Crafty Tuesday: Mimi Rose Trunk Show

Confession: Every gift of Mimi Rose clothing Ella has received I've altered in some small way. . . the wonderful designs elicit a creative response from me, an embellishment in appreciation of the craft. From her sweet pea length dresses, I've made a top and shorts and from a faux shearling hat and coat? I had it tattooed with an embroidered assortment of winter rose bouquets.

Today, I was fortunate enough to share these renovations with Margaret Senturk, owner and designer of Seattle's Mimi Rose's Children's clothing, book and toy store on Phinney Ridge Ave N., and to my delight she loved it! Margaret asked permission to copy the short sets, to be offered in the store next summer, and she's also agreed to do a Madrona Mom Trunk Show in early December featuring her 2007 fall and winter collection.

Watch for your invitation!



Confession: I'm a mom who LOVED wearing her baby!!! I loved the bonding that a sling facilitates, the comfort especially if nursing, and the mobility of getting around easily with baby safely tucked away. . . And I sew, so making my own baby sling was #1 craft project that I had started even before Ella's birth. I had some beautiful Irish linen, and found a wonderful and very easy-to-make baby sling pattern on this website:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/lists/Sewing.htm

Do you want to make a sling and have questions about how to do it easily, inexpensively, and enjoyably? I'll be happy to compile a FAQ and answer your specific question, too.

Also, I highly recommend a local designer who's slings (available to purchase) are a wonderful inspiration and the courses and fabrics offered at her workshop, an invaluable resource for your custom baby sling needs.

http://metrosupialdesigns.wordpress.com/

Enjoy!

Thursday Book Club: Songs of Shiprock Fair, by Luci Tapahonso.

Confesssion: I admit to being a fan of Ms. Tapahonso's work. Luci's writing, I think is better read aloud then you can fully experience the charm and poetic cadence of this wonderful Navajo storyteller. Illustrated by Anthony Chee Emerson, Songs of Shiprock Fair is a children's story from the point of view of Nezbah, the little girl who's preparing to go the Shiprock Fair for traditional food, games and rides, and most importantly. . . to receive her annual blessing from the Navajo Yei dancers under the "glowing moon in the west above the Carisso Mountains."

David King Dunaway, in his anthology Writing the Southwest, best describes Luci as "ethereal yet immensely powerful." As did Sherman Alexie, author of Smoke Signals, when introducing Ms. Tapahonso in Seattle recently at Counterbalancearts.org's "Meet the Poet" series.

This book offers a wonderful visit into the Southwest Navajo Nation's culture, by way of an invitation to the ceremonial dance.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did reading it to Ella. For more information on the poetry readings at Counterbalance Arts. org, link to http://counterbalancearts.org/