small + friendly

There's Nobody I'd Rather Do This With

Photo by Meg Messina (in the hospital the day after Jude was born), quote inspired by this.

Yesterday afternoon was one of those wonderful times when Jason and I got the chance to really connect.  My mom offered to keep Jude over for dinner.  Jason and I left work a little early and went to Target and Trader Joe's together.  I can't remember the last time we ran errands just the two of us.  Who knew loading up the cart with groceries could be so fun?!  Then, instead of cooking any of those groceries we went out for an impromptu dinner date.  I didn't even realize how badly we needed that until we did it.  We made a list of all the things that need doing before baby arrives, we ate steak, we laughed and chatted and cheered each other on.  

Parenting (and all the grown-up stuff that goes with it) is no small task.  I feel so lucky to have a partner who always has my back.  Someone who truly shares the job.  A man who would never call watching his own child babysitting.  The kind of husband who wipes bottoms and empties barf bowls with a smile on his face and kindness in his heart.  Don't get me wrong, we have disagreements.  But when I take a step back, all I see is the man I love with all my soul.  My heart is so full of gratitude that I get to share this crazy, fun, stressful, exhausting, magical life with someone I adore.

Well now that I've had good pregnant lady cry, I encourage you to thank your parenting coworker for being cute, funny, hardworking ... you get the idea.  

Here's to the power of partnership.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend.

P.S.- I also need to acknowledge and thank my amazing parents.  Not only do they help and support us immensely, they set a beautiful example of what parenthood and partnership look like.     

I'm Back

I have returned from Alt and whilst I'm pretty sure the pictures speak for themselves, I had an amazing time!  Seriously, it was like getting to go to sleep away camp with a whole bunch of your gal pals.  It's been a long time since I stayed up until 2am eating pizza and chatting.  Needless to say, the highlight for me was meeting and spending time with the Creative Mamas (you can check us out and join in on the fun with the hashtag #creativemamas on instagram).  

I also learned a ton!  I'm hoping you will notice improved photos and writing on small + friendly just as soon as I catch up on a little sleep and finish unpacking.  

Speaking of catching up, I thought I'd share a few odds and ends:

Tomorrow is National Puzzle Day!  Celebrate with this No-Sew Fabric Puzzle Craft!

Check out these cute Chalkboard Pet Rocks Jude and I made for Classic Play. 

After almost a full week of thinking non-stop about blogging all I want to do is make.  I plan to at least attempt a few things for Kids Clothes Week. (I'd better go start some laundry.)

Love is in the air, don't miss these White Chocolate Popcorn Hearts or Love-ly Bookmarks

Here in California we are still waiting for winter to arrive (please do a rain dance for us).  This Handmade Winter Video is beyond dreamy. (Get your copy of the book here).

The #boldbrilliantbeautiful project is growing every day.  Anyone can join, use the hashtag on instagram or twitter and find oodles of support in the Bold.Brilliant.Beautiful.You facebook group.

Well, that's all I've got for today.  I hope to be back later this week with some hand sewn goodies.  

 

I'm Going to Alt

And I'm going to try really hard not to be annoying about it.  

For the past few years, I have turned various shades of green reading about all the awesomeness that is Altitude Summit.  Each January it seems like all the cool kids are planning and preparing their fabulous outfits and elaborate business cards.  While I am far from a cool kid, I decided to stop admiring the spectacle from afar and join in instead.  

I'm not going to lie, I am super duper excited to be going.  I've got serious packing anxiety, and I've given more than a little thought to my biz cards.  But I also plan to go there and be myself.  Personality wise, I feel as though I'm smack dab between the bold and bedazzled Alt crowd and the yarn-touting, free-spirits of Squam.  Of course, I wish to impress people, but only by being who I am.  I'm hoping my two best accessories (a cute baby bump and a quick sense of humor) are enough to help me stand out in the sea of fabulousness.  

Despite the nerves, what I am most looking forward to is the chance to hug some of the lovely #creativemamas that have become my online tribe.  So while my instagram feed is sure to be oddly full of cute outfits and precious details, know that I'm still the Carla you know and love.  Hopefully I'll come back with all kinds of ways to make this space even better.  And at the very least, I'll get to be a full-on grown-up independent woman for a few days.  A very welcome concept after four years of pretty much non-stop mothering and only ten short weeks before it starts all over with number two!

Wish me luck!  And feel free to roll your eyes a few times, we're all friends here.          

Pillow Sword and Shield Tutorial

Ladies and gents here is that tutorial for the DIY pillow sword and shield I promised.  I've even thrown in a free pattern for the sword!  

Quick note:  As I have explained many times, my best creations (mini lounger, shark bag, etc.) are made in a mad dash.  It is as if a flurry of inspiration takes over and I simply must figure out how to make something.  It's really quite fun, although it leaves no time/energy for step by step pictures and meticulous notes.  If I were charging you for this pattern it would have fully digitized pattern pieces and step by step photos.  Instead, you get it for free and I will do my best to explain every step.  I think it's a pretty fair deal.  Plus, I'm only an email (smallfriendly at yahoo) away if have any questions!  

All right, let's get crafting! 

Bold.Brilliant.Beautiful.YOU!

Have you ever caught yourself apologizing for your passions?  Answering a compliment with caveats?  Feeling the need to explain yourself or justify your choices?  I know I have.  I struggle with how to respond when someone "can't believe" I sewed my child's pants or baked 36 mini cupcakes from sctrach.  And I feel absolutely awful when sharing my passions makes someone else feel badly about themselves.  As women, and perhaps especially as moms, we are living in a world full of comparison, competition, and judgement whether real or perceived.  Well, I think it's high time that stopped!  

I'm finished apologizing for who I am, it is the only person I know how to be.  I am an overachiever.  I am a binge Sherlock watcher.  I am a maker.  I am a dusting avoider.  I am a from scratch cooker and a vegetable gardener.  I am a mom doing the best she can each day, some days are better than others.  I am a fiercely loyal friend.  I am a loving, though often impatient, wife.  I am a woman striving everyday to be a little better.  Striving to be bold, brilliant, and beautiful.

 

Throughout the year, I'm joining forces with some of my blogging friends to motivate and encourage both ourselves and others to be bold and step out from behind the lens, projects, and mama status to show ourselves. That's right, we're doing something just for us. 

And we're inviting you to join us! Each of us has something bold, brilliant, and beautiful inside—whether it's a dream to ask for a promotion, wear those sparkly shoes in the back of our closet, or start a non-profit. The #boldbrilliantbeautiful project is a support group for all of us seeking to be real and vulnerable. No judging, no questions, just support and words of encouragement. 

Be a part of the project by using #boldbrilliantbeautiful on instagram and twitter to find other women like you, who are looking to make 2014 their best, most authentic year yet!        

Here is a list of the other lovely bloggers participating, we so hope you'll join us!

imagine gants * casa crafty * Made with Moxie * this heart of mine * Rajovilla * The Southern Institute * small + friendly * Kids Stuff World * Classic Play * Buzzmills * Even If Nobody Reads This * Maker Mama

Just Enjoy the Ride

(image source)

That's my plan for the new year.  I have no idea what I'm getting into this year.  I plan to try to turn blogging into my business, all the while staying true to me.  Oh and, there's that whole adding another family member thing.  Yep, 2014 is sure to be a roller coaster.  I figure I have two options: stress out and try to control everything (my natural inclination) or simple enjoy the ride.  

I have many redeeming qualities, but I'm pretty sure anyone who knows me would never describe me as laid back.  This year I don't want to force myself to become something I'm not; I just want to remind myself that the less you fight your path the more room and energy you have for fun.  So I hope to embrace this year's inevitable dips with a sense humor and ride the highs with as much focus as possible.  I know it will take a considerable amount of letting go, but I think I'm ready.  In fact I'm pretty darn excited.   

Happy New Year friends, may 2014 be our best yet!

P.S. - I was hoping to have that sword tutorial up this week but the roller coaster seems to have made a couple twists so be on the lookout Monday.  

Pillow Fight: DIY Sword and Shield

Update:  Full tutorials and free sword pattern HERE!

You didn't think I let Jude's Christmas and birthday pass without at least one mama-made gift did you?  Well, to be honest this year I came close.  Thank goodness I had the day after Christmas to make his birthday present: a soft sword and pillow shield for my little knight.  There will be full tutorials for both items in the very near future.  But first, I thought I'd show you just how much he likes his them.

Now, I'm warning you.  These weapons may be harmless, but they have the power to turn your sweet little boy ...

 ... into a fierce warrior.

Bad guys be warned ...

... Knight Jude shows no mercy.

Here's to the magic of make believe.