This space has been very quiet as our family struggles to keep up with an unexpectedly busy couple of months. Here's a glimpse into what we've been up to.

:: Our home is going through a metamorphosis after a car-full of stuff from a recent trip to Ikea and some really nice hand me downs have been added. An all-consuming week long search for the perfect affordable vintage sofa ended when I found this beauty on Craigslist for just $150. Score!
To be honest, the trip to Ikea left me feeling a bit dirty--we've been making every effort to buy used or vintage anytime we need something, or to rethink whether we need it at all. Our primary purchases at Ikea were rugs, and I do think that was somewhat necessary. But really it is such a good feeling to look around this home we have made and see almost exclusively second-hand items. Now to find the perfect vintage kitchen table....

:: Tigerlily has discovered the iPod, and she is hooked. Sometimes she shares with her brother. Her favorite songs these days? TKO by Le Tigre and anything by Mates of State.

:: We unearthed Lil's dry erase board while going through art supplies yesterday and she wrote this story before bed last night:


She hasn't quite figured out the left-to-right thing yet, here's the story: "It happened a long time ago, a dog lived in a house. The pig is happy. The dog is happy. The frog is happy. From Tigerlily"

:: Some new clothes:

new sweater, knit by Grammy

Lil and her friends designed and made this outfit and Lil modeled it for Project Runway at the Free School

I ♥ Haiti shirt from the Hearts for Haiti shop

...also lots and lots of work, and trying to work, and being distracted from work. And trying to survive this dreary brown winter! I'd like to think that spring is right around the corner but I know better. And I'd love to have at least one good storm this winter!

If I had more money...

Some of my favorites in the Hearts for Haiti shop right now:

Appliqued Toddler Tshirt by FinleyandOliver

Decole Plush Cactus by Bombus Lane

Monarch Butterfly Necklace by neile


Rosemary Necklace by Hightower Botanicals


Coral Print by Dayna Gedney

Printable Poster by bubbo

Crochet Flower Pattern by Mamta


Embroidered Bunny Journal by Penny Craft

...I could seriously go one all night. Go on, go find your own treasures! There are seriously at least 5 things for everyone :)

Doing my part

It's been a month since Hearts for Haiti hit the ground running and, though things have slowed down to a much more manageable pace, we're still going strong! Last night I was overjoyed to post that we have raised $30,012.19 for Doctors Without Borders in Haiti!!

It has been rather painful to watch the shop fill up with such gorgeous items and then watch so many of my very favorites sell before I could snatch them up. I finally have a bit of extra cash and have been able to pick up a few really wonderful finds. Here they are!

1. Vintage Atlas Envelope Seals from KisforCalligraphy:

I definitely have a soft spot for hearts, vintage paper goods, AND calligraphy, so this one was a no-brainer. The lovely Katy also created our beautiful Hearts for Haiti banner and avatar/logo and has been so very generous with her donations to the shop. I'm looking forward to purchasing more of her beautiful wares soon!

2. Hearts for Haiti Brooch from Sandhra Lee:

This gorgeous brooch was pointed out to me by a fellow team member when I was writing the answers to my Storque interview and I fell in love. I was sorry to see that it had already sold, so when I saw that the seller had donated another recently I didn't hesitate to buy it right away! I'm excited to have this as a reminder of the amazing time I've spent with Hearts for Haiti.

3. I ♥ Haiti kid's tshirt from The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe:

I LOVE this one. I bought one for Lyric and am going to try it on Tigerlily to see if maybe I can order one for her, too, but I think she might be too big. This donor's shop is filled with many more really adorable things, too!

4. Mini Terrarium from pickledaliens:

I have always wanted to have a terrarium collection and now I'm finally starting it! I love how tiny this is--3.5"!!

5. Vintage brass locket from The Creative Block:

Shhhh! This one's a birthday gift for the Annie-obsessed Tigerlily.

:That's my haul so far!! There are still so many amazing finds in the shop, I'll be back to share some of my favorites tomorrow!

The New Normal

Well, I had the best intentions for the blog in the new year. And then there was a devastating earthquake in Haiti and it awakened a need in me to really HELP, in whatever way I could. My life effectively stopped completely for two weeks as I and a bunch of really lovely Etsy sellers put together a charitable shop to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. To date we have raised nearly $30,000!!

Things are slowly calming down, though the shop is still going strong. My own shop and personal projects not so much, but I'm figuring out how to fit them in again. We've settled into a new normal around here and it sure is different. But we're feeling our way and it's not so bad.

Some news:

Lyric fell and whacked his head on our coffee table, resulting in a huge gash on the back of his head, our first visit to the ER in 6 1/2 years of parenting, 4 staples and a new haircut. He was a brave boy, his sister and I didn't handle it so well.

Lyric showing the size of the gash he got from the coffee table

I've started dog-sitting for my friend Cat during the days in exchange for a piece of her amazing art. Her dog, Mia, is a bit neurotic but warming up to me (slower to the kids).

Mia

I have been able to get a bit of work done, a new science-y book (love this one!) and a name banner:

Growing every minute

The only other time in my life when I felt as simultaneously exhausted and energized and empowered as I do now was during the births of my two children. I am in awe of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short time. So, so many kind and loving people from all over the world have been in touch in the past few days, to help, to encourage, to donate, to buy, to share their tales of sadness and triumph. The spirit of community has been overwhelming, yet we're all in different corners of the world. The fact that we're all able to come together and make such an huge difference with our craft or trade, or support the effort with our love of handmade, fills me with immense hope.

The shop is live and filling with more and more beautiful things by the minute. Please consider giving a piece of your heart for Haiti, too. All proceeds, less Etsy and PayPal fees, go directly to the relief efforts of Doctors Without Borders in Haiti.

Grab the button and spread the word!

♥♥♥ thank you! ♥♥♥

Hearts for Haiti

I don't know how it happened. On Wednesday night, so completely saddened and defeated by the tragic earthquake in Haiti, I was trawling the internet and reading horrific accounts of the devastation. Having no money to donate I was feeling helpless and desperate to do my part. Somehow I ended up on the Etsy forums and it struck me that a charitable shop should be organized to help the people of Haiti in some way.

So I started a forum thread. The response was immediate and incredibly inspiring. So many amazing people stepped up to help in all of the many ways that were needed. Throngs of Etsy sellers offered up amazing items. I got swept up in all of the camaraderie and the amazing spirit of charity and before I knew it I was well on my way to opening a shop!

We are so close to being fully operational. I got the go-ahead from Doctors Without Borders and all of our proceeds (less Etsy and PayPal fees) will be going to their amazing work in Haiti. Two awesome artists are developing a banner and avatar. A blog is in the works. I've set up a dedicated PayPal and credit union account. We're just finalizing the details now and I really hope to be open for business sometime tomorrow.

Amazing! Without even one doubt I just forged ahead and I am overwhelmed by what has been accomplished.

Please visit the shop and consider buying something for yourself or a loved one and open your hearts for Haiti.

www.HeartsforHaiti.etsy.com

If you are an Etsy seller who wants to donate an item please send an email to etsyforhaiti@gmail.com and I will send you the Donations Information and Guidelines as soon as we have them sorted out.

♥thank you!♥

Change and chance

I have always disliked New Year's Eve. I just can't take the pressure of expectation, the full, round hope that it will be the best night of the year, that great things will happen, that all of the promise and potential of the coming year will be foretold on that night. In my experience this has led to nothing but disappointment and usually a bad hangover.

Of course, this was all much more acute when I was younger. I know now that it's all a bunch of hype and even if I didn't have kids as my excuse to stay home I would gladly curl up on the couch with a book or a movie, all too happy go to bed before the magic hour (which I rarely do on regular days). I know now that this night is more about putting the past year to rest and waking up refreshed and inspired (instead of exhausted and sick), ready to face a new year.

Some years I take it as a challenge, others I accept it as a welcome reprieve from a difficult time that has passed. But always the coming of a new year reminds me of the inevitability of change, and the chances that come with it. I'm reminded that it's up to me to use those chances to improve my life.

"Mom" by Tigerlily

In this new year I've been taking some time to really hone in on the changes I want to see in my life. To be healthier, happier. To do better in my roles as mother, partner, friend. To grow creatively and to make my business truly sustainable. To share more of myself, my knowledge, skills and ideas. To remember my love for writing and cultivate it.

My plan is to really begin to use this blog as an avenue for these goals. I'm not exactly sure what that means just yet but at the very least I want to make this space more valuable to others and will be working on incorporating tutorials and other types of skillsharing. I want to see where I can go with it.

will 2010 be the year of the scissors tattoo?

I hope you'll come along for the ride.

backlog: the finale, part 2

It's almost over!

1. A nearly 100% organic book for a little boy named Pedro, 1/2 in English, 1/2 in Spanish.


2. to 5. A set of literary-inspired books for a very literary-minded customer (Warning! Terrible nighttime pictures with flash).

"book" in 7 different languages

dictionary book

An homage to miniature books, 4" x 4"

An homage to the different forms of poetry

6. Many, many coffee cup cozies were made, some for sale, some for giving (and one for me!).

7. A sewing kit for my little girl.

she loved it!

8. Little purses, just for fun.


9. & 10. Monogrammed letter cases, complete with a set of monogrammed cards, envelopes and a pen. One for my cousin, one for my niece (with matching bags for wrapping).

:That's all, folks! I survived, but barely ;) I'll have a few more things to show you by the end of the week.

In the meantime, I am planning on creating some tutorials to post here over the coming year and would love to hear from you about what you'd like to see. Is there something you'd like to hear more about? I really want to make an effort to share more through my blog this year and welcome any and all suggestions.

Have a great week!