This Just In...

Our reversible kid's apron- New to the shop!

I guess sometimes when life is happening you forget about writing about life! This blog was started in 2007-last night I was going back and forth trying to decide if moving to another blog host was what I needed for this little blog. Zach and I decided to stay here and try to keep this blog chug-a-lugging.

 I hope you will stop by from time to time to see what's new in our shop and just in our lives. We are reworking the blog- for a fresh, new feel- simplifying and just making it happier! So stick around- you won't be disappointed! What are you working on?
xo Melissa

Teacher's Pet Kisses Up!

One of my newer designs has gotten a little Etsy press. It was featured in an article in Etsy's blog, The Storque. The article, Lean, Green Machine features artists who are crafting from green & recycled materials. This particular cuff isn't crafted from recycled materials- but most of my others are and this fabric is what grabs most people.

Yesterday it was featured in a treasury that made it to the front page! That has only happened 1 other time waay back, so it was a great feeling.




Aside from that hub yesterday, I am trying a new nap-lunch over all sleep schedule with Hazel. We started having some difficulty getting her down for bedtime- when it was suggested I let her play a little after she eats, well this seemed to be a good idea as she only woke around 1am slightly to come into our bed. Then this morning rather than putting her down at 10:30, I stretched it fed her lunch around 11 and she was in bed by 11:45 out. We'll see I am certainly always open to new ideas that will make the transitions through her day easier on us both! Tonight papa Z has a movie, he won't be back till about midnight- so it is just us girls for dinner and this "new" routine. Wish us luck! Have a great day!

2 For Wednesday!

So one of my favorite little coffee cuffs was featured in Etsy's blog aka The Storque. The article is called Lean Green Machine today. There is still one of these beauties left and more on the way!

on the eve of her first

A year ago around 3:33am I felt my first pain of labor. I'll never forget the feeling, I excitedly lay in bed counting the minutes between the pain. Waiting for an acceptable time before I woke Zach up with "it's time". By 4am I had called my midwife and by 4:10am she had called back to tell me to labor at home for awhile. This was a precious time, I was so scared and excited I didn't know what to do- so I ate. I know, I know they say you shouldn't really, but this was the best my stomach had felt in a long time, so a dark chocolate Snickers and some dark chocolate almonds along with lots of water and some dark chocolate Milanos. I labored till about 4ish, when I could no longer take the pain so on to the birthing center. Through much heavy breathing, watching of Bones and watching Zach eat after I could not- our Hazel Juniper was born at 1:59 am!

The year has flown by. Each day she changes,grows and makes me laugh a little harder. Walking, talking,smiling, sticking her tongue out- what a character. Tomorrow we'll celebrate with a small GF,vanilla cake (made in a borrowed dish from my MIL,it came home with cornbread in it). This weekend the friend & another family party. What a lucky little girl.

400

Here at Hobocamp we are celebrating our 400th sale in the shop! We started Etsy on May 31, 2006- before that we had just done craft shows. So getting the word out was a true challenge. Our Etsy shop has been so much fun and a lot of work! Here's to 400 more sales! Thank you to everyone who has made it possible. You are helping make my dream come true!







With that said, we have a bunch of new cuffs, Snuggle Bunny gear and other new handmade cuteness making way to the shoppe.
So fall is totally in the air- I even wore toasty socks yesterday!

how the busy weekend was spent

Thursday I took a trip into NYC, sans baby to see a Colitis specialist. Hours of waiting later, I still have Colitis and not many more answers. I did get to see Zach's office, meet his coworkers and commute home with him. I also enjoyed a iced coffee, while sailing on the Hudson River (ahem ferry). It was a nice little mini-getaway if only for an afternoon. I did some journaling to and from and used one of my favorite tote bags.


I did however, wear the wrong shoes, got a good amount of knitting done- only to pull out the stitches of a self-proclaimed wash cloth and then begin knitting a light fall hat. The yarn is gorgeous in a celery,organic and lightweight cotton. Who doesn't need a pre-fall hat?!

Friday was spent catching up with the girls- going to a friend's party and then eating french fries till midnight at the diner.



Saturday, Hazel woke at 4:30ish and after 2 feedings would not go down. So rather than fight it, I encouraged Zach to rise with me and go on an adventure. We stayed up with her and started her daily routine- then went to a local park and watched the sun rise over the Hudson river.





Sleepy papa and energized babe


Later that day went to a huge consignment sale at the Waldorf school and scored some amazing items, like this near vintage Eddie Bauer jogging stroller!



The rest of the long weekend was spent on a To-Do list, hanging laundry, switching out summery for fall clothing, making a pre-autumn soup (recipe this week), trying my first batch of Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam, Tomato Sauce






and this:



Thanks to Zach for creating a gorgeous new banner and for, well everything else xo

september and then some

I'm just excited. The neighbor's mower is going, the trees are slightly changing, NPR on in the bedroom and a little babe humming and talking to herself on the floor. My blogging has the watchful eye of Hermione, hovering over me on the couch. This Wednesday, Hazel will be 9 months. It is cliche- but it really seems like yesterday. With a sleepless fog of the last 9 months, I am amazed at how we are making it through. Getting by and still managing to have some fun.





In the shoppe, we have started adding handmade goodness for our Christmas in September Sale. We'll be offering free domestic shipping with a Buy One, Get One on select items. Start early and beat the browser rush! Zach has also been sewing away on some new & old favorite button bags to be used for anything- from carrying your latest knitting project, your lunch or as an eco-friendly loot bag alternative. Once I retrieve my camera from my brother's house (where I promptly forgot it after a mere 3 sips of Pumpkin Juice(ale)) I will share pictures of the new goods.

Also for Fall, I'll have some new Vagabond Scarves to keep you cozy as the cooler weather settles in. Yup we're all that and a bag of chips!



Maybe I'll ring in the season or pre-season with some sort of frothy,pumpkiny beverage.
xo

pretty little things

Sometimes a girl just needs pretty little things. I haven't shopped for Hazel or myself-except at thrift shops or hand-me-downs from our family.. but when I found Consider the Lillies through a blog trail, I just had to support handmade cute! Darlene makes adorable, versatile crocheted items, like this flower- that can be worn as a pin or a hair clip.





Consider the Lillies also has these super sweet,crocheted headbands.I just had to snag one.. and I might just need another! It stayed on all day, felt comfy- even in 90 degree weather. I just LOVE it!



What a perfect gift for your little one at back-to-school time or just to add something new to your wardrobe. Darlene also has a cute blog, where she shares her latest yard sale finds,creative endeavors and much more! So go check her shop out- you won't be sorry!!


xo

full speed ahead

Over here at Hobocamp- we are only a few sales away from 400! very exciting for us! I've taken some pictures of the cuffs I've been working on for a shop update. The date is still to be announced. Our little shop has had a quiet little summer as we gear up for the holidays- which aren't really as far away as you'd think!













Sunday Papa & Hazel spent some time in the baby pool. There is are 2 full weeks ahead of us and then we will get away for a little bit- to breathe some great ocean air.
Happy Tuesday! xo

Beautify Your Budget

Since Zach brings home to bacon (soy of course), I try to manage all of our bill payment/savings etc.on the home front. I've talked about the envelope method,explained by simplemom and we were doing a really good job with it. Then, well it kinda fell by the wayside.



Fast forward to these gorgeous, eco-friendly,genius envelopes- by Heather over at Beauty That Moves . They are Cash Budget Pouches, you can order your own set for Groceries,Baby Needs,Shoes- you get the idea. The fabrics are very simple and sweet and each has a hand-stamped label.



How about that for a gorgeous, motivational push? They are the perfect size for keeping your cash in a stylish, durable,organized manner. Plus, I've used the real envelopes and well I feel awkward and obvious- these are super cute! You can also read Heather's own description of the system at Simple,Green,Frugal Co-op.



This is such a great idea- please show this lovely shop some love while getting your finances in order- before the holiday rush!
xo

Cheer Up With Smika

Lately on the east coast we've been dealing with weeks of rain. The kind of weather- you want to wear super bright colors to feel better about getting out of bed. Maybe that is why I am sooo smitten with Smika.

She uses thoughtful color schemes, that I am totally loving!


Her handmade wool beads are the perfect item to brighten a dull day. The photography just pops off the page with cheerfulness.

"It makes me happy when a tuft of wool turns into a lovely toy in a child's hands, a gorgeous brooch on a woman's coat....when yarns become to gloves which give you warmth in chilly autumn morning"- Smika
Please check out her gorgeous shop.

Lazy Friday

New Cuff in the shop later today!
I can honestly say not much was accomplished today. H woke about 3-4 times last night and I'm sure her papa was passed out on the train ride in to work. I was willing the little bugger to sleep ( and it worked!) so mama got a little nap on the couch. I did manage to drop into a thrift store I've seen a million times and exit with a cloth Holly Hobbie doll for $4.00- I wiggled down from 5- which I never haggle- but did and it worked!

Some laundry was done- diapers are currently on the line- babe asleep and I have an urgent craving for hot cocoa. In the last two days we've been featured on two blogs:
First my good friend Allegra, Awesomeasaone featured her little snugly, Sunny in one of our Snuggle Bunny, sustainable t-shirts on her Awesomeasaone blog.

Then we were a part of a "Guess the Theme for Thursday" over on ,
Dorset Hill Bead's Blog. So although we were sort of lazy today, our friends were obviously not!

Tomorrow is Spilling Day! So I need to rest up for the adventure of it all. I did start getting my ribbon scraps, photos & other inspirational pieces together- now I need the comfiest and cutest of outfits... pajamas?! We'll see what the weather brings- Back on Monday with pictures to share!

2 in 1

a treasury... it has been a while and i'm loving the theme! My little recycled tie was happy to take part! xo

It Takes a Village

Lately many people and families are talking about getting back to basics and I love it! One of the places I am focusing most on this mantra is my daily life with my almost-6-month-old-daughter, Hazel Juniper. I want her food to be all organic,and I'm working hard to acheive this and I want her toys to be safe. Babies use their mouths like antennae- so what goes in needs to be healthy.
Enter Pretty Dreamer. Pamela's shop, makes handcrafted wood toys for home and play.They choose their materials carefully to ensure they are nontoxic.
These brightly colored toys are safe for your little one, and they invite their imagination to run wild. From puzzles-to-stackers-to-rattles and carpentry tools for your little one. Pretty Dreamer even offers a little wooden iron,
perfect for helping mama or papa with their laundry chores. So when you're wondering what to get for that next children's birthday- step away from the plastic toys- made with who knows what.. and step into Pretty Dreamer's Etsy Shop. Have a great day!

A Quiet Day

Well I haven't made a lot of progress with the studio- but I have been listing some new clutches and cuffs in the shop.

Tiny Detail on a new Owl Cuff- that still needs a name before listing.
Monday was spent at home~ gardening,listing some,thinking about baking banana bread and hanging diapers.

Some new cuffs. I have a line of extra special minky dot lined cuffs that will be out soon- they're very decadent and good for the environment too!




Something about stacks- stacks and piles of folded laundry, fabric and coffee cuffs that just make me smile. Visually pleasing and not bad to cure the inner procrastinating skeptic. " See I did do something today"!

Today will be spent getting something for my husband's birthday,listing some more items and trying to conquer baby clothes. It looks pretty nice out. I'm wearing my new favorite pair of yoga pants from American Apparel (under an old favorite skirt) with a Mother's Day gift to myself:
The color is perfect! We need some little things to brighten our day sometimes.