I'm all aflutter...

Sooo... all you patient and lovely readers, here is the news I promised you:

Wren & Chickadee is the brand new etsy shop that my daughter (chickadee) and I dreamed up.  In it you will find an assortment of fabulous vintage, remade, and handmade items... we hope you'll stop by for a visit.

I've just begun to fill it with some of the many treasures we've collected together and there is much more to come, so be sure to check back from time to time for new goodies.

Until then, xo Ez (aka Wren)

The Name Game

Just a little fun to share with you all while I'm "working"... found via robotjumpingrope blog.  Why don't you play along!

The Name Game

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Portia Matrix (wish it was reversed, lol)

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Macadamia Nut Brittle Macaroon

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),
E-Pud

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Aqua Hummingbird

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Grace Captain Cook

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Pudez

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Yellow Carob Shake

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Warren Daniel

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),
Unknown Jellybean

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
Grace Edward

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Don't Know Denver

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Valentine's Orchid

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Strawberry Tanky

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Yogurt Willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Drawing Rain-shower Tour

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Today... 9.11... while never forgetting the tragedy that occurred on this day six years ago; I want to spend today remembering all that is still beautiful and right in the world.  It seems that so often it is easier to pin down the "bad", what's wrong, and who has wronged us, and at times it can feel like there is only a fragile thread connecting us to our hopes and dreams... the things we know to be true and worthwhile.  So today, to honor the lives that were so tragically taken from us six years ago, I am personally challenging myself  (and encourage any of you who'd like... in private or in public) to reflect upon the beauty that is all around us if we only give ourselves permission to see it.

Here is a short list of some lovely, things, moments, and people that have enriched my life:

-My beautiful daughter.  She has taught me how to find beauty in the unexpected, cherish the bad with the good, how to laugh at myself, and how to allow myself to be truly seen.  I love you Beepy!

-My family who has stood by me through many personal trials, and who never ceases to make me smile: impromptu musicals, interpretive dancing, random inside jokes... I love each moment and each one of you.

-Each one of you who has at one time or another taken the time to comment on here or write me a heart-warming email.  It truly means so much to me... you guys are the best!

-The failures that have/do happened so that I can grow as a person... while not enjoyable in the moment, I know that I will eventually be the better for them... right?

-Rain Showers - Thunderstorms - The sound of a flock of birds darting across the sky - Clean sheets on the bed and the smell and feel of laundry fresh from the dryer - Picking your own fruits and vegetables - Random acts of kindness (that you give or receive... both ways are amazing) - That song that you hear at just the right time and place that makes you to feel truly alive - People who love and care for animals - Animals who love people unconditionally (they all do) - Wind rustling through the leaves on a tree - Moments when I remember to "just breathe" - A stack of newly purchased fabric... ripe with possibilities - A stack of newly purchased magazine... just waiting to be read - Receiving or writing a handwritten letter (remember the days before email!) - Open-minded, compassionate, brave, honest, loyal, and inspiring people (they don't have to be all in one, but that's always nice too) - The internet... for without it, this means of communicating with you all would not be, I never would have met my best-friend, I would have no business... and the daily inspiration I receive from endless online sources would not exist - A country (while not at all problem free) that still allows me freedoms that I quite often (regrettably) take for granted  - - - - - A car that runs, health, a house that is warm and safe, a school where my daughter receives a wonderful education, a daughter who is my everything, a family that loves us... and beautiful people like YOU, who make each day worth waking for.  Thank you.

Softies... make your own cute.

This post has been almost two years in the making... well, at least the news within it.

Softies, a new book by Therese Laskey and Chronicle Books just recently came out and is filled with 25 fabulous d.i.y. softie patterns and instructions... and on page 41 you'll find Ms. Green Tea Bag... my creation!!!

It is a true privilege to be included in such a fantastic book among softie masters like Jenn Docherty,  Chika Mori, Tamar Mogendorff,  Hillary Lang (one of the very first people to inspire me to begin creating my own softies)... and so many others.  Thanks so much Therese and Chronicle Books!

You can pick up a copy of the book here and here... OR... I will be giving away a free copy of the book to one lucky reader!

If you want a chance to win, just leave a comment with your name and one of your favorite, silly, or memorable crafting moments (it can be about a project gone horribly wrong, a special time spent crafting with a relative or friend... whatever you'd like).  Next Wednesday I will randomly select a winner (it could be you)!  That's easy right?!  Can't wait to read your stories!

Summer Ends in Sweetness...

We're in the final days of Summer vacation (my daughter and I... and probably many of you too).  I don't know about you all, but I'm very much looking forward to the Fall (I love cold weather clothing).  There weren't many things that I got to check off of my to-do "list" over the past couple of months... but the one I did, is a good one:  I learned how to can fruit!!!  I've made Plum, Blackberry, and Ginger-Peach Jam this summer, and while it is loads of work, it is extremely satisfying and makes ordinary things like toast and biscuits feel like indulgent desserts.  Hurray!

Anyhow, however you spend these new few days... I hope they will be lovely and filled with memory-making joy!  Happy weekend everyone!  xox Ez