At our house, when either my husband or I takes on some big project,
the other will inevitably walk by and call out, "How goes the work?"
And the worker will answer, "Quack."

(I know. It seems like we could just offer to help, but we prefer it this way…)

The lines come from one of the books we read to the girls all the time when they were little — Farmer Duck, by Martin Waddell. It's kind of the communist manifesto for the toddler set, but with really great art by Helen Oxenbury. 
And, these delicious, irrestible lines.

(That are occuring to me right now because my sweet husband is outside digging up a little plot for rose bushes. If it ever rains again in Texas. Oi.)

As soon as I finish this, I've got to go ask him, "How goes the work?"
He'll be so disappointed if I don't.

(What books do you guys quote at your house on a regular basis?)
(Yes, I've been away from blogging for about 3 months. I'm back.)
(Thanks for your patience. Quack.)

So, I like to think of myself as kind of an adventurous gal. I like lots of different kinds of activities and food and people. I love to travel. I’m relatively brave. I try stuff.

But here’s what I’m not: Crafty.

I’ve been known to use glue or safety pins instead of a needle and thread. I don’t knit. I can’t draw worth a darn. Making Shrinky Dinks as a kid was about as far into the world of craftiness as I went.

But I admire craftiness – I love the aesthetic and the idea of handmade anything – and my daughters are wizards with pens, paint and the sewing machine. So I’ve learned little bit by little bit to be less afraid. To throw the tarp down, get out the iron and some double sided-interface, and follow directions. For them, even if I’m pretty sure embroidered, embellished draperies are not in my future.

And it’s just gotten even easier, hallelujah! Because my pals Bernadette Noll and Kathie Sever just came out with a new book called MAKE STUFF TOGETHER: 24 Simple Projects to Create as a Family! And it is gorgeous! And easy to understand! And thoughtful and meaningful and inspiring, even for clunky, non-crafty folks like me.

I love this book so much, I invited Bern and Kathie over to talk about it. Join us?

Thanks, guys, for stopping by to chat about your new book — and congratulations! It’s really a vivid and beautiful book, and just right for summer when we’re granted a little extra downtime with our families.

So, I’m really curious about the gestation of this project.

First, how did you become craft artists yourselves? Did you grow up with moms or dads who crafted with you, like the book suggests, or did you learn on your own?

Bernadette: I always enjoyed making stuff – art projects mostly but being the 8th of 9 kids we were kind of left to our own devices a lot of times as far as creative projects were concerned. My mom was a fun play kind of mom but not really a crafty mom. My older sister, though, was a big sewer and she tried to teach me when I was a kid. We got about halfway through the process of pattern selection/pinning/cutting – then I went out to play and didn’t come back to a sewing machine until I was about 35.

Kathie: My mom worked long hours teaching Math and Home Ec to high school students, and often came home to a ton of grading papers and taking care of my dad, who became ill around the time I was in middle school. She didn’t have much free time to devote to family craft projects; however she was (is) an extremely talented seamstress and often made me clothes and other things I needed or wanted. As I got older she taught me how to use a commercial pattern so that I could sew my own clothes, but what I remember as my most formative crafting-at-home experience was being given uninhibited access to her stash of fabric scraps, and being given the supported freedom to cut and stitch to my hearts content.

And do you MAKE STUFF TOGETHER with your families now? Are your kids crafty in your footsteps?

Bernadette: We make stuff together all the time. Not always sewing but lots of collaborative drawing/painting/collage. My husband is an amazing artist and so sitting together and working on artwork around the table really is some of our most satisfying family time. We play a little game where we pass drawings around the table giving everyone a chance to add something. It’s a fun process. We do leave the sewing machine out on the dining room table often though and when that is the case it gets used way more often by everyone. Even my 8 year old (on the cover of the book) knows her way around a sewing machine pretty well.

What would you say to parents who fall in love with your book, who want to nurture their kids’ innate creativity, but who, er, have two left thumbs and aren’t all that comfortable around a needle and thread?

Bernadette: Keep it simple. embroider using burlap so that it’s easy for everyone. Try different art/craft techniques from different books until you find one that resonates. I think as adults we have the voice in our heads left over from childhood that says "you’re not an artist". Forget about the outcome and just enjoy the process. Use materials such as clay or colored pencils that are more forgiving.

Kathie: Well, Ms. Scanlon, I like to use YOU and YOUR AMAZING DAUGHTERS as fantastic examples of what can evolve even when *ahem* the parent in the household "has two left thumbs"…. Your daughters, the small one in particular, got the itch to create- so you facilitated her learning curve by providing her the support that you could, and then when you felt out of your depth, you sent her to someone (who shall remain anonymous) who could guide her a little further down the road.

(Oh, right! And thank you to that anonymous helper!!)

So, nothing against the actual projects, but when I was poring over the book, I think what I loved most was all the language about everyday family life, about connecting with each other, about somehow keeping it truly special and keeping it fun. Is this unique in a craft book? How did you decide to make your book about more than just the projects, but about the people, too?

Bernadette: While I do think there are books out there that refer to family life I think ours has a rather unique voice. Kathie and I both struggled with books that made everything/everyone seem perfectly capable/talented and well behaved. We wanted to offer a more gritty side of family life wherein people sometimes got cranky, sometimes didn’t want to create with their kids and sometimes had a dandy time together. We wanted to present all the aspects of family life and especially the idea that with the struggles can come great joy.

There’s also a lot of great stuff in here about materials — reusing and recycling everything from burlap coffee bags and bedsheets to old t-shirts — making these projects both affordable and environmentally low-impact. So do families have to be experienced thrift-store shoppers to find materials this way, or can they learn on the job?

Bernadette: We tried to offer ways that even non-thrifters could approach the idea of thrifting. In Austin we are incredibly lucky to have an amazing wealth of thrift stores. Every thrifter I know can spout off their favorites. But even without great thrift stores there really are materials everywhere. Even in our own homes. Who doesn’t have a sheet tucked in the back of the closet that never gets used? Or an extra t-shirt? Find what you can and again, enjoy the process of getting the materials you need.

Kathie: It helps to at least be comfortable with the idea of using recycled, reclaimed and gently used materials. If you’re a person that gets really squeamish at the thought of thrift store shopping, then there are instructions in the book for where and how to buy new materials. But honestly, those instructions only went in the book because our publisher made us put them there. There are SO MANY ways to find used and upcycleable materials – and SO MUCH out there to get creative with!! We hope to inspire a few folks to steer clear of Hobby Lobby at least 50% more than they did before reading our book. I mean, not to sound too dogmatic…. I still hit up the Hob-lLb for needed supplies every once in awhile. But I try to get the bulk of my materials in more sustainable ways.

And then the projects themselves are just plain thoughtful. There are games — to make together and play together; mealtime accents like table runners and napkins rings; and family calendars and birthday crowns. It seems like it’s really about making something usable and special rather than making something for the sake of making something.

Bernadette:Yes, this was a biggie for us. Having projects that not only led to connection in the process of making but in the process of utilizing the finished project. We both try really hard to create ritual and special times for our families and I think this is something we offer that is really unique. Having the collaborative opportunity means that we were able to bring what we each have/do and also create new ideas from the sharing of ideas.

My favorite chapter is Library Time — and okay, I’m biased, because my book is featured in a number of photos in that section. But also, at our house we’re prone to mixing out library books in with our own, or returning school books to the public library and vice versa. Anything that can help add beauty and order to what is already an important weekly ritual is good by me. (Library Tote Bag, Library Card Wallet, Armchair Caddy and Button Bookmark)

Do you have favorite sections or projects in the book?

Bernadette: I’m especially in love with the dinner section because of what family dinner represents. And also the section about family ritual. I feel like these are two of our true specialties!

Kathie: My favorite chapter is the “Into the Woods” chapter. I loved chopping up wetsuits and coming up with durable, gender-neutral designs for outdoor use. There is something intrinsically satisfying about cutting thru neoprene. It scratches some weird itch I didn’t even know I had.

From the looks of the photos, you’ve made every single one of these! Are there some that are easier or better to start with, or can we jump in anywhere? Is there a “best age” to start this work with kids?

Bernadette: Read through and find one that resonates. Of course some are easier than others so read through the instructions and choose one that feels most suited to your abilities. As for age, that really varies from house to house kid to kid.

For more confident crafters, these projects seem open to variations in material and design. Did you imagine that folks would use this like a cookbook and throw in some of their own ingredients?

Bernadette: Yes! We totally wanted to lay them out in ways that left them open to some creative intrerpretation. Especially the section about family rituals. We really do want folks to make these their own.

Kathie: Oh- I most certainly hope folks will mix things up a bit. I know some folks are more comfortable sticking with a project step by step and exactly by the book, but I’ve never been one of those people.

And before you leave, just for fun:

Bernadette:
1. Favorite fabric or material? Felted wool sweaters!
2. Crafting tool you can’t live without? Sewing machine, embroidery thread.
3. Favorite book on crafting that ISN’T this one? I’m a big fan of craft books from the 60s and 70s. The ones that came in a series of kids books. From the days of the encyclopedia salesman.
4. First project you remember making as a kid? Well, a half-finished sundress with my sister. Even though we didn’t finish I have such joyful memories of the process.
5. Biggest mess-up you’ve ever made on a project? As if I could choose just one. Perhaps the water bottle holder we made in class one day was the biggest. It was so complicated and it could have been so simple
6. Favorite thing you’ve ever made? 3 ponchos for my kids (3 at the time) made out of felted wool sweater squares. So beautiful, soft and sweet to see them all three in matching ponchos!

Kathie:

1. Favorite fabric or material? Oh man. Can’t. pick. one.
2. Crafting tool you can’t live without? Loretta, my industrial machine. She’s my stalwart companion.
3. Favorite book on crafting that ISN’T this one? The Made, by Wendy Apparel Books.
4. First project you remember making as a kid? Doll clothes
5. Biggest mess-up you’ve ever made on a project? There have been so many. oie. Sewing sleeves on inside out is a regular player.
6. Favorite thing you’ve ever made? My kids.

So what do you all think? Doesn’t it make you want to craft? And you can!
Because one lucky commenter today, on this post or via facebook, wins a copy of the book!!! Wahoo!!
Just say the word and you’re in the drawing! And if you don’t win, you should totally get a copy of the book anyway.
Because it’s really good…

Thanks for stopping by, Bernadette and Kathie, and for creating such a beautiful book!
Happy summer, everyone!

(All photos by the utterly amazing Katie O’Brien!)

We just got home for a long afternoon of tubing on the river and we’re kind of tuckered out.
Small One curled up on the couch to listen to folktales, read by Olympia Dukakis. 
They’re really good. 

But, I said, "there sure are a lot of mean people in these stories!"

"Mom," my girl answered, "what is the point if there are no mean people?
These are folktales. You need a good antagonist." 

Oh.
Right.
Go ahead and threaten to throw the children into the stove and all that.
Carry on.

The school year is over here, which means sleeping in, swimming, and piles and piles of stuff.
The stuff that’s been in desks and backpacks all year.
The detritus of 4th and 6th grades.

The girls have unpacked broken binders, missing socks, and mighty fine report cards.
They’ve recycled rough drafts and thrown away broken pencils and protractors. 
And they’ve shared artwork and stories and poems — I could rent a storage unit there’s so much good stuff.
I mean, I’m biased. But seriously.

For example.
A concrete poem written by Small One:

Here are the words, in case you’re having a hard time making them out, due to the  Evil Eye and all:

Trouble

"Be Kind; Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."

My friend Sara Lewis Holmes used that quote as a through-line in her amazing novel Operation Yes!
It’s ancient, and Greek, (the quote, not the novel) but it feels awfully relevant still, don’t you think?

When someone yells in traffic or cuts ahead in line or fails to hold a door open, maybe it’s ’cause I cut them off, or dawdled, or played the wallflower. Or maybe he or she really is kind of a jerk. Or, maybe, probably, there’s some bigger pain, a great battle at play, and this is just a little bit of crossfire. It’s easy to forget that. I do, almost every day. But I try not to.

And here’s another thing.
What if also everyone you meet is harboring some great joy?
Or love.
Or passion.
Or at least some great possibility?

And what if we tried to remember that, too?
And there was suddenly just this gargantuan human bond over presumed joy?
How sweet would that be?

That’s kind of what I was thinking about this morning on my bike, having just delivered my daughter at school. I was caught up in the post-drop-off traffic and there were all these moms and dads, on foot and in their cars and on their phones and in a hurry and I thought, I wonder what’s up with all of these folks today? I mean, it’s a Friday, so that’s good. But it’s gray and muggy, so that’s not. But it’s nearly summer vacation, so that’s good. But that means a lot of goodbyes, so that’s not.

And then I thought, but what do I know?
They’re all just moving along with their own great battles, or joys, right? 

And then I came home and found this poem, kind of waiting for me.
Funny, the way that works…

BY WENDY VIDELOCK

First of all, isn’t it a righteous comfort that there even is such a thing as Children’s Poet Laureate? 
Like maybe there are folks in charge somewhere who’ve got their heads screwed on right?

When we value poetry, as a society, we are saying that we value self-expression, beauty and space.
We are saying we value whimsy and wordplay, wisdom and thoughtfulness, creativity and imagination. 
And when we name a Children’s Poet Laureate, we are saying we value all those things not just for adults, but for children, too.

I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel better already.

So, this morning I’m raising my coffee cup to the outgoing Children’s Poetry Laureate — the world master of rhyme — Mary Ann Hoberman. Here she is reading the delectable All Kinds of Families. Thank you for your service, Ms. Hoberman!

And then, after a good-sized sip, I raise my cup again to the ever-inspiring, prolific, diverse, wise, generous, funny and, okay, downright brilliant, poet that is J. Patrick Lewis — our new Children’s Poet Laureate!

Here’s an announcement of his appointment.

And a lovely interview with him (conducted by our own Sylvia Vardell). 

And another one!

And finally, this lovely poem:

Books Discover Children
by J. Patrick Lewis

Yes, children do discover books,
But books find children on their own,
And then can’t wait to get their hooks
In kids who think they’re all alone.

(Read the whole thing, and a couple of others, here….)

Congratulations, Pat!! 
And lucky us….

 My last school visit of the year was, appropriately enough, at my own daughter’s school – for Young Authors Day. I was given two groups of 4th graders for an hour each. I could’ve done more than two groups for more than an hour. It was pretty sweet.

We talked about seeing things in new ways, since I think that’s pretty much the only original thing any one of us can do, aside from making up words, maybe.

And we wrote poems filled with lies, dreams, and metaphors. 

Here are two the kids wrote together before each taking to their own white page.
I think they’re pretty fine…

Group Poem #1

Ecstasy is like a spacecraft
dodging stars way up high.

Excitement is like a kiwi fruit
sour-sweet-awesome
looking like a bouncing ball,
ready to be eaten.

So loathe was I to give up April that I waited ’til today,
the 1st of May,
to post my final poem…

Thank you all for joining me this month, for reading, and for posting so much good poetry yourselves.

April really should be longer. 
Don’t you think?

4/20/2011

kayak, girl and dad
he fishes and she gets wet
both are radiant

There is nothing sweeter than a Saturday with a bunch of spare hours for knocking around. 
‘Specially when it’s spring and the swans are out with their cygnets and the wind blows fancy crop-circle patterns in the water and a ten-year-old still thinks there’s nobody better than her dad…

4/29/2011

your birthday morning
brisk air, thin moon, and bird song
a happy new year

My husband and I share a birthday month.
I kick it off with a little Aries impetuousness, he closes it out with typical Taurus patience.

And today, this particular birthday, feels especially hard-won and a long time in the coming.

This time last year he was still at the front-edge of quite a brutal cancer jousting. 
(Which, by the way, he won.)
Bring on the bird song…

For more Poetry Friday posts, go here!

And for a look at a month’s full of my daily haiku/haibun, just scroll backwards!

4/28/2011

moth in the raita
shakes the yogurt from his wings
we still eat outside

There is all the worry about co-existing with wild creatures in our decreasingly wild world — 
we’ve stolen their habitat, they get into our garbage. 

But sometimes it’s less complicated than that.
It can be lovely, surprising, funny.

There was a grackle in the Whole Foods today and I assure you, he was not panicked.
He was, in fact,  totally satisfied. 
And then, tonight, eating Indian food with friends, we had this run-in with a moth.
It was momentary. 
Surprising. 
Kind of funny. 

And then it was over, the moth flying toward its next pretty light. 
And we, moving onto a delicious nutty naan.