Papier-Mache Bowls

Last week was the girls Winter break from school.  We did some travelling and visiting and the week went by way too fast but we did find some time for some crafting.  We decided to make some papier-mache bowls.  I got the idea from the book Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule which I had out from the library.  First we found some bowls to use as molds and cut some newspaper into strips.  We made our own papier-mache paste by cooking together 1/2 cup of flour, 2 1/2 cups water, and 1  tablespoon of salt together until it formed a glue like paste.  Then we painted one side of the newspaper strips with the paste and placed them on the bowls. (Oh yes, cover the bowl you are using as a mold with plastic wrap or tinfoil so that your papier-mache does not stick to the bowl.)

Star painting a paper strip with paste.

Sky applying a a paper strip to her bowl.

We continued applying paper strips to the bowls throughout the day until we had about 4 layers on.  We finished with a layer of scrap white computer paper.  Then we let the bowls dry thoroughly.  (This can take a few days so luckily we had to go to MJ for eye appointments one day.  So far neither girl needs glasses, yeah!)  Once dry you can decorate them to your heart's content.  We painted them.

Star and Sky painting their bowls.

Our finished bowls.

And since Lent started last week we made these easy one decade rosaries (from Catholic Icing).  They are kept in one of the bowls we made. During lent we are trying to say one decade of the rosary each night.

Yarn Along: Mystery Afghan

Wow, I can't believe that a whole week has gone by and it is time once again for a yarn along.  This past weekend Star and Sky were in a skating festival in Weyburn and then we we spent the rest of the weekend with family.  The kids all enjoyed getting to play with their cousins and I was able to do some crocheting on the drive and while visiting.  I finished clue #1 for the Bernat Mystery Afghan CAL.  Here are the squares I made:

And of course LT had to get in on the picture taking.

Once again I forgot to take a picture of the book I am reading (distracted by that sweet smile I guess).  I have been continuing to read some light christian historical fiction.  This week I read Heart of Gold and The Shepherd's Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher.  Yes, they were very good which is why I got through two books in one week.

Yarn Along - Mini Pouches

Stopping in for a quick (and late) yarn along.  Not much crocheting happening here this week but I did make up a few of these mini-pouches to put some treats in for Valentine's day.  These are really quite small but were perfect for a couple of hair clips and Hershey kisses for my sweet girls on a sweet day.

I am very excited to be participating in the Bernat Mystery Afghan CAL (crochet-a-long).  It is my first time doing a CAL and it will be my first time making a large afghan.  I've started a few but never finished them.  Here's hoping that doing it as a CAL will keep be motivated to finish it.  The first clue came out today and I can't wait to get started but in the meantime here is the yarn I am using.

On the reading front I have been reading the Women of the West books by Janette Oke.  I have been borrowing the ebooks from the library to read on my Kobo. I think I first read these in  high school and I really enjoyed them.  There are few that I haven't read yet and I have been enjoying them all again.  It is light reading which is a perfect end to a busy day.  If you like christian or pioneer fiction be sure to  check them out. 

Basement Reno's

Our basement has needed some work done in it for a long time but we never seemed to have the time or money to do it.  Now we are finally tackling it (still don't really have the time or money but we are giving it a go one step at a time).  The last few weekends were spent moving everything from the basement out into the garage and tearing down walls and what not.  This weekend we jackhammered out the floor.  The jackhammering was a lot of work but the hardest part was carrying all the broken cement out.  We carried it out by hand in chunks or in 5 gallon pails.  Look at the pile of cement.

Now I won't even pretend that I did any of this work.  One of the advantages of having a baby to care for is that I got out of most of this work.  We are really thankful for the couple of family members that were able to come and help.  They did A LOT of work hauling all this cement out.  I am a little worried that they may have a hard time moving today but we are so grateful for their help.  This would have taken my husband a long time if he had to do it himself.

There is still quite a bit more cement to be hauled out and it will be quite a while before I get my basement back but we will keep working on it slow and steady (as time and money allows) and eventually we will have a usable space down there.  It will be really nice to have that space as with 4 kids it gets a little crowded upstairs.

LK is Two!

This past weekend we celebrated LK's second birthday.  What a big boy he is! We just had a low key celebration with Grandpa being the only guest (and one of Star's friends was over for the day).  But we did have balloons.

And of course party hats.  LK wasn't too fond of his.

But Lil didn't seem to mind hers.

Then when someone was impatient for dinner to be served he decided that a plate made a better hat.

Birthday cake with candles is a requirement.  It took a couple of blows but he got those candles out.

Then it was present time (And yes they are just wrapped in newsprint but he didn't seem to mind.) 

  It has been a great year LK and I can't wait to see what this next year holds for you.

A Toolbox

Star made this toolbox for LK for his 2nd birthday to go along with the crocheted tools I am making.  She and her dad came up with the design just using some scrap wood they had.  Dad did all the cutting and  Star drilled all the holes and pounded all the nails in.  Then both Sky and Star sanded and painted it.  It turned out pretty cute and it could be used to store anything.  Star was quite pleased with herself.  She loves to make things.

Star and Sky painting.

Of course LK wanted to paint as well when he saw the older girls painting. So I gave him a paintbrush and some water and let him "paint" on a piece of construction paper. He was quite content with that until he finally wore a hole in the wet paper and got upset.

LK "painting".

Yarn Along - tool set

Just popping in to do a quick yarn along post.  This week I am working on an amigurumi tool set for LK.  This is a quick and easy crochet project.  I have completed the hammer, screwdriver, and file.  I just have the pliers to finish up.

On the reading front I am continuing with The Friday Night Knitting Club series by Kate Jacobs.  I am currently reading Knit Two and am enjoying it.

Well that's all for this week.  The little ones (and the big ones) keep me busy so I don't have much time for reading or crocheting but I keep trying to sneak it in when I have a moment or two.