Waiting for Ruby

Soon we'll be sleeping on a cloud....

While searching for organic wool fleece fabric online a while ago, I came across 100% wool fleece mattress pads. They looked so cozy and warm, and just loving the idea of sleeping on sheep's wool,I read on. They are wonderful for people who suffer from allergies(me and 2/3rds of the planet!), insomnia, neck stiffness, and wool wicks moisture away from the body so it keeps you dry in hot weather, and it is insulating, so it keeps you warm in the winter. I finally ordered one today,after many visits to websites checking them out,though they are expensive(if you opt for the highest wool pile which we did)it is a small price to pay for a good night's sleep. They come in all mattress sizes, even crib size, but I really wonder how safe they are for small infants. We will get one for Ruby's crib, if I think she'll be safe.

http://www.dreamsoftbedware.com/coyuchi.html

All Seasons Patchwork Painting

I am back to blogging! We visited family on Long Island, NY, for Thanksgiving for four days, and when we came back we had a lot of adoption paperwork to update and submit to the USCIS. Since the adoption process keeps lengthening, paperwork is now expiring. I have been very busy this week,painting, holiday crafting, and babysitting. The painting pictured was finished today, there are very familiar prints along with hand stitched details like the butterflies, bird embellishment with real twig legs, and some wool felt flying birds and a felt stitched tulip. Other than those little details,they are not fabrics, it is all hand-painted.When I paint a patchwork painting,I freehand the fabric inspirations, always with a Liberty print in there,and border everything with bamboo(I love the crooked organic nature of bamboo-plus it is very green). I painted a print for every season, but my favorite(of course!) is the Liberty Dittany, it reminds me of the purple twilight of Autumn. I wish I had major yardage! There is a baby dress made from this fabric by Caramel Baby and Child that I would love to hang in Ruby's closet! But I would love to have everything made by them! I was lucky enough to get some very gently used Caramel outfits for unbelievable prices on ebay. http://www.caramel-shop.co.uk/

Most everyone in the crafting world has seen Purl's blog with the embroidery loops,displaying fabrics. I did my first patchwork painting before I saw it, and ironically, I had the Liberty birdsong print in my painting!! Though I must say,the next patchwork painting I will paint is in fact inspired by the Purl loops!

My first patchwork painting, that hangs in our dining room. It is my dream to have an entire patchwork wall, painted on canvas, and hung on the wall like wallpaper. Maybe someday!

Thankful

Seven years ago my husband and I met on Thanksgiving eve night, and a year later, we were engaged on Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for in our little lives. We so get each other, and have the utmost respect for one another. The love we feel goes without saying. We know each other's flaws but they make us more beautiful to one another,verde gris on copper. Shakespeare's sonnet 130 comes to mind:

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

This Thanksgiving, treasure all of life's gifts, as well as it's beautiful flaws.

The White House Kitchen

As much as I love them, I never thought we would buy Ruby a play-kitchen. I already had a small wooden portable stove top that I thought we'd simply place on one of the playstands(that we will make her when the time comes). I was also going to make a sink out of some wood with a bowl dropped into it. But last week, while searching on craig's list I found a wooden kitchen and refrigerator set for a steal. Yes, I know, she isn't even here yet, but I don't know when or if I would see a deal like that again,and I feel good that it's second-hand. The couple we bought it from was very nice, and we appreciate the great deal we got. When we were ready to put the kitchen into our car, the woman was searching through the play-kitchen for a "White House egg",which she said,was not part of the deal. I didn't know what she meant, but I said we would send it to her if it went home with us by accident. When we arrived home, I was cleaning the play-kitchen and found a signed by the president and his wife wooden White House Easter egg. I guess it's about time Republicans gave the middle class a break!

Waldorf Weekend

Philadelphia public elementary schools, simply put, suck, as do most other cities' public schools. We have been researching private schools for a while now.I always loved the Waldorf philosophy, and after going to a Waldorf School's holiday craft fair today(the lovely button-jointed-all-organic-locally-made Waldorf doll on Ruby's bed was purchased there),I think we have made our decision.A Waldorf School is for our family.The poster below was hanging on one of the walls of the school:

The Waldorf philosophy is educating the whole child. Most schools put value only on one side of the brain, so they are educating,as Sir Ken Robinson said,"from the waist up and then to one side of the brain". I found the speech via Amanda Soule's Soulemama blog(the most inspiring blog EVER). If you haven't listened to Robinson's speech, find it here:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66

Why, when we have whole bodies? The Waldorf school values not only the typical school subjects,but also values Art,music,drama and handwork.

I am excited about my upcoming violin lessons! As a parent, I always want to lead by example. How can I expect Ruby to dabble in different things if I never try anything new? I have always wanted to learn to play the violin and I can't wait for the challenge!

We visited the Schuykill Center for environmental education this afternoon -wow- we saw tons of beautiful birds; the tufted titmouse and Carolina chickadee amongst them. It is only one mile away from us and is a huge forest in the city,left unmanicured, so it feels as though you're far away from any downtown area.

While sipping gingerbread chai lattes at a neighborhood coffee shop, we reflected on our day with much enthusiasm for the future and the family we will (hopefully) soon have.

No monkeying around it's time for bed!

I whipped this little sleeping bag up today for a special little girl who loves Monchichis and strawberries! The little strawberry pocket in front holds a tiny felt banana! I will give it to her tomorrow when I see her and her mom for breakfast(muffins and strawberries)!

Rose and Radish Modern Folk Show

http://store.roseandradish.com/

If you are ever searching for something unique this website has a plethora of mostly handcrafted, beautiful things. The doll clothes would look adorable hanging in a child's room as art,handmade by a Brooklyn,NY, artist. The folk print is a 60/40 meaning 60% of the profits go to the artist but 40% go to a charity.

That said, the holidays are coming, and I love this picture so very much:

Instead of buying a lot of things,just to impress with quantity, think about buying one beautiful thing or not buying a thing at all. What about going somewhere together? We are taking family to see the Radio City Christmas spectacular in lieu of gifts.

Poe and rich in Philly

On Saturday,we visited the Edgar Allan Poe house museum in Philadelphia. What a treat to see the actual basement chimney that sprung the idea of his tale of the black cat!

http://www.online-literature.com/poe/24/

He was born in Boston,and lived in various places, including Philadelphia. He was traveling back to Philly when he collapsed, and died mysteriously in Baltimore at the age of 40. Mysterious,that is a word that can also describe the Poe house for it was left empty, no one knows how it was furnished during his time there.

Then we visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art's new Perelman building. I was most excited to see the fashion exhibit featuring Philadelphia-born Ralph Rucci, often the only American designer invited to show haute couture in Paris.

The Perelman building also has an exhibit of modern furniture pieces that feels like a mini MOMA. We saw the Ron Arad for Vitra chair there(only without the glides),that sits in our living room,ready to rock our little Ruby Claire to sleep. A gift from my mom, Claire, it is one of our favorite things. I love the brilliant seashell-shape....

We finished the day at a divine neighborhood coffee shop with award winning cheesecakes. I basically skipped lunch so I wouldn't feel so guilty eating the chocolate cake with chocolate pretzel crust!

Ah,living in the city,all that culture being so close by,we revel in it.

We went to the theater to see Dan in Real Life, but the theater had to close because of "major plumbing issues"! I have never experienced anything like that before!!!!

Sunday, we shopped for materials and then Ron built shelves for Ruby's closet, and was still able to see his beloved Giants(lose to the Cowboys).

This Room is for the Birds!

I am almost finished with most of Ruby's room, I still have to paint her bed(Ron's childhood bed) and sew her reading nook cushions,and add some finishing touches here and there. An alphabet-patchwork painting.But the most fun has been collecting adorable things to put onto her special shelf-and I will share pictures when her room is complete.

I found this precious little birdie on etsy,created by Sweet Nellie:

The one on the left-yes,I picked it out like one would pick out a donut-will sit on Ruby's shelf as soon as she arrives in the mail!

I just love buying handmade. I want Ruby to have few, but beautiful things, in lieu of many things that are not special.

Here is the fabric I am using for Ruby's reading nook-

The curtain finials are birds as well, but it isn't the theme. The theme is definitely animals and nature. Horses,mushrooms,birds....

I want to move into her room!

Felt Advent Calendar

As Stephen Colbert said on The Colbert Report the day after Halloween, "Halloween is over so you know what that means,Christmas is here!"

Dear Ruby,

Growing up,on December 1st,very faithfully,I would drag all of the boxes of Christmas decorations up from the basement and start decorating,a lot of times by myself,with the Christmas music going in the background.

I still love Christmas,especially hand sewing little holiday treasures.

The couple of times we had an Advent calendar,it was a cardboard one-without the chocolates! I handcrafted one with wool felt for you,Ruby,with little pockets,in which you will find a little treat each day before Christmas. Small erasers,quarters, tiny dolls,little things like that. I trimmed it with satin ribbon that reminded me of the ribbon candy that filled the living room glass dishes in my childhood. The angel has dark hair,because you will be our angel.

What will you look forward most to finding? A little toy or the occasional piece of candy?

When I look at the calendar I envision your little hands searching in the pocket,hopeful of something new to play with,even if only for a short while.

Love,

Mom