Scrap Owls, sewing lessons and what to do with your 3 year old when they stop napping.
August 18, 2008 6:22 am
I think this is it. I really hope not, but this might be the beginning of the end. Have you noticed how I haven’t had much new art work up lately? Yes, I have had family in town, and I have been busy with the shipping/packing side of things. But the biggest reason? Addie has decided she “doesn’t sleep in the day.” I spent the first half of the week panicking. This is MY only time in the day to really WORK, and I have been in denial that this day would come. She still needs a nap, and I really hope we can fit in a few per week before they dissipate completely. (I may sound really calm…but behind this computer screen, tears of agony are streaming down my face!)
So Friday comes around, and after 45 minutes of trying every creative way to sleep my toddler, we sit on the couch and read together. She picks up “Pottery Barn Kids” (which by the way, I am becoming more and more impressed with!) and after a few pages, spots an Owl Softie on a model bed, and says “Mommy, can we make this?”
As upset as I was that I was losing precious work time to my stubborn toddler, my heart melted! Don’t most kids say “Can I have this?” I am sure I did. The fact she knew that she could make something like that got me really excited. And since I am used to working hard and creatively during nap time anyways, I said “YES!”
So, I dusted off my sewing machine (literally!) and we got to work. Addie and I drew a pattern with green crayon, And she helped me cut it out, helped me pick the fabrics from my scraps, place the pins, and she proudly sat on my lap while I sewed it on the machine. (Oh, and yes, Addie is “wearing her skin” as she calls it. We cannot keep clothes on this child. She does however have a wicked tan line that could easily pass for a shirt!)
I digress. Please people…don’t look close here! I am a sloppy sewer, and with a very impatient and very wiggly three year old on my lap (”Mommy, let’s make her wings now!! Now!!”) I was in no mood for perfection. By bed time, she was all but stuffed, but Addie still slept with her anyways! We stuffed her this morning, and they haven’t parted since! For a girl who dreams of princesses, mermaids and sparkely jewels, I was tickled that she would be so attracted to Owls (very trendy girl, eh?). She did, however, name her Owl Ariel.
So, here we have Ariel, the nocturnal (wink wink), motherly, orange and pink bird who seems to me to have quite a sense of humor! She must since she is so tolerant of her big over-sized beak, crooked head, floppy legs, button eyes I stole from a sweater, and the fact that we made her pregnant…or motherly…depending on the location of the baby owl in her poscket. We sure love her though! She fits my Addie to a T. And though I am in no way celebrating a napless afternoon, I am celebrating that Addie is learning that good things don’t grow on trees. Somebody had to make that toy, or doll, or car or brownie. She is so interested in sewing, and though I am not a proficient seamstress, I am just glad that her 3 year old eyes can’t tell! And now, I may just be back to getting up before the crack of dawn to get my work done…but at least Addie has nocturnal friend to stay up with when she should be sleeping!
Julie - On the Dot Creations :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 7:40 am
I know exactly what you mean about the case of the vanishing nap. My three-year-old son is going through that stage right now, too. YIKES!
I can’t believe how cute Ariel is! Wow — you and your daughter are an awesome creative team!
By the way, my polka dotted giveaways began this morning. You might want to play along.
http://www.onthedotcreations.typepad.com
Pretty Jane :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 8:18 am
Cute, cute!! I’ve been obsessed with birds of all kinds lately–owls, sparrows, you name it–but ONLY textile birds. I’m crazy about Addie’s and so impressed that she’d prefer to make it than buy it.
My oldest looooved to nap, to the point that her teacher had to ask us to let her STOP napping when she was 5. Now the middle one is considering giving it up at 2, and I’ve dug in my heels–too too too much to do, and since I’m pretty envious of her naptime as it is, I’m STRONGLY encouraging her to keep at it. Best wishes to us both, eh?
Kiddlebug :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 8:20 am
When my youngest was born, I dreamed of when they would both nap at the same time. That happened twice and then my oldest decided that was it. She wasn’t interested in napping anymore. Sigh……
Now, my creative bursts are during the day, but me ability to work on things only happens at night when it is dark and I’m ready for bed.
Anastasia Campbell :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 9:09 am
The similarities here are endless - Ella started saying ‘no sleep mum’ at 2 1/2 years of age… it was more difficult to resist it then to go with the flow. Now I find, that yes whilst I’m on the computer, Ella loves the mouse…. whilst I’m sewing, for most parts she plays and fiddles around me and then helps me with whatever I may be sewing at the time and always says ‘be careful mum’ when the scissors have been picked up:) yes very very cute…..
Love your owls…very colourful and artistic! Incidentally I emailed this morning and stated I had 5 glorious ’sewing’ hours for our small business… well I sewed owls too (something must be in the air, even though we are in Australia :).. some were even owl rattles with a bell inside and babushka softies too…. and yes Ella loved them on her return!
Ooooh, it’s 1.08am and time for bed!!
Melissa :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Nap time doesn’t exist at our house anymore either. My 4 year old daughter and my 2 year old son have no desire to nap but would rather be covered in paint in my studio! I eventualy set them up their own work table in my studio and there they keep their art supplies. I try to keep them contained at that table and while they work on their own projects I try to work on what I need to get done- sometimes it works and somedays not! But, they do love having their own spot in my studio to call their own! Hang in there, there is some hope after naps!
Melissa
Your Name :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 11:20 am
What an adorable owl! Way to go, girls! :)))
I hear your agony with the no more naps….i have to lay down with my little four year old and give her a back rub til she falls asleep, then I end up falling asleep and getting nothing done but a good cuddle. Guess thats what we need some days!
Laurie :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 11:20 am
oops, that was me on the last comment…forgot to add my name.
Chocolate on my Cranium :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 11:38 am
So adorable! It’s even better that you made the pattern up and then sewed it together.
Your Name Lor :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Your owl is just perfect. We came home from the zoo last week and my son asked if I could make him a penguin. I thought, yikes, but the two of us sat down and made the pattern and sewed together and although it doesn’t look that great he just loves it. It certainly made me happy to see him so happy with it.
Your blog is really lovely.
Lor
Rachel :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
love it! i am one of those work-during-nap mommies, too… so believe it or not during the summer i ENFORCE rest time (while their baby sister does actually nap) for my 6 & 4 year old. “rest time” consists of them going up to their room (they share a room) & playing quietly, reading books, setting up their trains, playing their Leapsters, doing a puppet show, making forts, etc. they make a huge mess, but they are GOOD. and it is one of the only times of day that they do NOT FIGHT.. it’s awesome & i can’t live without it. (& truthfully i think they look forward to it, too)
but i love that you were totally on-board allowing addie to get creative with you! what a lucky girl addie is! the owl turned out CUTE. love the legs. anyway, i’m sorry you lost out on your naptime work… i feel your pain. but it sounds like today it was worth it.
just like every “end of an era”, you’ll find a new little groove.
Vana :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
are you kidding me? this is awesome…I love even more the fact that Addie helped your out with this. How cute is this? Who cares for perfection when you two had the best time working on it.
I hear you about the nap thing. I am beginning to get chills (literally) when i think of Preschool starting in two weeks and my son having a real reason for not sleeping anymore during the day. So far, it takes me about 5-6 books to get him to sleep…what’s next his whole library? I would have to give up…
Your Name Cherrymoon :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
Gosh! maybe it’s a UK thing - but my little girl gave up her daytime nap when she was 1!!! ok she slept through the night at six weeks which I thought was a fair trade off for giving up the day nap. I know how you feel though - it’s really hard to get time to get the work done, come up with new ideas etc, BUT you have to keep going, your work is gorgeous!
Kim :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
two words: quiet time. start it, books, dolls legos… quiet. sometimes they end up falling asleep! i still get my ~6yo to do this when i NEED him to.
LOVE the owl my gosh!
Kate :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
That owl is too adorable! I love it! And how great that it gave you something to do with your daughter. I wish my mom had taught me how to sew when I was younger. Maybe I could make my own Ariel Owl haha!
Justine :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
Wonderful! I work with kids for my career, and it is so good to see the way you encourage creativity and hands-on activity. And the owl is CUTE!
Hannah S :
Date: August 18, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
Wow! You never cease to amaze me. The most I’ve done w/my kids is make a cardboard and velcro clock and sock puppets, which we no longer play with. But I did buy tinker toys bcse of your recent post and I give Samuel 4 pieces each time he goes potty. It’s great! I love that you had all those fabrics already in your closet!
Rebecca :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 1:19 am
Sarah, It’s amazing! Love it. I’m really impressed you just sat down and made that with Addie. What an awesome mom you are.
Kathleen :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 1:27 am
The owl is just adorable. I just wish children always wanted handmade toys. Wouldn’t that be nice?
I loved your pictures from your vacation here in Hawaii. Looks like you had a great time.
Your Name :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 1:31 am
i love the owl! and that bedding caught my eye too. i just LOVE the sheets!
you are such a good mom! my daughter would love to do something like that.
when my daughter was 3 she started the no-nap thing too. i started letting her choose where she wanted to take a nap. mostly it was on the floor in her bedroom - and it worked for a while. i still find her zonked out on the floor in the afternoons when it’s suddenly very quiet in the house.
kim heok :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 2:40 am
nice owl ! very soon mummy is going to be a walking owl too ! haha
Angela Henrie :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 7:25 am
I love the owl. She will treasure that forever you know. I learned that I had to stop calling it “nap time” and started calling it “quiet time”. My kids knew that for 2 hours it’s quiet time. You can read, watch a movie, or whatever’s possible when laying on the couch. Many times they would fall asleep, sometimes not. But they didn’t seem put off by the term “quiet” as much as “nap”. Worth a try?
fanja :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 7:55 am
hello there, what a lovely team work! you must be very patient to allow your little girl to use the sewing machine with you.. i can’t imagine doing that with my boy, i’d have too many frights. yep, nap times have been over for a long time, I have come to term with the fact my only sewing time has to happen in the evening.
(thank you for your lovely comment on my blog!)
Kristin :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 11:55 am
I absolutely LOVE the owl! Perfect choice of fabrics from Sandi Henderson! I definately think your owl is way cuter than the Pottery Barn one!
Great Job! ** k.
Mary Catherine :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Your owl is ADORABLE!! I’m sitting here with goosebumps on my arm because I also made an owl after seeing the PB catalog for my daughter!!
Yours turned out so much cuter than my did though ;). That will be a special memory she will always with you.
Your Name :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
Oh wow! Another talent you’ve had hidden under your belt! Absolutely darling. I really should get my sewing machine fixed. That owl is inspiring!
Your Name jennifro :
Date: August 19, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
oops! That was me above.
Elise :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 6:06 am
Hi Sarah
What a “beauty full” post. Replacing nap time with such a creative and memorable experience. Ariel is one special owl. I love that you drew a pattern with green crayon. I know how precious nap time is, but inevitably nap time has to go and be replaced with something else. Your solution to filling in what otherwise would have been Addie’s nap time is priceless, Addie would have gained and learnt so much from making Ariel. When my toddler no longer needs a day time nap I am going to follow your example and make it an extra special part of our day.
Lots of love
Elise
Lisa :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 7:05 am
Hi Sarah! What a lovely owl - so adorable! You caught my eye on Etsy, and I’m so glad I came to check out your blog - so many wonderful things! Your work is so beautiful! I just love your calendar prints!
Your NameAmy :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 7:27 am
I love this little owly. The two of you did a beautiful job. The simple things in life are really the best, as my children get older, the things & times that stay in their minds as their happiest are the sweet simple times. ~Amy~
Jaimee :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 7:38 am
Well, my days of my son napping have been over for a year now and I STILL miss the free time. I’m finding if he gets up early, and I run him ragged…riding his bike, walking to the park, strolling (by foot) through the grocery store and during errands and if I get the timing right and we’re in the car around 2:45, he just MIGHT fall asleep. He definitely needs a nap and is so much more pleasant after waking it’s just convincing him that he’s not missing anything while he’s asleep that takes some work. We spent the morning at the pool yesterday - NOW THAT was a guaranteed nap!
And I adore that sweet little owl (and Addie’s appreciation of it!)
What a lovely little girl you’ve got!
Heather :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 7:59 am
oh my goodness! that owl is precious! I love her little wings and nose. TOO cute! What a creative mom and daughter project!
Amber K. :
Date: August 20, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
Hey Sarah! Adorable owl! I am impressed that you cranked that out in so little time. I usually have to stare at a blank paper for an hour or so, breaking down objects in my head before I can come up with a pattern and a plan for putting it together
Anyway, on the no-nap front : my one year old son is still napping for almost two hours every afternoon. My 4 year old daughter, however, quit napping about a year ago. This is when we established ‘quiet time.’ We are a strictly no t.v. family, but we do check out from the library a variety of educational DVDs like Sesame Street, Leapfrog, or Peep and the BIg Wide World, etc. Quiet time, which convieniently coincides with the little one’s nap time, is when my daughter is allowed to watch one DVD. This usually doesn’t fill the entire two hours, so I give her an assignment- draw a picture of your favorite part of the show. Use your blocks to build something you saw in the movie, etc. Not only does this focus her attention on what the DVD is teaching, but it encourages her to play and work independently while I work on the things on my list and little brother sleeps away
Ulla V. :
Date: August 21, 2008 @ 2:30 am
What a wonderful idea to make an owl. It has such a fine expression :0)
I have always loved to sew with my children….. eventhough one of them is a boy!
He just loves my sewing machine too and has made scarfs for his bigsister - and trousers for his toy rabbit.
Your Name :
Date: August 21, 2008 @ 10:56 am
I love you darling naptime owl….what a lucky little girl your Addie is to have a Mom as willing and talanted as you are to dream up such a friendly and cheerful little creature. My little Annabelle, who is only two and a half stopped sleeping during her naps about three weeks ago now. I am still making her stay in her crib for an hour, hoping that she’ll take advantage of that time and take a little sleep. But I am quite sure after this long, her napping hour is over. I have been getting up early in the morning and staying up late at night, while she is asleep to work on projects…it took some getting used but I am now adjusted to getting less sleep and still so thankful for the quiet time.
Chelle :
Date: August 21, 2008 @ 10:57 am
sorry, that was me on the last comment…forgot to put in my name and addresses.
amy purple :
Date: August 21, 2008 @ 11:03 am
This is so sweet that you two made that together!
Lisa :
Date: August 21, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Fantastic project and so wonderful to get kids involved at a young age. It turned out beautifully.
Kay Snyder :
Date: August 25, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
Oh we love those owls too! I hope to work up something special for my little Ava who reminds me of a wise owl. Terribly cute! I’m also sympathizing on the no nap routine, Ava is about to turn 3 and is considering giving them up too. Sooo sad, sigh.
Rebecca :
Date: September 9, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
So sweet! We’ll be having a homemade Christmas this year, and this is inspiring. I think my owl pattern would turn out like a moose, but yours turned out darling. I love the baby owl in the pocket too…darling touch. Thanks so much for sharing!