Look at Me When I’m Talking To YOU January 16, 2009

Ever want to administer a gentle bap to the face of anyone in customer service?  I’m not talking anything that would leave a mark, just an “OK, I heard your tone and I raise you a mitten to the face” kind of move.    Let me begin by saying that I would fail miserably in customer service.

There are many jobs I’d like to think I could do well, listening to the gripes of the masses is not one of them.  I get it.  But if I were ever to find myself working C.S. I would treat them like my first graders, “Yes, I hear what you are saying.  That doesn’t feel fair that your friend got to buy the bread on sale but when you shopped it was full price…” etc.  But why am I sympathizing?  This was meant to be a ‘I’ve been stuck sick in the house for 3 days and you bugged me on my maiden voyage” kind of rant.

Back on point, one of the grocery stores in my town doesn’t have a little corral for the shopping carts in the parking lot.  They just recently closed the place down for a total renovation, looks great but I was shocked that they didn’t finally build us a little channel to shove the carts into.  I inquired about this today, my first day out to forage in days, at the customer service desk.  She took an annoyed tone with me and said, “That is why we have the boys (whole other issue, no room in tired brain for 2 rants) go out and collect ’em”.  She further enlightened me with the knowledge that it would take up 4 parking spaces so that’s why they didn’t build one.  Really?  Well if we were to take a little stroll through the parking lot, the same one I just had to drive through as if it were an obstacle course, then I’m sure we would count MORE than 4 spaces currently being obscured by stray carts.  I know you are thinking why not just walk the cart back to the store and when I’m alone, I do.  But some people are old, some are lazy and some have small children in tow; and I’ve heard tell of a rare bird that is all three. Not a word out of you or it will be a mitten to the face for you (in my head)!

I won’t even start on why she said they don’t have “car carts”, those cute little ride-in shopping carts for the kiddos.

Ok, read this back and will fully own that I sound like a privileged sh*thead.  Noted.  Off to curl up with my Martha Stewart and gulp ginger ale.

I included a random shopping photo because I am the mom who takes photos of her kids in the grocery store.

As soon as I feel better, I’m gonna change!

Play With Your Food January 15, 2009

I’m feeling sick as a dog today, as I was yesterday.  The grating sound of children’s television motivated me to do a craft project with my little one.  I am proud that one of his growing, but still few, words is sew.

I set up the fabric markers & crayons on the floor of the craft room/office and let him go to town.  He made a banana with eyes and requested I make a “cheese bar”.   I haven’t finished the cheese bar but I have to say I think it’s fetching so far.  Here is a photo of the banana in process.

I also made a lollipop, baked potato and a reversible spaghetti/pizza number.  We just filled them with rice and sewed them up, bean bag stylie.  Easy, durable, not plastic and definitely not DORA the SCREAMAH!

The wee one is giving it all a good wash below.

I have been meaning to brag tell you about a great trash score.  A good friend of mine teaches (very well, I might add) at a public school in a neighboring town.  They got a grant for new play kitchens and I bought a set from her at a very reasonable price.  After hauling these heavy pieces to the car I saw MORE in the trash.  I loaded the car with 3 complete sets (it was all that could fit, it was like a Survivor puzzle challenge).  I went back but the rest had already been picked up by the big green monster.  I have a set in the basement I meant to put on Craigslist before the holidays but never got around to it,  am going to list soon.  I think I will make the money I paid my friend back and maybe a little extra to spend on a mom’s night out!  That money went to a good cause, new books for the classroom.  Why the other teachers didn’t do the same I don’t know.  It would have kept the stuff from the landfill, made the classrooms a little money and the playsets would have gone to good homes!

I still have to scrub some stickers off and fix up a few more handles but these are quality school grade pieces.  Love them, thanks K!

Okay, now I nap.

Wrap Up January 14, 2009

The pre-holiday build up and general busyness is such that when it is over, you just want to leave it to rest.  And so I have, but I wanted to wrap up about one last craft, some super gifts and our trip.  So forgive me for dredging it back up, won’t promise to be brief!

An unanticipated benefit to blogging is that my gifts this year were SPOT ON.  My parents are both very generous and thoughtful but some holidays past ( just sometimes Mom!) I have gotten great gifts that would have been just the thing for 10 – 20 years earlier me.  Which makes sense because that was the me they knew best.  Leopard print, I used to love it!  But this year I cleaned up!  My parents, who have been excited about and supportive of my etsy shops, really got into looking for hidden spots to get great vintage finds for me and to map for my future visits.  Cool parents, huh?  One of these “shops”, run out of someone’s garage,  is where my parents got me this little lithographed monkey that I adore. (Do not even try cousin Pat, we’re not telling the secret location!)

I love his combination of cheeriness and brokenness!  And I didn’t even take it personally that my mom knew just what kind of bank to get me, one that lets the money flow on through!

And my dad, understanding my penchant for everyday things and pieces connected to my grandparents, gave me a box full of the most glorious clothespins.  They are worn smooth from use by my granny in a different day.  Makes me a little less apt to complain about schlepping the clothes to the basement.

I also got these labels in their original envelop.  I am thinking of framing these.  Just beautiful! I can imagine my granny ordering these and then sewing them onto clothes, afghans and quilts made by her soft hands.  She often told me I should apply lotion more frequently because, “Soccer is going to give you rough hands”!

And my Aunt Donna, who is a super crafter who should crank out her own blog, passed along the COOLEST planters from her collection.  I was so surprised and touched by her gift.  This little chick is my favorite:

Have you ever seen such sass and pep captured in porcelain before?  Ok, coming clean – this is an area of confusion and therefore growth for me, (chant inside my head).  What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic?  I have Googled and yet still it eludes me.  Thanks Aunt Donna for your generous sharing of these vintage gems!

Phew.  I might just do this one in installments.  Yes, I will save the trip and last Chanukah craft for tomorrow.

Upon reflection, is it 12 of me to share my presents?  I feel like the kid zooming her new bike up and down the street Christmas morning, just a ringin’ that bell!

Over Winter January 13, 2009

I long for spring.

For playgrounds, walks outside, open windows, budding flowers, cookouts, and some semblance of surefootedness!

I know I will be complaining about bugs & allergies when it comes, but today I long for spring.

Alphabet Sunday :: J January 10, 2009

Lauren says. J is for Jadite:

Tracey says, J is for Jack-o-lantern on a Jalopy:

Coming Clean January 9, 2009

Dear Blog,

You have been such a great companion  to me.  Don’t get that look on your face, this is not a break-up, or even a “break” for that matter.  I just feel like I need to come clean and clue you in that there is someone else in my life.  I younger, faster and sometimes (I’m sorry) more fun version of you.  I have been seeing Face Book for the last month or so.  Okay a few months but it’s gotten more serious in the last month.  Others have tried to hit on me in the past, (I’m talking to you Twitter) but you always came out on top.  But this time I think I’m developing feelings that just aren’t going to go away.  I hope you are up for a poly-amorous relationship because Flickr is knocking on my door and I just might answer that call as well.

Thanks for being so understanding.  I don’t know if I would be in your place.

Yours truly and multipley,

Tracey

Dear Readers,

And for the record I wasn’t calling folks on FB more fun that YOU.  Not for a second!  Just the venue, the newness and all.  If anyone is on FB and would like to friend me, leave a comment and we’ll work it out in both worlds!

You know I love you best,

Tracey

2nd Generation Blogger January 8, 2009

My oldest asked me this week if he could start a blog to share some of his Lego creations.  I said sure, figuring it would be a nice way to be in touch with the grandparents and a good way for him to practice language.  He thought it should be named, “Leg-ology” but I imagined creepy people googling his site hoping for gams so I suggest maybe, “Lego-ology” would be a little more exact.  He’s all about the exact.   He wants to take his own photos but I can’t bring myself to let him use my Nikon.  A camera is on the wish-list for his birthday and I like the idea of him being in charge of the visual as well as the text but in the meantime I’m taking the shots with his direction.

Here is his site, Lego-ology, and an excerpt from his last post:

The first thing he wanted people to know last night was, “my    blog will  be closed on holidays.”  So NOTED!

This morning he showed me one of his Lego creations and asked, “Did we blog this yet?” Oh man, I’m in trouble.  I can see the computer slipping through my fingers already.  What’s next, the television remote?

So if you or your kiddos like Legos show her/him my guy’s site.  I’m sure he’d also love to see photos of their lego work as well!

Look Who Has Been Busy in 2009 January 7, 2009

Well I’ve hit the ground running this year!  I opened up a second etsy shop.  In the words of my dear husband, “WHY?!!!!!”.   It’s called BeMyVintageValentine:

I am specializing in funky nostalgic Valentines with some antique German pull-outs thrown in.  I really like having a shop that sells a specific item.  It has a cleaner look and make the posting of items a million times easier and faster.  Not that I’ll be neglecting Paperdollsforboys well, maybe until March!

I had more in my personal collection than I realized.  This is one of the reasons selling vintage has been so satisfying for me.  I have gotten to really look at what I collect.  Appreciate what I have already by taking nice photos of them and then sending them off into the world for others to enjoy and treasure.

Here is one of the old German ones I listed today:

And my personal favorite, and not just because of the TWITTER reference (paperdolls4boys on Twitter if you want to hook up):

Somewhere between the polka-dots and the maryjanes I fell in love with her!

I feel a little guilty though, I will admit.  I get annoyed when I walk into Walgreens and they super jump on the holiday supplies and decorations and here I am, just squeaking into January, peddling my Valentines.  I would feel more guilty if I didn’t plan to have the shop up year round!

Vintage Valentines for ALL YOUR FRIENDS!

Bloggy Playdate January 4, 2009

Yesterday I met my first virtual friend in person.  Mimi Kircher, funky doll creator   and all around amazing artist, invited me over for tea, a chat and to check out her studio.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and look forward to hanging out again!  It was fun to talk blog, flickr, fabric, family, etsy, and art with her.  In addition to chatting, I could have spent hours just photographing her home.  It was chock full of life and creativity.  I think if I could make up an ideal job for myself it just might be photographing the living spaces of others – peeking behind the curtains!

Here are some shots from her studio:

And I took this one on the way down from her attic studio.  The portrait is of her as a child and the woman in the mirror is the talented Mimi herself.

I was trying to explain to my husband that this was MAJOR blog fodder, meeting Mimi Kirchner!

I couldn’t show up empty handed. I was inspired by her quote in the latest Craft Magazine about the oft used phrase, “This is not your grandmother’s craft”.  Click on the link and read it, it’s a good one.

I sewed some buttons from my Granny’s tin on a vintage piece of linen with lovely french knots (a skill which escapes me).

So thanks for a lovely afternoon, Mimi, and for sharing your non-virtual space with me!

And if you’d like to check out more of her work, including the very fine mustachioed and tattooed men, click here to be whisked away to her etsy shop.

Alphabet Sunday

Lauren says, I is for Ichthyology:

Tracey says, I is for Investigate: