January 20, 2012
Sadly, I have had to cancel this event. Not the love, just the event. I’ll try again another time! And if you have any feedback about what hours an event would ideally work for you, let me know!
Mamas Crafty Night Out!!!
Want to spread the love you feel for your partner, your kids, your friends far and wide? Are you in need of a girls’ crafty night out with a bunch of other amazing women in a setting that is sure to set your heart a flutter?
Come to this half-day Valentine workshop on February 4th in a beautiful South Austin get-away in the middle of it all, where we’ll spend 4 hours cutting and making. I’ll have writing prompts for you to get to the heart of the love you feel. We’ll make beautiful love letters and maybe even a Valentine riddle or two. We’ll stitch, fold, glue, cut and fold some more. We’ll work on haikus too because what Valentine is complete without a haiku or two??
The Writing Barn is the perfect place to spend time crafting, collaging, cutting out paper hearts and writing love letters to the people in your life. Maybe you’ll even make one for yourself! Everything you need will be provided for you to make as many cards as you need!
We’ll drink and nosh while we craft and talk of love and family and partnership and children. We’ll focus on appreciation and admiration. We’ll figure out ways to feel more love and get more love and I’m hoping too that I’ll have some of Ginger Webb’s Love Elixirs on hand for you to try and buy.
Save the date and come craft with us!
- Saturday, February 4th 4:30pm-9:30pm
- 35.00 per person* CANCELED
- come with a friend for $60.00* CANCELED
- Snacks provided – BYOB
- South Austin just off Slaughter near Manchaca
Click the links above to register.
*If money is an issue, please don’t let that stop you. I’m happy to make it work for anyone that wants to attend. Just email me and we’ll figure it out.
Posted in Classes, Events, holidays 
3 Comments »
January 5, 2012
I am a huge fan of thank you notes. Any kind of notes really but I especially love thank yous. This time of year our family has a list a mile long of things to be grateful for and people to whom we should be grateful.
We are pretty good about writing thank yous. Some of us better than others. Given the tools and the space to do it though, we can usually get the job done; just not always in a timely manner. But I stick to my theory that it’s never to late to say thank you or sorry. Or happy birthday or hey there for that matter but this post is specifically about thank you.
While my kids are good about making cards, sometimes when the list is so long it’s hard to keep the momentum. A few get written and then, something comes along to distract and, before you know it, the half finished list is all that remains of the intention.
This year we’ve discovered the collaborative thank-you. It piggy-backs on our collaborative drawing game that we like to play, wherein we pass the drawing around the table for all to add to their own ideas, drawings, collage, etc. We make a big thank-you note using a big piece of paper: brown paper bag, old page ripped from the calendar, etc. It has to be bigger than a regular piece of paper in order to accommodate the entire family’s gratitude. We then pass it around the table for all to add their thanks.
We just made one for Grandma using the back of the December calendar page. This was fun because in addition to giving thanks, we were able to give my mom a glimpse into our world. She saw our December parties and craft events and school functions and all the rest. Another we did on a giant piece of cardboard that we sent as a giant postcard. (Disclaimer: whether that arrives in the mail remains to be seen!)
So not only are we getting the thank-yous written, but we’re doing it together, thereby getting a little needed family time as well. And the recipients are getting some cool notes in the mail full of our family’s drawings, notes and gratitude.
Search your recycling bin for some cool materials to make into cards. Clear off the kitchen table and get break out the pencils, glue and whatever else you need. Call the family together and get writing! It’s satisfying on so many levels.
Score one for win-win.
Posted in Family Projects, green living, lessons learned 2 Comments »
November 29, 2011
I kicked off the holidays last night with a very festive and fun evening out with friends. It’s one of the things I love best about this time of year – the permission we all give ourselves to gather and go out and sit in full on celebration.
The other thing I love is of course making things. Holiday things. Gifts.
So imagine if I could combine the two. Gathering with friends, a night out and making things. Holiday things. Oh wait! I can!!! And I am going to.
Come kick off the season Thursday December 1st at the Zilker Elementary Skill Share Series where we’ll be hosting a talk with Kami Wilt of Austin Tinkering School around the subject of Making Your Holidays Meaningful. And believe me, neither Kami nor Future Craft Collective take the idea of making lightly. The event starts at 6:30pm at Zilker Elementary.
On Saturday, December 3rd, I’ll be at the Downtown Alliance Holiday Stroll leading a family craft activity as part of the extravaganza. The evening starts with a sing-along and the Capital Tree lighting. After that, from 7-9pm, we’ll be making holiday garlands from felted wool. A fun project idea I came up with in an effort to offer a recycled no-sew craft. And if I do say so myself, it’s kind of a cool project. My friend Andrea from Andrea’s Art Class will be there too screen printing holiday cards.
There will be a few other crafty offerings as well as music from 
the Minor Mishap Marching Band, a crazy bike parade from Austin Bike Zoo and a closed off Congress Avenue.
The following Saturday I’ll be at the Twin Oaks Branch of the Austin Public Library from 1-2:30pm making holiday cards out of recycled/upcycled/reclaimed paper. Bring a family photo and create your very own unique design using various origami folds and fun reclaimed papers.
Hope to see you at one or the other events around town. Making stuff with friends is one of my favorite ways of making this season fun!
Posted in Events, holidays 2 Comments »
November 3, 2011
Tis the season folks for getting out your crafty materials and whipping up some crafty goodness to send to all your friends and family. What’s it gonna be? I’m focusing on cards this year as my primary gift – cards to send and cards to give as gifts. I figure it’s only so long before the USPS shuts its doors so we’d better get those letters in the mail whilst we can. 
If you make any items from our book we’d LOVE to see it. Those napkin rings would make a great, simple gift. Or maybe a customized appreciation banner for a favorite family of yours. Really, now that I think about it, the book is loaded with projects that would make great gifts. (If I do say so myself) Or, if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed in the making area, you could just give the book itself!
If you do make anything from the book, would you share your photos with us on our Flickr page? We’d love to see how the book is working out for everyone and how different folks are interpreting the projects.
And if you’re local, we’ll be offering crafts at various events here and there. Stay tuned for details!
Posted in holidays Comments Off
September 28, 2011
We’re getting materials ready for our crafty night out on Thursday night at the Austin Children’s Museum. It should prove to be a very fun night indeed with a big bunch of mamas crafting in the big room at the museum – which we have all to ourselves! We’ll start at 7:30 and go until 10pm.
It’s B.Y.O libations and also bring a garment to applique. We’ll be cutting up appliques and stitching up some fun! All the while talking about crafting, mama-ing, and what it’s really like to create with kids.
If you’re joining us, which we hope you are, you can pre-pay here… Or you can pay upon arrival. If you pre-pay before Thursday afternoon you’ll also get free parking in the Museum’s lot! What? Free downtown parking?Sweet!
For parking…If you are already registered, you can park in the CSC garage that is caddy corner to the museum on 2nd and Colorado (entrance on the west side of Colorado) Simply pull into the garage, ring the buzzer, tell the guard your name (your name will be on a list) and that you are here for an event at the Museum. Park on the first level in any of the “Visitor” spots.
Congratulations to Natana G! She was the winner of our Mama Craft Night Giveaway. We’ll see you Thursday night Natana! And the rest of you too!
**p.s.** If you are not coming because of cost, please email me and we’ll work it out!
Posted in Events Comments Off
September 21, 2011
Next Thursday is our first ever Mamas Craft Night Out for which we partnered with the Austin Children’s Museum. It’ll be a fun night of craft, appliques to be exact. A little cutting, ironing, stitching, talking, imbibing of the spirits if you’re so inclined and hanging out in the Children’s Museum all by ourselves! Just mamas having a night out and getting their craft on. It should be a total blast!
On Monday I’ll be giving away two tickets to the event which includes craft materials and free parking downtown. If you leave a comment here and/or like our Facebook page, you’ll be entered for a chance to win! Just to keep things interesting, the question I want you to answer in the comment is, “I think it would be fun to craft with other mamas downtown because…”
Simple as that. Okay? So go ahead, leave a comment and share this link with your mama friends if you would. Then hopefully we’ll see you downtown. Where you could make a cool applique like this one below…
Photo by Katherine O'Brien
Posted in Events, Giveaway 5 Comments »
September 17, 2011
The thing about the blog world is, that once something goes away it kind of goes away. Even though it still lives in the ether worlds, which is a far cry better than the nether worlds, it kind of vanishes. Until one brings it back again!!
These yoga pants from a t-shirt are one of those items. This is such a super pattern! So simple. So cheap. (cost of one t-shirt) and so comfy too. One year at the clothes swap at school we made dozens of these for the happy swappers. And now I present it to all of you. Once again.
The t-shirt yoga pants. Now get on it!
Posted in Family Projects, upcycling 1 Comment »
September 7, 2011
This group, run by Bernadette, is for girls ages 8-11 who are interested in discovering, crafting, writing, singing, learning and exploring all that life has to offer. Together we will ponder the power of our true selves and our connection to the world around us – through weekly and ongoing projects and discussions. In the 10 sessions we will…
- create, make, and explore art,
- discuss joy and appreciation,
- learn how to tune into our own selves– body, mind and spirit
- look at the families and communities in which we live
- explore the earth on which we live and how we can minimize our impact
- ponder and investigate what makes us, us.
And we will come away with a better sense of what it means to let our own lights shine their very brightest, all the while building the greatest connection we possibly can.
- When: 9 Wednesday afternoons from 3:00-5:15 + 1 community service project day (date to be determined!)
- Dates: September 28, October 5, 12, 19 (no meeting on 10/26) and November 2, 9, 16, 30 and December 14 (no meeting on 12/7)
- Where: Zilker Elementary School
- Cost: $200.00* Can be paid with cash, check or paypal.
- Questions: Contact Bernadette via email or call 512-627-0652
- To Register please make a $50.00 deposit here and a form will be sent to you.
*If money is an issue, perhaps we can work something out
Posted in camps, Classes Comments Off
September 6, 2011
When a tragedy strikes, like the wildfires in Central Texas that are still happening right now, many of us want to know what we can do. In the beginning, it’s sometimes unclear. What are the immediate needs? Money. Food. Clothing. But once you collect them, where should they go? The Austin American Statesman made a great list of organizations that are helping to get what is needed where it needs to be. The basics are what seem to be needed the most right now. I guess when people have lost everything, everything boils down to the basics. What do we have? What do we need? Are we all here? Are we alright? Beyond that, there’s nothing right now.
It often surprises me to see how immediately people react to disaster. Instantaneously. Like the wildfires themselves. And the desire to be helpful kicks in. It’s so beautiful to witness and now with social media being what it is, it’s there for everyone to witness in a moment.
The Modern Day Quilters at Valli and Kim Quilt Shop, responded instantly, with the skills they have, they have started a quilt drive with the goal of a handmade quilt for every child who has lost their home and needs something tangible to hold onto, something to snuggle, to cry into, to lay under, something that will feel like a little bit of home. The basics.
Here’s what they say on their blog…
Families have lost everything, let us start to rebuild their lives with a
quilt
This weekend in central Texas, hundreds of people have lost their homes,
families have lost everything. This is where I live.
I want to give every child who has lost everything a quilt to sleep under.
One simple, but real thing to help families get back on their feet.
My goal is a quilt for every child who lost their home.
Will you help me?
Heather is in, are
you?
Quilts should be at least 45” x 60”, although twin size bed quilts are
encouraged.
Please ship quilts to Valli & Kim Quilt Shop, Attn: Wildfire Quilts, 700
West Highway 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. If you have questions, please
email me at moderndayquilts@gmail.com
If you are in Austin, I’ll pick the quilt up, just send me an email.
I wonder if these Craft Out Girls might participate!
Posted in community, Family Projects 1 Comment »
August 31, 2011
I admit, I haven’t actually read this book, The Hip Girls Guide to Homemaking. Though I have browsed and perused its pages and have utilized a few of the weekly tips I receive from the author Kate Payne via email. But I look forward to owning this book. And I will leave it out for all the family to see so they too can wander through its pages for ideas and inspiration. It’s the kind of book that crosses so many of my worlds: Slow Family, writing, and making stuff together!
I was lucky enough to meet the author a few weeks ago at a Crafty Event here in Austin held at Book Woman and put together by Spike Gillespie. Not only do I love the book, what I have seen of it thus far, but I really love the author too. At the event, Kate did a demo on making pickles that made making pickles seem like something anyone could do and should do. In our house we LOVE pickles but the good ones are often more pricy than what I can spend. Never before did I dream of making my own pickles. That seemed something reserved for farm women and 4H members. But alas, after watching that demo and eating samples of her pickled okra, I’m totally in.
So, if you’ve got a home and you want to make it really sing with the essence of you, I think this book can get you there. It’s not about buying a bunch of stuff to fill your house. Or copying someone else’s style. It’s about figuring out what you like. What you want. What you’ve got. And making it all work together as comfortably, stylishly, economically and as fun-ly as possible. And it’s about finding connection in it all!
Posted in green living, links, review Comments Off
