growing seasons

 
The zinnias along our front porch outdid themselves this summer. With only a few August days in the 100's, they've really just reached their lovely peak.

I think giant zinnias are about the happiest flowers on planet earth.

Love 'em. They make me smile every time I stop to admire them.

 
Kinda like these two along the front porch on Monday too.

All ready to start a new school year. Excited, happy, nervous, a little wistful and sad too. That was me-- I'm guessing the kids probably felt about the same.

We have a bus for the first time in our neigbohood now. So they rode the bus to school on Monday morning. It was Sophey's first time riding to school on a bus. (Jess took the bus in kindergarten). There is something about putting my child on a bus, even if she's not a kindergarten, that makes me go all misty/blinky. Oh, rough mom morning.

I thought back to all four of my kids' first school days. Ainsley and Jesse were like... see ya... No big deal at all. Corbyn was literally pried off me (one tentacle at a time, like a giant octopus) by the other preschool carpool moms his first week. I can still remember his face, smashed up against the window (squid-like, again) in the back of the minivan driving away... oh, those were a rough few days too-- for the both of us. And then there was Sophey... so eager to start early preschool, she even hurried up the potty-training schedule on her own. But when it was time to go off to kindergarten, it was alligator tears. Big school equalled big tears every morning. She said she just missed me too much; it was too lonely to be gone that long every day. 

Finally, one morning in desperation, I had a frantic light bulb moment. (Why don't I have more non-desperate light bulb moments?) I grabbed a piece of cheapo craft felt, a glue gun, my pinking scissors and cut out two hearts. I glue-gunned them together (no time for glue to be drying), and then I held it to my heart. I explained to her that I had just put lots of love into the heart, and that whenever she felt sad or lonely she could hold her felt heart and my love would be right there with her. It worked. She kept it in her pocket at school, and it got us through the first few weeks of kindergarten.

I don't know what became of that heart... but it had served it's purpose beautifully!

 So thinking about all the moms going through the same thing right now, I made a few more "pocket hearts". This time with a little more style. But the idea is still really the thing here; you wouldn't want to spend too much time or effort on this one. It's definitely "the thought that counts" sort of a craft project idea. I'm blabbering now...

Anyway,

I used:

Leftover canvas, fabric, and denim scraps and a red Sharpie marker. I doodled a few designs, cut out the hearts (added lace to the fancy one!) and stitched two hearts together with my sewing machine. I left about a 1/2" opening on one side, so that a little stuffing and/or a note could be tucked into it also. I think it took me about 45 minutes to make all of them. (The plain denim one I made thinking of little boys, who might want to be more discreet with all that yucky love stuff ;)

As I think more about it now, wouldn't they be sweet for any age, tucked into a travellers' suitcase or in a book for a friend? 

So there's the project for you today. ( I know, a project-- don't faint on me here;)

... Along with some fancy kid butterfly coloring, and a couple of pitchers filled with those front porch zinnias...

I couldn't resist picking them anymore.

 
Happy kitchen hearts today, for sure.

Aren't they gorgeous? Just like you! Love, Kelly
 

Comments

[Traci]

that is such a great idea. karlie was so ready for preschool. eric had to be pried of me too. breaks your heart when that happens.

your zinnias are gorgeous. i need to plant some of them.

hope you are enjoying some free time now.

[Julie]

Lovely, happy flowers! I love how you displayed the cuttings you brought into the house--what cheer!

Enjoyed your story about the kids going off to school. Don't you love having the creativity to come up with fun solutions like the felt hearts?? Lovely project, Miss K.!

[Maria]

What an exuberant joy those zinnias display! Lucky you to have them right there. Those hearts are wonderful, and what a great idea to give them to the kids! (or Sophy in your place.)

[Deb]

Love Zinnia's ~ the gorgeous big blooms and wonderful asst of colours! And your heart craft idea is absolutely precious ♥
Such a happy 1st day of school photo ~ wishing your kiddos a great year.

[Mimi Sue]

Your zinnias are just beautiful. One of my favorite flowers for sure. Love the heart idea. Mimi