First school picture

Gray skies, drizzly days... fall is definitely here in Portland. Though I'm not too bothered by it, lack of sunshine means no photographing for me. And no photos, no blogging. At least that is my excuse for being gone for a while.

But this week's been gorgeous. I felt guilty for having cool, fresh air to breathe as I thought of all my friends who are dealing with nasty smoke down in Southern California. I was glad to hear that much progress was made today. The past week I've kept busy trying to stock up the shop before the holiday shopping season. I had so many different product ideas in my head and had to take some time to think carefully so as to not lose focus. I've been really wanting to make some paper products so I may do that for the holidays if they turn out the way I envision them.

Anyway, Piglet's doing great in school. Her very first school pictures were ready today. As I looked for her envelope, I got that same feeling in my tummy as I did back in junior high/high school when my school pictures came out. You know the feeling of anticipation and hoping for no closed eyes or funky smile that meant retakes. I'm sure that's not even a concern these days with digital cameras and all, but still I was delighted by her big heartwarming smile. Wouldn't you agree?


And here is her lovely class picture. It is a mystery to me how they get seven 2-year-olds to look so composed!


I've also been doing more sewing projects. I was getting sick of the same ole summery green tote I've been carrying around all summer so I made this out of fabrics from Bolt. Once again, instructions were out of Amy Karol's book, and I just am so pleased with the way it turned out. I've actually been using it for a few weeks and it's holding up great too. I was sure a strap will fall out or something. I still can't believe I made it... it's very encouraging and I feel as if I can sew anything. Okay, not really...


A closeup of the fabric


I also made this little diaper pouch for carrying around diapers and wipes. I don't know why I never had this. It is such a good thing opening my bag and and not seeing a big diaper that's all scruffy on the outside from carrying around for so long. I love this fabric and the swirly detail on the button just can't be more perfect.

5 minute bob

Lately Piglet has been pulling out anything I put in her hair. I hope it is a phase because I love making her hair clips and ponies... But her hair could use a trim and I felt ready to part with some of her hair for the first time. So we went to this kids salon. My thought? Geez, it's great to be a kid these days, for the most part. Piglet had a lot of fun playing with all kinds of toys in the waiting area and then sat in a little car and watched her favorite show, Blue's Clues, while the stylist went to work. 5 minutes later she ended up a cute little bob. It's more than a trim I had been looking for, but now we won't have to go back for a while. We left with a little baggie of her locks attached to a certificate to remember her first cut.

Doing great at first...


Then started getting antsy... thankfully before we knew it it was done!


So what do you think?

Before:


After:

My wish list... why not?

I've already begun to think about what I want for Xmas... just for fun!

A toaster/convection oven for quick meals. I love this beauty...


A new purse. In my favorite color, green.


And some new UGGs to go with Piglet's version. We're hoping for baby #2 next year so I'm not even really thinking about new clothes right now.




For Piglet, I love this modern doll house. It has sliding plexiglass doors. How cool is that?


Totally off topic, but I'm so saving this tutorial on how to hem jeans. I'm a little more comfortable with my sewing machine now and have to definitely give it a try.

Yumminess

The big news around here today is that for the first time, Piglet did not cry for me at preschool. I knew once she got over the initial separation anxiety, she would have a great time. And that's exactly what her teachers said she had today...

While she was in school, I headed over to check out what's new at Bolt. I love this store but usually convince myself that it is too far of a drive away. This is not really true- only took me 20 minutes- but perhaps it's a good thing that I don't go there often. I would buy the whole store if I could... they have the most yummy fabrics you could imagine. I ended up with these.

Smallish prints for creating for my little shop:


Thinking about making another toddler duvet cover:


And envisioning either a bag for me or some cushions for our white white couch:



Check out these new Crocs! They're so darn cute I could just scream... Love love love the cozy insert. I made a big funky flower out of felt and button, my version of this. These and baby UGGs should keep Piglet's little feet warm for the next few months. Lucky ducky.

Reading time

Spent all morning cleaning up. [Still have a long way to go. ] Came upstairs to find Piglet reading, along with the rest of her "friends." Love living for this kind of stuff...


Meet Cindy. She is Piglet's newest friend. I like the idea that she'll be Piglet's "baby" soon. On the other hand, her former love piglet is increasingly getting neglected around here. Anyway, I made Cindy a smock from Amy's book. The best part? No pattern enlargement. And it fits perfect. I hand sewed a felt front pocket and attached velcro on the back for ease. Piglet picked out the fabric. She's amused by the sewing machine.

Deceptively delicious

Loved yesterday's Oprah show on kids and nutrition. The thought of adding pureed veggies to whatever I'm cooking has crossed my mind on more than one occasion. I'm sure I'm not the only one here... Anyway, I guess because she is Jerry's wife, Jessica Seinfeld could write a cookbook about it and appear on Oprah. Nonetheless, I love the idea and I'd do anything to get Piglet to eat more than broccoli and cucumbers these days... Anyway, I want to check out the book because it looks pretty cute. Til then, some recipes to try out here.

Japanese loot

I squeezed in a trip to this fabric store in Waikiki during Piglet's last naptime. I was curious what a Hawaiian fabric store might carry. The answer? Lots of Hawaiian prints! Plus lots more [Japanese] cuteness...


Came across these Hello Kitty cookie cutters at Shirokiya. I've never been into HK... that is, until Piglet came along. Maybe because I really want to throw her a HK birthday party one day? These cookies will be perfect.


Not from Hawaii, but loving these Japanese craft books. One on the left is all about patchwork, center one contains photos/patterns of amazing children's clothes, and the last is a whole book on smocking. Yummy yummy yummy... I wish I had more time on my hands.

Aloha!

We're back! Well... we've been back from our wonderful vacation for almost a week and I finally have some energy to get back to my life. Somehow I managed to catch a cold in Hawaii [!] and have been dealing with that. It felt like, eh, just a little runny nose and scratchy throat in beautiful Hawaii but Portland's rainy, dreary weather made everything feel so much worse. Looking at these photos makes me wish I could rewind my life 2 weeks and relive our lazy days... Actually I don't even have that many photos. We were that lazy.



We really didn't do much. Hubby and I usually like to pack in as many things as possible whenever we go away but this was a little different. And it was nice!

Beach [morning] + Pool [afternoon] + plate lunches + shave ice + a bit of attractions and shopping = whole trip!

Piglet working daddy.


Piglet's favorite thing about Hawaii? The hotel! Whenever we went out she said "let's go back to the ho-TEL!" Her favorite thing right now is swiping a credit card in every gap she could find around the house, like in between the cabinet doors and under the coffee table top, pretending to open hotel rooms.


Liking this photo:


Sea life park. I don't think we'll return unless Piglet wants to swim with the dolphins one day. The leeward side of the island is my favorite though.


How many dolphins do you see? [4]


Chillin' out in Waikiki, looking a little tanned. We slathered her in SPF 50, promise.


Taking it all in for the last time.


And the only photo of all 3 of us, at the Dole plantation.


I feel as if my body has gone into a shock as we returned to a chilly, rainy city. The weather has cooled considerably since we left. I've been really behind with my little business but I'm planning to catch up a lot this week.