Happy 2008!
I thought this photo was fitting for today—a blank slate for the New Year. Or maybe it's just a bit dorky. And hey, I am so glad you guys liked the Holiday Gifts tags! I still yelled random things at people when they were opening gifts, but that's what I do. I can't stop.
Anyway, I put together these chalkboard sets for the girls from Santa and I think they were my favorite homemade gift this year. The chalkboards, erasers (wool felt!) and little rulers I got from Casey Wood Products (thanks again for this amazing resource, Amanda) and it was all insanely cheap. I sewed a little bag to store the chalk, erasers, and rulers in. It closes with a bit of Velcro sewn into the inside. Very pleasing. I tried to get the girls to draw something for this photo, but the fun part is erasing, so leaving a drawing on the boards is not an option. Understandable.
Okay, so 2007. I love making lists and looking back, but my brain is so very soft that what is popping into my head borders on. . . .well, mental. I also realize that all these items are mostly from the last month, which shows my inability to remember anything. I like to call it staying in the moment, but it also could be called early onset of Alzheimer's.
Personal Excitement in 2007 (that sounds naughty!) in no particular order:
-Paper cutting
-successfully making homemade marshmallows (will post this soon)
-having a baby
-getting a new niece
-releasing my book and the awesome booking signing event that you all came out for
-fitting into jeans again (albeit, still 1 size larger than before kids. Ahem.)
-cake in a jar
-all the cool new blogs out there
-going to a movie last week, by myself. I saw Darjeeling Limited, which I really enjoyed.
Super Lame in 2007 (again in no order)
-the demise of Blueprint Magazine
-the demise of MS Kids (yes, that was more than a year ago, but it still upset me this year)
-the assassination of Benazir Bhutto (Horrible that I list such a tragic event in with magazines, but such is my brain.)
-worrying about all the lead/toy recalls. Good god.
Much has been left out. I just got a TON of new music and am so excited to get into it all. So, that should be on this list, but isn't. And I should list books too, but I am not organized enough. Oh well. I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve and that your 2008 is crazy phat!
If you got Bend-The-Rules Sewing for Christmas, don't forget to look at the flickr group for amazing photos of completed projects and the awesome discussion section. There are now over 120 topics discussed (and there is a search option) and the book errata is on flickr too. (These have been corrected in the 2nd edition of the book, BTW.)
Having been a primary teacher, and once a little girl who loved chalkboards, wool felt erasers and chalk, I love the photo!!! What a lovely gift for your girls! I have a wonderful memory of a chalkboard made for me by my clever father, huge to a little kid, mounted on the wall and painted carefully with the upper and lower case alphabet in his perfect printing. :O) I cried when we moved and had to leave it behind. Your family will have similar memories of the beautiful things you've made and will make, just for them. Happy healthy 2008 to your and yours, from me, in snowy Southern Ontario.
Posted by: samm | January 01, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit. It's good luck if that's the first thing you say on the first of the month. I hope it works if it's the first thing you type too! Happy New Year, and I love the new banner. I already have the book, but I bought it as part of a Mama-to-be gift recently, and I will be sure to put links to your site and the flickr group in the card.
Posted by: Lorien | January 01, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I got the book for Christmas. Yipee! And just joined Flickr so I'll be all set to learn and share. Happy, Happy New Year!
Posted by: Ivy Arts | January 01, 2008 at 08:58 AM
I just wanted to say Happy New Year! I've been reading your blog for a bit now and have never commented. I enjoy coming here and seeing all the beautiful and clever things you have made. Very inspirational. All the best.
Posted by: Sue | January 01, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I did get bend the rules sewing for christmas...How did you know?
btw I love it!!
Posted by: Ashley | January 01, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Happy New year.
I only discovered your blog in the last month & have enjoyed it so much. Am a very beginner sewer, actually got a machine for Christmas & have been to afraid of it to plug it in!!!!! But, your book is going on my wish list for inspiration.
Wishing you good health & Bliss in the coming year.
Laura
Posted by: Laura | January 01, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Happy New Year! I loved Darjeeling Limited. It was fantastic.
Posted by: Tracie | January 01, 2008 at 09:47 AM
I got the book for Christmas! It was a prezzie I bought myself, but that still counts, right? love Love LOVE it!
Posted by: Kristin | January 01, 2008 at 10:55 AM
OH Amy, you have no idea what an inspiration you are. I haven't really sat down and sewed in YEARS! I bought your book, then, my 21 year old daughter ASKED ME to make her a plaid skirt. . . . the rest is history! I'm back to sewing and loving every moment of it and even bending some rules :) Thanx for the inspiration and I'll be stopping by your little bloggie world FREQUENTLY!
Posted by: Patrice | January 01, 2008 at 10:55 AM
blueprint is ending? i just got a 2 year renewal card in the mail for it. strange...
Posted by: renee | January 01, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I don't think I've commented before, but I love reading your blog...so much so that you inspired me into papercutting and we used your holiday tags for presents this year!! (some people have no sense of humor and were quite puzzled!!) I also didn't know my Blueprint subscription was ceasing!!!! UGH! Why do I bother with subscriptions when I have blogs like yours to read??! (I'm also still upset about MS Kids Mag). I hope you have a fabulous 2008!!!!
Posted by: Bethany | January 01, 2008 at 11:00 AM
cute little lonely socks also make great chalk holders and when emptied chalkboard wipers....:O)
happy new year!
Posted by: tia | January 01, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Where did you get the fabulous fabric for the bags? That vintage Wizard of Oz print is to die for!
Posted by: shoshana | January 01, 2008 at 11:13 AM
The gift tags were fabulous and I usd them on all my handmade gifts. Looking forward to reading more of you in 2008.
Posted by: Pauline | January 01, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Hi just popping in to say Happy New Year!!!
Posted by: Juliann | January 01, 2008 at 11:27 AM
I got your book!!! I was so excited... can't wait to dive in! Happy New Year to you too Amy~
Posted by: Hjordi | January 01, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Happy New Year Amy! Thanks for such an inspiring blog.
Posted by: ~ Junkyard Jennifer | January 01, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Woo Hoo! I'm one of those who got your book for Christmas. (Many thanks to my husband!) Love it and can't wait to start on fun, new projects!
Boo Hoo! Blueprint died? My 20yo daughter (who complains that she is turning into me) just bought an issue last month!
Posted by: Stephanie Barrett | January 01, 2008 at 01:05 PM
What cute chalk pockets! I love the slates... reminds me of little house on the prairie. Good idea. Maybe whem my son gets off "writing utinsil probation" (long story that involves my sofa) he'll get one.
I also enjoy your list. Ummmm. Where have I been? Blueprint... gone? Urgh.
Happy New Year... thanks for letting us read about your life and crafting!
Posted by: Nicole | January 01, 2008 at 01:05 PM
thank you - got a sewing machine & your book for chirstmas - very much looking forward to making lots of things.. your book & blog are so inspiring!! happy new year!
Posted by: sallyd | January 01, 2008 at 01:22 PM
OOooo...my daughter's favorite gift this year was a miniature fairy store stocked with wee barrels and buckets and bowls and jars from Casey's Wood Products. Amazingly cheap, but also amazing how I ended up spending $60....( a couple of other gifts and future projects in there, too).
& I'm among the many who (1) just now heard about Blueprint, the only magazine I renewed this year and (2) got your book for Christmas. by request :)
happy new year.
valerie
Posted by: purple petunia | January 01, 2008 at 01:22 PM
happy new year! and thank you for making me smile everytime i read your blog and being such a crafty mama, very inspiring. you rock! :)
Posted by: romila | January 01, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Oiyi | January 01, 2008 at 02:53 PM
ooh. Didn't know about BluePrint. That is SO lame! (btw, love that you made a lame list for 2007, that cracked me up on it's own)
Can't WAIT to see Darjeeling Limited! Love that crew.
Happy 2008!
Posted by: Jessica | January 01, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I wish you a happy & crafty new year, all the best for 2008!
Posted by: Bianca | January 01, 2008 at 03:50 PM
I wish you a happy & crafty new year, all the best for 2008!
Posted by: Bianca | January 01, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Hah! I JUST read the other day that not being able to remember things that happen day-by-day is some kind of great Zen art -- it sounded so cool and appropriate at the time, oh, if only I could remember it... (:
I got your book for Christmas and love love love it! I am so amazed at your ability to pull off the whole baby-book-blog-supermom thing. You are truly an inspiration.
Posted by: Rae | January 01, 2008 at 05:29 PM
i am thinking of buying myself your book as a little treat. it's fair isn't it? to indulge in all things creative?? loved the chalk boards! much better than plastic crappy crap crap crap!
Posted by: em.s | January 01, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Happy,Happy New Year Amy! Thank you so much for being so amazing. Here's to another inspiring year!
Posted by: Heather | January 01, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Thanks for the link for the wood products, I am obsessed right now....beads, clothespins, random shapes.....so many possibilities. I look forward to the endless inspiration your blog brings in the new year! Happy new year!
Posted by: tricia | January 01, 2008 at 07:33 PM
my thanks also for the gift tags...they really helped bring some humor to my gift giving this year :)
Happy 2008 to you too!!
Posted by: kristin | January 01, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Hi Amy:
I wanted to introduce myself and stop lurking since I read and enjoy your blog nearly every day. I checked out bend the rules sewing from the library, made curtains and then asked for it for Christmas. So much fun.
Thanks for sharing your creative life. God bless you and yours in 2008.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Nichols | January 01, 2008 at 09:55 PM
I forgot to mention that I LOVED the gift tags and used every one!
Posted by: Ivy Arts | January 02, 2008 at 04:27 AM
Happiest New Year Lovely Amy!
Here's looking forward to another year of the stuff that you do.
Yep, Darjeeling was a great movie and the soundtrack is great to craft to.
XO
Posted by: Lisa Lam | January 02, 2008 at 05:27 AM
I just saw Darjeeling Limited by myself too... great movie!
Posted by: christine | January 02, 2008 at 05:49 AM
Those chalkboard gift sets are a fantastic idea!
Posted by: Keri | January 02, 2008 at 06:24 AM
I'm jealous of your homemade marshmallows! I made them this year for the first time, too and only ate one because they were just too...chemically, fakey, yucky tasting. But I hope you had as much messy fun making them as I did!
Posted by: Emily | January 02, 2008 at 06:35 AM
I got your book for Christmas and I think I spent more time rooting through my relatives old sewing stuff than actually visiting!
I can't wait to start some of the projects this week!
Posted by: Jen B | January 02, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Happy 2008 to you too! Those chalkboard sets are adorable and a brilliant gift idea! You are always super creative. Just got your book from my wonderful husband for Christmas and I cannot wait to try some fun things in there! Great book.
Posted by: JaimeM | January 02, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Happy New Year! I did in fact get your book for xmas. Yay!
Posted by: mama k | January 02, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Blueprint too - nooooooooooooooooooooooo! I'm still upset about Kids too - what is up with Martha Stewart's publishing company???
Posted by: geek+nerd | January 02, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Happy New Year to you and your family! I love the chalkboards! I got some chalkboard fabric with the hopes of making a chalkboard roll for the car, but no luck! So happy to read the Blueprint news on your site, to balance out my anger before I head over there to throw a fit.
Posted by: Caroline | January 02, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Happy New Year to you and your family! I love the chalkboards! I got some chalkboard fabric with the hopes of making a chalkboard roll for the car, but no luck! So happy to read the Blueprint news on your site, to balance out my anger before I head over there to throw a fit.
Posted by: Caroline | January 02, 2008 at 09:51 AM
I forgot, will 2008 bring any mail order love?
Posted by: Caroline | January 02, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Thank you for last year's blogs. I have followed your crafting and been inspired to do more with mine. Thanks. I look forward to another great year of inspiration.
Posted by: Ericka B Traven | January 02, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I can't believe they discontinued Blueprint! Big time bummer. I almost recycled my old ones and I'm so glad I didn't in my last cleaning frenzy. I'm going to hold on to all my old MS mags now...I have over 50 issues since 1995. I don't know how many times I almost gave these away. I just hope I don't end up on OPrah for being a packrat :) I'm totally not one, I just can't seem to part with my MS mags though. Anyways, a VERY Happy New Year to you!
Posted by: Delilah | January 02, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Just visited to say Happy New Year to you and your family. I love the chalkboard gifts, how clever is that? I'm so glad that I found your blog, you give me such inspiration!
Posted by: Alice | January 02, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Since I didn't get your book for Christmas, I bought it for myself the other day...yippee! Hope it arrives in the mail this week.
Just stopping by to wish you a New Year filled with all things good!
With friendship,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa thedomesticdiva | January 02, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Happy Happy New Year. Thanks for a year of great reading and inspiration. You rock. Here's to 2008.
Posted by: Josie | January 02, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Just got your book for Christmas and LOVE it! Perfect for this 36 year old who has not sewn since 7th grade. You inspire me! I wish you many book sales and much success for 2008!
Posted by: Maria | January 02, 2008 at 02:47 PM