Painting Pottery

Day 169/366
Remember that pottery class we were taking before all things came a halt? We were able to complete our pieces by painting them. We worked outside of the studio and painted the afternoon away, enjoying the breeze and shade of the tent that Heidi set up for us. We can't wait to see our finished pieces after they are glazed and fired.

Quarantine Challenge: Paint a Beach Landscape

Day 91/366
I am not an artist and I haven't painted in... I can't remember the last time I painted something! But I decided today's quarantine challenge would be painting a seaside landscape, inspired by a video posted on the McHarper Manor Facebook page (you can also watch the video on YouTube). McHarper Manor has been doing a Facebook Live art project every day for the past two weeks and we've enjoyed doing a few of the projects. The kids and I each created a painting and I was actually pretty happy with how mine turned out. It's not perfect, but one thing I love about my painting is how the waves look. It was fun to try something new and create something to remind me of warm ocean breezes and beautiful seaside sunsets.

Quarantine Challenge: Build a Boat

Day 90/366
I decided to give the kids a quarantine challenge: build a boat that would float with available materials at our house. I set out a bunch of various supplies that they could use to build their vessels and let the creative juices flow. They had so much fun! We decided to try the boats in multiple areas: the stream in the gully, the river in Mount Vernon and the pond at Donald Park. The favorite water venue by far was the river in Mount Vernon. Jevin's boat even had a little captain named Spoony, fashioned after Forky from Toy Story 4. The weather was beautiful this afternoon and the kids have made it clear that they want to build boats again in the near future.

My Sipila Sweater

Day 89/366
My finished Sipila sweater... I decided to throw it on to take a few pictures and chase off some of the afternoon gloom. This was my first time actually wearing the sweater and it fits perfectly. The color work is done with a gradient yarn that I hand-dyed at a local yarn store last summer. The sweater is super soft and comfortable. I can't wait to actually wear it out of the house.

Make Some Art

Day 76/366
Sometimes you just gotta create some art, especially on a gray and gloomy afternoon with nowhere to be but the kitchen table. Enavi was well prepared with lots of Pinterest inspiration for everyone.

Pottery Project: Plates

Day 73/366
This was our last class working with the wheel and we made plates. All of us were very pleased with how the plates turned out. The kids each made two and I made one. I liked my first plate so well, I decided not to jinx it by attempting to make another one. I'm really looking forward to next week when we get to glaze all of our projects. I love the look of concentration I caught on Jevin's face. If the tongue's out, you know he's working hard at creating something amazing!

Pottery Project: Bowls

Day 66/366
Our second week of pottery class was really fun. We had a little bit of experience under our belts, so the process felt more natural. We each made two bowls and I was really pleased with how my first bowl turned out. Next week's project: plates.

Color Play

Day 55/366
A new knitting project is under way, and I'm having fun using up some leftovers along with some newly purchased yarn.

Reflection

Day 52/366
The craft room is my happy place. I've been working on some journaling in my quiet time, reflecting on scripture, praying and trying to do something creative. I love the way the morning sunlight warms the room and invites to me create.

The Hat Exchange

Day 44/366
Enavi is diligently working on her hat for the hat exchange at The Cat and Crow. It's been a challenging pattern for her, and she's had to start over at least once, but she's learning new skills and has kept at it.

Mittens for Mom

Day 26/365
I made these mittens for my mom with yarn she dyed last summer at a class that Carrie, Enavi, my mom and I took at The Cat and Crow in Mt. Horeb. I hadn't made mittens before, and they were pretty quick and easy, but also very cozy. I gave them to Mom this afternoon and she loved them. I hope they keep her nice and toasty all winter long.

Cozy Winter

Day 10/365
The first knitting project of 2020 is ready to wear! This shawl is called Cozy Winter and I really like the way it turned out. It is, in fact, cozy and the combination of lace and cables made for a really fun pattern to knit.

Inky Ornaments

Day 348/365
We decorated glass ornaments with alcohol inks. We can't wait to hang them on the tree!

Flurry of Snowflakes

Day 337/365
Our advent activity of the day was making paper snowflakes. The kids made some beautiful creations that are adorning our windows and doors.

Making Paper

Day 331/365
Enavi received her monthly craft kit and this month's project was making paper journals. She made the paper herself and then created three lovely, handmade journals.

Slime Time

Day 322/365
Enavi experimented with making her own glitter slime. After a couple of attempts, she figured out a great recipe and had fun making a slimy mess.

Knitting Season

Day 315/365
'Tis the season for knitting gifts! I started this project yesterday, with plans to gift it to a friend for Christmas.

Pumpkin Carving

Day 302/365

Current Project

Day 236/365
My current knitting project: the Friese Shawl.

Minnesota Dreaming

Day 214/365
We went to the Walnut Hollow warehouse sale and Enavi was very excited to find this Minnesota cut out. She used some chalkboard paint to create her very own wall decor to remind her of the place she loves.