two straight lines

Possibly the most satisfying 15 minutes of my life.

I've begun this post many times in my head, but am glad I've waited a week before actually writing it.  I know many of you have heard already, but for those of you who have not, Wondertime Magazine, the magazine for which I've worked as a contributing editor for the last year and a half, has been shut down by Disney. 

I'm sad as a contributor and a reader, but honestly I am heartbroken for the staffers at this fine magazine, who really put their heart into their concept and produced a magazine for thinking parents, not one based on alarmism or fluffy content, the two hallmarks of parenting magazines.  They aimed to show you the good and bad of parenting, not to tell you what could go wrong, or what you were doing wrong.  It's sad that we won't have it to inspire us, or just make us laugh, anymore.

To my totally kick-ass and calm under pressure editor, thank you for giving me the chance you did, and then even more chances.  It was a blast, and I had many "pinch-me" moments that I was getting paid to make paper dolls on my dining room table.  You were a complete pleasure to work for, and I hope our paths cross again.  I also want to thank the person who found me and pointed my editor in my direction.  And those editors who followed, I loved working with all of you as well.  It was an amazing experience.

All of the news regarding the terrible economy seems much more real when you see really wonderful and talented people lose their jobs.

As for me, I'll be fine.  I am really excited to be able to share more with you all here on my blog.  I miss showing you my projects and having those conversations with you.  I've been working with someone on a redesign of my blog for a while now, and hope to reveal it all in the next few months.  March marks the third anniversary of my blog, how time flies!  So, what do you want to see from me?  What type of content would you like more of?  If you have opinions, please comment or drop me an email. [courtney_russell(at)att(dot)net]

Thanks so much for reading, commenting, and just stopping by.  You make my day with each and every interaction.

XO- Courtney

PS- I heard from Blair that Domino also folded.  Amazing.  Is print dead?

In so many ways.  I'll be glued to the TV today, and you?

We woke up yesterday to the buzzing of my husband's Blackberry, an automated message left simultaneously on our home phone, cell phones and email declaring a snow day.  No more mornings hunched over the old clock radio waiting to hear the name of your school.  These days its all high tech.  Hmmmm... what shall we do?

We had games and fort building...

...an afternoon cartoon and popcorn break.

And then there was talk of some crafting while the wee one napped.  A pattern was cut and even though Lucie's nap was far too short we continued with our plan.  Colors were picked, felt cut and sewn.  He remained faceless and undressed when the kids finally went to bed.

But this morning, there was a new friend to play with.  "Let's call him Honey Bear, Mama.  Yes, he needs a bed, Mama."

His bed is a clementine crate. (Liesl's idea, I think.)  A fluffy cotton prefold diaper is his mattress, his pillow, a pincushion- a gift from a friend.  His blanket is a cotton washcloth I bought at our church's holiday bazaar.

Pattern found in this book, or free on the Canadian Living website.  I would use a thinner wool next time so that it is easier to turn.  He'd make a great little Valentine bear.  Maybe with a heart applique rather than a flower?  He's the perfect size for a pocket, and ready for an adventure I think.

 

PS- I'm not receiving comments right now through email.  I updated my email address last week, and for some reason it's not working correctly right now.  I'm looking into it.

The "stool thingy" found in the last post is the Learning Tower which is a great piece of kid equipment, maybe the best we own.  Admittedly, it isn't for a small space, but it fits in our new kitchen even thought the cooking area is considerably smaller than our old (the eating area here is bigger, though).  It was particularly great when Elliot was going through that toddler, no eating stage.  I would put him at our island with snacks in front of him and he would eat his lunch while I did other things.  I think he sort of forgot he was eating;)

And thanks for all of the wallpaper removal advice.  I have lots of it here, including grasscloth (shown above in our family room, and I even have a small room that is upholstered!  Anyone know how to remove that?  In theory it sounds nice, but it is a small windowless room between our kitchen and living room that is upholstered in a solid forest green.  It is just so dark in there!

XO- Courtney

Keeping cozy and warm inside while it is snowy and cold (but gorgeous!) outside.  We had 57 inches of snow in December and got a few more feet over the weekend.  It's lovely when you don't have to be anywhere in particular.

Fighting the urge to start stripping wallpaper.  Any suggestions?

Edited to add: the pacifier shown in the photos above was just unearthed by Elliot moments ago from a dresser drawer upstairs.  Lucie never really took to them, but somehow one remains.  Funny how years from now she might see this and think she was very attached;)

I've been thrifting a lot more since I moved here, and have been really lucky.  I'm always amazed at how much the quality of thrift stores and merchandise varies regionally.  Minneapolis is the best thrifting city I've ever lived in, but I've found a ton of stuff here too, so I am encouraged.  I'm curious what warmer weather will bring in the way of good garage sales and estate sales, because that's where I found my best items in Minneapolis.

Above is a vintage bassinet to house Lucie's growing doll/ stuffed animal collection.  And below, a mint condition linen tablecloth with black (and white?) work on it.  Is there such a thing as "whitework?"  I've heard of "redwork," and "blackwork," but not "whitework."  Hmmmm...

I got a few more things on this trip too.  I sort of had the feeling they received the estate of some really stylish older lady recently because of all the beautiful things I had to resist.

The orange piecrust table in the photo below is an item I picked up at an estate sale in Minneapolis and dragged around for a few years until I finally painted it a dark orange for our nursery.  In comments people usually call it red, but really it is orange.  It was from a really big grand home on Lake of the Isles (for any Minnesotans out there) and I always thought it must have seen a lot in its day.  From what I remember the family who lived there had a ton of kids, who are now probably grandparents themselves.