we are abel

Throughout the rest of the holiday season, I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from each sale of my Wool Cozy Cowl to the We are Abel Foundation. They approached me about it a few weeks ago, and I was so moved by their story that I said yes without hesitation. Please read a bit of their information below, and visit the site to donate.

Abel is a little boy, injured at birth and now living with Cerebral Palsy. There are many amazing treatments, therapies and new technologies that make a world of difference to him. All money donated goes towards helping Abel and other children affected by Cerebral Palsy and Birth Trauma to have a full and healthy life.

We are Abel
Cerebral Palsy & Birth Trauma Foundation
www.weareabel.org
www.facebook.com/weareabel

moss-stitch snood

I am so happy to have this new style in the shop. It feels like forever since I added a new design, mostly because I'm too busy filling orders for the old ones. I'm definitely not complaining, but it sure is nice to work a new pattern every now and then. The scarf pictured above was knitted with gorgeous and incredibly luxurious Peruvian wool from Wool and the Gang. About two months ago, I discovered that I am able to purchase their yarn through my job, at an amazingly good price. So exciting! I hope to bring more of their wool to the shop soon.

featured: etsy seller handbook

Great Product Photos from Etsy Inc. on Vimeo.

Two days ago, my Wool Cozy Cowl was featured in this post on the Etsy blog as an example of great photography. If you watch the video above, you'll see that I pop up for a second. My Wool Cozy Cowl was also grouped with a bunch of other wonderful items at the bottom of the post. So exciting!

revisited

Over the weekend, Banks and I finally managed to get into a building that I have been itching to photograph/explore for years. While we were there, we took the opportunity to capture some new photos for items that I have been offering in the shop for a year or more now. These items have all done well in the past, but I like to freshen up my listings every now and then. I can't get enough of the peeling paint and gorgeous light in this place, so we will definitely be going back as I have new items to photograph. A few of my favorites from the weekend are posted above. Look for more later this week!

lookin' sharp

My five year old Canon Rebel XT finally bit the dust a few weeks ago, after months of struggling. Life without a functioning DSLR wasn't working for me, so I finally went out and bought a new one. The pictures are gorgeous and incredibly sharp, even in low-light situations (the picture above was taken in a gloomy abandoned school kitchen). As an added bonus, it makes full HD video, so I will once again have the ability to capture Henry on the move. I'm in love!

henry's room

For the first time, Henry has his very own room. I haven't had much time for decorating the new place, but I did make sure that Henry's trees went up right away. He loves his room and proudly shows it to everyone that comes to visit. Best of all, he actually sleeps in his own bed (most of the time), and is perfectly content spending time playing and drawing in his room by himself. Love it!

luray

About two weekends ago, we decided to venture out to Luray Caverns with Henry. After living two hours away from them for the last thirteen years, it was about time. Parts of the caverns were so beautiful that I wanted to stay and stare for hours, while other parts made me so claustrophobic that I wanted to run away.

I was very pleasantly surprised by how well behaved Henry was and how much he loved exploring the caverns. He talked nonstop, posed for the camera beside every available column, and was desperate to touch the stalagmites. I'm posting a few of my favorite pictures below. The one with the crazy beautiful reflection is Dream Lake, where I wish I could have spent the entire day.

crazy beautiful life

Two and a half months since my last post ... I think that may be a new record. I want to get back into the swing of things, but it will probably be a few weeks before I have time for regular posts again.

As usual, life is crazy and wonderful. Henry started preschool and soccer, we moved again, I traveled for work constantly until two weeks ago, Etsy exploded with so many orders that I can barely keep up, and I got another promotion at work, which will now put me on salary and finally in a good financial spot. Overall, I'm in a happy place with the new job, new place, and two very special people to share it with. My new knitting room is piled high with yarn and inspiration, so here's hoping the orders keep pouring in. Soon, my new job will allow me to have four consecutive days off each week, so I hope to be extremely productive this holiday season. AND! I'll have plenty of time to devote to my sweet boy. :)

More updates coming soon. Until then ...

it's in the bag

I recently created these one-of-a-kind knit/crochet bags, inspired by my recent work travels and upcoming beach trip. The purple and yellow bags pictured below were knit with a seamless technique, from an unusual paper yarn that I purchased while in Asheville. They are surprisingly sturdy, soft, and washable. Pretty cool. The coral bag was made with super soft and durable cotton, and is my first piece that combines knit and crochet. All three will be hitting the shop this week...

i have always loved birch trees

I just ordered these birch tree decals for Henry's room! I can't wait to put them up. Henry and I will be so happy in our new home. :)

exciting things are happening everywhere you look

We got the apartment! I will have the keys in my hand in exactly two weeks, and I couldn't be happier. I am already working on selecting paint colors, and building wish lists all over the internet. After living in a cramped space for the last year, it will be a huge relief to have room to spare. Henry will finally have his own bedroom, and we'll have an office/knitting room, too. I can't wait to move and get settled...

On a completely different but no less exciting note, the Etsy treasury features keep flowing in. I haven't mentioned them recently, so I wanted to post some here today. Check out more of them here.

new apartment coming soon!

It's almost time to move! We're on the waitlist for a huge apartment, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for it. I'm already starting to daydream of all the things I want to do/buy once we move in, which has led to this eclectic Etsy treasury. Check it out here.

work travels

My job has been sending me down to Asheville, North Carolina quite a bit recently. I usually drive down by myself, but I took mom and Henry with me last time. Even though I was working, it felt like a mini-vacation with a free hotel, lots of delicious food, and fun outings with two of my favorite people. Asheville is an adorable little town, filled with funky art, cute boutiques, and endless restaurants. Below are a few highlights captured with my Blackberry. Check out Henry eating sushi for the first time!!!

kill devil hills

Kat and I spent a day in the Outer Banks with the babies this week. It felt amazing to soak up some sunshine and listen to the waves break on the beach while the kids entertained themselves with sand and shovels. The Carolina coast has always been a part of my life, and it almost feels like I'm coming home when I visit. I can't wait to go back with my family at the end of the summer! Until then. . .

the big three

Saturday was Henry's third birthday. I can't believe how quickly the last three years have gone by, and how much he has grown up. He knows most of the United States, he can count and sing the alphabet, he has been potty trained for a while now, and he has the wildest imagination. He is absolutely precious!

We had a birthday party in the park early Saturday morning, before it got too hot. I learned to decorate a cake just for the occasion, and we gave out hand-painted monkey masks to each child, in addition to a lot of other fun things. The kids played ball and frisbee, and wore themselves out on the playground. It was a fun time all around, and I wanted to share a few photos here:

growing up fast

On Monday, I had the (not so) brilliant idea of attempting to get some portraits done with Henry. He acted like all of the "bad" kids that used to come into mom's studio with their families. He made faces, he wouldn't smile, he was wayyyyy more interested in picking up sticks/leaves/bugs than posing, and he even faked crying to get out of pictures. I can't say I was surprised, or that I blame him. He is, after all, only ten short days away from turning three. They say that three is far worse than the "terrible twos" ... I certainly hope not! Even though he was a little difficult, we got some wonderful shots. I gave up on posing and just started playing, which I should have known to do all along. When you're three years old, there are so many exciting things to do; why would you ever want to stay still for a picture? I'm posting my favorites for the world to see here. I love Henry more than anything in this world, and I think it shows.