Hello there! Want to know more about our family and life? Read on...
Our Family:
My name is Erin. I'm the author of this blog and the mama to Elisabeth born in September of 2006. I am a 20-something mama who loves to sew, read, cook, write, and live simply. I have Celiac Disease and have been gluten-free for three years. I'm pretty passionate about "green living" (yes, I am one of those people who will wash plastic baggies and reuse them) and buying locally.
My former creative outlet was as a jazz trumpet player, but I found I needed a quieter activity while the little one was young. I borrowed my mother's sewing machine shortly before I gave birth and dabbled in making cloth diapers. Not having any immediate success (I am awfully impatient), I put the sewing machine away until one day my colicky baby stopped crying and I found I had a moment to be creative again. I haven't stopped since!
Our family started going through some changes when Stephen and I separated and started the divorce process. Currently, he is staying in our old house, while the little one and I moved into town. We are now living with "Sasa", my best friend and the love of my life!
Elisabeth is a spunky little toddler (often referred to as the "little one") who thrives on social interaction, music, and explorations in nature. She was born with numerous food allergies/intolerances, but is now only limited with gluten. We love to answer questions about allergy-free cooking! Her favorite activities are reading, going for rides on her trike, painting, visiting the local bookshop to see all her friends, and chasing the cat around the house. She is the inspiration for all the clothing I design and the model too!
Sasa (as the little one calls him) is my best friend, love, and Elisabeth's pal. He's an amazing chef and baker, and he keeps the little one and I well fed! When asked what his interests are, he simply says, "what comes next." Although he added that he loves "goats, books, food, living simply, G. Love, bicycling, yoga, farming, making cheese and yogurt and kombucha, and Elisabeth!"
My Shop:
My Etsy shop was opened in the summer of 2007. My main focus is children's clothing that is practical, stylish, and comfortable. I create all the patterns I use from either scratch, or from vintage patterns I have modified. I use all natural materials, and also try to use vintage or repurposed fabric as much as possible. Because of moving and a busy schedule, I haven't been able to update my Etsy shop since the fall of 2008.
My Camera:
I use a Nikon D90 and a D70s. My favorite lens is my 30mm Sigma 1.4f. I use this for all portraits and those shots I really want a good depth of field. I also have a 17-80mm lens which I use for outdoor shots, as well as a Nikon 10-24mm, a 50mm 1.8f, and a 60mm macro. I use the program "Aperture" by Apple to adjust things like exposure, sharpness, and saturation and Photoshop CS4 for more detailed work. You can see more of my photos on my flickr page. I'm always happy to answer any photography questions.
You can visit my new photography website here.
My Blog:
I started my first blog three years ago, but recently switched to Typepad in the fall of '07. I love writing. While many people don't understand the concept of blogging, I will say that it has changed my life in many ways. It has made me appreciate the small things that would have gone unnoticed: green moss growing on a rock, hot tea on a cold day, curling up with a warm blanket and good book, the little one's contagious laughter. Taking the time to notice these things and writing about them has brought more beauty into our lives. There are many nights I find I can't sleep unless I write. Some of my posts are written late at night, when the house is quiet and I can relax on the couch and transform my thoughts into words. I enjoy this immensely. And I appreciate every single comment I receive. I do my best to respond to all of them either by e-mail or in the comments section. All of you readers mean the world to me. Thanks for visiting!
