your daily dose

Here's your daily dose of Amelie. Can't keep this cute little pumpkin all to myself.

And here she is modeling my homemade cap.

Me thinks the pilots cap is much cuter on a baby than on a potpourri ball.

Also for show and tell, I have this stamp that I made for the boy. He loves to sit and watch me do my art and so I thought it would be fun for him to have his own stamp to make cards for his friends.

Jo is coming for lunch and bringing me, per my request, her delectable bread pudding topped with dark chocolate that her mother sends her from France. Seriously folks, the stuff is orgasmic. I feel a little embarrassed eating it in front of other people.

while she sleeps

I am delighted to discover that because my daughter is such a mellow happy baby, I have plenty of time to continue crafting! I know that in a month or so she will be more alert and probably require more attention, but for now, she gives me time to create.

I carved a stamp with her initials to make some thank you cards. The gifts are rolling in and I want to stay on top of getting the cards out.

Because she is my little birdie, I carved a little bird in flight for the inside of the card. Then, of course, I busted out the glitter. That's all part of the fun of having a little girl. Glitter!

Today I need to get out to my work bench and make her a bracelet. Can you believe I didn't already have one made? I can't. Anyway, I need to get some jewelry on my girl asap.

whisper

I meet the dawn with a new perspective this morning. I walked around my garden in my slippers and bathrobe inspecting and diagnosing. A little snail bait needed here. Some anti fungal needed there. The sun peaked over the ridge and warmed my face. The whole world seemed to whisper~ slow down now girl. Take a breath. Focus.

I went back inside and cleaned up my stamp carvings. I put away my inks.

I think today I will pack our bags. I will make sure Thom has plenty of clean underwear and pajamas to take. Finnigan is going to the groomers. I will make a run to Trader Joe's to pick up some items my little sister requested. Today is all about taking care of business. No more time for craziness.

However, if at the end of the day, I find an hour or two to create, I think I will finish this pair of earrings. You know, just a little something to bide the time. We leave tomorrow.

certifiable

My logical mind is able to step outside of myself and see that my behavior over the last few days is borderline certifiable. But I can't stop.

Must. Carve. Stamps.

The subject displays erratic and compulsive behavior pertaining to, but not limited to, art work. She can be found hunched over for hours on end carving stamps. She seems unaware of the goings on around her and if watched closely one can detect a slight rocking in her movements, which may or may not be attributed to the Ben Fold's music she listens to on her iPhone.

I am quite fascinated by the fact that I am responding to the stress of this week in this way. Poor Sugar Daddy doesn't quite know what to think. He has been very patient. The boy is loving the new found freedom he has with his distracted mother. At one point I emerged from my coma to find that he had helped himself to two Popsicles, a pixie stick and a bag of animal crackers.

I also found this.

If I hadn't been so busy being mad about the orange ink on the bar stool, I might have been able to appreciate the artistic value in his work.

Now, what can I make next?

nesting and other such endeavours

I can't quite believe that in one week I will have a daughter. The thought is so overwhelming to me I can't think about it for too long or I start to feel like I can't catch my breath.

It is amazing how similar it feels to my last week of pregnancy with the boy. I am officially nesting. And because I have already decorated the nursery, washed every stitch of clothing, assembled the bassinet next to our bed, sterilized the bottles and binkies, packed the suitcases, bought diapers and wipes and all things in the derriere department, I am left with art.

I have channeled all my energy into carving rubber stamps. Strange? I know. But I have to be doing something. My DIY ADD won't allow for idleness.

Here are the stamps I have made over the last few days.

Stamp carving is completely relaxing. I am trying to get Sugar Daddy to give it a go. If you can doodle a drawing, you can make your own stamp. Simple as that. Maybe someday I'll get the crafty chicks together for a lesson.

But for now, I'll continue to carve and wait.