This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."SouleMama". 

Felt Family Portrait

Hello. I wanted this up for the first day of spring, and it was supposed to have been a video... But we've all been down with a bug, so please bare with me. In continuing with our felting series, this is a wet felted family portrait. This is a fairly simple project and was done without the use of a felting needle. 

 Start with a blank piece of felt. (This one was cream and approximately 8"x10"). Then slowly and loosely start layering thin pieces of wool roving on top.

 Start to create shapes, but try to keep the roving fairly thin and wispy.

Continue to build till your picture is where you want it to be. Felting is like painting. Try not to force the felt to go where it does not want, but flow with it. 

When you are ready to felt you will need, warm soapy water, a bamboo mat (or bubble wrap), a towel, a sponge, and some tulle.

 Put the bamboo mat (or bubble wrap) on top of the towel, 

put your picture face up on the mat.

 Gently lay the tulle over your picture. 

Using a sponge slowly start to wet the felt working from the middle out.

When the felt is all wet, tightly roll everything up in the towel.

Roll it up from the bottom.

Both sides

and then the top.

You want to work from every angle because this keeps the felt from warping off in one direction. 

 This is what your soapy picture looks like. Keep adding warm soapy water and rolling till everything is felted down tightly.

 Carefully rinse the soap out in a bowl of cold water.

Lay it out to dry. If you want to correct something wait until it is dry (I corrected the gap in Bear's arm). Then frame and enjoy.

Be well and have fun!

Morning, Noon, and Night

Three little windows into our world. Inspired by Mothering with Mindfulness. 
 We've been ill, so Panda was in his Pj's all day.

 Morning slumber.

Afternoon Play.

Evening snuggles.

Be well.

The Last Snowfalls

The last snowfalls of the season are here and I find myself savoring each and every last one. Yup, you heard me right, and I hope you will also savor them. I know it's been a long winter and everyone is ready to see Spring, but there is something so special about these last snowfalls. This morning when I woke up there was a beautiful, magical snowfall out my window. The snowflakes were all perfectly formed and drifting so slowly down that for a split moment you could actually see the crystal formations (for the ones close enough) as they fell. These are the quiet moments. The magical moments. The last of the winter hibernation. The world is holding its breath, and soon it will exhale and Spring will be here with color bursting everywhere. The outdoor activities will begin with refreshed vigor. Outdoor cookouts, sports, parks, biking... But for now the stillness still hangs in the air. Remember the joy of the first snowfall of the season? I'm feeling that right now. So please don't grumble about these last snowfalls; enjoy them. They will not come again until next winter. Savor the stillness.

Be well.

Breathing Easy Again

A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."SouleMama". 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone! Today is one of my absolute favorite holidays. There is something in the air that just makes everyone friendly today (and no I'm not talking about alcohol.. Neither of us drink). Maybe it has something to do with the tantalizing scent of spring in the air. The days being longer. It's the one day out of the year that red headed children don't have to worry about being picked on and everyone is/pretends to be Irish because they all want to be part of something. It does not hurt that I'm Irish (Scottish and Welsh... Lets call  me Celt). I love this holiday, and while I know it is so much more, I can't help loving it for those reasons. 

Here are some goodies:

Cardboard Tube Leprechaun 

Tea Light

Fun Leprechaun Song

Dairy Free Mint Shake

From our home to yours. Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

Be well. 

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."SouleMama". 

Morning, Noon, and Night

Three little windows into our world. Inspired by Mothering with Mindfulness. 

 Morning sunlight, the only thing softer than your caresses.

The afternoon sky, still grey and chill. A hint of Spring can be felt on the breeze. 

Playing quietly before bed. Warm wood, that smells faintly of honey, lemongrass, and summer.

Good night and be well.

Please Welcome My Dear Friend Loomer

Hello Blog land, I'm so happy to share this new Etsy shop with you. This store (LoomyLife) belongs to a young friend of mine. She is a talented, hardworking young woman and I am so lucky to know her.

Hi Loomer, How old are you?

Loomer: I am 14 years old. 

How long have you been knitting?:

I have been knitting for 6 years or so the regular way, but began loom knitting this past December. 

Tell us about yourself:

I am a very ambitious person, and I love to make make make! I have a wide variety of interests, but I especially have a heart for children. Often, when I don't have a project going, I make something for one of my special friends. I enjoy music, and love hanging out with my friends. 

Why did you start this store? 

I started this store on recommendation from a friend when I gifted him with a homemade hat. I realized what an opportunity it is to share my work and at the same time raise money for an upcoming mission trip I'm taking to Mexico. I attended this trip last year as well, and my entire point of view was flipped around! It's crazy what spending a week and a half in another country will reveal to you. One, I am incredibly thankful for my family!!! Two, I am grateful to God for allowing me to meet such fantastic people as I did on that trip. Three, don't take anything for granted!!!

What inspires you?:

My parents inspire me to never stop doing, learning, growing. They have taught me to be my own unique person, and to love who I am. I have learned from them what a gift it is to be living the life that I am leading, and I don't take that lightly. I strive to learn something new all the time, in struggles, or in good times. Taking a step back and taking a look at the big picture can teach you a lot. My pastor inspires me. He is ever faithful to encourage the youth in our congregation, and challenges us to make the most of our opportunities. He has taught me to live life abundantly. Finally, my God inspires me. His creation leaves me awestruck. I learn in school about the intricacies of cells, animals, and plants and it's amazing to me that he would create such a beautiful world for me to discover, because he loves me so much. Looking at a child inspires me. They are so sweet and trusting, and want to just do as much as is humanly possible in one day! 

What would you say to other young people who want to start an Etsy shop?:

Don't think that you are too young. Don't take for granted your gifts and talents. If you love to do something, do it! Do it with your whole heart. And if that is making something, share your gift with the world! You never know who would love the things you do individually. There is not one person on this planet like you. Not one. So be you, and show the world your uniqueness!

Thanks for joining us today Loomer, Please check out her shop and giver her a warm welcome. Be well.