Harry Potter love and Modeled Capelette

I made Hermione (her favorite), Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Neville and Draco.

I made them very quickly, with Mariann constantly wanting to paint on them with me, getting bore to just paint two peg of her own. (one is now totally pink and the other green and blue).

Then She decided they needed a castle. The Quidditch Pit, my mom brought that home after a boxing day, I don't remember what year. It was part of a village to put under a Yule tree. My cousin has Hagrid's hut, I'll try to borrow it while HP is Mariann's thing. It changes from the fairies! And I didn't think I would be able to transmit my love for Harry Potter quite that fast. You can't see on this picture, but they both have a lightning bold on their forehead.

Mariann is quite happy with the capelette and might even be over the fact that it has no sleeves. It's big enough so it'll fit next fall too. Let's hope. They are growing so fast. When they got out of the bath tonight Mariann pulled out her favorite pyj (the fairies one) and said Merrick needed to dress up not to be cold. She then proceeded in trying to dress him up. They are growing full of love for each other. Full of hitting and pushing and pulling hair, but love none-the-less.

Spinning, Capelette and Children of the Forest

This is my first try at spinning. Do I love it? YES. It takes no time and looks so great. Very instant gratifying!

And I've been wishing to make a capelette for Mariann for ages, and there it goes; done. The red fleece was cut out since October I think... but I kept putting it away, telling myself she won't have the time to wear it and other things were more pressing to do. But this week I found 2 great vintage fabric at the thrift store and it inspired me to finish it for once! It took me 2 evenings and it was done. I covered the buttons cause none I had fit, and I'm happy I did. I followed no pattern, I roughly inspired myself from a coat Mariann's best friend has that is way more complicated. Hopefully I'll have Mariann modelling it tomorrow :)

And I've been wanting to make those since the book came at my door (Children of the Forest, Elsa Beskow). This is the clearest picture I was able to get. Once I find them back I'll take some more and put up a listing on etsy.

Papa started school, so he's gone for long period of time. Twice a week he's gone before we wake up and back at 10h30pm, and the children miss him so much. I do, too. The babies are quite long to get to sleep at night, and are very persistent on not wanting to nap. Picture above was taken at 7pm. She had quietly played with the cards (there's Harry Potter pictures on it. How she loves them!) and put them all back in the box and shut down. I tell you its the first time ever it happens, that she falls asleep somewhere else then a bed or the car.

So I haven't been blogging much lately... I don't expect I will post much in the future as well.

Winter Clothing and Emergency dollmaking

My goal of knitting a sweater for Mariann, Merrick and Papa wasn't achieved, but, I managed to complete one for Merrick! It still needs to be blocked.

Mariann's sweater dress was made out of a sweater I paid 1$ and Merrick's pants were sweater sleeves as well. I plan on turning the body of that sweater into stocking for next year...I found ours are way too small!

And you know what? After completing and giving this doll... I found Victoria!
We made a lot of reno upstairs and since Mariann doesn't sleep much in her bedroom anymore we had put the reno stuff in there. I thought I checked everywhere and moved every blankets, but Saturday I was seeking for dressing the new doll and while moving the doll cloths pile I saw the pyjama I thought we lost Victoria in.... And removing the blanket, there she was, in the pink pyjama!

Mariann was so delighted. She's playing with her ever since. Dressing and undressing, walking around with her in her sling. Ah! It made my day!

No show and tell

My blog has been pretty much show-and-tell lately. I'm doing a lot of stuff, I have some request from the shop and I've started making holiday gifts.

But sometimes it feels just great to hit the "new post" button and start to write, just because.

I have a crown and a doll to post tomorrow! I would have gone today, but I wait for we have something to get in the city to make the trip worth it. I'm itching to get my license now... My exam is really close, and I hope I pass it, now that I actually have places to go and people to visit. And time off to take, by myself.

I made a pointy hat for Merrick. He hates wearing it. Fortunatly, Mariann loves to model. With attitude.

We went out last week and I realized we were all dressed with something I made. Mariann was wearing her Birthday dress (above) and her Equinox tunic (above), Merrick was wearing his Equinox tunic and Mariann's old mommy-like winter coat (under) and I was wearing a polka dot long sleeve top which I failed to show you yet. But I really did sew something for myself. And I love it!

I really love the idea of getting rid of everything piece of clothing that is massively produce and replace it with handmade goodies, exception allowed to really cool vintage items and Papa's underwear and socks. And the red polka dot dress I've gave birth it. Twice. (and that I'm wearing right now.)

I thought Papa was actually tired of seeing red all the time. I always dress in red, I always dress the babies in red. If I need something new, I pick it it red, if possible. But he apparently doesn't. We're finally renovating our bedroom, the ceiling is insulated and when it was time to pick the paint, I've let him choose...And he choose red. A deep, rich red that I love. And he picked it without any influence from me. And that's awesome because now I have some more excuse of making red things! Even if it's just boring curtains.

And as randomly as I've hit "new post", I'm now hitting "publish post". Thanks!

About choosing to stay at home

I was thinking of my post yesterday and reading your comments, and I realized my post want totally another way of what I envisioned when thinking about writing a post on the matter. So today I offer you my thoughts about the benefits from staying home, and why we choose to do so (as opposed to rant about those who don't). You also get a bonus; I made a dress for Mariann this morning, while Merrick slept 2 hours in a row a naptime!

Happy with the new dress

When I first confessed (yes, confessed) to Papa that I wanted to stay home I was scared to be judge as lazy. A huge weight was lift from my shoulder when Papa said he never went to daycare and hoped I'd stay home too. Phew!

In around a half of century, woman from Québec passed from submissive religious being to (imho) submissive working being. They wanted, oh so badly to get out of the kitchen and work. Be able to become independent. Free. They won; they work... But they spent a long time working and taking care of the house as well, leaving them burned and surely not free. Because the man of the house surely didn't want to do any "woman things", as he worked so hard during the day... Fortunately mind have changed and man are doing their share...most of them.

But they really, really wanted to work, those women. They made their place in the government and voted law for the family. Subventioned daycare, better maternity leave (up to a year now), paternity leave as well. Then, let's all go back to work.

I love my new trick for making backs. I found I disliked making button holes.

My [very personal belief] is that children, in most situations, are better raised with their parents, one of them at home (because dads at home rock too!) It holds many advantages for both parties; I personally don't know when I'd find the time to do house chores if I had a job. I tend to leave this part of my mommy at home tasks last; when my children are fed and asleep in their beds, when I actually had some "me" time, or now that they both get older I found I can wash the dishes or fold some cloths here and there while they play together without needing me.

I just can't picture myself only spending daytime with them on the weekend. We go out on weekdays... And we only meet old ladies (that find me awesome hehe) or mom with a tiny baby in a stroller. I'm being told I'm so brave for going out with both; I get weird look from lunching in restaurants in the middle of all the bureaucrats (that have half an hour to lunch) with two kids, on my own. We go in parks that are unfortunately empty most of the time. We get one ingredient for dinner when there's nobody in the whole supermarket. We live the day instead of living after 5 o'clock.

I think that black and white polka dot with multicolor stripes looks great, when you're almost 3.

Socialization? We're always out. I don't know who decided that in order to socialized you had to be placed with a bunch of kid the same age and systematically learn some skill. Let me object; I don't really find it sane. This is not the type of socialization I envision for my children. No learning to be the meanest or wanting the coolest newest thing. More learning to share and act with persons of any group of age. Hey, my 3 year old already know that in order to make any type of muffin you need to put egg first, then oil, then brown sugar and lastly flour, a little bit at a time. She also greases the mold while I stir all she threw in the bowl, without me asking. But sorry she doesn't recognize all the shapes yet, neither she can count to 10.

sorry for all the blurriness. I need to get my lens some cleaning too...

I'm raising a happy toddler that once in public isn't scare to go do her thing knowing I'm not too far. I'm raising a baby boy that will, at his own pace, while he might not look independent at all in comparison to those babies that already go to daycare, will become as independent, knowing that when he'll need me I'll be there. Near.

And they'll remember that. That I was there.