MamaViews: Hillary from Wee Wonderfuls

I'm completely smitten with Hillary Lang's designs and am so happy she agreed to be interviewed here today.  You absolutely must check out her shop, especially the Make-A-Long Story; it's so charming.  Her blog if full of the loveliest sewing projects and crafts.  Below she talks about the creative process, inspiration and the joy of crafting.  Enjoy!

You have a knack for making your crafting personal and bringing it to life.  I feel like I can sense the affection that went into them and the stories behind your projects.  What is your relationship to the things you create?
Oh, we're definitely b.f.f., my creations and I.  I often think of my kids' future kids when I make things for the family. I want things that will be around for a long time so I try to create things that I'll always love. I think what's going to endure in material and design. I want everything I create, the little stuffed friends, the outfits and embroideries, the cuddly quilts, to be part of our family's story.

You have such a distinct, recognizable style; how did it evolve and develop?  What elements have inspired you and been woven into your style along the way?

For toys I'm always inspired by the same things, things that remind me of my childhood... 70s colors and vintage Fisher Price toys, amazing children's book illustrators like Richard Scarry and Lois Lenski , the color and shape of Danish and Scandinavian design that filled our house. These things have always been there, the shapes and expressions of the toys were more of an evolution. When I started out I had the hardest time with the faces. I couldn't seem to get them just right. It seems like a silly thing but I worked so hard on it and in the end it was a simple, open face that sang to me best and now I don't fight it anymore. I think that similar expression more than anything makes my toys look like they're all members of one big, extended family.

How do you think being surrounded by handmade/mama-made blankets, toys, and clothes has affected your children?

I think it's wonderful for children to be exposed to a D.I.Y. spirit in any manner. Oscar has a killer imagination and a very can-do attitude and I definitely think that came from watching his dad and I working on all manner of projects. The kids are very actively involved in their playtime and I feel a big part of that comes from them having a controlling hand in their world instead of having their entertainment fed to them. Though I learned early on not to get hung up on my kids having to play with the toys I make. It's the process of making, more than the end result that is important.

To me you seem like a progressive pioneer; do you think so too?  In what way?

Geez, I don't know. Sure, why not! Though I am actually a pretty conventional mom. I am an over-busy, working, suburban, soccer mom with a kindergartner in public school. We are not by any means an unplugged family and I would hate to be living 100 years ago. I'm a HUGE fan of technology! But we do try to parent thoughtfully and disregard preconceived ideas of how a modern family should operate unless they work for us. We're always looking for ways to have simple, easy, make-our-own fun experiences with the kids. At the arboretum we'll opt out of the overcrowded, children's garden crammed full of interactive exhibits and try instead to find an offbeat place to have a quiet hike and see what we can collect or observe. We have a nature table and a wii. Our kids love helping out in our garden and eating the things we grow but they are also addicted to fruit snacks. We are always working toward balance, trying to figure out a life that works best for us.

When you create simply for the joy of creating, no specific need or request in mind, what do you love to make?

This is when I turn to knitting. I love it though I'm not that good at it. Sometimes my escape knitting becomes so stressful I just turn back to my work! I need to start a big afghan project, something I can just knit away at when I want a breather. I had to finally stop with the scarves because I just have too many of them so now I knit hats or little sweaters and it can be frustrating because I never seem to have the right gauge yarn or the right needles on hand. I should definitely go with a blanket! I'm getting really excited about that idea. Thanks for asking the question!

Well, thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts, Hillary!  Keep in touch!