For The Design Mom: A Book in Review

Henri's Walk to Paris

I've recently discovered that Anthropologie sells some of the greatest children's books. I was in the other day and picked up 2 copies of Henri's Walk to Paris...one for a gift and one for me.  Each copy was a sale steal at $2.95! This delightful story is of a boy who lives not too far from Paris, in a town called Reboul, but he longs for the big city. So he packs a sack lunch and starts on his journey. Henri gets tired and hungry, so he makes a pit stop and comes up with an ingenious idea of how to know which direction to head towards Paris when he awakens. But, Henri's plans go awry while he slumbers and let's just say once Henri makes his grand arrival into the city, he is surprised by how much Paris reminds him of Reboul...wink, wink!

This book was originally published in 1962 with fantastic graphic illustrations done in bright colors. This was the only children's book the illustrator did in his lifetime, who was the master graphic designer, Saul Bass.

Bass wonderfully captured this sweet story in very simple illustrations that leave you to examine the entire page. 

So, track down a copy of Henri's Walk to Paris by Leonore Klein and pull at a map to find Henri's Reboul or better yet to find your big city that's awaiting your arrival!

New to the Shop

Be sure to check these out over in Tumbleweeds & Notions Etsy shop! These little notecards come in sets of four and no two cards are alike.  They have 3 hearts punched from beautiful cardstock and sewn to the front with some fun turquoise thread. From a girl who loves paper, these would be perfect for the big FEB 14th, but who wouldn't have their day brightened by finding one of these tucked under a windshield or in a lunchbox? I can definitely make sets large than 4...just shoot me an email to let me know what would fit your fancy!

2012

"The land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.  It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end." Deuteronomy 11:11-12

A place I love dearly

Little Texas Weekend

Glory! While I was in college I read in a magazine about this store in Houston that has this incredible collection of used cowboy boots.  I got my 3rd pair from the Texas Junk Co. this weekend.  This place is a jewel even though I would confer that the majority of stuff in there is total junk...there are piles of used bank records and other weird stuff.  But what this place is constantly written up about are the used cowboy boots. They are perfectly worn in, come in so many sizes and colors and styles.  I brought in my two old pairs and walked out with my new "old" pair for a fair trade. Seriously if you find yourself in Houston, you must check out the Texas Junk Co. The trick there is that it's only open on Friday and Saturday.

This is Quincy. Who is in great need of a haircut, but my sister and I love our poodle when he sports his shag. This dog has been at the brink of death more than once, but was well and alive this weekend when we went on a little Hill Country adventure. I love this dog and as dumb as it sounds, he has been my loyal companion - always eager to see me - and strangely, I know that dog loves me without condition.  Anyways, it brought lots of giggles to see Quincy prance around and sit on picnic tables doing some people watching of his own (and surprisingly in a quiet fashion). My sister and I will do our best to make sure Quincy partakes in some Thanksgiving food of his own this upcoming week.

I love my dog, my boots and my Texas.

Tumbleweeds & Notions on Etsy!!

Wahoo!!! Tumbleweeds & Notions is officially on Etsy and just about ready for business! Family & Friends will get the unveiling email about the blog and the shop on Tuesday. The shop has all sorts of great things in it for holiday gifts, so head on over with your shopping list! 

I have thought about figuring out how to do Etsy for some time as a way to make a little money on the side and now that I've had some time to work it out...it's quite a bit of work. So, be on the lookout as new things get added every day this week! And it sure would mean a lot if you'd pass it along to your friends! 

You can get to the shop through the link at the top of the blog or search for it on Etsy. But you have to search for the shop name like this "TumbleweedsNotions" because spelling out "and" is over the character limit. Or you can just type in this web address:

www.etsy.com/shop/TumbleweedsNotions

Seriously, head over there...like something, admire something, make the shop a favorite...do what you need to do people.

Thanks so much!

Oprah & Jesus

I can't sleep. So, my brain started to write and I figured that what it was writing might make a good blog post...


In the last 3 months, it's been sort of funny the different places where truth has shown up or how certain connections in my head get made and what led me to it. Today, I was flipping through TV channels when I landed on Oprah's new network. Apparently, Oprah has a show on there called something like Lifeclass and from what I've gathered, she basically sits in front of a camera and talks about big life learning moments that have come from her million years as a talk show host...I know right, I'm rolling my eyes already too.  But, for five or so minutes, I couldn't change the channel.  Oprah was remembering a show she had like 4 years ago and I don't know the topic of the show, other than she had this woman on who had lost all 4 of her children and I assume it was some tragic accident. The woman was talking about life with her children gone, how she couldn't go anywhere without some reminder of her children and the life she once knew...the cereal aisle at the grocery store killed her. It flashes back to Oprah facing the camera and she tells about how she remembered a conversation she had with Camille Cosby (Bill Cosby's wife) after their son had died. Camille was telling Oprah how her emotions would come in waves - she never knew when or how strong they would come - but she finally settled into knowing they would come and the only thing she could do was forge straight into it. I was drawn into this show this afternoon, because I recognized what they were talking about. No, I haven't lost a child; I can't really even fathom that, but I have lost a lot in the recent months. Oprah said "whatever your ashes are..." there is a way through it. It immediately reminded me of a Shane and Shane song about beauty and ashes

beauty for ashes
a garment of praise for my heaviness
beauty for ashes
take this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yours

i delight myself in the Richest of Fair
trading all that i've had for all that is better
a garment of praise for my heaviness
You are the greatest taste
You're the richest of fair

Which then took me to Isaiah 61, which I feel like needs an exclamation point after it because it is such strong scripture. So, from now on I'll denote it as Isaiah 61! from here on out. Anywho, a part of Isaiah 61:3! says, "...provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Garments of praise and crowns of beauty! What came to mind was that I need to praise the Lord in the heaviness and even then there is so much to praise him for...He has saved me, He loves reconciliation, He hates injustice, He is sovereign and perfect and because He will take ashes. I have a pile of ashes that I have sobbed over and probably haven't finished sobbing over, but there is also a crown of beauty waiting. And that's something. Now, Oprah to Isaiah...that's something else all together.


Just a little nugget. Read Isaiah 61!...it might change the start to your Monday!

Introducing Tumbleweeds & Notions!!

Grief is a crazy thing. In the midst of not feeling like myself and not having much of any energy or focus, I've jumped in with both feet into something I've always thought about.  So maybe I've lost all my sensibilities and am going for broke (literally), but I went to the county tax office and started a business by paying $8.

Help me welcome....

"Tumbleweeds" is homage to a place and a time I love dearly and "Notions" simply covers the gamet....you know, I'm not stuck doing one thing. Do yourself (and me) a favor and click on the Shop link at the top and take a look-see through Tumbleweeds & Notions new Etsy shop. I'm working on getting things photographed and listed and so, new things are popping up in the shop every day!

Tumbleweeds & Notions has a few things up its sleeve and is also working on a few other possibilities, but for my friends in Lubbock, TX, you need to head over to...

The first brick-and-mortar location where you can find Tumbleweeds  & Notions headbands, both for little girls and big girls too! Be sure to run over to 26th & Boston and check them out for yourself! Okay for now, just a little tease...more to come soon!!