Vintage Photo Friday :: Kids March 13, 2009

I am in the mood for babies & children, pictorially speaking.  I am earnestly holding at 2, but still have my list of unused baby names.  So today I am posting some of my favorite vintage kiddo photographs and naming each child as if they were my own (all the fun without the dirty dukes, incessant needs and pesky college funds).

This is Otto.  I struggle to connect with him.  He’s my most stand-offish child, not very affectionate but seems to have a mind for science.  And a penchant for fine footwear.

Here are my twins, Gus and Otis.  Little rascals, full of fun and love.  Sitting in my favorite deck chair.  Up to no good, I’m sure.

And here we have, from left to right, Petey, Hazel and Solomon.  I can’t claim Petey.  He’s an ever present kid from the neighborhood. But little Hazel and Sol are rocking my good looks.

And here is little Orly with her favorite doll baby, Willa.  She has me sewing frocks for that doll day and night.  I whipped this one up last night, I didn’t work from a pattern, just an image from her imagination and my mad skills.

Alrighty, that was fun.

Now I am going to wrestle my real life kiddo down for nap and map out our weekend, IKEA here we come.

Plus, keep signing up for my giveaway if you know what’s good for you..

–

Here are the VPF players, let me know if I omitted you:

Green Jello

Knot Sew Crafty

Sheep on a Spring

Pineapples & Artichokes

Pamdora

Through the Looking Glass

Handy Crafts

My Own Crafty Wonderland

Woolanthropy

Ellen Bloom

Really? March 12, 2009

Do they really need to include  instructions for how to sit in a bean bag chair?  What I really needed was a few tips on how to shove the insert into the cover.  I need a massage after wrestling 2 of those bad boys into their monogrammed denim shells.  Seriously strenuous.

Funny, I did not need to tell him how to do this:

This was pre-cover.  They ship them separately for maximum drama.  And that’s a tattoo on his foot just in case you were wondering, Egyptian god (all the 2 year olds are getting them).

&

The 3rd installment of giveaway goodness are these vintage salt & pepper shakers.  They are in mint condition, replete with their foil label on the bottom.  You know every day I post what I am giving away I have doubts, “Do I really want to part with this?”.  But I am challenging myself to let go of “stuff” and I have to say it’s feeling good.  So here is more of my stuff to clutter decorate your home with!  But I am having pangs so I reserve the right to break your heart and switch these out for something else.  Sorry!

But don’t forget to leave a comment here for your chance to be a WINNER!

It’s My Party and I’ll Blog if I Want To… March 11, 2009

Leave a comment here, or here-here come to think of it, if you would like your name to be thrown into the hat for a chance to win the spoils & glory.

More booty unveiled tomorrow, can not promise  glory.

–

In addition to a photograph of my Etsy boyfriend, I am adding 5 vintage sewing patterns from my collection to the giveaway.

For your sewing pleasure.

I would make this for you if I loved you more if I had more time (and skills).  Maybe you could whip me up one as an anniversary present or maybe, perhaps, a thank you gift.

For your records:  I am digging the whale.

I am always happy to find vintage patterns for little boys.  Boys (and plus sized women) often get the short shrift in terms of vintage.  So maybe you have a little boy, nephew, or scary doll named Jack who could use a cute little jumper!

I included this one because it’s my party and I can brag if I want to, but doesn’t that bow headed girl look just like ME?!!!

I am in a mood.

Keep the jokes coming.

1 Year Blog Anniversary March 10, 2009

Thursday is my 1 year blog anniversary and it’s got me tongue tied and frozen. I am feeling the pressure to come up with a good give away, as I believe the tradition to be.  I also wanted to re-post some of my earlier entries, but I can not figure out how to do it.

I started without a working camera so all my shots were captured using the computer cam – yeah, it was not pretty but I just jumped.   And am extremely glad I did.  I have grown to know, and even meet a couple,  amazing folks through blogging.  I have gotten advice and support from you and every bit of it has touched my heart.  It has made some crappy situations tolerable because I knew it was going to be good blog fodder (I am talking about you public banana eater).  Blogging has reconnected me with my love for photography and has given me an outlet to experiment, learn and share.  Paper Dolls for Boys also gave me the focus and confidence to open my first Etsy shop (although long ignored, I shall soon resuscitate her).

From reading your blogs, I have laughed out loud (with you, with you all the way), tried new recipes, gotten ideas for crafts to do with my boys or try myself, related to you and your daily mom-ness, reveled in your creative endeavors and kind community spirit.  You all make me aspire to be a better blogger.

I will be revealing the contents of the giveaway little by little.  As I figure it out really – I am thinking some vintage goodness is in order, books, fabric and general doo daddery. Part one of the giveaway is this “polaroid” esque photo of my Etsy boyfriend and all around mascot.   I adore him and he stands short on a shelf above my computer watching, always watching.

So if you would like to enter in my 1 year anniversary giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  I think I’m kicking it old school and drawing names from a hat.  If you want to be entered twice, tell me a good joke in your comment.  I will leave it open until 6:00pm on Sunday the 15th and announce the winner soon after.

I appreciate your willingness to jump in with me and travel together in our little blog cell.  I am not a gushy type gal but I hope you are picking up what I am putting down!

Cheers,

Tracey

Alphabet Sunday :: R March 8, 2009

Lauren says, R is for Real Life:

Tracey (who knows nothing of the above subject) says, R is for Rulers:

I Twitter, You Twitter, Together We Tweet March 7, 2009

Who among you can not get enough of me?

I’d love to know what you ate for breakfast, when someone cuts you off in traffic or get a heads up when you’ve posted a particularly amusing journal.

So leave me your link (especially if you aren’t using your account solely for business plugs – some are okay just don’t get all Bernie and Phil’s on me).

I am paperdolls4boys if you want to follow my ramblings.

Image taken from this interesting article found here.

&

Next week is my 1 year blog anniversary.  I think I’m going to do a retrospective.  Wait for it!

Oh, and maybe a giveaway (sent in a timely fashion for SURE).

Vintage Photo Friday March 6, 2009

I love this triptych:

I found these three photos in different places among  my great aunt’s belongings and was thrilled to see that it’s the same woman over time.  I estimate it to be a 50-60 year span.   I wish I knew more about her, her name and her story.  She seems fairly no nonsense judging by the same hairstyle and glasses worn throughout.

The back of the last photo reads:

Does that say, “This is Mama’s don’t you think it is good of Aunt Im”?  Hmmm?

I am sick about the hole in this one.   I regret to say that it came into my possession sans the canyon there.  Sometime I think my home is where vintage comes to die.

&

Here’s the growing (yeah!) list of folks playing along.  Let me know if I forgot you or you want to be added!

Green Jello

Knot Sew Crafty

Sheep on a Spring

Pineapples & Artichokes

and soon Pamdora

Through the Looking Glass

Handy Crafts

My Own Crafty Wonderland

Woolanthropy

Miss Tilly O’Toole and The Wonderful School March 5, 2009

This was my favorite book as a child.

So in addition to having a Masters in Early Childhood Education (ahem ahem), this book instilled in me high standards.  And I have to say that I love the school my eldest attends.  Thrilled every time I walk into the place, and more importantly, so is my son.

This is national library month and today was ‘come dressed as your favorite literary character’ day.  There was an All School Meeting and kids from each class (K-8) could go to the front of the gym and say who they were dressed as and show the book.  And this is the part that takes it from a special school to a magical place for me, if you didn’t want to dress up then you could just come up and give a recommendation.  How powerful is that for kids of all ages to be recommending books to each other?!

The ASMeetings are definitely “controlled” but the leaders are not controlling.  Today the school’s  fabulous librarians opened up the meeting with a hilarious skit.  They use a sign to get the kids’ attention and the kids flash the sign back, nothing is passive but rather the children have a part in creating the space for people to share during meeting.  I do not doubt that the kids feel like participants in every meeting as opposed to an “audience”.  I just get teary with pride and thankfulness at every Meeting that my kid attends such a marvelous school.

My big guy went dressed as the “Red Knight”, a character from this book:

And my youngest a pirate based on this book:

For some strange reason I have no photos.  Which is too bad because his kick a@@ teachers had totally cool costumes on as well.  I’ll bring my camera at pick up but I’m guessing the costumes will be long gone by then!

What good book recommendations do your kiddos have for mine?  Or if you are without kids, what books do you remember loving when you were a kid?  (costumes optional)

Flush March 3, 2009

This did not work.

Nor did this.

Plan C,

Duckies:

+

=

Fingers crossed!

What potty training tips & tricks do you have for me?

Edit:  I am appreciating all the support and advice!  Even though this is my second child, it’s new territory for me.  My eldest flashed me the sign for potty at 16 months and then proceeded to basically potty train himself.  So true to form, I assumed it was my special technique based on attachment parenting called, “Co-Crapping” ( I was going to write a book and everything).  I kid – but my first born was (is) the clingy sort and so we did make the joke.

Update:  We have reached 5 duckie stickers on the chart and are getting a rubber duck today.

To summarize from your comments:

-naked time works

-stick potty in front of tv

-potty on the go, it’s a good thing

-potty training = staying home (no problem there)

-rewards are not so bad, lollipops etc!

-something about telling the kid to send the dukes back to its family (did I get that right, Cindy?)

Alphabet Sunday :: Q March 1, 2009

Lauren says, Q is for Quiz:

Tracey says, Q is for Quattro: