Christmas Totes

I made these a few weeks ago and stuck them into the littles mailboxes. Their mailboxes are granola bar and such boxes covered with scrapbook paper and hung onto their doorknobs. I made those a LOOOOONG time ago and they are most likely one of their most beloved possessions. I'll write them notes, make bookmarks, pictures, all kinds of crafty stuff, and "deliver" their mail while they are asleep.
These totes were loved and earned me another "Mommy you are the best maker." I'm always glad to get one of those. Even if it's not technically true.

plaid star

Eleven years ago I started to find my creativity. It began one summer when I decided to paint an old dresser that had sat in my family's garage. It was a tall, yellow dresser and had been mine when I was a little kid. Suddenly I thought I had it in me to change that dresser. It took the whole summer, lots of acrylic paint in small bottles, and a spill that stained my carpet blue - but I finished. I covered every square inch of that dresser, and was actually happy with how it came out.

From that dresser the term "plaid star" was born.

To me, the definition of a plaid star is one that is stands out different against the rest. In a sea of bright, shining white a plaid star stands apart. But it has it's OWN kind of beauty.
I suppose I've been a plaid star my whole life. Growing up LDS made me different from pretty much everybody I knew on the east coast. Then when I joined the sea of Mormons in Utah for school I found myself a plaid star once again because I was an "east coast" Mormon and that made me VERY different. Here in Missouri I feel like a plaid star on a daily basis, some because of just who I am in general.

Lately I've heard the term "blunt" thrown in my general direction. I've heard this my whole life, but it always comes in waves and right now I'm bobbing. I don't really think of myself as blunt. I've always tried to be honest, especially with myself. I am my own worst critic. I have opinions, but they change all the time. I'm a different person that I was a dozen years ago opinion-wise. I say what I'm thinking. This has gotten me in trouble a LOT in my life. For the most part I've accepted that, but it's still left me with more tears on my cheeks than I care to remember. I'm a fighter, I argue a LOT. Blame my Dad for this one, he taught me to stick up for what I want no matter what. Many times I'm wrong, but I'm always proud of myself for standing up. I'm always glad that I've said something when it needed to be heard, even if it wasn't popular.

We are all plaid stars to somebody else anytime we move out of our comfort zone and are different. I love it especially when women are honest with who they are. When they abandon the sickly sweet fake smile they've plastered on their face and let others actually see them. When they have opinions, and SHARE them. I've watched that fake smile change to a real one, then they truly shine.

When I started having kids I felt my creativity start to fade. The sketchbook with all my "grand ideas" was stuffed in my nightstand, at one point I even forgot it existed. I still did projects, and was crafty but the creativity that once was such a big part of me was very hard to find.

But. . .suddenly.

It's back.

I give the credit to my Brother sewing machine.

Nursery Lunch Bag

Diaper Bag

Crayon Roll

Superhero Garb

Puppy Bag

Hedgehog Family

Strawberry Hat

Primary Music Bag

Perfect they are not. But they lived in my head and now they are real. This makes me happy. There's more, but until they are shipped away to their new homes I can't post them.

So here's to plaid star, and everything it's meant to me for over a decade. Here's to hoping (really, knowing) that my children will grow up to be plaid stars, and will never be afraid to honk at dumb drivers. That's right midwesterners, honk.

Check It

Little Owl Basket

The sewing bug is creeping bag into my system after a semi-long hiatus. Sprung by the desire to figure out how to make felt food for the Cherry Blossom Market Playhouse I found for 75% off at Target, it became quickly obvious that the plastic food we have simply will not do. WILL NOT DO.
I found this fabric basket pattern in my search and had to give it a go. Tiny and cute it came out just swell. I didn't have the interfacing needed so I went ahead without it. It stands, but would be a little less wonky with it. Next one, bigger and less wonky for sure.