Lasso The Moon

Poetry Wednesday - "The Giggles"

This poem was written for Ethan, who laughed for the first time yesterday, at eleven weeks old.

            "The Giggles"

He hadn’t meant to sound absurd,
But during the prayer, he just miss-used a word…
That changed the meaning entirely,
And started me bubbling up with glee. 

I pursed my lips and bit my cheek,
Praying that God would make me meek.
I tried to think of something sad;
I drew a frown on my notepad. 

But the harder I tried the worse it got,
And I knew my face was getting hot.
It isn’t right to laugh in church,
But I felt my stomach begin to lurch. 

From deep within the laughter rolled.
I sniffed—to disguise it as a cold.
Giggle…chuckle…twitter…GASP!
Oh, Lord, how long can this prayer last? 

I stood there silent, shoulders shaking,
My face was scarlet, sides were aching.
In a moment of weakness I let out a snort,
And had to hold onto the pew for support! 

I took a breath, let out a sigh…
And gave serenity one more try.
And then—a miracle! He said, “Amen.”
Just as I gained composure again. 

Embarrassed, I wiped the tears from my face.
Oh why did I have to be such a disgrace?
I opened my eyes—just looked straight ahead.
My cheeks, still wet. My eyes, still red. 

As the preacher began to read the Word,
I started to wonder, Had anyone heard?
I glanced at the man next to me, and surprise!
He was looking back with concern in his eyes. 

His gaze was one of deep compassion.
He obviously had misread my reaction!
The swollen eyes, the shortness of air,
He thought I was weeping in response to the prayer! 

My collapse in to silliness, however brief,
Had been confused with sorrow and grief!
For who would expect uncontrollable laughter,
From the poised, ever-spiritual wife of the pastor?

Based on a true story--when a pastor (not Donnie) prayed that we would remember that "we are but dust" and I heard butt dust!  heehee.

Quick Gift

I was chatting with my friend Krystle yesterday, trying to come up with a time to get our families together, when she mentioned that her birthday was coming up soon.  This Monday, in fact.  I rummaged around in my supplies, and whipped up this:
A set of 4 coasters with her last Initial on them.  (I'm really into monograms these days.  What IS that?)    The background of the is pieced from 4 different black and white fabrics.  I didn't plan them at all--just cut up some scraps and started piecing them together randomly.  Then I attached some very stiff interfacing I had before machine applique-i ng on the monograms.  I did a different letter "O" on each one.
  Lastly I added a backing fabric, cut them down to exactly 4 inches, and zig-zagged around the edges.  I think I like how they turned out.  Would make add-in to a wedding gift.  Or a hostess gift.  I'll probably make them again--maybe with a little better planning next time. 

I Heart Goodwill!

Last night I avoided caffeine.  I went to bed in my OWN bed, and even got my 10-week-old infant to sleep in HIS own bed. (!) But I did not sleep.  And I have this post from Soule Mama to thank for it.  My mind was racing.  It's been a long time since I've thrifted, and there are probably so many things I've missed.  Plus, I kept coming up with new amazing ideas for projects using felted wool sweaters. (At least they seemed amazing and cutting-edge at 2 am!) And the last time I went, I came home with almost nothing, so my wool stash is running out and I have to get to goodwill or the thrift store as soon as it opens in the morning or the good stuff will be gone and how am I going to look at labels and keep my babies happy at the same time....*deep breath*

I was right, though.  They were there.  Most of them were half price, too.  And delicious colors:
And a Stripe!  And Prints!  I have a felty flower project in mind for May Day this year, so these are just what I needed.  And thankfully, none of them fit me.  (I had to try--post-partum body doesn't fit into much these days...)  So they will all be pulled apart and thrown in the washer this afternoon.  Yay!  I love the manic crafty feeling.  There's so much energy that comes from it.  I've already cleaned half my house today, just from the adrenaline rush.  Good thing, because once those sweaters come out of the dryer, the dishes will have to wait. 

Poetry Wednesday - haiku

Here are a few haiku that describe my life right now. I thought they'd be a perfect start to my new Poetry Wednesday segment.   

Spit-up covers me.
Will I ever not smell sour?
Not today at least.

He looks so peaceful
I'll just lay him down right here...
Nope.  He woke again.

Finally he's out.
Dishes? Laundry? Crafting? Rest?
No.  Now Emma's up.

Anna

Sweets for my Sweetie

Well, here they are.  Hot and fresh.  Finally.  Emma has been very patient the last couple of days as she has watched me put the finishing touches on her LATE Valentine's present.  She is really into pretending right now, so these felty donuts have really been a hit.  I was inspired to make her some soft food for her new kitchen by Anna Maria, who made these cookies for her own little one.

They really were easy to make.  Sew a tube of felt--mine were 4" x 10" and turned out just a tiny bit smaller than the real thing.  Turn the tube inside-out, stuff, and whipstitch into a donut shape.

For the icing I cut out a circle a little bigger than the donut.  (I used a plate from Emma's kitchen--it was perfect!)  Cut a small hole in the middle, and whip-stitch it to the top.  Felt has a lovely give to it, and will kind of mold itself around the form. 

The sprinkles are just tiny felt rectangles folded in half and stitched on randomly.  I would have used beads, but these are for a two-year-old.  Emma's donuts are made from acrylic felt (it squeaks) but I think I might make one from thrifted wool felt for a grown-up friend.  They make good pin-cushions, too.  Feel free to use my idea for yourselves.  I'd love to see what you come up with if you do!

Tomorrow: a new feature--Poetry Wednesday

Happy Valentines Day, from Anna and Optimus Prime

Happy Late Valentine's Day.  The paper robot above is what I made Donnie for Valentine's Day.  It is Optimus Prime from the 80's Transformers cartoon.  He has often told me how much he loves that show, and would love to see the episodes again.  So, when I found the instructions and patterns here, I knew it would be just right.  Plus, it fits into my Valentine present philosophy.  I think that Valentines should be temporary.  Flowers, chocolate, paper, etc.  He looks comfy in our "love fern" doesn't he?  (It's really ivy trained around heart-shaped wire.)

Another fun thing I found while I was in Dallas, was this new (relatively) magazine, Cookie.  A really intelligent look at parenting with cool ideas for projects, trips, and healthy meals.  Plus, there is a great section on kids' fashion in every issue.  Full of inspiration.

I finally got the Easter Dress up on Ebay yesterday, too.  It was cold and windy outside, so we were stuck inside to take the pictures.  Emma cooperated mostly.  It helped to bribe her with a sucker...

I think the pictures turned out as well as could be expected.  Here's the link to the auction.  I love the face she's making in this photo.  She looks so grown up!  (She's only 2--and 2 months.)

I hope to get lots done this weekend, but I'll have to wait to get pictures on Sunday.  Donnie's on a retreat with the youth group.  We really wanted to go, but the kids had been displaced for so many days, that I decided to stay home and get back into a routine.  He took the camera, so I am stacking up things I want to post about.

Like what I made last night.  A bunny without a pattern.  And two funny Easter onesies for Ethan.  And I still haven't finished Emma's SWEET valentine present.  So much to do.  But all I really want is to stare out the window.  It's snowing again!

That's like 18 inches piled up on our back porch!

Score

As promised, I have uploaded some pictures of the goodies I brought home with me from Dallas.  We had so much new stuff to take home, that we had to borrow a third huge suitcase for the plane. 
Next time we go home, we're going to charge everyone a gift-giving fee.  (I'm joking.  Mostly.)
Anyway, on the right is the cool set of nesting bowls my sister gave me as a bridesmaids gift.  So thoughtful.  All I did for my wedding helpers was give them a bunch of different stationery.  But she got thoughtful, useful gifts for everyone--way to go, Abby!
    The day before the wedding, Abby and I went over to our friend Laurie's house for manicures.  I was telling her about the design of the kids' shared room (cowboys and cowgirls) and she went rummaging in her closet for something that "I think you could use."  What she came out with was a big stack of the coolest vintage cowboy fabric ever!

This is so perfect for the bedroom.  I just don't know where to start.  She gave me what looks like several yards.  She had used it in her son's room in their first house, and had been holding onto it, because she just couldn't bear to let it go. 
    And then she gave it to me!!  Don't worry Laurie.  I'll try to prove myself worthy of this awesome gift. 

Okay, so the next thing I came home with was some more fabric for the kids' room.  We got it at Room Service on Lover's Lane.  They were having a sale, of course. So we left the babies in the car with Grandma V, and started digging through the clearance bolts...they were $5 a yard!  I found two that I just could not resist.  A denim with star appliques, and another cowboy print.  This is basically a reproduction of the fabric I had just gotten from Laurie, but with a blue background.  What a cool find.

Well, there was even more on the horizon.  While we were at Junkadoodle, also on Lover's, Mom found this great multi-media piece that I am just crazy over.  It is painted on canvas, sewn with a couple pieces of wire in between, and has a metal star dangling off of it.  So "Lasso the Moon".  I'm looking for a place to hang it now.

Well, there is much more to say, but I have tons to do and I'm trying not to use my blog as an excuse to not do them. 

I got my initial tee up on Ebay yesterday, and I'm hoping to list the Easter Dress this afternoon. 

I also have a late Valentine present for Emma that I'm working on.  Can't wait to show it.  It's very SWEET.  Later.  Anna

Back from the Heart of Texas

Wow!  What a whirl-wind the last week has been.  We are finally back in the freezing Midwest, after spending 9 days in the lovely Texas weather.  Abby's wedding was so fun.  She was a gorgeous, poised bride.  I miss her already, and can't wait to spend more time with my new "brother"! 
Now, since the gifts have already been given, I can show you what I had been working on for her shower.  I have really been wanting to try freezer paper stenciling, and of course I had to try something wayyy too detailed for my first time.  But it turned out so cool.  I made her this shirt from a picture I stole off of Greg's myspace page:
Here's the original:

If anyone is interested in a tutorial for the stencil thing, let me know.  But there are already some great ones out there.  My next stenciling project will be of Emma's face.  Can't wait to try it!
Emma was darling as a flower girl, and fairly well-behaved, too.  (She's only two, she's only two, she's only two....this was my mantra during the ceremony.)  Everyone loved the dresses.
My time in Texas was a blast.  I had been really home-sick for all my old haunts, so I made time with my mom and grandmother to hit some of them before we headed back.  We went here, here, and here.  There were some other excellent things that happened in Texas (presents!!), but I'll have to wait until I get pictures of them all.  Thanks for the great trip, everyone! 

Photo Contest

I have so much going on right now..We are getting ready to leave for Abby's wedding (my sister) on Tuesday, and I have to finish her Easter dress to take with us, pack all our stuff, find something that fits me, and finish some customs before we go.  Not much time to take photos of all I'm doing, but I promise I'll get to that very soon.
Until then...here's a quick contest to see whose paying attention.
What do you think Emma is doing in this picture??

List your answers in the comments.  First one with the correct answer wins!  Please one answer per person, and make sure there is a way to contact you if you win.  On your mark, get set, GO!