Tumbling Blocks

Procraftinating

Definition: Working on craft projects when you should be doing laundry, making dinner, or cleaning house

It's craft o'clock somewhere. - Anonymous

I usually go down the rabbit hole whenever I start watching do-it-yourself episodes on YouTube.

So far, I've been transported into a wonderfully surreal state, bingeing on projects like how to weave a wicker basket using jute rope.

I marveled at how mop heads could be turned into tassels and macrame coasters.

I thought it was genius that pipe cleaners could become people and that popsicle sticks could metamorphose into mini furniture for a cardboard dollhouse.

But of all that, the quirkiest and most interesting was you could actually create decorative and utilitarian projects using so-called tumbling blocks.

For those sitting at home wanting to learn something new, here's how to.

I used natural wooden blocks from the Tumbling Tower Game (Dollar Tree's generic jenga blocks), Titebond wood glue, and a hot glue gun - and I was off crafting like no one was watching.

My first attempt, Swedish-style candle and incense holders. 

Here are the finished projects, styled.

Two minimalist candle holders (1, 2) and a stand for my lotus incense (3).

I was delighted.

So why not a lantern-style holder with Southwest lines this time? It comes with a bonus matchbox holder on the side.

Isn’t it amazing how you can make beautiful things from simple wood scraps? Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness had clearly never been a Dollar Tree patron.

I’ve seen some more pretty clever projects using this material - trays, desk sets, holder for sundry items.

Well, I ventured doing these, too (see below).

Recently, I saw a YouTuber create 3-dimensional alphabet letters, so far the most challenging I've seen.

I was in.

I painstakingly worked on a D.

And got ambitious. What about a V?!!

After days of trial and error, I did get it done. Here was what I came up with, styled.

In lieu of its suggested use for cactus and flowers, I've displayed on it some of my treasured possessions.

A blue mochi bear squishy from Second Granddaughter.

A yellow Kitty Kitten LPS cat from First Granddaughter.

And Ollie, a hand-me-up stuffed otter from First Grandson with a multi-color cape he wove himself.

How's that for tripling the value of a finished product?

Recently, I made a Sun Kachina doll.

Traditionally carved from roots of cottonwood trees, it is one of hundreds of spiritual beings central to Hopi religious life. Hopi tribal folks give dolls like this to children. 

Maybe after all these, I could come up with another unique idea. An art piece, perhaps? How about a mosaic?

Hmm...

Here's looking at you, tumbling blocks!

Wee Kritters

Procraftinating

Definition: Working on craft projects when you should be doing laundry, making dinner, or cleaning house

Oh, look! It's crochet o'clock. - Anonymous

To crochet, or not to crochet, what a rhetorical question.

Crochet is my happy place. Once I started, I was hooked (pun totally intended). Especially when I discovered how to create these so-called amigurumi little kritters.

Crocheting is joyful in its simplicity.

There is only one stitch in work, the single crochet.

Combining several of this together, you get super-cute bears with multicolor ears, dressed in overalls and t-shirts. 

When you crochet, you work steadily, flicking the yarn - yellow in some places, a little brown in others, around a small golden crochet hook and drawing it secure through a loop previously made and, Ta-da! 

Small, chubby, and cute mouse-like Pokémon Pikachu comes to life. A curlique bang here and big blue French-knotted eyes after, Jigglypuff starts singing lullabies until his foes fall asleep.

The magic of crochet!

I never dreamed I'd grow up to be a super-cool crocheting lady, but here I have been killing it.

At the Hawaii Kai Preschool and Lincoln High School craft sales, and the Gahanna Flea Market for the past two years.

Gahanna Flea Market. Photo: I.T.V., 2018 | V.E.V.,2019

Gahanna Flea Market. All 2021 photos: V.E.V.

And last month, after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, at the revived Gahanna Flea Market.

Monies from sales aside, crocheting has many boons.

Given enough yarn, I'm certain that I can rule the world. This pastime keeps me from unraveling (another purposeful wordplay). I love days when my only problem is, Crochet this or that?

But best of all, it warms my heart that my wee kritters have brought smiles on the faces of children.

And wonderment. 

H O W !!! All caps. Underline. A million exclamation points. 

That was what Second Granddaughter's best friend reportedly said in amazement, holding in her hand a sleepy bitty mice under a blanket, snuggled in a cushy basket.

Kids and kids-at-heart as well.

They take such joy in the littlest things.

The simple moments.

My priceless memories.

 

Fairy House

Procraftinating

Definition: Working on craft projects when you should be doing laundry, making dinner, or cleaning house

Wishing you faeiries in your life, stardust in your soul, and magic in your days. - Janie Grissom

There’s nothing like it.

You….know….IT.

A fairy house.

That's how you can attract a fairy into your domain. Although fairies shelter under plants during the day, it is said that they do prefer a home to call their own.

At least, that's what legend says. But even if you don't believe in fairies, Second Granddaughter and I thought this was a great creative project. 

Here are its easy steps.

Imagine your fairy house. We located a spot under the crabapple tree in the backyard. We drew a rectangular shape on the ground, allowing for windows and a door. 

Gather materials. This was easy. Areas of moss that grew by the woodpile were plentiful. So were twigs and branches, bark, and tiny rocks.

Build the structure first, as Second Granddaughter said. Then, put the house together. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just measure and cut pieces that fit around the edges. If some of the lines turn out wonky, it's okay.

Take a good look at your creation.

Here is a representation of how it looked (what we built was covered with fall leaves and unphotographable at the time this piece was written).

It looked faded and vintage but inviting, tying in elements of space with the outdoors. 

Dried branches were tucked over the structure which had been amply covered with greenery and moss. The latter was draped over the side of the house.

Pebbles were scattered, leading to the main entryway. Dried nuts and bark formed a small garden around.

And finally, sit back.

Enjoy decorating brilliance at its finest.

Appreciate a makeshift structure that fosters dreams. 

Celebrate a home where fairies will find light when all grows dark.

African Mud Cloth

Procraftinating

Definition: Working on craft projects when you should be doing laundry, making dinner, or cleaning house

The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity. - Doug Horton

Several days ago, I was sipping herbal tea, flipping through my projects box when I came upon a homey piece of brown paper. A bit crumpled, filled with rows of fading geometric designs.

My heart skipped a bit. Have I just reached the cusp of my journey toward decorating nirvana?

What if...

Could I?

But before I go on, let me fill you in on the story behind my current design drama.

For the longest time, I've been obsessed with African mud cloth design. In fact, the whole time that we spent in Honolulu, I had nightly internet binges on how I could emulate this scheme in our home decor.

Mud cloth is made of cotton strips woven and stitched together. It is later painted with beautiful patterns using a special kind of mud. As the mud becomes dry, its color changes from dark brown or black to gray.

It has become very popular today because of its unique and exotic color and design.

I like.

I want.

So, rewind to the beginning of this blog...

Lo and behold, enlightenment had dawned on me. Heretofore hiding in plain sight was the mud cloth pattern of my dreams.

Let me show you.

Isn't it beautiful? I love the simplicity of the design. Understated. Stunning.

Should I?

YES, I SHOULD AND I DID.

I framed the brown parchment and my project was done. 

Just when I thought the dining room couldn't get any cuter?

It did.

Just when I thought I couldn’t love it any more?

I do.

Here it is - my longed for, now found, and very own unique mud cloth centerpiece.

Taking a closer look, though, I re-discovered something.

Something that made me tear up and sigh.

Something amazing.

That looked like this.

Can you see it?

It’s a little hard to make out.

Untitled Print by First Granddaughter.
Photo: V.E.V., August 2021

You’d never even notice it if you weren’t looking.

A name. Isela.

Dated 2016-2018 (info I added at a long-time-ago archive time after consulting with First Daughter).

A moment in time.

It made me think of the curly-haired girl, five years old at the time, who left the mark of her tiny fingers on this piece of art. 

Choosing the right shape. Dabbing it onto brown sepia paint. Stamping each on a crinkly piece of drab wrapping. Aligning forms.

And I remembered.

Sometime ago, I received a fingerprint greeting with this inscription:

My hand will do a thousand things for you. And you will remember, when I am tall, that once my hand was just this small.

First Granddaughter's Right Hand Fingerprint, 4.25" long with 5" stretch, at three years

And a foto.

On the back, she signed her name, each letter painstakingly written, Hebrew-style, from right to left.

My dear First Granddaughter, you already have done more than a thousand things for me.

Tiny, crafted projects. 

Little slices of yesterday.

Timeless treasures that will be locked deep in my soul.

Coffee Bar

Procraftinating

Definition: Working on craft projects when you should be doing laundry, making dinner, or cleaning house

Being crafty isn't just a hobby. It's a way of life. So, here's my life, starting with this DIY coffee station at home.

 
There are so many ways to set it up.

You can use your kitchen counter or build it from a vintage crate or a pallet shelf. Add the right accessories, like a cute wire basket and a milk glass vase of dried eucalyptus and cotton bolls.

But what really brings it to life, Pinterest says, is that slogan on the wall. The ​quote that urges you, Rise and grind.

The framed affirming statement, All you need is love and more coffee.

The hopeful wish, May your coffee be strong and your Monday be short.

Of course, I wanted a coffee bar but - puleeze! - none of the farmhouse signs that direct your every action. Drink. Early bird. Sip. Sorry... not my style.

I did concede to a sign. 

After binge staring at Pinterest for hours and hours and hours…

… I discovered that in addition to the coffee maker all my setup needed was this.

A 3"x3" framed canvas. 

Up top was a stamped image of two small monstera fronds.

Right-justified and decoupaged on the bottom was text, all lowercase, in my favorite Chambord script font, stay grounded.

I liked the metaphor and the fact that it wasn't trite.

So here’s to coffee, real and decaf. 

And remember, stay grounded.

I can drink to that. 

Happy Birthday, My Rainbow!

Moment the sky embraces the earth is called a rainbow. - Corina Negura

There was this baby girl who, like a rainbow, came into our life that one early, foggy morning in Chicago. 

She was so cute that her Pa thought she would even be cuter if he drew a beard and mustache on her tiny face.

I thought she looked like a sampaguita flower. I nicknamed her, Gigit.

She was doted on by her Sissy. She called her, Eye-eye.

What wasn't to like? She was fun-sized, tiny, vertically-challenged, ticklish, and giggly.

I often would dress her in an outfit that matched Elder Sister's. Same robe after a bath.

Matching clothes while at play in the snow or in a sandbox in Milwaukee.

The question I was always asked, Are they twins? How I wish now that I had the cheekiness to say, No, I found the extra kid in the parking lot and thought, Why not?

Someone said that in the cookies of life, a little girl is the chocolate chips. She was -  and more.

 

She was the cool breeze in a humid afternoon in Hawaii. 

The one with the impish grin (not sure what smile# that was), posing with a childhood friend in California and her Sissy. 

The accomplice to a no-longer-secret acquisition of pet bunnies. 

The adorable clown playing hand bells to the tune of Send in the Clowns. 

From a mini-me, she grew up, striking a signature clasped-arms pose in her kindergarten photo...

... and in her senior pic as well.

Like her Sissy, she became an accomplished classical pianist performing in monthly recitals and special occasions.

And she grew older, celebrating with us many milestone occasions...

... and vacations.

Today she's a little bit older, a lot more fabulous, and professionally accomplished. Talk about being CIV of the Month for the Columbus Division of Police.  

Or being recipient of a surprise-of-a-lifetime collective gesture and monetary gift for outstanding service at the height of the pandemic.

And best of all? Just as she has been a blessing to us, she herself has received the best gift of all.

Someone who stole her heart and calls her, Mama.

Today is a celebration for Eye-eye on her birthday.

My rainbow, Gigit, my anchor.

Our Second Daughter.

All life's best to you on this especial day!

With you by my side, I do know that it we'w be o'wight. 

P.S. My anchor, attached to an open parachute, has just soared over 300 feet into the air and is getting towed by a motorboat. 

Lord, have mercy!

Parasailing. Gulf Shores, Alabama: August 2021

Walking Blendon Woods: A Million Different Things

One Step At A Time

Walk as if you're kissing the earth with your feet. - Thich Nhat Hanh

A couple of months ago, I made the momentous decision that taking slow, romantic walks down the craft aisles at Jo-Ann's was not doing me any good. Ditto for places that rhymed with Forever 21 and Ross.

Also, that there was more to life than shopping and weekday-only walks on the treadmill.

That was when I pledged to start walking outdoors in earnest and catch up on the many rare little treats and glimpses of life I'd missed.  

Let me share with you some delights of a typical day of walking our Blendon Woods neighborhood.

For starters, it offers you plenty of blue sky above, along with but a few clouds in promise of an early fall day.

In Early Morning.
All Photos: V.E.V., Columbus, 2021

Walking along, I have sometimes felt like ditching my New Balance footwear and putting on some cowboy boots instead so I can start saying, Y’all!

Consider these street names. You walk along Boulder Creek Dam and turn right onto  Big Sky. Coming out on the main strip, you walk on toward Bear Tooth, pass by Blue River to the cul de sac on the corner of Wagon Wheel.

There is always something to watch.

Walnut and maple trees that line the streets lift up in the breeze like the arms of ballerinas. Steps away on either side are wildflower-strewn pathways toward homes. They look like they're ready for a floral frolic extravaganza.

Everything is completely calm.  

Some houses are still asleep, their garden abundant with hydrangea and black-eyed Susans. Others are just waking up with movement from within. 

Peering at frontages, I keep wondering, Why is there always a wreath on the door? It's so farmhouse. But yet, secretly, I keep thinking that I need to make one. Perhaps something different. Like a southwest weaving.

And how fun to have a rocking chair on the front porch, or perhaps an adirondack.

A brown cottontail rabbit hopping in a leisurely way up the wooded preserve disturbs my thoughts. She reminds me of First Daughter's Sniffy. Could it be her spirit restored back to life now romping among the elderberry bush?

A family of squirrels skitters through the leaves. I follow them until they scamper up a tree, their claws clicking and scraping against the bark. Then they sit on a limb, chattering excitedly, scolding me.

Then, these astounding discoveries.

A family of deer, all gangly limbs, stand at a distance, as if acknowledging my presence, and then turn back toward the shadows.

                                          Deer Sighting

The first maple leaf repainted bright orange by fall's brush, almost overnight.

And by the wayside, a squash that has turned to a golden yellow, ready to be picked.

Of late, rounding off the morning with a walk by the back deck, I saw these.

A ruby-throated hummingbird doing backward somersaults toward our nectar feeder. Then, darting so eagerly, so swiftly, sweetly sipping.

A lone white-breasted hummingbird looking like a white petal perched atop a browning lilac branch. 

And an old pal, our resident chipmunk which we've named Chip, nibbling on his new-favorite breakfast of a bagel scrap.

The hour is still early. I nod and smile into the brisk early-morning breeze that is blowing directly at me.

 Brr... (Yes, Younger Daughter. You told me you had a tank on during your morning run. But it's 59 degrees and I'm wearing a sweatshirt to ward off the 'morning chill' in the air.)

The neighborhood is slowly coming to life. I begin to hear children's voices and the quick beep of a car nosing its way out of the alley. Must be time for school bus pickup.

Everything else, the energizing feeling of the day and the sequence and clarity of its events  have been mixed up together. Jumbled up, finally coalescing into one full extraordinary day.

Instead of ice cream and popsicles, here's to dreaming of cozying up with mugs of hot cider and slices of pumpkin pie. 

And wishing your day be full of the extraordinary, too.

P.S. All truly great thoughts are envisioned while walking. I conceived of this series on a walk.