A Journey to a Simple Happy Life

Monday Medley :: Days of Summer 4

A look at my craft table in an effort to keep it real ;o)

I don't know why but when I think of my Monday post I can't think of a theme. There's always many things I want to share: posts, ideas, crafts among other things. I will stop resisting the flow and from now on will be posting a Monday medley.

I started a series of pictures on Days of Summer. You can join me and post your pictures here. I am also looking for a tech savvy blogger who could design a button for us. If you're interested let me know!

The winner of the giveaway selected by a random number generator is:

Angela    "What beautiful products! I am not a first timer but I cannot for life of me figure out how to add folks' buttons to my blog. Call me a techno-ignorant. Thanks for the opportunity!"

Some of my favorite reads, posts and crafts:

• I love my kids, I hate my life. The article appeared in New York magazine sometime ago and gave me much to think about. I also loved the interview the author gave on WNYC.
• A very simple yet beautiful memory game you can make with your little ones.
• How to make your summer photo rock!
• A wonderful summer tradition
• An amazing book
• A very cool way of organizing all the cool stuff I find on the internet. 

I would like to thank Mary for giving me the Versatile Blogger award. It's always a nice feeling to know someone out there appreciates my blog. Now I have to share 7 things about myself:

• I love anything salty. Keep the cupcakes and cakes, I only care for salty stuff
• My definition of relaxation is a nice pool, sun and a good book
• I'm terrified by mice. I can holler at the sight of the tiniest one
• I could spend my days reading
• I love my hands
• My yarn stash is out of control
• I can't come up with the 7th one ;o)

And now here are the 15 blogs I nominate:

• Peach Coglo
• Pondering Ponteuf
• Which name?
• Kristyn Knits
• Turkey Cookies
• For love of my oceans
• Heartfelt Homemaking
• Knits & Bobs
• Planted in the Earth
• The Yellow Door Paperie
• It's not a phone call but...
• Eight is Enough
• Willette Designs
• Seventy Seven
• 6512 and growing

Love Links

Lately I have become unwillingly  a very selfish blogger. Keeping together the pieces of my life is taking a bit more efforts so I've been commenting less.

Today I want to share with you some of my favorite posts, there's no specific order. They're here just because I loved them.

To read and Enjoy:

• a beautiful manifesto. Truly beautiful!!
• accepting your cycles of interest: for everything.
• 6 tips for surviving sleep deprivation.
• Dana shares her creative process with us.
• On raising a three child family.

To make and use:

• A wall calendar using color chips.
• A very creative way to store your sewing patterns.
• A cute little skirt.
• A beautiful bag. I plan on taking it everywhere.

Parenting:

• For the love of books.

Knights and Pyramids

We took a day trip to my favorite place in New York yesterday: The Metropolitan Museum of Art .

We had a picnic in Central Park. I let the boys each choose one thing they wanted to see: Samy chose the "pyramids" and Tarek "the knights" so we visited the Medieval Art and the Egyptian Art exhibitions.

Tarek was in awe. He loved the knights, armors and guns especially the japanese sections with all the Samurai armor. Samy couldn't wait to get to the "Pyramid". I think he's a bit of minimalist because when I asked him what he thought about the visit he said "There's too much stuff!!".

I loved our outing, it was fun and I think someone loved even more than us: the pigeons and the birds! I think they like homemade bread.

Vintage Pearl Giveaway

I am not a big jewelry person, I do own and wear pieces that have a sentimental value and that I will always cherish: earrings, ring and necklace my parents gave me for the birth of my children (and then people wonder why I want another child ha-ha), my wedding ring and my father's watch. So for me jewelry is more than beautiful pieces, they are memories of wonderful events and people.

Ever since I saw Erin hand stamped silver jewelry I've wanting to get this one or maybe this one. So Salim if you're reading my birthday is coming up ;o) or maybe I will just enter myself in the giveaway. Just joking!!

So one of you lucky ladies will win a $25 gift card for the Vintage Pearl. To enter the giveaway leave a comment before Sunday, June 6th.

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 day!!!

The winner:

Ashley: " pick me!!"

WIP: Kids Clothes Week Challenge

The Kids Clothes Week challenge started on Monday. I was ready, my fabric and patterns selected, my husband informed that I was about to disappear for the evening. All the stars were aligned for a wonderful start to my sewing and then...Grace posted a link on Facebook to My Sewing Circle.

If you're a knitter then you're familiar with Ravelry.  And if you're not Ravelry is a free social networking website. It is an organizational tool for fiber art aficionados including knitting, crocheting,spinning and weaving. Members can share projects, ideas and collections of yarn. And we all know that all knitters are collectors. So the amazing news is that we have My Sewing Circle for our sewing needs, isn't that great!!!!

The website was launched by Carrie and Mike. And they're adding new features to the website everyday so make sure to check it out. If you want to find me just look up imene in People. I am so excited!!

So my first night of sewing was spent on this awesome website, trying the different feature and looking up friends ;o)

So my challenge only started on Tuesday. I made a dress for Layla using this pattern and some Alexander Henry Apples and Pears in Blue. I now have to hem the dress and pray for some sunshine so Layla can wear it. I will try to convince my little princess to let me take a picture of her.

You can see what the other participants in the challenge are making here. Some of my favorites are:

1. Bleach Pen Flower Skirt, 2. Ladybug Sundress (Day 2), 3. leisurely, 4. Good as Gold Raglan

Jennifer just posted Leisurely a free dress pattern that is too cute and if you need inspiration Meg has a wonderful selection of beautiful patterns and tutorials on her blog.

The knitter's dream giveaway is still going on. Try your luck!!

I have to go, I want to hem this dress !

The week before Mother's day

I was shopping for a birthday gift this morning when I ran into a Monchhichi doll. I was 4 again in Galeries Lafayette with my mom and buying this little buddy. His name was "Kiki" in French but who cares about languages, love knows no frontiers.

You can tell that I got use out of mine, he's one of the few toys that stayed with me all this years. When I was 12 my mom and I gave all my toys to the Children's hospital and I only kept "Kiki", my music box and my Barbie dolls. It was a wonderful experience to see my children having fun with one of my favorite toy...30 years later. There are so little things that link my childhood to that of my children: we live on different continents with very different cultural surroundings so when I can share something with them even if it's a toy or a book it's very important to me.

I started blogging last year on May 11th which happened to be Mother's day. I didn't choose the date on purpose but it just happened that I found the courage to do it that day. I stepped out of my comfort zone and never regretted it once. I chose to celebrate my blogiversary on Mother's day every year.

And because this blog wouldn't be the same without you all, I will be organizing one giveaway a day until Sunday. They will all stay open and you can participate in all of them, they're will be a little something to please all of you (knitters, crocheters, seamstress, crafters, mamas...). So come and join the fun!

To launch this week of celebration I made some changes to the design of the blog. Just in case you haven't noticed the new banner and new blog button, take a little moment to admire my friend Krystal's work. Krystal and I "met" through twitter and felt a connection right away (well at least I did). She is a terrific blogger (one of her posts made me laugh on one of the worst days i can remember) and she knows all about making your blog look awesome. She designed the banner and the button and the little personalized signature. Krystal you rock!! Thank you!

Today I will be giving away one of my favorite Japanese sewing book "Carefree Clothes for Girls " by Junko Okawa and "Pretty Little Presents".
To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment before sunday may 9Th telling me what you like about my blog and what topics you would like me to talk more about.

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

• Join this blog with Google Friends (right side bar)
• Add my button to your blog
• Add me to your blogroll (1St timers only)
• Mention the giveaway on your blog
• Tweet about it

 

An ordinary life and a giveaway

I was very lucky to get a preview of Karen Maezen Miller latest book " hand wash cold:instructions for an ordinary life". I had read her previous book "Momma Zen: Walking the crooked path of motherhood", and was really looking forward to reading this one. I loved the first one and what can I say about the second one...

I loved every part of it, so much that writing this review was very hard. Hard because I couldn't find words to describe the experience. I never thought of myself as a very spiritual person but lately I have been questioning some of my choices in life, beliefs. By simplifying and quieting the busyness of life I felt more in touch with myself and I needed answers. Who am I, what makes me happy, what's my purpose in life?

I was searching for a meaning to my life as a mother, wife, daughter and woman. And in fact her words of wisdom opened up a new world to me: "The search for greater meaning robs our life of meaning". By looking for a greater meaning I was missing on the beauty of the everyday, the little moments of an ordinary life, my life. "We can only love the world we wake up to. The world where things change, dishes get dirty, we age, we get sick, and one day we die."

Unlike Karen Maezen Miller's first book, Momma Zen, it is not about her life as a mother and the challenges of late-in-life motherhood. This book is about her path to becoming a zen priest and in her own words "an errant wife, delinquent mother, reluctant dog walker, expert laundress and stationmaster of the full catastrophe". She shares her experience and wisdom on marriage, divorce, aging parents, gardening and of course laundry.

It is intimate, beautifully written, wise and unpretentious. A lesson in seeing "the inexpressible beauty that comes tucked inside ordinary life." She describes the three parts of this book as doing the laundry where we open to the wisdom that resides inside us, washing the dishes where we bring that wisdom to life in compassionate action, and tending the yard where we sow peace in the place where we live.

It is one of the most wonderful, endearing books I have read lately. And if one good thing came out of it is that I see my laundry in whole different way.I wish I could give you all a copy of this book!!

One of you will get a chance to win a copy of this book by leaving a comment on this post before Sunday May 9th. You can gain six additional entries (remember to post one comment per entry) in the following ways:

• Join this blog with Google Friends (right side bar)
• Add my button to your blog
• Add me to your blogroll (1st timers only)
• Mention the giveaway on your blog
• Mention the giveaway on facebook
• Tweet about it

WIP Wednesday

I can feel spring coming! The weather has been warmer and we had a lot of sunshine lately. It’s making me think of spring knitting and projects.

On my needles this week, the “Granny” bag with a lovely shade of blue. It’s the second pattern I am knitting by Jennifer Casa and I have to say I really enjoy her instructions: Simple, clear and she always has enough pictures and diagrams to help get a better idea of what I work on.

Speaking of her patterns, I love patchwork notebook cover she made for Sew Mama Sew.

 

It was so nice outside Layla was able to wear her poncho, I still need to add a ribbon or i-cord to tie the hood but I just can’t make up my mind. What would you suggest?

Some of the things that inspired me this week:

• This cute little sweater is just adorable.
• This cowl by Justine @ Angelfire Studios.
• The latest edition of Rhythm of the Home.
• A little rabbit just in time for Easter.
• The latest issue of Petite Purls, especially the knitted dolls.
• A car organizer by Heather @ Shivaya Naturals.
• A beautifully executed Kimono Dress by Deena @ i make stuff.
• Great idea for chore cards by Angie @ Creative Mama.
• An essay by Kate @ Blankie Chronicles.
• Her pictures.
• And don't forget you still have a chance to win a spot in this wonderful class.

What’s inspiring you lately?

Allowing myself to be creative

 
Have you ever seen a child paint, draw or play with clay? I see it every day and I wonder why I as an adult just can’t let myself enjoy the process as much. I always have that image of the end result, how it should look like. I set my own limitations by placing a judgment. The belief that “this is right” and “this is wrong”. I used to believe I wasn’t creative but the truth is that we are all creative. If we just quiet the mean little voice that tells us we’re not.

Allowing myself to be creative, to experiment, to make mistakes is part of my journey. Making art in any form is learning to let go. Let go of judgment, let go of my inner critic and getting in touch with the quiet inner well within. And me, the planner, the one with trouble letting go of the if’s and but’s, I finally find quiet and peace.

As in all journeys it is important to be surrounded and guided in the first steps, that’s why when I read this a little while ago I decided I wanted to try. So a couple of days ago, I made the plunge and signed up for Shannon’s Inside Out e-course. In the interest of full disclosure, I wanted you to know that I’m paying for my spot. I asked Shannon if she would be willing to giveaway one spot to one of my readers and she agreed. Isn’t she wonderful!

Because Shannon is such a wonderful and generous person and that you’re such an important part of my journey , one of you will get a chance to win a spot in the upcoming class.

Leave a comment on this post before March 19th. The winner will get a spot in the upcoming Inside Out e-course . You can gain four additional entries in the following ways, remember to add a comment for each additional entry.

1. Add me to your Blogroll.
2. Mention the giveaway on your Blog.
3. Follow me on Twitter.
4. Become a fan of Free Spirit Knit on Facebook

The winner picked by a random number generator is "62" aka Valarie.

"Valarie Budayr" said...I'm a fan on facebook

WIP Wednesday and Lovely Mail

I received a package from K. my Vintage Swap partner. Such loveliness I had to share it with you.
A cross stitch pincushion , a lovely sewing card, lace trims, vintage buttons and a beautiful vintage sewing case. And oh a beautiful flower cut doilie that I already started using but you can see it here.
And just because she's awesome she also sent me some handmade stitch markers.
Don't you love it when the mailmen brings you such packages instead of the usual bills. Well I do!!

Did I ever mention my Ipod touch love! Well I am absolutely in love with my Ipod touch. It's always in my bag or in my hand. What's not to love? it holds my emails, calendars, adress book, RSS reader, groceries lists...and since I read about ithere, the knitter's best friend.
So in this picture are my favorite things: my comfy chair, my knitting and my right hand (aka Ipod touch)

I am still on a Thorpe binge since last week as you can see. It's just fun, easy to knit and such a cute gift. I am working on my third hat but I think that after that I might need a change.

I will need some inspiration. What are you working on?