Chickabiddy Baby Blurbs

Morning

2011-07-19T05:42:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 7:34am Early morning...on the couch with Novi. She is restless and will be up soon. The house is quiet except for the fan and Russo breathing. Shared with Memoires for Android http://sites.google.com/site/drodiary/

Bad Blogger...Bad!

2009-10-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Soggy Thursday...it's been raining for days. I quite like being tucked into my little house, working away on my orders. I have my favorite mug ( the one from Anthropologie with my intial on it) steaming with hazelnut coffee, a sleepy cat near on the couch, and a whole lot of sewing and stitching to do. I'll leave you with this soft lamb lovey to cuddle up to on this the rainiest of days.

Felt Teddy Snookie

2009-09-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

A dear friend asked me to make a Snookie ( blankie with pocket buddy) for a baby gift. I love making these little sweeties. They look so cute all tucked into their little nesting place and kids love to take them in and out of the pocket. So here he is...a little felt teddy bear with his little heart exposed for you to see...much love.

More Vintage Photo Sachets

2009-09-02T07:21:00.001-07:00

Made up some more sachets using my stash of old photos, used dryer sheets, and fresh herbs. This time I dyed the fabric sheets with strong coffee, giving them an aged look. I also used lemon verbena in addition to the lavender.

An Afternoon With Liam...and Vintage Photo Sachets

2009-08-28T06:45:00.001-07:00

My nephew Liam came to stay with me yesterday afternoon. I love having Chloe and Liam together, but I jump at the chance to have just one of them once in a while. It's a whole different experience when it's one on one. We had fun pretending... to be Ninja Bakers and reading our favorite books. I have tons of toys here for the kids to play with, but the only thing Liam wants when he gets to my house is my wooden utensils and mixing bowls. He plays with them for hours.

I always know when Liam has been here.

In other news...I've been on a quest to create things using everyday items, recycled materials, etc....yesterday I fashioned a lavender sachet from a used dryer sheet, some dried lavender, and a vintage photo. I think it turned out quite nicely. I am always looking for something to do with all of the old photos I am drawn to and accumulate.

Coffee Filter Blooms

2009-08-27T09:15:00.001-07:00

Savanna and I spent some time at Border's last night and as I was paging through the premiere issue of Green Craft Magazine:( http://www.stampington.com/html/greencraft_volume1.html) my mind was a spinning about what I could use around the house to create with. I have been using coffee filters for crafts for years...they always made lovely skirts for papier mache dollies. I was inspired to sit down and make a few of these little blooms. Nothing needed for these except some scissors. The ones with the fabric centers can be wrapped at the stem with a rubber band. I cute the wavy portion of the top of the filter off in one long strip and crinkle the whole thing up in my hand. Then I start rolling and layering to create the bloom. I like to use the unbleached filters for that aged look. They are delicate and natural. So pretty. I like to use them on presents.

My Dog Rags Hoodie

2009-08-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

Rags

I have a dog his name is Rags,
He eats so much his tummy sags.
His ears flip flop and his tail wig wags,
And when he walks, he walks zig zag!
He goes flip-flop, wig-wag, zig-zag!
He goes flip-flop, wig-wag, zig-zag!
He goes flip-flop, wig-wag, zig-zag!
I love Rags and he loves me!

This little hoodie is just perfect for that little rough and tumble boy in your life. This crochet sweater is made from a very soft wool blend yarn. It is a pretty moss green with bits of ivory. Perfect for the chilly days coming up. Not just for boys...cute on a little girl too

Anniversaries And Other Wonders....

2009-08-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."

-Mignon McLaughlin

As I write this morning, I feel a sense of content and quiet that soothes me. Now that school is back in session...Stan and Savanna are both gone for the day. I love our summers together, but must admit that I don't accomplish much of anything. Not only that...I have no structure. We sleep in, we lie around, we eat too much junk. This is lovely for a time, but I am always happy to get back to a routine. In the days since Stan has gone back to teaching, and Savanna has started her first year of high school...I feel I have accomplished much. I have been able to tackle some much needed chores around the house...the laundry is caught up, but there is still painting to be finished in the attic space. I have successfully canned 10 pints of tomatoes with many more to come...30 quarts of pickles and peppers...and even dried some romas and packed them in olive oil and basil. I love summer, but am always happy that as it draws to a close, my favorite season will be here before we know it. This fall brings the second year of waiting in our quest to adopt. I am at a point where I feel it would be perfect. We have done house projects that we could not do had we had a baby sooner...we have our health insurance and other necessities in that area taken care of...and I am trying to make a go of my shop from home so that when a baby does come, there won't be any big surprises. The waiting has been hard, but I have to hope that the baby that needs us will come...sometime. Stan and I just celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. I thought I'd share the pictures of the little trip we took to Nebraska City. Having time to sit back and think and reflect on our marriage and all it's twists and turns...it's true, it doesn't look exactly as we may have sketched it in our minds...but I wouldn't change it for anything. We have widened the scope of our vision...and like some of the pictures I take, it may be out of focus at times, yet still beautiful and treasured.

Here is where we stayed...The Lied Lodge in Nebraska City. It is a sprawling, rustic feeling place...beautiful woodwork, lovely touches of nature.

I love how quiet Nebraska City is. We visited a few little parks. There are these meandering little walkways that are just begging to be lingered over. Of course, the number of trees is magnificent and it lends to that feeling of shelter and secrecy.

After visiting a few of the orchards...Stan took me to the Arbor Lodge, original home of J. Sterling Morton and his wife Caroline Morton. This place is full of romance and heirlooms...built from the ground up by a couple with a love for nature. The story of their courtship and marriage is interesting and the way that they chose to live their lives is fascinating...the legacy that lives on is one they would surely be proud of. Read more about it here:http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111463/arborlodge.htm
Julius Sterling Morton and his beloved Carrie.
Before you get to the mansion, there is a lovely little memorial monument to Julius. The statue is beautiful, but I loved the Whispering Bench. You sit on one end...your partner on the other...whisper something into the back of the bench and your partner can hear it on the other side. I can't promise that everything we whispered was kid approved.
On my end of the whispering bench.

Mr. Harper

I personally thing that this statue of J. looks rather mean...he wasn't that way at all. They were probably going for stoic.

Here is a view of the mansion as we walked up...it is just beautiful.

This is a view from the window of the 2nd floor. I love how it overlooks the garden and oh, the trees.
Love these old buggies in the nursery.

So, if you know me...you know I love bees and so I was in heaven when we walked into the carriage house and saw the bee colony on display. Stan had to drag me away.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Harper.

My Sweet Savanna

2009-08-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

Adolescents are not monsters. They are just people trying to learn how to make it among the adults in the world, who are probably not so sure themselves. ~Virginia Satir, The New Peoplemaking, 1988

Thought I'd share some pics of my girl off to her first day of High School. Sniff sniff. Isn't she lovely?

Awake Asleep Owlie Mama and Baby

2009-08-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
~Edgar Allan Poe

I recently made a little gift for my beloved niece Chloe. I was going to make her one of my Mama and Baby Owlie pillows. As I working on it a light bulb went off. I would make one side awake and alert, the other side sleepy and calm. These pillows are hand crafted...no machine...with natural linen on one side and a pretty patterned fabric on the other. Mama's wing houses her little owlet who can either be awake or asleep as well. Please let me know what colors and themes you would like. These are custom made. I will also hand embroider your loved ones name on the felt wing. The sleepy side is embroidered with Zzzzz's. Also, Mama Owlie is stuffed with soft stuffing and a lavender sachet. www.chickabiddybaby.etsy.com

A Little Monkey For Your Wednesday Enjoyment

2009-08-19T07:06:00.001-07:00

Introducing the Snookie...a soft as a cloud blankie and best friend all in one. Imagine your little one settling down for a nap...all is well and then you hear a little voice..."mama, where is my Snookie". This Snookie measures about 13in.x15in. and has a little pocket on the front for the Chickabiddy Monkey. Monkey is stuffed with lavender to calm and soothe. The best thing is that you won't lose that little monkey because there is a ribbon that attaches him to the inside of the pocket. He can be taken out and cuddled and then tucked back in when it's time to settle down. www.chickabiddybaby.etsy.com

Bee Kind To Our Friend The Bee

2009-08-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe,” Einstein is rumored to have remarked, “then man would only have four years of life left.” Whether the wild-haired genius uttered those words — and if he did, how accurate they are — is a subject of historical and scientific debate. But let there be no doubt: Bees are in trouble, and that’s bad news for humans.

The recent emergence of Colony Collapse Disorder — a mysterious phenomenon responsible for the deaths of one-third of the honeybees in the United States — threatens the insect’s ability to pollinate fruits, vegetables, and other foods. The causes of the disorder are unknown; experts blame everything from pesticides to global warming for the sudden decline."
-Greg Ryan...please read the article in it's entirety here:http://www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/April-2009/Minding-the-Bees/

I don't know about you...but I was stunned by these findings. I have loved bees since I was a girl. They are magical. They are the hardest workers on the planet and we have long taken more than we've given them. Now they need our help. Aside from the decision to keep bees this next spring, I was inspired to create this Lil Baby Sock Bee. It is soft and smooshy, will fit right in your little ones hand, and is stuffed with lavender and a tinkly bell. Better yet...no stinger. It is embellished with felt and linen and the face is embroidered by hand. 50% of the proceeds of each bee I sell will go to a fund for helping research Colony Collapse Disorder and what can be done. If you love the bee like I do and want to do a little something for them. Here's your chance. The bees thank you! I'll even sweeten the deal with FREE SHIPPING. Pick one up today at www.chickabiddybaby.etsy.com.

Please find out all you can by visiting these sites:
http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/
http://www.burtsbees.com/c/community/community-initiatives/colony-collapse-disorder/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/25/save-bees-gardeners

Fairy Garden

2009-06-17T13:34:00.000-07:00

Ah summer. All the fun things we can do. I needed a place to put my herbs and I wanted desperately to have a fun place for my niece and nephew to play when they come over. For years we have talked about planting a fairy garden so we this year we just jumped in. We planted sweet marjoram, mint, lemon verbena (or lemon "berbena" as Chloe calls it), dill, pineapple sage, and some little white flowers. Chloe and Liam loved the fact that they got to actually eat a leaf from the herbs as we planted them. We have many more ideas for our little fairy garden, but here is what we have now. The garden is complete with a fairy door, a little fairy pagoda, table and chairs, a fire pit, and cradle. The door came from: www.magicalomaha.com, the sweet little acorn family can be found at www.unwaveringfaith.etsy.com, the table and chairs are from www.woodwerx.etsy.com, and the little wooden log box came from www.somelikevintage.etsy.com. It has been a couple weeks since we planted our little garden and the plants are starting to spread out nicely. Chloe and Liam love to play in the garden when they visit...putting the acorn family around the make-believe fire for ghost stories. Happy Summer!!

Baby Kitties

2009-05-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

“Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.” William MacNeile Dixon

One of the wild cats at my mom's house (Pudgy...who has become quite domesticated and lets you hold her and pet her) just had her kittens. My mom has a clay chimnea on her porch and it is where Pudgy sleeps most of the time. She had her kittens right in the little belly of the stove...how appropriate. She is very trusting and allows you to pet them. They were born a week or so ago. As you can see...my niece Chloe is very proud of the new arrivals.

Deadbeat Blogger

2009-04-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

For shame...I realize as I type this that it has been 11 days since my last post. I've been recovering from the Easter rush in my shop and also doing some much needed work on myself. Some of you may know that I have been a sufferer of panic attacks for a number of years. At the beginning of the year, I made a vow to myself that I would really dive in and get better...calmer...rid myself of the fear...start eating better...exercise...think good thoughts instead of the self defeating ones that have become such a nasty habit. I can actually say that I am healing gradually. I have stopped eating much of the refined sugar items that made me so happy just a few months ago. Now instead of eating a batch of cupcakes...I'm making cookies with whole grains, oats, and applesauce for sweetener instead of sugar when I want a little treat. Throw in some dark chocolate chips and I dare you to say they taste "healthy". The cravings have gone away for the most part. I did indulge quite a bit on Easter, but Monday I was back to better choices. I have never been much of a meat eater, so that has been easy to cut back on. I have been practicing yoga daily...sometimes twice a day. There have been a few days where I was lazy and opted out, but I have been good about not being hard on myself and just getting back to it the next day. I have started going to a weekly meditation or satsangha on Wednesday nights at The Om Center...in the Old Market. I am so much calmer...the nights where I wake up in a state of panic...not being able to breathe with my heart pounding are becoming less and less. If it does happen, I am able to get myself out of it soon. For me it has been a retraining of my mind...to stop thinking the catastrophic thoughts and only let the good in. I have learned how to self soothe and I don't find myself needing to wake my poor husband up every time I am struggling. I find myself not being so short tempered with my family...or with the pets. I notice a feeling of overall calm that carries me through the day. This past weekend should have been incredibly stressful for me as I always host Easter at my house and the preparations alone get me in a tizzy...add the thought of my entire family all in one place...and me worrying about whether or not everyone will get along and "play nice" and you have a recipe for one big panic attack. How's that for a run-on sentence? I was pleasantly surprised to see, though, that I was amazingly calm and steady. I even gave up the idea that it was up to me to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves and getting along. So here are some pictures from Easter and our little celebration...and here's to a continutation...of peace, of calm, of centerdness. Wishing these things for all of you.

Yoga and Other Pleasures....

2009-04-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

It's about 1:30 in the afternoon and I've already had a busy day! Yoga with my niece and nephew in the morning and getting some new things listed in the shop. Yesterday I finished up a special Snookie for a dear friend of mine to give to her nephew. It is by far my favorite Snookie I have ever made. That could be because it is made up of one of my very favorite color combos. I also embroidered the name instead of sewing on a tag. Love that touch too. So, here are some pics of the Snookie and of our little mini yoga session this morning.

Spring Has Sprung

2009-03-30T07:59:00.001-07:00

Good morning! Here are some new little ones just listed in my shop. These cuties were actually made for someone and have started their little shipping journey to be with their new owners. However, I have some of the embroidery left that I used on these two and can make more. This week I'll be working hard to catch up on my orders due to a little spring/Easter rush. I'll also be listing a springtime special. It's a basket o' sock babies with a special price: ww w.chickabiddybaby.etsy.com

Healthy At Last...

2009-03-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hello! It's good to be back. Following my intestinal adventures, my computer got a virus and was even sicker than I was. It seems that we are all healthy again and I am busy trying to catch up in the shop and also debut some new things. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day though. I am also taking care of a dear friend's baby a few days a week while she is at work and trying to juggle this little meatloaf and get things done is proving to be a challenge. I guess it is good practice for when our little one comes along and it is no longer a dress rehearsal. I am incredibly inspired by the young ones in my life. I have kept every little doodle an picture that Savanna has ever made. Recently I wanted to try my hand at embroidering some of her pictures and I decided to give it a go with my favorite one..."Patch". Here are the pictures.:

Bit By The Bug

2009-03-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

What bug you ask? I wish I could say that it was the craft bug, or the cleaning bug, or the dancing bug...any other bug except the one that bit. The stomach flu bug. Damn bug. Stop saying bug. So...for the last 3 days my life has been made up of these things:

First and foremost...thank all that is holy for family. Stan and Savanna have been doing a great job of masking their contempt for the fact that I am a HUGE baby when I'm sick. I mean, I like to groan and cry. But c'mon...the stomach flu is awful...tearworthy for sure. Stan has been bringing me magazines, Gatorade, Jello, and even flowers. Savanna has been keeping me company and playing nursemaid when Stan is gone.

This family has been there for me around the clock...even when my real family was getting some much needed sleep. At one point, I wished for the sweet relief of being Six Feet Under. I only started watching this series about 3 months ago. I started renting the DVD's. I was loving it so much that even though I hadn't made it all the way through, I knew I would want to own it. I bought the entire series on ebay. Perhaps I should have saved the final episode for a time when I was less emotional.
When the Fisher's became too depressing for me...I put my other family in. Now that's medicine. The laughing was therapy. Even though it hurt it felt so good. That's what she said.

This is where I have been camping day and night. Only getting up when I really need to. I have made myself a little nest with my coziest blanket (see below) and I put my feet up on the top and let the heat go under the blanket. There is something so comforting to me about being in this little cocoon.

Said blanket. The softest microfleece blanket there is. I got it at Tuesday Morning for a song.

My boys...Zeke and Dutch. Dutch is the best snuggler around. You can fluff him up and tuck him under you like a feather pillow. The purring is an added bonus. Now Zeke isn't as adept at the whole snuggling thing...he prefers to come on his own terms and crawl up on my chest and perch. He'll stay for a time, but you musn't disturb him with too many movements or gestures of love. He's very complex you know.
This is really the only food I've seen...this and the occasional cracker. I did attempt a bowl of soup, but that didn't turn out so well. So...here's to a week of renewed health...here's hoping. If you have ordered something and have not yet recieved it...please be kind. I'm planning on working hard to catch up this week.

I've Been Bad...

2009-03-07T09:08:00.001-08:00

Been a few days since I last posted. I'm really trying though. (*_*) It's been a busy week of trying to catch up on orders...take care of a sick girl...and try to keep well myself. I finished up on this little sweetie a while back. I did something a little different with this one. I filled the ends of the hands and feet and ears and his bootie with a little brown rice for weight. Stay tuned...I'm going to be debuting some new little creations this next week.

A Conundrum

2009-03-02T09:32:00.001-08:00

So...for a long time now, I have wanted to offer sock dollies in other races. The rub has been that they do not make baby socks in brown and other earth toned colors that would work for this. Not even for little boys. Oh yes...they have blue and green and sometimes a khaki, but trying to find brown, black, or even a light olive has been impossible. So, I started to make some little dollies out of felt. They are in the same spirit and shape as the sock dollies, but they use felt instead. Here is a christening one that I made for a customer request. Again, sorry for the photos...not the best, but you get the idea. Even though you can't tell from the pictures, the eyelashes actually show up quite nicely. I'm loving her. What do you think?

Incense and Herbs...

2009-03-01T17:05:00.001-08:00

Well...I have no pictures, but I will always remember my first trip to this beautiful temple. As soon as we walked in the smell of incense and herbs greeted us. A friend of mine who goes to temple regularly was already inside and we didn't know anyone else. Savanna and I were feeling a little shy, but I was so happy to have my girl with me. We observed the sign about not wearing shoes in the temple and proceeded to the shoe and coat room. Everywhere we looked there were smiling faces...little children running and laughing. Some people were in study groups...some were just milling around looking at the beautiful statues...some were gathering fruit and herbs for the various altars...and some were just visiting. We found my friend and she introduced us to some people. All of them were so very welcoming and warm. My favorite part of our visit was the tour that was given to us by Sri Acharyagi. He showed us all around, explaining the various deities...telling us about the festivals. Although he is so very busy, he took the time to really talk with us and learn about us. He asked Savanna what she thought and included her in the conversation. When Sri Acharyagi listens to you, he really listens. We really enjoyed our time spent in this most peaceful of places. We will surely be visiting again soon.

A New Adventure

2009-03-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

This afternoon Savanna and I are going to visit the Hindu temple. I have never been, but hear it is beautiful. I recently started working a few hours a week at the holistic clinic where I get my massage therapy, etc. I learned how to give the detox foot baths this week. My very first guinea pig was the spiritual teacher and local leader of the Hindu temple in our city. How's that for being thrown right into the fire? I was incredibly nervous. Didn't want to offend or do something wrong. Sri Acharyaji could not have been more open and sweet. When I talked he really listened and looked into my eyes. I am excited to be a visitor today. I'm hoping to post some pictures later of our experiences.

Adventures with Felt...Day 2 In My New Work Space

2009-02-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Made this here little bear...all stuffed with wool and brown rice (for a little weight)...out of my fantastic new felt from www.feltgirlsupplies.etsy.com. She has the most amazing colors of felt that you won't find at your local craft store. I will be a life long customer. Thank you Felt Girl!
In my last post...I showed you a vintage napkin that used to be my grandmothers'. I have a set of four. I want to do so many things with them, but then I don't because they will be gone. So I decided to make some little heirloom pieces for any future little ones. So I embellished little bears belly with a patch of grandma's napkin.

I would love to hear from others creating with vintage pieces that are special to them. If you are in the process or have something in mind...feel free to share. Happy Day!
Also...drop me a line at sweetnlow@cox.net if you have problems leaving a comment. I've heard from several people today saying they can't leave a message. Hope to figure it out soon.

The Creativity Room

2009-02-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

We have had this empty room in the house...It was Savanna's old room, before she moved upstairs. It had basically become the dumping ground for everything in the house that didn't have a home. It was a disaster. I got sick of it and decided it was going to be the room that holds all the art supplies...my sewing and yarn paraphernalia...fabric, etc. Some of you may know that we are awaiting a baby through adoption and this will eventually be a nursery, but for now I wanted my niece and nephew to have a place to color and make collages when they come over. I also wanted to organize all my supplies to make my business run smoother. I'm posting a before and after picture. I can't stop looking at the room. The cats love exploring it...and I can turn on some music and work without distraction. Best of all...I don't have to keep the door of this room closed anymore because I am so embarrassed of it. My favorite part of the room is the laundry line...it is holding my very favorite pictures that Savanna made for me when she was little. Please excuse the picture quality. I have been struggling with my camera of late. I've been tweaking a trying different things, but am just not happy with the pictures it has been taking.

Savanna's old bed. I remember when we bought this pretty thing. That was when she was still into "girlie" notions...flowers, fairies, etc. Now she's upstairs in her hot pink and chocolate bedroom with her ipod...ihome...i'mateenager.
After getting all the clutter cleared out...this is what was left. The walls aren't the prettiest color of blue. It is a bit pale and that is why we never finished painting it. There is still some of the soft green around the top of the room. We chose this blue as a transition...that way when this does become the nursery, it could be unisex. However, don't love the color, but for now it's gonna have to do.

This table and chairs belonged to Stan's grandma and grandpa. We've had it since we got married. It used to sit in the kitchen in our first house...then it was in front of our window in the living room at our current house. I moved it this year to put the tree there. After all the decorations came down, the feeling of space there was incredible. I didn't want to put it back. I'm happy to have given it a new life in the creativity room. Now my niece and nephew can sit here and color...or Savanna can use it to make her collages...last night I sat here and sewed a new little teddy bear for a friend's baby.

My favorite part of the room...love the idea of being able to hang all of the kid's artwork and anything else that I am inspired by at the moment. You can see all of Savanna's art from when she was little. There is also a napkin that I am very enamored with right now. It used to belong to my grandma and I'm thinking up a project for it right now.
This little lovely just had to go on the wall. I ordered this from one of my favorite shops on etsy. www.pupa.etsy.com. You must look at all the unique goodness in her shop. Love his face. I bought this as a gift for any future babies that may find their way into my arms and heart. Here's hoping.
One of Savanna's earlier drawings. This is the cat...Patch. I want desperately to embroider him onto a pillow. I think he is so cute. He makes me smile whenever I see him. Knew I had to have him over my workspace.

Been making these little kitties for Savanna for years...she decided one day to draw them. They are dear to me.
a hodge-podge of blank scrapbooks ready for creating...books on drawing, basket of yarn for crocheting up something new...odd buttons and lace to go onto a collage or as a hook for a sachet...

I painted this little dresser when Savanna was a toddler. It was the ugliest banana yellow when we purchased it at a garage sale. I painted it a soft ivory and gave it pretty pale green scallops around the drawers. Stan and I searched every antique store in town for a full collection of glass pulls. Now it holds a treasure of supplies for creating.
Awww... Patch...See, doesn't he make you smile too?
I forgot that I had this little curtain. It was tucked away at the top of my linen closet. Bought it when Savanna was little. Never put it up for some reason. I love it because it has pockets in it. I love anything with pockets. The idea of tucking leaves and twigs from a walk...or stashing some lavender in there...anything. I have pinned up some of my favorite snapshots and I love the gossamer quality the curtain gives as the backdrop. I have also strung the window with some white lights covered with paper doilies and white cupcake liners.
Savanna's fish...Rue and Savanna Jr. They are much happier in the new room. A pile of felt that I just got from one of my favorite shops...www.feltgirl.etsy.com. She has felt colors you didn't think existed. No more ugly felt from my local craft shops. It's a bit pricier, but so worth it.
More of grandma's napkins...an Anthropologie catalogue for inspiration, an old tin filled with vintage ribbon (smells a little musty, but will be useful for sure), a kid's crochet book that I'd like to teach Chloe out of, and a favorite porcelain pony that has been put to work holding crayons.
My Papa gave this easel to Savanna for her birthday last year. I spent about 4 hours one morning putting it together. The directions were in sanskrit, I'm sure and Stan kept offering help. I was bound and determined to put it together myself. I did and it hasn't fallen apart yet. It is holding a picture Savanna started about 3 years ago. She hates it and has declared that it will remain unfinished. I quite like it though.
Grandma Johnson's napkin. In a later post I will show you what I have made from it.
A compilation of springtime crafts...I'm happy to be needing these soon.

2009-02-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

These are a few of my favorite things... I love this verse from the inside of a White Stripes album. So poetic, so beautiful...I loved it so much I wrote it out on brown paper and put it in an old antique frame backed with chicken wire. It reads:

Honesty in bloom,heart on sleeve,life ever exposed and safe,courtesy to them and all you know,down and cotton covered breath,out in the open with nothing to hide,mention of soft paper and pine,soda powder and brown paper bags,angora and hound`s tooth,youth and canvas,fresh color,blind chance and forward stumble,scarlet mood,and white ivory shimmering laugh,safe in mind and comfort in home,absent of flies and anger,blankets of your own,peaches in cellar,subtle hair and skin,sand and leaf,felt napkin and clothing line,warm air from heating vent,snow on ground,reunious of sane unforced presence,motherly intervention held in suspense,enraptured holy sight,reception in halls,your Sunday go to meeting,your helping hand,your summersault,your attic,your home and your preservation,so simple,so untouched,this is as wise as raven and as easy to trust,yet have they known,and yet may they wonder,with words and thought and thorn,this spirit and persona under

My sweet family...On our wedding day. The happiest day I can think of. Savanna was so small.
My antique rotary phone. I have been dreaming of getting it rewired so that I can actually use it. I must admit that a few times I have been caught making pretend phone calls. I love the weight of it in my hand and the way the dial sings when I release it.

My many collections...this is my antique clothespin and sea shell collection. I love to gather things around me in jars and just look at them. Gives me great comfort and pleasure.
My maternal grandmother...Lillian. She is my kitchen goddess...she's with me when I bake the pies and the lamb cake that you will see the tin for a little further down. Always keeping a watchful eye over me.
Just bought this book at the bookstore the other day. Am loving it so far. It is packed with inspiring projects to do with your little ones...or in my case, your not-so-little-ones. There's embroidery, nature, crochet, felting, sewing, singing, collecting, you name it.
One of my absolute favorite books...this fat baby is packed with every piece of folklore and tidbit you can possibly think of. Who knew that pretty much anything you can name has some superstition behind it. This is alphabetized. A super fun way to pass the time.
My moth collection. I love specimens...especially insect specimens. I love the color and delicate quality of these pretty ones.
This is Babi's lamb cake mold. Every Easter I bake up a little lamb cake. Some years he sits up in one piece...other years he's headless with 2 little x's for eyes.
My toasty stove. I don't know what I would do without this baby. Every night I make myself a little nest in front of it. I grab my favorite blanket and put my feet up on it...making sure that the heat goes right into the tent of my blanket. Heaven.
I found this bust at the Goodwill. I bought it because many years ago my mother had one just like it in her bedroom. We lost it in the house fire when Savanna was a baby. This brought back so many memories I had to have it.
This is Tessie. She came from an adorable shop on Etsy....www.theoakleaves.etsy.com. She is well loved by all who come across her...particularly my niece and nephew, Chloe and Liam.
Skeleton keys. I can't get enough of them. I have to be careful. I've had to stop letting myself buy them.
The sparrow tree in our yard. Those are my feathered family members out there. I started feeding them this past autumn and the flock has grown 3 and 4 times. If I haven't fed them by about 10 AM, they are all lined up on my fence staring at the house. Kind of creepy...but I like it.
My antique binochulars...for watching my sparrows...
and our Hawk, Mo Henery...who has come to view my fence and bushes as an all you can eat birdie buffet.
Some of my vintage bisque dolls. These were carnival trinkets back in the 20's. I love their big curious eyes and round bellies.
One of my favorie drawings that Savanna has done for me. When she feels safe enough to share her art with me, I can't get it into a frame fast enough.
I am reading To Kill A Mockingbird again. Timeless story..."I think there's just one kind of folks...folks"- Scout
I am yearning for some tea...
...and a ginger biscuit from Julius Meinl in Chicago. My brother took my mother and I there when we came to see his show. It was the warmest, quaintest little place I have ever been. I had a goat cheese, basil and tomato omelet...potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream, and lots of jasmine tea.

2009-02-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

It is time. Time for me to start eating better...stop eating crap. I said after New Years I would start being healthier. I wouldn't eat chocolate for breakfast every day. I wouldn't have a potato and bread at every meal. I would start exercising regularly again. Why is so damned hard? It's no secret that I've been a little down as of late. With the loss of the little lady that I've cared for for the last 2 years...and no regular income right now...my shop running a little slow...add the adoption situation to all of that and it's no wonder I want to eat all comfort foods. However, the party is just about over. Diabetes runs rampant through my family...my mother has a terrible time with hers. I'm 34 and although I am lucky to have a speedy metabolism and don't gain much, I worry what things look like on the inside. So, last night while Stan and Savanna had bacon wrapped steaks and baked potatoes...I had baked salmon, baked sweet potato, and asparagus. It was quite good. I do love all of those things. Then I opened the fridge for more spring water and those evil little chocolate mousse cups were staring at me. I tried to look away. "Pssst...yeah, you...the girl who thinks she's going to eat healthier. Don't you want to have just one last fling with us?" I slammed the door. Then I opened it again and dipped my little finger into the top of the sassiest one. That shut him up. I know I won't be perfect. I know I'll still have some chocolate breakfasts and some soft breads with butter and gravy too. But maybe, I just won't have them all on the same day.

2009-02-14T15:41:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day or as I like to call it...Chocolate Day. I made some sweets for my sweets today. One of my favorite indulgences...I give you...Chocolate Mousse in Chocolate Cups. It's a super easy recipe from the Betty Crocker cookbook my mom gave me the year that I was married. The cookbook is beaten, but beaten with love...just like this mousse. The pink rose you see in the pictures is one of the dozen of pink ones my sweetie brought me. The first picture is the chocolate cups which are very easy, but look oh so delicate. The recipe calls to make them in a custard cup lined with foil, but I found an easier way is to use a cupcake pan and use the foil liners. The cups end up looking like a Reese's cup because of the grooves. The only drawback to these little babies is that there are almost 600 calories in one little cup. However, since chocolate produces the same chemicals which make you feel like you are in love...you won't even care.

Sassy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T09:57:00.000-08:00

Compliments of Miss Mae West:

A dame that knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up.

A hard man is good to find.

A man can be short and dumpy and getting bald but if he has fire, women will like him.

A man has one hundred dollars and you leave him with two dollars, that's subtraction.

A man in the house is worth two in the street.

A man's kiss is his signature.

A woman in love can't be reasonable - or she probably wouldn't be in love.

All discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else.

An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.

Any time you got nothing to do - and lots of time to do it - come on up.

Any time you've got nothing to do and lots of time to do it come on up.

Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.

Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.

Cultivate your curves - they may be dangerous but they won't be avoided.

Don't keep a man guessing too long - he's sure to find the answer somewhere else.

Don't marry a man to reform him - that's what reform schools are for.

Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can't figure out what from.

Give a man a free hand and he'll run it all over you.

He who hesitates is a damned fool.

He's the kind of man a woman would have to marry to get rid of.

His mother should have thrown him out and kept the stork.

I always say, keep a diary and someday it'll keep you.

I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it.

I believe that it's better to be looked over than it is to be overlooked.

I didn't discover curves; I only uncovered them.

I enjoyed the courtroom as just another stage but not so amusing as Broadway.

I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.

I like a man who's good, but not too good - for the good die young, and I hate a dead one.

I like restraint, if it doesn't go too far.

I never loved another person the way I loved myself.

I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.

I only have 'yes' men around me. Who needs 'no' men?

I only like two kinds of men, domestic and imported.

I see you're a man with ideals. I better be going before you've still got them.

I speak two languages, Body and English.

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.

I'd like to see Paris before I die. Philadelphia will do.

I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.

I'm a woman of very few words, but lots of action.

I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing.

I've been in more laps than a napkin.

I've been things and seen places.

Two Sweet Confections

2009-02-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Valentines Day...made the bib the other night. Been wanting to get some more bibs into the shop. Finding the time is the hardest thing. I love the feel of the Sugar N' Cream cotton yarn. It washes easily too and just gets softer over time. Working with the felt is heavenly too...something so tactile and satisfying to push that embroidery thread through.

The other picture is my darling daughter. Shopping for eighth grade graduation dresses (say it isn't so) turned into shopping for prom...and her future wedding, I guess. Okay, no more of that.

2009-02-11T09:18:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and I wanted to show you a few of my favorite picks from etsy in that department. So here they are:
1. Look at this saucy little cloche from www. boutiquepinkdesigns.etsy.com
2.How amazing is this idea? Making jewelry out of the spare parts of Barbie dolls? I wish I would have thought of this. Lord knows my brother cut up enough of my Barbie dolls when I was little.
The genius behind this is www.margauxlounge.etsy.com

3. Looks like me ripping right into my box of chocolates. Anyone who knows me knows that it doesn't have to be Valentine's Day for this scenario. www.auntjess.etsy.com
4. Last, but certainly not least, is this adorable print from www.marmeecraft.etsy.com. How can you resist him?

Been a Busy Day...

2009-02-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

So I had this epiphany the other night. My little niece has just recently started losing her baby teeth. I made her a little pillow...stuffed with lavender, with a little pocket in the front to put her teeth in. But then I had this idea to make a tooth fairy pillow, shaped like a tooth fairy. So I drew up a little sketch and started to work. This is what I eventually ended up with...a little different from the picture, but still the same idea. This little sweetie just went into my shop about 5 minutes ago.

These are a few of my favorite things...

2009-02-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

1. Adorable Owl www.cordialkitten.etsy. com

2. Love this Cat www.solemon.etsy.com

3. The idea of this necklace is so magical...www.marzipan.etsy.com

4. Love this artist...wish this was me in the print. www.swanbones.etsy.com

Skinny Jeans After All...

2009-02-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

Well...I ended up buying the most adorable pair of skinny jeans. Now, at 4ft 10 inches, I have always been convinced I could not wear skinny jeans. Every pair I have ever tried on have not looked very good, in my eyes. However, I decided to give it another shot at the advice of my 14 year old...Savanna said "try them...just try them". So glad I did. It was as if they were made for me. I can't stop wearing them. I am converted. Of course, I realize that this probably means they will be out of fashion very soon. Just my luck.

Going to The Giving Tree

2009-02-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

The girls and I are going to our favorite little boutique this afternoon. We are lucky here in Omaha to have a cute little place that offers a mix of vintage and gently used fashions. The way they put everything together in the store is a feast for your eyes. Vintage suitcases overflowing with scarves, belts, hats etc...cute little pegboards embellished with necklaces, large dangley earrings...rows and rows of sweet shoes. This little shop uses colors instead of numbers to differentiate sizes. The prices are incredible. You pay about what you would pay at your local Goodwill, give or take. The best part about this little gem of a shop is that a portion of the proceeds go to a variety of different charities. Check them out on myspace:http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=234097857

Largest Order Ever!

2009-02-06T18:09:00.000-08:00

So this week I was relieved to finish my biggest order ever. After piling everything up in the rocking chair (everything is shown minus the 12 sock baby rattles), I couldn't stop looking at it. Many hours...many bleeding fingers...much relief. Here are the girls...
Here's everyone together....

Launch Day...or night rather.

2009-02-06T17:40:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is 7:41 in the PM...I have finally figured out how to get the pictures up and running. Let me say welcome! My name is Rene' and I run a little shop on Etsy called Chickabiddy Baby Boutique. Many times over I have heard how very beneficial it can be to have a blog...both to get your name out and to connect with others who are like-minded. Let me be the first to say, I have no idea how this works really. I'm going to write daily...post pictures of things that are close to my heart and let the rest work itself out. I am a mother and wife. I live in Nebraska in a creaky little house that is close to 100 years old. My studio is my living room. My coffee table and chair beside my little stove. I started making little goodies for children when I was working for the retired Sister's Of Mercy. They taught me how to crochet...I can still hear Sister Justina telling me,"You're doing it wrong, missy." After getting the hang of it, I started making little hats and booties for friends and family. It grew from there. I loved the idea of making little stuffies and such. One day while going through some old craft magazines, I came across an old pattern for sock dolls. I can remember seeing some at an antique store. I loved the idea of women using things from around the house, socks, rags for stuffing, etc...to make toys for their little ones. It was a sort of practical magic to me. My love of kewpie dolls, the 20's era, vintage toys and books and little flushed cheeks all came together in the Chickabiddy Dollie. The first little dollie that I ever made was sad. Boy was she a moffat. Uneven eyes...one leg larger than the other. But there was something sweet about her just the same. Her name was Lucille and I gave her to my daughter. Over time I perfected the image I had of her. I started stuffing them with lavender and bells for charm. When I started selling on etsy...they were my best sellers. I make two sizes...the rattles which fit nicely into babies hands and the larger size which toddlers love to squeeze and squish.
Hmmm...what else? I am in my thirties...34 to be exact. I have a sweet family that I love to be home with. My daughter is 14. My husband is a musician. We have too many pets. So for now I guess that is it. Just a little introduction to this new space. I am a terrible procrastinator and I am hoping this place will not gather dust like some of my other projects.