Thompson Family-Life

Last Call! Shop My Closet Sale

I want to move this stuff out of my house. So, here's my incentive: 10% off (with code: 10shopcloset) and FREE SHIPPING!! Whatever doesn't sell is going to the consignment store in a couple days, so if you see anything, now's the time to get it. : ) Shop here!

Shop My Closet Sale!

I hinted about this sale back in November, but things got too busy and I wasn't able to follow through. But today I have! Woot! I've listed a bunch of items already as you can see above and I'll be listing more over the next few hours. If you purchase something now, but see something else later, no worries, I can combine shipping and refund any extra.

For now it's only open to US customers but if you are outside the States and see something you just have to have, email me at thousandclowns AT gmail and I'll put you on a list in case something doesn't sell over the next few days. A few things have already sold, so get in there fast.

There's lots of vintage, Boden, Dear Creatures and more in sizes M-XL!

doll pattern progress

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw some peeks this weekend of my progress in designing new felt doll patterns. It has been TOO much fun. I can't even put it into words. There's something about diving into a totally new craft that is exciting - dollmaking, like any craft, is in a world of it's own. It's been a learning process as well. Realizing the doll's character changes when you stuff it, and making tweaks and changes to the design to compensate for that. This doll is a prototype, and I'll be tweaking the design slightly to get it "perfect". But I'm definitely smitten with this little redhead. 

She's just shy of 10" tall. One of the funnest parts of designing this first pattern was sourcing all of these cute materials to embellish her with. I have much more than pictured and I can't wait to use it all. It was quite the treasure hunt finding supplies that are perfectly doll-sized. I will be including my sources for all of these supplies in the final pattern PDF, so no fear!

She was inspired by my favorite decade (of course), the 60s, and Japanese pose dolls that I love. I will be designing patterns for more girls, with different hair and dress styles - so you'll be able to make a gaggle of friends! There will also be BOY PATTERNS! Yes! I will not forget the boys. They always get left out. So the girls will have boyfriends, too. Or, you know, friends that are boys. ; )

My plan is to create VERY thorough instructions on putting together these dolls, so that no one will be intimidated by creating one. They are really very simple. You use a lot of the same stitches over and over and she is completely handmade. No sewing machine skills required. I will share lots of tricks that I've learned. I love the idea that she's 100% handmade.

These dolls are also poseable, so they aren't floppy. As you can see here, she sits up on her own. I will share in detail my construction method in the pattern.

And I have to say a quick thank-you to my friend Karli, who gave me those awesome doll-sized magazines. They have come in handy for doll photos for years now! And speaking of that Jane Fonda cover, remember this post I did about Barbarella a couple years ago? I FINALLY watched it. OMG. So good. SO SO GOOD! And so so funny. I really didn't have high expectations. I knew it was supposed to be very campy, but I absolutely LOVED the styling (the opening credits are just too amazing with the text juxtaposed on top of an anti-gravity Jane!), the costumes and was wonderfully surprised by just how funny it was. I can't wait to watch it again.

And can I just say what a babe Jane Fonda was? Wowzers. Total babe. The only Jane I ever remember is the exercise junky from the 80's. I'd never seen 60's Jane. I was impressed.

Stay tuned for more Dolly Pattern updates!

Valentine's at Kitschy Digitals

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You guys. Valentine's Day is only a couple weeks away! Trying to think of some heartfelt ways to gift your loved ones? Maybe something handmade? Or are you looking for some printable cards that your little ones can use, something other than the licensed cartoon character cards you find at the store? Something none of the other kids will have? 

Well, we've got you covered.

We've got all kind of Valentine's themed printables for you - cards, stationery, tags... and even a printable card that is stitchable! LOVE. You'll also notice some freebies in that group! (yes!)

We also have a bunch of love-themed embroidery and cross-stitch patterns! The great thing about these patterns is that they are small in size, and both embroidery and cross-stitch work up fast. So you have plenty of time to finish in time for the big day. Leave your finished needlework framed inside your hoop to make it easy to finish and mail (or give in person).

Looking for some digital kits to digi-scrap with your Valentine's pics? Check out our love-themed kits here.

And did you know we have a brand new section at Kitschy Digitals? Crochet and Knit Patterns!

We will be adding many more patterns over the next few weeks, so check back often! These amigurumi animals designed by Amy Kember are simply adorable. If you know how to crochet, you can make these. And they are small enough to finish quickly. The perfect gift for your little valentine (or make ahead of time for those Easter baskets!) Also perfect for baby gifts!

Mollie Makes Peek & Some Kiddo Resolutions

I saw that the folks over at Mollie Makes have a peek inside the new issue and thought I'd share it with you. You can see the full peek here. It's such a gorgeous magazine. I really love the mix of topics they cover - it's not just a craft magazine! They feature travel spots, home interiors, fashion and more. I'm especially excited to check out this little circus elephant pattern below by designer Jill Hamor. How beautifully made is this little guy?!

I've also been thinking about some resolutions I've mentally made that have to do with my children, Cooper and Campbell. There are some things that I've been wanting to do for a few years now, but can never get organized. As you all know, especially those with children, life is just BUSY. But you know what? We (i.e. *I*) can't use that excuse anymore. It's all about MAKING time. And yes, we all hear that "groan" in our heads when we hear the word "resolution"... but the beginning of the year really is such a great time to reaccess and really try to follow through with goals you've been putting off.

So I thought I'd list out these goals here, partly so that you guys can hold me accountable (wink), but also in hopes that these ideas might spark some inspiration in you. 

- The 52 Week Challenge (thanks Liz for mentioning this!) We've all seen the 365 photo-a-day challenge. That so wouldn't work for me. Too overwhelming and stressful. But a photo (one per child) a week? I can manage that. And even through we're well into January, it's still doable. And the beautiful photo book you're left with at the end of those 52 weeks? Totally a carrot worth chasing.

I've seen tons of people doing the Project Life thing, and while I don't rule that out in the future, I think that would just be too overwhelming for me, at this point in my life. But taking photos, I can do. I used to do the scrapbooking thing, and a lot of it I was getting paid to create for books and magazines, and I totally burned out on it. The past 5-6 years of NOT doing that, has been wonderful, I must admit. I like that I'm not always in my kids faces trying so hard to document what's going on, but instead, I'm in the moment, LIVING it with them. I also have to think my kids appreciate me not always taking their picture. In fact, I rarely take their photo and leave it only for specific occasions.

But I want to get back into the art of portrait photography - to push myself a little more. And to capture those everyday moments, but hopefully in a beautiful way. We'll see how it goes.

(ok, while I realize this image is kind of inappropriate for the following topic, because A) it doesn't show children and B) because children can't even give blood, I thought "Buddy the Blood Drop" - not to mention that dude's copious amount of hair - was too funny and at least we adults can give back and give blood, right? ; )

- Volunteer with our kids once a month. I'm sure to some of you, that might not even seem like enough! Some families out there are so good at demonstrating to their kids how to "give back" on a weekly, if not daily basis. I admire those families. I would like to find ways to pull my kids out of their very sheltered and abundant lives to see how others live, and to find ways that we can help them out in big and small ways. I'm hoping that we'll see how easy it is to volunteer, and we can make it a more regular part of our lives, not just once a month.

Do you do this with your children? I would LOVE to hear some ideas that have been successful for you in the comments section if you don't mind sharing. Here are some websites I found that might be helpful to you:

Compassionate Kids, Volunteer Match, Volunteer With Your Kids, PBS Guide to Family Volunteering (If you're in Atlanta like I am, try Hands on Atlanta, or Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta)

(image and printable source)

- Create a Chore Chart for the kids. Wow. We've needed this for a very long time. You'd think it wouldn't be a big deal to create one of these. Well, for me it's just been a mental block. There's not a whole lot of helping out around our house. That's got to change. I want to show them that they have to earn those fun things they get to do. I think for me, I just feel overwhelmed about how to organize this chart. Do you have any recommendations? Approaches that have worked for you? How do you organize your chore chart? Or do you use a different rewards system maybe? Maybe I should call it something other than "chore" chart. That might be a good way to start (ha)... maybe a name that doesn't have such a negative connotation. There are some great printables including charts and rewards systems on Etsy and Pinterest.

So those are my three things I'd like to pull off this year with our kids.

(photo source: Pioneer Woman)

One personal resolution that I've actually already successfully followed through with for this year (this is making up for the fact that I'm failing AWFULLY at my resolution to stop eating out so much... working on it...) is to stop hitting the Starbucks drive-thru every. single. day.

You do it too right? I know some of you are out there! Stand up! Admit it. ; ) I was doing that every day towards the end of last year. SO NOT GOOD. I personally only drink iced coffee. I might be in the minority here, but I find the too-hot-now-it's-too-cold-better-go-warm-it-up-forgot-its-in-the-microwave dance exhausting. So I keep it cold. It's easier. I was tired of burning my mouth. 

SO, I found this recipe from Pioneer Woman (not so much a recipe, but the steps to do iced coffee RIGHT instead of just putting ice in a cup of hot coffee). And guess what? It's incredibly easy. I made a gallon of coffee and it's lasted me about two weeks. No dealing with coffee grinds every day. I just pour the already refridgerated coffee in my cup, add my skim milk, my pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup (I use the Starbucks brand, but I had to find a pump on ebay - couldn't find a pump to fit at any local restaurant supply stores) and I'm done! Super easy and I honestly like it better than Starbucks coffee. I use coffee I buy at our local farmers market. I thought I'd share this since it's already been so successful for me! It's kind of fun being my own Barista. And I get to use fancy straws at home. I'm also going to try the Sugar Free Torani syrup that I've heard good things about.

What about you? Following through with those resolutions you made a few weeks ago?

P.S. Thanks for the feedback on the vintage embroidery! I bought some of this to see if it will help get some of the dirt out. I'll keep you posted!