tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887361175125519542024-03-13T12:47:43.392-04:00dinosaur toesHello.danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.comBlogger653125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-81273090066750138612015-10-20T15:01:00.000-04:002015-10-20T15:01:16.747-04:00Meet LucyMy last scheduled OB appointment was set for July 24 (my due date was July 26) and I just knew I'd have my baby by then. I didn't. After declining to have my membranes stripped to possibly induce labor, my doctor scheduled another appointment July 30 to do another ultrasound, measure the baby, check amniotic fluid level, etc., but neither of us thought I'd make it to that appointment. I did.<br />
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During the ultrasound, my baby looked nice and healthy, was doing a fair bit of kicking, and had a strong heartbeat. But then, dun dun dun, the doctor came in and said that because of dangerously low amniotic fluid, that baby had to get out - NOW. If I never mentioned it before, the two things I never wanted to happen were induction and c-section. I cried and cried and cried some more because I WASN'T READY TO HAVE MY BABY FORCED OUT THAT DAY! After heading home to get the animals squared away and pack a few last minute things I didn't have in my hospital bag, Chris and I headed to the labor and delivery unit to get checked in and have me induced. I cried a lot more.<br />
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Dr. Sadist (we'll call her that) came in and promptly stripped my membranes and dared me to cry (not really, but I bet she would have since she was not friendly or gentle) and started the induction process with Cytotec; pretty much immediately, contractions started. When I checked in, I was about 3cm dilated and 70% effaced, so I hoped that the quick-onset contractions meant labor and delivery would happen sooner rather than later. Several hours later, after there was no change, Dr. Polite broke my water and started me on Pitocin. Surely things would start moving right along now. One of the nurses on duty kept telling Chris, my parents and I that we would have a baby soon, soon, soon, but still, there was no baby. A couple shift changes (and a day) later, Dr. Handsome said that I would have a baby by midnight. And that made me nervous - a baby on a schedule means possible c-section.<br />
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It turns out, a blue full moon brings babies out of the womb and into the world right and left. Because the labor and delivery unit wasn't staffed to handle such a busy birthing night, patients were prioritized; I wasn't progressing very quickly, so I was a low priority. My pitocin was turned off and I was left waiting, water broken, with diminishing contractions since my body wasn't ready to have a baby, and every second that passed made me more sure I would end up having my baby cut out rather than pushed out. When Dr. Passive came in, she didn't want to turn the pitocin back on, but wait around to see what happened instead, and that was the first mention of a c-section. Not too long after that, after using everything they had in the unit to induce labor and monitor me and 9cm dialted and 100% effaced, my baby's heartbeat suddenly slowed and was difficult to locate. Tubes and wires were flying, nurses were stabbing me with needles, Chris was given scrubs, and the nurses were running, pushing my bed to the operating room all for the safety of my baby - I had to have a c-section.<br />
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Although the epidural eliminates pain, it does not eliminate sensations and pressure, so I could still feel, in a sense, everything that was happening to my body, all while worrying that I might never get to meet my baby. Naturally, I had a panic attack. It was so embarrassing. And, naturally, Chris wanted to watch, and later relayed to me that nurses were yanking on either side of the incision as if they were trying to rip my flesh with their bare hands (that was the awful, jerking sensation I was feeling while laying on the table), and that my uterus was laying on my chest as they stitched it up. Gross. And they fixed a hernia while they were up to their elbows in my guts. BUT I HAD A HEALTHY BABY GIRL!<br />
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My Lucy Adelaide was born on July 31 at 9:27pm with long fingernails, weighing 7 pounds 14.5 ounces, and measuring 21" long.<br />
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Was the experience at all like I'd wanted or hoped it would be? Absolutely not. Would I do it again? I would do it a million times over for my baby Lucy. I had (and still have) a lot of feelings about needing to have an emergency c-section. I feel I was cheated out of the birthing experience; I know there are women who look at c-sections as an easy way out, but it wasn't easy - both physically and emotionally - and it wasn't my choosing; I didn't get to have the skin-to-skin contact after birth that experts all say is so very important; and I wasn't the first one to hold my baby - the baby I'd been carrying for nearly 41 weeks. It doesn't bother me as much as it did, but the feelings are still there, and when I think about it and get bummed, I just remind myself that I have the most beautiful baby girl, and that's the only thing that matters!danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-13831728956158864792015-10-20T11:10:00.000-04:002015-10-20T11:10:06.753-04:0030 - 40 (almost 41) weeksIn between assuring people that I would, in fact, let them know when my baby was born (family was relentless and, quite frankly, irritating with all the calls asking if I'd "had that baby yet"), getting the nursery ready, and general nesting, I dropped the ball on weekly posts which I'm kind of upset about since it would've been nice to be able to look back on tham as it already seems like an eternity since I was pregnant!<div>
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So here goes, weeks 30 through 40, and almost 41! Everyone I know, including my doctor was certain this baby was going to come early - everyone but Chris. He'd been talking about taking a beach trip as a sort of last hurrah with just the two of us, but because I was terrified of going into labor several hours from home and either having the baby in another city or laboring for several hours in the car on the way home, we stuck pretty close by. About two weeks before my due date, we decided to take a weekend trip to Greensboro, NC since it's only 2 hours south. Then we came home and waited... and waited and waited and waited.</div>
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The nursery, it turns out, was completed in <i>plenty</i> of time, I craved sugar more than ever the further along I got in my pregnancy, I never once had a stranger rub my belly (so the warnings were moot), I never did experience the dreaded morning sickness - all in all, my pregnancy was absolutely amazing and I wish it could've lasted longer!</div>
danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-29529916091291016212015-05-13T09:48:00.001-04:002015-05-13T09:48:58.182-04:0029 weeks (and a few pros and cons).I'm in the middle of my 29th week and still loving being pregnant. I don't want to say I wish it would never end because I do want to meet my baby, obviously, and finally find out if I have a son or a daughter (a James or a Lucy), but pregnancy has been good to me.<br />
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At 29 weeks, I've learned about some pros and cons of being pregnant in public.<br />
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Pros:<br />
- Random people (who, I imagine, would otherwise pay you no mind) flash you and your bump genuine smiles.<br />
- Strangers wish you a Happy Mother's Day (and it makes me want to bear hug them, but that might get weird).<br />
- Strangers in close proximity congratulate you and ask when you're due. That makes my day every. Single. Time.<br />
- People are more helpful (as in holding doors, reaching things, etc.).<br />
- You can have a belly and feel absolutely beautiful in fitted clothing without even thinking about trying to suck it it (not that you could anyway).<br />
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Cons:<br />
- Way too many people call the baby "It." Have you <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_%281990_film%29" target="_blank">seen It</a>? I'm not having one of those.<br />
- Apparently, you can't have any emotions about anything, otherwise you're hormonal (much like not being pregnant and having anything you might possibly feel be blamed on the fact that you're on your period, even if you're not on your period).<br />
- People feel it's their right, nay, their <b><i>duty</i></b>, to tell you that your belly is huge and you'll never make it anywhere near your due date. My belly is 34.5" around, thank you very much.<br />
- If you tell people how great you feel, instead of being met with the same positivity, you will be told to "just wait until (fill in the blank with something negative)," or about how awful labor is and you just wait, or "that's only because you haven't had (insert super awful pregnancy symptom)." If pregnancy is such a beautiful thing, how come so many woman have so many pessimistic thoughts?<br />
- You're warned about how many strangers will touch your belly, but in my experience, NO ONE touches my belly, and I want them to because I'm JUST SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS BABY!danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-63930977099156741072015-05-12T09:38:00.001-04:002015-05-12T09:40:50.270-04:00What I've Been Working OnSurprisingly, as busy as life has gotten lately, I've managed to work on quite a few new items, as well as get a few extra regular items made (so I can hopefully have a bit of an inventory built up that will be ready-to-ship once the baby gets here and I have to get adjusted to being a new mom). For the last year or so, the 'Bonjour Y'all' tees and totes have been wildly popular, but lately the 'Hola Y'all' shirts have claimed the most popular item position!<br />
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<a href="http://dinosaurtoes.bigcartel.com/product/faceted-brass-crescent-necklace" target="_blank">Hola Y'all Tote</a>, <a href="http://dinosaurtoes.bigcartel.com/product/hola-y-all-screen-printed-t-shirt" target="_blank">Hola Y'all T-Shirt</a><br />
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I have so, SO many ideas for new things - screen designs for shirts and totes, jewelry, paintings, etc. - but it's all a matter of finding adequate time. The next screens I plan to make for shirts and totes will be more graphic in nature rather than having sayings, so hopefully they'll turn out...<br />
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What have you been working on lately?danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-2116356758808734702015-05-10T09:51:00.000-04:002015-05-10T09:51:00.156-04:0026 and 27 weeks.Though not shocking considering all the priorities on my to-do list that must be crossed off before Baby arrives, I've gotten behind on my weekly updates (which, really only bothers me since it seems an easy enough task). As far as pregnancy goes, the only thing that's really changed is my energy level; much to my dismay, and following right along with typical third trimester pregnancy symptoms published everywhere that discusses pregnancy, this sudden onset fatigue has me feeling like I'm back in the first trimester, and no amount of sleep seems to re-energize me!<br />
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26 weeks:<br />
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- Our first baby shower! Chris' aunts Amy and Anne were sweet enough to throw us a shower for friends, family, and anyone else we wanted to invite.<br />
- My mom drove up from Florida to attend the shower and to spend time with Chris and I and her first grandchild.<br />
- At this point I didn't have any pregnancy symptoms, and aside from my belly, you'd never guess I was growing a tiny human!<br />
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27 weeks:<br />
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- When my mom left Virginia, she headed to Pennsylvania (her family is there), then came back to Virginia for a few days before heading home to Florida. This segment was much more relaxed since there wasn't a baby shower.<br />
- Baby was lazy for at least half of this week and it was awful!<br />
- My total weight gain as of this week was 15 pounds, putting me one pound less than the most I've ever weighed. As it turns out, healthy eating really IS a good idea!<br />
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Being that today is Mother's Day, it has me thinking a lot about being a mom (not that the subject is ever bumped from first place in my mind) and what all it entails, not just in the beginning, and not just during the good times. And those thoughts make me appreciate all the more the fact that we didn't start a family in our early 20's (or as everyone else likes to call it, "the right time") as I think we're better, calmer people and more capable parents-to-be at this stage in our lives. I can't wait.danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-80870143855679268422015-04-09T23:10:00.000-04:002015-04-09T23:10:55.653-04:0024 weeks: my whole world weighs about two poundsFrom my little karate chop baby, to an upcoming shower, to home repairs - everything is moving so quickly! I feel like I'll blink and pregnancy will be over and my baby will have already been born. It's crazy to think that I'm nearing the end of my second trimester, and with the delivery date rapidly approaching (at least it feels that way to me) I'm starting to think about all new things; considering the baby will most likely come early, when should I have my hospital stay bag packed? which detergent is the best for washing Baby's sheets and clothes? will I accidentally cuss at the doctor or nurses in the delivery room and then feel guilty? So many thoughts and questions!<div>
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You know how sometimes you look at a picture of yourself and think, "WHY COULDN'T I MAKE MY FACE LOOK NORMAL?!" That's this. I swear I'm happier than I look, but it's like I forget how to, you know, HAVE A WORKING FACE when a camera is around.</div>
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I think luck was on my side when I found this dress. It's not maternity, but because of the hippie-ish style and the higher waist, this baby should last me for a while longer (assuming my stomach doesn't torpedo overnight). I'm still having such a difficult time dressing myself, but I'm beginning to think that maxi dresses might be my new BFF...</div>
danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-64670377090954197682015-03-27T19:10:00.000-04:002015-03-27T19:10:14.148-04:0022 weeks: big and healthyChris and I (along with our parents) went for the 22-week ultrasound on Wednesday to see our beautiful baby one last time before birth and, as I expected, it was pure magic and loads of happy tears. We discovered that our baby is growing a little bigger than average, weighing in at 1 pound 3 ounces, or 538 grams (the average weight being 1 pound, or 478 grams), and <strike> we </strike> I managed to muster up enough willpower to keep my head turned while the ultrasound tech was measuring the legs so the gender would remain a mystery.<br />
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Current cravings: candy, donuts, cookies, pretty much anything sweet (which is strange considering I didn't have a big sweet tooth pre-pregnancy).<br />
Current weight gain: 12 pounds! WOW! My weight gain was very slow at first, and this time I thought that I'd step on the scale and it would read 107 pounds, but when I saw 109.4 pounds, I think it was a cartoon moment where my eyes got really huge and temporarily popped out of my head! I'm happy though because it means things are progressing just as they should.<br />
Current projects: I cleaned A LOT of stuff out of the closet in the bedroom that will be the nursery (and it's a good thing considering Chris and I found an amazing deal on a stroller/carseat travel system the next day; there's now plenty of room for it in the newly-organized closet), settling on a wall color for the nursery (which will be a super pale shade of grey), making the baby's bird mobile to hang above the crib!<br />
Current favorite thing: still, it's feeling the baby's movements and watching my stomach pop out and contort with each movement.<br />
Current annoying thing: when people give me "helpful" advice even though I've already decided things (for example, telling me that I can do the nursery in green or yellow even though the color scheme has already been decided; or telling me that I can add pink or blue to the nursery once baby is born, even though it will work just fine for either gender without the addition of pink or blue). To be honest, I think most people just don't understand not finding out the sex, or doing things gender neutral.<br />
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Last, Chris and I were waiting in line at the pharmacy today when I was giving him a list of all the candy and sweets I wouldn't mind be surprised with on Easter morning (I'm telling you, I'm a sugar fiend these days, and the fact that Easter candy is EVERYWHERE doesn't help). I got down the list to "box of donuts" and he said, a little loudly, "A BOX OF NEWPORTS?!" Hopefully no one heard it as he did, noticed I was pregnant, and immediately cursed me.danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-18000456198167319692015-03-24T14:58:00.001-04:002015-03-24T14:58:33.348-04:00PinksI don't know if there will ever be enough time for me to paint as much as I'd like (because painting is, essentially, a black hole of time in that I plan to spend an hour or two doing it, then reemerge, paint-covered, five hours later wondering where all the time went), but I have been sneaking in a couple hours here and there to work on a few things. It seems I'm drawn to pinks lately, and although I don't really plan it, that just seems to be the predominant color. I'm okay with it.<br />
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'Over It' - Acrylic on Stretched Canvas<br />
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'21 and 22' - Acrylic Palette Knife Painting on Watercolor Paper<br />
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These prints will be listed in my <a href="http://www.girlandparrot.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><b>art shop</b></a> in the coming days, and in the meantime, I have another painting in the works, and several other ideas I hope to get down soon (before I lose them).<br />
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<i>*Interior design images from Pinterest.</i>danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-70239369827502353392015-03-18T20:31:00.000-04:002015-03-18T20:38:55.389-04:0021 Weeks: Belly RipplesIn the last few weeks, I've gone from feeling what felt like popcorn gently popping in my stomach, to feeling full-fledged kicks, and even seeing more defined, ripple-like movements; this is by far my favorite part of pregnancy. This evening I laid on the sofa until it was dark just because I didn't want to get up, turn a light on, and possibly make baby stop moving!<br />
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I'm wearing | jacket: American Eagle (like, 10 years old) // sweater: I don't remember, but that baby is COMFY // dress: ASOS (not maternity, but it's got enough stretch for another month... I hope) // clogs: <a href="http://www.lottafromstockholm.co.uk/clogs/high-heel-clogs/highwood-tan.html" target="_blank">Lotta From Stockholm</a> // sunglasses: c/o <a href="http://www.oasap.com/sunglasses/27700-sweet-color-block-round-sunglasses.html" target="_blank">Oasap</a><br />
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Current cravings: still donuts, but I wouldn't mind a side or four of cheese and veggie pizza.<br />
Current weight gain: 8.5 pounds (although my scale isn't 100% accurate, so I'm curious to see at my OB appointment next week).<br />
Current aches and pains: my back hurts after too much standing or walking without sitting breaks, and my hips are sore at night which makes it difficult to sleep at times. BUT, if these aches and pains are what it takes to grow a baby, I don't mind them a bit!<br />
Maternity clothes: I have a few maternity shirts (only two have the ruching to make them look like actual maternity shirts), one maternity dress that's a little too big at the moment, and a pair of black maternity ponte pants. Because I'm still so petite, most maternity clothes are far too big, but I've outgrown most of my regular clothes which makes getting dressed a real challenge! I was lucky enough to find a new, unused <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CE0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motherhood.com%2FProduct.asp%3FProduct_Id%3D923820111%26Mastercategory_Id%3DMC32&ei=qhYKVemTEcGpgwSahYCoAw&usg=AFQjCNG3ZUgLI4Sc48GCGvaJYv3xlB1QJA&sig2=PvpFYNfga10llJ1f5MwK2Q" target="_blank">Belly Belt</a> on ebay for $6, so that should allow me to continue wearing my regular jeans for another month or two (and by that time it'll be so warm I won't have any interest in jeans).danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-11637167095029339872015-03-11T11:30:00.000-04:002015-03-11T11:30:01.427-04:0020 weeks: I pity the fool who steals my donuts!I cannot believe I'm at the halfway point in my pregnancy. WHERE DID THE TIME GO?! I've been enjoying every single minute of it (I imagine the absence of morning sickness, bleeding gums, stretch marks and the other typical pregnancy afflictions play a part in the enjoyment), and I want to try living in each and every moment as best I can so as not to let this precious time pass too quickly!<br />
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I thought it would be fun to do a weekly update to look back on once the due date is near, or once baby is here so I can relive the excitement of pregnancy! So...<br />
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My current craving is: DONUTS! GIMME <b>ALL</b> THE DONUTS. If Chris keeps eating my donuts though, my inner Hulk might come out.<br />
My current weight gain is: 7.5 pounds, and trust me, I'm eating everything in sight...constantly.<br />
Weird thing: I really like apples now. I hated them before pregnancy, but now I eat one almost daily.<br />
Baby's size: According to the app I use and a book I have, about 6.5" crown to rump and 10.5 ounces, but I have a feeling baby might be a bit bigger since he or she measured at 1.5 weeks larger size at the first ultrasound (Chris is 6'2", so I think we know who baby takes after in length).<br />
My current belly measurement: 31", up from 23" pre- and early-pregnancy.<br />
Favorite part: seeing my belly move when baby is kicking! I could watch that all day, everyday, and never get tired!<br />
Gender prediction: Boy. We're not finding out baby Lucy or James' gender because we like the idea of a surprise, but for some reason, I just feel like this baby is a boy.<br />
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<br />danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-78219897923779718552015-03-09T19:46:00.000-04:002015-03-09T19:46:46.523-04:00National Portrait GalleryOne of the perks of having friends in a large city is avoiding touristy places and being introduced to new and interesting things you may not discover on your own; still, every now and then it's fun to just be a tourist and visit the popular attractions! On a recent trip to DC for our good friends' wedding, we all decided to visit the <a href="http://www.nationalportraitgallery.org/" target="_blank">National Portrait Gallery</a> to see the <a href="http://americanart.si.edu/collections/acquisitions/mingering_mike/" target="_blank">Mingering Mike</a> exhibit (very amusing), and we ended up staying for several hours. I took about a billion pictures, but it's impossible not to when you're surrounded by such beautiful art.<br />
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If you find yourself in Washington, D.C. with several hours to kill, I strongly recommend a visit! DC is only about 3 hours from me, which is perfect for a weekend trip, but a little bit of a drive just to visit a gallery for an evening, so when I just now discovered that an Elaine de Kooning exhibit was opening this Friday, I just about cried thinking I would miss it. Although, in my defense, the near-cry could just be a by-product of these pregnancy hormones.danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-39697227675612853272015-02-11T11:39:00.000-05:002015-02-11T11:43:54.216-05:00Big change, little bump.I've held off on blogging for some time because I knew I wouldn't be able to <i>not</i> mention my biggest news, and the most exciting experience of my life thus far - I'm going to have a baby. It's funny how, in an instant, I went from thinking about getting new stones for earrings I needed to make; a pair of boots I'd love to have; where my husband and I would go out to eat, to: finishing the work that needs to be done to our house; creating a nursery; learning all I can about breastfeeding; birthing a baby; raising a healthy and loved child. I don't feel that I'm a different person, but I now have a new facet to my life and personality that seems so natural I can't believe I'm just now experiencing it.<br />
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I'm just shy of 18 weeks, and in the last couple weeks my bump has finally become visible so that bloated-but-not-pregnant look is (luckily) a thing of the past! I've been lucky enough not to experience morning sickness, heartburn, swelling, or many of the other common pregnancy discomforts, but the downside to feeling so great (in fact, better than I did pre-pregnancy) is that I'm a worrier, so I stressed and stressed about the fact that I didn't feel pregnant, so suppose I wasn't any longer. It's crazy, I know. My grandma even laughed at me when I told her I'd taken a total of seven pregnancy tests, saw the baby moving like crazy on the ultrasound, and heart his or her heartbeat on the doppler, but I still worried. So my growing belly is much-needed reassurance that baby James or Lucy is growing and things are progressing as they should.<br />
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While I'm anxious to finally be able to meet my baby, I can't wait to experience all the joys of pregnancy, and I feel I'm at the point where those things will start happening and the fact that I'm a mom will become more and more real!danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-7125463743225048472014-12-01T10:51:00.000-05:002014-12-01T10:51:05.698-05:00StudlyEarlier this year I discovered that my favorite kind of jewelry to make is these little gemstone stud earrings. Whether they're my favorite because of the tiny size, the one-of-a-kind nature, the fact that they give me an excuse to do more stone shopping, or something else I've yet to discover, I really do enjoy the process and the finished product of these more than other pieces.<br />
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My favorite will always be the herkimer diamond studs, but after adding pink tourmaline, apatite, and garnet to the earring family, there's definitely some competition. I have a couple pairs currently <a href="http://dinosaurtoes.bigcartel.com/category/earrings" target="_blank"><b>available for sale</b></a>, and if I can ever get caught up on screen printing and packaging orders, I might finally get the rest of these added to my shop!<br />
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What have you been working on lately? Have you been busy getting ready for Christmas or Hanukkah?danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-42928275698548195832014-09-02T11:30:00.000-04:002014-09-02T11:30:02.471-04:00Shirts and ModelsI've got new pictures, WITH PEOPLE, so I kind of feel official now. But guys, do you know how difficult it is to get people to 1. agree to model your products, and 2. actually do it? You would think I'd asked for help manually emptying my septic tank or something. Unfortunately I had to step in after two would-be models cancelled, but I thank my lucky stars Chatham, Ryan, and Calvin came through and modeled these tanks like champs as I needed new pictures ASAP since this Bonjour Y'all merch is going live on a super large e-commerce site very soon!<br />
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The next time I need models, I'm going straight to these guys. And, in between working on quarterly taxes and packaging orders, I've been working on some new shirt designs since I know who is willing to model for me! And lastly, I got a new (to me) 50mm lens the week before last, so I kind of like having an excuse to take lots of new pictures.<br />
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*Until the shirts are up on that site (I feel like I don't want to say the name, jinx myself, and have it not work out, then I look like a dummy because I went on the internet and said it was going to happen), you can find them in <b><a href="http://www.dinosaurtoes.com/" target="_blank">my shop</a></b>.danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-83010278368632458912014-08-13T09:30:00.000-04:002014-08-13T09:30:01.003-04:00PurpleAs you may have guessed from seeing corn in the background of my pictures, I live on a farm. I was feeling kind of frustrated and a little overwhelmed the other day, and being that fresh air does the soul good, I figured I'd take a little walk around my yard and up my road to help clear my head. I felt so much better when I got back in.<br />
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1. I picked myself a few flowers and weeds to put in a tiny antique vase on my kitchen counter.<br />
2. My farty, annoying, and always loving dog, Kona.<br />
3. Chris' grandma let me take her picture. "Good," she said, when I told her I wouldn't get her face. / One of the many butterflies enjoying nectar on my butterfly bush.<br />
4. Flojo can't come out on walks, so she watches patiently at the window (and this always makes me kind of sad since we do everything <i>else</i> together).<br />
5. Where the kind of gravel road turns to complete gravel road.<br />
6. More of my weed bouquet.<br />
7. Another butterfly, and Kona's favorite position on the front porch.<br />
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When you're feeling overwhelmed or bummed out, what helps you clear your head?danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-84234555313202655832014-08-06T11:00:00.000-04:002014-08-06T11:00:03.288-04:00My Simple Boot Strap DIYBecause I'm not courageous enough to have an asymmetrical haircut, get a sleeve of tattoos, or have unusual piercings, I have to get a little punk rock in in more subtle ways. I figured studded boot straps were a good accessory to add just a teeny bit of rock & roll to my outfit.<br />
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These were so simple to make, and luckily I had all the supplies already. I was originally going to stud the entire way around, but once I got three in, I kind of liked that look. Who knows, I may end up adding more later.<br />
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Here's what I used to make them:<br />
- black leather (or vinyl as a budget option, and JoAnn has some pretty believable faux leather)<br />
- silver and gold tone <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/87375515/50pcs-9mm-silver-round-double-cap-rapid?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=leather+stud&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">double cap rivets/studs</a></b>, size small (I got mine from Michael's)<br />
- a <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113911965/rotary-leather-punch?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=leather+punch&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">leather punch</a></b> (also from Michael's)<br />
- a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125059389/rivet-setter-and-anvil-set-no-rss-09-000?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=rivet+setter+anvil&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank"><b>rivet setter & anvil</b></a> (but you could just use a hammer and a hard surface)<br />
- large brass rings<br />
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Here's how I made them:<br />
- I measured how long I needed each section of leather to be, and added some length so it could be doubled under the the studded/riveted area<br />
- Cut my leather strips with an exacto knife.<br />
- Folded the leather around the brass ring. <br />
- Punched my holes in the leather where I want the studs to go. It's probably best to measure, but I just tend to eyeball everything.<br />
- Hammered in my rivets/studs.<br />
- Moved onto the next side and repeated all the steps to get the leather around the second ring.<br />
- Did the same thing all over again for the second strap!<br />
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It's super simple, and these slide off, that way I can wear them on other boots!danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-86694343718627178282014-07-31T10:00:00.000-04:002014-07-31T10:00:05.504-04:00What I've Been Working OnThis summer has kept me much busier than usual as far as orders go, and I love it! In between making <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/77707696/no-430-hammered-14kt-gold-filled-quartz?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">hoops</a> I never thought would be so popular, and screen printing <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/163064680/no-546-bonjour-yall-screen-printed?ref=shop_home_active_20" target="_blank">my favorite tank</a> by the box full, I've had a few breaks here and there to work on some new items...<br />
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Find the items here (from the top): <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/187030884/no-585-brass-and-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_active_21" target="_blank">Triangle Studs</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/197928236/no-603-sterling-silver-and-brass?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Saint Rings</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186504148/no-582-set-of-3-stacking-rings?ref=shop_home_active_19" target="_blank">Set of 3 Stacking Rings</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/194869277/no-594-bonjour-yall-screen-printed?ref=shop_home_active_3" target="_blank">Bonjour Y'all Tank</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186556802/no-583-circular-open-hoops-14kt-gold?ref=shop_home_active_14" target="_blank">Circular Open Hoops</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/194860142/no-595-brass-speckle-cuff-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_6" target="_blank">Etched Cuff Bracelet</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/190264112/no-590-14kt-gold-filled-and-herkimer?ref=shop_home_active_7" target="_blank">Gemstone Stud Earrings</a><br />
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I have so many ideas for new screen designs for totes and tops, and I want to make new gemstone stud earrings, as well as photograph the gemstone stacking rings I've made, but unless days become 30 hours instead of 24, it may be a while yet...<br />
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Do you have any projects going on at the moment?danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-38178432033136179332014-07-28T09:30:00.000-04:002014-07-28T09:30:01.423-04:00Party PantsHow was your weekend? Mine was nice; it included steaks on the grill, cheesecake with cherries on top, a pizza slice the size of my head, and CHRIS' BIRTHDAY!<br />
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1. Party pants needed a party hat to match his party banner (#3). He did not like wearing it.<br />
2. My status over the weekend went from "Not A Griller" to "You Bet Your Ass I'm A Griller." I told Chris I was making hamburgers on the grill for his birthday to trick him like any good wife would. Not surprisingly, he preferred the T-bone.<br />
3. The party hat banner I made for Chris' birthday last year (and will display every year). <br />
4. The end of another weekend, and the thoughts of aaalllll the screen printing I have to work on tomorrow morning...danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-25800090789187123082014-07-21T10:25:00.000-04:002014-07-21T10:25:15.771-04:00A New FavoriteI love gold, and I love Flojo, so naturally I have a new favorite accessory. <a href="http://www.onecklace.com/" target="_blank">ONecklace</a> was kind enough to let me choose a piece of jewelry to review for you guys, and I wasn't disappointed. At all.<br />
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A name necklace has been on my wishlist since watching Carrie on Sex And The City and realizing that name jewelry really <i>IS</i> awesome, and it should not have been left in the 70's with all the Janets, Debbies, and Beckies! (Carrie also made me crazy about the silver, rhinestone embellished, peep toe Manolo Blahnik heels [of course I have the knock-offs], dressy shoes with casual outfits, wavy fluffy hair, and the list goes on).<br />
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As for my opinion of the necklace, it can be summed up in one word - FAVORITE. But for the sake of explanation, I'll elaborate. I got the <a href="http://www.onecklace.com/24k-gold-plated-carrie-style-name-necklace/" target="_blank">Carrie</a> style name necklace (because, duh) which comes in silver or gold-plated, and delivered in a pretty little box. You have some freedom aside from the name in that you also get to specify your chain style and length. I went with the box chain at 16", that way it is high enough to be worn with non V or plunging necks without getting underneath, thus being lost. It's also a good, simple length in case I want to layer it with a longer, larger necklace. The turnaround and delivery times were quicker than I expected for a custom piece of jewelry, and lastly, <b>get 10% off your order when you use the code GIFT</b>.<br />
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If necklaces aren't your thing, ONecklace also has customizable rings, bracelets, and earrings. I'll be sure to <strike>not-so-</strike>subtly drop the hint to my husband that I kind of really want <a href="http://www.onecklace.com/24k-gold-plated-carrie-name-ring/" target="_blank">a ring</a> soon...<br />
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Also, I hope you'll let me slide on the no lip balm issue, and the fact that my hair looks like a wig!danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-34518705498607457832014-07-01T10:58:00.000-04:002014-07-01T11:02:55.301-04:00My Maximum Destruction DIYAfter seeing the billionth hanging plant holder on an interior design blog, I decided to take a little break from work yesterday to finally make myself one (because it's only been on my 'When I Get Time' to-do list for ages). And because I had a freshly charged battery, I figured I'd take pictures and share. You've probably seen one of the dozens of hanging holder DIYs on Pinterest, so obviously this idea isn't new!<br />
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1. Decide what you want to put in your hanger, and how big it will be. It doesn't have to be a plant; it could be a dish to collect keys, mail, soaps in your bathroom, etc. Then get your supplies together! You will need: some type of strong string (I used leather because I had a lot on hand), some type of ring (I had this old brass circle brooch, and I cut off the pin back and filed it smooth), scissors, and you can use any decorative beads or tubes if you choose (I was going to then decided to keep it simple). *If you decide to add beads or tubes, you will need to add those before you add your knots!<br />
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2. Cut eight lengths of string, or leather, or whatever you're using. The length you cut depends on how long you want your hanger to be. I cut mine about 5 feet long, and my hanger is about 2 feet long when finished.<br />
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3. Get all four pieces of your string together, and pull it through your ring so that your ring is in the middle of your strings. You should now have eight ends hanging below your ring. Tie a basic knot in your strings below your ring.<br />
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4. Decide how far down you want your knots to start, then start knotting! Just make a simple knot with two of your strings, move on to two more, and continue until you have four knots.<br />
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5. Move down and continue knotting your strings. This time, use one string from a previous knot, and one from another knot. You don't want to tie a knot with same two strings from the knot above.<br />
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6. Finish the bottom off by tying a simple knot. Make sure it's nice and tight so it won't come loose from the weight of your planter!<br />
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7. Hang that b*tch up! I found this hook somewhere among some other things, and I have no idea why I had it, but I set it aside thinking maybe I could use it one day. And now I have. Also, it's going to be a little more difficult to get your plant situated in the hanger if you have long vines hanging down. This part was a little tricky since I was aiming for minimum plant mutilation.<br />
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That was the finished project until I had to pull a Danielle, and try to readjust the knot at the bottom without taking the planter out first. I paid less than a dollar for this vintage planter, so it's not like I'm out a light bill or anything, but I really loved it, so I was pretty pissed with myself. From DIY success to maximum destruction in no time.<br />
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What started out as a free DIY since I had all the supplies at home has turned into one that will cost me a few bucks as I now have to buy another planter (I went through a purge last year and got rid of all my indoor planters thinking I'd never use them again). Oh well, we live and learn (or in my case, we live and break things and don't learn how not to break, but instead learn that breaking sucks).<br />
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So there you have it - you can ruin your DIY just as fast as you can create it. I really should've seen it coming though, considering I'm kind of known in my house for being the one to accidentally break lots of perfectly good stuff.danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-42462974251646127352014-05-20T09:58:00.000-04:002014-05-20T09:58:14.769-04:00I want to be a professional Rosarian.I love roses. Like, more than Coca-Cola, more than Parks & Rec, more than getting film developed and not having to forego meals for a week because it was so expensive - I LOVE ROSES.<br />
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Chris and I often go to the <a href="http://www.gravegarden.org/" target="_blank">Old City Cemetery</a> - a historic cemetery in Lynchburg, VA full of beautiful century-or-more-old headstones, antique roses to make you swoon, and birds upon birds upon birds for the avian enthusiast in both of us - to take a peaceful walk and just relax. In all the years I've been going, I've about died of jealousy over their collection of (quite old) antique roses, but I never knew until last Sunday that they actually sell rooted cuttings of their roses! I, my friends, am the proud new mother of a <a href="http://www.ph-rose-gardens.com/00432.htm" target="_blank">Mademoiselle Franziska Krüger</a> - my first antique rose.<br />
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Yesterday I just sat on my porch staring at her and gently stroking her leaves. I'm telling you, I'm nuts about roses. And I want to be a professional Rosarian. Now I'm wondering where I can take cuttings of roses here and there for rooting without getting run off...danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-22375490942752750482014-01-14T11:13:00.000-05:002014-01-14T11:13:39.266-05:00See it in a room.I can't remember if I posted about it on my blog or not, but (I have no doubt those who follow me on instagram or facebook got sick of hearing about it) I had an art opening/reception (whichever makes it sound most legit) at my friend's shop back in October; because my paintings would be hanging for the entire month, I had to get in serious painter mode and finish a few more so my wall didn't look so bare. Here are a few of the newest paintings, in rooms...<br />
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All more-photo-worthy-than-my-rooms rooms via Pinterest. Paintings from the top: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/165057143/self-portrait-85x11-print-of-an-original?" target="_blank">Self Portrait</a> // <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/165057929/new-york-85x11-print-of-an-original?" target="_blank">New York</a> // <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167224288/doris-85x11-print-of-an-original?" target="_blank">Doris</a> // <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175678947/goodbye-85x11-print-of-an-original?" target="_blank">Goodbye</a> // <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175667630/golden-years-85x11-print-of-an-original?" target="_blank">Golden Years</a> // <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/165046250/red-lion-85x11-print-of-an-original?" target="_blank">Red Lion</a>danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-53841658790220370592014-01-01T10:12:00.000-05:002014-01-01T10:12:42.472-05:00A Blogging Resolution Giveaway!Hi, friends! I've been thinking about my blog a lot lately - how I've neglected it, and how I've kind of missed it - and I've resolved to do better. So my first attempt at doing such is a giveaway (because I love free shit, and I think you do, too) of one of the <a href="http://dinosaurtoes.bigcartel.com/product/bonjour-y-all-screen-printed-canvas-tote" target="_blank">most popular items</a> from <a href="http://www.dinosaurtoes.com/" target="_blank">my shop</a>! It's a 'BONJOUR Y'ALL' screen printed canvas tote, and you choose the ink color!<br />
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So if you're wondering where 'bonjour y'all' came from, it's from my pop. When I was about 11 and started taking French, he used to greet me with a hearty, and very southern sounding, "BONJOUR Y'ALL!" He told me that's what they said in the south of France (he also used to tell me he went to school with MacGuyver [when I was really young and was in love with MacGuyver], that we were related to Peter Jennings [because we had the same last name], etc., and for a while I believed everything). My dad's kind of weird.<br />
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Okay, so here's how you enter to win!<br />
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Leave me a comment with one awesome resolution, your ink color preference should you win the tote bag (black, metallic gold, neon lime green, neon pink, or neon orange), and an email address so I can contact you to let you know you've won! This giveaway is open to everyone in every country!danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-63743573199020685512013-09-03T11:38:00.001-04:002013-09-03T11:43:04.536-04:00See it in a room.I always feel like I've been painting a ton of new things, but then when I sit down and look at what I've actually done, it's not quite so much! I have so many ideas brewing for new paintings, and I know they'll be put on canvas in time. Actually, they kind of need to be started soon because I'm going to be the featured artist at my friend Jeff's First Friday event (the first Friday of each month he has an art show at his shop), so if you're in the Lynchburg, VA area on October 4th, come visit me! Until then, here are a few new paintings I've finished...<br />
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From the top: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/157531779/all-the-cool-kids-11x14-print-of-an?" target="_blank">All the Cool Kids</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/157531643/grandpa-cardigan-11x14-print-of-an?" target="_blank">Grandpa Cardigan</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/130122332/das-ist-nicht-ok-11x14-print-of-an?" target="_blank">Das Ist Nicht OK</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/158805279/unwanted-original-18x24-acrylic-painting?" target="_blank">Unwanted original</a><br />
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Lately I've been feeling like I should probably sell of some originals, but it must be the hoarder in me that reminds myself of how sad I get when I do sell an original; it's kind of like packing your kid up and sending them to live with someone else, knowing you'll never see them again. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but it's <i><b>totally</b></i> like sending off your favorite pair of shoes that go with EVERYTHING, and knowing you'll ever own a pair like them again. Anyway, I did list two <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GirlAndParrot?section_id=13421559" target="_blank">originals in my shop</a>. There may be more, and there may not...danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388736117512551954.post-80514558704544319802013-08-20T09:36:00.000-04:002013-08-20T09:38:09.223-04:00Art you need.What's hanging on your walls right now? UNLESS YOU SAY ICEFLOE PHOTOGRAPHY, FORGET IT! I was hoping to convey a threatening tone; do you think it worked? Anyway, I'm a huge fan of <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner" target="_blank">Dianne Tanner's p</a><a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner" target="_blank">hotography</a> and the soft, dreamy quality of her subjects captured on film. Some of my favorites include...<br />
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I'm lucky enough to have <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Delicacy-bnw_Print" target="_blank">this one</a> and <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Your-Heart-My-Heart_Print" target="_blank">this one</a> grace my walls, and I'm thinking I'm really going to need to go ahead and add the <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Skullz-Z3z_Print" target="_blank">Skullz print</a> to my collection.<br />
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Find the prints above here: <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Delicacy-bnw_Print" target="_blank">1</a> // <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Skullz-Z3z_Print" target="_blank">2</a> // <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Flamingoids_Print" target="_blank">3</a> // <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Lampshades_Print" target="_blank">4</a> // <a href="http://society6.com/diannetanner/Ranch-Time_Print" target="_blank">5</a>danielle and dinosaur toeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09638415594400498236noreply@blogger.com2