Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Did someone say Abandoned?

Whoa. I am in love....

These beautiful paintings by Melody Seal are available as originals (while they last) and prints at The Dark Horse. This series is based on lost and abandoned vintage toys. I love the creamy colours and the "dauby" quality. It's so hard to decide which is my favourite....but I can't wait to place my order - there is definitely a spot reserved on Sadie's nursery walls for a new friend. Afterall, I'm a sucker for any little critter in need of a home.

Oh, and before I forget - I'm having a sale in my shop to celebrate Canada Day! Shipping is free tomorrow :)

Monday, June 29, 2009

Guilt: I has it


I feel like a horrible mother. 

This evening, Scott and I did not earn top marks as parents. We were careless and unreceptive to Sadie's cry for help (literally). It's the only way she knows how to communicate her needs to us at eight months old, and we shrugged it off as a tantrum brought on by tiredness. Oy.

As we undressed her for her bath, I saw the injury. The metal spring-loaded clip with the velcro strap that clips her soother to her clothes/car seat/ blankie had actually been clipped to her SKIN, as well as her shirt, just on the outside of her armpit. The skin wasn't broken, thank God, but it was one hell of a pinch - two dark purple parallel lines and an extremely raised bit of skin in between. She had endured this for a good twenty minutes; all the way home from our friends' house, being passed around and twisted and turned and tugged by her parents as we got her in and out of her stroller, all the while trying to calm her with "don't worry, we'll be home soon" and other such useless lines. And all the while she was uncharacteristically shrieking, probably cursing her incompetent parents and her own inability to verbalize COULD YOU PLEASE GET THIS CLAMP OFF MY SKIN, ALREADY?!?!

Needless to say, Scott and I felt so bad that both of us have since endured a fitting punishment and wore the same metal clamp on our own skin long enough to know that no baby should have to feel that pain for even a second. It bloody hurts! Basically a form of torture. I would have almost rather kicked Sadie in the head. At least then I would have known right that second what had happened to her and been able to immediately console her. Instead, she was trying to tell us something and we did nothing. The guilt had literally drained all of my energy, and after the commotion had subsided all I could do for a period of about ten minutes was to stare vacantly at the kitchen cupboards and robotically insert tortilla chips into my mouth, one after the other, wondering how I could have done this to my baby girl and how I would explain this senseless act of parenting when my day of reckoning comes. 
Oy, again.

Well, in the end, she made it of course, and she's really no worse for wear - I'm pretty sure it was harder on us. As I put her to bed tonight I told her she could wake up as much as she wanted through the night, and I promised to not get frustrated or complain that I was tired. 
I think what gets me the most is the knowledge that although she'll likely never have her skin pinched in her soother clip again (it has since been destroyed), these types of little accidents will continue to happen throughout her childhood and will often be preventable. As I sat there with her sleeping in my arms, just thinking about those future incidents, which will no doubt have me feeling this guilty again, had me completely overwhelmed. 

I guess the more our hearts fill up with love for this wee little person, the harder they break right along with her when we've unintentionally let her down. 
Scott stayed in her room with her tonight, just sitting there in the dark, long after she'd fallen asleep.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Enchanté!

One of my dearest friends, Roxanne, is getting married in August. We celebrated with a Parisian-themed bridal shower on Father's Day, complete with small dogs (Barclay, Montana and Maddy who donned cable-knit), haute couture and french toast with a twist!

Seven years ago Rox and I were backpacking in Europe and eating banana-nutella crepes was part of our daily routine in France (actually, in every country - who am I kidding). Come to think of it, I believe we once stooped so low that we bought a jar of nutella from a grocery store. A jar of nutella and a spoon, that is. 

But that's besides the point. We are much classier now.

To pay homage to our favourite Parisian snack, while keeping it appropriate to serve at a bridal shower, I came up with a most delicious alternative. I made some french toast, cut it into small square pieces and topped them with a smear of nutella and a slice of banana. Then poked a toothpick through the trio and, voila! Bite-size bliss. You really have to try it.
(There's a photo halfway down the page...)

So cute. 

Monday, June 22, 2009

Vestige


I simply love these chocolate caramels from Saxon Chocolates.
They're not only tasty, but also beautiful - almost too pretty to eat! But I am definitely not one of those people who can keep chocolate in a cupboard and slowly pick away at it. Shortly after this photo was taken these three little morsels (bless their stylish souls) were unceremoniously devoured.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Friday, June 19, 2009

Rhett Dashwood font - 10,000,000 pt


This is so cool - typography meets landscape.
Rhett Dashwood (great name) is a Creative Director in Melbourne, Australia who created this Google Earth alphabet by searching satellite imagery for geographic landmarks resembling letters. Apparently "K" proved to be the most elusive.
I like "A" the best (runways!) 

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Ooo! Noo Koos!

I'll be updating the shop today with these little buggers.....
(Bluebell, Weasel McBeasel, and Benedict)




Tuesday, June 16, 2009

My current obsession is chalkboard paint


Last week I popped into Nood and had to consciously slow my pulse when I saw squirrel silhouette chalkboard wall decals. AND they were only $5.95! You can get them online here. I scooped one up, declined a bag, and instead tucked it in the pouch underneath Sadie's stroller. Somewhere between there, lunch at Lady Marmalade, and my car, it vanished. 

Disappointment.

Do I go back for another, or chalk it up to fate?

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Sunday picks

Three of my favourite things this week:

1. Benedict, the makings of a humble bunny with a lofty name;

2. Set of six vintage Hallmark party invitations my mom found at a garage sale for 25 cents;

3. Sadie's black and white espadrilles, because who doesn't love gingham?

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

New Mailing Labels

This is a draft of a mailing label I've been working on for those orders that come from far off places. I like the sketchy quality and the little banner design, but I'm wondering if it's a bit confusing to switch up the graphics and stray away from the original K & P logo (as in the masthead). Maybe I should just keep things consistent? I welcome any advice!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

New in town

Why, Hello! 

If you're so inclined, please hop over to my shop over the next few days as I will be listing several new creatures this week.
 
Thanks for visiting.