I was going to close this blogger account and move everything over to my website blog but I can't figure out how to upload photos and a few other things on the new one. So, I'm keeping this one for now and just import these posts to my new blog..until I figure things out.

Today I taught John how to stuff the dolls. So his offical titles will now be 'headmaker' and 'body stuffer' along with 'best husband..ever!'. I'm slowly working him into sewing, something he says he will never do. Hmm, I have other plans for him!

I've moved my blog over to my Bamboletta website. Please come by and take a look at my new website!

Trucks

This little video was taken a few days ago. Ben is teaching Jasper about trucks. My little boy is obsessed with trucks. I never knew the difference between a backhoe and a frount end loader before Benjamin came into my life :)

I put a new doll up for sale on Natural Pod. Her name is Eva. I knew an Eva in my childhood and she really liked pink. I don't usually do my dolls in all pink, I think the market is saturated with pink for girls. But, sometimes it's pretty darn cute. Like my boy and trucks..lots of little girls just like pink. Is it us as parents that push it on them? I don't think so. I mean go into any kids shop or toy store and you are bound to see the stereotypes but there is some reasoning behind it. I used to think it was social conditioning that had boys playing trucks and girls wearing pink but I know ,as a parent myself, I certainly didn't encourage it. I make dolls for goodness sake!! It seems to just be something innate, from when Ben was about 9 months old his face would light up when a truck rumbled past. And his first word...truck.

Wool Glorious Wool

This beautiful handspun wool was sent to me from a customer wanting to use it on her daughter's custom doll. I love the result! I am quite the wool collector, perusing wool shops is really one of my top favorite things to do in life. I get so excited when I see a new wool and can immediately imagine the doll I will create with it, or the sweater that my Nonna will knit with it. This wool comes from the Spun Monkey it is very delicious!

Experience

A few days ago John and Ben went into Vancouver leaving me alone with Jasper for the whole day. When Benjamin was this age I remember feeling so proud if I managed to get a load of laundry done. Now, alone with Jasper, I went and did a massive grocery shop (at the bg yellow store..has anybody checked out their kids clothes? Organic baby clothes..at the big yellow store!! who knew?!) did 2 loads of laundry, made cookies, finished up a doll, organised Ben's playroom and my new workroom AND managed a shower. Hmmm, if I knew then what I know now..lol! I'm sure mom's with 3 children say the same thing about mom's that only have 2 children!

This pic is of ben's new playroom that used to be my old workspace. I moved my workroom downstairs to seperate my work from home. I have an lady starting to work for me on Tuesday 3 days a week doing some cutting and sewing, I really like her and hope that this will work out. More about that on my next post, Ben is begging me to make voices for all his trains...again!!

Business

This week has been really interesting. John and I have been looking at the business side of the dolls, material costs, time costs, etc. It's all a huge mathematical equation. I am so impressed with my husband and his business knowledge, I have no idea about this stuff. I'm so lucky to have him.

I should be posting a new 12'' tomorrow, I just have to make her clothing today and I'm working on 2 14" dolls, one for sale and one custom fairy. I look forward to doing the fairy, the customer supplied the hair (yarn) and it's a beautiful handspun cotswald yarn, all twirly and bumpy..it'll look great. This pic is of my new pouchy dolls that I just put up for sale on naturalpod.com, some of them use my new fabric from superbuzzy.

Blanket Dolls

This week I've been working on these blanket dolls. They are really fun to make and so snuggly to hold. I love the simplicity of their design. I decided some time ago to make my blanket dolls using only organic materials. These dolls are meant for babies and we all know how much babies love to 'explore' their toys (ie chew) so it was important for me that these dolls have no chemicals on them. I also made them so they can be washed by making their head extra firm as to not lose shape while washing. I just ordered in a heap of organic velour that I am going to experiment dying so that I can get some different colours. I got a natural dye kit from Maiwa in Vancouver that I'm itching to use. Fun times!

Comfort

I think I have a 'high need baby'. The little man doesn't ever want to be put down, he's fussy and irritable and is constantly wanting to eat! It's a good thing he's so cute I tell you, even his crazy seal pup looks make me melt! Jasper is the total opposite of what Benjamin was as a baby. I could even tell this when he was inside my belly, kicking about, always moving. I've come to really appreciate slings. I am a self confessed sling junky, owning 8 different types of carriers in total. By far my favorite is the Karma baby carrier, you just pop him in and out, it folds up small and best of all it's in organic cotton! I love it, it gives me comfort. I've been able to sew with him in the sling, play with Benjamin, and even make an apple crisp! (not around the oven though..that's bad..) Anyway, Karma slings are available at www.naturalpod.com in the baby section. Not that I'm trying to sell you anything, I just really love this sling and want to spread the joy :)

Oh jeeze, 10 days since my last post... the shame!

I've been shipping the gals off to different publications for their 'holiday gift guide' issues. I don't want to say which ones, because who knows what can happen between now and then. I'd feel a bit embarrassed if I was talking about them and then for some reason it doesn't happen :) Anyhow, I let you know when it happens.

It's been blanket doll time here at chez Platt. The school store at the VWS starts up soon and I need to stock up on my smaller items, ie blanket and pouchy dolls. (*oh my goodness! I just peeked into my sling and baby Jasper gave me his second ever smile..sniff, sniff!*) I did make a large doll too, Celeste, who is one of my favorite dolls that I've ever made. Next week I start to work on some baby dolls.

We went to Vancouver for a short visit and to stock up on fabrics, thread and such. We stopped into the aquarium for Benjamin and took in the dolphin show. This is a shot from the seal exhibit. The aquarium is one of 3 things I miss about Vancouver (1. ikea, 2. sushi and 3. the aquarium) There are people I miss too, obviously, but these are my three things.

Cute!
My dad came to visit recently. I caught the two boys having a nap on the couch.

New Website

Just a quickie as I am doing this at 1am while typing with one hand, holding baby Jasper. Here is the mock up for my new website! I wanted something fresh and cute and am working with an illustrator and design team at aeolida. I just wanted to add some illustrations to the site but it still operates using a wordpress design. So, soon, I will be shutting down my blogger site and moving things over to my wordpress/ bamboletta.com site blog. This way I'm all in one place. I think I'll still keep my flickr account open though.
I also met up with a mutual friend of my friends (if this makes sence) to start working for me making some clothes and my more simple dolls. She is a really great mama and has the nicest energy about her. I've got a great feeling about this 'relationship'. She went to costume design school in NS and is so full of knowledge about pattern drafting and construction, I'm sure she'll teach me a thing or two! We are going to meet up weekly and work together..lol, while our babies (hopefully) sleep! This week she is constructing some new dresses for my 14" dolls..I'm so excited. I gave her some olive and tangerine coloured organic fabric to work with, we'll see what we can come up with.
I'm posting a new doll this afternoon on www.naturalpod.com, she is very sweet and her name is Bree :) This week I am working on getting some more blanket dolls and pouchy dolls made.

Timing...
I've never been so busy in my life personally with a new baby (who *loves* to eat!) and an active 3 year old, new house, husband and dog (in no particular order!). All this is going on and at the same time I have never been so busy professionally. I've had loads of press lately including this new one http://www.babyvibe.ca/Archives2007/Aug27,2007.cfm , CityTV, Shared Vision and a couple of other things. Store inquiries daily, requests for customs and I just can't seem to make dolls fast enough to put up for sale on NaturalPod. No complaints :) I think it's the universe pushing me to take a jump with the business. John and I are really considering him leaving his job so we can do this together. Our lives are really simple, we aren't looking at making heaps of money, it's never ever been for the money (as any dollmaker can attest to!) but to think that maybe, just maybe we could do this. Stay home and raise our family together doing something that makes us so happy..hmmmm (smiling)

Sweet!

Woke up this morning to an inbox full of emails about a little blurb about me in http://www.sweetspot.ca/sweetmama_vancouver.php So exciting!

What I'm really happy about is that they mentioned me to be a 'husband and wife' team. We've been talking about the possiblity in a few years of John not working anymore and the two of us just being at home taking care of the kids and making dolls. I think he's gotten past the 'girly' aspect of making dolls and has even mentioned he'd like to learn how to 'machine' (man code for sewing). He already helps out so much and makes my heads and cuts fabric and wool for me, but I think we are ready to step it up a notch. I'm also on the look out for some help with making some of my blanket and pouchy dolls.It'll happen.

08-22-07


Hello, Dolly

Our first love? No, it wasn’t Tony in grade school. It was our first doll, Tina. She was more than a doll, she was our baby. We'd like to give our daughter the same memories, but finding a worthy faux-friend hasn't been easy.

Our search finally ended with Bamboletta, an all-natural, handmade doll company located on Vancouver Island. These one-of-a-kind gems ($80+) are made with the purest materials available (think organic cotton for the skin, lambs wool stuffing, and a mixture of non-synthetic yarns for hair).

Made with love by a husband and wife team, Nonna herself is busy handknitting the gorgeous sweaters (too bad they didn’t come in adult sizes). And this family is only getting bigger. Since the creator has a baby on the way, she is limiting the amount of custom orders she’ll be taking this year for Christmas (Note to self: Order it now!).

The dolls come in an endless variety of sizes and types (babies, toddlers, mermaids and faeries), making it impossible not to find any child's first love. (Unless, of course, she’s already met Tony in grade school.)

Bamboletta
www.bamboletta.com

Yummy!


I found this new lopi yesterday while exploring a new yarn store at the 'Whipletree Junction'. The store is called 'The Loom' and it is an absolute treasure trove of wools, fleece, spinning and weaving supplies. My heart was racing and I was a bit breathless as I explored all the nooks and crannies of this store. Products were lined up and down, floor to ceiling with barely any room to move around in. I love these old school type of yarn shops. In Vancouver there is a new breed of yarn stores..ultra organized, house music playing, amazing Japanese Noru yarns and not a verigated baby acrylic in site. I love these kinds of shops too, they appeal to my aesthetic. But, the older shops are where I find my treasures. I'm so inspired by this delicious colour (in the pic it's mixed with a chestnut mohair) I'm working on a doll right now with this colour hair. I should be done by tomorrow night.

Kids are good, Jasper is fully taking advantage of the 'breast buffet' right now and is growing like a weed.

The Beauty of Handcrafted

Just look at this quilt! I was privliged enough to have Berrie from Moondchild Studio make this glorious creation for me. I am so happy with it. I have such admiration for quilters, it's always been something that I've wanted to do, just at the moment there just isn't enough time. Handcrafted goods hold a different feel to them. I always treat them a little better and they give me such pleasure one can feel the amount of love and care that goes into something handmade.

On the work front, I'm trying to get back at it. I had Jasper in the sling while I was sewing today, I think the noise helped him sleep longer. I'm making 2 dolls for a potentially large promotion, I can't talk about it because it's not a sure thing yet, but it's very exciting! So tonight is a night of breastfeeding, Nip/Tuck and John making heads..lol.

What a Week!

I feel as though I'm coming out of the abyss of birth. It's been a crazy, sleep deprived, love drunk, time warp of a week. My little Jasper is such an angel - I think I have chapped lips from kissing him so much! Thanks so much for all the emails, calls and pressies - we all feel really loved right now. I owe a huge thanks to my wonderful midwife Jane from Cowichan Midwifery Group, she went above and beyond for us. She's a Super Trouper ( I'm listening to Abba right now).

On the work frount (well, there is no work for a while..until I figure out how to sew while holding a baby, which I will, just give me time ;) ) Natural Pod had a legnthy segment on Breakfast Television on CityTV this morning. Bridgitte was a *star*, she was so great on TV, a total natural! Bamboletta got a great plug. I had my Baby doll, Mermaid, Large Bamboletta and blanket doll talked about..very exciting! Bridgitte even mentioned my Nonna (who does all my knitting). My parents taped the segment and are showing Nonna tonight. She'll be so excited.

Jasper has Arrived

He's finally here! I can't write much as I am very, very tired... but, here is Jasper, born July 31st. I'll write back soon it's been a crazy few days.

Meet 'Tofu'

So this is my son's new doll. I made him last night and put him on the bed for my little guy to wake up with this morning. I thought we were going to name him 'Toby' but Ben decided this morning that his name is 'Tofu'. Tofu went everywhere with us today, to the midwife, grocery shopping and played with Ben in the backyard. It was so sweet to see this little bond grow between them. As a dollmaker, I make the dolls for children but I don't get to see the interaction later on. Occasionally a parent and child will come by an event that I'm at with a previously purchaced doll and I get to see my dolls a few months ,perhaps a year later, loved and worn in. These times were always my favorite parts of the day. But to see Ben playing with and interacting with tofu was really something special.

Tomorrow I will post a pic of the fruits of my work 'week'. I have one more doll to sew a half a head of hair on and then I'm done..and on to my next 'week'.

Still no bebe. Midwife Jane says this baby is already measuring 8 pounds (give or take).

My Little Secret

I've never made Ben a doll. He has a few dolls, but they are ones that just didn't turn out quite right, never sold at markets or are an older style that I'm not wanting to sell. He's never taken to any of them prefering to play with his trucks or trains, playing farm, kitchen or store..but never, ever with his dolls. I used to think that boys played trucks and girls played dolls due to social conditioning and I was convinced that my son would play with dolls and his trucks..ha, ha..how many of us thought that?

Anyways, the past few weeks I've noticed an increase in his imaginative play. He's making voices for his different trains and using some of his gnomes to retell stories that I've told him. I asked him today if he'd like me to make him a doll and rather then the 'no mama, it's okay' he responded with an enthusiastic 'YES!'. My heart sang, it is the right time for Benjamin to have a doll. His name will be Toby, he has tan skin, brown eyes and red hair (interesting combo..but he picked it) I already had the body made so Ben's doll will be made for when my sweetheart wakes up, I will work hard tonight to get the hair sewn on and face embroidered.

I'll post a pic tomorrow.

Still no baby, but I guess you probably figured that out by now :)

New Style Doll

I've made a new style of doll. Well, it's not really a new style, it's my large baby doll. I took the body and made a doll that , what I think, look like a toddler. Her limbs are all jointed which means they all move independently. I just posted her on www.naturalpod.com for sale. I love this tan skin tone with the brown hair.

I had such a lovely evening last night with a few good friends at this wonderful restaurant in Shawnigan Lake called Steeples (it used to be a church). It was so nice to have a long conversation not interupted with children. Sitting on the deck in the evening sun, I felt like just me..not a mom or a wife, but me - it was long overdue. This is one thing that I really miss about Vancouver. It was so easy to just meet up for coffee or grab a bite to eat with a pal. Here, you tend to stay home (really because it is such a nice place to be!). Anyways with my great new friends I've made and some more old friends moving to the 'hood - I think evening teas will become more frequent.

Still no baby. I'm thinking it's not coming until Christmas now. I had an acupuncture treatment yesterday to try to speed things along. No luck today.

About Half Way Through...

I made some great progress yesterday. John was off work and took care of Ben yesterday for long periods of time. I'll get the same today, the boys are headed to the trains for the afternoon.

I got 4 bodies assembled, 1 complete and I'm starting the large Babies hair. I'm going to try to post the doll that Ben is holding today on www.naturalpod.com . I'm going to try something a tad different with my large baby doll and dress him/her in clothing rather then a sleeper, so like a little toddler and not so much a baby. I've done this for customers before and I've always got feedback when I've done it.

I've always wanted to document how my dolls progress. What a better way then with a blog! So this is 2 days worth of work. It's quite a bit this time because I've done NO housework in 2 days and we haven't gone out much due to the gloomy rain. I'm making 3 babies and all their limbs are done and assembled to the bodies, the heads are made and it's all ready for assembly. Last night I actually finished a doll..I'll take a picture and post her tomorrow. John was in my workshop on the computer entranced by You Tube (he's only just discovered it) while I sew. It's a nice way to spend an evening..lol, aside from being interrupted every 10 minutes with "Hey, love, look at this goal that Liverpool scored - this was back in '84.. I remember this goal, whoa what a cracker that was, blah, blah, blah".

How I start my week..

This is how my work 'week' usually starts. My work week goes for 7 to 10 days depending on what I have to do. This one that I'm in right now is for 2 small babies, 2 14" Bambolettas and a large baby. I break my schedual down by day and try to follow it as best I can. Everything goes in the basket, thread, scissors, fabrics, tubing..you name it. This way I have a portable work station to take with me everywhere.

No new baby news. Just ready for him/her to make it's appearance ;)

This little gnome is a special order for Robert at www.mahardrygoods.com . He requested this months ago but with the move and general craziness I wasn't able make him until now. He really is one of my most favorite dolls that I've ever made. I sculpted in a chin and larger gnome-esque nose then sewn in some white boucle mohair. His hat is attached and I made a basic outfit using velour. His limbs are articulated so he can b posed in many different ways. I jointed them using my new, spiffy doll joints. They take a bit longer then jointing using the button method but the doll is SO much sturdier. I also made 2 new babies and a mermaid for him, all should be on his site in a few weeks.

I'm working on 2 custom dolls next week and then just 'stocking' up untill the baby makes an appearence. I've entered the stage of pregnancy where fear of labour has been replaces with a mix of really, really wanting to meet my our new baby and wanting my body to be somewhat normal again.

I've been trying to keep on the blog consistently, but have failed miserably! Over 10 days since my last entry..tsk, tsk.

We've been having lots of fun exploring our surroundings this week. There are so may great place to go to with little ones. This week we found a great place called Bright Angel Park, it's so beautiful there. It's a river that is perfect for little ones because it's calm and doesn't go past the knees. Very good place to be on these recent hot days.

I'm redesigning my website right now. I'm trying to streamline it and make it a source of information for my customers. I'll be adding a newsletter and another blog site among other things. I found a really great illustrator to work with, we are in the works to design an illustration for the site/ price tags/ business cards. I'm not sure that this is the best timing to be doing something like this, I can tell that this baby of mine wants out. It's moving around like a little acrobat.

I just finished up this breastfeeding doll for a customer of mine. I don't do these very often. It was a wonderful doll to make in my 'state' :)

These are my newest dolls. They are off to their new home in Toronto. I love that the mom got a mix of ethnicities for her kids. This was a really fun order to do. I just love doing custom orders for kids, working with parents to really make something special for their child.

This week Natural Pod will be at the Island Organics Festival in Victoria. So, this weeks work for myself is as many organic blanket dolls as I can possibly make. Every week until the baby is born is now 'booked' with orders or trying to build up my stock. I've already got my Christmas orders booking up. I'm taking a limited amount of custom work for Christmas time, I need to keep my time open to work on stuff for all the different shows and events.

My parents and sister came over for the long weekend. It was so great to see them all. Something about having your mom come to your home and just basically 'take over' is very comforting when you are pregnant.

Off to finish 'Lost' season 2 and make some heads. I'm happy and sad that it's over, I know that there is another season, but it's not on DVD so we are going to have to wait. I've never been into a show this much..well except for 'Melrose Place', but that was a long time ago.

Good news today. I found out that 'Shared Vision' ( BC Mag on holistic living) is doing an article on Bamboletta. I'm not sure of the scope or size, but it's exciting none the less. It's funny, I'm ring to slow things down with the 'biz' and interest is just growing and growing. Isn't that always the way?

Next week I am working on an order for mahardrygoods.com. I've created a gnome doll for the site that I'm eager to see posted, I'll put up a pic when I'm done him. There are also a few babies and a mermaid in the mix.

Good Lord, could this baby be ANY bigger? Everything is such an ordeal right now..going up the stairs, picking things up off the floor, you name it it's an event.

BTW my good friend Devon, who I have mentioned before is now officially blogging...http://talltreephotography.blogspot.com/ it's pretty new, but it will be a good one, I promise!

I've posted up 2 new dolls for sale on Natural Pod www.naturalpod.com. I also posted a cozy sherpa banket doll. I'll try to get some more blanket dolls done in the next few weeks. I've decided to only make the blanket dolls in organic fabric since they are for babies.

Nothing else exciting to report. I've spent most the day recovering from staying awake until 4AM! I've been wondering around like a bit of a zombie. Thankfully John was home so I could have a good nap this morning. I'm such a lucky lady.

This is a picture that my friend Devon from http://www.talltreephotography.ca took last week. I think my mom would be horrified I am showing this in public as everyone can see my underwear.

It's 1AM and I can't sleep. The irony of pregnancy, I can't sleep yet I am so, so tired.

Today we went to the Mill Bay Family fair. It was cute. A few of those bouncy castle types of rides and some stalls. The *big* event though was the fire truck..that had it's ladder fully extended! Ben was awe struck. It was hilarious to see all the teenage girls just hanging around all the hunky young firefighters. Lol, I'm glad I'm not 18.

I'm working on 3 large dolls for a customers order right now. It's wonderful, I'm doing an African American, an Asian doll and one to look like their Filipino nanny. Lots of fun with the different types of hair I can do. I've got 2 other 14" in the works as well for sale up on Natural Pod. John was busy tonight making all the heads. He is a master headmaker, ther is no way I have the stregnth to make them that tight. I honestly think that my dolls really progressed once he started making the heads for me. He's even mentioned a few times that he may be up for 'machining'..haha this is his man term for sewing. I am using some scraps of organic fabrics to make the new baby's washclothes and I think I'm going to ask him to serge the ends. Nice and easy and a simple square, just to get him used to the machine. I took a sewing class years ago that a man was one of my classmates. He loved the serger because it was 'like, the power tool of sewing'. I think this will be a good intro for John.

Still obsessing on Lost. We are almost through Season 2, thank God! I just can't stop watching it. I have to admit though, before I came online and blogged, I went and read about 5 episodes worth of spoilers ahead of where we currently are. I'm so lame! I just have to know about the 'Others'!

We headed down to the Farmers Market early this morning for first dibs on some yummy, fresh. local strawberries. Ben and I then spent the morning cleaning and freezing them for the winter. The market here is fantastic, there is everything you could want and more. I found a wonderful lady that sells fresh poultry and veggies from her farm every week. I've learned a lot about organic farming and eating from her the past few weeks. Her products are fantastic.

Those two Babies are my latest venture in jointing with doll joints. Little gal on the left has no hair, I'm waiting to hear back from a customer about what kind of hair she'd like on her. The other little gal will be up for sale either today or tomorrow on Naural Pod ( www.naturalpod.com ) . I'm working on a fairy next, inspired by the srawberry season! Im going to go to the 'Loom' yarn shop and see what kind of strawberry fairy hair I can find for her. I love making the fairies so much, you can just go crazy with them. When I was little I used to be obsessed with them, my mom says that when I was around 4 or 5 I used to think that dragonflies were fairies.

Well, gotta go and wake up Ben from his nap..

This is my new little guy Samson. He's one of the 12" dolls that I just made up. I'm trying to make up more of these smaller dolls, they are such a nice size for little ones. Benji has a 12" doll , Emily, that is just perfect for him. Most of my customers are buying dolls for their 2 and 3 year olds and the 17" dolls are just a tad overwhelming. When I was checking back on the Natural Pod site though I noticed I have a lot of Caucasian dolls..well, they are all Caucasian. I hadn't noticed everything had sold off. So, next week I'm going to work on adding a tad more 'colour' :)

So today we bought a minivan. It's a 2000 Toyota one and it's a pretty goldy/pearl colour. I NEVER thought I'd ever get a minivan..ever, but they really are practical. With the new baby coming and next summer's Farmers Markets, I think I'll get some good use out of it. It just seems like such a mom thing, you know? I should just come to grips with the fact that I am a mom..ha, ha!

I'll get some pics up of the new and improved Baby dolls tomorrow. One will be posted on Natural Pod tomorrow for sale. Her name is Stella and she has the most fantastic hair. One of the yarns I used on her is handspun by Lorna, the owner of Westcott Farms where I am getting my wool from. She has these beautiful dark brown sheep that she got the wool for this doll from. So, it hasn't been dyed..just carded and spun..beautiful! It's a bit of a yucky day outside and I can't get a good shot of her so I'll wait until tomorrow.

We've become obsessed with the show 'Lost'. We've been renting the series on DVD and it has taken over my life. Anyone else obsessed with this show?

I can't believe I'm having a baby in a few weeks, it all seems so surreal. This pregnancy has been so much easier then my last one, I keep foorgetting that I'm pregnant. I guess running after a 3 year old all day takes your mind off things. I feel pretty prepared though. I have a doula lined up and I *love* my midwife Jane. We are going to try for a homebirth but I'm open to whatever happens.

I'm tring to finish up some orders and get as much stuff on at Natural Pod as possible. I'm not sure how well new baby and dollmaking will go together. John is going to try to get 3 months off paternity leave which would be just dreamy. I'm fielding wholesale requests weekly and had a huge American company enquiring about the dolls a few weeks ago, but at this moment my focus is to be a mom. After baby is born, I'm going to really look at Bamboletta and where I want it to go. There are a few crafty mamas that I met in Cobble Hill that I think I can get to make my smaller dolls like my Pouchy, Blanket, Toddler and Lavender Cuddlies. Then I can make the Babies and various sized Bamboletta's.

Speaking of my Babies (the cloth kind), I've redone how I joint them. I love the button jointing, but it isn't the most sturdy if you have a rambuntious young child. Kids love to spin the arms round and round and round (because they can!) and the previous jointing would snap. Anyhow, I started looking at how teddy bears were constructed, ones with articulated limbs and wanted to construct the Babies the same way. I ordered in some joints and through some trial and error am really pleased with the results. I dislike that they are plastic, I hate for anything plastic to be in my dolls, but, I figure it's better then a child playing with a doll and it's arm falling off! Not a good scene!

I have to say a big THANKS to my good pal Devon, who gently reminded me of how lame a blog that is updated monthy is.. she is starting a blog soon about her photography and we have decided to become blog buddies and make sure that each other posts regularly. More on her when she get's up and running....

I love where I live! This is what we did this morning.

I can't believe it's been over a month! Spring is defintely here in Cobble Hill. John, Ben and I have been working hard in the garden - planting beds, putting in a veggie patch and endlessly mowing the lawn. John and I were talking today about how absolutely content we feel out here. Our only regret is that we didn't moveout here sooner. We've met some really great people and are starting to feel part of the community. I'm such a 'putter' person and living on some land, in the country raising litle ones is my putter heaven!

The dolls are doing well. I just finished up 6 new dolls for Natural Pod. They aren't posted yet, Bridgitte is at a confrence this weekend and I thought it'd be better to post them after it's done. I go and pick up 20 pounds of wool on Saturday from Westcott Farms. It's a local farm that raises their sheep organically. These sheep have a great life, they are so loved. If I ever come back as a sheep, I want to live here! Anyways, I am happy to have found this place. I am really trying to make a product that is sustainable, natural and local. I've also decided to only make my baby blanket dolls using organic materials. I always thought I was fairly aware and holistic, but living here just amplifies my decisions to be as environmentally consious as possible. The surrounds here are so beautiful, the people here are so aware and having all these farms around, many of which grow organic food really puts awarness in your face. All this and maybe because I'm pregnant, that always seems to put things in perspective.

My parents are coming to visit this weekend. We are all looking forward to seeing them. I'm taking them to something called 'Kids and Apple Pie', it's a fair in Cobble Hill. I'll keep you posted on how that goes, apparently there is a good silent auction.

I took this picture this afternoon in our frount garden. There were 3 deer together munching on new shoots. I'm sure this won't be so cute in a few months when all my veggies are coming up!
I'm in the process of designing the garden right now. Our frount gets loads more light, so I'm putting in our veggie patch there. (with deer fencing!). I'm thinking of hiring a landscape designer to help me map out my space. It was easy with our Vancouver house, our property was about 20 times smaller then this one. We also have a speptic field to deal with and I'm not too sure as to how you plant around that.

I've posted a few more dolls on www.naturalpod.com for sale. Now I'm working on finishing up 3 dolls for orders, then I'm starting on a 'family' of five African American dolls for another order..so cute. I can't wait to see them all together. After this I will be doing a series of 6 dolls in a 12" size. I love this size of doll to make. These dolls will be for sale through Natural Pod and I should have them done in about 3 weeks or so. I'm waiting for a shipment of new clothing to come in from my friend Lenna in Nova Scotia. New dresses, pants, skirts and tshirts for my larger 17" Bamboletta. Once it's in I'll be sure to post a picture up. I'm in Vancouver next week and will be sure to make it to Fabricana (the cutest fabrics!). I'm going to stock up and ship some fabric off to Lenna to make up some new clothing for my mid size Bamboletta's.

Mahar Dry Goods has posted 2 new dolls up on the site www.mahardrygoods.com There is a blonde baby and an Asian baby on there. Robert has such fantastic products, a super fun way to waste an hour!

It's been a little over a week in our new home, but it feels as though we've been here forever. I am so in love with this place. John and I haven't been able to wipe the grins off our faces since we arrived. I've met so many lovely people here, everyone is so welcoming. Yesterday we went into Duncan to see the Farmers Market and I was so impressed with the size and caliber of crafts, baking, soaps, etc. It was easily double the size of the Vancouver one and there weren't any produce farmers there yet. Anyhow, I will try to attend one in the next month or so.

I've just finished 4 dolls. 2 are already on www.naturalpod.com for sale and the other 2 will most likely be up tomorrow ( my dig camera ran out of batteries!). I've made 2 large Bamboletta's, one with curly red hair and one blonde, and 2 medium Bamboletta's, one Asian girl and one brunette. I'm working on more blanket dolls this week, so I should have those up soon. The picture here is of the red headed large Bamboletta.

What a NOB!!

Thanks for all the sympathy emails over the whole oil tank debacle. Turns out, to make a long story short, we don't even have an oil tank! I always assumed that we had one and that we had it filled and drained, but three different oil men have found no traces of a tank. I'm not sure what we paid someone 5 years ago to drain and fill, but it certainly wasn't a tank. We are too relieved now to feel upset over what happened 5 years ago. Phew! Now I just can't believe I'm moving in a week, I'm actually getting excited now.

I'm sending off 2 dolls today to Robert for his website, a cute little Asian baby and a blonde one. I'll take a picture before I send them off and post them up. I'm trying to get a little work done, but things are so hectic around here right now I'm having a hard time. I'm getting a large order in of 'hair' in the next few weeks and have just commisioned someone to spin me some merino in some beautiful hair shades. I'm able to get so many variations for blondes, but not so many for my other hair colours - mainly browns. We'll see how it all turns out.

What a wonderful day I had yesterday. I attended the first ever Vancouver Birth Fest. This space had local midwives, doulas, sling makers, mama businesses..all things wonderful, natural and empowering about birth. I felt like I knew almost all the mama's there either attending or 'working. I feel so sad that I won't have this wonderful support network around me when I am going to have my baby, but I'm sure that the Cowichan Midwives and birth support people are fantastic too. I had so many of my customers from the markets and fairs over the summer and winter come back and tell me how much their little one's love their dolls. What an enormous difference this was to another commercialized baby fair I attended before I had Benji. Formula samples, disposable diapers and educational videos was all that I really remember from that. The women in Vancouver are so fortunate to have such a strong voice for alternative childbearing and child rearing behind them.

So, I move in 10 days. We have had a major setback with the house (Van house) though. To make a long story short, even though we had our oil tank drained and filled 5 years ago, had environmental testing which came back clean, and was just about to get what is called an abandonment certificate we have to get our tank removed. I have never felt so much stress in my life over anything before. Endless phonecalls from realtors, oil men, visits from the city, environmental protection. All this while being pregnant, which is kinda like being awake and having your mind spinning at 4am - all the time! I had about 4 days of intense panic that the seller would pull out, we would be stuck with two houses, we'd get sued, etc. Jeez, and we thought we were doing the right thing by having it dealt with all those years ago. The oil tank people have to rip off our frount steps, shore up our porch and possible remove half of it, take out about 20 feet of our paving stones and dig the sucker out. If they have to bring in an excavator then we have to take down our fence (this fence , my picket fence, had hours of thought put into it...lol, oh how luxurious is life before children!) Anyways, it has to be done - there is nothing we can do about it, it's just a pity that the new owner is going to lose so much garden.

Enough about that, I'm getting a tummy ache thinking about it. I'm thinking I'll have about 2 dolls posted by the end of the week a mid size bamboletta and perhaps another baby. I am finishing up an order for Mahar which I am trying to get sent out before I leave. I am looking forward to settling down over there and getting into some serious doll making, I'm really wanting to make up some mermaids, I haven't made those up in a while.

Well, John and I are off to have some breakfast at White Spot. Benji is a Grandmas so we have a few hours to ourselves.

We signed off on the house yesterday, so it is all legal and done with now..I have an address! Yesterday John and I went on a date, my mother was kind enough to take Ben for the day. We went to Red Robin, it's funny..we had a choice of any restaurant in the city and we go to Red Robin. But, when a pregnant lady is craving gooey cheese sticks, well, she's got to have them! That afternoon I treated myself to a facial at Skoah, which was hands down the best facial I've ever had, really. I recommmend the 'Facialious'.

I've finished up an order for Quiet Hour Toys. I'll post a pic as soon as I take one. Those 5 dolls that are in the picture are for Natural Pod. Natural Pod will be at the Vancouver Waldorf School on Thursday March 1st from 11 to 4 selling all kinds of wonderful things. Next week I hope to finish up a large baby, small baby and another 14" Bamboletta for NP, so those should be posted up on her site soon. Bridgitte has been working day and night to get the site up and running and it should be happening within the next few weeks. If you are interested in a doll though, you can email her and she has prepared a 'collage' of what dolls she has available for sale, there is quite a good assortment.

Just as a side note, I can't stop listening to Amy Winehouse. What an incredible voice and style. Download her song 'Rehab' (no, not about Britney!) and you will know why she is #1 in England..fantastic!!

It looks as though we may have bought a house. It isn't the one with the chicken coop, but it does have 1/2 an acre, so I'm sure I can swing a couple of chickens in there :).When we find out for sure, I'll put up a picture of it. I've been busy organising things for the move and getting ready for everything that is upcoming. Thankfully John's work is pitching in for the move so I'm getting people to come and pack up for us, that will save us a huge headache.
I have just finished an order of dolls for Molly at 'Twirl' a new store in Taos, New Mexico..so, if you are in the area, you should check it out. I'm about to start on a new order of dolls for Mayhardrygoods.com .Robert has asked me to create a gnome doll especially for his store, a project that I am really excited about! I will let you know how it all goes. There are a few events in and around Vancouver coming up with Natural Pod, I'll get the dates soon and post them up here. Bridgitte has a good selection of my dolls and am trying to replenish her stock weekly.

Phew, that was a stressful week. Our home had multiple offers on the day of our Open House last Saturday and today all the subjects came off. We did pretty well and got above our asking price. Hubby has already spent the extra $$ (in his mind) on new gardening and greenhouse equipment and I’ve spent it (again in my mind) on getting tonnes of dollmaking supplies. Lol, we are so lame!

We are off to Vancouver Island to look for a new home tomorrow. I am eyeing one on the internet that has a chicken coop. This is very appealing. I’ll let everyone now how things are progressing.

I’ve finished making up a Daffodile Fairy this week, she is inspired by all the lovely green nubbins that are poking through the soil in my garden. I’ll post a pic as soon as I can find my camera. I’ve also made up 5 new blanket dolls. As soon as I find the camera I’ll post all these pics and have them up for sale on Natural Waldorf Toys. I also finished up a doll for a little girl in California today, she turned out really well. I’m trying out some new yarns that I had custom made for doing the dolls. I’ve found a wonderful spinner that is spinning different types of wools with mohair to make a slub yarn in ‘hair’ colours.

I really have to post on here more often. Well things haven't seemed to slow down here in doll making dining room. I'm fielding wholesale requests weekly now and the orders haven't seemed to slow down at all. This is GREAT, I am so excited but I think I need some help. I've just talked to my Aunt Maria, the very woman who started my love affair with crafting and she is very willing to help me out making the doll bodies. I really want to keep this business in the family. I am so conscious of what kind of energy is around these dolls, our little ones are just so sensitive. It looks as though the move is happening in April..we finally got some kind of date from John's work. I've enrolled the little guy at the Waldorf school in Duncan. I am so excited to become part of that community. I'll miss my parents dearly, but I'm convinced that they will move to the Island with us..they just don't know it yet!! This picture is of a doll that I have up for sale on etsy.. www.etsy.com/bambolettadolls