a week in my closet...

 Well hey there, lovelies!

So here's a weird thing.  I attempted to document what a 'week-in-my-closet' looked like.

Turns out I got bored/distracted/apathetic about the idea after only four outfits.

The days that I did remember to shoot a couple poses may give you a better glimpse into my sense of 'style' (ha, now I'm laughing...)! 

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Day 1: feeling fancy.

If my hair's down... it means I've showered.

Throw a lace collar on with a cozy owl sweater - a re-fashioned polka dot dress - and cable knit tights.

This was my 'lets go shop for art supplies' outfit.

 Day 2: feeling funky

Hair up in a messy bun.

A big bold scarf... my crazy homemade vest with a belt, a shirt with hip-zips... and some cardinal red skinny jeans.

This was my 'time to go to Church' outfit.

 Day 3: feeling 'fatigues'

I've said before that I would join a boot-camp just for their wardrobe.

If it's army green.. I'll wear it.

A vintage scarf, light loose cardigan, army shirt, khaki zippered skinnies and some favourite wrist cuffs make this my go-to-style.

This is my 'stay at home mama' outfit... (you know, when I'm not in sweat pants and barefoot in the kitchen).

Day 4: feeling friendly

This is how I dress if the possibility of social interaction presents itself... (i.e: I may escape the house!).  Hair down, another vintage scarf, my leopard print wrist warmers, purple cardigan over a plum dress/shirt and my gold corduroys.

This is my 'ready to go' outfit.

Oh yes, and I really was talking on the phone... bet you didn't think I could multi-task!

I can also chew gum and walk at the same time, folks.

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Hey look at this - a bonus shot:

Turns out I managed to take 5 shots this past week.

This is my essence-of-Mel shot:

I'm a bit frilly (handmade lace infinity scarf)

a bit frumpy (old man sweater with added elbow pads)

a teensy bit girly (coral tights)

a touch grungy (ripped jeans c/o my ben's closet).

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What I realised in doing this post: 

I'm always wearing a scarf.

I have an eclectic style.

Most of my outfits include something I've made/re-fashioned. 

Also, I feel 80% dork, 20% vain and 20% vapid posing for these shots.

That's 120% premium awkwardness right there.

Let's all breath a collective sigh of relief that this is NOT a fashion blog.

Don't get me wrong.. I love seeing what other bloggers wear... but I think the only time I'll be doing loads of posing around here is just to show what upcycles I've been creating! 

the frumpy funky fashionista...

Mel ;o)

pondering: the present.

Sometimes wisdom peeks out of unexpected places.

Did you know I did Kung-Fu?

No, no.. not the real stuff... but the made-up moves with my daughter and I.

We call it Kung-Fu Panda, and it's awesome.

But I digress, if you've seen the movie you may recall a beautiful quote:

"Yesterday is history,

tomorrow is a mystery,

today is all we have... that's why it's called the present".

See, sometimes I'm guilty of nostalgic hindsight... thinking 'if only things were like they used to be...".

Sometimes I'm guilty of distant dreaming... thinking 'if only things were over with now.. and we were a year/two ahead'.

A lot of these thoughts can be chalked up to raising toddlers currently.

Mainly, the dream of what it used to feel like to get a full nights sleep!

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What is it about human nature, that we struggle so much with being content in the present?

Why do we only appreciate things when they're taken away?

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Some days, when I'm feeling a bit sunk in an exhausted heap.. it's hard to see the present as a 'gift'.  Something larger than me needs to bring perspective.

Grief is large.

Families in Newton.

Gratitude is large.

Poverty.

Suddenly my discontent is exposed as complete rubbish.

So what if the kids sleeplessness makes us all cranky... we at least have them to hold tightly another day.

So what if the banking account is like a moth convention... we're still so rich compared to most of the world.

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Remember how I wrote my 16yr old self a letter?

Well, sometimes the 'future-me' wants to write this present mama a letter.

Saying: 'today is a GIFT.

Stop complaining and commit to gratitude.

Hold those lil' dears closely... tantrums, tears and all.

Love more, worry less.

God has this.'

 ...

Holding this one precious and wild life,

like a sparrow in my hand,

Mel ;o)

 

D.I.Y: fabric scraps infinity scarf

 Here's a scrap-happy easy sewing project for all you lovelies.

If you're looking for a funky way to upcycle all those strips of leftover fabric you may have... here's an idea:

A fabric scraps infinity scarf.

 Maybe I'm just too Scottish... or a hoarder... but I tend to stash my fabric remnants in a bin after every sewing project.  Considering that half the pile are ridiculously miniscule shards of cloth.. it's no surprise they just sit there unused.

Until today.

 This is messy, fast, carefree sewing friends.

Simply grab strips of random fabrics and twist them to contain the fraying edges (you can wrap smaller 'accent' pieces around them too) and feed it through your machine.

I used a 2 degree zig-zag line.

Just keep twisting new strips into the preceding pieces as you go.

The longer you make your scrap scarf the more layers you'll have in the final product.

Mine was almost 10' in length!  Then, I sewed both ends together to make a large 'infinity' loop.  In less than twenty minutes.. a new funky scarf/fabric necklace is created!

I really like its messy, fraying, eclectic vibe.

You could use this approach for creating fun wrist 'bangles' or hair bands too.

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(But, if you prefer a more clean-edged version of stacked-fabric scarves.. you may recall this past d.i.y project).

*And, if you want to do a no-sew option.. just cut various t-shirt strips and knot them together.*

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Scrappily happily yours,

Mel ;o)

Shop the Nest: (mushroom paintings)

 Calling all woodland sprites and gnomes out there...

...here's your chance to add some mushroom 'magic' to your nests.

Handpainted toadstools on corkboard.

Comes in a wooden 5x7" frame.

 Truffle brown mushrooms.

$20 each.(PayPal)

(+$5 shipping).

Coral red toadstools.

$20 each (PayPal)

(+$5 shipping).

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**For those of you interested in my painted feather series.. they'll be added to the SHOP too.**

As usual, please contact me if your interested:

needleandnestdesign[at]live.com

Have a fun(gi) weekend friends!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

Here we go, go, go, go...

 ...on an(other) adventure!

(Yes, if you're a parent you're now singing Cat in the Hat with me).

So, remember how our family often takes little road trips... ending with a yummy treat to reward our travels?

Well, this time we headed off to Bobcaygeon.

Daughter Azriel and I are wearing our matching knit hats thanks to my sweet pal Wilson...(with my homemade branch button attached!).  Love it!

Driving through the countryside is always so beautiful.

It seems like our lungs expand with the horizon line.

(Cute side story: on this drive Azriel asked me 'which tree was my favourite'? as we zipped by all the fields... hilarious).

 Through snow and slush we arrived at our destination safe and ready for sweets!

 Kawartha Coffee Company did not disappoint.

Azriel and I decided to trade treats.. you know, so she could have a pastry the size of her head.

Hudson contentedly sat by.. and sipped a glass of water.

Can you believe he's going to be turning ONE in another month.. one!

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We simple folk like our simple adventures.

Since any outing is a good one if it ends in dessert/coffee!

Mel ;o)

here + there...

Flaming tips.. now fizzling.

Peek-a-boo.

Damask.

Softness.

Remains of the day.

Still painting.

Toy Bathing.

Daddy-daughter snuggles.

Mama-Son Relaxing.

Well since it's a new year and all...

...feel free to consider this as a new series.

Considering I take a gazillion pictures each week... "here + there" will be where I can dump a bunch of them into one post... and give you lovelies a glimpse of the simple moments in our nest.

Plus, I really want to get better at composition/photography.

You poor suckers will just have to endure while I attempt to improve.. baha.

Mamarazzi,

Mel ;o)

paint like a child...

Most people I know want to create.

somehow, something.

creating beauty, 

displaying 'truth',

is woven into our soul's fiber.

What stops so many of us?

Fear of trying and... failing?

Fear of trying and.. looking silly?

Not knowing where/how to start the process?

What if we let go of our fears,

and had faith ..like a child.

Throw down a drop sheet.

Pull out a large paper/canvas.

Splash, spray, stroke the paints.

Don't tell it what to do..

Just let it lead you.

Hang it on your wall.

Whether you like it at first or not.

 Let it declare:

"I had the courage to create"

It's a New Year, friends.

Let's break out the creativity!

Colourfully yours,

Mel ;o)