hello!!

Hee, hee, I told you I'd be back pretty soon! I just can't keep away. ;)

I cannot thank all of you enough for your kindness, generosity, support, and encouragement over the last couple of weeks. It has really helped me. A lot. Words are really failing me to express my gratitude to all of you. Thank you again and again!

Updates, updates ... hmmm. Well, first, my husband took a job. It's nothing great, something he'll probably try to use as a stepping stone to something more desirable within a couple of years, but at least now we are in a position of knowing. We'll be fine, we don't have to move; he'll have a bit more of a commute, but he's OK with it.

Next, I still haven't sent my camera. My warranty expires in October, so I better send it before then! I just can't part with it, you know?

Anyway, I know I promised some time ago to share the last of the April birthday gifts. Please forgive the lighting on these ... it was one of those times where they just had to be photographed -- right before they were gifted, you know?

So, these gifts were for the first birthday of a very special little one. She's sweet C's baby sister, and was born just 5 weeks after James. It has been such fun to have these two babies so close in age and to see them grow.

The smock was made using a half-made dress (I'm thinking from the 1970's or 80's), the source of which I will talk more about soon. I designed the embroidery myself, after baby R's mama raved about the embroidery I did on Elisabeth's birthday pinafore. The doll is a very simple design which I made up myself. It is made using organic colorgrown cotton fleece. Lovely!

I really, really wish I had taken some pictures of beautiful baby R with her gifts. She is really a gorgeous baby. Perhaps her mama (a blog reader!) will indulge me ... ;)