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My Mother’s Day has been really special in small, but significant ways! I watched over the weekend, a cardinal couple build their nest together just outside of our screened in porch! To watch the mother cardinal sit in the foundation and have her mate fly back and forth fitting twigs around her to form the custom-fit shape was truly impressive and sweet! I guess in life we all do that to some degree- ever tweaking, fixing up our homes so that they fit us uniquely.

My weekend was further fulfilled by knowing my teenage son was out, sitting with two neighborhood children while their parents attended a fundraiser. Knowing that he is growing up and learning to care for others (not just feeding the dog) is meaningful to me. He will make a great and loving husband to some lucky lady someday and a he’ll be a wonderful Father someday as well! (Just like his Dad!)

While we awaited Jackson’s return, Miles and I got out the air-dry clay and started playing. First we started with birds, since our new neighbors had completed their nest and it was fresh in our minds…

then I moved on to one of my favorites…a mouse!

then I got to thinking how without my wonderful husband, Brad, I would not be blessed to be a mother. One might argue that Mother’s Day is actually a tribute to husbands…those who help the kids make and bring you breakfast in bed and those who keep bringing twigs to secure your nest!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and the men in their lives! Because behind every marvelous mom is a meaningful man!

Ahhh…another Monday. And I begin my day as I always do…a bit resentful that the weekend is over, a bit cranky. But alas, I tend to my brood. I get them breakfast. I solve the day’s dilemmas by finding lost shoes, easing pre-test jitters and ensuring lunch boxes are in hand before departure.

I then race off to the grocery store (you do know I am raising a handsome Giraffe and a giggling Hyena, right?) and begin tackling my already-too ambitious “to-do” list. Ugh…I’m really cranky now, as I have given up caffeine and the weather is cold…again. Mother Nature has teased us with warmth and sunshine but withheld that all weekend, as I froze to death at yet another of my son’s track meets!

So…here I am lil’ miss cranky, zooming up Steltzer Road toward my home away from home, Giant Eagle, when I am stopped in my tracks…literally, by a large, muscular, perhaps Harley-Davidson-riding man, who is walking with arm outstretched,  directly across four lanes of traffic, all screeching to a halt.

What the…??!!!

Then I see it. One confident mother duck waddling directly across the four lanes of traffic, followed by 6 little fur balls rolling like dropped marbles behind her, all escorted politely by this man. Wow.

Chivalry is not dead!

Patience IS a virtue…

and Life is good! Life is not only good, but it is fuzzy and awfully cute!

I was grinning ear to ear as I held my lane of traffic in place, until the last little peep finally hoisted himself over the curb (after two tries) and up safely into the grass! Wow!

All I can say is that I truly appreciate Mother Nature’s lil’ reminders to slow down and focus on that which is really important! Our to-do lists are always going to be overly ambitious, we need to enjoy the journey of getting through them!

Hope your day is just ducky! ; )-

Watch out Handmade Nation…there is a growing movement among the Bexley 4th graders that will soon turn the handmade marketplace on it’s side! Yes folks! These lil’ entrepreneurs are working on building their individual, product-based businesses, soon to be presented to the Cassingham Elementary School in an open market!

I recently had the privilege of speaking to the three classes of 4th graders about starting a business, and all that entails to ensure a successful one! I am here to tell you they blew me away with smart, pointed questions! They are on it! This is not only exciting as an example of creatively furthering the curriculum and teaching first hand experience, but more so, because these are the faces of our future and I guarantee it is going to be bright!

Thank you Ms. Levine, Mrs. Bell and Mrs. LaFollette for the opportunity to share in this exciting project! Hats off to you all for teaching beyond the textbook!

And the living is easy! My two boys are on Spring Break this week and since we are headed to London this summer, decided to stay home and dedicate that time (and $) to home projects! So far we have opened our screened-in porch…cleaned out and reorganized our garage and repainted Miles’ bedroom to a “tropical blue” as he wanted a “beach-y feel!”

We are enjoying late dinners, lazy mornings and walks with the dogs! I have managed a few little projects in my studio…a collaged wreath for the front door, and some collaged pages that will go into clutch purses/handbags!

Almost forgot…Alisha Casey from Butler, PA was the winner of the little mouse giveaway! He has been shipped! Enjoy!

With the sun shining and the temps pulling us outdoors it is proving difficult to get much sewing done…I have managed a few embroidered samples though…next week I’ll dive back in full force…for now I am happy to just hang with the family!

Spring has Sprung (I think)!!! The sunshine and warm weather has brought on that pressure to Spring Clean my studio…(notice I am ignoring my house)! One of the largest contributors to the mess in my work space is of course fabric scraps. I try my best to repurpose them and in doing so have found a few fun ways!

Mice! These little guys are proving to be a great way to use up the felt scraps and to give me something to do when I am stuck waiting on kids to get out of music lessons, sports practices, etc.  I leave a little kit in my car with thread, scissors and scraps and sew while I am stuck!  These will be fun for the holidays to adorn gifts, decorate with and give away!

Speaking of giving away…how about the first person to email me that they’ve read this blogpost, gets a mouse! (Be sure to include your complete mailing info).

Another fun way to use up my scraps has been simple collages, top-stitched, that can further be made into placemats (great for hiding spills!), bags, book covers, etc.!

So that is how I’ll be Spring cleaning…how about you?!

Our recent sunny weather has certainly helped lift moods around our house, even the studio dogs are more playful! Paige, Winston and I played several rounds of “steal Mom’s paperwork and catch us if you can”  yesterday, so obviously sunlight brings renewed energy! But of course every couple of days the gray clouds roll back in, along with a smattering of rain, as is the case today, and Paige and Winston have gone back to bed!!!

Struggling to get moving, I started tackling my mountain of laundry and made a cup of really strong, hot tea (trying to give up coffee is torture on mornings like this).  Next I pulled out a book, a bit of creative eye candy, that I acquired on a recent trip to the library. A creative cattle-prod! MOOO!

After happily lugging home an entire bag of inspiration on Saturday and devouring each book within the first hour, I have found a new fave…Carla Sonheim’s Drawing Lab!  I applaud her for the fun drawing-based experiments, but more so, for putting the emphasis back on the basics and exploring how you can do so much with so little. Pen and a scrap of paper, people! Less is more! I completely respect this idea, since I am forever at my back door, attempting to leave, while trying to gather all of my technological devices!!!!  (Don’t they make a “Clapper” for the iphone, ipad, kindle, etc?)  Well, I salute the napkin and pen, or better yet, the handy dandy sketchbook!!! Carla Sonheim has reminded me to get my sketchbook back into my bag and keep it there!

So the next time you find yourself struggling to get the eyelids above half-mast…check it out! You don’t have to consider yourself creative or an artist or even an art enthusiast…but I think you’ll find if you take a few minutes with this book you will feel energized, like a kid again and you’ll glean some great advice to keep your creativity rolling! Enjoy…I’m off to find my pen!!!

Don’t forget your sweetie! Pick up a fabric valentine at Bexley’s Pop Up Shop on Drexel Avenue, or The Columbus Museum of Art Store on Broad Street!

Quilters, Sewers, Fabric-Junkies…Wanted!!!

I am in desperate need of fabric selvedges for a new series I am working on! Help! Spread the word if you know of anyone who works with fabric that would be able to donate their selvedges!  I am particulary looking for any that would show dye lot, fabric brands, titles, etc. I need text (as shown above)!  All colors, widths accepted! If they have some of the original fabric pattern on them- even better! Contact me directly by email (afeinknopf@gmail.com) to arrange a donation and receive a discount (as outlined in my Give & Get program)!

Paige, studio dog #1, has gained a little brother, Winston. In an effort to rescue an adult female dog, we inadvertently ended up with Winston, 9 week- old ball of energy and sharp teeth! The two are getting along famously (obviously as Paige is sharing her new bed with him and she never had to share before!) It has been an unexpected turn of events, but a positive for Paige in terms of company and for our family in terms of shared workloads.  I am just happy to know he landed in a good place and has a good start to the New Year.

Wishing you the same in 2012- Happy New Year! May it be filled with blessings of good health, happiness, creativity and success!

The Museum Store, located directly within the Columbus Museum of Art has a lot of truly wonderful gifts and are working to promote their handmade gifts especially this season. If you are still scrambling for a special gift, I recommend stopping in, as parking is free and easily accessible and you will find so many colorful, unique treasures!

Happy Holidays!