Bunny Love

Meet Romeo and Juliet ~ Valentine sweethearts. Romeo enjoys golf, grilling and reading historical novels. Juliet likes to crochet, bake cupcakes and play Solitaire on her iPad (presumably while Romeo is golfing).

They are sweethearts and best friends. Just what everyone should have on Valentine's Day...

March of the Raccoons :)

Some requests and some customers are just special. And super fun.

I had a blast making these little guys ~ and even more fun putting them in formation and playing with them. :)

Now they are off to the Pacific Northwest to join their fellow "raccoons."

Let the wild raccoon ruckus begin!!! :)

Hoot! Hoot!

When I was in high school in the 70's (yes I'm ancient), owls were all the rage.

So to see them come back into fashion is a kick. I don't know why I liked them in 1972 and I don't know why I like them now.

But I do know that Simon and Greyson make me smile. Hope they do you, too. :)

Gooble Gobble!!!

Thanksgiving is exactly 30 days away! Rupert is in my Etsy shop now and looking for a vegetarian household to share some tofurkey and great veggies!

He is looking forward to the holiday ~ as long as he has a chair AT the table and isn't ON the table. :)

A Programming Note...

So you may have noticed some changes in my online presence (and eventually my "in life" presence) as I make the transition from "freckles & friends" into the new phase of "cmh design."

I eluded to changes on the horizon here and with the help of my IT guys (translation - husband and son, IT consultants by day; bribed family members by night) we have taken steps to make everything consistent. (I'm big on branding and consistency...) Over the last couple of weeks much designing and coding and all sorts of crazy things ensued.

So now my blog, my Etsy shop, my Facebook business page (I will be begging you and reminding you to join me on that new page because unfortunately I have to start all over!), my labels, my business cards, on and on and on... will all be switched over from "freckles & friends" to "cmh design." Bear with me.

Because my line of handcrafted merchandise is growing, "cmh design" seemed to be a good idea to incorporate a broader base from which to work. I have a new website acting as a central location to link you all to the various spots my products can be purchased - both online and brick 'n mortar. My new site will also serve as a spot to quickly check in and see what's happening behind the scenes and how to keep up with the latest creations and fun tidbits in general.

So now, (drum roll) here it is!!!! cmh design Log on and take a stroll around. And check back often for updates on new projects, new merchandise and new venues! (And maybe a chuckle or two...)

Thank you SO much for your patience as I transition ~ and thanks for making all this growth possible. It is all too. much. fun!! :)

Why I Love What I Do.

With our first Sidewalk Fair behind us (and what fun it was!), I was reminded of another reason I love doing what I do. I got to see a few kids interact with my Wee Ones and the smiles on their little faces, the conversations we had about the foods the Wee Ones like and observing the indecision... do I want a pink dog or a penguin ~~ reminded me that I am fortunate to be creating some childhood memories for little ones.

Arabella, the happy owner of 5 Wee Ones, may just remember the conversation about how I come up with names for them all. Hunter, although only a wee one himself (about a year old) won't remember me, but he may carry his Wee monkey thruout his childhood.

It got me thinking about my first (and favorite) stuffed animal ~ a dog named Floppy. He's around here somewhere... and over 50 years old.

Reading this assured me I'm not the only one with fond memories. And just a bit of sentimentality.

It's why I do what I do. And why I love what I do.

We're Still Here! :)

I've been quite remiss in updating... my little friends have totally taken over my life. But it's all good.

In addition to Stoopher & Boots in New York City and Modern Mouse in the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda) carrying my Wee Ones and Flat Baby Travel Pillows, On A Lark right here in my beloved Denver has joined the bunch! I'm thrilled to work with Ivy (the owner) ~ what fun it is to know her and her sweet shop!

My new line of Flat Baby Travel Pillows (featured above) double as a toy and a practical travel aide. A plushie-stuffie, which also serves as a dandy pillow! That little curve where my neck is? Well, that's the perfect nook for a weary neck ~ great to rest a little one’s head in a car seat or on an airplane ride. And a secret? Adults can use them, too!

They are the perfect size to fit in a diaper bag or a back pack. Each one is fairly flat so easily packable. They are all about 10.5 inches tall and skinny, so they don't take up much room at all. They have no removable parts, so they are pretty safe - but parental supervision is always advised when it comes to little ones and toys.

If you aren't in Manhattan, Alameda or Denver, pop into my Etsy shop ~ freckles & friends and see what's new!

The Cool Chicks...

are off for an adventure of a lifetime!

Thank you Preethu ~ I know they will love India!

Preethu has been making my sew in labels from Day #1 and I so appreciate the class she adds to my little guys!

Looking Back on a Year.

I just happened upon this while opening my photo archives tonight - one year ago today I made my first stuffed plushie/stuffie. Dotty was sent to a dear friend in San Francisco for her daughter (then about 9-10 months old) to "baby test." Fortunately Dotty passed the test and the little one adopted her with hugs (as well as Dotty standing up to a washing and drying!).

When I originally opened my Etsy shop a year ago I tried offering an eclectic mix of things I love to do - photography, knitting, stuffies. Eclectic - yes; but more so, I had begun to feel, confusing. During a trip to Berkeley/San Francisco in June of last year I spent one very early cool morning walking along the East Bay thinking about what direction I should take. I made a decision. I returned home, reorganized my shop and dedicated it to stuffies exclusively.

Over the past year I have been so grateful to see my customer base grow ~ and wow, what a banner month in March! I think I made the right decision. I woke up Easter morning and - with no little ones in my house any longer - told my husband, "Oh! There are children across the country waking up to my bunnies this morning!" The only thing that would make me happier would be seeing their faces. :)

I know I'm having fun and I've been fortunate to receive encouraging feedback; I've made good sales and am more excited than ever about what I am doing. I am now migrating into my own original designs ~ finding that challenging, but oh so fun.

So thank you Joo and Lena for being there at the beginning ~ and to all of my wonderful, beautiful, generous friends and customers on Etsy who have followed. You make me smile every day.