Blame It on the Rain.

Well, actually blame it on the sun shine,breezy weather and...

the need for lots of outside babywearing walks!

 (ignore the snow in the background)

As my two amazing little boys grow at warp speed I find that I really need to spend less time in front of the computer and more time outside playing, getting together with friends and knitting as fast as my hands will go so that what I'm making will actually still fit while still being seasonally appropriate.

Loki turned 3 last weekend which is not sad, really it's amazing and hard to believe he was ever a tiny baby. What gets me is that we are hurdling towards Astas' 1st  birthday. He is my last baby (sigh)  time is moving at a rapid pace and I find it hard to hang on as the days slip right past me.

I also look at all the frilly little girly clothes and feel a pang of longing as I know I will never make or need any of those type things (really big sigh)

Crafty Mama Sidetrack

(Small departure from knitting and sewing)

As you may or may not know I am totally obsessed with babywearing (not to mention cloth diapers) I sold my beloved Pfau and have moved on to a colorgrown waves. It comes in a really blah kinda brown, but has great "cush" factor.

Astas in a double hammock pre dye.

Totally gratuitous cute baby shot.

I naturally had to have it but couldn't live with the brown so I ventured into the world of fabric dyeing. Not that I hadn't been there before, but it's been a while (collage 1994 or 1995)

I used Procion MX dye  in Lavender and mostly followed directions from Dharma Trading for vat/machine dyeing . 

Astas in a messy Wrap Cross Carry post dye.

Here's how I went about dyeing my wrap:

First I dissolved about 1/2 a box of kosher salt in a bucket then added it to the full washing machine. Then I made some chemical water to make my dye slurry (pulling from my fashion school dye experience) I have no idea if it helped or not. It certainly didn't hurt. I added the dye to the salt water in the washing machine and let it mix in before I plunked the wrap in. I left the lid open (so the water wouldn't drain out if I left it to long) and spread an old towel over the opening so no dye water would jump out and get the whole place purple.  

I must be honest and tell you I did not time it at all. I just checked the wrap here and there (with rubber gloved hands) I freaked out a tiny bit because it seemed way dark. So I took the wrap out and put it into our utility sink while I added the soda ash (which I had already dissolved in warm water) I let that swish around a bit then put the wrap back in for 'um' about 10 min I think. I was way less worried after adding the soda ash. The color seemed to mellow a bit after adding it. I let the color drain out,rinsed,washed and...

Viola, lavender waves!

I did all the dyeing in my washing machine (ack!) I 'm a bit scared to wash anything for fear it might also turn purple (I'm sure it won't but..)

Sorry for the sidetrack but I just had to post about this because I'm so excited it turned out well. The project that was supposed to be here is in fact finished this is not just another stall tactic, I swear.

Two at Once

I was going to post this as kinda off topic but then it occurred to me that really it's not at all. Why not? I was figuring this blog is as much about me as it is my crafts. So many blogs are about the person behind the art not just the art. (There is a whole other blog post brewing in here regarding art and craft.)

This evening I took my 1st foray into double babywearing. Two babes at once (well one toddler and a babe).

Astas is in a Pfau Didy wrap  and Loki is in a Babyhawk.

Not the best picture as this was taken right after we got home and it turned out about 30min was all we could handle. Loki was ready to jump out, but I made him pose for a quick pic for proof that it happened at all. 

I was surprised at how "easy" it was to throw two kids in carriers and trot off into the woods. I bet if I keep it up I'll be back to my fighin' weight in no time.

Sakura Bloom Love Affair!

If you didn't know already I love babywearing and am super happy to be able wear the newest addition and can't wait to try wearing both at once! Right now I'm re-falling in love with my Sakura Bloom silk essentials ring sling (Nursing the "little" in it as I type) It's a double layer of silk and is so comfy, supportive, versatile and beautiful!

Here it is: Me wearing the little one last week.

Here it is: Me wearing the big one during Halloween and just before Christmas!

  

I dream of owning an artisan stripe! Really I do need 2, really.

This sling is great for a toddler, but oh man is it perfect for a newborn. Super snug and secure.

Nearly all the ladies at work have one now! How could they not?

If you missed it check us out at the Sakura Bloom blog.

Oh Sunny Day!!

In addition to my love of all things fiber artsy. I am a super cloth diaper loving mama! Today has been a lovely, sunny warm day. I got up early so I could get those diapers out on the line. It really is one of my favorite sights besides little baby cloths hanging in the sun.I use a mix mostly Bumgenius , but I also have some Thirsties AIO (the neon orange one) and am trying out the new Gro Baby OS (the plumy purple one)

Another thing I'm crazy about it babywearing. Here I am wearing  my 2 year old on my back in a Zidee Podaegi I got on the babywearer. I think my days of wearing my toddler are fast coming to a close, so I'm trying to squeeze them all in while I can.