I am so loving matryoshka dolls right now. They're just so cute and happy. I found the cutest matryoshka print for my nursing cover, and I get compliments on it all the time.
If I did a matryoshka tree it wouldn't be a Russian themed tree necessarily. It would just have that fun vibe that matryoskas give me with their bright colors and folksiness. I debated between a pink or a white tree on this one. I LOVE pink trees. They can be so happy when done right.
However, I really think a white tree would set off all of the bright colors better.
So much fun! I would want a fluffier one, though. Image via houzz
Alright, my matryoshka tree would be all about the garland. I'd do a bunch of ribbon in pink, yellow, and green, but also some lace ribbon and some of that Eastern European embroidered ribbon. I'd also use that really fat ric-rac and strings of wooden beads wrapped all over. Ooh, and those pom-pom strings, and maybe even yarn. I mean, let's just take it all the way. I could yarn-bomb the trunk! Ok, this is getting out of hand. (If you don't know what yarn-bombing is, check it out.)
Then, of course some bright wooden matryoshka ornaments and maybe some regular sized dolls just stuck in the tree. Then some of those Russian painted eggs. I'd fill in with a bunch of bright vintage ornaments to get some bling in there.
See, isn't that happy? It would fit so nicely in my girly's room.
I love our Christmas tree. It's a mish-mosh of ornaments from both of our childhoods mixed in with the ornaments we've bought as a couple surrounded by ALL of the pretties I bought while working at a certain global themed retailer, aka "Dock Numero Uno". ;) Each piece tells a story, and even if it doesn't all "go", it's certainly very cheery.
Yes, that's tulle wrapped around lights at the bottom of the tree to give that lovely glow.
Definitely the last time (at least for a while) I can decorate the tree how I want.
Next year she'll be getting around on her own.
But as much as I love our family tree I would LOVE to style my own tree with purposefully collected ornaments. So here's my first idea for a Christmas tree that is "so me."
Moroccan Christmas
And, no, not the kind from "The Office."
First off, tree skirt. Some fun sari fabric, of course! Or a nice kantha quilt. OR, if money was no object, a layering of kilims! Ooh, how haremy.
For garland I would use strings and strings of those gold coins from
belly dancers' outfits. I could even mix silver and gold.
Moroccan tile would be a must. It would be cool to use broken tile pieces and make ornaments out of them. I could also take brass wire and make that classic Moroccan tile shape. You know, this one:
I'd add some fun camel ornaments and some mini lanterns then top it all off with a pretty glass star lantern. Now, how about a mood board?
Clockwise from star:
Glass star lantern from Pier 1 Imports. Unfortunately not available anymore, but I have a couple.
Belly dancer chain sold by Time Raveler on Etsy.
Tile - unknown source.
Elephant ornaments from World Market.
Kilim rugs from Mister Pillow and Kilim Warehouse on Etsy.
Mini lanterns and Middle-Eastern-looking-Matryoshkas from Pier 1.
Felt camel ornament from Beady Eyed Fancies on Etsy.
So that's my idea of a Moroccan Christmas tree. Stay tuned for some more "designer" tree ideas.
Although Little Sweety is the best sleeper there ever was (8pm to 8am, baby!) she is a little needy in the loving touch department. Mothers of preteens are rolling their eyes, "Oh, your daughter likes to be hugged and snuggled. That's soooo annoying." While I love holding the Munchkin, one-handed typing, eating, and bacon frying gets a little old. ;) Plus I don't have the strongest upper body. So I am all about the baby carriers.
We have several, actually. The first one was actually mine when I was a baby! It's a Snuggli, and it's dark denim, which is nice cause it's not out of style. (Can you imagine if it was a pattern from the 80s? Hello teddy bears with balloons.) Plus it's about as manly of a front carrier as you're gonna find, so Zach doesn't really mind wearing it. It's not terribly comfortable, though, and there's not a lot of head support for her.
That's me as a baby! When Jaina was little we would put her all the way inside.
Studly. Apparently it worked as a back carrier too! We'll have to try that sometime.
The second one is a sling I made out of this super fun batik print. It was perfect for when she was first born cause she just snuggled right in horizontally. I used this tutorial, and I think it only took an hour or so. Definitely worth it. I wish I had pics of her as a teeny baby all comfy in her sling. It was great for going out in public cause no one's gonna touch your baby when she's right at boob level.
They also have very helpful instructions on how to wear them at each stage.
She looks really intense about carrying that baby.
Little Miss Fancyboots is quite the model. Just started wearing Jaina like that. She loves it cause she can look around.
THEN I saw a pattern for a Moby wrap. I know, I so did not need any more baby carriers, but I'm so glad I made this one cause it's like wearing a bearhug. Leanne Barlow had the tutorial on her blog, Elle Apparel. Really, it's just five yards of stretchy knit fabric tapered off at each end and finished on the edges. Again, it took just an hour or so and is completely worth it.
I used a 2-way stretch knit, but 4-way would have been much better.
I'm thinking of making another one in gray for Zach to wear.
He totally agrees that it's the comfiest way to carry Sweet Pea,
but he's not enthused with the hot pink.
The real Moby Wraps are $48, but this probably cost me $12. I call it my Fauxby Wrap. And all of the instructions for the different ways to wear it are online!
When I'm sitting it looks like I just stuck a baby in my shirt.
I love how I can tuck her little head in when she's napping.
(Picture courtesy of Lisa Watson)
Goin' for a walk. When she's forward facing (which I don't do very often)
it looks like a creepy wrestling singlet.
She loves watching everything though. (Check out those eyebrows. I love it.)
My friend, Laura, lives in Thailand, and she just made a video for me of how she ties her kiddos on her back. Her nanny is from a Lisu village and that's how they wear their babies. I wanna get some fabric from Joann's tomorrow and try it out. Check back soon for pics! Or maybe we'll even get real fancy with videos.
So everyone's been telling me I should start an Etsy shop and sell stuff that I make. I would definitely like to, but it's gonna take a bit of time. First, I have to make enough merchandise to open a shop. Then I have to price out shipping so that I can price items accurately. I also need to do some research to see what other people charge so that I don't under or over-sell things.
Anyway, late last night I had A BRILLIANT IDEA. While I'm waiting to start my online shop I can make things for friends around here! This way I can save up some money to buy supplies for the "real stuff" I'll make to sell on Etsy. So, feel free to browse. My email is at the bottom. Let me know if you'd like me to make you any of these items in time for Christmas.
Fuzzy Cowls $15
Chunky Cabled Cowl $25
Lattice Cowl $15 (It's smaller, but it looks good with a coat on. Might work for a guy. I wouldn't know cause Zach refuses to wear scarves. If it's for a guy you can call it "The Chain Mail Cowl".)
Crazy Scarf $20 (This guy looks insane, but it's really easy. If I make it again I wanna do it in a heavier yarn.)
T-shirt necklaces $10 + shirt cost (You can bring me old shirts you wanna use. That's not weird.)
So that's my Friends & Family 2012 Christmas Shop. Unfortunately, I won't be shipping anything before Christmas, so you'll
have to live around here. That's part of my "easing into it" plan. If you would like anything on here you can:
A. Leave a comment, or
B. Facebook message me, or
C. Call me, or
D. Email me at kara(dot)elizabeth24(at)gmail(dot)com*, or
E. All of the above (Don't you dare.)
Merry Christmas!!!
*Why do people write their emails like that in blogs? Do you get spammed
if you put your email address out there? I don't normally do things
without knowing why, but I guess I'll go along with it.
