I don't want to grow up.

My daughter just turned nine, and she told me on her birthday this week, tears in her eyes, "I don't want to grow up."  It was so unexpected and sweet and beautiful to hear.

As an adult, I look back on my childhood days longing for that fuzzy sense of happiness I associate with childhood.  I definitely put on those rose-colored glasses when I want to remember a time that was sweeter and easier, when I was able to make the best of it and be able to laugh and smile despite life's troubles (which, in hindsight, of course seemed so much simpler.)

This year hasn't been the easiest, but it's been amazing.  I've learned so much and grown into myself immensely.  Earlier in the year I felt stagnant in my creative work and knew I needed a change.  Stubbornly, I put off doing the hard work of returning to square one and reconnecting what made me want to be an artist in the first place.  It was scary.  I didn't want to give up on what I had put all that hard work into.  I pursued other distractions, ignoring what my gut instincts were telling me.  I didn't want to listen.

I have tried and failed and picked myself up again so many times this year, I've lost count!  Man, change is hard.  But I've kept going.  Through the grace of God, I found my compass again, and it was pointing at the drawers in my workroom that have been collecting dust and cobwebs for the past few years.  I've been sitting in there for weeks now, creating, with no intention other than to make things that make me happy and to reconnect with my artist-self.  I now make things that kindle that spark of nostalgia and fuzzy childhood happiness inside me.  Things that make me feel like that part of me doesn't have to grow up.  Ever.

I feel like myself again and I feel proud of my work.  You won't see any more veils, hair accessories or jewelry in my Etsy shop or at craft sales.  I'm not following trends to make sales or growing a business to try to make a decent paycheck.  Those things would be nice too, but for now they've been stripped away in exchange for the freedom to make what I want and enjoy when I sit down at my work table.

Growing up and all the responsibilities that grow with it will always be there.  But for now, I'm counting my blessings and enjoying what it feels like to be a kid at a craft table again (that's truly what it feels like!  Sometimes I almost feel guilty about it...)  ;)

I'll be sure to post some photos of what I'm making very soon.  Thanks for reading!

Fall Sale!

It's time to clean out the closets and clear off the shelves!  I'm making room for new projects, designs and works and need to make room for new supplies.  Lots of accessories from last year are on sale right now in the Deeds & Petunia Etsy shop.  Some are in perfect condition, some are seconds and samples still in good condition (might have slight, barely noticeable damage.  All of these goods are on SUPER SALE!!!  They definitely won't last long, so act fast!  Get your Christmas shopping out of the way!  Buy something fancy for that upcoming holiday party!  Fall is here, and there are gorgeous accessories like these to accent your cool weather wardrobe...

Find them in my Etsy shop - on sale now!

Introducing The Cluckers.

I fear I have a black thumb this year when it comes to gardening, aside from growing tomatoes, strawberries and rhubarb.  I can't even grow zucchini (everyone can grow zucchini.)  But I've managed to keep an average of three cats alive and well for the most part (for the most part...) for the last five years, so I figured I'd be pretty capable of caring for some relatively low maintenance chickens (according to what I'd heard.)  I decided to give it a go.  It's been almost 4 weeks since we bought two Black Australorps and a New Hampshire Red from Gardensphere, our favorite garden center in Tacoma, and so far it's gone pretty well!

This is Peepers.  She loves long walks on the beach and sunsets.

This is Phoebe.  She loves to make as much noise as possible every time you go to pick her up (she must really like being held, I'm guessing...)

This is "Mother" Margaret, the sweetest and gentlest chick.  

She's nicknamed "Mother" because we needed a "Mother Clucker."  Heheh.

Here's what I've learned in the past few weeks about our freshly hatched chicks:

Chickens may not be the smartest animals on the planet, but they are very sweet and actually make pretty good pets.  They have attached themselves to my husband (I took the attitude of treating them more like farm animals than pets. I think they know...) and they get very excited when he comes around, peeping and stretching their necks and eagerly jumping at him to perch on his arms.  My 8 and 6 year old are great helpers and can't get enough of their chickies.  The chickens snuggle right up to the girls, and really like to be held.  My kids are all too happy to help with chores too when it comes to the Cluckers!

Chicks make a TON of noise.  Constant peeping.  When they are agitated and stressed (too much/not enough handling,) they peep even more.  I was so worried about them getting too cold that I overheated them at first and couldn't figure out why they were so squaky.  We sorted it out and moved the heat lamp a little farther away and they seemed to maintain a comfortable level of peeping for the rest of the night EVER.

They are messy and stinky.  I know I am particularly sensitive to chicken mess/smell, but I'm telling you, they walk around and poop on everything, getting it all over themselves and your hands when you pick them up.  They just LOVE to poop on people too.  I think that's their favorite past time.  And the food gets everywhere.  I think their other favorite past time is littering the box as quickly as possible with as much food as they can.  I imagine they love to food-fight, just peeping with delight, while we sleep.  They are voracious eaters and I cannot believe how much feed they consume.  Between the eating and the food-fighting, very little of it actually stays in the feeder that I'm refilling every day.  As you can imagine, the water is thusly changed at least twice a day due to the excessive pooping and food mess.  I change their newspaper every night.  

Inside the bin - a large plastic storage tub converted into baby chick housing

But the best part is - it's not that much work.  That's about the extent of the work involved with chick raising - food, water, clean paper, warmth, handling.  And they will like you.  Pretty easy.  WAY easier than a puppy.  Eventually you get gorgeous, delicious, nutritious eggs out of the deal!  Worth it, I say!