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"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

On Sunday we dropped you girls off at Girl Guide Camp for a five day camping adventure. You were so excited to go, counting down the minutes until we arrived by watching the GPS in the car. After we checked you in, we took you to your rooms (you both were assigned the top bunk - a dream come true) and then had to coax goodbyes out of you as you had already met some new friends and were being drawn to the craft table.

I am so excited for you to experience this week at camp, for the fun and new adventures that you are going to have. And I am so happy that you both embraced this new experience, being in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, with confidence, smiles and a little skip in your step.

In your absence, the house is very quiet.....

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.

30/52

"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

So excited for our annual family camping trip....and climbing a tree, just for fun...

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.

29/52

"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

A few months ago, Bridget came to me after Claire was in bed to talk about a birthday gift idea that she had for her sister: matching pajamas for Claire and her doll, Willow. Her face, as she told me this idea, was just wide with excitement and love, so sure that this was a perfect gift for her sister. So together we ordered the pajamas online, waited for them to arrive, and then waited even longer for Claire's birthday to come. And it was was worth it, so worth it. Claire opened up Bridget's present first and there were a lot of hugs, kisses, and "I love yous", followed by a desperate need to try on pajamas - both herself and Willow - despite the heat of the day. The love between you girls is a beautiful thing to see.  

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.

Olive the Owl

I've found over the years, that my crocheting changes when summer arrives. In the heat and humidity, I am less inclined to crochet blankets that are uncomfortably hot in my lap while I'm working on them (it's better to leave those for autumn when I can curl up underneath my project) and I opt for smaller, simpler projects. I also find that I crochet less in the summer. With the longer days, I am outside more - working in the garden, walking, biking - and so there is less hooky time. It's not a bad thing, just something I've noticed, a sort of ebb and flow to my crafting.

That all being said, my most recent summer-appropriate project was an owl, Olive.

I've made this pattern twice before, for the girls, but this one is for me. And learning from my experience crocheting the chemistry set, I made a little bean bag for the bottom of my owl; Olive stands so well on her own as a result. I quite like her.

I have really rekindled my love of amigurumi lately. Back when the girls were babies and toddlers, I did so much of it until my enthusiasm dwindled and I took a little break. But now I have countless sticky notes in my pattern books, marking which patterns I want to make next, and I am back to buying crochet cotton (my yarn of choice for amigurumi) with fervor....it is an incredible feeling, I'm telling you!

What are you crocheting?

Pattern: Daisy Cottage Designs
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton
Needed in Your Life: Absolutely 

I'll Meet You in the Lab

I recently had the opportunity to test a crochet pattern for the very talented Lauren at A Menagerie of Stitches. Lauren designed an incredible chemistry set where the beakers, test tubes, and flasks have cute smiles and loads of personality.

The pattern was well written, with loads of helpful photos and tips. One of my favorite tips was to make a little bean bag to put in the bottom of the beaker and the flasks before stuffing them to help them stand up; a brilliant idea that would have come in very handy for some of my previous amigurumi makes, and one that I will definitely be using for future projects.

There are way more pieces to the pattern than I had time to make....more test tubes, bigger beakers and flasks, a Bunsen burner, and even instructions to make stands to really create the whole lab bench.....I just may keep going and make a few more pieces..

In the meantime, my girls are really enjoying playing "Scientist".

This pattern was so much fun to make. Thanks again to Lauren for the opportunity to test her pattern. 

Pattern: A Menagerie of Stitches
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton
Cuteness Factor: 100%

28/52

"A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

Ready for the beach.....

The wind was a little cool coming off the lake, but that did not stop you from going swimming. And because it was so windy, there were huge waves rolling onto the shore. Over the sound of the waves and the wind, all I could hear was you girls screaming and laughing as you jumped in the water, letting the waves knock you down again and again....

I know I've said this so many times, but my favorite thing is seeing you girls take so much joy and happiness from the simplest things.....and I hope you do that forever and always.

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.

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 "A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2017."

Claire: Your little hands carefully and gently holding a robin's egg shell that you found in the backyard; a great treasure for you, our little bird watching enthusiast.

Bridget: just before bed....goodnight sweetheart and thanks for the great day....

Inspired by The 52 Week Project at Practicing Simplicity.