Some New Things / Old Things

I whipped up a couple of new items for my shop this week. I've been going gangbusters sewing lately I think mostly because I know I won't have time soon. I've been saving up quite a stash to list on Etsy little by little. This past weekend, I decided to part with two adorable pieces I've been saving for the perfect project. I'm sure they were intended for a quilt or something, but I think they look pretty cute appliqued on these, too.

The first is a little 4T tee shirt with a kitty cat, and the second is a little pink onesie with a cute little girl in a bonnet. I see these little bonnet girls around a lot...do they have a specific name? I just think they're sweet. Maybe I'll make some more... it's been fun trying to come up with girly things for the shop. It's given me a little time to adjust to the idea of being a mama to a girl.

I don't know why, but having a girl freaks me out a little. I'm not much of a girly-girl myself, so hopefully I do right by her. I haven't bought her a doll yet. Am I a bad mom? Ha! This girl better like diggers and trains, or none of us will know what to do with her!

Anyway, here's to hoping I can crank out a few more projects before I'm deep in diapers again!

Toddler, M.D.

Our kiddo, like many toddlers, loves to put on bandaids. But lately he's moved beyond that and wants to be rescuing people all the time. He's often heard saying "push me down" or "mama, fall down" and then he springs into action to start "stretchering" you, or you stretchering him. I decided that he needed to have his own medical kit, stat. So I did what I always do, and bought one on Ebay. The old Fisher Price kind like I had when I was a kid, with the syringe, blood pressure cuff and the little plastic case to carry it all in. For $5, now he can be a real doctor.

However, it wasn't until I got him the white shirt and made him a bowtie to go with it that he really felt like a doctor. He said "just like Doctor Jill" (who is our pediatrician, and a woman) and raced around the house, checking everyone's pulse ("let me listen to your ears"). I'd say for the $5 medical kit and $1 bowtie, it was a price well worth paying. Now hopefully he follows through on it. I'd love to have a doctor in the family!

I decided the tie was cute enough that I'm going to sell them in my shop. I should have them up in a week or so. So your guy can be a doctor, too!

New Product: Recycled Clothesline Organic Tees

Finally, I started making something for girls! It started with the Big Sis Tee, and now I'm on to these cute clothesline tees made on my new, colorful, organic cotton baby onesies. I use repurposed fabrics to make the little clothes that hang on the line, too, so these are do-gooder shirts, for reals.

I was inspired to make these by my own shoes. Yes, my shoes. You see, years ago I bought a pair of Camper Twins shoes that have a clothesline. They were on super-duper sale and I've worn them to death ever since. In fact, I dread the day I have to replace them because I'm sure they will either not be on sale, or I won't be able to track them down. So maybe my new onesies are my way of immortalizing these shoes.

I also love the clothesline image because I love to hang our clothes out to dry. Did you know that some states are moving to BAN them? Check out Laundry List and this article in Time Magazine for information if you're pro-line drying like I am, or just want to know what all the fuss is about. I don't have a clothesline at my new house, so I guess I'll have to find out if they've been banned or if I can put one in. If I do, I just know these little onesies will look so darn cute hung on it!

Blogiversary Freebie: Christmas in June!

I never thought, when I started blogging, that I sit here for so many years doing it. It's a great outlet, and heavens knows I have lots of things to ramble about. The weirdest thing about it is that my friends are always totally up to speed on my life, even if we don't talk all that often. I tell them a story and they say "oh, yeah, I read that on your blog." And it strikes me a little weird. But, nevertheless, who has time to make personal phone calls to each and every friend with an update, anyway? This blog can serve as my every day "Christmas Letter" that I mass-mail to all my friends and family. They skim through it, look to see if anyone died or got married, and set it in the pile with all the others.

Speaking of Christmas...in honor of my blogiversary today's giveaway is my Vintage Fabric Elf Stocking! Get ready for the holidays WELL in advance this year!! All you need to do is post a response to this post telling me your very favorite memory of Christmas. I'll pick a winner at random, and I'll even pay the postage!

Camper Kid

Well, I wish I could say I was inspired to make this shirt by all the camping we do as a family. But, my husband is a city mouse (okay, so am I) and therefore we're not planning anything of the like. But, I can sure pose my kid as a cute camper in this new shirt I made last night. It's organic cotton and the car and trailer made of vintage thrifted fabric. Next time I'll have to try my hand at making one that looks more like a B & B!

Are you heading out on any camping trips this weekend?

New Card Designs!

I've been in a real card design rut lately, until I realized that there's a half-hour window between which my kiddo goes to bed and the sun goes down. Some nights that half hour has been used to clean up toys strewn about the house. Other nights, like tonight, it was used to make the most of the daylight by photographing all the toys rather than put them away. I have to admit, I had a lot more fun photographing them than I did putting them away.

What do you think of the results? I'm really not that great of a photographer, so maybe I shouldn't be selling these but instead keep them for my own stash. It's it painfully obvious that I'm a total amateur?

Boobs Making the Rounds

I originally started blogging because I wanted to write about crafts and crafting and my craft sale and all kinds of craft-craft-crafts. I was craft-obsessed. Then my son was born. Now I'm kid-obsessed and on the side I craft. So, I bring you, dear reader, yet another funny photo of my child.

BUT! But but but! There he is, wearing HANDMADE, CRAFTED slippers I bought on Etsy. They are the greatest boob slippers ever made, by Piddies! My kid likes the boob slippers just as much as his dad.

See, I'm still writing about crafts. Duh. But really, who has time for crafting anymore!? Shoot, I barely have time for my fifth glass of wine tonight...but I'm sure I'll squeeze it in somehow.

Oh Snap! It's a Cold Snap!

Like much of the Midwest, we've been freezing our asses off for the last week. I woke up Tuesday and the indoor thermometer was at a cool 66 degrees. But it was the outside temperature that made me curse my chosen homeland even more. 17 degrees below is uninhabitable to me. Like, bring on the polar bears, this might as well be Anchorage, for crissakes.

But, what do Minnesotans like more than hotdishes, pierogies and their smug assertion that they're Minnesota Nice? Complaining about the cold! It must be our state passtime. I heard someone say at work on Tuesday "The high today was -4, and we're damn proud of it!" That about sums it up.

Anyway, when we're cold, we think of weird things to do to entertain ourselves, like crank the heat and put on our shorts and dance around. Or, build a pillow fort in the living room. Or, make clothespin dolls that look like Brittany Spears. Really. After our trip to the local indoor waterpark it was the perfect way to mellow out.





My nieces made some really great ones, and wanted to list them on Etsy. They've been sitting there for a couple weeks, so if you know anyone that might have a spare couple of bucks, these two girls would be thrilled to death. You can think of it as your charitable act for 2009. Cross it off the list and you can be greedy the whole rest of the year. Just take a look at Betsy Winterfresh and Turtle, wouldja? The girls even made up little stories to go with them. Precious!

What are you doing to keep busy?

Here's a Holiday Gift Suggestion: Boob Slippers!

If you're under 18, avert your eyes.




Some of you might remember that I bought these slippers back in September from Piddies. In said post, I commented that [ha ha] Mr. Pumpkin had loved them, even asking if they had any designs for guys, like with boobs on them [ha ha]. Well [ha ha], the good people at Piddies thought that was pretty darn funny [ha ha] and we got to talking and decided [ha ha] that it must be done.

Several email messages later, after talking through boob and fleece coloration [ha ha] and nearly wetting my pants hearing about the design process, involving product design advisors [conferring over drinks] and testers and such [ha ha], the final product arrived in my email box to review before shipment. They were wonderfully bulbous and perfectly perky. Perfect, I said! Just what the doctor ordered! These one-of-a-kind beauties must be mine! My own Piddies slippers on my feet, I shot the email back: send 'em my way!

I couldn't have been happier when the goods arrived. They came with their own pasties, also handmade I suspect by Piddies [devious genius] craftswoman herself. I was in complete boobtopia when I saw the bottoms: clever traction provided by "sitting ladies" painted in silver sparkly fabric paint on the bottom of each slipper. Genius!

I predict a new niche for Piddies. Ladies will be running over to the Piddies Etsy shop to buy these this holiday season. They are an absolute hysterical (yet functional, fuzzy and warm) gift. I'm pretty sure if you ask, she'll make you a pair, too. Don't give your guys a lame sweater this year, girls. Get him the gift of boobs.

EDITED: GUESS WHAT KIDS? PIDDIES OPENED UP A NEW SHOP CALLED NAUGHTYSOLES. CHECKIT!

Eco-Friendly Etsy at All Prices

Recycled Firestarters by Crayon Bin: $3


Reusable Silk Food Bags by kootsac: $10.50


Recyled Red Stripe beer glasses by bodhicitta: $18


Ecospun Felt Stocking by rikrak: $18


Recycled Coffee Table by SeguinWoodWorks: $750

I've been thinking a lot lately about how our family can be more environmentally responsible. It's not always natural for me even though I think it's really important. I haven't converted our car to biofuel, or installed that green rooftop I've been wanting, or even gotten a rain barrel. Shame on me. But what is easy for me is shopping on Etsy. I discovered today that there are lots of really awesome recycled and environmentally friendly products being sold there (no surprise).

I thought I'd share some of my favorites at every price range. How I would love that beautiful coffee table instead of the painted monstrosity that I created this week (photos to come). But at least I bought a thrifted one instead of new, right?? And that felt stocking...wow. Totally cute.

Happy shopping!

Food on the Brain

I wanted to share a couple of new creations I made for my Etsy shop. I was inspired by my recent cravings for the lowliest of cuisine, "fast" food. What's next for me? French fries, of course! There have been a lot of layoffs at work lately, so maybe I'm also wondering if I might soon be flipping these.

How are you feeling about the "financial crisis"? I'm starting to worry, but I feel lucky that I'm employed. If I wasn't, well, I guess Baby Pumpkin and Mr. Pumpkin and I would be up sh*t crick as they say back in 'Sconi. So let's just stay calm and keep on keepin' on.

Anyway, stay tuned for more "good eats" as Alton Brown says.

The New Earflap Hat: ManFlap!

My husband has always wanted a matching outfit with our son. So, after I had perfected my earflap hat pattern he asked if I could make matching ones for he and Little Pumpkin. Sure, right? No problem!

I "eyeballed" the pattern and whadda ya know, it doesn't quite fit him. It's about an inch too small. Oh well, it's perfect for Elmer Fudd. Or, whomever is so lucky as to purchase it from my Etsy shop. Since I eyeballed it, I'm not really sure how to make another, bigger one. Guess I'll eat some carrots and eyeball it a little better with my fresh beta-carotened eyes or something. Maybe this time I'll actually make a pattern so the results can be reliably repeated. Genius!

I looked around Etsy to see who else was making flannel or fabric earflap hats and I really didn't see too many. I guess I should step up production or expand the line a bit. Maybe my next hat will be a ladies hat. Pink flannel, anyone? I think I can come up with a whole family of earplappers.

It's hard to believe we're already thinking winter...yikes. Well, we do live in Minnesota, after all.

Some Recycled Pants and a New Flap Hat

I wish I had one of those dry erase boards handy some days for all the remarkably inane things people say, especially to (new) parents. Such as:
--Gettin' any sleep?
--Bet you've got your hands full!
--They grow up so fast!
--Wait til they're (insert age), then the trouble really starts!
--Just hope he doesn't start walking soon, then it's all over!

...the list goes on. Let's make a deal. I'll try not to say any of these things to you, if you try not to say them to me. The one that really sticks in my mind though, and isn't really inane, just interesting, is the constant comments about how I manage to fit in all the crafting time. I present you with another list, in response:
--I don't watch TV
--I have only one child
--My child has a 7 PM bedtime and takes naps (another inane comment...how lucky we are!)
--I don't have other hobbies (I'm not well-rounded)
--I don't have friends (well, I do, just don't see them all that often)
--I don't go to the gym, grocery store, do laundry, etc. (house husband)

There you have it. What's my point? My point is that today I made two hats and a pair of pants for the Pumpkin, and all the while I was on "baby duty" all day. I made these pants out of a lame pair of pants I got for myself at a thrift store, and then realized that a grown woman should not be wearing engineer pants, even if they *are* Liz Claiborne. I think they turned out so cute, they just may be making an appearance at our friend's wedding next weekend, paired with a tiesie!

I hope you had a great weekend. We're having a chilly, but nice, one here. Off I go to get my zzzz's! Cuz I just don't get enough of that these days!

Earflap Hat With Skulls

My son is usually a pretty willing (and ultra adorable) model for my projects. This one, however, not so much. Maybe it's the fact that I'm trying to get him to put on this super warm hat and it's 80 degrees outside. Or, by the time I get home from work and everyone eats and he gets a bath he's much more ready for a book or some snuggling than a modeling shoot. Oh, well. I did manage to snap this shot of him just about to take the hat off.

I am going to make some slight modifications to this new design, such as making the front flap a little wider. I hope to whip up about 100 of these for the big craft sale in December. I want to get some red plaid flannel to make some cute hunter-kid hats with. Yay! It's hard to get excited about winter, but I'm trying!

Handmade Kid's "So Big" Growth Chart

I first saw growth charts at one of my favorite local baby stores, Pacifier. It was kind of a novel concept to me, since we had always just written them right on the wall in my house growing up. But, I guess we're more civilized these days so we write them on something removable. Well, that would have saved my dad the trouble of transferring ours to a two-by-four when we moved out of my childhood home!

As with most things, I thought, "Why buy when I can make?" and I set about trying to make a unique one for my little pumpkin. I'd love some feedback on it because I was thinking I would love to sell these in my shop, or even possibly submit the idea to One Yard Wonders. I did use just about a yard of organic cotton to make this, so I thought it could possibly fit. The idea with this one is that you can write on it with a fabric pen, so more than one kid can use it. It's also pretty gender neutral, and not overly babyish.

Whadda ya think? If you were going to buy a growth chart, what type of things would you be looking for? Colors? Style? Materials? Does 6' tall seem too tall (I think the answer here is YES, my future 17-year-old son doesn't want to still be measured on this)? Price? Let me know -- you can be my informal focus group!

Just for fun, here are some other options you can find online (please recommend more if you've seen some cool ones out there!):

Roseberry Creek Growth Charts
Nifty Kid Stuff Growth Chart (looks a lot like mine!)
Inklore Growth Chart

Summer Hat, Winter Hat

Somehow along the way here I became a maker of hats. I have had an Etsy shop for about a million years and have been hawking my wares longer than that. I think it just makes me feel better about spending copious (read: all) my spare time crafting if I can sell some of the stuff I make. Because of that, I have ended up selling whatever random stuff I wanted to, depending on my mood and inspiration. Unlike more disciplined "artists" (I don't really consider myself one, BTW...using the term loosely here), I haven't had to think really hard about creating a cohesive "brand" or anything like that. Now if I was seriously going to try to make a living doing this, then more thought would have to be given to how to make Pumpkin Girl not appear like a flea market of crazy craft ideas.

But I'm not serious, I'm having fun. I've sold (or still sell in some cases) cards, lip balms, jewelry rolls and hangers, soap, laundry soap, pillows, eye masks, onesies, etc. Recently, after hunting on Etsy for the perfect boy's sunhat without luck, I've also started making hats. Why not?! I'm having fun, dammit. Welcome to my flea market! Everything's a dollar...well, not really.

I have made close to a zillion hats over the last few months, or so it seems. Now that I'm getting really confident with the fit/sizing and the way the parts go together, I'm trying some new things. I'm particularly excited about the ear flap hat. It's this buttery soft flannel with a nubly fleece on the earflaps. And really, every Midwestern boy needs some ear flaps. Winter IS just around the corner if you live where I do.

I'd like to try to make some more for my shop, but I'm not sure how well they'll go over. Thoughts? Do they need a chin strap? Should I make some different colors/fabrics? Does it need the little flap in front that folds up? Gah, I'm so indecisive!

My summer hat was a custom order on Etsy. I think it turned out adorable (aren't I modest?). I am particularly fond of the flower detail. Ah, too bad summer's on it's way out...I could make one for myself.

Hope you had a lovely SUMMERY weekend!

Reviving the Tiesie, with a Twist

Once upon a time, I had a brilliant idea. One, as in singular. I point that out because I really have very few good ideas...mostly they're a bit half baked. Anyway, on to my point.

Last year before my baby was born, and I had a lot of time on my hands, I was out and about at some estate sales and happened upon a huge bag of really, really nice vintage ties. There was a woman standing next to them, just sort of lamely looking at them. I thought she was going to buy them, but then I realized she was a "staffer". I asked her how much they were and she started telling me the story behind the ties -- they were her dad's and she thought they were really cool, but didn't know what to do with them. I didn't have a clue, so I didn't offer any ideas.

After mulling it, I decided that the ties needed a home. More specifically my home. So I bought them and they sat around my house for a few months in a ziplock bag until my brilliant idea came along. I decided to cut them up and sew the onto onesies. I wanted one for my baby to wear to his auntie's wedding. So I made a few, chose my favorite for Baby Pumpkin, and put the rest on Etsy. They sold moderately well, probably because the photos do not do justice to the extreme cuteness of a little boy in a vintage tie onesie.

Recently my brilliant idea became, er, brillianter when I decided that I should use nicer, organic cotton onesies and I should make them for bigger boys, too. I've started the process of prepping all the ties and sewing them up, and they turning out so cute. When my son wore his, he always got so many compliments. And looked pretty dapper, besides. I'll have a bunch of these in my shop eventually, when I solve the bigger problem of how to photograph them without hiring a gaggle of infant models. I'm also going to be giving a tiesie away on another great blog. Stay tuned for more details!

Using up Scraps: Fabric Hair Pins

Vintage Fabric Hair Pins
Originally uploaded by truckertracy

Looking for a really simple way to use up every last scrap of fabric? Make some fabric covered buttons, and turn them into bobby pins, magnets, push pins, any number of great uses (besides the obvious use as a button!).

I purchased a kit from Tobysmom on Etsy that helps push the fabric onto the button nicely. You can do it by hand but it isn't as easy or as clean looking. Here are the easy steps to making your own:
1. To cut out the perfect fabric circles, I used the lid of a baby food jar.
2. Then, using a needle-nose pliers, I pulled the little loop off the button back (don't do this if you plan to use the button as a button!)
3. Next, I covered the button with the fabric circle.
4. Finally, I used Gorilla Glue to glue the fabric covered button onto a nice sturdy bobby pin, which I also purchased on Etsy, from KikisKlippies.

To complete the etsy circle, I'm now selling these on etsy. My primary motivator to make these, though, is that I HATE throwing away fabric scraps, no matter how small. I also wanted to have some fun things ready for No Coast Craft-o-rama this winter. I'm also going to make some smaller bobbies, so stay tuned for that.

What other cool things can you do with these fabric buttons? The possibilities seem endless!

Trendy Tots Featured Us!

Yay! Trendy Tots featured Baby Pumpkin and his awesome bicycle bucket hat! Check it out!

It's a great blog -- today they're featuring Dad's Day gift (which, if you haven't gotten yet, you need to). They also clued me in to a great shop selling Mr. T shirts for babies, great baby shoes, so many cool things! I'm honored to have been featured!

Cool Moms Read Cool Mom Picks

If you're a cool mom (am I?) and you like to check out all the new gadgets and gear for you and your kiddies, you MUST check out CoolMomPicks.com! I just stumbled across the site the other day and am already ooohing and aaahing over several things, like the Father's Day Gift Guide (*edited* written by two moms who know what dads like!) and their guide to lead-free toys. Geesh, now I have another great web site I must look at daily. It's overwhelming sometimes!