Paper Pie

Autumn Is Upon Us

Happy Halloween from our little polar bear! Since Rylie is too little to make her own costume we put this one together with her fuzzy jacket and her hat with ears. I think it will do the deed, don't you? She prefers her cozy knits over scratchy costumes.

She likes the cooler fall weather and getting all bundled up in sweaters and hats.

She likes getting out in nature and discovering all of the amazing wonder there. She takes it very seriously.

Changing Seasons

The seasons are subtle here in LA. Which is much different from where I grew up. In Michigan, each season is really dramatic, leaving no question the time of year. In autumn, the trees are amazing to watch turn all of their magnificent colors. Around these parts though, there are only a few deciduous mixed in among the tropical flora. Some of the tropicals do change colors and lose their leaves, like this bougainvillea that was a vibrant fuschia only a month ago.
  Instead of colorful leaves, we have to rely on other cues to know that fall has arrived.

Happy Autumn to one and all - except, of course, you live elsewhere and it is actually spring. In which case . . . Happy Spring! 

Similar Behaviors

This morning, when baby #1 was doing this . . .

baby #2 was doing this . . .
birdwatching, apparently.

Then, this afternoon, when baby #2 was doing this . . .

baby #1 was doing this . . .
whale watching!

Up until now, Zipper has kept his distance from Rylie. I See him sneek a glance here and there, and sometimes he'll mosey over and give her a sniff then run away as fast as he can when she moves. But, I have a feeling that he is slowly but surely warming up to her and before long they will be practicing their common interests together. Well, at least the napping part. I'm not sure that Zipper's birdwatching techniques are appropriate for the tiny set - or humans in general for that matter!

Festival Girl

Saturday afternoon, we took Rylie to the Farmer's Market for the Fall Festival. There was live music, craft demonstrations, farm animals and a pumpkin patch.

Rylie found her favorite one!

It was a great time and the weather was just perfect; cool and gray. Pretty soon she'll be able to join the big kids with the animals.

Until then, she'll just take in the sights and sounds from her post on daddy's chest.

Here's to autumn!

Getting Things Done

Have you ever read that book? Getting Things Done? I have, and it's the kind of thing that throws me straight into a tailspin. I am so meticulous and detail-oriented that when someone suggests that the key to productivity is to get all of the thoughts from your head onto paper, I take it very literally and try to do just that. I was into the whole GTD thing for a while when planning our wedding. I have hundreds of manilla file folders, a filing cabinet and even a label maker. That sort of rigidity can only last for a short while and then you realize that organizing what you need to get done is actually another thing that needs to get done and by then you are exhausted and just decide to try again tomorrow.

Since Rylie has arrived, it has been a day to day evaluation of the most important thing that needs to happen. And then if I'm lucky I might get that one thing done, or I may just get my teeth brushed. So far motherhood, among other things, has been a lesson in letting go. I am learning to be ok with the sink full of dishes and the unfolded laundry. I tell myself that people will understand if my email responses come in a few days rather than in a few hours (there are days I never even make it to the computer to check my email.) And hopefully my sister will forgive me for not yet sending her a birthday gift. Like my friend Mandy said the other day, "My first year of motherhood in a word: surrender." I am trying to learn how to do just that.

Slowing down and focusing in on immediate needs is definitely a welcome change around here. The challenging part is still getting the things done that MUST get done. Fabric needs to be designed, websites need to be updated, meals need to be made, grocery lists need to be written. Ryan helps out with a lot of this, but he works full time and is away from home a good part of the week. So, I blog and email with babe in arms or even when she is nursing. And I have streamlined things like, say, showers down to the absolute minimum; I'm in, I'm out and I get on with my day. My hair goes straight into a ponytail and that's it.

That being said, I know that in order to take good care of others I must first take good care of myself. I have made a concious decision to make sure that I get a little "me" time into every day, even if it is only ten minutes. I will share these little moments with you here and there. My hope is that they will help me to recharge, focus and eventually get things done.

What do you do in order to stay balanced?

Fabric Giveaway ** Sugar Pop Jelly Roll

Are you ready?

For another fabric giveaway? This time I'm giving away a Jelly Roll of all of the fabrics from my Sugar Pop! collection. The Moda Jelly Roll consists of 40 2.5" strips of fabric rolled up and tied with a sweet little bow. Each fabric strip is 44/45" wide and 100% cotton. Just think of all you could do with this delicious bundle.

Leave a comment if you'd like to win this Sugar Pop! Jelly Roll. Good Luck! Comments will close at 8 pm PST on Friday, October 15. I will update this post with the winner's name, so be sure to check back after 8 pm on Friday.

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Comments are closed - congrats to Samantha, comment #62!

Making Me Smile

** Rylie's handknit bonnet and sweater. The same one her daddy and uncle wore when they were babies. Given to her from Grandma and Grandpa Scott. I've been dreaming about all of the things I would love to knit for her. I need to schedule some knitting time soon.

** Mothering magazine's September/October issue - filled with worthwhile reading and perfect for nursing time.
  
** Thinking about color stories for my new fabric collection. Consider this a preview and stay tuned for more to come. (And don't forget about the buy one get one free pattern sale!)

** The much anticipated Belle and Sebastian album, Write About Love, releases today and it does not disappoint.

** Rylie's adorable dress up doll playmat from my friend in Michigan, Irene. It is so sweet - the dresses are backed in felt and they stick to the dolls. It is like paper dolls only in cloth!

** Rylie's little jumper from her Great Aunt Mary and Uncle Frank made from my fabric. Mary had this little number made in Tunkhannok, PA at a sweet boutique aptly named Peppermints. I can't wait until it fits her. Isn't it so darling? And the ruffle-y bloomers that go underneath . . . too cute!

**Flowers from the Farmer's Market on the dining room table.

What are you loving today?

Fall Pattern Sale!

Oh my, since Rylie arrived on the scene things have been nonstop and action packed. And before she was born, there was all of the excitement about Sugar Pop! You might be curious if I am ever going to update my little Etsy shop. Well, the answer is yes. I have managed to write a few patterns for some projects I was working on before baby and even before my fabric line. The Hexie Pin Cushion and Oopsy Daisy Pillow patterns are now available in the WonderFluff shop.

So, to celebrate my inaugural sewing pattern effort, I'm putting them on sale! Buy one pattern, get one free through Sunday October 17th! When you purchase a pattern, enter "PAPERPIE" in the notes to seller and I will send you both patterns for the price of one. Easy Peasy.

So, get to sewing!