Picture a Day: New Couch!

The perfect couch, already at home amidst our mess

I've got a bit of the old Spring fever these days. I've been dreaming of sprucing up the place and have big plans for re-imagining the lay out of our amazing space. Top on my list of priorities has been to find the perfect couch for our main living area. I've been checking Craigslist twice a day for a couple weeks now to no avail. It's really shocking what people are asking for their gross giant sofas on Craigslist! I was even prepared to pay a similar price if the perfect vintage modern sofa appeared, but to no avail.

And then this morning, on a whim, I asked Skye if he wanted to go to our local Salvation Army store just to take a peek and, lo and behold, there it was! I literally walked in the door, spotted it across the room (kinda hard to miss that bright orange velour) and knew right away it would be mine. Upon closer inspection we found that it's in excellent shape, not gross or smelly or stained at all, and only $50! It was obviously meant to be.

Now if I can just find the perfect rug to go with it...any suggestions? I'm shocked at the lack of rug options out there!

Picture a Day: My Girl

...is crazy. Good thing she's so cute.

Picture a Day: More Snow!

snowman, made and melting, at Grammy & Grandpa's

Picture a Day: out to eat

:: At Wine N Diner. Oreo pancakes for the kids, turducken pilgrim sandwich for the grown ups. Yum!

Picture a Day: Pancakes!

Lots of Pictures Today: Valentine's revisited

This year I am all about being ahead of the game, especially with making gifts. So far, so good--I churned out a scarf for for each kid's Valentine's Day gift with plenty of time to spare!


They were a hit and inspired lots of love:


Both patterns (and yarn) are from Morehouse Farm. They turned out super cute, Tigerlily's heart scarf was super quick and easy and I love how the hearts kind of link together when she wears it. The bandit look of Lyric's raccoon scarf is totally killing me! This one took a bit of time, partly because it calls for sport weight yarn. Next time I'm totally using worsted.

Picture a Day: Osu!

Lyric has been talking about joining a karate class since he was at least three and I finally got around to signing him up at the beginning of the month. Tigerlily wanted to give it a try too so I signed her up for their introductory 3-lesson course for everyone over age 7. She's never really followed through with anything she's tried before (dance and piano) so I didn't have high hopes. Man, was I wrong!

Tigerlily at the dojo

I have never seen the girl take anything so seriously. The juniors are expected to attend at least 2 classes per week and my girl has asked to go every. single. day since she officially began as a student last Tuesday. She's gone every weekday since then and has become this amazing karate sponge! I am so, so proud of her, not only for her determination to do her best but also for working hard to bring the key principles of her karate practice, self discipline and self control, into her life outside the dojo. It's so exciting to see her confidence grow and to hear those spirited, "Kiai!"s.

Picture a Day: Day 4

When the girl is at camp....

up in his sister's loft listening to tunes (and winking)

Once a slacker always a slacker

Only three days into the Picture a Day project and I've already missed one. Rats.

yesterday: Lyric wearing the infamous sushi pants (given to newborn Lil and worn by both kids from infancy to age 4) strummin' on the old mandolin

today: Tigerlily at skateboard camp (in the pink helmet)

Picture a Day

I was just over at Abi's blog and was totally inspired to follow her lead and try to regain my blogging groove with a picture a day. And what better time to start than right now?

A glimpse into a typical Saturday morning chez van der Laan. There's no tv during the week but weekend mornings are zone-out time!

Gifts made and given

Thanks to everyone for the rave reviews on the fairy house! It is definitely a hit around here, too.

While we're on the subject of gifts given this holiday season I thought I would show you more of the gifts we made to give to friends and family this year.

chocolate truffles in handmade origami boxes for the teachers
(paper decorated by the kids before folding)

super yummy apple wine à la Skye

simple and modern candle holder made with this tutorial along with fabric bag wrapping (which has a second life as a baguette bag)

more bread bags for my Mom (who makes the best bread in town)

monogrammed pencil case and notebook set for the cousins

:I feel like I must have gotten the idea for these little notebooks somewhere online this fall but I can't seem to find any tutorial that I referenced. It's not like I invented anything here but it's such a cool idea and so easy to make (with all recycled and vintage materials!) that I think everyone should have a go at making at least a few of these. If folks are interested in hearing my process I'd be happy to share!

Playing catch up

Yup, I'm still alive. This here blog might be on its last legs but I'm determined to rejuvenate it! I have so, so much to share and am brimming with ideas and have just accepted that "the time to blog" will never just appear so I need to make time.

I've been dying to show you the Christmas gift that Skye and I made for Tigerlily for Christmas. It was such a perfect collaboration of his carpentry skills and my sewing skills and we had a blast working on it together. So, of course, it turned out wonderfully!!

Presenting: The Fairy House!

Skye had this hollow tree stump that he thought would be perfect (and it so totally was). He cut off a bit of one side and attached it to the top for the roof, drilled some large holes for windows and made a door. He also added an elevator and made the table, fireplace (complete with firewood!) and bed. So cool!

I made the bendy fairy dolls (with this tutorial--so easy!!), a little fairy hut, lots of leaves (including the leaves on the roof, the leaf sleeping bag, leaf bench, and lots of "throw" leaves), log and bark benches, mushrooms, and scattered logs. I had to stop myself, it was so much fun!

A winner!

Giveaway Day (well, week really) is over and I've got a winner!

Congratulations to comment #253, Kiza! I'll be in touch to work out all of the details for your banner :)

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and entering, and for all of your kind comments. Have a wonderful holiday!!

Giveaway Day!

It's that magical time of year again--Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day! I haven't had much time for the blog this past month but the end of my crazed schedule and a return to regular blogging is just a few days away. What better way to make a come back than with a give away?


This year I'd like to offer a custom name (or word) banner/bunting, a new and very popular addition to the shop this year. One lucky winner, chosen at random from the comments on this post, will receive a custom made banner with the name or word of their choice, up to 10 letters.


Comments will be open until midnight EST this Friday, December 17. I will announce the winner on Saturday morning and will be in touch with the winner to discuss the details. I am prepared to make the banner over the weekend and have it in the mail on December 20.

Sound good? Leave a comment for your chance to win! Everyone is eligible, I will gladly ship anywhere in the world.

Good luck!