kirstencan

Every step you take

A couple weeks ago we were being watched:

Behind every cabinet door, in every room.

Life with boys is never dull.

Chicken Coop

In the nick of time, we finished the chicken's new home.  Those chicks grew SO fast!  The coop is tucked away behind the playhouse.

We all helped build Aaron's design.  I rather like it.  Canvas is up for shade until the fruit trees grow a bit more.

It was a fun evening when we transferred the chickens to their new coop!

The perch is made from a branch of the cherry tree that burned.

We kept them in the coop for a couple of days, and then let them out into their run.  Chicken-watching got SO much more interesting!

They LOVE dandelion greens, and have enjoyed leftover cabbage and watermelon as well.

The Redhead LOVES these chickens.  He "checks" them all the time, and usually is found sticking more dandelion greens through the wires.

Remember our cute fuzzy favorite?  She looks ... different now.

Our yard has gotten more popular as the neighbor kids come to visit.

I find watching them weirdly and surprisingly relaxing. 

But they still rather remind me of dinosaurs...

Geeky towels

Well, I never did redo that cleaning supplies gift, and some bridal showers snuck up on me, so now I have a new go-to bridal (kitchen) shower gift.

This is the third set I've put together, but the first I've recorded (probably need at least two more this summer!  It's a busy wedding summer around here apparently).

Cookie sheets from costco, parchment paper from costco, and dish towels (ordered in big sets) usually stamped or stencilled.

This time was Zelda themed:

I always put a note under the parchment paper that just says 'Line cookie sheets with parchment instead of greasing them, handwash, and they will last forever.'  Because not everyone is familiar with the magic of parchment paper.  I've also included a Sycamore Street Press Art Card with these, those are gorgeous and go over well.

Family Map

My parents recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.  That is pretty awesome.

I made them this map of their moves (military).  I used a woodburner for the first time, and used some birch ply (it's about 17x24").

Nails, string, and a little watercolor dressed it up a little.

It would have been easier to follow had we not moved to California 3 times!

Hawaii is where I bailed (got married) on my fam travels. 

I've been thinking of how to make a map showing off my husband's travels with mine (he was a military brat, too), so since this turned out okay, look out for version 2.0.  Someday.

I also printed maps and sewed our route on them for party favors.

It was so great to spend time with my sibs, nieces and nephews (including meeting a new one for the first time) and especially surprising my parents!

I also snagged some paper scraps from a (scrap-a-holic) neighbor, cut them in small pieces and sewed them randomly together for garlands.

I quite like them, and we just rehung them at our house for someone's 15th birthday (eep).