angry chicken

games of the more portable variety

Last year, after reading Molly's post about summer games, (she has a handy PDF here) we put together this box. It sits on a shelf in our living room and is used often, but even better, it's thrown in the car and used for all our road trips, vacations, etc. We all love playing these games—having ones that work for multiple ages is key. The fabric pouch contains Uno, which usually gets stashed into my bag, so it's pretty much always with us. It was pretty fun playing on top of sleeping bags in the tent with a flashlight a few weeks ago.

While playing these games I love seeing how the girls' personalities come out and how they manage the different components. We don't have an iphone, or a smart phone even, which is a deliberate choice. Don't get me wrong, I love technology. I just can't be trusted with one, it would not be good for me. But I do have cards in my purse and small sketchbooks and pens at all times. I really cherish the interaction of playing games with them and not seeing them looking at a little hand held screen. So, our favorites right now (of the small portable variety, not bigger board games, which should be a different post) are:

• Blink
• Sorry Revenge
• Toss Up
• Uno
• Pictureka
• Travel Yatzee

These are all really easy to find. I would love to get started on some role playing games, but these are quick, easy to travel with, and fun to play with everyone. We also love Bananagrams but I'm a bit paranoid about losing squares, so they stay at home.

I'd love to know what your favorite family games are that are easily transportable. We also have been playing word games more (like 20 questions, etc.) but that's also another post. Playing 20 questions with a 4 year old gets pretty surreal.

 

 

fall coat in red for the almost 7 year old

I finished Delia's coat this week. I love this pattern so much. It might be my most favorite sewing pattern of all time. I have made this 3 times now, last year for Sadie (who can wear hers again this year) and before that, for Delia. The variations on the collar and gathering on the side and back make this so fun to sew. It's Simplicity 2534.

I lined this one in a heavy cotton. The outer fabric is a wide wale corduroy. The winters here are really mild, so this will be plenty warm. There was much discussion about the lining material. She likes to put on coats fast—shooting her arm in, and the cotton creates a drag. But, I didn't think a slippery lining material was going to be warm enough, and I didn't want a quilted lining fabric because that would get too bulky with this pattern. So we decided on the cotton. Mostly because that's what I had on hand. She has to slow down her coat dressing anyway with the buttons. I am betting I will have to secure them often. She dresses with speed and stealth—like superman in a phone booth. Action fast!

I didn't realize how much makeup she had put on until we got outside.

Unrelated, I listened with a HUGE smile on my face to this interview with T-bone Burnett over on NPR about the 10th anniversary of the O' Brother, Where Art Thou? movie and soundtrack. Both of which were such a big deal in my life when they came out. And still are. There's a new release of the original soundtrack with a whole new disk of songs. This version of "I'll Fly Away" is killing me—I think I've played it 10 times in a row.

The Rhythm of Family

I was touched to be asked to contribute to Amanda and Steve Soule's newest book, The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons, which just came out a week ago. The thoughtful and quiet writing and photography fits perfectly into my end-of-summer lazy vibe. There's a calmness to this book that feels really nice. It's not really a craft book exactly, but not all essays either—it strikes a wonderful balance of both.

Thank you for asking me Amanda and Steve, and congrats on this lovely book. It's very special.

camping at silver falls state park

Camping was a blast. We had great weather, laughing fits, went swimming, saw waterfalls, roasted hot dogs, went on a hike, visited the nearby Oregon Gardens (photos of this soon) and then, on the way home, consumed pigs n' blankets. I didn't make them at the campsite. I did however, suggest we warm our cinnamon rolls in a pot, which made for an interesting clean-up.

Now we are resting from our vacation. And doing about 10 loads of laundry.

summer type stuff

This was at the berry farm a few weeks ago.

Despite the ongoing low temperatures here we are off doing a lot of summer stuff in the next few weeks— hopefully outside. Camping, fairs, swimming, and some road trips. I have started  sewing a fall coat already for the middle child, but when I realized it actually might get worn this week I stopped because it depressed me too much.

I don't have a ton to report right now. I have some half started sewing projects, we are getting ready for 2 fall birthdays, I am 99% ready to sell some Facial Oils/Hair Oils and I am VERY excited to be doing this, and at this moment I am trying to decide what trashy books and magazines to take on our camping trip. Decisions!

Nice Stuff-

• I sure do love these wooden gift tags. There's a lot of loveliness in this shop, which is new to me—Felt & Wire.

• I adore this Mums Wreath Kit from Paper Source (via Lisa Solomon)

dot, dot, dot,

With the-not-so-summery weather, we stayed in and did some art projects from the fablous book, Discovering Great Artists, that I have written about here. This time we looked at Seurat (I printed two examples of his work for us to study and talk about) and learned about Pointillism. This now has me wanting to watch Sunday in the Park with George, which I haven't seen in about 20 years.

Unrelated: So many new issues of incredibly cool online magazines are out! I am a little late seeing some of these, but the nice thing is they don't sell out. Some are free (with ads) some charge (and are ad free)

• Action Pack (issue 5, a craft magazine for kids)
• Nuno Magazine (issue 4, this issue blew my mind with it's visual coolness)
• Small Magazine (issue 18)
• Matchbook Magazine (issue 7)

 

some ink and other bits

The new Fall issue of Stitch magazine is out and is full of great sewing projects—complete with patterns and directions.

I was flattered and so excited to be featured in the Sew Inspired column, which appears on the last page, about my sewing process and what keeps me going. And it's double triumph to me to have a photo in a magazine wearing fake hair.

I love this quilt project designed by Kevin Kosbab and there are directions for how to make it! You can find Stitch magazine at local fabric shops—both independant and chain shops, I believe. You can also get it direct from Interweave. Looks like they have good prices on back issues, too.

Unrelated:

• I am now on a 1920s kick from regular watching of House of Eliott and it's making me notice the abundance of ponchos, capes, and loose fitting blouses with bat wings/kimono sleeves that the youth are now wearing. Or, at least, the shops seem to be selling. They have these 1920s vintage shapes, with completely 1980s fabrics—which vexes me. In that vein I want to sew something like this. I want it to be sheer and totally impractical. Something the cats and children would surely destroy. This blouse over at BurdaStyle would be lovely to sew up a 1920s look as well. With embrodiery, perhaps?

Random family quotes of the week:

Me, talking in the car: 

Oh, it's one of those things I just know I'd be good at. Like poetry or roller derby.

Pete, upon waking up this morning:

I was terrified of the buzzer on Family Feud. It was too loud.