Vermont

Chris and I decided to spend part of our rare simultaneous time off together driving up to Burlington, Vermont. We arrived late afternoon and took a walk into town for Thai food and a couple of local microbrews:
The next day we went to meet this little dude at the Science Center...
And then we took a drive to... can you guess?
I have a strange fascination with factory tours and will never turn down the chance to take one.
Now we're back home in snowless New York, getting ready to ring in 2008, a year sure to be full of new surprises, adventures, and exactly one new nephew. Hope your New Year is safe, peaceful and prosperous!

Checking in...

Well, that sore throat turned out to be a full-on bronchial flu type of thing. I'm sure a doctor would have given some sort of diagnosis, had I made an appointment. And I had the most unforgiving schedule this past week, filled with the types of obligations that would not wait. Now both Chris and I begin a week off, and this weekend has been deliciously lazy, with just enough orders to make me feel occupied, but still plenty of time to putter around and make a ginger-spiced pumpkin pie for my mom, who arrives tomorrow. After that, we're heading to Vermont!
Above is the photo I took for the cd tray of Chris's album. I posted it here because I decided to add the album to my shop. It's a collaborative project that I feel really proud to have been a part of, and it's really a symbol of the wonderful artistic camaraderie I feel lucky to have in my marriage.

Sunday Morning

This morning as my husband was flipping pancakes, and he asked if I would ever eat a mouse, this is what he meant:

(Also, that plate? About 4 inches wide)
Today I'm addressing holiday cards while I try to heal my incredibly sore throat so I can work tomorrow. Outside the river is choppy and a rainy/snowy mix is falling.
Last night we saw No Country For Old Men. When am I going to start listening to the part of me that warns, "You don't enjoy violent movies. This looks like it's probably violent. Yes, it got rave reviews. So did The Departed and you squirmed through that." So yeah, a bit too bloody. If that doesn't deter you, have at it.
My long-sleeved toddler tees finally arrived and are up in the shop. I'm really happy with how they turned out. I'd love to make some more, once I recoup some of my expenses from this batch. Any designs y'all would like to see on your toddler's tummy?

Friday

My first week back in the trenches was a good one. (The "trenches" being my endearing term for freelance animation work) And, because we all know this is how life works, now that I've spent a week focused on something entirely new, my 100th order rolled in. How appropriate that this was sale number 100.

Whew! And thank you!

Whew, I'm tired. But not too tired to thank everyone who came out this weekend to buy handmade goods, specifically mine.
I was not looking forward to working two craft fairs back-to-back, one of them 8 hours long and by myself, and both right before I start on a brand-new in-studio freelance job. But you all made it soooo worth it. I love it when my suitcase, the one that normally literally bursts at the seams with all of my wares, zips shut with ease at the end of the day and actually feels lighter on the trek home.
Due to the aforementioned freelance job, I won't be doing any more craft fairs until the spring. It sure was nice to end the year on a high note.
p.s. The pic is of Mrs. Washington the bunny. She's tired too!

Upcycled Bunnies

Melissa from Hobocamp gave me a great idea a few weeks ago when I met her at Artists and Fleas: Her business card was printed on the back of a pizza box. And even before that, Christine Renee, who makes all of my buttons, sent me some buttons pinned to the back of a veggie burger box. I am in love with these sorts of ideas, so when I reached the end of a box of ice cream cones, I saved the box. Today I used it to make these bunny ornaments! I used two layers (so the image would show on both sides), and they're super strong, almost like wood. They're in the shop now, and they'll be at my table at 3rd Ward this Saturday, so come on by.

Snowy Sunday

Today the first snow fell, and Cinder pawed at the door to the balcony until I let her check it out.
Big thanks to everyone who came to visit the MamaRobot table at yesterday's fair in Park Slope. A bit of everything found new homes, from toddler tees, to onesies, to holiday cards and prints.
Today I'm re-stocking my suitcase for next weekend's fairs and listening to my husband's pretty guitar music. Which reminds me! If you need a gift for an indie music lover, Chris's CD, Sangamon, is only 10 bucks for the rest of 2007. You can listen, read the glowing reviews, and buy at ChrisFullerMusic. I play accordion on one of the songs, but don't let that discourage you :)