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I was just invited to join Spoonflower, a service for designing and printing your own small batches of fabric. The service is in Beta right now and invite only, but seems very promising. Here is the flickr group of fabrics designed and printed through Spoonflower and projects people have made with those
As usual, we had a long action packed weekend.
Saturday, we went to the Youth in Arts Italian Street Painting Festival in San Rafael to see Dante Diego’s work in progress, and then off to Napa to celebrate Chetan’s big three-oh. (Sylvie at the Festival in tutu and sweater made by me)
Chetan’s parents live in Napa and used to own a successful restaurant in the area, so a Chetan party is guaranteed to be a classy event. This one did not disappoint. The party was held at a vineyard off the main road. No big chateaux or tasting room, but a nice tree covered patio, pool and sand pit (for volley ball?) out in the middle of rolling hills of grapes. The scenery was incredible. The food was delicious. And the location was great for the handful of kids that tagged along with their parents. Will found a couple of of boys, 8 and 10, to join him in chasing frogs and playing bocce/shot put; Sylvie spent the afternoon transporting rocks from one planter to another and lolling about in the pool noodles.
Sunday was the pirate festival in Vallejo. When we told him we were going to see pirates, Will was a little nervous that the pirates would take Sylvie, but after we convinced him that these were good pirates, he got into the spirit. I was shocked at how convincing we were as there were quite a few scary pirates (a la Pirates of the Caribbean) and in the harbor two pirate ships shooting cannons at us, enough that I was a little rattled, but Will just thought this was all great fun. Some pirate children:
On a related note, I need a better system for keeping track of my children in well populated areas. Both children are stubbornly independent (don’t know where they got THAT!), and Sylvie is really too young to understand the consequences. I’ve been meaning to get Name and Phone number tattoos for the kids because looking around the Pirate fest I was wondering just how I would describe my child to someone – “uh, the blonde kid in pirate garb… seen him?” Another option is walkie talkies, which I think Will would love because of the technology. Taking pictures of the kids the day of the event is a smart idea, but I’d rather not have to pull out the pictures. Everyday that humiliating kiddie leash is looking more and more attractive!
My cuties sun bathing two weekends ago while Doug and I unpacked camping gear:
I mentioned earlier that we were having Matthew and Tobi over for a raucous good time. And we did. And raucous it was.
Four and 18mos are great ages. Will and Matthew are old enough that they can play creatively (and nicely) with tinker toys for hours. Yesterday Will built a scaffolding-like structure that he was using as a camera. Today the boys assembled long propeller ended hair clippers and paddle boat pieces.
The littles (syl and tobi) dug in and tried to keep up, but mostly looked on in curiosity.
We capped the night dressed as super heros, canvasing the neighborhood in search of villains. Will as Batman (with super Will cape), Matthew as Spiderman, Tobi as super Builder in cape and goggles, and Sylvie as super bunny – shirtless with sparkly shoes and a bunny jacket. I foresee painful highschool years ahead. Perhaps Doug will be so kind as to post the super video.
We’re supposed to have three digit heat today. Maybe OVER 100.
That is hot for this area.
Unfortunately we are behind on our preparations. I meant to stock the freezer with popsicles and the fridge with homemade lemonade, but instead I mopped and swept the house. You’d not believe the dirt we collect through the week! Our friends are collecting their grey water to use on plants. We ought to be collecting our indoor dirt! Perhaps I should just go with it and plant winter veggies indoors.
Matthew and Tobi are coming over for movie night tonight. I think instead we may just pull out the pool and play in the backyard and then go for a walk. I’m not sure our house will be cool enough considering the heat today.
apparently Martha Stewart is in on this macaroon kick as here’s her recipe
Maybe I will practice these for Sylvie’s birthday.
Or mine!
Or my Mommy’s!
Yum.
I’m having trouble concentrating, today, as I want to post these few things before I forget about them.
One is a baby sweater that I have been wanting to knit, but resized for Mama!
Instructions and great pictures are at FlintKnits.
Another is just so sad to me – a new fabric store in San Francisco called Urban Burp selling vintage fabric. Like I need more fabric stores in the vicinity.
Urban Burp
170 Columbus Ave, Ste 110
(between Jackson St & Kearny St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 399-8761
And on Craft, someone posted a link to the Flickr group for Alabama Stitch. The projects look like fun. Lots of reverse applique.
Will was playing Batman this weekend dressed in his full caped and muscled suit, looking a little like a Mexican wrestler. I heard a jingle in my dining room hutch and look up to find two hors d’oeuvre knives and a popsicle stick stuck in his utility belt. He pulled them out proudly and explained, “This is for fighting Jokers. And this is for cutting Garlic. And this one [the popsicle stick] is for Robin.”
Oh the things we don’t catch on film…
