A Journey to a Simple Happy Life

Blogviews: Amy from Progressive Pioneer

 Today Amy from Progressive Pioneer is chatting with us about living simple, being green and raising children mindfully. Her blog is an inspiration to all of us who are trying to live a healthier, more mindful life. Please welcome Amy!

Who is behind Progressive Pioneer?

I am a stay-at-home mom in Salt Lake City, Utah. I grew up in Midcoast Maine and am a country girl at heart. I have an undergraduate degree in sociocultural anthropology and a graduate degree in teaching social studies. In between degrees I worked as a corporate ethnographer for product design and strategy firms. Where I'm at right now, however, at home with a baby, a small flock of chickens and something tasty on the stove, is by far my favorite career yet. I love sharing my experiences with urban homesteading, natural family living, being an LDS mom, bee keeping, attachment parenting, raw food and whole food cooking, yoga practicing, urban chicken "farming," unschooling and whatever else is inspiring me. I love the internet as a vehicle for connecting like-minded people and creating communities of support and encouragement. I hope that this site can serve to inspire, validate and encourage other women and families who are making similar choices or perhaps to stimulate curiosity in those for whom some of these ideas are new.

Why did I start blogging?

It was actually a playgroup that inspired me. A discussion about cloth diapering arose and the common theme was that most of the moms were curious about it and wanted to try it, but didn't know where to find them or how to get started. They also didn't have many examples of women who were already doing it. During this same group one mom "confessed" to nursing her toddler past two year and another to letting her child come sleep in her bed at night! They spoke as if these things were abnormal and perhaps not okay.

I realized that a space that talked positively about natural parenting could be a valuable resource for a lot of women. I was thinking more of the culture here in the West that I had moved into as the natural family lifestyle seemed to be a lot more common in Maine where I had come from. But I think that women all over can benefit from "seeing" other women around them following their mothering instincts and happily parenting in a whole and healthy way. That is mainly why I started, because I wanted to share the things that I was doing and to show things like extended breastfeeding and co-sleeping as normal and healthy. I've continued because it's been a source of nourishment and inspiration for me as well. I love the feedback and ideas I get from readers; it's a cozy little community.

I find your definition of a Progressive Pioneer fascinating.What is a Progressive Pioneer?
I think of the term very loosely indeed. On my blog I define progressive as "making progress toward better conditions; employing more enlightened ideas or methods, characterized by continuous improvement," and I relate that to the natural family living movement, tying it into the methods that women employed perhaps a hundred years ago. But, I think that the most important part of the definition is that striving toward more enlightened conditions.

I think that is what really makes someone both progressive and a pioneer, the pushing forward, always trying to learn new ideas that they can implement to improve their family's life. They may have been raised on white bread and Jell-O, yet choose now to read everything they can get their hands on about nutrition and start feeding their family a whole foods-based diet. This is pioneering, blazing a new path, seeking ever better things and ways of being for yourself and your family. It's an exciting way to approach life.

 

You have a background in Anthropology. How does that play in your life as a mother and blogger?

The interesting thing about studying other cultures is that you become less set on your own being the one and only way. Being exposed to so many different ways of being allows me to give myself more leeway and not feel like I have to live or mother in a certain way simply because that's how we do it in our culture here.

Throughout my studies and travel I picked up on common themes having to do mainly with how family interact, really basic, but important stuff, like lots of mom/baby contact, shared meals, reciprocal kindness etc. These, to me, are the important things, but the more culture-specific things like how long to breastfeed, where baby sleeps, eating certain foods at certain times of the day (we're so into "breakfast foods" here, but I think a nice bowl of miso soup or even a salad can sometimes be great first thing in the morning!) etc.

I try to look at more analytically and ask myself, "Am I doing this because it's the best way for my family, or just because it's how everyone else does it." And that has been really liberating- and fun!

 Give us a glimpse into your typical day .

I recently started this new thing where I do my housecleaning "chores" first thing in the morning. I've realized I'm going to have to be more on the ball with a new baby, so I'm trying to be a bit more organized:)

So, that's what you'll find me doing first thing in the morning, after some breakfast and reading with my husband. Our schedule varies from day to day, but Sam and I are often out walking with friends, at learning co-op, at the park or just hanging out in the backyard for the later morning. If I'm on the ball and get the "have to" things done earlier in the day and errands run, you'll often find me working on some project later in the afternoon.

I have a list of projects I want to work on and a pile of projects-in-progress that I try to work on when I have a spare moment. During this time Sam is usually either playing outside or reading in his room; he's gotten really good at playing on his own for good chunks of time, which is nice because it allows me to grab snatches of time to work on various projects or throw dinner together. Sometimes the projects take over and dinner ends up on the back burner, so to speak :)

What made you embrace a more "simple" way of life?
Goodness, I can't imagine any other way now! I suppose it's mostly a case-by-case thing where we weighed the options of various choices and the simpler ones won out. TV was out because it took more away from our family than added to it. Junky plastic toys aren't invited into our home because I found that simple, quality and handmade playthings make for a richer experience for Sam (plus, I just think they're prettier).

We opted to let things like gardening, sewing and cooking become our hobbies rather than just another chore than got in the way of hobbies that took us away from the home. More than one big decision, we've found ourselves where we are because of a lot of little decisions. And generally the questions we asked to arrive at those decisions were along the lines of "will this make our inner life and family life richer or just more complicated? Will it give us more or less time together? Will this distract from my spiritual life or help me focus more on the important things? Will this add to or detract from our physical and emotional health?" etc.

 

I often find it hard to maintain my values regarding media and consumption without making other people feel judged. You seem to have found the balance, how do you do that?
I guess we just realize that there are plenty of paths to walk that lead to a happy end and that we've made choices based on our won personal preferences, not because we think they are the one and only way to be. There are certainly things that we consider wrong in most situations (say, taking a toddler to adult movies, for example), but there are plenty of shades of gray surrounding our choices, like whether you expose your child to no television whatsoever, or only PBS, or only foreign cartoons so they can learn a second language, whatever.

Every parent makes choices because they are trying to do what is best for their family and I try to respect that. We're all at different places, coming from different backgrounds and have different priorities, so this will color the choices we make. I try to remember that relationships and people are the most important thing. So, while I may be very careful about what Sam eats at home, I'm more careful about how we interact with people outside the home. It's more important to me that Sam learn to say "thank you" when a friend's mom gives him fruit snacks, than that he doesn't eat the sugary snack, you know? A few fruit snacks aren't the end of the world, but hurt feelings over something sensitive like diet choices (and this IS a very sensitive subject! As are most parenting choices) can definitely affect relationships.

If you could give one advice to the pre-mama self, what would it be?

Hmm, I don't feel like there's anything in particular that I wish I would've known or done before becoming a mother. Though Sam was born when I was 28 (really 27, but just a few days before my birthday) so I had plenty of time to experience lots of things. I think I would just reassure myself that it would be the most wonderful thing I'd do and I might encourage myself to work on things like patience, and being sensitive to intuition. And maybe I'd tell myself to spend less money on shoes and save up for something more important like a house :)

What's on your nightstand?

Right now a bunch of books about cooperative living. It's the latest subject I've gotten all excited about. I'm also in the middle of The Well-Trained Mind and Light in the Wilderness, both really wonderful books.

Amy in 10 questions:

• What is your favorite word? I don't really have favorite anythings, there are many things I like a whole awful lot though. Like the word ombligo (Spanish for belly button), or snarky, that word is fun to use.
  What is your least favorite word?
• What turns you on? I get really excited about learning new things. When some new subject strikes my fancy I'll check out HUGE stacks of books, way more than I'll have time to read, and find everything I can online etc.
• What turns you off? Being told what to do. It's silly, but if something is my idea I'm all ready to dig in, but if I feel like I have to do something because someone else is making me, it's just no fun.
• What sound or noise do you love? Just that hum that exists when you're out somewhere far away from the city, a combination of bugs, wind in the leaves, maybe some water flowing nearby, just that hum of the living, breathing, wild outdoors.
• What sound or noise do you hate? Electronic beeping noises, even the sound of the microwave or oven timer.
• What is your favorite curse word? I don't actually swear:) Especially now that I have kids (who are so quick to pick up anything you say!) I've just gotten in the habit of expressing myself without words of the four letter variety.
• What is your favorite blog? The funny thing is, I don't actually have time read that many blogs! I do enjoy Sew Liberated, Maya Made and Anna Maria Horner's when I get the time though.
• What is your least favorite activity? Paperwork-y type stuff: filling out tax forms, insurance stuff, blah, blah
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Blogviews: Shannon from Free Spirit Knits

I was first introduced to Shannon when I read this post by Heather. I was intrigued, I signed up for the class and I loved every moment of it.

The self exploratory journey and Shannon's guidance were amazing. I learned things about myself, allowed myself to be creative and nurtured my soul. I wish I had shared some of my work with the group but my inner critic was too loud. I plan on taking the class again and in the meantime I still journal as often as I can. My kids call it Mama's coloring book!

Shannon is an artist, a yoga teacher,a mother and in her own words an explorer of life . She understands the challenges of finding time to be creative but what she knows also is the importance of creating to nurture our souls.

Thank you for being here with us Shannon!

Who is behind Free Spirit Knits?
I am an artist and yoga teacher and consider myself an explorer of life. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for 7 years and have a two-year-old boy, and will be inviting another baby boy into the world this October.

Give us a glimpse into your daily life.
Being able to stay home with Kestan has been really important to me, and although we’ve had to make some sacrifices, it is completely worth it. I work from home, around Kestan’s schedule, which is wonderful because it allows me the gift of being fully involved in his daily explorations.

After breakfast we usually head to my art room for some type of craft or playtime. This is usually when I get a little work done or enjoy some of my own creative time. When the weather is nice, we spend a lot of time outdoors and after nap our evenings include family dinners and walks with the dogs to care for our community garden that is just two blocks from our home. It’s a must that Kestan brings his own shovel!

Do you share the creative process with your son?
He is a very imaginative, perceptive child. He tells wild stories, loves music and is extremely social. Communicating, through his words and his senses, is a gift I see emerging, and I think allowing him the freedom to be expressive and creative will help him stay connected to his innate and authentic way of living.

What books and/or experiences would you consider "life-changing"?
Over 10 years ago, I was living in Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by the most amazing nature. To this day, I still get so much of my inspiration from the mountains. I can smell a ponderosa pine and feel like I’ve just gone to heaven.
When I was living there, I was struggling to find my place in the world. I didn’t really know what to do with myself and my mantra was, “I’m not good at anything.” Then, a beautiful soul entered my life and she introduced me to “The Artist’s Way”, by Julia Cameron.

We gathered 5 amazing women, and for 12-weeks, we dove deeply into the book. Every week we took turns leading each other in creative experiences. Sometimes we felt vulnerable. Sometimes our fears and worries were exposed. Many times we discovered new things about ourselves. Things we liked. Things we didn’t. All of us were changed by that community we built together.

It took a lot of practice, but soon my “not good at anything” mantra changed. I started believing in myself, and discovered a whole new world of possibilities. Ultimately, I learned to TRUST my intuition and follow my heart.

I was the lucky participant of your "Inside Out" e-course. What inspired you to create it and what purpose does it serve? Explain in what way it is unique?

I love this e-course opportunity because participants can take it at their own pace and in the comfort of their own home; yet still connect to a like-minded group. Quiet reflection and connecting to community are both vital components to self-discovery, and this class offers the space for both.

Tell us a bit about your creative journey?

When I was in elementary school my mom was my art teacher. I remember spending the afternoons after school in the art room. My brother and I had full access to paper, paints, glitter, glue and yarn. It was a young artist’s dream comes true.  We didn’t have a lot of toys growing up, which really helped expand our imaginations. We used simple things, like cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls and spent hours creating handmade props for all of our plays.



Even though I grew up with many creative opportunities, we moved to a new state right before I entered high school. I think it was then that my insecurities and self-doubts really took hold of me. That’s when I started believing the labels that people give us. I learned that there’s a “right” and a “wrong” way to be creative. I learned that there were “good” artists and there were “bad” artists.

  Thinking I was bad at something I so desperately loved made me confused and sad. 

That negative mantra developed in my mind and I repeated it over and over: “I’m not good at anything” and “I’m not creative.” Giving into my fears led to some feelings of emptiness that I felt from not listening to my heart. These feelings of wanting more out of life led me to yoga, or rather led yoga to me.

  After years of self-discovery and creative healing, I’ve let go of the perfectionism that I hid behind for so many years. Once I learned how to step out of my own way, and trust again, I experienced a creative awakening that has allowed me to expand beyond my wildest dreams.

Balancing the different roles we as mamas have is a challenging thing. How do you carve time for your creative endeavors?
This is definitely a hard one for me, especially now as I’m getting ready to become a mother of two. I have found that what works best for me is to practice integration. If I feel the urge to paint, I get the paints out for my little guy so we can create side-by-side. Our routine of starting our day in the art room gives us art time together before the day gets crazy.

I also make sure to rely on my family and husband so that I get breaks. As any mother knows, this is a wonderful but exhausting and non-stop job. We need our breaks and we need to make sure we are finding ways to recharge and restore our energy. I definitely need down time to feel balanced.

What inspires you? Do you ever get in a creative rut, if so how do you get over it?
I can definitely get in creative ruts, and when that happens I usually have to break out of routine to get fresh perspective. This might be just going out and trying something new, or reading my favorite blogs, or going to a cozy coffee shop or bookstore. I love looking through magazines, feeling fiber in my hands, getting quiet time in a yoga class, going to dinner with friends, and being out in nature. Many times just having alone time to journal is all I need to get recharged and re-inspired.

The hardest part when one tries to live a creative life is to quiet the inner critic. How do you deal with that?
You are so right about this. I think this is one of the main reasons most of us stay away from trying creative activities, facing our fears, or going for our dreams.

Being kind to ourselves takes practice and it starts first with our thoughts. Most of us repeat such negative things to and about ourselves and we start to believe these thoughts over time. “I’m not creative. I’m not good at anything. I’ll never be or have enough.” The more we become aware of our negative thoughts (that inner critic), the more we can change the thoughts and the way we live.

I practice surrounding myself with positive dreamers and people who celebrate life. Staying connected with others and finding support is really important to me. Life IS a celebration and we ALL deserve to live happy, creative, brilliant lives. NOW is the only time we have, so I really try to focus on living fully, in the moment. (It’s a daily practice!)

Yoga, art and meditation are present in your daily life. What do they have in common?
Art, yoga and meditation are all techniques that help us step out of our heads, and into our hearts. They connect us to the present moment and remind us that where we are in our journey is right where we need to be.

Art, yoga and meditation provide us opportunities for stillness, where the mind gets quiet, the heart gets open, and we can hear what’s deep inside. They all allow us to practice present-moment awareness and help us connect to our creative essence. Ultimately, they are all techniques for living our lives authentically.

Another of your creative endeavors is "Reducing clutter to create space". What can you tell us about it?
I believe that our environment is a direct reflection of what’s going on in our heads. So if you find yourself in a very cluttered home, most likely you’ll find that you feel mentally and spiritually drained, scattered and unfocused. If we don’t create space in our lives then there is never space for anything new to come our way. So, creating space is my way of embracing change and inviting new and exciting things to unfold.

Last December I got a huge de-cluttering bug and then I realized I needed way more than a month to clean, organize and clear my home. So I extended the challenge to myself for the entire year of 2010, and invited others to join me. I was blown away by the number of people who want the very same thing – to make more space for what matters most in life. And we’re doing this, one drawer (and one thought) at a time!

Shannon in 10 questions:

• What is your favorite word? Gouda (I just love to say it. Try it now…it’s fun.)
• What is your least favorite word?Hate
• What turns you on? Space
• What turns you off? Negativity
• What sound or noise do you love? Hearing Kestan call me “honey”
• What sound or noise do you hate? Alarm Clocks
• What is your favorite curse word? Mother F (I don’t finish the second word. Something about getting the “ffff” sound out is satisfying enough.)
• What is your favorite blog? This is hard! One that just makes me smile is Artsyville.
• What is your least favorite activity? Rushing to get somewhere

Blogviews: Rae of My Little Hen and a Giveaway

I love books (especially craft books) and I love beautiful vintage illustrations so no wonder I fell in love with the latest book of Rae Grant - Homemade:101 Crafts and Activities to Do with Kids. I was lucky to get a preview copy and I have to warn you:If you get it you'll be crafting your way into summer. Stick around I will be giving away a copy, details at the end of the post!

I own her two other books. I borrowed a copy of Crafting Fun from the library and ended up paying so much late fees on it that I got my own! I was first attracted to the beautiful vintage illustrations, it looked like a book my mom could've used growing up.

Let me tell a bit about what I love in Homemade:101 Crafts and Activities to Do with Kids. It offers a generous collection of classic activities for kids and families organized in 6 sections:

• Hand sewing and embroidery
• Papercrafts
• Making Jewelry
• Baking
• Building things
• Toys, Games and Pastimes

Each activity is clearly explained with detailed instructions (very important if you're like me). This book was a hit in our house. Samy is looking at our copy right now and devising his next activity with Tarek . And best of all, all the activities use material you have around the house. No need to run to the store every time you want to craft with your little ones. We've already made, to be more precise Samy made the pretzels. Sorry no pictures there, my kids gobbled everything before I had a chance to take one.

So I am very happy today to welcome Rae and have a little chat with her. Grab a cold drink and join us!

Who is behind "My Little Hen"?
My name is Rae Grant and I live in New York City with my husband and daughter. I’m a graphic designer, a writer and designer of children’s books. My husband is an architect and our daughter is sweet and fun and a little of both of us. We are a creative family by profession and by nature.

Our home life is nothing short of an art studio, craft station, and place to make and do. It gets a little busy around here when I am writing books but it’s fun.

I love the artwork in your books.What served as your visual inspiration?
My school age daughter, her many young cousins, and friends served as the inspiration for my book series Cooking Fun, Crafting Fun, and now Homemade Fun. Being a mom exposes me to some many kids. I knew I wanted to make a creative book series that kids would like to sit down and look through and read for ideas. Using vintage children’s art and simple drawings seemed to really inspire me too.

What is your first memory of crafting/baking?
My sister Julie, who also has done much of the illustration in HOMEMADE FUN, got an easy -bake oven one year for Christmas. I remember how fascinated we were that the little light bulb could actually bake the cake batter. We played with the easy bake oven for hours.

When you create just for the love of creating, what do you make?

Usually, I make something that is ephemeral, like paper dolls, a toy made from a cork, or a little object like a sewing card. I like the idea of making something that is special for the moment and one that can be spontaneous and quickly put together. I’m not a great “big project’ person except when it comes to making books. My little projects help my daughter to experiment too.

What is the secret to a successful craft/cooking session with little ones?
It’s freedom time when we craft around here. In my experience, letting kids explore materials and projects without heavy supervision is the key to successful creative time with kids. It’s good to have organization, but it’s also best not to impose too much of an opinion as they work. Let them figure it out and find their voice. Eventually kids will want to make something more precise, at which point more expert guidance is helpful.

Do you have a personal favorite of the recipes and/or crafts?
Right now I am in love with the Soft Toy Bunny and the Owl bookmark in Homemade Fun. Both are easy to make with and for kids and really delightful to have around the house. I want us to make a lot of them for gifts.

How does your daughter react to your craftiness? Does she like being surrounded by homemade objects?
The kids in our family, (which includes nieces and nephews) think I’m pretty cool to have books for kids that they can relate to. The kids like to discuss  food projects with me a lot. During the holidays they often consult me about crafty projects. It’s a fun role to have! I love it.

Rae in 10 questions:

• What is your favorite word? Jo Pie
• What is your least favorite word? Urg
• What turns you on? color
• What turns you off? redundancy
• What sound or noise do you love? The little bird that chirps outside our window every morning. It has a very sweet song.
• What sound or noise do you hate? Huge trucks blasting down the road.
• What is your favorite curse word? I don’t use it but “sugar tit” is a curse word my grandmother used to say. It amuses me.
• What is your favorite blog? So many and not just one- I love discovering a new blog that has beautiful ideas on it.
• What is your least favorite activity? Preparing taxes
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome Rae Grant, you are home.

Here's the list for book tour stops over the next several weeks. Support our blog community and visit!

June 6  Examiner.com

June 8 Simple Kids

June 9 Journey to a Simple Happy Life

June 10 Progressive Pioneer

June 11 Steady Mom

June 14 Crafty Crow

June 15 Wise Craft

June 16 The Yellow Door Paperie

June 17 Berlin's Whimsy

June 18  Young Ones

June 21 Thimbleberry Kitschen

June 23  Exhale Return to Center

June 25 Earthy Crunchy

June 28 Maya *Made

June 30 Sew Liberated

July 5 Betz White

So one of you lucky ladies will win a copy of Homemade: 101 Crafts and Activities to Do with Kids. To enter the giveaway leave a comment before Sunday, June 13th.

You can gain additional entries (remember one comment per entry) in the following ways:

• Join this blog with Google Friends (Right Sidebar)
• Add my button to your blog
• Add me to your blogroll
• Mention the giveaway on your blog

Have a lovely crafty  day!!!

And the winner is number 4:

elizabeth said...

What a wonderful interview. I have been eyeing her other books and this one looks fabulous. Would love to win!

Blogviews: Suzy @ Hip Mountain Mama

I'm so happy to have Suzy @ Hip Mountain Mama here today!! I have invited her to come and share her experiences as a mother, business owner and because I admire her continuous efforts to lead a green life. The Blogviews series have been a wonderful way to share my admiration for awesome women and bloggers.

Please welcome Suzy!

Who is behind Hip Mountain Mama?
My name is Suzy, wife to Andy and Mama to Magnolia (6) and Sienna (3). Andy and I met almost 15 years ago in a little ski town in Colorado. Since then we have had a blast exploring, traveling, raising our children, and starting a family business.

Give us a glimpse into your daily life?
Daily life usually includes working, playing outside, visiting with friends, eating meals together, and laughing a whole lot!

What motivated you to lead a "greener" life?
Andy and I started gravitating towards a greener life before we had children, but it really took off once we had our first child. I think a lot of Mamas experience a similar feeling of wanting the best for our kids which means taking care of them as well as our earth.

I am participating in your "One small change" challenge. Can you tell us more about it?
One Small Change started in Jan 2010 and we asked anyone and everyone to join us in making 1 eco friendly change each month. It was originally going to end on Earth Day, but people didn’t want to stop…so it is now an ongoing challenge and people can join in at any time. You can read more about the project at One Small Change.

What inspired you to launch your own store and spreading the word about green living? How do you choose your products?
The inspiration really came from other small business owners. As a stay at home mom at the time, I was looking for a way to help out with the family income by working from home. Options were limited for work at home jobs, so I decided to start my own business. My husband and I both have entrepreneurial spirits with past experiences that helped us to start our own on line shop.

At first we would choose products that we personally used and loved. Now we bring products into the shop that we feel are in line with our mission at Hip Mountain Mama. We enjoy carrying products that are made by small businesses (often times stay at home moms), made with natural materials, and offer good working conditions.

What values are you trying to teach your children? If you could impart one life lesson what would it be?
The two things I really stress with my kids is to be kind to every living being and to have fun. By treating ourselves, others, and the Earth with respect we are helping to create a peaceful world that we can all enjoy. We are also a family who just likes to have fun and I try to engage my kids in fun activities each day so they can be happy and spread their smiles to the rest of the world.

How do you balance your passions, business and family life?
It is sort of all encompassing. My passion is my business and my family. We do a lot of family activities which include hiking, playing in the river, camping, and just enjoying time together. Since Hip Mountain Mama is a family run business, everyone chips in and we can schedule when we want to work, leaving a lot of time for fun.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?
I would have to say summer time camping and festivals are my favorite traditions. We have a few music festivals that we go to each year and we try to do 4-5 camping trips with friends throughout the summer. These are so much fun and leave us with so many awesome memories.

What would be your advice to people interested in leading a more eco-conscious life?
Take it one step at a time! You can’t change everything at once, so take it slow and choose things that will be low stress for you at that time. Join our One Small Change Challenge for encouragement and ideas on going green!

Given one day free of obligations, what would you do?
I would start the day off at a local coffee shop with a good friend. From there I would go for a long hike, sit in the sunshine, read a good book, take a bubble bath, and watch a movie. I would end the day gathering with friends for food and drink and conversation.

What's on your nightstand?
I just went to go look and there is actually a lot….lamp, clock, book (Animal Vegetable Miracle), newsletter from Plain and Joyful Living, water bottle, bottle of Calm Forte, Badger Lip Balm, the hospital bracelet from my daughters recent broken arm, a knitting project that hasn’t been touched in a few weeks, a hair tie, and a heating pad. I know it sounds a bit cluttered, and it is, but that is how my house looks most of the time!

Suzy in 10 questions:
What is your favorite word? Scrumptious
What is your least favorite word? hate
What turns you on? Hard work and kindness
What turns you off? Disrespect and dishonesty
What sound or noise do you love? Water rushing
What sound or noise do you hate? Lawn mowers
What is your favorite curse word? shit
What is your favorite blog? Lately I have been enjoying The Organic Sister
What is your least favorite activity? Cleaning my shower
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? You got it right Sister

Blogviews: Jamie @ Steady Mom

When I started reading blogs a year ago, the first thought that crossed my mind was how I wished I had started when Samy was a baby. Indeed I found a wonderful community: women that shared their mothering experience, cooking talents, organizational skills and their view of the world.

One of my struggles as a new mother (and until now) is to give a sense of purpose to our days and to adapt my skills to the needs of my children. All of my studies have never prepared me for the daily day to day business of being a mother. When I first read Jamie's blog, I found  words like "professional motherhood", "intentional parenting" and "steady days", fascinating. I was thrilled when her book came out and I ordered right away.

And today I am thrilled to interview Jamie. Join us!!

 

Who is behind Steady Mom?

I'm Jamie--a 34-year-old mama of three who was born in North Carolina, USA and has been privileged to travel the world. During my travels, I met Steve--a British chap who married me almost 12 years ago. We have three children--5-year-old Jonathan, our biological son; 5-year-old Elijah, our son born in Liberia, West Africa; and Trishna, our 6-year-old born in India. Yes, we have a mini-United Nations under our roof, and love it.

Give us a glimpse in your daily life?

I wake up around 7 am and get dressed before my kids emerge from their rooms. We're a homeschooling family, but with a mainly interest-led learning focus--so mornings are spent in playing, read-alouds, a tiny bit of math, and whatever else sparks our curiosity. We head outside as much as possible, and in the mornings the kids watch about 45 minutes of a DVD while I write (for both Steady Mom and Simple Homeschool).

After lunch we head upstairs for an afternoon rest time, which means the kids play in their rooms while I rest and write in my office. Then we venture outside again or do more inside playing, make dinner, a bit more video time for the kids, baths, and bed for them. I may do a tad more work in the evenings, but try to shut things down around 8:30 or 9 so I can spend time with Steve.

Your children are born in three continents, do you raise them cross-culturally? What are in your eyes the benefits of being a Third Culture Kid?

Global-mindedness is all we know as a family. It comes as naturally to us as breathing. A global perspective provides children with a unique way to view both themselves and the world. It broadens their horizons, makes them more "others-focused," and more well-rounded in general. And it's so much fun!

The good news is that any family can cultivate this type of mindset, no matter where you or your children were born. I will be starting a book on this topic in the summer--a resource to encourage and provide how-to's for families looking to add a cross-cultural dimension to their lives.

One of the hardest thing for me as a mother was to accept the principle of routines. Can you tell us why they are so important and how to avoid failing to implement them?

We all have routines whether we know it or not. I think when we become mothers we recognize them more and realize their importance. They provide a gentle framework for our day and our children. This allows for independence and confidence in our relationships. For example, we'll enjoy a more mindful playtime with our children if we know that the laundry will get done later. We won't always have that nagging "behind" feeling.

But that doesn't mean routines are always easy to implement. Often we fail because we try to make our schedule look just like someone else's--a mother we admire, an author we've read, and so on. But the only way we'll find success with routines is by paying attention to our own family's needs and directing our efforts toward that goal--even if the result is very unconventional.

What are the keys to organizational success?

When you have kids, the key is flexibility. You can't tackle every problem or need at once. Which is why the other key is to start small. Pick just one small thing, something easy, and do that for one month. Then move on to something else.

As mamas, we must loosen our grasp on perfection and enjoy what we have now that we'll never have again--time with our little people. I talk in length about organization in my book, Steady Days.

I want to keep every single memory of my children growing up but feel sometimes overwhelmed by the task. What is your take on that?

My take: I feel EXACTLY the same way. Sometimes the pressure of recording memories inhibits us from actually enjoying the moments we have with our kids! It's easy to let guilt in--to feel as though we're not doing our kids justice if we don't spend the weekend scrapbooking. But of course, that's not true. I try to look for small, simple ways to keep track of our days without investing lots of time--printing out blog posts, jotting down lists, or writing in my journal. I consider myself a total work in progress in this area--always open for new ideas.

Jamie in 10 questions:

• What is your favorite word? steady.
• What is your least favorite word? inequality.
• What turns you on? Positive thinking and faith.
• What turns you off? Gossip and injustice, especially toward children.
• What sound or noise do you love? Hearing my kids laughing together.
• What sound or noise do you hate? The shouting of tantrums. Boo.
• What is your favorite curse word? As far as my kids know--bummer. (But under my breath and in another room, I've been known to use a few other choice phrases--Shhhhhh, don't tell.)
• What is your favorite blog? Tough one, I love so many. But I think it would have to be Simple Mom--I connected with the posts there from the very first time I read it, and still feel the same way now.
• What is your least favorite activity? Scrubbing the bathtub.
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? I believe wholeheartedly that it exists. And I hope to hear Him say, "Welcome home, Jamie. Wow--you really went for it down there, didn't you? Good work."

Blogviews: Isabelle @ Isabelle Kessedjian and Atelier Terre de Sienne

What does a craft junkie do when she’s travelling? well she visits crafts stores and haunts the craft aisle of all bookstore. That’s where I found this gem of a book, which led me to the beautiful blog of Isabelle. And what can I say the rest is a love story… She transcends crocheting into a form of art as all other things she does.

I am so happy that she accepted to do this interview and I am sure you will be as delighted as I am by her creations and artistic work. And because the internet is such a wonderful thing you don’t have to speak French to visit her blogs, just enter the blog’s address here and it will be translated into English.

 

Who’s behind Isabelle Kessedjian and Atelier Terre de Sienne?

Hello, My name is Isabelle And I live in Paris since the 90’s. I have two children.

I’ve been working in my studio “Atelier Terre de Sienne” for the past 15 years, I give painting and sculpting  lessons for children and adults.

Having lived abroad for most of my life , mostly in Mexico, has influenced greatly my artistic world.

You crochet, paint, sculpt, make collages…Do you have other talents? Do you have a favorite?

I know how to put down tile and joist flooring also. But I would rather spend my time painting and crocheting.

How long have you been crocheting? Who taught you?

I was raised by my grandmother who taught me how to crochet when I was seven. I never stopped since.

 

Who is the “Piou”? Can you tell us his story?

Piou is a little bird.The Piou is my daily companion: we eat, sleep and run errands together. We do everything together…well almost,he doesn’t shower with me.

He is so small that he sneaks in all corners of the house but his favorite spot is in my boys arms. He loves cuddles and snuggling that’s how he stays out of trouble. But sometimes he misbehaves and eats my children candy. He’s a little rascal. His adventures will soon be published.

What color is imagination?

All the colors are the colors of imagination except black.

 

There is a lot more to making handmade crafts than the physical act. It can be spiritual, intellectual and sensual. What is for you?

It’s my whole life, I can’t imagine living without it. I have always created, crafted, made things. It’s my daily life.

What inspires you?

Reading other blogs is a constant source of inspiration. Strolling the aisles of Le Bon Marche and the Galleries Lafayette inspires me too.

 

Isabelle in 10 questions:

• What is your favorite word? It’s great!
• What is your least favorite word? treason
• What turns you on? Everything
• What turns you off?  Egoism
• What sound or noise do you love? A ship’s siren
• What sound or noise do you hate? Firefighter’s siren
• What is your favorite curse word? None
• What is your favorite blog?  Lili Scratchy.
• What is your least favorite activity?  Scientific experiment
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? There you are I have 5000 sq. foot studio waiting for you

Kara @Simple Kids and Rockin' Granola

It's been quite a while since my last blogviews. Not that I lacked inspiration or wonderful people to interview but there’s a bit of un-planning going in on right now. More about it tomorrow.

I am so happy to be back and being able to meet these wonderful women and getting to know them a little bit better.

Today I'm so excited to have Kara with us. I found her blog (I should say her blogs) through a search I did on simple parenting, it's a treasure trove of information. She is the editor of Simple Kids and her personal blog is Rockin' Granola. Her philosophy of leading a simpler life and fostering an uncomplicated parenting in a complex world is a daily inspiration. If you haven't seen both blogs I encourage you to check them out, they will surely become a regular read.

So grab a cup of something you enjoy and meet Kara.

 

    •    Who is behind Simple Kids and Rockin Granola? 

My name is Kara Fleck and I live in Indiana with my husband, Christopher, and our three children.

   •    Why did you choose to slow down, lead a more simple life?  

When our oldest was a baby my husband was working 2 jobs, I was babysitting two kids in addition to being home with my daughter full-time.  We were caught up in a cycle of trying to make enough money to buy all these things that we then couldn't enjoy because we were working all the time. It was exhausting, just horrible!  Our lives needed radical change so we had to make some radical changes. 

The year my son was born I read about the Compact, and the idea clicked with me.  My husband was on board with the idea and that year we changed our buying habits and got rid of a lot of our possessions.   We no longer strictly Compact, but many of those changes from that year stuck with us.

    •    You write a personal blog (Rockin Granola) and Simple Kids both geared towards simpler way of life. How did this subject come to importance to you and your family? 

My father-in-law passed away in 2005 from cancer.  More than anything his passing taught us that life is not to be wasted. As the saying goes, the days are long but the years are short.  Chris and I both knew that we wanted to soak up all this precious time while we can. We don't want to have regrets.  For us that means filtering through all of the "fluff" and "stuff" and focusing on the REALLY good, true things in life:  the basics.  

    •    For people interested in simple living, what would be your advice? 

Start with one small change. Turn off the TV.  Stay home this weekend.   Then make another, maybe a little more radical.  Clean out your closet.  Start a garden.  Then get even MORE radical!  See how many days you can go in a row without buying something.  Stop answering the phone every time it rings.  Make a rule that for every new thing you bring into your home you have to get rid of two.  Or three!  Before you know it you'll have your own personal revolution going. 

  

•    What changes have you made in your daily life to accommodate a more simple lifestyle? 

First, my husband quit his second job and we learned to live on less rather than make more.  Just having him home more took away so much of the daily stress on all of us. 

We downsized our clothing, our meals are simple, and we are constantly de-cluttering and evaluating our possessions.  Having less to take care of is a lot simpler - less laundry, less cleaning, less picking up. 

I keep a household planner now, too.  I want to think that I'm the kind of person who can fly through life without a plan and be a free-spirit, but the truth is that without a plan I tend to just wander around in circles.  We are not hour-by-hour kind of planning people, but having a good rhythm in place has been key for peace around here. 

Also, I don't feel the need to fill up every minute of our time or inch of our space.  I'm learning to embrace quiet moments and open, clutter-free spaces. Daydreaming and doing "nothing" is important, too.

  

•    As I read your blog, I kept wondering about homeschooling. I am very interested in it but have no idea where to start. Any advice? 

We love homeschooling!  I'd say read homeschool blogs from a wide variety of styles first and find what resonates with you. Talk with homeschoolers in real life if you get the opportunity, and check in with your state to see what the rules for homeschooling are where you live.  Simple Living Media has a blog called Simple Homeschool that Jamie Martin edits -  that covers a variety of homeschool topics.

    •   I am fascinated by themed wonderboxes and Living Values teachings. Can you tell us more about them? 

Sure!  The wonderboxes are actually our version of Sue Patrick's Workbox System  which I discovered last fall at a time when our homeschool was hitting some bumps in the road.  I adapted it to our blend of education, of course.

The basic idea is that everything for a particular lesson is in the box and ready to go - pencils sharpened, props for story-telling, craft materials,etc.  Some of the boxes my 2nd grader and I work through together and some she works independently.  They have been a sanity-saver for me balancing teaching 2nd grade with a three year old and a one year old that need my time and attention, too. They have also been helpful in teaching to my daughter's temperament as I've learned that she is the type of child for whom a task broken down into smaller parts is less intimidating.

Living Values are a series of lessons that I was first introduced to a few years ago by a Waldorf homeschooling blogger, Lucie of Wonder Homeschool (sadly, she no longer blogs).  She was using them with her kids and I thought they sounded like a wonderful way to teach concepts like peace and respect.  The first book is for ages 3 to 7, so that is nice for where my family is right now. You can read more about the program and it's history and developers at the website.

  •    What is the more challenging part of homeschooling? and the most rewarding? 

The most challenging part for me right now is facing my own fears about certain subjects:  math, in particular.  In many ways, teaching math has been healing for me as an adult who grew up hating the subject. I don't want to pass along my bias about a subject to my kids, so I'm working on re-educating myself, too.

The most rewarding is getting to witness their accomplishments first hand.  I was there when reading clicked for my daughter and I could tell by the look on her face how proud of herself she was.  Right up there with watching her take her first steps, if you ask me.  :-)

    •    Give us a glimpse of your typical day. 

Typically, I get up around 5 and pray, journal, and then sit down to write, work on the blogs and answer email.  My kids are usually up around 7:30 and from there we have breakfast, some free-play time and then we have a morning circle. 

From there I set the two littlest kids up with some structured play (usually blocks or maybe playdough) and then my oldest starts school.  Typically we have lessons for about 2 hours or so, depending on the day.  When it is over the kids play while I make lunch and then after lunch we try to take a walk every day or just hang out in the backyard.  Afternoons are for naps, art or crafting, maybe an experiment or some nature study.  I check in with my email and the blogs and put out any "fires."  We do a lot of reading out loud to each other in the afternoons, too.

My husband gets home in the early evening and then we have dinner together.  He then takes over the bath and pajamas routine with the kids while I have some time to myself (knitting!) and then together we put the kids to sleep with a story, some cuddling.  My youngest is still nursing so she and I usually rock in the rocking chair until she nurses to sleep.  After that I write for maybe another hour or so, or some nights I listen to podcasts or participate in Twitter parties (I love #ecowed )  get the wonderboxes prepared for school the next day, and then its off to bed to start the whole thing again  :-)

    

•    You homeschool, parent, write in two blogs, bake, knit... How do you balance your different roles ? 

Well, it helps that I greatly love being a mother and writing.  I think it also helps that I've let go of a lot of my perfectionist tendencies:  peace is my goal, not perfection.  I still aim to do things well, but it is okay if there are dishes in the sink or we take a day "off" in the middle of the week to ditch the plans and read books all day or go swimming, too.

And, right now my baking and my knitting projects are pretty simple:  easy breads, uncomplicated knitting patterns - a lot of stockinette in the round.  The croissants and the complicated lacework will still be there when the babies are older.

    •    What is your favorite family tradition? 

A couple of Fridays a month we have the Friday Night Nest:  we build a nest of every pillow and blanket we can grab and then climb into the middle and read books and watch movies together.  Everyone looks forward to it and its turned into a family slumber party in the living room more than once  :-)

  

•    Given a day free of obligations what would you do? 

Two words:  yarn. store.

•    What's on your nightstand right now? 

Rhythms of Learning by Steiner (working my way through that slowly) and my mom's college copy of Pride and Prejudice which I re-read every couple of years.  My mom wrote all these great notes in the margins, so I love reading the book and feeling like I'm reading it along with her, too. 
   

Kara in 10 questions: 

    •    What is your favorite word? Peace.
    •   What is your least favorite word? Bulgar (I don't know why, I just hate saying it, it feels weird in my mouth)
    •   What turns you on? People with a passion for what they do.  Isn't it contagious? I love it when I get to be around someone who is really excited to be doing what they are doing. 
    •    What turns you off? Drama. Life is too short. 
    •    What sound or noise do you love? A little Tom Petty playing in the background on a summer's day is just about perfect in my opinion.
    •    What sound or noise do you hate? Brakes screeching.
    •    What is your favorite curse word? Shit.
    •    What is your favorite blog? Oh, that is a tough one.  I read so many.  Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience is pretty consistently amazing 
    •    What is your least favorite activity? Ironing (my husband does it for us, isn't that LOVE?)
    •    If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Welcome. Come in.  Rest."

Blogviews : Kirsten from Through the Loops

I am so excited to have Kirsten share her thoughts with us today. I've been a long admirer of her knit designs on Ravelry and while shopping in my favorite yarn store I happen to learn that she lived in New Jersey too.

She will talk about her creative endeavors, her children and living in a very creative family. I hope this interview will inspire you as much as it inspired me.

Who is behind " Through the Loops"?

Initially it was just me, but very quickly members of my family started to get involved.
My kids have become a very big part of TTL. They offer suggestions, let me know when a design isn't working, encourage me when one is, model for me, sometimes they even take photographs for me. My husband encourages me, brainstorms with me (usually over a glass of wine) and does the taxes. 

Your patterns have a very distinct style. What made you take the leap from knitting to designing your own patterns?
I don't think there was ever a leap for me. It was just a natural thing to create my own designs. I've sewn pretty much all my life, and don't remember actually learning to knit so the skills have been there for a long, long time. From the time I was very young if I had and idea, I'd just do it.

When I was in my teens and twenties I sewed almost all of my clothes. In those days I'd make my own sewing patterns. The years of sewing and making sewing patterns for myself gave me a very good understanding of garment construction. The transition to designing knitting patterns was pretty simple from there.

What is your advice to a beginner knitter?
Be fearless, it's only yarn. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and rip out. I think I've learned more from my mistakes than my successes. Also, SWATCH! 

Do you have a favorite yarn? knitting book?

There are so many amazing yarns out there it would be impossible to pick a favorite. My favorite yarn is the yarn that works for the project I have in mind. As for knitting books, my favorites are stitch dictionaries.

Your children are part of your creative endeavor. We can see them on your blog sporting your creations and even requesting specific things from you. How do you think growing up surrounded by your craftiness is affecting them?

I'm not sure if it's because they grew up around someone who was always making things, because I encouraged it in them or if they were just born with the creative drive but they are all more creative than I am.

My son Anders and daughter Sofie are in a band together with three other kids. They write their own music, perform at various venues in NYC, and have recorded a CD. There is always music in our house as they are constantly singing and playing instruments. Anders has also spent quite a bit of time making films and at one point even thought he might want to study film in college.

Sofie sews wonderful things, creating her own designs by draping fabric on a dress form. Sofie's twin sister Isabella is a very talented artist. Her paintings and drawings always amaze me. If she isn't studying Isabella is usually drawing. I bought her a digital SLR for her birthday last year so she is discovering photography.

Like Sofie, Isabella also sews but her sewing interests lie more in creating stuffed creatures from her drawings. My kids successes in the arts aren't all my doing. My husband is very supportive of their creative interests and will go out of his way to help them reach their goals.

 

Did you teach your children how to knit?

I've tried, but none of them are interested. I think they know they can get all of the hand knits they want from mom. I did teach my son's buddy, Nick to knit. He was very enthusiastic and knit a good bit of a scarf before he left that day. Sadly I don't think he's knit since. I've also taught my daughter Isabella to spin. I'm hoping she helps me spin some of my fiber stash, it's a little out of control. So far though, she's only managed to spin one 4 oz. braid of fiber.

 

There is a lot more to making handmade crafts than the physical act. It can be spiritual, intellectual and sensual. What is for you?
It's both intellectual and sensual for me. I love the process of figuring out how execute my ideas. It's like working on a puzzle. Once I get beyond the idea stage and start creating I love the tactile experience of the materials - the feeling of lovely yarn, the texture of cables and lace. It's also about color for me. I love working with color.

What inspires you? Do you ever get in a creative rut, if yes how do you get out of it?
Little things inspire me, like seeing a shape or a combination of colors in a rug or piece of furniture. Sometimes it's just a skein of yarn that "tells" me what it want's to be. I'm lucky enough to spend a lot of time in NYC. New York is such a visually stimulating place, it's hard not to be inspired.

I don't get in a creative rut very often but if I do I get the materials in my hands and start working with them. It usually doesn't take more than a bit of swatching.

 

What color is imagination?

Green. Definitely green!

What is art in your everyday?

My kids music is part of our everyday lives since they spend so much time playing their instruments and singing.
Other art in my everyday are the pieces of antique furniture, glassware and vases that have been passed down through my husband's and my families. My husband's family is from India and my mother-in-law has given us some wonderful things that she has picked up on her trips back to visit her sisters who still live in Bombay.

What is your creative mantra ?
My creative mantra is "jump in and do it, don't let learning a new skill stop you".

Kirsten in 10 questions:

• What is your favorite word? Serendipity
• What is your least favorite word? Hate
• What turns you on? Energetic people with lots of ideas
• What turns you off? Closed minded people who are afraid to try something new. People who say they "can't" do something or "don't like" something when what they really mean is they haven't tried. • What sound or noise do you love? My kids creating music.
• What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of someone being cruel to another person.
• What is your favorite curse word? I use them all a little too often - trying to quit.
• What is your favorite blog? There are so many good ones I don't think I could pick a favorite. The first one that I started reading regularly was Wendy Bernards "Knit and Tonic". It was her blog that put the idea in my head about blogging myself.
• What is your least favorite activity? Battling the buses to get through the Lincoln Tunnel.
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? That I did a decent job of raising my kids to be good, kind people.

Blogviews : Marie from Knecht-Ruprecht

I am very happy to welcome Marie today all the way from Austria! I've long been an admirer of her dolls and toys. Her dolls are real gems made in the Waldorf tradition. Today she is sharing with us her love of doll-making, being a mom and a creative soul.

Who is behind Knecht Ruprecht?

My name is Marie. Since I had my daughter, I started to make her things just like my mother did for me when I was a child. More and more people asked if I could make such toys for their children too and so I created the my label "Knecht Ruprecht" and started to sell my dolls.

I believe very strongly in the importance of dolls and doll play in a child's life, I absolutely love my work as a doll-maker and it is a great pleasure and honor for me to create these important little friends for children who accompany them through the most significant childhood years.

How did you learn to make Waldorf dolls and toys?

I was lucky to be Waldorf schooled myself. I have been taught how to create my own patterns and to be creative with all kinds of materials very early in my life.

You have a little one at home, how do you carve time for your creative endeavor?
I always try to work with her beside me. I arranged my atelier in a way that she can create on her own things right next to me.
This works is very beneficial for both of us, I can be with her and can guide her and she is a great inspiration for me every  day.
Of course I try to find some time in the evenings to work alone on my dolls too, especially to hand embroider the faces of my dolls.  I really need to concentrate for that task.

How do you think being surrounded by mama-made goodies has affected your daughter?
I grew up in a family of artists, with lots of self made and handcrafted things around me. My parents made most of my toys by themselves. I just love all things handmade and unique and I choose to provide and surround my family with beautiful and lovingly handmade goods.

I think that things that are made by hand, using only natural materials, are instilled with a soul that is not present in other kinds of things. The play is the true work of our children and I think it affects our children in a positive way to be  provided with the best and highest quality play things possible. Surrounding our children with handmade and natural toys means that their memories will be full of these natural, important, and handmade things, rather than toys that are unimportant, inexpensive and disposable.

What would you recommend to someone just starting their journey with Waldorf Education?

I can recommend lots of books regarding Waldorf education. There is a book list on my blog, but they are written in German.
Here are some good links regarding Waldorf education in English:

Waldorf Family Network.

Why Waldorf works.

Waldorf Answers

International Association for Waldorf/Steiner Early Childhood Education.

The internet is such a powerful tool to create connections. How did blogging help you create connections with other mamas, crafters and waldorf families?

I am really glad for all the opportunities the internet is offering. Places like Etsy for example are great and allow very little businesses like mine to realize their dream and get connected with buyers and sellers sharing the same interests all over the world.

The act of creating is a lot more than a physical act. What is it for you?

A very relaxing and soothing activity.

When you create a doll, do you leave your own signature mark on it? Some of your personality?
No, I don't. I think my dolls have their distinctive Knecht Ruprecht appearance that is enough and I always have the feeling that it would be irritating the child if a doll has some kind of label on its body. I was thinking about using labels on the doll clothing.

We all have very simple pleasures that make us happy. What makes your heart sing?
Sunshine and Springtime


Given a day free of obligations what would you do?
Be creative

Blogviews: Larissa from Stitches in Play

Something wonderful happened when I started blogging, I discovered a wonderful and generous community of like minded people. I am happy to count Larissa as one of those uber talented mamas that I have become friends with. We have so many things in common :three kiddos, love of photography and yarn junkies among many other things.

I am so happy to introduce you to her blog. She shares with us her love of crafting, knitting and her ideas on parenting and life.

Who is behind " Stitches in Play"?

Hi! My name is Larissa. I live in a rural part of Virginia with my very understanding husband and three amazing kiddos, Ezra(10), David (8), and Abigail (5). I blog about knitting, sewing, quilting, cooking and playing with my family over at Stitches in Play.

Do you share the creative process with your children?
I do share the creative process with my children but I am careful to break the process down to steps that they can manage. For example, my children are not yet interested in using needles to knit but they enjoy loom knitting and finger crochet very much.

And they find it easier to stitch on pieces of felt rather than cotton fabric. We also do many crafts as a family including watercolors, cutting and pasting for collages, and modeling clay.

 

How do your children react to being surrounded by the products of your craftiness?Do they have favorites?
The answer to this depends on the craft. My boys have kindly asked me not to knit them any more hats or scarves – but they would love for me to make each of them two more quilts. In general my children love quilts, blankets, pillowcases, softies or anything else they can sleep with. Seeing my kiddos asleep, curled up in something I made pleases me to no end.

How do you keep your fabric and yarn purchases under check. There are so many wonderful things out there.
When I began quilting several years ago, I dyed all my own fabric and used it to make what I called ‘art quilts’ which were meant to be wall hangings. I didn’t begin purchasing printed fabric for quilts until I discovered craft blogs two years ago. And I have to say that I bought a lot, mostly in half yard pieces and on sale – I am a sucker for free shipping.
I’m currently trying to use up all the fabric that I have before I purchase any more. These days I only buy fabric if I have a specific project in mind. I also have a good yarn stash from a few too many late night purchases at WEBS and I don’t buy any more yarn unless I have a specific pattern in mind – that I will begin knitting immediately.

Who taught you how to knit?
My mom taught me to knit when I was eight but I didn’t begin knitting garments until I was in college. I think you need to be a little bit older to truly appreciate all the meditative qualities that knitting has to offer.

Do you have a favorite yarn? Knitting book?
My favorite knitting books are Knitting without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Knitting Over the Edge by Nicky Epstein. I refer to these books often when trying to customize a pattern or to get a better fit.

What quilting project are you the most proud of?
The most recent quilting project that I am proud of is my easy peasy log cabin quilt that I recently completed. I’m proud of it because I posted a tutorial on how to chain piece log cabin blocks that many people either followed or incorporated somehow into their creations. And I am most proud of the fact that I was able to quilt it alongside my friend Lisa of Stitching Under Oaks.

I love quilts but I find the task of starting one daunting. What should be my first projects?What book or website would you recommend?
Constructing a quilt is really made up of two parts and focusing on just one part at a time makes it far less daunting. The first part is piecing the quilt top. The second part is the stitching or ‘quilting’ that secures the quilt top to the batting and backing fabric.

For a first quilt I would suggest making a small crib size quilt by simply sewing together rectangles of several favorite fabrics and not worrying about aligning corners or matching points. Then quilt the top to the batting and backing using a walking foot and a simple straight stitch. Even if you find flaw with what you make you will learn from the process and your children will thank you for it by fighting over who gets to snuggle under the quilt that mom made.

What role does crafting play in your life?
Crafting keeps me sane. It allows me to be creative and it keeps my hands busy so that I can think. I try not to worry too much about what I’m making because it’s the process that energizes me.

What are you working on right now?
Right now I plan to finish up my version of the Leslie quilt which is inspired by Leslie of A Friend to Knit With. I had to put it away for the month of December in order to work on holiday gifts. I’m also finishing up a turtleneck sweater for myself. And I just started a small quilt for a blog friend who had a baby.

Balancing the different roles we as mamas have is a challenging thing. How do you carve time for your creative endeavors?
When my children were younger I found time to craft during nap time and in the evenings. This year, for the first time in nearly eleven years, all three of my kiddos are in school. I drive them to school each morning and then I either volunteer at their school or head for the gym. Then I run my errands or get groceries and I’m home by noon.
I usually craft or spend time on the computer reading blogs in the afternoon. I try not to sew or spend time on the computer once my children get home at 3:30 – but I do knit while Abigail is reading to me and the boys are doing homework.

What is your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is our Friday night family time. With no homework or sports we focus on cooking and eating dinner followed by playing games. Some nights we turn up the music and dance. Other nights we play board games or do word searches together on the couch. Last Friday night we listened to the Sound of Music soundtrack and made up silly dances to all the songs. There are no rules - we just turn off the television and play.

Larissa in 10 questions:

• What is your favorite word? Happy·
• What is your least favorite word? Bored·
• What turns you on? Kindness·
• What turns you off? Waste – especially that of time or resources·
• What sound or noise do you love? My children’s conversations.
• What sound or noise do you hate? My children arguing·
• What is your favorite curse word? Shoot. (especially after I step on a toy left on the floor)
• What is your favorite blog? SouleMama, Shivaya Naturals, Stitching Under Oaks·
• What is your least favorite activity? Waiting in line·
• If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “We’ve reserved a room with a special window just for you. There you’ll find a Bernina on which you can sew alongside your grandfather while watching your kiddos on earth.”