wise craft

evolution

I gave up on resolutions years ago, but it doesn't mean I don't make them, I just don't try to make huge, sweeping changes in my life just because a new year begins. But then again, thoughtful changes here and there can make a big difference, right?

So, here's what I've been thinking about for 2011

* I am officially moving wise craft back down to our family's basement. It occupied a small part of the basement years ago, but then moved upstairs, to the main floor guest room, when Peter started consulting, so he could have a quiet space to work. Story Trading is looking for office space, we just can no longer squeeze it into our home. I'm a little sad, because I've had Peter here every single day with me for 4 years (I never thought we'd be able to stand it but its been really great!) I'm going to miss him during the day. Who'll bring me coffee? Who'll surprise me with lunch? Who'll say "Bless you!" from downstairs when I sneeze?

*That said, I will have much more functional space once I move my studio into the basement. What the new space lacks in natural light (which I hope special bulbs will help with), it makes up for in much-needed elbow room. I desperately need the space in order to organize all my projects. Now that my kids are no longer toddling about, I don't necessarily need to be on the same floor as them when I'm working (in fact, its probably better I'm not). I've spent the holidays dreaming of how I will configure all that new space. I'm a lucky girl.

*However, I plan to go to work at the Story Trading offices at least one day each week. I've been asked by our graphic designer to bring Gracie in too.

*This is the year the grownups, at least begin to, "take over" the backyard. (That sounds more drastic than it really is.) We've left that space wide open green since the day we moved in, and now that the kids are getting older, its time to create (at least phase one) of a garden sanctuary back there.

*I plan to expand my quilt pattern line. I have so many ideas scribbled in my notebook I don't know where to begin.

*A blog overhaul. I have had this online space for over 5 years, its definitely time to change it up a little. Check back on the 1st for a new look and a DIY project for all you crocheters out there.

*Post here more often. I used to plan my posts based on how much a typical reader would be willing to read each week, but I think I'll plan on posting more often, when there's something to say. If I plan ahead and try to "save" posts, I tend to forget what it is I wanted to say. Plus, me being a non-journal keeper, this IS my journal, and I don't want to forget anything. I hope you'll stop by more often and indulge me!

How fitting that as I ease into 2011 I discover Pummelvision, a fun montage of 2000 of my Flickr photos from years ago till now. If you look closely, you can see the seasons changing in the pics, which I thought was kind of cool. Now if I could just put my blog in book form for safekeeping. Enjoy! (via Photojojo)

 

My Pummelvision from Blair Stocker on Vimeo.

Happy New Year to everyone out there...my readers, my sponsors, my family, everyone that allows me to do what I love. 2011 is going to be good, I can already feel it!

hugs to all,

Blair

handmade gifts

Emma made a set of nesting dolls as a gift, up in her Papa's studio, while we were in Colorado. (One glimpse of that view out the window is a good reason to be hanging out in the studio.) There's definitely been much hanging out in that room through the years.

Ian made a bowl out of junk mail and eco-paste (flour and water) and I can't even begin to describe how proud he is of it. He surprised me last week when he came to me saying he wanted to make this, because in all the frenzy of preparing for our trip, I'd never had the chance to do my yearly nag talk with the kids about making things for others. Nothing had been made, other than their cards, and I was just chalking this year up to the one that got away. So the fact that Ian had this idea in his mind, and stood poised and ready to execute as soon as we had the time made me smile. My dear Ian, not the most enthusiastic crafter of the bunch (but really good at supervising the crafting). It puts him at quite a disadvantage in a handmade household like ours. Maybe he's actually discovering his crafty side? I lost track of him one evening in Colorado, only to find him alone, in Papa's studio, tearing up bits of paper and junk mail, prepping to make his bowl.

Sometimes I feel like I'm never heard, I know you moms can relate. Hopefully, giving small handmade gifts like these, as my kids are coerced inspired to do each year, gives them a real sense of pride and ownership. My dream is to not have to ask. A small Christmas miracle.

In return, we got some lovely handmade gifts too. Letterpressed art, a graphic novel.

Not available in any stores.

: D

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Big news! Kathy has Denyse Schmidt's newest line Greenfield Hill!!! And so does Cynthia! I've been waiting months to break the bank on this line! I know a lot of folks think this newest line is, well, ugly. But I think Denyse has her finger on the pulse of an entirely new direction. I have been waiting for smaller prints like these for a long time.

die weihnachtsgurke

When Emma was a wee babe, Peter and I (mostly me) started this little tradition of hiding a glass pickle ornament in the tree and asking her to find it on Christmas morning, to commence the present opening. I don't know why I started it, probably just cause I could (I was the adult.) Neither of us ever did this as kids, but it has totally stuck with the kids. They will NOT open a present till they find it.

Even when we've totally forgotten about it.

Like this year.

We held the kids off from running through the house and shreiking till a reasonable hour (7:30am) by asking Santa to leave their stockings in their rooms. When they could not be held off any longer, we released them into the family room to see what Santa had brought, while the adults groped for coffee cups and coffee cake.

We came in to find them sort of looking around the tree intently. Oh! The pickle!

Ian: Is it over there?

Emma: No, keep looking on your side.

 

Ian: I'm sort of getting tired.

Emma: But we have to find it, so keep looking.

 

(15 very quiet minutes later)

Peter: Good grief guys, you still can't find it? Is there one there?

Emma: Yes! I saw it the other day.

Peter: Well, good luck! (goes to sit down)

 

Ian: Now I'm really getting tired, maybe I'll just go through my stocking again.

Emma: A-HA!!!

The adults sat in amazement as this all went on for at least 20 minutes. The self-control to not just even pretend to find it and dive into the loot was incredible.

I did a little research when we got home on the whole accidental pickle tradition we have. Come to find out, its a German myth! Just read.

I may have to break it to the kids.

Its an ugly ornament anyway, I must confess.

Does anybody else do this?

 

christmas

Hello! How were your holidays? We are coming off a wonderful week spent with cousins, grandparents, and friends in Colorado. This is the first time we've been away from home on Christmas, so everything felt a bit different for me, leading up to our trip. I realize I am such a creature of habit, I felt disorganized all through the month of December. But honestly, once we get to the Ranch, there is absolutely nothing to do but slow down and surrender. No last minute present buying (well, not without a loooonnnggg drive), no fighting traffic, none of that. Absolute quiet. Crochet, reading, talking, resting.

 And to make it all perfect, we got a hefty dusting of snow on Christmas Eve.

Which led to more fun.

 

And then there was internationally themed nights at dinner. (You see, out in the middle of nowhere, you gotta keep dinner interesting.) This was Swiss night.

It was a treat to have the kids discover what Santa left on Christmas morning along with extended family, after what has now been coined "the great pickle hunt" (more on that later). Emma, the more thoughtful receiver of gifts, while Ian had the kind of enthusiasm that makes his whole body shake.

I received some really thoughtful gifts I can't wait to share with you. (I'll give you a hint to one of them, dollhouse!) In fact, I have a lot to share with you. I've been thinking a lot about the year ahead and I think its going to be a good one. There's going to be lots of changes, but change is good, albeit uncomfortable. More soon.

Happy Holidays to all!

Blair

 

 

 

 

gracie and tree, photo study

Gracie, full from dinner, decides to rest in that cushion dip in our chaise lounge that so perfectly fits her and enjoy the tree.

 

Upon closer inspection, I realize I have ruined a perfectly good moment between the two of them. That face says it all-

I hope everyone out there has the very happiest and most relaxing of holidays. Thank you all so much for stopping by here, linking here, sharing your thoughts in the comments, and for just being out there. You guys are just the best!

xo,

Blair

 

holiday lights

Every holiday season, one of our advent activities is to drive around to see the holiday lights. The kids used to like to do this in their pjs when they were younger, wrapped up with blankets and stuffed animals in the back seat of the car, but that's way too embarrasing for them now. They do still enjoy the hot cocoa and vanilla steamers we get from our corner coffee shop before we set out.

We always go through Olympic Manor. This is very small area full of mid-century modern homes in Northwest Seattle. The homes are close together, and because of the height restrictions, they are all low. Something about all this makes for an impressive display.

 

This one was understated, but beautifully lit from inside (one of the homes even had falling snowflakes projected on their interior wall).

 where all the neighborhood snowmen meet up-

 

A lot of old school decorations, so perfect for this area. That aluminum tree is the same type we had when I was a kid (and we should probably have again). So pretty!

We left thinking we really need to amp up our own outdoor display next year. We did well for a few years, then our display fell apart and we never replaced it. On the way home, we decided on a theme. We're on it for next year.

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Please welcome my newest sponsor, Flora Nova!

winner of fresh quilting

The winner of Malka's book Fresh Quilting is Amy-

Amy Hodge said...

Best quote ever: "I don't know who invented these rules, but I'm pretty sure they don't live at my house or yours, so we can do what we want." Love it! I am dying to get my hands on a copy of this book!

Reply 13 December 2010 at 08:51 AM

Please email your mailing address to me at wisecraftblog@gmail.com and I'll forward it to the publisher. Thank you to all who entered!

the cards

We have a pretty long-standing tradition of handmade cards. Peter and I made them ourselves for years, until we got old and tired, then we had children so that they could do it. Although this year, we've been running so frantically, its really a wonder these got made at all. I checked back in my archives and realized most of the cards made by the kids get made and given so quickly that they never made it onto the blog at all. Last year, the kid's drawings were carved into MasterCarve blocks, which were then hand-stamped onto cards and further embellished with stickers. This year, in the hurry and scurry, I simply gave them each a piece of paper and colored pencils, and directed them only with "please draw what you'd like your holiday card to look like." Emma's has Gracie included (of course!), and glittered effects on a painterly little tree. Ian's is a tree with 4 gifts, one quite a bit taller than the tree itself. "Cristmas" is misspelled (love!), and a very enthusiastic quote from him on the back-

I love that I did not tell them to "do your best work" or "add lot's of detail and color" (there's other times I remind them of that) and that this is a true reflection of them, right here, right now.

I printed multiples of these on those prepackaged, prefolded blank cards from the office supply store, for teachers, our friends, their friends, and our family. Done. Boom.

Aaaaannnnd, I handed over all my packages to the Post Office yesterday (do yourself a favor and take advantage of those Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, they really save money!). Theeeeennnnnn, as usual, I remembered I actually have a few more to mail, so I'm not quite done. Good grief Charlie Brown.

My new favorite Christmas song.

What about you guys??

 

 

sea urchin

I. DID. IT.

I finally taught myself how to make the little urchin crocheted rocks designed by Margie. You may remember that I have a couple of these already, but I really wanted to learn to make these myself. This whole crochet process feels a little like I've learned a new language, much the same as I felt back when I learned to knit many years ago. The learning curve is big, but no match for my determination. Folks, if you could have heard the profanity or seen me hunched over, little old lady style, with reading glasses and a strong light pointed to my hands, you would be as happy as my family is that I finally figured this little project out. The smaller, darker rock on the left in the photo above, was my first try. It came out a little wonky, and too loose for the rock. But I perservered. The middle rock was made with thinner yarn (if that's even possible), from the skein on the left that I picked up thrifting (Goodwill wasn't sure what to charge me for it, we settled on 20 cents). That one was tighter which was great, and slightly more uniform, but I still wasn't quite flowing with the pattern. Then the one on the right? Bingo! Its tight, uniform, and about as close to the pattern as I can get.

Today I am planning to purchase yarn that isn't yellow. This one will be given to a family member for Christmas who will appreciate the color.

Jen's gift guide

Hillary's Clara and Nutcracker

Maybe next year I'll try quilling.

Hope you guys are well. Remember these still time to enter your name in the giveaway!

 

monday giveaway: fresh*quilting by malka dubrawsky

Happy Monday! I have a treat for you quilters and sewers out there today. I received a copy of Malka's second book last week, Fresh* Quilting: Fearless Color, Design, and Inspiration, and have been pouring through it daily ever since. It's full of her signature use of bold color, as well as innovative patterns. I can't wait till the holiday craziness is behind me and I can jump in and get started on one of these projects.

Here's a peek of what's inside-

The simplicity of this quilt is what I love about it, the colors really make the design. Upon closer inspection, there are some tiny patterns on some of those fabrics-

 

Doesn't this picnic blanket just sing Spring!? -

 

And I think this may be on my project list, Malka's modern take on the traditional hexagon makes a shape like this in a large quilt seem much less intimidating-

And, because I am nosy, I asked Malka a couple of questions about her color and quilting process.

Blair: How would a crafter who's a planner by nature, start to "let go" and play with the bold colors and patterns of your quilt designs? Do you sketch quilt patterns with bold in mind? Do you gather and play with fabrics and never plan or sketch a thing? Do you put a stack of fabrics under your pillow before bed and judge their compatibility on how great your sleep was (what?)? How can someone who is new to this world of color and pattern best jump in?

Malka: I like the idea of just putting them under your pillow. I've never tried that, but it just might work.
Seriously though, I think the first step in terms of being bolder with colors is to throw away notions of what "goes together". I don't know who invented these rules, but I'm pretty sure they don't live at my house or yours, so we can do what we want. Everyone has an intuitive sense of the colors that speak to them. They just need to listen to that sense and develop it by taking note of their reaction to different colors. When I'm looking for color or pattern inspiration I often flip through magazines and tear out anything that I find interesting. My personal rule about what I tear out is that if something catches my eye, even for a second, I tear out that page. I can be pretty strict about that rule and when I hesitate and think, " should I really bother to keep this image," I remind myself that the rule applies to anything that I notice. I can't tell you how many times the image that I didn't think I should bother to tear out turns out to be the one that sparks an idea.

Blair: One of the things I love most about your quilts is the actual quilting you do on them, that's the part that I tend to get stuck on creatively. They always look like you just got in there at your machine and had fun with the stitches. Whimsically done, but orderly and neat as well. But I'm wondering if you ever draw or mark those quilting stitches out on your quilt top before you begin. Do you? Or do you just jump in? Which quilts in the book did you quilt on your home sewing machine? Which ones did you do on a long arm?

Malka: Sometimes quilting the top is the best part because that's when you get to give it some dimensionality. I never mark my quilts for quilting. I really like to let either the piecing or fabric dictate the quilting. I often will make some kind of loose plan for how I'm going to quilt a top, but I feel free to amend that plan as I'm working. I also do all my quilting, even lines and geometric shapes free motion. I like the way free motion let's me change my mind as well as direction. Of the 6 quilts in the book, 3 were quilted on my home machine and 3 were quilted on a rented long arm. I only use a long arm for larger quilts as the quilting time is so much less and the basting is not so arduous.

I am giving away one copy to one lucky commenter on this post, just leave a comment and I'll randomly pick a name on Friday. In the meantime, to learn more about the book visit the list of blogs below, Malka has visited all of us on her virtual blog tour. And visit Malka's blog, A Stitch In Dye, for a constant flow of color and pattern inspiration of all kinds.

12/6 Film In The Fridge

12/7 The Silly BooDilly

12/8 J Casa handmade

12/9 House On Hill Road

12/10 Tallgrass Prairie Studio

12/13 (me)

12/14 Pink Chalk Studio

Edited to add- Comments have been closed and winner has been chosen. Thanks to everyone who commented!