Uncommon Grace

The Dolls

I had 7 doll commissions to complete for the holidays this year (8 if you count Hanna, which I do). I didn't begin any until I'd completed my wee ones' Halloween costumes (which was a bit of a trauma in and of itself as my old serger died in the middle of making them). So, it amounted to a little more than one doll a week from November to mid-December. That was a lot. It was really too much. The stress level around here while I was down to the wire on them was amazingly high. But I completed each and every one of them, and they all made it to their respective destinations in time. Whew!

Hanna, now at home with Molly's family. But you've seen her before!

Willow, now at home with Emily's little girl. (Emily created the most wonderful clothing for these fairy babies, an offer she made to save me time, and I think they turned out even better for it. Look at them here.)

Morgan, now at home with Emily's little boy. (I called him Morgan because it means "sea".) (Again, that's snow falling on his head, not some mysterious dander.)

I could not have completed them without the help of my own mama, my best friend Rebecca, or my husband, who all stuffed and sewed with me. (Yes, even my husband sewed. He attached arms to bodies.) My mom even helped with the boys' sweaters. Thank goodness for a crafty mama and best friend and a willing husband! (I really should acknowledge my youngest sister who also helped with stuffing and childcare.) Still, most of the handwork was done by me, and I don't think my fingertips will ever be the same. ;) I don't think I'll ever be the same.

Faolan (pronounced "faylan"), now at home in Massachusetts with a blog reader and friend! This is my favorite doll I've ever made and I really didn't want to part with him. Sigh.

Colin, now at home with his big brother Faolan. His hair was very intense to do, but turned out just how I'd hoped.

I learned a lot of lessons through this project. The first was not to take on a bunch of commissions without having planned to do so in the first place. I had never planned to sell my dolls for this holiday season, but when people began inquiring about them after seeing Graham, I just started saying yes, without really thinking about it. The other really important thing that I came away with (lots of other little lessons about time management and speaking up for what my work is worth and so on in between) was that if I'm going to do this, if I'm going to be a doll maker, I need to make dolls in advance. Just as I have time, a head and body here and there. People can still request hair and eye colors (and skin color, too!), but at least I'd have the bulk of the work done. I will probably make clothes in advance, too, and then offer a choice between colors of what I have in stock, rather than leaving it really open ended for people to choose. I have a pretty decent (not big) stash, but I still ended up having to run out and buy fabric & yarn for doll clothes more than once, which I think could have been avoided.

Mandy. At first I wasn't so sure about doing freckles on a doll, but she actually turned out to be my favorite girl doll of the entire batch. She lives with Deanna's family now.

This is Rachel, and I know this isn't her face, but I love this shot of her hair, a style I'd never tried before, and I think it really captures something special about this doll. You can see her face here. She's at home with her big sister Mandy.

And finally, sweet Sally. My mom just couldn't get over Sally's sweet face. She's a bit more petite than the other dolls in this bunch, and is so perfectly adorable. She's with her sisters Mandy and Rachel at Deanna's house.

(As always, there are many more views of these dolls here.)

Anyway, I am so glad that I did this. I am so glad that my work has received such a warm reception and that this little batch of dolls have all gone to such good homes and are being loved by so many children. Despite the stress, I'd say that it was all worth it in the end. And now I know what to do differently in the future!

Oh, and wishing you all many happy returns (wait, what does that even mean?!) ... a very, very happy 2008. ;)

Christmas Day Sewing

Since I was so behind with all my gifting this year, I ended up doing some sewing on Christmas day. This quick and easy bag for my youngest sister (who is practically impossible to shop or make for), inspired by Erin's, was cranked out in about an hour. My sister adored it, which is especially gratifying.

The "recipe" for the bag is here, and I didn't really change it at all for this bag. I did add some fusible fleece as an interfacing to give the bag more structure. The outer fabric is from Repro Depot, I believe, and the lining is just a green cotton. You can see the handle better in this one:

(It's not really crooked, it's just hanging crooked from the chair.)

And the vintage button I used, which is actually more red than it looks:

(That's snow you see, not dander or something. I like to photograph everything I make outside for some reason.)

And, no report about my Christmas Day Sewing adventure of 2007 would be complete without sharing the fact that I sewed through my finger with my sewing machine that day. All the way through it. The needle broke off while it was in my finger and was sticking out from both sides. My husband had to pull it out. It still hurts an awful lot, but is not infected, thankfully. I am not usually very squeamish -- actually, I'm really fascinated by all things surgical, etc. -- but I almost passed out from this. However, now I'm kind of wishing we took a picture of the needle in my finger. But we didn't, so you're spared. ;)

Wishing You...

Light, love, peace, good cheer, and many blessings in the new year.

I have so very much to share with you all. But that'll have to wait another day. For now, let's just say that I'm very ready for my long winter's nap, but I made it. And now the holiday begins for me. (More about that in a later post, too.)

Merry Christmas, dear friends.

The not-so-good

December is slipping by and I am feeling woefully unprepared for Christmas. Oh, I promise myself every year that I'll start earlier, etc. But I never do. The advent calendar is barely happening this year ... despite my best intentions and good advice for everyone else, I was not as organized this year as I was last year, and it's causing some nightmares for me. My Christmas cards are sitting here on my desk, un-signed, un-addressed, un-stamped, un-sent. I always mail my cards on November 30. I have not even begun the children's Christmas pajamas (a last day of advent tradition here), and worse, haven't even begun Elisabeth's gifts. I don't have gifts in hand for most of our extended family, or any good birthday ideas for my husband (he turns 40 on Sunday -- can I say that?). I have hours of work left on my doll commissions. (If you ordered dolls from me and are reading this, they will make their way to you, sweetly wrapped, this week. I don't know when, but I'd mail them by Express mail anyway as a protection, so they'll get to you.) And, oh, yeah:

James's leg is broken. We don't know how it happened. We were in to the doctor twice last week because of it; at first they thought they wouldn't need to cast it, but after a second opinion by an orthopedist, James came home with a bright red cast.

I know this will all seem funny to me in, oh, about 8 days. But this week? Not so much.

Holiday & Winter Reading

I've been planning to do this post all month and life has just gotten in the way of my regular posting. I'm so sorry if it's too late for gift buying! File the ideas away for next year, perhaps. Or check the library, or buy locally. ;)

We have so very many winter and holiday-themed children's books. I did a list last year, and many of those books are still in our very frequent rotation. But I'm not going to duplicate any of them here. Except ... The Mitten. Which is, after all, Elisabeth's favorite.

The Tomten. This book is so, so lovely. Almost too lovely to describe. You know how there are "kid favorites" and "parent favorites"? This one is definitely both. The language (though translated from Swedish), is so gentle and subtle. The book is reassuring and sweet ... I love the way that the ever-turning wheel of the year is described: "Winters come and summers go, year follows year..." Elisabeth could hear this book many times every day, and I think I could easily oblige her.

Winter by Gerda Muller. A sweet wordless board book, one of a set of four (one for each season). James likes to read these to himself. He'll sit down, turn the pages, and "talk" to each one. I like to hear his version of the story much more than my own.

Winter by Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann. Another wordless picture book, also one in a set of four, this series is newer to us than Gerda Muller's. The illustrations have a much different "feel" to them -- more magical, and more festival-oriented compared to the very dailiness of Gerda Muller's. Eva-Maria's Winter features little gnomes on every page and a visit from St. Nicholas, for example. I think I prefer Eva-Maria's just a little bit to Gerda Muller's. But being fortunate enough to have both is really enriching, I think. :)

Big Susan. This is new to Elisabeth this year, though it was on my book wish-list for her even before she was born. I have always loved dolls, doll houses, miniatures, museum dioramas, and everything of that nature. I'm thrilled that my daughter seems to be following in my footsteps with a love of miniatures. We are totally loving the description of the dolls' lives, and their perspective is charmingly, hilariously, and poignantly written. A big favorite!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. I love Robert Frost's simple, quiet poem. The illustrations here, by Susan Jeffers, are funny, surprising, and ultimately, depict the vastness of nature so quietly and humbly.

The Little Fir Tree. There are so many versions of the story of the little tree who becomes a Christmas tree. I have no idea what the origin of this story is; Hans Christian Andersen's darker version was the first I'd encountered, many years ago. But this sweet version by Margaret Wise Brown is my favorite. The tree, rather than being filled with envy or dissatisfaction, is portrayed much more positively, and I love the "new" words to familiar carols. (We have the Barbara Cooney illustrated version, although the Jim LaMarche one looks exquisite. He's a favorite illustrator of mine.)

Lucia and the Light. One of the only picture books I know of that's especially about the Winter Solstice, rather than just "winter." Elisabeth adores this book. We read it a lot. I do feel compElisabethd to disclose that it has a really scary troll part, though. I tend to read aloud in the Waldorf style (without a lot of drama in my voice -- though this does not mean devoid of warmth!), especially with things that are already dramatic/scary, and I think this helps. Even so, I think Elisabeth was a bit surprised by the nasty trolls the first time we read this book. But otherwise, this is an awesome, awesome book!

The Snowman. I guess wordless board books seem to be a theme for us. This one, despite being a board book, is really above James's head, but Elisabeth loves the soft illustrations. Last year, when we pulled the books out and looked through this one for the first time of the year, she sat silently for a moment or two (this is a child who never stops talking), and then said, in a small voice, "Oh. That's sad." It is a very bittersweet little book. But so perfect at the same time.

The Night Before Christmas. We like Tasha Tudor's version, and Grandma Moses's version is also really, really special.

Ollie's Ski Trip. I've been told before that this book is the origin of the characters King Winter and Mrs Thaw. Whether or not that's true, those characters live in our home in a big way. I love Elsa Beskow's illustrations so much, and Ollie's Ski Trip is so adorable. The idea of a secret wintery adventure is very, very appealing to me. Oh, and Elisabeth likes it, too. ;)

Christmas in Noisy Village. We have read this book probably hundreds of times, and Elisabeth never, ever grows tired of it. The simple pleasures and homemade traditions of the children of Noisy Village are so comforting and inspiring. And the children are so very much like real children. Sometimes they bicker and tease one another, but for the most part, they are loving and so full of joyful celebration of the season. I love this book -- and all the Noisy Village books.

The Nativity. This book is breathtakingly exquisite. It was Elisabeth's gift from St Nicholas this year, and I think at 5 1/2, she is just old enough to appreciate the amazing beauty of the pop-up scenes. James really cannot be allowed to handle it, so it's kept separate from the rest. Elisabeth spent a lot of time poring over the amazing scenes when she was sick in bed.

Night Tree. This is the story of a family who drives to a little forest outside of town each year on Christmas eve to decorate a living tree for the animals. I love the thoughtfulness of the family, their interactions with one another, and the fact that I come away from the book feeling energized: I can create simple, meaningful traditions for my family. I can step away from commercialism even for one night. You get the feeling that the family goes home and celebrates a "normal" Christmas with a "regular" tree, presents, and so on. But this experience, of preparing their gifts for the tree in the weeks leading up to Christmas eve, of going out together for a nighttime walk, all bundled up, to their regular spot, brings them together and holds them as a family in a very special way.

Owl Moon. Another book about a nighttime walk, by one of my favorite children's book authors. This is one of my husband's all-time favorites to read aloud. He and Elisabeth have had some very special, important times together reading and discussing this book. One night last winter, an owl alighted on a fence outside our suburban condo as he was coming home from a gig, and it moved him very deeply because of his experiences with Elisabeth and this book. It's one of my most cherished hopes that one day we can move outside of town where these experiences won't be so rare and fleeting. And that we can go owling one day.

White Snow, Bright Snow. I really just love the writing of this book. It's more of a mama favorite, but my wee ones do enjoy it. Well, because they just love to be read to, I think.

The Book of Christmas. With really unusual contributions from writers and poets like Ted Hughes, EE Cummings, Christina Rossetti, and Alison Uttley, this is not the typical Christmas anthology. It is definitely a Christmas anthology, however, and not a winter one. Each poem and story relates to the Christmas holiday (some are secular, and some are religious), not to other winter holidays or general snowy gaiety. Just so you know. For me, that in no way lowers its considerable esteem. ;)

The Mitten. Because Elisabeth loves it so much. And because who doesn't love Jan Brett?

And I could go on and on, and instead I am going to stop here. And maybe save a few for next year. ;)

Preparations

...and lots of photos from the last week or so. (And more here.)

Sing-a-longs. (I'm pretty sure this was Feliz Navidad.)

A visit from St. Nicholas. (December 6.)

Mulled wine. My husband doesn't "believe" in straining it. ;)

Ornaments old...

...and new.

A steady fall of snow -- sometimes more, sometimes less, but always welcome.

Sibling love.

A few runs down a favorite hill.

Evenings spent with friends.

The beauty and furor of winter.

Sheer excitement.

Silence.

Skating party

I know, I've been very quiet here over the last couple of weeks. I'm just a bit overwhelmed and stressed.

At the end of November, my sister's older stepdaughter turned seven, and she had the funnest little ice skating party.

I made the Simple Tote from Bend the Rules Sewing for her, using some adorable Superbuzzy fabric from my stash. The tote turned out a lot smaller than I imagined it would (I think just because I am lame at picturing measurements in my head), but it was just the right size for three new chapter books for this little girl who loves to hear a good yarn. (The photo only pictures two because Elisabeth was looking at the other one at the time!)

I think Seven sounds Stupendous.

PS: The books we included were The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong, which was a favorite of my sister's as a girl, The Borrowers by Mary Norton, which Elisabeth and I selected because we love miniature people and things, and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, another childhood favorite of my sister's ... with illustrations by Tasha Tudor -- lovely. (Since my sister will likely be doing the reading, they might as well be books she already loves, right?)

Afternoon

With the wee ones off to my mom's house, I'm home alone for an afternoon of doll-making. I often think I can't get anything done with my two babies running around. But it turns out, when I'm home alone, I'm lonely for the ruckus. Anyway, I needed a short break from the handsewing and the smelling of our dinner in the crockpot, so here I am.

This morning we made some peppermint bark. We all agreed that it was delicious but too much made for a sick tummy!

It was super simple -- we didn't use a recipe or anything. We just crushed 12 candy canes (using the towel & rolling pin method), melted about 16 oz of white chocolate in the double boiler (it was a 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips and most of one Green & Black's white chocolate bar -- not an allergy-friendly food of mine, I can say, but so yummy anyway), spread it out on some parchment paper, sprinkled and swirled the candy cane bits in, put it in the fridge (the freezer would be even better, but our side-by-side freezer is way too small), and 20 minutes later, voila! Easy, festive, fun, yummy!

Sick in bed

We have not had a good season when it comes to colds. I think it's because my husband is a teacher, and brings things home from his students. (High schoolers seem to be sick a lot.) My husband is on his second awful cold in as many months, I had that horrible one in November, James had his very first ear infection, and Elisabeth is now sick in bed for only the second or third time in her life! (She definitely wins the immune system award in our house -- she is so rarely sick.)

My mom was able to stop by yesterday with a fresh coloring book for Elisabeth (always a nice thing to have when you're laid up), and we also got out some little toys that Elisabeth had been given as a gift for acting as a flower girl in a friend's wedding two years ago. We'd forgotten all about them up on a shelf, and everyone was excited to learn that the little characters were actually finger puppets! Elisabeth's dolls have been her constant companions (along with a big pile of winter and holiday books and her snow globe), and snacks of frozen berries and card games have come in very handy, as well.

All this has me thinking about the rituals that we keep when our children are not themselves -- suffering, under the weather, emotionally distressed, etc. Most of the time I kind of think that those times are isolated and somehow not part of our "real life." And yet, there they are, cropping up and reminding me of the messiness of life. And how important these times of convalescence are: to nourish a sick child's body, to nurture a sorrowful child's spirit, to ease a suffering child's mind. What does it take to do that job? Yes, it takes some real physical things: some eucalytus oil in the vaporizer, a homeopathic remedy under the tongue, a cool cloth on the forehead, a gentle massage of aching muscles. But most of all, it takes time. Time is the best gift I can give my children, when they need me, and even when they think they don't. Time that sometimes I think I don't have. But if I really take the time to be present with my children, everything else seems to fall into place anyway. That time spent is an even greater gift to me.

I love this post by Molly, which she ends by saying that a system is not what is needed to raise our children well. She's so right. It shouldn't just be, "Make dinner? Check. Fold laundry? Check. Nourish my child's body, mind, and soul? Check."

Some of my "to-do's" may go unchecked over these few days. But being a present mother to my wee ones is the greatest to-do of all.   

And so it begins...

We have officially entered the long-awaited season of advent (is it ironic that we awaited a time of awaiting?!). This weekend, we spent a chilly morning at our local Waldorf school's Winter Faire. The children had the opportunity to meet with King Winter himself (who told Elisabeth that she had the touch of nobility), roll & dip candles, watch a puppet show, and lots of other lovely little crafty activities.

Later that evening, Elisabeth and I attended an advent spiral organized by Waldorf-inspired homeschoolers in our area. It was such a beautiful, contemplative beginning to the season. It was Elisabeth's first time to walk the spiral, and as soon as she had seen the first child walk around the dark path, light his candle, and walk back out, she immediately stood up and was ready. I was so inspired by my daughter's courageous and enthusiastic desire to walk the path alone. This was a particularly large spiral, as it was set up in a community house that was originally used for dances about 100 years ago. The spiral path can feel pretty long and very dark (I walked it, too, and it was a deceptively lonely walk), and Elisabeth can be bashful at times. I thought that this was a very beautiful expression of her spirit as she slowly walked around the spiral, lit her candle, and slowly and carefully chose a place on the path to set it. It was all just very lovely, quiet, and peaceful.

The sense of anticipation for the season to come was present, as was the stillness of contentment in the place where we journey now.

And last night, the first Sunday of advent, we lit the first candle on our wreath, which for now looks very barren in this first week. Much more to anticipate!