rest + revive

happiest + warmest of holidays to all you wonderful readers, supporters, friends. i'll see you back here in january! i am going to take some time to rest + revive my soul. i wish the same for you. xo

images from my parents' house, decorating their tree yesterday!

superhero

even superheroes need a break :: ashley g

a superhero i am not. it seems i've taken a wee unscheduled blogging break here. my wheels are spinning! i've just been so busy with work + with the mom's life + with the kitchen reno. something had to give. i will be back, i promise.

thank yous on a rainy friday

fall has begun in earnest here in vancouver. the leaves are changing, the clouds are rolling in, and the rain has started falling. i don't mind the rain, myself. otherwise why would i live here? it's incessant rain that i don't like, so let's hope this showery weather only sticks around for a day or two...

rainfall stitched and signed print :: leah duncan

i thought i'd take a few minutes to pop my head in here and say thanks to some lovely folks who have posted about my work recently. i wouldn't be doing what i'm doing if it weren't for the wonderful and supportive people in the community. the people who buy handmade, showcase indie artists, and support one another. so thank you!!

image via perideau designs.

wonderful bridgett of perideau designs, who wrote about my new peek-a-boo naturals collection here. have you seen her delightful muslin bags? so so cute. and her latest project, personalized placemats. they are awesome! way to go, bridgett!

image via sweetpeatoadtots.

jan of poppytalk posted an adorable roundup of hallowe'en items from the poppytalk handmade marketplace last week. thanks for including my treat buckets! and, how stinking cute are those crocheted hats by sweetpeatoadtots? ridiculous.

saffron, marigolds. the weekly tote.

i have been lucky enough to have had two of my totes included in the etsy finds email + storque post in the past month {here + here}. both times, my shop has just gone nutso, so big thanks to etsy for the helping hand! the mod pink pretty has gone off to australia, while saffron, marigolds was shipped to winnipeg this week. {i had an especially hard time parting with the saffron, marigolds. it is lined with one of my all-time fave fabrics, of which i hardly have any left...}

thanks also to baby gadget for posting about my fabric buckets today. and another fan of that saffron tote, thanks to the apron thief for choosing it as one of your etsy daily finds this week!

impression modern block thank you notes :: ruby press

and lastly, thanks to all of you, who have come by to read my blog, which has sadly been a little neglected these past couple weeks. i'm still working on getting into the swing of our fall routine. i'll be back here more often before you know it!

my mom, and her gift to me

when i was young, my parents had a photographer come to our house each year to take photos of the family. these were always relatively formal pics, we'd get all dressed up and sit nicely, and be on our best behaviour. i don't remember these sessions very well, the pictures seem to taper off after i was about six. this doesn't surprise me much, i was a bit of a fireball!

i found a few scans of my favourite childhood pictures, and thought i'd share them here. [thanks to laura for showing hers last week, she inspired me!]

that's me in the middle, looks like i'm dying to get away! looking at these pictures again, i realize how much my baby girl looks like me. it isn't always easy for me to see the resemblance, as she has golden blonde hair + green eyes. but there's her little face, mischievous but sweet. my mom saved that blue dress for me, and i put it on my babe when she turned one. i'm so glad that mom saved her favourite clothes for me, and i plan on doing the same for my children.

i can guarantee that both those burgundy jumpers in the top pics were made by my mom. in fact, they probably are from the same fabric! i love my brother in this collage, his stance up top screams cowboy to me, and his 'oh, dear!' expression down below cracks me up. it's hard to see, but in that bottom picture my sister and i are wearing matching pink terry cloth shorts.

i wonder if it drove her crazy that i always wanted the same clothes as her? this was also the year mom cut my hair like a boy. there i am, rocking the dorothy hamill.

i definitely have image memories of that little oriental-inspired jacket on the top left. do you have memories like that, like a flash of an image, or a feeling, without actually being able to recall an event? i am also quite certain that i squirmed + fought when my mom tried to put my hair in pigtails, just like my little one does. and yet i persist, because it looks so darned cute! i love the bottom pic here, my mom gazing adoringly at us as we have a rare moment of quietude at the beach.

this has always been my fave of the family pics. i found several outtakes from this session at my parents' house. many of them with me wiggling or putting my dress up over my face. these little dresses [made by mom, of course] are still around. my nieces have worn them a few times. check out those ruffled cap sleeves! an of course the lacy knee socks, those were so awesome! i love my mom's dress here, too. i'm sure that she must have made it, the fabric reminds me of a vintage tablecloth [in a good way!] and i think she looks so chic.

the inspiring women in my life. my gaya [bottom left] and nana [bottom right] were the most incredible women i could imagine. both raising larger families, homemakers extraordinaire, amazing cooks. always dressed beautifully, always with a smile, kind words, and impeccable manners. both timeless beauties. i am so thankful for their example.

and my mom, as she + my dad walked me down the 'aisle' at our wedding three years ago. at that moment, i was just about to lose it and start to cry, and she of course had some ridiculous thing to say to make me laugh instead. it's not the best picture i have of the two of us, but it is certainly a telling one. thanks, mom. you always know just what to say!

it was fun to look through these pictures, especially to see my mom's handiwork in many of them. she made the majority of my clothes, casual + dressy, until i was about 11, when i probably told her it wasn't 'cool' anymore [what did i know, anyway?]. my mom taught me to sew when i was young, maybe around 7 or 8, and i am forever thankful to her for that. she likely put up with a lot of whining, complaining, and 'i can't do this'. but she persevered, and now i can't imagine my life without my sewing machine. this week is the kid's clothes week challenge hosted by elsie marley.

i definitely plan on setting aside some time to whip up a few items for my kiddos. i promise to share some finished products here. while i can't imagine i'll ever have the time to make everything my kids wear, i would like for them to have an appreciation of handmade clothing. hopefully they will appreciate it in the same way, looking back at pictures twenty-some years down the road.

this little blog

why do i blog? i've been thinking about this a lot this past couple of weeks. there are many reasons. what started simply as a place for me to catalogue my finds, and talk a bit about my work in between, has become a real hobby + a true love for me. it's like my nightly therapy as i sit here and toodle around the web, thinking about what i'd like to post, narrowing my choices, finding just the right products, designers, artists, places to feature, just the right pictures to show. i really love it. and after just a little over a year, i can't even imagine not writing here nearly every day.

fete print :: cosas minimas by blanca gomez [i love all of her work!]

a few weeks ago, i was delighted to find myself included on a shortlist of blogs written by moms living in greater vancouver. i hope people don't see me as an impostor on that list! i am not a mommy blogger. i don't write about parenting! this is my place be away from that. while i do mention the kids here + there, i need this place to just be me, a woman, undefined by my identity as a mom. you know when you're at the park, and the other moms know you as "o's mom"? isn't that amazing, how you go from being your own self, to your childrens' mama? please understand, i am not complaining!! i love it. i just find it fascinating. and i do it myself! i can't even tell you how many times i remember the child's name before the parents'.

i wonder if that is a factor of getting older, or perhaps it's that dreaded 'mommy brain' we all talk about while pregnant!

printed ceramic bowls :: horn of plenty :: available at room6

i am not saying that i don't enjoy reading about other people's parenting or mothering. i do, often! heather of dooce, whose no-holds-barred discussions on parenting makes me laugh day after day. gabrielle of design mom [who is expecting baby number 6 - amazing!], who eloquently posts about where design + motherhood intersect. amanda of soulemama, whose graceful + honest + gentle approach to parenting makes me strive to be a better mama. there are so many others out there, so much inspiration, so many amazing mothers.

architects of the pacific northwest :: miller | hull:: via chronicle books

vancouver mom is looking for what they call the 'ultimate' vancouver mom blogger. i am beyond honoured to be included in their shortlist, and even more thrilled that people have gone out of their way to visit me here, really read my blog, and decide whether or not they'd like to vote for me. are you visiting here for the first time? i'd love it if you'd say hello. and if you like what you see here, i'd love for you to come back, or tell a friend!

fayette tunic :: makool loves you

if you're feeling so inclined, i'd be so very happy if you'd cast a vote for me. today is the last day the polls are open, and the results will be announced on mother's day. how apt! thank you for all the support, i really appreciate it.

birch alphabet :: bookhou

the photos i've included in this post are things that i've got on my current wishlist. perfect for mother's day, don't you think? perhaps my husband is reading...

in dreams :: about a year

{ the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams }

eleanor roosevelt

one year ago i embarked into the world of etsy, and opened up my little shop. i didn't realize at first how it would affect my creativity, my thoughts, my family, my dreams. there are days when i can't even remember not doing this, day in and day out.

i love the fact that i get to be creative every single day.

when i get new fabric in the mail i can hardly contain my excitement. the feel of it, the colours, the brilliant patterns. i live and breathe fabric. my son loves seeing the new things i create, and i hope i'm instilling in him the importance of making. while my kids are, of course, my main focus during the day, i think it's good for them to know that i am working hard, and that they are the reason i am doing this. when i find myself really busy and swamped with work, i remind myself of that. the fact that i get to be here with them, every day, and watch them grow + explore + learn + play. that this is the route i chose, rather than go back to work. i won't say it's not a struggle at times, but it is so so worth it.

i have gotten so much out of this past year, more than improving my skills, or making a little money. i have found a place in a most incredible community. through etsy, twitter, this blog, and my favourite online reads,

i have met some incredible people. people whom i consider friends and colleagues. like-minded people who are quick to offer advice, wisdom, encouragement, thoughts, and ideas. cheerleaders of indie and handmade. people whose opinions + thoughts are ones that i value and look forward to hearing. there are so many of you! thank you, all. i think you know who you are :)

to express my thanks, i want to offer a little token. i've been working on a new line of goodies, the peek-a-boo naturals collection. part of this new line is made up of products i offer already, made with a bit of a twist. part will be new designs, things i've had in mind for some time but haven't yet gotten to the sewing machine. i'm not ready to reveal the new items just yet, but here is a peek at some of the fresh linen mini buckets. i hope you like them!

i will be giving away one of my new mini peek-a-boo naturals buckets to a lucky winner! if i get more than 50 comments, i'll give away another one, too! the more the merrier. i will keep the giveaway open until may 6, and announce the winner[s] on the 7th. to enter, please leave a comment on this post [kindly only one per person]. you can say whatever you like, but also let me know which colour palette is your favourite from my new line.

ocean, flora, or forest?

to sweeten the celebration, i will be offering 15% off everything in my shop, starting today at noon through monday noon. prices in the shop will reflect the discount, no need to wait for a revised invoice, shop to your hearts content!

i truly appreciate all the support and cheerleading i've received this past year. i get to be doing something i've always dreamed of. creating, doing what i love, for me and for others. thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

{edit :: may 6th, 11pm. giveaway now closed! thanks for all the lovely + thoughtful comments, i really enjoyed reading them all. i will announce a winner on may 7}

scoutie girl gifts

have you ever been to scoutie girl gifts? if you're looking to buy more handmade goods online this holiday season, you should head on over right away for a fun way to find amazing, unique goodies.

tara gentile [of handmade in pa and scoutie girl] came up with such a brilliant way of highlighting handmade items. each mini gift guide is submitted by readers or friends, and is then posted by tara on her site.

what i love the most about scoutie girl gifts is that each guide is curated by someone new, so you get tonnes of great finds that you may not come across elsewhere. tara even wrote a section on 'how to buy handmade for beginners', a great place to start for those who are new to the idea. what's more, you can shop according to recipient, there are fresh selections almost every day, and the images rotate with each visit for a new look every time. you can even vote for your favourite guides! such a fun, interactive way to shop indie + handmade. well done, tara!

have a look at the gift guide i submitted to tara, which she published monday. i was inspired by my favourite colour [if you've been reading for a while, you may be able to guess what that is :)] and the coming winter weather. i called it aqua skies + snowflakes. i'll share a few of the pictures here, too.

images via shops as listed below, top to bottom

kept secret - amazonite moonstone silver necklace :: chelsy anne jewellery

eyelet lace, letterpress card set :: pistachio press

urchin bowl, ice blue :: element clay studio

::

just a quick shout out + thanks to a few people who've mentioned me and my goodies in the last little while!

: bridgett of perideau designs shared the halloween bucket i made for her adorable daughter.

: rebecca of the ardent sparrow included my cloth blocks in her nursery post.

: molly of the delightful blog charlotte's fancy included my cloth blocks in her [handmade holidays] gifts for babies roundup.

jack on black in the etsy voter!

hey everyone! i'm excited to say that my jack on black hallowe'en bucket is in this week's round of the etsy voter series on the storque [etsy's blog]. the winner gets a photo in a storque post, and a spot in the member's choice gift guide. i'd love to have a good showing...if you're so inclined, i'd be super happy for the support! you can cast your vote here.

jack on black, hallowe'en bucket

i heart etsy

i just had to share my excitement from this past week. i have had a really good ride with etsy right from the beginning, and lots of amazing support from the wonderful blog community. this past week has stacked up to be a great one for smidgebox designs.

on tuesday, i was delighted to find that my tangerine dream hallowe'en bucket was included in this etsy finds post on the storque [etsy's fabulous blog, for those who don't know]. entitled something wicked this way comes, the post is chock full of awesome hallowe'en goodies, ripe for the picking for one of my favourite holidays, just weeks away! i am just thrilled to have been included, and the traffic to my site since then has skyrocketed, with lots of inquiries coming my way. then the next day, i found that bucket tucked away in the hallowe'en decor gift guide, yay again!

{edit - tangerine dream is all sold out now! thanks all!}

i am counting my lucky stars this week, thanks etsy for being awesome! i'll be back next week with some more fashion yummies, and a fun imagery post on monday [it's been a while!].

some things i've been up to

so i just wanted to share a few new sets of custom cloth blocks i've finished up in the past week. i hope you're not tired of seeing them here! i love making them, and showing the photos to you gives me a bit of closure as i send them off to their new homes.

first up we have the 'wgb' blocks, commissioned for a sweet baby boy here in greater vancouver. i was asked to use lots of different blues and greens, and to highlight the happy green apple fabric, as well as alexander henry's 2D zoo [a fave fabric, it seems, for many!]

and here we have sadie's blocks. these are about to be whisked of to nyc, and i hope sadie + her family love them as much as i do. they were commissioned by a friend of theirs, and were really fun to put together. love the bright + happy colour scheme that was chosen, and i think they turned out super fun.

last but not least, this set of blocks for baby cash. i was asked to use browns + greens and some other colours to complement those. i included a couple of my hoarded 'difficult to find' fabrics, heather ross' dogs on blue, and my favourite japanese trees, you can see them there on top of the green a block. you can still find bits of the other colourways of those trees, but i have yet to find any more of the blue + green trees. anyone? i'd love to get my hands on more. bit of a tangent there, but i love the bold colours of cash's blocks, and i do hope they are well-received.

thanks for bearing with me as i show you all some of what i've been up to. i am finishing up two more sets of blocks this weekend, then i am moving on to a few fabric buckets, and some custom totes! in between, i hope to find some time to start bulking up my inventory for holiday craft shows. phew! don't worry, i'll share pics when they're all done ;)

::

i also wanted to say a big thanks to some people who featured my products this week! my jack on black hallowe'en bucket was posted on coochicoos, a 'design blog for modern parents'. then, my pink baby girl cloth blocks were included in lori dean dyments' wordless wednesday post. and finally, craftnouveau posted my hallowe'en buckets in her flickr friday hallowe'en preview today. thank you, everyone, i am constantly delighted + amazed by this online community, and this week has been very good to me.

one more sweet treat, i woke up this morning to find that ghostly delight had been on the front page of etsy! yahoo!! that is my first front page appearance, i'm so excited. i'm just sad it happened at 4am our time, i didn't get to see it 'live'. thanks etsy, you rock!

stripey goodness

enjoying some stripey goodness, found during an early morning virtual window shop over on etsy.

all images via shops as listed below, top to bottom

knotty legs - black and grey stripes :: knotty baby wear

pleated pouch :: automatic sweetheart

t i g e r. little striped tray :: birribe

black and grey stripe tuxedo ruffle pillow :: hettle

::

just wanted to give a little thanks to a sweet spot where i'm mentioned this week. my cloth blocks are featured on the lovely baby blog mon petit amour. have a look!

canada day sale :: smidgebox etsy shop

happy canada day! to celebrate canada day, i'm having a sale in my shop! from 6am till midnight pacific time, wednesday july 1st, save 10% on all purchases. now i'm off to enjoy the holiday with my family. happy day everyone...

first birthday

my little independent spirit

yesterday we celebrated my sweet girl's 1st birthday. she turns one this thursday, but we had our gathering a little early. a low-key party at the park with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends. cupcakes + treats + balloons were enjoyed by all.

orange + pink :: cousins :: first cupcake

oh! and this is my 100th post! how fitting to be writing about a party when i've reached my first blogging milestone. here's to hundreds more! when i started this blog, i had no idea how much i'd enjoy it, but i find myself rather happy to share my thoughts in this space throughout the week. thankyou to all of you who join me here! i hope you find inspiration in these pages, and that you will continue to visit...

sunshine daisies tote in etsy poll!

i'm figuratively jumping for joy this morning. it's another happy day for smidgebox designs! [read about my happy sunday here!]

my sunshine daisies tote bag has been chosen for the Etsy Flowers and Gardening item poll on the Storque [etsy's blog] today!! The item that gets the most votes will be featured on the Storque very soon! the storque gets loads and loads of readers, so this could be pretty cool...

SO, if you're so inclined, head on over and cast your vote!!! 

cloth blocks in etsy baby gift guide!

i had such a lovely surprise waiting for me when i woke up yesterday, it even made up for the fact that my baby woke me at 6:10 on a sunday morning...smidgebox 'choose your own' cloth blocks were chosen for the etsy baby gift guide! i'm so honoured to have my blocks included with the fantastic items in the guide. there's some pretty sweet stuff there. i have often browsed the gift guides looking for something fabulous, so i look forward to seeing how the added exposure can work for my shop!

i have to say, i'm very pleased with the way these first two-and-a-half weeks have worked out for me since i opened my etsy shop. i really want this business to blossom + thrive, and hope that this is a sign of more to come. i am working on a little shop update as we speak. cuddle blankets + another personalized tote, ripe for the picking.

shout-out

gotta love this little community...

big thanks to marie at wee sweet marie + adele at modernemotive + lisa at sweetbeets for the featuring my etsy shop on their blogs. 

thank you ladies for the support!

feeling blue pendant necklace,  frost collections

dottie everydays, modernemotive

letterpress counting poster, sweetbeets