Gone Camping

Today is the first day of Camp NaNoWriMo, the summer edition of National Novel Writing Month, and I've decided it's time to start writing!! Except I'm going to be a rebel and, instead of writing a novel, I'm going to write and co-illustrate a childrens book with Ammy. Today I worked on the concept, and I'm hoping to start on the fun stuff tomorrow with my girl. Kate will, of course, be our muse, as well as Ammy's favorite lovey, Pandy the Panda bear. I should have stamped my headband REBEL NOVELIST.

If you need us, we'll be off -- as Camp NaNoWriMo's slogan goes -- on an "idyllic writing retreat, smack-dab in the middle of your crazy life"!

fresh starts

It's been a bit of a whirlwind for us around here since August or so. I started back to work after a short summer and we got back into the swing of things. Our routine is weekly and the weeks have been flying by and now it's nearly December.

Mondays we get ready for the week. I am home with Ammy but we always are cleaning, cooking, preparing.

Tuesdays we pack up early in the morning and head for the mountains to my parent's home, where Ammy spends the day with Grandma and Grandpa and I give a quick goodbye and go to work.

Wednesdays, Ammy's sitter Mackenzie comes over. Ammy loves Mackenzie and they spend the whole morning just having fun. I get home before the afternoon really begins and Ammy is still napping.

Thursday we head back up to the mountains and Grandparents.

Friday we rest.

Saturday and Sunday are family days, project days, and days where I get some time to work on my latest creations.

My goal was to open my new shop by October -- I did it!! I call it Circuitry, a collection of accessories for women, stamped with bold inks. The stamps hand-carved and cut by me. I set up Circuitry on Etsy and I developed my own independent shop here: www.circuitrystudio.com.

Here's a peek at what I offer:

Super Soft, Cotton Headbands

Cozy Arm Warmers

Stretchy, Soft Fabric Necklaces

Colorful & Casual Fabric Bracelets

I've really enjoyed the whole process of starting my new shop, and I'll be launching a separate blog soon that is dedicated to the challenges, lesson and fulfillment that come with starting an online business.

What about Punksy and my monster hoodies? Still going strong on etsy: www.punksy.com

On top of it all, we're getting ready to welcome Baby Daly. We got a sneak peek last week:

Boy or girl? Still a mystery :)

The three of us are so excited to meet baby in January!!

Thanksgiving Day

catching up

It's been a long while since I've written, here or anywhere else. Last winter was a hard one for us, but springtime came with Amelie turning two and then some wonderful news: we are expecting a baby in January. Amelie will be a big sister soon, and we couldn't be more thrilled.

We seem to be going through a lot of changes, some big, some subtle. My job has transformed and is taking up more time in my week, so I am with Amelie a little less than before. I work short days but the change was felt profoundly between us and has taken some adjusting. In addition to being with my very patient and ever-supportive parents twice a week, we have an amazing nanny who Ammy has come to love.

With more work and morning sickness, it was a very different summer from last year. It was also crazy hot. And smokey. In June, the smoke from the wildfires drifted our way and made being outside in the 100 degree weather even more unpleasant. We worried for my parents and their mountain home, and were saddened by the news stories of lost homes and destroyed forests.

But now, as the summer comes to a close, I am feeling much better, the weather is beautiful, and there is much to look forward to.

Just a couple of weeks ago we took a short vacation with my family to the mountains. It was the perfect weekend getaway, and we had a lot of fun with everyone.

Throwing rocks in the river

Hanging out in Leadville

Lounging around the cabin

Ammy in the window sill

Twin Lakes

Headed home

Not a week later we were headed to Virginia, this time by plane. I was worried about the plane trips with a toddler, but Ammy was a trooper and with the help of one of my awesome mom friends, I kept her busy with a plethora of little projects and treats.

She even rested a little.

We spent a week with the Dalys on their farm in rural Virginia. It was great to see everyone, and a relaxing vacation too.

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Spending some time with Grandpa Daly and the dogs

Future sister in law Kerry with brother in law, Elijah

Visiting the pond with "Uncle Lou"

20 weeks along

Watching Grandma on the ATV

Grandma Daly is very cool!

Take us for a ride!

Ammy and "Rufie"

Rolling out play dough with Grandma

Campfire, country-style

Brutus

Spending time with Grandma D

Hide & seek

Ammy's birthday party

The whole crew

Such a fun time! We are missing the Dalys and the relative calm of farm life.

Since we got back I've been working on a couple new projects.

Perfect for Halloween monster hoodie

Making my own stamps for a future project... stay tuned :)

The newest monster hoodies have been added to the shop. More to come!!

what a week

Whew. 

The last week has been CRAZY. It all started last Monday when we realized oh no, we have to finish our ATCs -- tonight!!! And by finish, I mean do the whole thing.

A little note about Artist Trading Cards - these are special cards made by a group of artists and traded to one another so that, after you've made your set, you receive an entirely unique set of cards created by your circle of artist friends. There is a host who takes care of all the logistics, periodically nags the artists into getting their cards finished, sorts through cards and distributes. The host of this particular trading event is my very talented (and patient) Aunt Tarryn. 

The theme was what we take with us. Jeremiah and I began at 8:30 Monday, promptly after our lovely Amelie was in bed with an early morning looming ahead.

The cards turned out great. Jeremiah is becoming an amazing abstract artist. His secret? He says, don't think.

Tuesday is always crazy because I work which means an early morning, getting all three of us ready, heading up to the mountains to Ammy's grandparents and back down to work. Oh, and then I work. 

By Wednesday it was obvious that I needed to get a real handle on our plans for the week, my to do list, etc. Ammy helped me make three lists.

Despite a long to-do list, we managed to find a little free time -- and with the first incredibly gorgeous days of the year, we couldn't resist playing outside.

This cookie had an unfortunate end...see below.

On Friday we took a trip to the Denver Zoo with our friends Michelle and Stella, it was a whole bunch of fun.

Then there was Saturday, St. Patty's Day. Since it is Spring and all, we decided to take on an enormous yard project. So my mom and dad came down and gave us a hand while we dug up our whole back yard.

Before

During

 

After

We finished the day together with a traditional Irish dinner. Jer and my dad were so tired they could barely move.

Sunday we thought about sitting around but, at the last minute, decided on a picnic up Flagstaff in Boulder. The day was windy so we ate in the van and ventured out just above Gross Reservoir.

Ammy was very excited when we decided, at the top of the mountain, that it was time to switch her rear-facing car seat to forward-facing (you know, because she's a big girl).

Now we're already two days into a new week, many adventures ahead.