Thursday, September 8, 2011
Two Months
Two months? Already? Before I know it, Ella will be 18! I took photos of Ella yesterday on her two month birthday and she already looks SO much bigger than she did in her one month pics. It is so amazing watching her grow- and even better, seeing her smile!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Happiness
Have you ever felt like you were exactly where you were supposed to be? I am feeling that way right now, and it is a really wonderful thing. I have gone through times in my life where I was very confused and clouded with doubt, so having this clarity and feeling of peace is something I don't take for granted. Motherhood is amazing and I feel really lucky that I can potentially turn my passion for painting into more than just a hobby.
That being said, I don't feel like I randomly ended up in this place because of fate or luck. I chose to be where I am today. Just wanted to share my happiness today with all of you!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Kid's Korner: Butterfly Orb
I know that when I was looking for mobiles for Ella's nursery, I wanted to find something really special. The mobile can be a beautiful focal point in your baby's room. I am very excited to introduce this awesome shop, Butterfly Orb, full of gorgeous, light and whimsical butterfly mobiles. Not only are they a unique design piece for nurseries, but babies love to observe the orb's gentle movement and grace as well.
Butterfly Orb is owned by Ann and Mark, and I had the pleasure of conversing with Ann. Ann has always loved creating and taught special education for many years. Butterfly Orb opened on Etsy last November. Ann says "I love having the idea of the orb as a piece of art that grows up as the room changes....the mobiles are rather timeless that way. You can also use the inside of the orb for special notes, or a visit from the tooth fairy, or hang a crystal inside, or you can hang ribbons from the orb."
Each orb is completely handcrafted and takes about 3 hours to make. Ann really likes to work with her customers to create a piece that is a perfect fit for their child's nursery.
"I love getting photos from Moms to be (mostly Moms to be) showing their nursery designs or bedding and then together we talk about the design...some of our collaborative efforts I post at our Etsy store to show others what great color combinations can be created."
When I asked Ann how the concept for Butterfly Orb began, she said:
"It really was a butterfly that kept coming around every morning, the same butterfly, and each morning with a cup of coffee we would have a visit. Sometimes it would land on my shoulder! Sometimes, it would be at the window in the afternoon, just fluttering around. Then we starting to talk about butterflies, and movement, people love movement and after much, and many and terrible beginnings we finally landed on the orb design...we knew we wanted an orb shape."
Butterfly Orb is owned by Ann and Mark, and I had the pleasure of conversing with Ann. Ann has always loved creating and taught special education for many years. Butterfly Orb opened on Etsy last November. Ann says "I love having the idea of the orb as a piece of art that grows up as the room changes....the mobiles are rather timeless that way. You can also use the inside of the orb for special notes, or a visit from the tooth fairy, or hang a crystal inside, or you can hang ribbons from the orb."
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| What a gorgeous color scheme! |
Each orb is completely handcrafted and takes about 3 hours to make. Ann really likes to work with her customers to create a piece that is a perfect fit for their child's nursery.
"I love getting photos from Moms to be (mostly Moms to be) showing their nursery designs or bedding and then together we talk about the design...some of our collaborative efforts I post at our Etsy store to show others what great color combinations can be created."
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| A crisp and clean nursery with a Butterfly Orb that gives the room a fun pop of color. |
"It really was a butterfly that kept coming around every morning, the same butterfly, and each morning with a cup of coffee we would have a visit. Sometimes it would land on my shoulder! Sometimes, it would be at the window in the afternoon, just fluttering around. Then we starting to talk about butterflies, and movement, people love movement and after much, and many and terrible beginnings we finally landed on the orb design...we knew we wanted an orb shape."
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| This is Ann's current favorite mobile. "I love how subtle it is and lately soft gray and cream have an appeal to me." |
One of Butterfly Orb's happy customers says, "We absolutely love our daughter's butterfly orb mobile! But more importantly, she loves it. So much more beautiful and interesting than the mobiles sold at the big chain stores. Everyone who sees our daughter's nursery is immediately drawn to the butterflies delicately floating above her crib. I have recommended this product to many people! Thanks so much!"
You can be another happy customer after visiting Butterfly Orb on Etsy. Go ahead and take a look!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Monthly Photos
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| Happy One Month, Ella! |
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| Felt letters and numbers. So bright and colorful! |
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| Baby on a calendar. Simple... yet genius! |
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| Ever seen the monthly stickers? You can stick em on onesies, too. This is a popular product on Etsy. |
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| Had to throw this one of Ella in for good measure. I had lots of fun with our first monthly photo shoot, she obviously felt differently :) |
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Baby On the Go!
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| Mommy and Ella all ready for a walk. |
Benefits for Mommy:
- No bulk of the stroller systems! Makes it so easy to move around with baby in tow.
- A fantastic way to get some fresh air and exercise. What new mommy doesn't want to fit into her pre-pregnancy clothing again? (Although some of my maternity pants were awfully comfortable).
- Bonding time with your baby by holding her close to your body. There's no better feeling than having your little peanut snuggled up against you.
- Babies are soothed and supported in a natural way that reminds them of the womb; they can hear the familiar rhythm of your heartbeat and rock and sway with you as you walk.
- Baby carriers provide a safe place for your little one to explore the world with you.
- Encourages bonding and enhances learning development.
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| Kisses in the carrier. |
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Nursery Inspirations: Jungle Love
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| Gypsy Lane's "Jungle Love" Blocks, one of our most popular designs. To view these blocks on Etsy, click here. |
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Staying Creative!
Suggestions 7, 10, 13 and 19 usually help me when I'm in a rut.
How about you?
Do you have any other suggestions for keeping your creativity thriving?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Nursery Inspirations: Classy Girl
When a customer contacts me requesting a new theme or color palette I haven't worked with before, I am thrilled. I had fun working with the pink, black and white theme on this new set of "Classy Girl" Blocks. I had so much fun, in fact, that I set up a collection inspired by these blocks. Check out the nursery items I envision these blocks coordinating with below. I have to give thanks to my friend Jaci who introduced me to polyvore.com, which is a super fun site that lets you design your own inspiration boards! New obsession!
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| Gypsy Lane's "Classy Girl" Blocks on Etsy. Find them here. |
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Our First Baby
There she is. The furry love of my life. Gigi was our first baby.............
Gigi is an amazing dog and has a very gentle disposition; we were not worried about any danger she might pose to the baby. My biggest concern was that Gigi would become very jealous or sad that Ella would be requiring so much of our attention usually reserved for her. Gigi 100% knew she was the star of our household before Ella arrived. I even believe she sensed something was different during my pregnancy. I became one of those weird pet parents having conversations with my dog about her new role as a big sister and how we would always love her just as much.
Scott and I made sure to take caution when we brought Ella home from the hospital, just in case. While Ella and I were still staying in the hospital, Scott brought home a hat that Ella had worn so that Gigi could sniff it out and become familiar with the scent of the new baby. We are of course trying to give Gigi as much affection as possible, but it can be hard with a needy newborn in the house. I think Gigi is still a bit confused and wonders if this is a permanent thing or not, but she has taken pretty well to Ella so far. What has your experience been like if you introduced a pet to a new baby? If you are bringing a new baby home to a pet, check out these tips from Animal Planet.
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| From the minute we adopted her, we have loved her beyond words! She taught us how to be responsible parents, and I truly consider her my baby. |
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| We hope as Ella grows that she comes to love Gigi as much as we do! |
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Kid's Korner: Drawworm
Drawworm's shop owner and artist Kelley creates custom pencil portraits from photographs, and boy are her drawings gorgeous! Though not necessarily a "kid's item", I wanted to feature her work on Kid's Korner because I think her drawings make a beautiful and unique gift idea for moms and dads to preserve memories with their children.
Kelley says "I love drawing children, because their personalities shine through in every photo. They're never fake or posed. I hope that the portraits I draw of children will capture their personalities in such a way that makes their parents remember and smile every time they look at the drawing."
Kelley is currently studying Illustration at the Academy of Art and has been drawing ever since she has been old enough to draw a crayon. I love the way she got her shop name. "When I was young, my father saw me with my nose buried in a book and said, 'You're such a bookworm!' My little brother, knowing my love for drawing, added, 'Yeah, and you're a drawworm, too!'"
"I love making people happy with drawings. In our modern world, almost everything we own is mass-produced, instantly available and quickly replaced. I want to provide people with something special: one-of-a-kind artwork, inspired by each individual customer, created to reflect their personalities and memories, drawn with care and pride by human hands."
To view more of Kelley's portraits, visit her Etsy shop, Drawworm.
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| Custom Double Portrait from Photo 11x14- $180.00 |
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| The prices for a portrait depend on the size and number of subjects in the drawing. |
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| Send her a photo to get started! Kelley says she loves hearing the stories behind the photos she is working from. She is currently working on an old wedding photo for a couple's 60th anniversary. |
"I love making people happy with drawings. In our modern world, almost everything we own is mass-produced, instantly available and quickly replaced. I want to provide people with something special: one-of-a-kind artwork, inspired by each individual customer, created to reflect their personalities and memories, drawn with care and pride by human hands."
To view more of Kelley's portraits, visit her Etsy shop, Drawworm.
Thank You! Love, Ella.
The outpouring of love we have received from family and friends has been amazing! Thank you to everyone for your visits, your well wishes, and your gifts. If you are looking for a baby gift, I found these ideas to be really creative and/or simply adorable.
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| A set of bloomers came in the cutest packaging. Check out Bunch O' Bloomers (For Blooming Buns)- each with a colorful flower on the bum! |
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| Ella modeling her bloomers. |
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| "My Very Own Name" is a personalized book that teaches children how to spell their own names. How cool is that idea?!! You can find this and other personalized children's books at I See Me's website. |
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| Another page in the book by I See Me. Look closely and you can see Ella's name in the story! |
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| I love owls! Ella's room is decorated with trees, songbirds and owls. This pillow comes from an Etsy shop called I Sew Lucky, filled with adorable owl pillows. |
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| A truly unique onesie! My friend (and former sorority sister) had this made on Etsy, though I'm not sure what shop she used. You can find tons of sellers doing personalized work like this on Etsy. |
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| I had never heard of Trumpette socks until having a baby. I think these socks are so fun! Find more designs at http://www.trumpette.com |
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Ella Ivy Levitt
"A new baby is like the beginning of all things, hope, a dream of possibilities."
Ella Ivy Levitt was born on 7/7/11 at 2:51pm. We couldn't love her more.
Ella Ivy Levitt was born on 7/7/11 at 2:51pm. We couldn't love her more.
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