My camera is in Kenya.

Its the tenth day since my husband has been on a trip to Kenya.  He took the camera and of course since he took the camera I can think of about ten things I'd like to post but can't since he is currently taking numerous picture of animals in their natural state.  So I'll use this post as a teaser. 

Here are the things I will take pictures of and post about in the near future (as in the next two weeks).  I found some really cool vintage sheets this past week.  One has big pink and black daisies and another was still in the original packaging.  It had bright pinky red flowers on it.  I am always so psyched when the sheets are still in their original packaging.

 I've also been working on some holiday napkins for an upcoming craft show.  Two of the fabrics are Alexander Henry designs and are so rich to look at.  As I was getting them cut at the Joann's counter two women were staring weirdly at them telling me with fabric hoarder envy that I had beautiful fabrics.  This struck me as strange and the thought popped in my head, "you could have pretty fabric too just tell the nice lady to cut you a yard."  (A short digression, my mom and I were fabric shopping last week and she kept exclaiming loudly how gorgeous different fabrics were just to make the lady near us jerk her head over to look in envy...hi-larious.) 

One last thing I'd like to post a picture of is a piece of what I guess you'd call wall art that I found while thrifting.  Its this vintagy, circa 1970's tree with flowers and animals perched on its limbs.  I really liked the animals and I like looking over at it during the day just to admire its cuteness. 

When my camera returns from its safari I will post pictures of these teasers and maybe throw in a picture of Kenya to boot.

My little girl turns two tomorrow.

Our little sweet pea will be two tomorrow, however today she was definitely ringing her birthday in early with the assertiveness and willfulness that come with being two.  I know its no revelation, but she has changed so much in the two years we've had with her and it amazes me how many phases she's already been through in such a short time. 

We are excited that her Nana and Pop Pop will be in town to help her celebrate and are giving Micah and I a night away for our present...three cheers for Nana and Pop Pop.  Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah!  

For her birthday I made her two dolls from The Black Apple instructions given on Martha Stewart.  She has already been playing with them and likes to tie the scarf so tight on one doll that its face squishes inward.  The tea set is something that I've been eye-balling for a while.  She likes to play with cups and pretends to drink coffee from them...obviously my daughter!  I had hoped to make her some cloth napkins to go with the set but alas they are unfinished (meaning I haven't even cut them out) and probably will be a Christmas addition.

My "new" favorite piece of furniture.

My thrift store karma was really good the day that I lucked up on this cabinet.  Its an old china cabinet that I'm using to store my fabric, craft books and various sewing odd and ends.  I like the look of the wood and hope this picture captures how beautiful it is and how it was well loved by its previous owners (as evidenced by the worn places).  I guess I've always thought of china cabinets as a piece of furniture that displays items but is never used.  This one was definitely used and served a purpose that kept its owners going back to it over and over.  I like to think it has a second life of usefulness in our home.  I also love the way it lets me stare at my fabrics and appreciate their beauty.  

Why I Create.

I create for a ton of good reasons...
a.) my mom created and I feel inspired by how she enriched our lives with her handmade ceramic, Halloween costumes, Easter dresses, tooth fairy pillows, dolls and the list truly goes on and on. 
b.) I create because as a mom to a toddler I have days full of tasks that seem to be endlessly cyclical and crafting gives me a task that has a definite beginning and a definite ending (in other words it keeps me from going postal). 
c.) I create because I believe there is an innate desire to create beauty...it fulfills something deep within me that wants to make the world a better place and this brings me great joy.
d.) I create because I love to see my daughter in handmade clothes and surrounded with the infused love of handmade things. 
e.) I create because many times it is economical...using a pattern over and over, using vintage or repurposed materials, making gifts for others, all of these things help our budget.
f.) and finally I create because I have real concerns about how much we consume in our home and how easy it is to consume so much...I believe in being a good steward of all the things the earth gifts us with (this is also one of the biggest reasons why I thrift). 

There are more reasons why I create but these are the ones that float to the top for me.  Maybe some of them resonate with you too.