Getting back to petals and pedals

Once upon a time I found a vintage Raleigh bike on Craigslist for $90. It came complete with a Brooks saddle and, from what I gathered from the pictures, was in excellent condition. I think it was a 3-speed, and I think it was red. I don't remember exactly. Someone else got to it before I did, so I didn't get the pretty little gem. A couple days later the buyer relisted the bike for over twice the original price. I swear--same bike, different location, all new price tag.

So this year I've asked for a bike for Christmas. My old Schwinn is steel and heavy, and the gears are clunky and really I just want an easy ride. (Stop snickering. Seriously. Stop.) I found a newer Raleigh, this time a 7-speed cruiser style, for $75. This time there was not floundering about, we hopped on the deal and now I'll have to wait till the end of December before I get to see it again. Meanwhile, Charlie is going to add a few things to it. What? I don't know, but I hope maybe they'll be from this primo compilation of bike accoutrements.


Hip pouch and handlebar bag from etsy, Brooks basket and seat, and wood handlebar grips.

Do you have a bike you absolutely love or one you're lusting after? Do tell!

Mulling over spices and tasty treats

I realize it's still a little early to be thinking Christmas, but I am. So there.

I think it was getting up to Raleigh for the Handmade Market, not being a part of the selling, but having the time to meander and browse, chat and not worry about what's going on at my booth. We knocked out about half of our shopping just in that one room. It took about 2 hours, no shipping fees, and a whole lot of "Wow! That's perfect for _____." It was easy, it felt good, and hopefully the gifts are a little better thought out than a Snuggie from Big Lots.

Then there are all of the little gifts to give--the ones that say "Hey! You're important to me and I love you, but I'm pretty poor, so this is something for you to let you know I'm thinking about you." And for those people, I'd like to give the warm tummy hug of something tasty.

I have a few ideas that will fit the bill.


Whimsy and Spice marshmallows have been tempting me since. . .well, I guess the first time I saw them. Seeing they have a cardamom version may push me over the edge to make that first purchase. Of course, I'd buy extra to rationalize the shipping costs, and eating a handmade marshmallow would be a real treat, don't you think?

Little Brown Pen has a kit to make 8 whoopie pies complete with packaging to pass them on as gifts to friends. The description includes this little tidbit. I especially like the part about her grandma.

Kit contains: 8 muslin bags: Nice, natural texture and the perfect size for one whoopie pie. 8 gift tags (2x2): Original whoopie pie illustration, offset printed on super-thick, uncoated, post-consumer paper for quality and texture. Whoopie pie recipe: My grandma's. I grew up in Lancaster, PA--home of the whoopie pie. Her recipe is legendary.

Design Mom has instructions to make your own vanilla extract. That one has "holiday gift gold mine" written all over it because 1) it's affordable, 2) I've easily spent $9 on a small bottle of good(-ish) vanilla before, so this absolutely falls under the indulgent gift category, and 3) I can still say, "I made that!" and get all the gushing praise and reactions that come with making gifts. After all, the praise and happiness of giving a gift are just as important in the whole gift giving process, right?

With the vanilla, I think I'm going to add a teaspoon. I love the ones from Beyond the Shaker; they're the perfect accompaniment to an amber bottle filled with homemade organic vanilla extract, don't you think?

(PS~If you're on my gift list and reading this, you better still act surprised, ok?)

This about sums up the last month or so of my life. The calendars came back from the printer and I've started shipping them out (61 of 100 left!). Between feedings yesterday I got a second to snap some pictures of them in my studio (nurdio).

Everything pre-Mabel seems ancient history, and the quiet moments around the house are heart-meltingly sweet. She's very patient as we stumble through new parenthood, and we're very very grateful for that. I'm now back to my day job, transitioning back into "real life"--you know, the one that doesn't involve cooing and ooing and staring at my baby all day. What a luxury that was!

Congratulations are in order for a few other mommas out there, too!
Abbey, Emma, Julie, Rachel, and Stephanie.

What have you all been up to over the last month? It's time to catch up on what's happening out in the world! Help me!

Yep, I'm still alive--just taking a little time to get to know my newest little friend, Mabel Davis.
She was born October 2 (on her due date!) and is amazing!

I've also uploaded all the calendar images and am just waiting for them to come back from the printer. . . then they'll start shipping and go up to regular price: $20.
If you get one before then, they're $15!
See a slide show of the illustrations here and purchase from etsy or my big cartel shop!

March on!

Here's a little recap of the calendar pages I've shown on flickr so far. I'm going to play catch-up here and show them one by one in their bigger sizes, but in the mean time you can see the compilation image above by clicking on the pic or here.

It's my first day of maternity leave--I thought I'd take a week before the due date to make sure I've tidied up a bunch of loose ends (haha, yeah, wish me luck!) and to get rested before I wrangle a little baby outta my body.

In the meantime, here's a little bit 'o eye candy!

Fridayness and another GIVEAWAY!

Hello Friday! Today's my last day at work before Maternity Leave begins. Maternity Leave, people. As in, when I come back to my desk I'll be a mama. Weird.

As I dive into motherhood, I'm still holding onto those last few bits of rebellion {Ha! Saying that out loud seems to discount any authenticity, doesn't it?}, including adding the occasional "punk" cd to my collection. It makes the drive into work in the morning a little less--errrr---ummmm----corporate?

A recent audio introduction to Titus Andronicus has helped me stay in touch with my inner 19 year old choker wearing, teal haired self. I have to admit the first listen made me laugh, thanks to an onslaught of cussing for cussing's sake {What!?! The F bomb makes me giggle!} But the more I listened to it, the more it took me back to the days of shows and smoking cigarettes, pretending to be tough while scoping out potential boys with full sleeve tattoos. Yum. Ok, I digress.

But I'm going to *hopefully* have a newborn to tend to when these guys come to town, and as much as I daydream of bygone days, a newborn at a bar doesn't seem the best path to healthy motherhood. . .

But lucky you! I have tickets to give away and you can go and rock your socks off! Plus, you'll get a free 12" of The Innocents Abroad: Live in London, 23/02/09! Sweet vinyl, oh how I love thee.

Comment below to be entered to win. . .and don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you!!

January is here. . .at least in spirit

I have to admit I got a little geeked-out excited about the January illustration and Hi-C has already claimed it as his favorite.

Also, there's a show coming up at the Cat's Cradle and I've got tickets to give away! Anyone in the area interested in going to see St. Vincent? She's playing October 7 at the Cat's Cradle with Andrew Bird. All you gotta do is leave a comment {and be sure to leave a way to contact you if you win!!} stating why you should get to go.



And just so no policy police crack the whip on me ;) Beggars Group/Matador Records are actually giving the tickets away, just through me. But really, in my mind, you can't go wrong with any of their musicians and I loved St. Vincent before they got in touch with me. . .'cause I don't promote things unless I believe in their quality.

My love can't be bought.

Let's open the gates and comment away!