The Handmades: deck the walls

Bert is lucky to have a surrogate Grandmother who lives right down the street from us: Grammy Deb.

Grammy Deb happens to be an amazing rug-hooker.

She dyes her own wool and comes up with her own compositions.

I thought she might be up to something of the "hooked" variety for Bert and I was beyond psyched when she showed up for a visit and gave us this gorgeous wallhanging.

It makes me smile every time I see it.

And I love that she knew a stork would NEVER deliver a baby here in the Mills... the osprey would deliver a Mills baby, of course!!! 

So here he is, delivering Bert over a river full of alewives.

Safe to say no one gave us a custom-designed, personalized, hooked wool wallhinging except for Grammy Deb.

And speaking of Grammies...

My business associate (Mom) gave us this painting by the lovely and talented Susan Bartlett Rice for Christmas.

 

 

In Mom's former life, she was an art teacher and Susan was one of her students.

My guess is Susan got VERY good grades in art.

I have aaaaaalways wanted one of Susan's paintings and now that I own one I just want another one.

We have this painting hanging over Bert's crib downstairs.

 

 

And guess what?

It makes me smile whenever I see it.

And speaking of smiles...

I have officially become one of those mothers who can't post without including a picture of her baby.

Here's Bert in all his glory.

 

 

 

Ollie says he gets the pouty lip from me (dear God, I hope so...)

 

And one of my favorite pictures: my sister with Bert... 

 

Bert wants me to say "Thank You" to Grammy Deb and Grandma Ba Ba.

We love our decked-out walls.

XO,

Rhea

The Handmades: A Pebble Vest

I was so pleasantly surprised when the vest from this post showed up in the mail one day...

Turns out, it was meant for Bert all along... who knew?!?

Bert has been wearing his Pebble Vest from Amanda almost every day... just the thing to keep his core warm on cold Maine winter days.

We get loads of compliments on his ensemble whenever we wear it out and about.

Both Bert and Mommy couldn't love it more.

Thanks, Amanda!  Come mug on him anytime!

XO,

Rhea

PS  Perhaps at this point you are thinking that Bert and I have been very spoiled with handmade goodies.  To you I say... OOOOHHHH, you aint seen nothin' yet!

The Handmades...

I will admit that I love, love, love presents.

Even if they are not *technically* for me, they are for Bert, they are kinda for me, too.

And I especially love presents of the handmade variety.

I have a lot of handmade goodies to share with you: I can post about them fairly quickly,  in between dashes for the shower and the laundry if need be.

So let's begin the parade of handmades, shall we?

 

This little snuggly was knit for Bert by my friend Tammy.

We love it lots and it has already seen a lot of use.

Doesn't he look pleased with his ensemble?

Thanks, Tammy!

XO,

Rhea

Progress

Thank you all for your lovely words about Bert... we are so in love with him and I am savoring every second of my maternity leave.  He is growing and changing and revealing little tidbits of his personality all the time.  I know these next few weeks are going to fly by too much too quickly... let's not think about it now.

Sometimes I look at him and I still can't believe I had a baby.  Ollie and I are very fortunate, to say the least.

And while I am gone from the shop, enjoying snuggling with my little guy, progress is being made just a few short feet away...

Today Pam finished this gorgeous version of Aneela Hoey's Bloom Quilt, which will be a class at the shop starting in a few short weeks.  I thought it was so beautiful I should share a photo with you.

 Nice job, Pam!!!

XO,

Rhea