Sweet Pepita

A Deer in the Moss

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:28:00 +0000

The moss terrarium was a birthday gift from my husband and daughter a couple years ago. It is one of my all time favorite birthday presents ever. Even still, I managed to let the beautiful moss forest die. After I finished beating myself up, I went to the garden and dug up some more moss. It's everywhere right now. Summer will be here soon enough and beat it down and dry it out, but right now, it's rainy and still cool enough to foster perfectly prehistoric landscapes in miniature. You just have to look closely.

We thought the addition of a deer would be nice. And the curves of the glass give the habitat an other worldly dreamlike quality that I really enjoy.

The project sparked Miss Pepita's interest in building her own habitats. Some are more like still life, others, collections under glass. But this one is full of life. We found a caterpillar in the garden just yesterday. I worried for the little guy. "Please be careful with the caterpillar!" definitely came out of my mouth more than once. Way more than once. In the morning, we woke up to this...

That fuzzy yellowish mass at the bottom is a cocoon. A cocoon!

Amazing.

Have You Heard?

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:28:00 +0000

Art Star in Philadelphia now carries our Urban Vernacular line of onesies! Word.

I Totally Made This!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:50:00 +0000

We are ecstatic! Pepita is literally counting down the days till her sister arrives. And she'll be here before we know it. Just a little while longer...

I've always been envious of women who have easy-going pregnancies. We should have known that this one would be just as difficult as the first. And here we are again. That's OK. She will be a little mini powerhouse, just like her sister. I just know it.

So bear with us... we're still here. We won't be traveling to shows (we have to stay close to home for now), but we'll be stocking up our Etsy shop (perhaps even more so than ever before). Don't hesitate to let us know what you're looking for. We'll see you in person again soooooon... in the mean time, see you online!

That's Her Dad!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We're all so proud. (That's my husband!)

Fugitive Landscapes is on display at Gormley Gallery through March 16, 2012. You must see the stereo views.

Sweet Hazelbean

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:40:00 +0000

On her last day, I was reminded more of our first days together than any others. Just less fierce, less scary. She was a scrappy thing with a tiny body and big ears. She hated most everyone, but for some reason, she trusted me (which was ridiculous because I was not a cat lover).

I never had cats growing up and, if anything, I was kind of afraid of them. And if I was going to be afraid of any cat, it should have been Hazel. But I wasn't. We spent the next 15, almost 16, years together.

Rest in peace my relentless hunter, sweet beauty, gentle and loyal girl, my all around bad-ass. We miss you so much.

A One and a Two

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Bright and early on New Year's day, the door inched open just a hair. A tiny hand holding a tiny crocheted Nosferatu (or Nosferatooth as he's called here) wiggled into the room. "Happy New Year!" the little guy creaked. And then he disappeared. And so began 2012.

Nosferatu fits perfectly in my tiny girl's hand. She adores him even though she's a teensy bit afraid (he's not allowed upstairs at night. Instead he remains perched on the newel post. He protects us from ghosts and greets us first thing in the morning).

Amigurumi Astronaut by NeedleNoodles

This guy's got my eye, too. My grandfather worked many years for NASA, so I have a soft spot for space exploration. I couldn't find another Nosferatu on her site... We found him last year at Pile of Craft and saved him for months and months to give to Pepita for Christmas. He's pretty perfect.

Happy New Year!

Merry and Bright!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:14:00 +0000

I have a very long mental Christmas to-do list. Which guarantees a sort of bustling excitement... especially in the middle of the night when I realize I forgot something.

Well darn if that list didn't get even longer this morning when my husband sent me this link. All he wants for Christmas is a gingerbread Holga. Well then, I guess I should get busy.

Happy happy holidays and a peaceful new year to you all! We are so lucky and grateful for all your support!

Don't Forget the Teachers!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:06:00 +0000

Superlative Studies are ready to frame one of a kind 2-D works. A perfect gift for the teacher in your life. And they'll be on sale tomorrow only at GRUMP !

Gooder. Something was gooder... I don't remember what. "There's no such word," I told my daughter. "There's good, better, and best."
"And da bomb!" she corrected. True. Very true.

Holla!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Don't forget! Saturday is Holiday Heap and Sunday is Out of Hand!

As always, we'll have TONS of great custom options for you! AND all show orders ship free and in time for the holidays! Hurray!

Monday! Monday!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:32:00 +0000

Are you a fan? There's a cyber Monday coupon code in it for you!

Happy Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:55:00 +0000

We keep teasing Pepita that we're having popcorn and jellybeans for dinner tonight. She's not having it. Her friends (and ours) are coming over. Every 5 minutes, she runs into the room and asks, "Is it time yet?" We are all pretty excited... and we have so much to be thankful for. I hope everyone has a warm and happy holiday! Peace!

Expect Color

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:47:00 +0000

Because we love color. I know, who doesn't, right? We love the whole spectrum. My favorite is yellow... especially on tea cups. Pepita's favorite is pink, and maybe orange... which is funny because my favorite color combination is orange and pink. Well, more accurately, magenta.

We love calling colors by their specific names. A friend told me that my girl asked her for a balloon a while ago. She asked Pepita which color she'd like. "Pink," she replied. My friend handed her a pink balloon. "I also like fuchsia," she said, in an effort to score another balloon. Nice try, Pepita.

So, if you stop at our booth (#126) this Saturday at Handmade Arcade, you can expect to find awesome kids clothes in every color combination imaginable. I promise. And that is why I love my job.

Handmade Arcade For The Holidays
Saturday, November 12, 2011 • 11am - 7pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Summertime

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:07:00 +0000

Nothing says Summertime in Baltimore like Artscape. I miss it already. (Hey! Can you spot our Dottie Dresses?)

Making Plans... Why Bother?

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:37:00 +0000

As always, what we intend to do is rarely what actually happens. Why should it have been any different in New York?

My husband's plan for Saturday included some gallery hopping, lunch at his favorite little Italian place and some quality time at MoMA with his girl. And Ms. Pepita? She had her eye on the bouncy houses before they were even inflated. The two of them spent all of Saturday in Chelsea at PS11's Fall Festival. She bounced. She crafted. She lived it up.

And because my booth was directly in front of the inflatable bouncy paradise, I got to share some of that joy. Which I am so grateful for. I often feel like I miss out on a lot of family fun since so many of my weekends are spent working.

We did get to MoMA on Sunday. It was well worth the wait... for all of us. The video installations and the interactive exhibits were a ton of fun for the kids to explore. And my girl finally got to see a Monrdian in person. Two, actually.

Pepita had recently come home from school talking about the artist. My husband asked her about something cool she learned that day and she told him, "Ms. Prince taught us about Piet Mondrian (yes, she actually said Piet Mondrian). He passed away. You put the lines down and paint the squares!" I came into the room and, still in shock, my husband said, "Tell mommy what you just told me."

So she planned to sketch one at MOMA. With a blue crayon in hand she drew two long parallel lines. Another blue line intersected the others. She paused, looked up, and exclaimed, "Hey! Would anyone like to play Tic-Tac-Toe?" Another plan, thwarted.

Saturday!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:14:00 +0000

Sweet Pepita's headed to New York City!

Join us at The Annual Fall Crafts in Chelsea Festival this Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 10am - 5pm. Nearly 100 vendors will be lined up along West 21st St. between 8th and 9th Aves. in Chelsea. And the weather will surely be just lovely.

a small sampling of vendors

Is it Too Early?

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Can I start fretting over Halloween costumes yet? Can I tell you that Ms. Pepita has been telling me what she wants to be for Halloween every day for weeks now? And that each day it's something new? Oh boy.

I think we should go the scary route again. She had too much fun being Bride of Frankenstein last year. That costume was easy enough to pull together... A thrift store first communion dress, cuffs removed and arms split, hair spray, white poster paint and make up.

But I miss my little Max. My soft and cuddly little Wild Thing. I don't think I have it in me to sew up another little cozy suit. And I know I don't ever want to work with fake fur ever again (my studio looked like a bunch of Wookiees had a brawl. I am not even kidding).

I don't know... I could easily be won over by this kind of cute.

The Journey Home

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:59:00 +0000

After school, after decompressing on the playground with friends (hers and mine) we make the last journey of the day together. I've come to really appreciate this time. And anyone who has relied on Baltimore City public transportation will tell you it does, indeed, take some time.

By bus...

... on foot

... and on scooter.

Sweet Lovable Annie

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:05:00 +0000

A massive thank you to everyone who came out to Crafty Bastards despite the rain and the wind and the chilly, chilly air! My life would be so different if I didn't get to escape this tiny crowded studio and step out into the world. Wow! What a fantastic day. And we (well, Pepita) came home with some prizes to boot!

She came up running and squealing, "Look what Miss Jen gave me!!!" So proud of her Cotton Monster patch... and now another Annie in our lives (She has so many plushies named Annie... Annie, Annika, Cheeky and Pachysandra).

Ms. Pepita has been upset lately that she grew out of her camera shirt. We all have one (different cameras, mind you... we're not that dorky). I hope this Polaroid will suffice for now. Should I stitch 'Annie' on the Polaroid? That was my first instinct. She'll let me know what to do, I'm sure.

Pretty Please?

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:28:00 +0000

Could I have your vote?

Thank you! xoxox

Oh Goody!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Maybe you remember last year's Wild Thing goody monsters? Well, we wanted to keep the handmade party favor tradition going.This year's party favor is a Hello Kitty meets Yo Gabba Gabba mash-up. One day, I will have to tell Miss Pepita to choose one theme. Only one. But, this year, her dad and I made it happen.

Party in the Dark

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:42:00 +0000

The power came back a couple days ago. There is still a massive amount of debris and trees and branches strewn about. But this is the first day that the relentless sound of chainsaws and sirens does not fill our house. And we are lucky.

We have good friends who brought good food and Pepita's bestest friends to our house for an impromptu birthday celebration. In the dark. It wasn't the party we had planned, but it is the one she will remember for a long, long time. This I know. We are so lucky.

Five

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:53:00 +0000

I tell Pepita about that night five years ago. She loves the drama and the suspense. She loves that part when her daddy drops me off at the entrance to Johns Hopkins and yells in a panic, "You have to get an epidural! Don't forget to tell them you want an epidural!" because it hurt that bad.

Six centimeters. We waited till I was six centimeters to drive to the hospital. Seven, eight...

I tell her how just a couple hours later, our two favorite midwives began their shift. Sweet. Nice timing, Pepita! They shooed overzealous med students out of my personal space and were our most awesome advocates.

Her heart rate plummeted. She had to come out. The room was packed with people now. Vacuum extractor, forceps and scalpel. Thank God I had the epidural. I tell her, "They had to get you out of me, so they used this vacuum that should have stuck to the top of your head but you had too much hair so it didn't work!" and we laugh.

Nine. It was just after nine in the morning now. I heard, "She's beautiful!" I said, "I can't see her." There were too many people in the room. My midwife brought my girl to me. My baby.

My biggest girl.

We Want YOU!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:12:00 +0000

Sweet Pepita is looking for a Fall intern! We are seeking 1 awesome student interested in learning the ins and outs of running a small clothing company in exchange for college credit. This is an unpaid position. Experience with sewing knits is required.

So... what can you expect to learn here?
Production sewing
Fabric recycling
Marketing
Pricing
Customer service
Display

Please contact us for details and to set up an interview.

Crafty Bastard

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:58:00 +0000

And Proud!

Will we see you at Crafty Bastards this year? I hope so. Trust me. You want to be there!

Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Pepita) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:49:00 +0000

There's no place like home. But we did have a rockin good time.

At the Jelly Belly Factory. Again.

And experimenting with video at Zeum in San Francisco. I wish we could have spent more time there... especially in the Animators Studio where, in the last 10 minutes of the day, Pepita and I made a little stop motion video.

It feels so good to be back in Baltimore, though. I've missed you.