earth day loves /  by jen geigley


I'm totally stealing this linky from Elise but I have not seen cooler+cuter+super affordable earth-happy shopping bags. I love the zillions of color choices, too. Baggu bags.

Totally inspired to attempt to make a recycled magazine dollhouse for Lo.

How about some upcycled luggage?

Or upcycled rag yarn?


Or soda can Hello Kitty magnets? Okay, I'm getting a little crazy here, but happy earth day to you. (Now get off the computer and go enjoy it.)

craft saturday showcase /  by jen geigley


It's that time again – Craft Saturday is this weekend! Below are just some of the fantastic things you'll find if you come and see us this Saturday at the 4th Street Theatre downtown (next to Java Joes) from noon until 6 p.m. Where's my stuff? Check back this week to see more pics of what I've been working on.

Zinski


soZealous


Authentic Art


Rustbelt Fiberworks


dee-HAY-mer


Jade Scott


Popsicle Stick (I am in LOVE with her gorgeous stuff!)


Carrie Girl


Jadewicks


StellaJames (Erin, my pal who I share a booth with) :)


Monster Fashion


Handmade Pretties


Mary Marie


i'm fairly certain... /  by jen geigley


... that this weekend is going to rock it. Trisha is coming from Minneapolis. Erin + Trisha = Vegas practice. An appointment with Skin Kitchen is in the works. And a new Dare is up today, welcoming the newest Effer. We were all more than excited to share our love for the little guy and his parents.

Happy Friday to you!

one of Lo's favorites... /  by jen geigley


when she hears this song come on, she gets a huge smile on her face. and she waves at the girl. i like it too. i end up whistling it around the house all day. because i can't quite get a handle on all of the words yet.

[give it a few more reps.]

get out the Sharpie... /  by jen geigley


New challenge is up today at The Creative Type. I liked this one a lot – get out your pen or some stamps and write on your photos. See what the rest of the girlies did here... good stuff.

I like this quote... it makes me think of all of the people who leave their mark on you as you grow into the adult you eventually become. Of course I'm totally still getting there.

I smile when I think of my first piano teacher, an elderly neighbor lady (who I'd visit almost daily when I was a kid) who was an amazingly talented painter, my favorite teachers in school, my not-so favorite teachers in school. The girls in my class ... the nice ones and the not-so-nice ones. The boys who broke my heart and my high school art teacher who told me I should major in graphic design when I went to college. The hurt, angst, smiles, cries and friends who have held your hand through it all. The changing and growing and learning and failing and falling. Who was there, and who helped you get here?

PS ... you absolutely must see the stellar photography posts at Work Your Soul. Kim has put together some jaw dropping stuff and you might be inspired to try something new with your photo taking. Go look now... here, here and here! Amazing job, friend.

the re-cap /  by jen geigley


Hoping everyone had a fun Easter weekend! We stayed busy making cookies and treats to share.

I bought some new Easter cookie cutters this year.

Which started out looking so cute...

...but then end up looking like this. Does Wilton have a test kitchen, and did this happen to them? Is it the dough, the pan ... me? Probably.

Lotus had a blast with the sprinkles.

And she made some artwork to give to our family members.

I was brave enough this year to let her have a go at the eggs.


And she did a great job.

We spent the weekend visiting family and had a fun drive up north to goof around with my parents, uncle Chris and Lisa.

This was one of my fave toys when I was little ... the Sesame Street clubhouse. I love seeing the old toys and books my parents break out of the closet when we visit.

And over the course of the weekend, Lo participated in several egg hunts.

She is now an egg hunt professional.




And our house is completely filled with chocolate eggs and rabbits. If you need a chocolate fix, come on over and help us out. Please.

today... /  by jen geigley


Lotus and I visited the Easter bunny. At the mall. Isn't it weird that you visit Santa and the Easter bunny at a mall? I think it's absurd. I hope she never asks me to explain why they're at the mall. Anyway, there were the expected tears, but it wasn't all bad because when it was over, Lo kept talking about how she sat with the Bunny and seemed quite proud. And I think every time I look at this picture in the future, I will have to laugh about the flip flops that she's wearing. We had a huge struggle getting her dressed and it was too chilly for flip flops, but they were the only way we were getting out of the house. I can't believe we're already at such a high level of wardrobe negotiation. But we're there. We're so there.

Bo scored a sweet used drum set yesterday and Lo wasted no time breaking it in.

She was quite good right away. And we're okay with the loud banging, I promise. Bo and I play guitar so we're pushing her towards percussion for our own selfish reasons. ('You'll play in the family band and you'll like it!')

We had a little arts and crafts fun together and painted some pink bunnies to give to the grandparents this weekend. (These squeeze paints rule.) Lo painted a nice bright blue streak in her hair and I was tempted to not wash it out right away to see what would happen. But I caved. And it washed out.

And we are the proud parents of a big girl who sleeps in her big girl bed. Every night. I think she's been out of the crib for almost a week now. You may remember our first attempt a couple of months ago but this one went much better. And she's just as proud as we are. Though we're still getting used to hearing her wake up (sometimes really early) and pitter patter around the house for a little bit before coming to find us or climbing back into her bed.

I'm getting some things ready for Craft Saturday in a couple of weeks. I'm bringing the usual kids' birthday t-shirts, along with some new knitted things. Like the black cotton spring scarf above. Which I kind of want to keep for myself. Craft Saturday always sneaks up on me so I'm trying to get things finished up. No matter what, it's always so much fun and a great chance to hang out all day (and drink Java Joes coffee) with Erin. Can't complain!