that we can get to our tennis lessons which begin at 9:15. We spend most of the morning at the park and head home exhausted and hungry. We have piano and drum lessons now too but other than that, we're free to play, explore and relax.

Our list of favorite Green Bay summer spots (other than the pool) are:

City Deck splash pad and Dine on the Deck Wednesdays - the city deck is great for riding scooters and bikes. The kids love riding up and down and through what they call the fish tunnel. The splash pad water is fun on hot days and the river/downtown view is kinda fun. When they have food out on Wednesdays I love getting the fish tacos. Hmmmm!

Farmer's Markets - Saturday mornings are a little easier for me to get to though Wednesdays have a cool, flea market vibe. Elliot and I went last Saturday and loved strolling down Washington St. side by side. We ended up buying the yummiest sugar rolls and a really good egg sandwich. The peony bouquets were gorgeous though I ended up taking home a less expensive mix. Farmer's market flowers are stunning but they tend to die very quickly. Bit of a bummer, so keep in mind. But really, our summer/fall markets are outstanding!

Lunch in the park and Parkees -Not sure if you knew this, but 36 of GB's parks are supervised by parkees, adults who oversee a variety of organized events. Your kids can stay and play at the park with the parkees between 11 & 5pm (and you can leave!). Our older kids are super excited to do this this summer and we have found that allowing them to play at a park close to home feels comfortable and safe for all of us. The parks also provide free lunches everyday to all kids through GB public schools. Really awesome for a picnic at the park. Adult lunches cost about $2.50.

And then there are loads and loads of other things to do. Seriously, so much! We're still getting to all of it but I'll say that we had a blast at Joannes Aquatic Center last year. And we always love Bay Beach, especially that roller coaster and the mini golf. Going on weekdays always helps lessen the crowds. Music in the park is lovely and I'm hoping to try a movie in the park this Friday at dusk. When it rains we'll head to the Children's Museum or a $2 kid's movie on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

And for the adults, well … we love the Taste of Broadway & Art Street events, plus dinners al fresco at some of our fave restaurants. Margaritas and fish tacos. Wait, I already mentioned those! They're my summer dish. S'mores over a fire, summer parties under trees strung with white lights, ice cream for days. The 4th of July! I could go on and on. But those of a few of our favorite summer things.

And travel, ahhhh. The best thing ever. We're heading to Tennessee in July to visit my sister and her fam for a few celebrations. I have a bit of a crush on Nashville right now. :) Love it there.