Huckleberry Friends

Bikes

Tuesday was probably my last day riding my bike to work due to family work schedules and child care. I am very sad about it because my bike commute was one of the best things about living in NYC. We live in Inwood, at the very top of Manhattan and I work in SoHo, about 12.5 miles away. Yes, that is a 25 mile round trip and it is stunning. There is a bike path along the Hudson River that 24 of those miles are on. The path has trees, birds, lots os cyclists (obviously), joggers, dogs. It is really beautiful to ride along a river surrounded by trees. Parts of it run along the West Side Highway, so I get my share of cars, but I hardly have to ride in traffic. This ride is so beautiful! And so much more relaxing than the loud, smelly, crowded subway car that I'm stuck in right now. I love public transportation, but I loathe the NYC subway system.

But this post is about bikes. I love bikes. I love the way they make my body feel all stretched out and fluidly strong. I never feel more relaxed or happy than on a day when I have ridden. I love riding in the quiet mornings when I can hear all the steel (yes steel) parts doing their work. I love how friendly all the cyclists are in the mornings and say hello to each other. Why doesn't this happen in the afternoons? Are people so grumpy after work?

I love my bike, a beautiful Rivendell Atlantis. If you know this bike, you know why I love to ride. If you don't, imagine driving a perfectly tuned old Mercedes where everything is heavy and solid and works perfectly. I will go to cycling hell for comparing a bike to a car, but I can't think of anything better to compare.

When we move to SF next month (!!!), I want to buy a Bakfiet cargo bike so Isabel can go on all of my rides with me. Since we cannot afford another expensive bike, I will have to sell my Atlantis. This is another reason why my last commute makes me so sad. I so love my bike, Daisy.

But I will love riding around SF with my daughter even more. What is Dutch for Daisy? And how on earth do I get an electric assist for my new bike? Those SF hills!

True Up

 

True Up is my favorite fabric blog and is running a vote of everyone's favorite fabric. I, of course, voted for the red floral Olympus Soleil and it got a mention. I love blogging! Every little connection is so exciting to me - I guess that is a big sign of the newbie in me.

Handmade Kids Showcase

Here we are in the Etsy Handmade Kids Showcase featuring the latest pinafore (now my favorite). This ad will only show today, so please visit the link! I'm very excited to feature such a cute model.

Happy Bastille Day!

First Sale

Yesterday I had my first sale! What a heady experience! I hope I have another one within the week. Thank you to my lovely first customer! I hope you like your purchases!

Etsy Showcase

Etsy has this cool advertising scheme whereby sellers purchase ad space in different sections, or "showcases," on the Etsy site. Tomorrow, I will be in the Children's Showcase. I tried to get into the Main Showcase, but it was sold out. I'll see how this goes. It costs $7 to be in this sub-group banner ad for 24 hours and hubby convinced me that it was a worthy investment.

Keep your fingers crossed for Huckleberry Friends!

Elephants have overrun Etsy!

Shameless promotion...

Elephants are now in the etsy shop. That and I think I have the cutest daughter ever! These pictures make me very happy, because of her cuteness, but also because I'm looking at something that I made. Being able to make things always amazes me.

Thank you to my wonderful hubby for the lovely photographs!

Kindness

One thing I really hate about the corporate world is that people are often so unkind, and for so many reasons. People hate to be at work so they are cranky. Or they are jealous of how much they think others earn. Or they are afraid of losing their jobs so don't trust each other. Or they are afraid of losing their jobs so become sneaky. All of this is so toxic. I admit that I often fall prey to the first reason.

Yet, hear I am, doing something I love, which terrifies me because it is so financially uncertain. Am I an idiot? So I put all of my dreams and thoughts out for friends and strangers to read and judge, making myself vulnerable. And what to I get back?

Kindness.

No one thinks I am a fool or is jealous of my endeavor. My friends (this includes family) think I am making the right decision to turn my love of creating with my hands into a business. And instead of jealousy, I get the sense that I might inspire a few of my friends to think a little differently about their own lives. My so creative and talented friends.
That I am met with such kindness strengthens my belief that this is the right thing for me to do. Why else would the universe be sending me such encouragement?

Kindness. I am grateful.

Walking, new blanket, molars

She is walking and loving it! The little wobbly steps are growing more confident and she has learned to fall on her butt. Go Isabel! And watch out mom and dad as I'm going to get into EVERYTHING!

Here is the latest blanket. The back side is brown and looks so gorgeous with the red and pink front. I'm making a top this morning with the same fabric. Sigh, I love this sewing so much and really hope I can make some kind of living by it.

On a less happy note, I think the molars are coming in. Isabel cried and screamed so much last night, but the worst of it was that she did not want me to hold her. She has never pushed me away like that before (a sign of things to come in the teen years) and I was heart broken. Once again, I feel justified in my decision to continue nursing because it was the only thing that would calm her down and help her sleep. My poor little peanut. At least she won't remember this suffering, but I always will. I only wish I could take the pain on myself and spare her.

Happy Girl!

Up early to make 2 new blankets and a new elephant top. Must take photos today if it doesn't rain.

I sent the blog and Etsy info so some friends and family and am so happy with the feedback. It's funny to sit alone every morning at my sewing machine with my dreams tucked safely in my own head. But when I put myself out to the world, I am amazed with the feedback and support. It makes my head whirl with joy and hope that I'm not making a huge mistake to follow my dreams.

Thank you all for your kind words!

Open For Business!

The store is open, although with only one item. It's sort of a test run to see how the friends and fam think of it and then I will list more.

Hurrah!