Happy Thanksgiving

Soon I'm going to make mashed potatoes, but before I do I thought I'd take a minute to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you are enjoying time with your families, good food, and better booze.

Something that Rhymes with Monday: The Competition

Okay, this is the second time around, but I am determined. Grrr...

I had a whole thing written about my love for fake food, etc. But I'm now too tired to re-write. So here are my picks.

So once a long time ago before kids, Jason, our friend Jon and I were at a British Pub in Claremont. (yea, I know) J insisted I try a scotch egg. If you don't already know it's a peeled boiled egg, wrapped in sausage and deep fried. It's death on a plate. This one is much less dangerous. Find is at British Cream Tea.
This store, Go Buggy, is down right now due to a brand new baby. However, once it's back up, I highly suggest you peruse. This little bowl of Udon Noodle soup is just a taste.

Unlike the scotch egg above, this particular toy is oh so healthy. This little salad is just asking to be dumped into bowl after bowl after bowl. Then fought over, separated, and finally hidden. Or maybe that's just my house. Find this at Doodle Bug Finery.
This grouping is actually reserved for someone else, but is a good example of what is sold at Smollerup. So CUTE.


Finally, BuggaBugs has some COOL felt food patterns. Here is a "lunch to share" and if I knew how to sew, I would TOTALLY buy all their patterns.
Okay. That's it. Go forth....you know the rest.

I need a Pass

So this Monday I was sick. Sunday too, but for this purpose, you only need to know about Monday. Believe me, you're happier that way. My awesome in-laws watched the girls so I could rest and it worked! I feel much better now. However, I missed my Monday Etsy list. Then other things happened. I've been crocheting critters for some friends (almost done Elizabeth!) and last night Lena cut Pilar's hair. Yea. I know. Pilar is now sporting a bob and very short bangs. Lena was sent to bed early. Mostly to protect her from me. I'll post pictures once my camera has batteries. Yes, I know this is a right of passages of sorts (I tried to give myself Farrah Fawcett feathers in 2nd grade.....just in time for picture day.) but Lena did not cut her own hair, she just cut her sister's hair....Little evil freakin' genius. Why didn't I think of that.
Anyhoo, I will resume the Etsy list next Monday. Probably some stocking stuffers. I'll have to think about it.

Busy but Happy

So I've been busy crocheting foods for my upcoming craft fairs. I'll be selling my wares this weekend at the Winter Workshop Bazaar at Fort Vancouver HS, at South West Parent Child Co op next Thursday, and the Winter Bazaar for Head Start on December 13th. I'm also doing some craft trades for stocking stuffers for the girls. Surprisingly, I still enjoy crocheting and seeing what I can come up with, so it's all good.

I've also been on a happy high since last week's election. I was not surprised or worried, as many people I spoke with were. I was looking forward to watching the election results with my family and applauding as state after state went blue. But at 8 pm pst, when CNN announced Barack Obama was the President-elect, I breathed a tremendous sigh of relief. I had not expected to feel so relieved, as if I had been holding my breath for a very long time without realizing it. I've been politically cynical for so long, it's taking some time to adjust to feeling hopeful. I'm not so naive to assume all is now right with the world (the passing of Prop 8 in California is proof enough that we have far to go before we are ALL considered equal under the law), but there is a sea change, and it is a start.

Something that Rhymes with Monday (only just): Art

So it is late. I've been crocheting like a mad woman and I almost forgot to post today. Today's theme is the reason I decided to do this in the first place. I find so many beautiful prints on Etsy (and purchased many too) that I wanted to share some of my finds. Here are a few....

Here is one I purchased for Pilar. I love the textured look of the Bear family and the gorgeous color. Helen, the artist behind Zuk Zuk has an incredible imagination and talent. I adore her work.

This next print is from New Zealand Artist Bernadette Sipkes. Her Etsy shop Sugarloop is one of my regular stops. I purchased this print for Lena. I love the detail on the little owl and the patient little cat.
I kept with the owl theme for this next one. This reminds me of some of the Cape Dorset prints I love. You can find more from Yellowmonday on Etsy.


Here is one I plan on purchasing soon. It makes me smile everytime I see it because it reminds me of Lena. As she gets older her imagination seems to run away with her and I sometimes wonder if this is the kind of thing she sees. I really hope so. Find more of Adam Record's work at his Etsy site Fall Down Tree and check out his blog for more recent work.

This is last though certainly not least. I love the clever design of this print. John W. Golden has a dizzying array of prints like this including Brush your Teeth, Keep it down, Eat your Vegetables, and Play Nice to name a few. I am giddy with the decorating possibilities. Those are my picks. Now go forth and shop.

Something that Rhymes with Monday: Let's hear it for the Boys!

I have girls. Therefore, I am often surrounded by pink princess-y stuff. So today's post is all about the boys! To be honest, either of my girls would LOVE any of these toys. I think most kids just like any toys in general - but I have noticed there really is a distinct preference that seems to run along the gender line. Girls and fairies or princesses, boys and trucks or dinos. This statement would have bothered me before I had kids. I assumed toy preferences were more nurture than nature, but once my girls started cuddling their dinosaurs like babies and using their dump trucks as cradles, I decided maybe there is something to gender based preference. So.....

This here is one of the cutest dinosaurs I've seen. You can find him at Carrot Fever. There are also stegosaurus and T-rex. If only there was a pink one, Lena would be in heaven.




I love these crayons. They are so clever and would be a fun thing to take to restaurants to keep the kiddies occupied. Find them at My Kangaroo.
I LOVE this map. I've been thinking about making one Dora style, but now (since both girls love pirates) maybe I'll just let someone else do the work. Unfortunately, this one is sold. I'm hoping a note to the seller will convince her to make another one. I found this at Blynken and Nod.



Okay, so this can technically be put in the "trucks and dinos" category, but it is way cute. So if your boy loves trucks, but you wish you could buy him something not made of plastic or metal, here's your toy! Find it at Elsie Marley.

Finally, a "manly" baby toy! Just what I've been looking for. Find this and a couple other tools at FEDE. The hammer and nail are particularly cute.


Now go forth and shop! Really....go.