Baby It's cold Outside!

Here are some of my favorite cold weather photos that I took last year. We don't have any snow yet and it's a bit cold, but not bone chilling yet. Just a little reminder that winter is here and it's beautiful!

Gifts for The Almost Teen Female

The almost teen female. They aren't quite "kids" anymore, but at the same time they are not teens. Why push teen, with all its connotations, at them? I'm in favor of "growing old gracefully" at every age. So I wanted to share some of the things that I have found on Etsy for my female, artist, reader, actor, almost teen.

• This journal from UberArt is beautiful, my child's favorite colors and full of sketch paper. She will love to draw in this and it will be a lovely keepsake when full of art. Many styles of journals here... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5428768

• I am all over gentle beauty products that are not make-up, for this age. The yummy lip balm is available in many intoxicating flavors from dennisanderson. There are also some delish body products to make bathing OFTEN more desirable. (Vital at this age, trust me!) Wonderful body products here... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5124873

• This year the princess has become even more firmly entrenched in Nightmare Before Christmas. The Jack style bracelet by adcdmc is right up her alley. Many of her cohorts at school are going to be green with envy! To see what other treasures are available... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5699479

• Speaking of princess, how could you not get someone who is "Morgan Le Fey" for Halloween a lovely art print from EmilyBalivet. It almost seems like this artist and my child are one in the same, they are both so inspired by mythology and the ancients. The art is stunning, take a peek... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=30030

• The pillowcase covered with books is mandatory for my reader! She has a window seat full of pillows where she likes to read that this will definitely be gracing. Maybe you would prefer a book bag? They have both here... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5157917

• For some reason my child has a strange fascination with tree rats. Her mother obviously does not share that love, but bonspielcreation seems to. This small squirrel purse is fabulous and my daughter is going to use this beauty forever! The quality is topnotch. Pop in to see all the styles of bags, with and without tree rats... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=11169

• rhymeswithmagic makes the perfect gift for the book eating female on your list, jewelry that refers to books! My child does not read books, she goes through them so fast we say that she eats them. Could have something to do with the fact that in 5th grade her reading skills were that of a senior graduating from high school, but I digress. Great pendants and earrings saying all sorts of fun things are to be found here... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5329778
  

Thank you to my customer Anna who not only purchased my ponytail holders, but wrote a VERY nice article on her blog about them! Here is the link and these are the ponies, "Gum In Hair" and "Winter Birch". http://www.abdpbt.com/?p=222#comment-1333

Have You Voted?!

If you are a US citizen, please make sure that you vote today! Here are some patriotic pieces that are sparkling away in my shop. Now go vote!

Welcome To My Nightmare!

Yes, I have been entirely lacking in keeping up my blog for the last week and a half. No, I have not been a big slug for the last week. I've been getting ready for a 4 day art show, but that is another blog, and working on an elaborate King Arthur era princess costume for the child. A year ago my daughter decided that she was going to be "Morgan Le Fey, The Greatest Sorceress Ever" for 2008 Halloween. At our house Halloween tops Christmas in the planning department. Christmas just kind of happens, whereas Halloween is intricately planned down to the last underapparel detail. As much as I hate to sew there are no holds barred in creating costumes around here. I gave birth to a kid who hit the ground bursting into song and drama. This holiday was made just for her. I'm willing to suck up the hate-to-sew yen, that I allow to take over at all other times of the year, to make something that rocks for my princess. (I must admit that it isn't just that I hate to sew. I have osteoarthritis in my hands, so it hurts horribly too. She won't be my baby forever though!) The child also has multiple opportunities to wear her costume each year so it isn't just for one night.

We found the pattern in August. One must look early or count on your one choice to be sold out in every store! There were 2 that she liked, but this won the toss. Then the choice was about dress A, B, C, or D. Next was which sleeve style would be the most beautimous. Those choices took a little while of course, so it was a month before we were ready to choose fabric. Back to the store for fabric and trims. First it was all about black. Then we began discussing who we thought Morgan Le Fey was and what made her tick. The child and I decided dark jewel colors were the way to go. We live where it could be snowing on Halloween so warmth was important too. Velveteens for both the cape and the dress. I'll spare you the sewing details because I don't need to relive that here! Let us just say that it was time consuming and labor intensive, but as always, very worth it. The princess was thrilled and as you can see she looked stunning.