sewing together

Saturday morning, up long before the sun. I read a new novel in bed til I heard Gabriel stir around 6:30. Then suddenly we were all up, making pumpkin pancakes and coffee, unloading the dishwasher, talking about the day. The groceries, the empty gas tank, the birthday present to wrap, the many loads of laundry lying in wait. By virtue of that deep down part of me that resists all the shoulds that shamelessly start making noise far too early on a beautiful autumn morning, instead of bustling about I wound up on the couch in my pajamas with two creative crafters (in technique especially-see above), making sewing cards from the remains of a cardboard box that arrived earlier in the week.

The children drew pictures on the cardboard, then colored them with crayons. Together we used a nail to punch holes all around the image, then I cut it out with heavy scissors. They each chose yarn, and sewed around the perimeter with blunt embroidery needles. Then it was time for Gabriel to send his hawk aloft, and for Frances to admire her bluebird.

Gabriel turned out the first sewing card yesterday, after I saw the project here, while he was home sick from school. Of course instead of acorns or maple leaves, he chose to make a blue football, which he has been playing with (ie throwing it up in the air and crashing into the couch, yelling touchdown!) ever since. It is rather evocative, I think.

Hope your weekend is full of unexpected pleasures, friends.