Friday, September 23, 2011

Becoming a Handmade Family

It's been a little over a year now since I left my full-time job to become a creative freelancer and stay-at-home dad. Some of the time the change has been frustrating, or worrying...there's a lot of waiting involved in this lifestyle. Mostly though, the changes have been infinitely rewarding as I've developed very deep connections with my daughters, I've had the time to make lifestyle choices that focus more on slowing down and enjoying the days, and Mrs. Handmade and I have come a long way toward growing together as a handmade family.

 One of the things that I've been watching change and develop over the year is our back yard. Last spring I dug up two garden beds, and planted vegetables in one of them.  I had some limited success, but I learned a lot from the experience, and next year should be better. One thing that I learned is how much better everything tasted! 


Another thing that I learned is it's a constant battle. Ha-ha-ha! A little bit of work on a small plot goes a long way, though!


One last change for this day, is the wonderful friends we've made since joining this community of crafters and handmade artisans. One of our new friends Dana, of Dana's Creations painted Abby's face for her last weekend.  She was so excited! When we got home, she wanted to get some pictures taken, so we went down to the little thicket in our backyard.  It's amazing how much she's grown in the past year, from a 2-year-old toddler, to a 3-year-old little girl!  She was even doing poses for me, of what she thought a flower faerie would do.  Ha-ha-ha!
Thanks for looking and until next time, take care and be good!
Your friend,
Mr Handmade

3 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your Handmade Year! I think the hardest parts are behind you, don't you?

    And Abby is right, that is exactly what a Flower Fairy would do! Please, please make a set of notecards from photographs of the girls posed as fairies and I shall gladly purchase a set. AND some drawings of those poses, too. I see a children's book in your future.

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  2. P.S. Can I run a link/ad to your Etsy shop on Mature Landscaping? I'd like to make a small button of one of the forest sprite pics, post it in a side column, and link it to your site as a suggestion for Christmas shopping. I believe you have my email address.

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  3. Hi Nance! I actually am having two of the sprite paintings made into postcards right now. I'm hoping to have them by the end of the week. The GIRLS as fairies though...That's not something I'd thought of, and sounds like a great idea!

    I would love a link to the Etsy shop! I'm sending you some jpgs right now.

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