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Bunnies by the dozen.

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Bunnies, bunnies, bunnies! I can tell that we are getting close to Easter by the sudden explosion of the stuffed bunny population. It would seem, ahem, that they are multiplying like rabbits.

This week, I have assembled a herd (yes, a herd) of rabbits for your Easter cuddling pleasure. Some are cute, some are quirky, but all are quite clever and very eco-friendly. Enjoy!

Known for their prolific breeding and their propensity for giving birth to large (and in some cases multiple) litters in the spring, it’s no wonder that rabbits are symbols of fertility and of the season itself.

As far as its symbolic tie-in with Easter goes, mentions of the Easter Bunny begin to appear in publications from the 1600s; although it is safe to assume that the origins date back further than that – most likely to pre-Christian Pagans.

Legend has it that the Saxon goddess Oestra (from whom Easter is named) had a sacred rabbit companion and an association with another symbol of fertility, eggs. Considering that, it makes perfect sense that bunnies and eggs are so closely linked with each other at this time of year. (And now you know what to tell your children why bunnies bring Easter eggs, and not chickens. Or, perhaps it’s only my son who is bothered by this.)

Finally, if you will allow me to step up on my “Going Green” soapbox for just a moment, I do need to draw attention to the practice of giving live rabbits for Easter. Just like a dog or a cat, a rabbit is a house pet that requires plenty of care and attention over its 10+ life-span. Every year, once the post-Easter reality sets in, countless unwanted rabbits are set free or dropped at animal shelters. Unless you have given it very careful thought and are willing to make the commitment, I would strongly discourage giving a live bunny as an Easter gift. Instead, why not make someone’s day with a stuffed long-eared, puffy tailed friend from one of our featured sellers? Go on…hop to it!

Top photo: Beeper Bebe – recycled wool suiting & yarn
1. Beeper Bebe – recycled wool suiting & yarn
2. Blue Moon Rose – recycled cashmere & vintage dress
3. Buttercupbloom – cotton, velveteen & upcycled lambswool
4. Chunky Chooky – upcycled denim & batik
5. Second Seed in Stitches – upcycled sweaters & fabric
6. Freedom Rainbow – recycled merino wool
7. LuvKt – deconstructed/reconstructed merino sweater
8. Pouch – repurposed vintage fabric & chemical-free lavender
9. Sleepy King – recycled fabric
10. Woolcrazy – recycled angora wool
11. Protean’s Coffee Shop – felt & fleece
12. Sighfoo – recycled wool & bamboo fibre
Bottom photo: Canoo – recycled angora wool/cashmere

For more information on rabbits as house pets, visit The House Rabbit Society.

BABYWOOD!

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Here’s my secret confession: I love funny tees. Of course, being a fully grown adult with a family, I don’t, you know, wear them. But that’s okay, because while funny tees are kind of sad when worn by middle-aged women, they are hilarious when worn by people who fit into onesies. This important fact is the reason I loved looking through the BABYWOOD! shop, and their assortment of cute tees and onesies, all printed with famous lines from television shows or movies, for the tiny comedians in your life.

Personally, I can respect a baby who isn’t afraid to get in your face with her awesomeness, and I happen to think this onesie would look cute on any awesome babies out there. It takes a combination of amazing cuddling skills, attitude, spunk and incredible chubby cheeks to pull off a look like this one. A round, wiggly tummy doesn’t hurt either.

It was funny when Joey on Friends said it, but printed across a a roly-poly little belly? Yes, adorable.

Babies just naturally possess the right attitude, a great smile (with or without teeth), hair that always looks “just right”, and the ability to laugh at all the funny stuff that life throws at them. Dad tripping over something, or Mom making a funny face were a couple favorites in my house. And since BABYWOOD! offers their all-cotton tees in sizes newborn to 7 Junior, there’s every opportunity to let your kid’s natural happiness and hilarity shine.

Still wondering if your wee tyke has the moxie to pull off such sensational sassiness? No worries, he already knows he’s a big deal. Bigger than than Mommy and Daddy. Bigger than applesauce. And he’s got that sweet little double chin to prove it.

Check out more funny tees for babies and toddlers at BABYWOOD!.

Barefoot Weaver

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Barefoot Weaver: I have been in love with color since my first box of crayons and I fell in love with weaving in the 70s when I watched a girl weaving (barefoot, of course!) in the back of a store in Brattleboro, VT. Here was not just color but dance as well! By the early 90s I had my first loom and there was no looking back. Looms have a way of multiplying and taking over the house (as my family can attest) and now I have four (we won’t count the one in the barn). I am always amazed seeing them warped and vibrant with potential.

Colors live in my living room and cones of thread fill my bookcases. I dye my threads on a big plywood table upstairs in one of my workrooms (did I mention that I have taken over the entire house?) and my clothes line is often draped with skeins of freshly dyed thread. I do my designing on my warping mill and my work now is mostly warp driven which just means that I want the warp to show more than the weft (or weaving).

I started adding more texture to my weaving some years ago as well inspired in part by knitting yarns that have flags and tufts and wraps and shiny bits and skinny and fat parts.

So, I overproduce. And I have three grown sons who really don’t wear my creations aside from a very plain chenille scarf or two. I live on an old farm with my two horses, three cats, one small dog, and a very supportive husband. We heat with wood, snuggle down in the winter up here in the North Country, and I am content.

Handmade from the Eastern Shore

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eastern shore SoapomokeRiver

The Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, is one of those places far enough away to escape the rat race of Washington, DC. And still close enough to be a getaway spot for DC metro residents. That’s how I think of it, as a place to escape to a friends family house where fresh crabs and wild horses can be admired.

So when I found Soapomoke River‘s shop, I knew I had to check it out. I was tempted right away by the River Otter Soap, and Blackwater Honeysuckle Lotion Bar. Ah, good smells, no chemicals, and good memories.

I was even happier when my order arrived. The Blackwater Honeysuckle Lotion Bar is smooth and melts easily on the skin. And it smells wonderful. It also comes packaged in a small travel size, perfect to toss in your purse or backpack.

On small note for vegans, the first ingredient of the lotion bars is beeswax. But the cold processed soaps are vegan friendly.

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The River Otter and Neem Oil Bug Repellant soaps are cold processed, and unique. The Neem Oil smells a lot like a citronella candle. Which is great, if you’re going to be outdoors. I love that I can just give the soap to my child at bath time and not have to fuss with bug spray when we’re going out the door.

The River Otter has a grainy feeling from the kelp it contains. And the smell does make me think of a river. It also has a nice rustic look.

Also shown, is the In the Buff solid lotion bar. I have not tried it yet. But it has the same ingredient list as the Blackwater Honeysuckle. And smells nice too.

Many of Soapomoke River’s products are named for the surrounding area. So when you visit the shop and you’ll get a bit of a geography lesson. Or if you’ve lived nearby, like I have, a trip down memory lane.

Something to Wine About

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Wine stopper from Spaeny Wood Studio

If all has gone according to plan, by the time you read this I’ll be on a mini vacation in the midst of the Columbia River Gorge’s beautiful wine country! I feel like I’ve been on vacation a lot lately – certainly more than any other recent year, but my husband insisted we go. And at some point I said ok, twist my rubber arm – and I know that getting away from work really does helps me to re-focus in the long run. Almost every year we head to Oregon, and to the Columbia River Gorge so he can go kiteboarding. It’s kind of a crazy sport – a hybrid of windsurfing, surfing, and parasailing that involves flying through the air and doing tricks with the help of generous wind gusts, a sail, and a surfboard that’s strapped to your feet. The Gorge happens to be the perfect place for it, so that’s why we go! That aside, Hood River is a really sweet little town – and more than once we’ve discussed doing a house swap with a local, as we think it’d be a fun place to spend a summer.

Wine tags from Say Anything Jewelry

We’ve never visited any of the area’s wineries, but we’ve decided we ought to this year. To be honest I’m not really a fan of wine, I prefer totally unsophisticated, girly drinks, that have more resemblance to a slurpee. But I’ve found that I really enjoy an occasional visit to a winery – they are usually so charming and there is something decadent about having a drink in the afternoon. One of my favourite winery trips was a couple years ago – we visited a friend in nearby Victoria, BC – and ended up riding bikes to several wineries near her home – I’ve got to tell you that made for a very fun trip back to her house.

Lazy Susan – perfect for a wine and cheese party, from: The Wine Crafters

So, with wine on my mind I’ve rounded up a few finds from Etsy! I hope your week has been wonderful and that you’ve got something fun planned for Labor Day long weekend.

Wine bottle holder from: Tim Sway Perspectives