Bliss Beyond Naptime

Make A Haramake

I'm subscribed to a lot of newsletters online which are fun to recieve  (though I'm trying to cull them thanks to time management advisors) but I'll never unsubscribe from my accupuncturer's seasonal real life, tangible newsletter. It's very short, obviously generic (he simply stamps his stamp on and, voila! Newsletter!) and written in a no-nonsense, slightly cryptic asian translation style. Love it! In this issue there happened to be an article that got me running to my sewing machine; "What in the World is a Haramake?".

Little side note about the speech bubbles; this is an ode to the guy I dated in highschool; "Good For Nothing" which my mom affectionately reffered to him as and he, surprisingly, affectionately responsed to. He always wore this orange tshirt with that bubble bubbling up from his naval. I've always wanted to embroider that somehow on to my kidney warmers. Until then, photoshop it is. So a Haramake is basically a kidney warmer; a topic I've gone on and on about here on the olde blogge over the years. So keep your kidneys warm because even generic newsletter says so. And I quote:

Traditionally worn by the Japanese, the Haramke, a wide waistband made from cotton or wool and covers the location of the Adrenals and Kidneys, protecting the Vital Energy and Essence for the body. The cloth extends from the lower rib cage down past the belly button, covering the entire middle of the body and protecting the organs, most importantly the Adrenals and Kidneys, from external elements. A Haramake also protects the body from cold, exhaustion, stress and illness, ultimately helping to prevent illness.

It goes on to tell you that you can make one youself simply by sewing two ends of stretch fabric, 12 inches wide, to form a tube that fits snug around your middle. I, on the other hand, like to make things a touch more complicated (but not in the parenting front, of course) but a little prettier:

I had just enough organic fleece leftover from another project and cut it out to a 12 inch by 32 inch (my hip measurement) rectangle and designated the fuzzy side the "right" side because I want that to touch my skin, or most likely, the outfit I'll probably be wearing underneath my haramake. If you do this ensure that the stretch stretches the most across the body or you'll never be able to step into it. I then cut out a piece of stretch lace the same size and placed these two right sides together and sewed the long sides together as indicated by the one way signs up above.

See there where I'm holding the fleece bits right sides together again? Sew that together but keep sewing so that you then end up sewing the lace bits together too eventually leaving a three inch gap so that you turn things out right side out and then hand sew the gap shut.

 

And then here I found an opportunity for a design feature. Things were a little unsightly due to my haste to hurrymake things up whilst handsewing. And fleece, being not the stretchiest thing on the planet, made things a bit gappy up under the rib cage where some "Vital Energy and Essenceses" like to leak out. So to add a securing device, I made six teeny weeny buttonholes straddling the gap to thread a string of stretch lace through corset-style.

Ta, da! Edie thinks it looks silly but don't worry about that. She's a homeschooled seven year old that thinks kidneys grows on trees that are tended to by organ fairies. I know my internals are happy, and when I squint my eyes when checking out my style I look cute. And for that I am internally grateful.

SS Wednesday - Onesie as Far As the Eye Cansie

This is embarassing to report but I’m turning into a slack jaw movie watcher. It’s true we are without tv but Craig and I on occasion like to shimmy up to couch together when the munchkins finally fall asleep (on that note, oh my goodness, have you heard of this book? I had the pleasure of hearing Samual Jackson read from it on the radio one day. Too funny.), turn on Net Flix and feel our brains melt into putty just inches from each other. Very romantic. Unfortunately, this is also my designated knitting time.

 You know how they tell you to relax your jaw muscles when you’re in labour because it assists in relaxing other areas of your anatomy that may in turn result in a smoother going birthing process? Same same but different with knitting. My jaw slacks, then my fingers relax to the point of paralysis. Let me just hop on over to  my ravelry page for a second here to see exactly how long... oh my gawd! This teeny weeny baby sweater has taken me three months to complete! I hope it still fits the sweet angel it was intended for. Luckily her parents are little people (though not midgets) so hopefully she’ll have a couple of months still to play in this. It is amazing how stretchy hand knits can be. Especially when the Mama is a knitter herself!

Which brings us what this knitter Mama was donning this week. First, the background story: When Edie was about three months old I went into one of my favourite pre-Edie haunts; a clothing store in downtown Calgary where the owner was familiar with my tendency to try many things on, but buy very little (remember, my mom’s a seamstress). So Ms Patience of a Saint Owner was curious why she hasn’t seen me in so long. I explained I had a baby and I was wondering if she had any really long tops that snap at the crouch to keep my kidneys warm over the winter. I promised her I’d buy this time.

 She re-framed my question; “You want a giant onesie?” Oh my god, I do! What kind of Mommy monster have I become? So I guess this mildly Freudian type desire has never truly subsided because I caught myself purchasing this Hot Pattern on sale and made this body suit in my now trademark banana yellow.

I’m also sporting Kale's scarf that I knit but he can no longer wear due to his apparent wool allergy (I'm not ready to talk about this yet) and a vintage jacket I picked up at a church fundraiser in town last weekend.  It’s awfully soft and fluffy and smells like mothballs. I don’t want to get into the fabric choice but dang it's warm, really, really old and way cuter than my minus forty temperature down parka I’m usually sporting this time of year. And, of course, the jeans I made so long ago. If you zoom on in to the pelvic area you will see I even popped my button recently but haven't had the time to sew a new one on. Thus, it takes just a simple tug on the release cord to drop my pants to prove to you that, yes indeed, this is a onsie. It was pretty cute how Craig, who was acting as my tripod for the shoot, was embarrassed for me. He thought it was so inappropriate. I assured him we’re all ladies here, right?

So speaking of embarrassing myself; I have an idea to celebrate the launch of my new website name: Bliss Beyond Naptime. Many reasons for the change but primarily it was becoming a hassle spelling out my email address over the phone (Wild Tangerine Dreams? No. White Tangerine Dreams? No. What Tangerine Dreams? Never mind!).  So for Monday I will don lots of lead free organic makeup, set up the tripod (the non-Craig one) and answer reader questions about me, Daisy, my Simplicity Parenting training, guilty pleasures, anything! So if you’d like, email a question to Kathy at Bliss Beyond Naptime dot com or leave one below in the comments. Simple as onesie, twosie, threesie.

Witch Way to Costa Rica?

Who's this scary cute little duo? We participated in the Waldorf school walk again this year. See how they're holding hand and paw up there? Pretty much the whole time we went on that magical journey that was happening, warming my minus 40 degree designed down jacket-covered cockles. The school wouldn't allow for pictures there so you will have to trust when I say it was so stinking cute how Edie was being his little Mama allowing Craig and I the option to linger in the shadows of each station and make out when no one was looking (kidding).

My favourite moment happens in mid-September when I ask the kids what they want to be for Halloween. Edie wanted to be the scariest witch on the block. I traced the source of that inspiration to a photo in the baby album my mom brought out with her of me, seven years old, dressed up as a witch. Kale claimed he wanted to be a bear cub. Perhaps due to the extensive 'bear aware' lunch and learns we've been having all summer long? Or maybe it was the bear spat lableing sessions  on our morning walks; mama bear or baby bear poop?

The bear costume pattern called for filling in the belly area and I decided that his tummy's squishy enough and mommy time's a ticking. But then I squished the belly of the penguin costume my friend made for her little guy. The regret!

So I let out my squishy belly envy out on the  abdomen of the bear on his Halloween bag. I got the idea for these treat bags from this Etsy blog article. I figured this would be a great way to commemorate the year's costumes of choice and all the lovely memories they trigger.  I used scraps from their costumes and appliqued super simple shapes on quick to whip up muslin bags with long enough handles that could slip over one shoulder plus the many, many layers piled on for the outdoor journey. You guys definately did not land anywhere near Costa Rica after the long slide down the rainbow bridge! But if it brings you any comfort I don't even think it's celebrated down there.

Operation: Recharge!

The countdown is on! In three days I'll be off to Tipi camp ~ all by my lonesome self! We use to go to Tipi camp for a yoga retreat as a family but this time Mama's on her own. I have been planning my 'weaning weekend' getaway for a while. Now that Kale's been pretty much nightweaned for a while now, this getaway will serve mainly as a mommy battery recharge as I swan dive into a fall full of exciting projects and back to school nerdy keener leanings that I've always been known for. 

Things that will charge me up over at (boat access only!) Tipi Camp:

• completely catered organic vegetarian meals that are yummmmm-my!
• meals and snacks that seem continuous and overlap each other which is important for us constantly hungry types
• uninterrupted adult conversation with like-minded folk
• many yoga classes to help me get intimate again with my inner yogini
• once in a while massage from one of my best friends who will be the official masseuse there
• canoeing to private beaches and letting 'the ladies' hang out undisturbed ;)
• swimming out to a remote dock first thing in the morning instead of swimming out to the the cow shed for morning milking
• knitting on a beach and making actual headway on my baby sweater for a friend before baby's not so baby anymore
• getting a whiff of pre-kid Kathy

And things to look forward to when I get back from Tipi Camp:

• mommy batteries all charged up, of course
• two children well intact
• house not burned down
• husband recharged from spending four glorious days filled with one on one time with his offspring (if not we'll let him have his couple of climbing days)
• homeschooling preparation (which involves fun tasks like seeking out someone ready to shear their sheep this fall and picking out school supplies from Mercurius and paying for them with our pre-loaded homeschooling visa card!)
• preparing to dive into my studies for my Simple Parenting Leader training
• launching Indian Summer Sew Camp!

Yes, there's been a minor change in sew camping plans. Due to my super plate full this September I decided to downsize my Fall Sew Camp offerings. I didn't want to bail on the camp offering all together but also knew that realistically I couldn't afford the time or energy to go super gung ho like I wanted to. So I came up with a compromise; instead of four projects two really cute and simple ones will be offered at a fraction of the price. These two backwoods mama style wardrobe staples will complement sweetly the eventual Fall Camp 2012 offerings. I just want to do a real fine job for my backwoods ladies, know what I'm saying?

Ai yi yi. Lots to do this week to prepare for my absence. Primarily, I need to cook up a storm to leave the family with a bunch of simply throw into the oven meals (otherwise it may be nachos for four days straight) and get some fall gardening chores done. How about you? How are you celebrating and recharging your batteries at this exciting, deep in breath taking, time of year?

Spring Sew Camp is Back(woods) On!

Likey what you see? Aren't these models the cutest? I love them all so. These are some creations from the Backwoods Mama Spring Sew Camp Inaugural allumni from this May's too much fun sewing experience. Now I'm excited to announce that I have tweaked the Spring Sew Camp to make it available as an ongoing offering on my Start Dreaming Page!

Everything you need to stitch up the perfect Backwoods Mama ensemble is now instantly available upon registering via email that clues you in on the private blog address, passwords and pdf pattern pieces.

Another exciting tidbit of news is my affiliate program available to camp participants. Basically, if you like the camp, you mention so on twitter, Facebook or on your website, and with every purchase made from a link to you as a source you get $50 into your sweet little paypal account. Pretty fun collaboration, no? Details on this are also shared on the welcome page once you purchase your camp spot.

So tell all your not-totally-absolute-begginer sewing friends (I won't be teaching one how to use a sewing machine though the projects are made pretty fast and easy with simple design and alot of video and photo instruction) and stay tuned too for the sequel to Spring camp - Fall Camp;Due to bust you out in warm wooley and wild layers for Autumn time chores and crisp evening social jaunts. Yeeee-haw!

Doll House

Way back, like, six months ago, I made Kale a doll for Christmas. Whenever we asked him what his new doll's name was all he can say was "Baby". Now baby has a new name ~ thanks to a vastly extended vocabulary and a tiny wee bit of a man-crush. A couple of weeks ago our neighbour was over doing some work on our property with his bobcat. Our neighbour's name is Mickey and, well, a little man/boy crush later, Baby changed his name just like everyone else seems to do when they've been living in this little valley after a while.

Mickey likes to be carried around in the backpack just like Kale did not so long ago when he was a little man of little vocabulary. Luckily, we have the world's foremost leading expert on baby wearing living in the house. Edie's been studying the thirty paged Didymos sling instruction booklet and has been challenging herself to carry her baby, Clara, in every conceivable way possible as demonstrated by the step by step coloured photos. It's been her favourite pastimes for months now.

So cute, she stands there with the booklet on the ground following the photo steps until Clara's safe and sound in the carrier. Kale just throws Mickey in the backback. Then they take their babies for a walk, or just clean up around the house while I lounge on the couch eating my backwoods bonbons.

image

On the subject of bonbons and favourite pastimes; I came across and spent hours drooling on this last night: Grosgrain just wrapped up a month of free patterns. Not only are the projects super inspiring like the a-frame tent up there but the incredible sewing blogs these projects led me to were time suckers! Must find some time to get to the sewing machines and read more frome these wonderful ladies I found. It's too sketchy to garden at peak sun hours, right?

Retro Fits

image from fablesbybarrie.etsy.com

Today is the official last day of Spring Sew Camp and might I add that it was a great success! You won't believe the backwoods goodness that came out out of the backwood work. Eveyone's projects were really super cute and I am know brainstorming on pattern offerings for a Fall session. Some ideas that are swirling in me and my students' heads are merino leggings, hooded cape, winter tunic... I'll keep you posted!

So enough about spring and fall, let's squeeze in a quick go at some summer sewing for me and the family. First up on my list of needs is a vintage inspired bathing suit.  The challenge here is finding a pattern that doesn't cost the same amount as a bathing suit that's already sewn up. I found a pretty perfect looking one on Ebay. I placed a bid on it but I'll drop out of it as soon as it gets too crazy (breathe, Craig). If it proves to be too expensive an Ebay endevour I'll just make like the locals do and swim in my God given birthday suit.

 

And whenever I'm in this retro mood I always like to check out Gertie's blog for further inspiration and, as always, she delivered! She shared a collection from Christian Dior that carries a nautical 50's bombshell vibe with a suggestion for a pattern to use. I just so happen to have a Hawain print cotton that would look so fabulous for this! And if you're stumped on how to score yourself a jaunty sailor cap to go with, one of Gertie's readers provided this link to make your own sailor hat; this season's must in every backwoods! But seriously I think it might be a cute working in the garden ensemble under my utility smock. The play suit, not the hat.

And speaking of underthings, I just love this tutorial on how to make a petticoat. Now that would look awesome cute under the utility smock! I have lots of hemp kicking around waiting for something like this to happen to it.

And speaking of kicking around, I purchased this pattern a long time back after seeing an amazing blogger sew this up. I'm so bummed I can't recall the blog. If anyone knows, please tell me!

Ah, you ask readers and they deliver. Thank you Nikki! This is exactly the link I was seeking. Gorgeous, no? Lauren from Wearing History did such a fabulous job I had to pick up the pattern. I'm thinking this would be really purdy with my floral organic cotton/silk blend that I make my hot house bloomers out of.

 

 

I know, every year this little image pops up on my summer to do sewing list. Still plan on making the kids matchy match summer pajamas from Oliver and S. This just seems like such a 'big boy' pajama! Speaking of big boy, I came across this old video of my sweet little man when he was about six months old being a little ham - and kind of looking like one too he was such a little chubster. Sigh. Here's some retro-Kale:

 

My Mom, Style Icon Sew Myself, Carajo!

 

There is a book out, based on a blog of the same name, that I want to get my cheesy little hands on (more on my cheese making frenzy later).  My Mom, Style Icon showcases photos of readers' moms and grandmas from the seventies and beyond to prove that, yes, Mumsy did at one time seriously kicked it!

If you follow the link to the Amazon link for the book there you will find promotional video of the author and her mom pouring over old photos and discussing the outfits she was wearing back in the day, discovering her own personal style. I thought it'd be fun to attempt the same type of discussion with my mom but we strayed a bit from the style topic at hand and swerved into the ever fascinating forays of cat washing and wig wearing.

I was particularly intrigued by the fact that she was a prolific sewer when I was little so I was curious if she actually indeed make all the outfits I see her wearing in my baby album. In this interview she shares why this was the case which was a sweet combination of the pure love of sewing and necessity. And shiesters. Interesting!

So sit back, pour a cup of tea and join us on the couch. We seriously could have bantered forever but here's a snippet!

 

 

Just in the Picnik of Time

Finally with almost all of the snow melted away, we've busted out the picnik basket that has been just a plaything for the kids all winter long. When I suggested we pack it up with real live food Edie gave me a 'whoopee' and the longest hug ever. Sweet little simpletons!

I have to admit I've been somewhat of a hibernator this winter. But the warmth of the sun and heavy dose of spring smells in the air lured me out and kept me out for most of the day. Edie was acting like a little Tatoo from our own personal episode of Fantasy Island as she showed me little nooks and cranies that she and Kale explore during their daily walks with Craig. One particular crany would be a new 'fishing hole' that lurks just above the house. This spring is actually quite deep! Might need to put a baby gate around that.

And then we plopped ourselves down at the top of what was our sled run in the not too distant past and had ourselves our little picniky feast. Nice and simple avocado sandwiches, apple slices, goat cheese and rosehip tea. It was good and all but next time, I'm going to throw in some cold fried chicken bits and a beer in there!

This spot is also pretty primo for cessing out the land and taking mental notes of projects that lay outside the vicinity of the sewing room. It's pretty dark outside now as I type and Craig's still hard at work tackling the first agenda on this list: prepping up the old hen house to move the ladies into before they get into the strawberries! Right now they're running amok in the garden area and using the stalled out chicken tractor as their refuge. Plus, the rooster is starting to get some attitude. He's attacked Kale's butt two days in a row now. Bad rooster! Craig's talking about putting him in the picnik basket.

Okay, how's this for a segue? You can view our lunch spot from the playroom window which is adjacent to my sewing space. Here's the view from there just last week when there was way more snow. Please note the lace curtain before I transformed its sister into...

My new spring tote! Along with moving beyond just poking my nose outdoors and actually getting out there, the change in season really is all about change in accessories; even for a backswood mama. This tote is  hemp on the inside and lace on the outside; just like me! I'm calling it the Pretty Hippy bag. It'll be up in the shop sometime this week. Spring is here ~ here's to a return to the great outdoors, reconnecting and pretty lacey things!

And Little Boy Blue

And Kale wanted a dress too. In blue he said. We like to call it a beach cover up around these parts though. Especially when Dada's around! More spring sewing projects in the works this week. See you tomorrow for SS Wednesday! What kind of handmade/second hand/sustainable threads are you going to sport?