shellebellecreates

new blog love

" You must be the change you want to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi

Sometimes (lots of the time) when I have a free moment or want to escape I read my blogs which takes me on an adventure to other cool blogs which often times sucks up way more time than I have to spare. Simple Mom came to me via Soule Mama and what a joy it is. I am so new to blogging and Simple Mom linked to Blissfully Domestic, which I believe she also contributes to. The tips on blog writing were exactly what I was looking for, now I just need to spend sometime putting the tips to use. I am still just getting my feet wet and want to be a better blogging, I would like to share my ideas with others. I want to change from passive participant to active contributer. I also want to thank all the inspirational blog writers that share their time and talents with me.

simple sewing

I am still in the need of quick fixes, so on Saturday while the kids played and the manthing slept, I made the easiest headbands out of leftover apron fabric for the girls. There are so many patterns to choose online and I used this one. And Jennifer is right they can become addicting. Mo loved the headband and wanted more and more to match her skirts and pink ones and she just loves it so much, I asked her to model it for me, and she can't find it!

Now I am starting the holiday making early, in hopes of finishing on time. This idea is from The Creative family and Soule Mama blog. I am making the gratitude wrap which I will fill with cards made by the kids and some of Colorado photography. I think it will be a perfect made by all gift. Thank you Amanda for sharing the pattern, love it!

charity knitting

I am working on many endless knitting projects which were bumming me out. I needed something to be knit and finished quickly. I made one baby hat from The Knitter's Book of Yarn. It was so fun and I see many more of these being made for a local charity (have to pick one still). I also signed on to make one square from Great American Afghan, this one is a bit trickier as I had issue with the chart being wrong and misreading the directions. I have started over and all is knitting a long quite nicely. This square is being made into a quilt for the Ralston House, which is a very worthy cause.

I was at the library and took out this CD, solely because they were knitting on the cover. It is really good, check them out.

intention

"Your intentions create your experiences. What do you intend to happen? Make sure your thoughts and feelings reflect these intentions. What do you expect to happen today, tomorrow or in the future? These expectations are the seeds of your intentions. An intention means you have set a goal and you intend to achieve it." This card drawn from Healing with the angels card deck. really helped me out of a funk I had been in. Unlike the bee in the photo which knows instinctively what it must do, I get sidetrack with regularity. I needed the gentle reminder to slow down and sort out what I would like to achieve, and that help was always there when I asked for it. So simple, yet so powerful.

first harvest

I picked the first two ichiban eggplant, it makes all the hard work of gardening worth the effort.

Now is the time to start my seeds for the fall/winter garden. I have learned that I need to plant at least double what I did this summer, the only thing I have enough of for my family of four is lettuce, and I am the only lover of salad. I wanted to get a seed catalog but they are all out due to increased demand. I love the renewed interest in growing your own food. I have found this blog most inspirational.

At the beach

The water is freezing, which feels so good.

Hmm... blogging by iphone doesn't look so good.

Getting there

Wow! I feel the directions are written in a foreign language, although I am sure they are clear, just the heat sucking away my life force. I only need to attach the waistband and ties and I will have a new apron.

new apron

.

Why yes, that is florescent green fabric, got a problem with that? I am hoping I won't when the sewing is done. I am making the apron overlay and will add at least one pocket. Now off to cut the fabric. peace

endless knitting

I started this blanket in January. I thought it would take a month to knit it. My first ball of yarn took one day, the second two and a half days, and well the third took a couple of weeks. I am finally on the seventh of ten so the end is in sight. The pattern is from this book. The pattern is easy, the yarn is a pleasure to knit, but by golly I am ready to be finished. I want to start something new and exciting, but I really want to finish this before the kids first birthday!

The book Simple Prosperity is fantastic. I thought it would be a big reminder of how great I am doing on simple, green living, but it is so much more. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about slowing down and appreciating life in a deeper way. The author David Wann wrote an excellent well researched book. I love his proposed New American Dream, where people matter more than money or goods. It sounds so simple but it goes against the current norm in todays society. I was appalled to learn that he was fired from the Denver Post for being unamerican, and called a terrorist by the Denver Business Journal, all for encouraging his readers to shop less! Simple Prosperity has inspired me to be more active in our HOA, I have this vision of turning it more into a community working together than well what it is now. This book encourages personal growth and a path to a better simpler life, which would benefit everybody.

baking soda

I have used baking soda and vinegar to clean for ages and it is often difficult to find in large sizes, so imagine how happy I was to see the 12 pounder at Costco for $4.98!

My favorite uses:
1. shampoo. I am trying it again, last year I was seduced by Aveda shampoo after being free for two months. This time I am sticking with it, saves money and plastic.
2. House cleaning. Use practically everywhere, add to wash machine to boost detergent, scrub pans, bathrooms, etc...
3. Bug bites. Make a paste and put it on the irritated area.

Check out here for my ideas.