Tuesday, June 4, 2013

random bits


So I'm thinking this will be one of my last posts till... July; I'm just too big and achy to sit at the computer writing and reading things. I've put the shop in vague vacation mode -- meaning only ready-made goodies, and a tiny handful of made-to-order ones, are available and ready-to-ship. Some of the more popular ones -- like Tabby satchel, Sailor Ghost, the Ghostlets and dollhouse rooms -- are quite effortful, so I am requesting that Etsy customers please contact me first before purchasing.

I was mildly peeved to learn that deactivating an item on Etsy does not affect its listing period, which means that you still have to pay for an item that's not visible in your shop. So I'm keeping them visible. On principle.

In the meantime, here are some things that have been happening in my little world. First, and super wonderfully, I received several pictures from one of the loveliest customers ever. She'd given her little girl lilac Guppy and Sailor Animal Girl for her 6th birthday, and had remembered how I'd spoken of goody adoption heartache. So I was super thrilled to receive an email from her telling me that little Em "LOVES them"!

"She wanted to bring them to dinner, but I insisted that they stay in the hotel as we were going to go to an amusement center after dinner, and I didn't want them to get lost or dirty, so she decided to tuck them in and let them sleep since they must be so tired. I took a picture of them because I knew I just had to show you, and then when she saw me take their picture, she wanted to get in one too!... Really, what a great, memorable birthday".

Isn't that awesome?? Em is so precious -- you can see Gup and Sailor Girl absolutely adore her, and are so at home with her. Thank you SOO much K!!!

In other shop-related news, it looks like I have competition now haha... Becky was terribly keen to learn how to make her own collage pins, so I showed her! Well, I helped her with the parts that involved sharp things (and knuckle-breaking effort), but she did the rest herself, and I think her first effort is quite laudable, don't you? Now she's thinking of starting her own shop...

Actually, as you may already know, the kids are a great inspiration to me, like with Ro and her flying fish. This tiger is a character Becky created and has used in numerous instances -- here, for example, he is illustrating her Chinese language animal report.

The illustration in the corner shows a tiger's paw -- it says tigers sweat through their paws just like our domestic cats; a feline's sweat glands are located only in their foot pads. As an aside, I'm always in awe of Becky's prowess with Mandarin -- mine sucked and it was a miracle I got a passing grade in my O-Levels!

This is one of Ro's latest characters -- a cat named Sooty. Also doll-worthy I think.

A 4-year-old's to-do list.

Here she is doing one of our daily activities -- feeding the birds off of our backyard roof. They have come to expect us as soon as they see us at the window. It's the least we can do since their habitat was decimated.

While helping to tidy up the incredible mess they made their room, the kids came across this large cardstock doll I'd made for Rebecca when she was a toddler. It is actually the original Bikbik. She is in her underwear because I'd made her a whole bunch of paper outfits for Rebecca to dress her up in -- outfits that she herself wore.

Like her denim overalls and stripey sweater, which Ro now wears.

And her adorable Baby Gap apple dress and bodysuit.

And her footed sleepsuit, which Ro wore, and which is now going into the baby's layette. 

Speaking of Baby, I'm 37 weeks now, and due, well, any time. That tummy kinda says it all lol!

Gratuitous shot of Ming.

It's the school holidays now, which means our days are busy with activities. Here's wishing all of you lots of cuddles and joyful, love-filled days -- I'll pop into Blogland as often as I can, and catch up with you soon :)

24 comments:

Kay G. said...

Oh, I LOVE that little girl loving your creations!
And how nice to see that your children are as talented and FUNNY as you are!
(Those drawings are fantastic!)
I love the photo of you, just beautiful!

The Cranky said...

Whilst I know you are ready for the baby to come, you are radiantly gorgeous Janice!

I'm loving the brooch and have gotten SO many comments and compliments on it, and am immensely delighted to see that you've made more for your shop!

By the by, I'd like to know what the girls favourite colours are??? Take care of yourself, I'll be thinking of you!

Fiona said...

Oh my goodness, they are the best drawings! so talented and cute :)

Eliana said...

Eu gosto muito do blogue da Rebecca e lá eu ví o broche que ela fez, ficou lindo!
Você faz um trabalho incrível.
E por falar em coisas incríveis, você está uma mamãe grávida linda.
Eu desejo tudo de bom para vocês.
Abraços.

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

What a lovely post! That little girl looks so thrilled with your creations (now her babies to look after). Your kids are as talented and compassionate as you are. But I'm not surprised. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree...

37 weeks!? You look amazing! I wish you an easy deliver and I look forward to photos of the precious little soul coming into the world soon! Good luck. And take care of yourself.

Christine Altmiller said...

So much going on here, just like any day of the week :-)
The pin your daughter made is wonderful~she has talent just like her Mama!
Exciting changes for you and your family...wishing you all the best and we will see you when we see you :-)

Unknown said...

I simply loved being pregnant during the second trimester of both my pregnancies! But then again on the third trimester I was ready!! You look beautiful Janice, I wish you the best dear. Enjoy your holidays and your lasts days of pregnancy, rest and get ready for baby # 3

I am thinking of you! xoxo

oh and I love that to do list ;)

Unknown said...

yay! what a great roundup. have a wonderful break! (I love the 4 year old checklist, too cute!)

ShannonAnn said...

I love all the creativity in your house, and especially all that energy in your belly, just beautiful! I so look forward to meeting your newest baby! My very best wishes to you all!
Xo's

Rosemary said...

How exciting, I had no idea you were pregnant. Congratulations! Summer babies are wonderful :)

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Well you look beautiful! Have a great delivery. Can't wait for you to come back. Just concentrate on yourself and family now. That's what is important. That's what matters. Loving the to do list of a child. HAHAHA ((hug))
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Emelie Claire said...

Oh how cute! Your girls are adorable! Do you home school?

AntiquityTravelers said...

Too exciting! the arrival is so close now!!! and you look absolutely amazing ... so much better than me at 37 weeks - ha! I'll be thinking of you ... please let us know when the baby is here!!

CraveCute said...

Have a nice break getting ready for your new arrival. Love the Sooty cat drawing, adorable!

Emelie Claire said...

Thank you so much for replying!
would you follow my personal blog?

http://horse-crazy-girl.blogspot.com/

Emelie Claire

Magic Love Crow said...

I love the picture of you and your baby belly ;o) Beautiful ;o) I wish you all the best my friend ;o) The pictures of the little girl on her birthday, with guppy and sailor animal girl are adorable! Love all the cute happenings! Thanks for sharing it all ;o) Big Hugs xooxox

The Dainty Dolls House said...

You look just beautiful...gorgeous and glowing!! I would take a break if I were you too. Have some rest - of its even possible now and enjoy the time before the baby comes :))) We'll be here excited and waiting ;))) I love babies :))) Your girls are gorgeous. Big hugs to you doll, I wish you a safe and speedy birth ;))) xxx

Miss Val's Creations said...

Hi Janice,
I wish you well through the remainder of your pregnancy and look forward to your return. :) You still look fabulous.

Em is so adorable. I love that your customer sent appreciation photos. So thoughtful! Becky did a great job with the collage pin. The card stock bear is so fun. That is much cuter than a paper doll!

Your Ming reminds me of my Alice. She does not make my blog too often since she is afraid of the camera.
Take care,
Val

Almost Precious said...

We all understand your needing down time to rest and getting ready for that very special arrival. Though it is true that we will all miss your blog posts but we know that when you do return you will have much to tell us.

It is sad that etsy keeps the clock ticking on a listing even when we have to put our shop on vacation mode. But I suppose they cannot be expected to allow everyone to hold their listings as some shops might shut down for years before reopening. What a can of worms that would create. :D

Oh isn't it lovely when you hear back from a customer that is delighted with their purchase ? It is the highest compliment and the greatest validation for doing what we do. :)

Take care, get lots of rest and know we all send you our fondest and very best wishes.

Dee said...

Have a restful break and I look forward to seeing photo's of the baby. Love the to-do-list :) and what a nice blessing to receive a photo from a customer showing your creation being loved and taken care of so tenderly. Take care♥

Fundy Blue said...

Hi B&R! You look beautiful, and I wish you all the best with the birth of your baby. This was a darling post with the writing and creations of your daughters. The To Do list was funny and cute. I loved Sooty! And Becky is so talented. I am in awe of her writing in English ~ and then I see her mandarin. Wow! Take care. I look forward to your return!

Linda said...

Fun photos! And you daughters are showing such talent! Keep on having fun!

Brooke said...

You my dear are precious! xoxo

Sara said...

Ohhh you are so cute right now! I understand you have no time know, specially with the girls and the baby! ... But isn't this the way memories are made? (:

So in a way I am VERY glad you have no time to blog because you are spending time with your family! Get lots of rest and enjoy every day! stay well my dear!

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