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.