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

Our market last week was a great success! We had a really great turn out, it was a really fun day. This weekend is my last Christmas market. It's the Vancouver Farmer's Market at Heritage Hall. I did a market there last year and did well, so I hope this year is the same. I don't have as much stock as I'd like to have, but I have loads of good 'showy' pieces like my big dolls and mermaids. The mermaids turned out so well this time, I used my new embroidery fuction on my new machine. I never thought I'd use it..ever.. but now I'm thinking up ways that I can add embroidery to everything! I've had a really busy order week, almost 2 a day! I'm going to have to ask someone to watch Ben for a day so that I can catch up on my work. It's a hard balance sometimes being at home and working. I try to set aside time for Ben while I'm not sewing, but then an email comes through, or the phone goes. He's such a great little guy, he loves playing with his blocks or trucks on his own. We have sucessfully gone now with out ANY TV. He used to get some at my parents house, but after a long chat, they have not put the TV on while he's there. I'm tempted sometimes, when I just really need to get something done and I'm being asked 'what's this?' for the milllionth time..lol..such is life with a two year old! I am so lucky to be at home though, I really love it. Okay, I'll write again after my market and let you know how it went!

Today is the day before our big market. I'm not sure as to how it will go, I'm sure it will be a huge sucess. With all other markets I'm sure about how much stock to bring, what to sell, etc. Anyway, Ben and John have just gone out to the aquarium, so I have a few hours alone to sort through things and get them packed up and ready. I finally got some pics of the dolls all grouped together, they are up on my flickr site. Next week I have to start some of my orders, they are piling up..waiting to be created :) Johns dad is here from England this week and next, John is so happy to see his dad, it's great. Anyways, I'll write back tommorrow to tell eeveryone how it went. (Everyone,lol, no one reads this except myself! I have to figure out how to ge tthis out there!)

I am in the 'thick of it' for the next 3 weeks with my business. I had a WONDERFUL Saturday selling my dolls at the Vancouver Waldorf School. I sold more than I could have dreamed of. It was so great to be in an environment where your work is appreciated that much and the parents and staff were so supportive, it was amazing. (sniff, sniff!) I had my dolls up on display at Birkeland Bros. this month and have recieved loads of inquirys because of it. Birkeland is where I buy most of my wools and yarns, it's safe to say I must be one of their best customers. I get so much inspiration from going in there..just looking at the yarns gets my mind in overdrive :)
This Saturday is my first attempt at a private show. Luckily for me I am doing it with a marketing genius, my friend Bridgitte. Bridgitte owns Natural Pod, a company that sells treasures from around the world. She has wooden and natural toys, clothing, wooden 'Like a Bikes' and tonnes more..and of couse, my dolls :) I met Bridgitte last year at the 'One of a Kind' show at the Heritage Hall. Anyways, she has been working so hard to get this event going. I hope it goes well.
The following weekend is the Winters Farmers Market at Heritage Hall, that is always a big event. I am looking forward to seeing my customers from the summer time when I did the Farmers Markets at Trout Lake. I will continue to do them next summer even though I will be in Cobble Hill, they are a great event..and there is a wonderful lady who sells these red pepper jelly and chedder scones..mmmm..
I have to get going, we are putting Benji to bed now..

So much can happen in a week. We have decided to move to Vancouver Island in the Cowichan Valley. I am excited and nervous and overwhemled by all of this. Mostly excited though! We have always dreamed of living in a quieter more rural community. We will be sending Benjamin to the Sunrise Waldorf School, a school that I have heard nothing but good things about. This week we are meeting with 2 different Real Estate agents to talk about selling this place. Then we are going to Victoria this Monday for the day with an agent to have alook around at what is available. All of this during my craziest time of year!!

The dolls are going well. I am all full up for Christmas orders and am preparing for the upcoming Waldorf school Christmas Fair and the Winters Farmers Market. I'm a bit worried that I won't have enough stock.. It will all work out, I just have to trust that it will :)

Well, I'm going to get back to sewing..sew much to do!!

Whoo, haven't written in this for quite some time. Things are very busy here, I am gearing up for Christmas. I think that I will not accept anymore custom work and just concentrate on filling orders and getting my stock up for Markets. I just sent off a big shipment to Robert at www.mahardrygoods.com , some really cute babies. There is one little doll that looks just like baby Suri, I'd love to get it to TomKat. I posted some more dolls on my flickr site www.flickr.com/photos/bamboletta .
I'm currently searching for some help for the holidays, if anyone knows someone who's crafty and lives in Vancouver, please email me :) My lady that I normally use for sewing has fallen very ill, I hope that she gets better.
I've developed another type of doll, a pouch doll. This came about from going to the Waldorf school and talking to some of the people there about what kinds of dolls are age appropriate. I should get going though, have to make dinner.

I had my market today. It was great and went really well. It's a little bit hit and miss on long weekends, but I think most people were in town because of kids going back to school. Now I am just at home relaxing and winding down.
I'm so happy to find out that we got into the Parent and Tot program at the Waldorf school in North Vancouver. I'm really excited about this. It runs for a few hours once a week and starts next Saturday.
This week I'm going to get started on all my custom orders, I have so many to do! I'm also going to get my lists organized for Christmas. I think that I'm only going to do the Christmas Market at Heritage Hall on Dec.9th and 10th and the Fair at the Waldorf School which I believe is on the last weekend of November. I think I'm going to be really busy with internet orders over Christmas so I don't want to over do things.
I'm going to go take a nap.
No one actually reads this, but if someone does you can see what I do at www.bamboletta.com or see my pic's at www.flikr.com/bamboletta/photos.

today is my birthday. i'm 31. hmmm, don't know how I feel about this :)
I'm all ready for the market tommorrow. I'm quite excited about this one as it is my last one of the season. I used to get so nervous about doing them, staying up all night worried about this and that. now, I truly enjoy them. there is a lady there who makes the most AMAZING scones, they are still warm when you buy them in the morning and are made with chedder cheese and red pepper jelly..oh, my mouth is just watering thinking about them. I had Asha and Jenny from the Waldorf school come by a few dolls from me. they are both such nice ladies. I donated a few of my older dolls to the school's after care program. It was just such perfect timing, Johna nd myself were just discussing what to do with my old dolls. I have a few that were made a few years ago and don't really meet my selfimposed standards. They are cute, but look way different then my new ones. I also meet with Lori, the sweetest grannie that is going to start sewing for me. I am so glad to have found her!! She used to be a seamstress in China making, get this, doll clothing!

So, this is my busy week. I'm a little overwhelmed right now as Benji isn't sleeping very well right now. He seems to be dropping his nap and is now petrified of going to his room. Poor little man, we are going to buy him a new bed and make some changes to his room to maybe get him excited about his room again. We'll see if it works.
I've had quite a few orders roll in this week. I'm excited to get started on them. So many cute colour combo's.. I have a tonne of ideas for their clothing. I just finished a 12" boy. I don't make many boys, just because they don't sell..or isn't because I don't make many? Hmmm, anywyas, I think I'll be making more of these little guys. I'll post a pic soon.

I had a fairly productive day today. My great friend Iris came over and watched my little guy for a few hours while I got some work done. I have my last summer markdet on September 3rd that I have to prepare for. The markets are so much fun, I've met so many great pwople. When I do markets I have to prep many 'little' things, such as my pocket elves, and a new doll that I'm going to be trying out this market which is a blanket doll. It's for newborns, basically a head with a little blanket body, it's really cute. I think one of the best things about it is that parents can throw this doll in the wash.
I got a call today from a film studio about making some more dolls. I'm not sure of the details but I'll keep everyone up to date on what happens.
Well, I should get go, I have to put the little one to sleep.

This is my real life doll and one of my Bamboletta Dolls. Ben is about 2 in this picture!