A Quick Update

A Pretty Old picture- because Hazel still has her Binky- but maybe right after we got Bella- Novemberish. You know how I love the fall & bundling-up weather! They both look so sweet here- I couldn't resist!

Lately I have been devoting a small block of time to serious couponing. I've always used coupons, but after watching TLC's Extreme Couponing, I have started to look at coupons in a different more serious way. OUr savings have really doubled, if not tripled.. It does make me feel better about how I am contributing- however we are still using the same amount of money and are not able to get it down like the people do in the show. Again we are in NY and it seems like prices and stores are more strict..? Anyhow, I'll show you a couple of my free or super cheap items very soon!

This Friday will be Zach and my 5 year anniversary of marriage and our 1 year anniversary of buying our little cottage! We've accomplished a lot- but there is still so much to do. I feel a little overwhelmed with the amount of yard work... we still don't have a fence, which makes living on a busy road scary. I feel like I can't turn my back with a little one. I can't pull weeds and get on my knees and plant and I know I am complaining- I just have a fear of the yard without the fence. So we've got to work on it. Then the poison ivy...it's growing and since I was little all I needed to do was look at it the wrong way and I'd wake up covered in it. So pulling those weeds are kind of scary.

Uploading current pictures has been a challenge, I don't get a lot of computer time- since Zach now works from home and I've been a little lazy. But I am going to try to work on that too. In Hobocamp news- we've got some new ideas bubbling and my machine has been stitching away. I just snagged some more velcro for these:

early bird special

Zach left for work earlier this morning, he had some thing to catch up on. So I too started my day early- feeling pretty good as I have already taken my meds and went to bed at a reasonable time 2 nights in a row.

The wind is howling and Hazel is still asleep in our bed for the moment. Z came back with a large amount of pictures from house hunting. Some were the stuff that nightmares are made of. See many of the houses we are looking at are either fixer-uppers or foreclosed, so I guess we need to expect this. Out of the 4 he saw 1 was livable it seems. Yesterday during a good belly moment we loaded Hazel into the car and we drove around the neighborhood over from us looking at a few prospective homes. I am really torn. For awhile I was thinking-we'll move up towards Putnam County- no problem, I don't mind driving to visit family & friends. Then it hit me, my digestive issues are not yet in remission, I don't want to add another hour onto Zach's commute.. so some soul searching and pro/con lists are being created. I'll get back to you on that.

In unrelated News... a few pictures of the Nifty Pixie Hat I made for H and a matching one for mama. I am working on the ties- because the fleece is very inexpensive ( I was trying to save the nice fleece for products I will sell) so this fleece stretches and isn't quite working when I try to tightly secure these hats. Live & learn! Experiments are fun! So I will grab my little seam ripper and add some new ties for us both.


Hazel in the gorgeous sweater I made us each a hat from. I would have worn the sweater, but it just looked funny one me.



This is a hat based on a vintage party hat as well as my creature hats. The fleece ruffling is sweet mixed with a vegan-wool & cashmere-feeling recycled sweater.


Excuse the large forehead shots- this is really for a teen or younger.



Last, the Nifty Pixie Gnome- this one is also a vegan.



In other unrelated News, a reason why I love my husband and his job? A 30Rock DVD set. We spent a good hour or 2 watching 30 Rock last night and it reminded me that laughter does so much for the body. It makes you happier it can help illness if even just for the silly moment. Let me be healed by Liz Lemon!! xo

P.S. I am determined to get a new cap in the shop today.

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!

First Attempts

I finally finished a pair of wool soaker longies for Hazel. I made them from one of my favorite sweaters- that after having for years just started shrinking. The pants are very plain. The legs are my sleeves. I left them the same legth, with hope sthese can be worn for several years. Right now our bedroom does not have heat. Although we do a bit of co-sleeping, I wanted Hazel to have toasty,wool pants to romp and nap in. To finish them, I tied them with a recycled bit of t-shirt I used as a cord.



When I first started Hobocamp in 2004, I saved ever little piece of fabric and worked it into another piece, somehow. Well with various moves every year after the creation of Hobocamp.. I started getting lazy. Perhaps it was the idea of packing up bits & scraps or then finding a place in our new home for them- either way both were a challange. I've since started using suitcases, which stack and allow me to savour some of the little bits I am just not ready to part with. This also goes for my growing wool sweater collection. When Hobocamp was a wee toddler, I made a couple of hats from recycled sweaters- listed them and voila they sold! So to keep with tradition I am digging into my sweater collection, mixing some little bits and coming up with a line of recycled caps for babe, kids & mamas and the odd papa thrown in. Sunday was spent sketching,pinning and cutting. Monday night was spent sewing. Today I took some quick shots. I mean very quick. Hazel has a superior runny nose and is in an all-around grumpus mood, so my pictures are not great. BUt this is my first attempt. Hope you enjoy them! Stay warm! The caps, I am lovingly calling Nifty Pixie Caps- will be available this weekish-weekend. They are a mix of creature,pixie,gnomes and whatever else you might imagine.




xo

full speed ahead

I know I have used this blog title before. But as Christmas is a wink away, I need to keep up my steam and get some things in order. As for the partying that took place the last few weeks, here are a few snapshots from Hazel's 1st birthday!


Her Rhode Island Party! Complete with gingerbread cake!


New Radio Flyer from Grandma Judy & PopPop Lou.

The New York Party:

not quite sure what to think of it all! I decorated her highchair with pink tulle left over from our wedding (3+ years ago!).


siblings & cupcakes


Wearing her snowflake crown I made her, along with a cute onesie. Scarfing down a GF cupcake with cranberry apple butter topping. They were delicious- if I do say so myself!

In Hoboland... We have a few new cuffs- just in time for the holidays!




Available in the shoppe!
Order today to have it for the big day!

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

New To the Shop

Here is one of the hottest bags Zach has designed! love* love* love* this green- it is really killing me! Perfect to tote





Take advantage of our Free Domestic Shipping for our Christmas in September Sale!
Want a custom cuff cozy? Get your order in now! Have a Happy Holiday! 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

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