my monster

Don't let that cute little smile fool you...there's monster in her blood. Estella has learned how to get up on the couch. She finds it to be a fabulous new trick while I find it to be a new source of constant heart palpitations. If I had to guess, I'd say that she thinks the best part of getting up on the couch is to watch me run across the room to catch her as she walks straight off of it. I can definitely thank her for the new gray hairs sprouting daily.

For those of you on computers that can handle a video, check out her animal sounds!

I've finished my Fritter family! I'm happy with how it all came out. Check out all of the pictures here. I'm hoping to have it for sale in the shop within the next day or so.

So, Juan Perez was well received, and I have an order for a couple more. I also have another idea for another Fritter that I'll try to sneak in some time on in between the Juan's. So, between my ideas, the Juan's, normal work and some additional work I've picked up, it look like I have a busy week ahead of me... nothin' new there...I better make the most of tomorrow!

let there be yellow!

In honor of our newly yellow house, some shots of our yellow dinner from last night. Really, it was just a coincidence, but it did seem to be a yellow kind of day.

Currently only the front of the house is yellow, but it loo

ks so much better that I had to write about it. It's such a major improvement to come home to a cheery yellow house instead of that ghetto pinkish, tan-ish peeling disaster.

As soon as the whole house is done and the grass is planted, I'll post a before and after so you can all marvel at the improvements.

I realize that this is a terrible picture but since this is supposed to be a craft blog, I thought I'd better put up some craft related material. The image is the start of a Fritter family. My mother-in-law, Chase, suggested a family and I loved the idea! Hopefully, this Fritter family will come complete with it's own house carrying bag...we'll see if the motivation sticks around.

Now that I've done my obligatory craft blogging, I get to sneak in yet another Estellla picture. I had to take the photo...every family album seems to have at least one shot of a kid eating spaghetti and why should ours be any different? Look at that cutie...how could I resist.

rare moments

Some rare moments, and even rarer pictures of Estella with us.

She and Walter spent some time on the computer looking at images and videos of birds. "Birdie", which comes out more like "baadee", is Estella's new favorite word. She points out the window and says it, she even says it in her sleep. She is extremely proud of her new word and takes every opportunity to use it. Sometimes she even uses it when she actually sees a bird!

The other image is of Estella and me before heading off to a birthday party...and no, I didn't plan the matching!

The book that I made the Birthday boy was well received, and almost made the dad cry! I'm glad they liked it, and was so encouraged that I decided to make Estella one. So far only the sketches are in the process but I figure it'll be a Christmas gift so I've got some time.

This week has been a bit more relaxing. The other house is done so Walter was around, and my mad rush for birthday and baby shower gifts is over. I worked a bit more on the sneak peek insects from the last post but haven't finished them. I can't figure out how to attach all of the parts so I took a break, switched gears and made a custom Fritter.This is Juan Perez. You can read all about him on his listing. The person I made him for doesn't know that he's been immortalized as a Fritter but hopefully he'll think he's so cool that he can't help himself and falls in love with him instantly.

Really, that's it for today. I'm looking forward to a nice weathered Memorial Day weekend with lots of yard sales and flea markets... I've gotta get in my pledge allowed shopping somehow! Happy-Long-Weekend to all of you with Monday off! Enjoy!

I'm baaack!!

Well, we are up and running in the Internet department...finally. And let me tell you, it's no easy task to set up the Internet...many frustrating phone calls to Verizon. Well, all's well that end's well, or something like that...

Now to catch up...

The pledge is going very well. My strategy so far is to avoid all shopping areas like the plague, and it seems to be working. No mess ups! Of course I managed to pick a super busy Birthday, baby shower and anniversary time of the year. I think the only more difficult two months I could have picked may have been November and December! Oh well, all that means is that I've been a busy little crafter!

This present is going to a 1st Birthday Party this weekend. You can see all of the actual pictures here (No peeking Leo!) There are also a couple of pics in there of a Baby Shower gift for a new family member who should be arriving soon!

My Honey Bee is done. I think he came out really well... he was made for the MIVEST challenge, so technically I need to get him up on Etsy before the end of the month. And I've also been working on a couple of new Fritters...yes, lots of arms...I'm on an insect kick. So far these two have been giving me a ton of trouble. It's been one of those projects where nothing I try seems to come out as planned, but I'm sticking to it and hopefully will have some finished product pics to share soon.

And, finally, for all of you Estella lovers out there...
And here are some additional photos of the little monster for your viewing pleasure.

a quick update

Sorry, no pictures today...just wanted to quickly let everyone know what's up.

We have moved! And like all good moves, nothing has gone right! The hot water heater wasn't working the first day and a half, the dish didn't work the first night and the Internet may never work!

I called yesterday to have it turned on...because usually that's all you need to do, and after an hour and 39 minutes- yeah, I timed it- we still don't have the Internet. We may have it on the 15th if the phone line is updated enough to accommodate high speed Internet....... The Internet is my lifeline, it's my link with the outside world, it's my way of unwinding after Estella goes to bed. I am not taking this well!

So, I am blogging quickly from work (don't tell the boss!) and besides this, you may not hear from me for two more weeks. Hopefully all will work out then and I'll have lots of updates on the compact, the house, my projects and other general nonsense. So until then, Happy May! (And Happy Mother's Day next weekend to all you Mamas out there!)

taking the plunge

We are taking the Mamas on the Compact pledge!! Yes I know Walter is not a Mama but since I do the majority of the spending, "Mama" will work just fine and he'll just sort of nod his head in agreeance while I'm off on my newest "thing"!

I have been recently trying to find ways to become a bit more "green". I bought the clothesline, I've started the compost, I plan to garden this summer...why not make it official and pledge to stop consuming so much!

Here goes:1. I am pledging to not buy anything new for a period of two months to begin May 1, 2008.

2. My reasons for doing this - I think I need to learn to be happier with what we have, which let's face it, is more than so many less fortunate than us. I also need to stop using shopping as a way of making myself feel satisfied, and I need to stop playing into the idea that you are what you can afford to buy! It really is all about differentiating between wanting and needing.


3. My plan for maintaining the pledge? Prayer! No, seriously, that may be the only way I make it through! But really, I can still buy used...that's allowed... so if I really get an itchin' for some shoppin', I can go to the thrift stores. Also, when I 'm feeling lonely and bored (which usually results in a shopping trip) I will try to spend time going for walks, making crafts, cooking, playing outside, and thinking of ways to be "greener" :)

4. Okay, finally the part where I get to justify a few things...the exemptions:

a) Building materials. We are after all still remodeling a house! This does not however exempt un-needed purchases such as furniture and decorations. I'm exempting trim and paint, that sort of thing.

b) Building materials. Redundant, maybe, but this time it's for the dwelling. We plan to use as much salvaged material (which is allowed) as possible but I'm figuring that some things will need to be purchased new. The reason I'm exempting this is because it's already in the works, and therefore needs to be built!

c) I have the husband on board as much as possible...however, he has come up with a few exemption of his own:

- Music for DJing...which is unavoidable and also a business expense.

- Very early morning coffee on the way to the hospital, because if he grinds beans at 6:00am it wakes me up and that makes me grumpy...but whenever possible, he will make it at home.

d) My appointment at SalonSalon. It was a gift from Valentine's Day and even though it will be paid for during the compact, it was given before hand. And dammit, I need some pampering!

e) Whenever humanly possible, I will make or purchase recycled gifts during my compact. If this does not seem humanly possible, I am exempting the purchase of modest gifts. No going overboard!

f) Bathing suits, socks and underwear. Three things I outright refuse to buy second hand!

g) Last but not least, let's be honest here, it's soon to be summer vacation. We plan to take a small trip as soon as Walter is done with school. I don't know if vacations are part of the pledge to begin with but I'll exempt it just in case... the cost of this trip is exempt but not purchases made on the trip. No new stuff! After all, there are thrift stores on vacation aren't there?

I think that covers everything. I know it seems like a ton of exemptions, but I'm supposed to list them up front and I may as well be honest, instead of saying I'm not going to buy anything and then end up cheating.

Also, to all of you family that may read this, this pledge includes things we may be given. Please no new purchases! If you would like to give us something, please send money for groceries, used or recycled gifts, or gift certificates to thrift stores. Thanks for helping us stick to our pledge!

busy, busy, busy

I haven't really done much with the Made In Vermont Etsy Team but this months challenge is to create a piece inspired by the Vermont state insect. It was sort of right up my alley so I'll give it a whirl...pretty obvious what it is, huh?
Today I started the curtains for Estella's new room. This is probably the most domestic project I've tried. I don't tend to go for the quilting and curtains and really tend to avoid most clothing. I have such a hard time taking my time and keeping lines straight and sewing hems and making things come out looking right. I think what it comes down to is that I don't have the patience for long seams. It's funny that I can't deal with making curtains but I can take the time to line the pockets on a doll dress. Go figure.

Well, whining aside, I have finished the tabs and the bottom hems. All I need to do is sew the lining to the front and hang them! At least she only has one window in her room!

Yesterday was a gorgeous day..sunny with a slight breeze. Estella had her first real experience with being outside in the grass. Last summer she was too small to really play outside, but I think that this year she will be spending lots of time in the new back yard. She seemed to really enjoy being outside and running around. I just have to hope she doesn't like to be out in the snow too. She's on her own if that happens!