Snippets of the Holiday

There was a mad-dash run of crafting and gift making this past week around here--hence, my absence (and if I was to be perfectly candid, I would admit that I am still finishing up making some gifts--any one else out there still making gifts?).  But damn if I did not manage some cheer around here--even Mr Beeper commented on Christmas Eve, The house looks so cozy and festive.  This sort of comment coming from my nearly always oblivious husband should not be dismissed--it means something.  Like what, you might ask?  Well, I like to think that it means all the late nights in my workshop, afternoons in the kitchen , and hours bent over the paper cutter were worth something--at least to my family .  And me too (because I so love those little trees I made from The Small Object even now...photos follow).

{New stockings for the whole family, sewn from vintage buttons and some old wool flannel Pendleton shirts Mr Beeper had in the attic--the pattern is from Stitched in Time by Alicia Paulson. (caution: this project is best not undertaken in the final minutes before Christmas--while the results are lovely, the stockings were far more time consuming to make than one would ever guess)}

{Several varieties of cookies in the name of Christmas--Gingerbread Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Pistacio Biscotti, Pinenut & Rosemary Biscotti, Grandma Neuman's Spice Cookies, and Peanut Butter topped with Kisses}

{My favorite holiday craft project: these sweet little trees made from The Small Objects'pattern} 

{Inspired by Amy's post, made from this tutorial on Design Sponge}

{some inspiration via Martha, made from recycled cards from holidays past--find the instructions here)

Happy Belated Christmas and Merry New Year, dear Chez Beeper Bebe readers--hope you found your own crafting inspiration and cheer over the holidays.

Lovely Little Phoebe

Dear Chez Beeper Bebe Readers:

My heart is weighted today with sadness.  You see, yesterday we had to put our dear little Phoebe the cat to sleep.  After more than a year of declining health due to kidney failure, she had finally reached a point last weekend where we felt the kindest thing to do for her was to help her to die so she would no longer have to suffer.  But still, even with the peace I feel on an intellectual level--knowing resolutely that we did the right thing--my heart still hurts because I loved her and she was such an important member of our little family.  

The painting above is testament to this.  Mr Beeper commissioned this painting of Phoebe from the ever-so-talented Amy Lynn many years ago as a surprise for my birthday (perhaps the best gift he has ever given me, I might add).  And to me that painting so right-on captures Phoebe's soft and kind spirit.  Yes, kind.  She was one of the most tolerant animals I have ever known--in fact, I only know of one time that she ever intentionally scratched or bit anyone.   She had that zen-like peace down, I tell you.  

Part of the reason Phoebe was so special to me is that she came to me through some unusual and tragic circumstances.  You see, I used to be a director of a non-profit that supported people with mental illnesses and disabilities.  T. was one of my clients--he was schizophrenic, anxiety-ridden and depressed.  I worked with T.  for many years and had the pleasure of getting to know him quite well.  He had 5 cats--all of which really formed the center of his life and I think kept him alive for many years as he felt a duty to them.  Phoebe was the cat he had the shortest period--he found her as a kitten, in the rain, by a dumpster, meowing and lost somehow.  So, of course, he took her in and added her to the pride.  Well, of all his cats, Phoebe was always my favorite--just because she was sort of anti-social with the other cats and she liked to hang out inside his cupboards, but when I came over she always came out to greet me--which T. let me know was very unusual.  One Christmas, T., wanted to give Phoebe to me as a gift because he knew how much I liked her--I, of course, was immensely touched by his gesture, but I did turn him down because these were T.'s cats and should be his cats.  

Ultimately, overcome with depression at the limitations of his life, T. committed suicide.  It was awful.  Almost right away I thought of his 5 cats and set about ensuring they were placed in a shelter so they could be adopted--as I knew T. would have wanted.  Well, a couple of weeks passed and  I could not stop thinking about dear little Phoebe and wondering how she was.  So I rang the shelter and they told me all of T.'s cats had been adopted EXCEPT for her.  How could I take that but as a sign that she was meant to be with me?  So I went down to the shelter right away. 

When I arrived, they asked me if I was sure I really wanted Phoebe because she was a very aggressive animal, had bitten several people, and they had been planning to put her down as they did not think they could adopt her out.  I was shocked to hear this because the cat I knew was nothing like this.  When they took me back to see her, her fur was all riled up, her eyes gleamed wildly, she growled at the attendant and I could hardly recognize her as being Phoebe.  I asked them to take her out so I could see her--and I will never the forget how the attendant looked at me--like, Whatever, crazy lady, handle her at your own risk.  

So they  put on enormous gloves that look like something you would use to handle burning objects, and brought her to an enclosed room.  This I remember so clearly--as soon as they shut the door--I looked at Phoebe, and said, "Phoebe, what's going on, honey?"  And all her fur smoothed down and her eyes became gentle again and she meowed and came right over to me and rubbed her head against my arm.  And then I knew without a doubt that Phoebe was meant to come home with me.

And so we have been together for many years--like 13 years.  I know she was at least 16 when she died--and may have been older since I do not know exactly how long T. had her before I knew him.  She was a fantastic pet and we are all missing her terribly right now in the house.  Beeper and I printed out a bunch of photos of her early this morning and he put them in a new photo album that he has been carrying around all day.  I keep seeing her pass into the room out of the corner of my eye--tricks of the light or my heart or something.     And Mr Beeper had already declared that he misses the thump-de-thump of her coming down our wooden staircase to greet him whenever he came home.

Dear little Phoebe, you will always be in our hearts and part of us.  Just as I told Beeper last night.  Cliche perhaps, but you do live on inside of us and we carry you with us.  Forever, dear little Phoebe.  

Thanks to all of you for reading this and for listening.  It is good to know someone besides us knows about Phoebe and her story.  We all have dear pet stories like this, I know, but it is still so good to be able to share.  

Belated Holiday Greetings & Letters to Santa

I really related to Brooke's recent blog post about holiday crafting procrastination--this is my holiday crafting style too.  A sort of pell-mell run to complete 6 projects you planned and 4 more you just found but have now decided you somehow have to fit in before Christmas D-day. And no, I would not say that I prefer this approach.  In fact, in my head the past few days I have been constructing a plan for how I will do it all differently next year, putting the tree up and decking the halls Thanksgiving weekend, and making gifts in batches over a series of weeks--with the final reward being nothing to do this final week leading up to Christmas other than maybe wrapping some gifts.  Is this even possible?  Do some of you manage to make this happen for yourselves?  And if you do, how do you do it? 

I am thinking it is possible because I see Amy's blog posts that have been showing off her lovely holiday decor for weeks on end now. I marvel at her--and covet this sort of decorating ease. 

But I am happy to say that I have finally helped Beeper to write his letter to Santa and to get that off in the mail--and then I used this little utility on Big Huge Labs to draft a letter from Santa in response to Beeper.  I mean, I could have designed the stationary myself, but well, you see, I am busy trying to do all of my holiday crafting and gift making this week.

I also got our holiday cards made this weekend and will send them off first thing tomorrow.  (How could I resist using these ridiculously cute and fabulous photos of Beeper in some way--I never have been one for a traditional holiday greeting).  And yes, I am sending them off with full knowledge that many will likely not reach their recipients until after Christmas--which is why I made these mailing labels..

You may not be able to read them from here but they say: Belated holiday greetings for...  Somehow owning up to that fact that I know they are late makes it okay that they are late--at least in my world.  Also, I actually sort of do believe that it might be nice to receive a holiday card a later--after all the others have already come in--just a little reminder that it is still the holidays afterall and someone is thinking about you even now in this week leading up to or after Christmas.

Anyone else out there needing to send some belated holiday cards this week?  If so, I have made a download for you of the mailing label--as well as another label that is for general (not belated, not holiday) mailing use.  You can download that right here:

DOWNLOAD MAILING LABEL

I simply printed the labels on some adhesive/sticker paper (I like the full page mailing labels at Office Max--they adhere to anything) and trim around the edges of the label.  

I will be back soon with photos of the new Christmas stockings that are on my work table as I write this...as well as lots more to come (sadly) before Dec 25th.

More Birdies in my Shop Now

 Two more Bitty Birdies in my shop.  Get 'em while you can.

A Chicken in Every Pot...Or Just Two

Seems there are many people who like to have a chicken of their own in their pot...the Bitty Birdies have been in high demand this season but low supply due to the elves in my Beeper Bebe sweatshop going on strike over demands for holiday pay increases, as well as affordable healthcare. Whatever.  

There are, however, two lone Bitty Birdies that are making their way to completion as we speak with all their usual accoutrement--and I hope to maybe have them in my shop come Friday--probably late afternoon or evening with the way things are looking around here.  I tell you this because I know that some of you are keenly interested in acquiring one of these birds yet...and for those of you who have emailed me already about them, I will send you an email and let you know as soon as they are posted to my shop.  

I know there are more of you that want one than there are of the Birdies, and I do wish I could deliver one to each and every one of you but I do really, really need to get around to completing holiday gifts for all the other good little girls and boys on my list (Rome can be built in one week, I tell you).  But please, in your rush for the Birdies, I implore you not to break out in violence in the Beeper Bebe Etsy shop aisles.  There will be more Bitty Birdies...I am not sure when, I admit, but there will be more.

Please Share...

Chez Beeper Bebe Readers, Crafters and Country-Men: Lend me your ears.  I've got something to say--something you should know.  I have a Flickr group--did you know that?  Has anyone even noticed?  Have a look--the link is over there in my sidebar--yeah, that's right, toward the bottom there.  And you know what that is for, don't you?  Why for sharing your own creations made from one of my tutorials, silly readers.  I mean, you don't have to, but then again, why not share your creations with me and the world?  Be proud of what you make--take some photos, upload them to Flickr, put them in the pool and smile--because you made something lovely and creation is next to godliness.  At least it is in the Chez Beeper Bebe Flickr group.  So come join and share with me...free toaster ovens if you act now.

Reduce Waste & Use What You Have: Over Ripe Bananas & What to Do with Them

I am an ardent saver of fruit that is overly ripe and on the cusp of going bad. Saving it for other uses is really a snap--just toss it in a plastic bag in the freezer. We perpetually have a big bag of over-ripe bananas in our freezer--as well as smaller bags of things like strawberries, blueberries, mangos, pineapple, etc. Always stuff that was on its way out if left to languish in the fridge much longer...no fruit is left behind at our house. Those overly sweet fruits (as they are inclined to be late in their lives) are a perfectly lovely additions to things like muffins, smoothies, pancakes, even made into glazes or sauces. Of course, banana bread is the old stand-by for overly ripe bananas--and yes, I am going to share the recipe for my version which incorporates oatmeal and other whole grains (as do most all baked goods I make). I love this bread--I eat a couple of slices each morning, slathered with peanut butter, aside coffee and half of a grapefruit--it is my go-to winter breakfast, if you must know.

And yes, you can use bananas from your freezer for this--simply defrost the amount you need and use them as you would any other over ripe bananas. You should be prepared for the fact that when you thaw bananas from the freezer they will have quite a bit of liquid floating around with them and that is okay--I simply mash this in with the rest of the banana and use as usual.

So here is my banana oatmeal bread recipe for you:
DOWNLOAD BANANA OATMEAL BREAD RECIPE

And if you care, here are some other recipes that will make use of your overly ripe bananas or other fruits stocked in your freezer:

• Sunshiney Smoothie
• Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Pancakes You Can Feel Good About--to make banana pancakes, simply add 2 mashed bananas to this recipe

Happy over-ripe fruit freezing and baking.

Handmade Toy Nirvana

Have you been trolling for handmade gifts as much as I have?  Scouring the pages of Etsy?  Late nights, red and bleary eyed in front of the computer?  No?  Well, fine--but I have.  I admit, I frickin' ADORE shopping for toys--I mean, I make plushies and toys in all of my spare time, so of course buying them turns my crank too. And I have found so many fantastic and lovely toys on Etsy this year and I just feel obligated to share them with you--because what if somewhere, one of you is desperate to find a handmade toy for a sweet little girl or boy?  Or need to buy something for that crazy friend of yours who makes plushies and toys during all her spare time but you are at a total loss as to what to buy her?  

Let me tell you, dear Chez Beeper Bebe friends, I so have your back on this one.  You can relax, take a deep breath, light a cigarette, pour a glass of wine and calmly click any of the links below to the toys pictured above and handmade toy nirvana awaits you...

1. Wee Bird Plushie from Krakra craft, $5
2. Beetle Style Car from Imagination Kids, $6
3. Little Red and Wolfboy Notebooks from The Black Apple, $14
4. Block Set by Fidoodle, $85 (this is so brilliant--it is a puzzle, a mix and match people set, a building set, and  features little red riding hood and peter and the wolf)
5. Garbage Truck by NinDesign, $38
6. Custom-Made Paxton Doll by Project Grab Bag, $65
7. Yoyo by Goose Grease, $5
8. Idaho Little Monster from Cotton Monster, $58
9. Wooden Max Truck with Blocks Trailer from Gaga Baby Boutique, $65 (lovely wooden stuff in this shop...)
10. Farminals by Goose Grease, $18
11. Stick Me FLICKr sticker N1 Sticker Book from Yaelfran, $12 (stickers designed in collaboration with 8 different illustrators--stickable art, I tell you)
12. Lacing Tree with Apple and Pear by Linen Kids, $13
13. Olootee Doll by Raplapla, $56 (love!)
14. Tops from Urban Turn, $3.50 each
15. Dress Up Belle and Boo Paper Dolls by Belle and Boo, $10 (with more outfits to download for FREE from Belle and Boo's blog)
16. Bitty Bebe Doll with Play Accessories from Beeper Bebe, $50 (wait, how did that get in here? )
17. Wooden Star House Camera by Star House, $16
18. Small Draw Original Art Coloring Book from Small Magazine
19. Sleepy Red Forest Fox Plushie by Sleepy King, $24 (my fave new plushie artist)
20. Rainbow Stacker from Imagination Kids, $22
21. Car Bingo from Pilosale, $28
22. Baby Oobee Sleepy Set from One Girl, $32
23. Wooden Toy Boat from Friendly Fairies, $28
24. Alphabet Flashcards from A Little Hut, $8 (more printables, people!)
25. Dinosaur Stamp Set by NoraJane, $10 (I bought a set of these for Beeper)
26. Breakfast Set (9 piece) from Forever and After, $55
27. Lego Crayon Set from Gaddy Nipper Crayons, $4.50
28. Ernesto the Softie Red Dog Plushie from Pink NouNou, $60
29. Tell Me a Story Set from The Small Object, $35 (also bought these for Beeper)
30. Kiki the Paperdoll from Elsita, $20

Downloadable Calendar Love

I am so in love with the downloadable calendars available on Etsy, right now, as we speak. Between you and me, I have ordered 4 already--and I may be back for 1 or 2 more of the above.  Does this seem irrational and like I may have some sort of hoarding problem around which a reality show could be constructed?  Well, I like to merely think of myself as smart and thrifty--because, what I plan to do with all of these calendars (aside from revel in their design during spare moments) is to give them for christmas gifts--one for everyone on my gift giving list--friends, family, teachers, coworkers, you-frickin-name-it--they are ALL getting one of these calendars this year.  And this is the beauty of the $5 downloadable, PDF calendar, non?  You can make as many copies as you please and give them out to the paperboy, neighbors, newly acquired friends on street corners...whomever, whenever.  Give, give, give.  And also, since you do have to print and assemble them, I think they can at least partially count as handmade--right? (and with the Decorate Your Own from A Little Hut, well you get full handmade credits there).

And for your own reference and further perusal, these are the calendars pictured above (listed left to right, from top row to bottom):

1. Patterned Initials by A Little Hut
2. Printable Nature Calendar by Blue Tricycle
3. Printable Calendar by Yaelfran
4. Blank Calendar--Decorate Your Own by A Little Hut
5. Petit Paris by Little Brown Pen
6. Simple Woodcuts by E.M. Papers
7. Printable Monthly Colorful Animal by Printable Project
8. Vintage Silhouettes by Red Door Studio

The downloadable calendar is pure genius, if you ask me.  I wish everything was downloadable and endlessly reproduce-able and cost only $5 for the pleasure...

In My Shop: More Vintage Button Barrette Sets

These have been a hot seller this month, so I have put three more sets up in my shop. You can find them here. Get 'em while you can or something like that...

In My Shop: Plush Memory Matching Game

Made a little fabric box for the memory game, added a few extra pieces, and now you can get your own in my shop.

Tutorial and Pattern: Don't Forget Memory Game

I just put together this little memory matching game using various fabrics--I decided to do this last month when Sew Mama Sew had their Handmade Holidays and one of the projects was a memory game from Rory Jess Sadie made from various papers--which was lovely--but then they asked the question: Do you think this could be made with fabric? To which, I answered, yep, and took it as a personal challenge. Although, truth be told, this is not all that challenging to make. I mean, it is sort of a sewing 101 project--which is part of why I really enjoyed making these. I found it sort of meditative sewing around the straight edges of all those game pieces.

I used all reproduction vintage fabrics for mine--many of which were purchased from ReproDepot--although you could use real vintage fabrics or any other patterned fabrics that appeal. You could also use scraps you have laying around, waiting to find their purpose in life. And I designed a vintage-look backing with an elephant graphic that says, Don't forget--because that is the point of a game like this--to remember and not forget where you saw the match to that one piece?
Of course, you know I had to make this into a tutorial for you. You can download that here:
DOWNLOAD MEMORY GAME TUTORIAL

And if you wanted to give it as a gift, you could make a little drawstring bag to put all the pieces in, appliqueing a square or two of the fabric on the front--or you could cover a little cigar box in some sort of decorative paper and stack the pieces inside.

I do plan to put a couple of sets of these in my Etsy shop--probably tomorrow. Watch for that, if you care.

No Fuss Advent

Seriously, how can you not just love Meg for doing this? Really. She is posting a coloring page of her own lovely design for each day of advent. Which is perfect for me because I just did not get it together AGAIN this year to have anything lined up for Beeper for advent and I kept seeing all the adorable advent calendars and I was having "bad mom guilt" and feeling like I should have done something, for cripe's sake--but then it was Meg to the rescue. Now, not only do I have something for Beeper to do for each day of advent, but I also am no longer a bad mom--in fact, I am feeling really good overall about this advent approach since it does not involve a lot of extra STUFF that will only wind up broken, lost or stepped on (with the addition of cussing) at our house--and instead is an activity Beeper can engage in and enjoy each evening before dinner. Find it for yourself right here. Love you, Meg. Seriously.

Fresh, Hot Babies on a Stick

A freshly baked batch of Babies on a Stick are in my shop. These were made with a combo of new and recycled materials. And no babies were harmed in the making of these rattles. Find them all here.