So Sorry for a Long Absence ...

... as it's been well over a month since my last posting. But so much has happened! We're packing it up, heading Southwest ... that's home for me ... and start a whole new adventure there. Here's how it all started ...

Each year my husband and I select a special place we want to take the children on summer vacation ... this year's choice was one of the seven-wonders of the world ... The Grand Canyon. We have also had the challenage of trying to decide what's next in our lives ... what do we want to do when we grow up!

Our Grand Canyon adventure began in Phoenix ... my has that city grown since 1994 (the year we left) ... continued to Flagstaff, Williams, The Grand Canyon, Sedona and back to Phoenix. Basically following old Route 66. We found that we still love the Phoenix area, found a home to lease (took off the pressure of having to buy something right away) and its in a wonderful school district where the children will be able to walk to school, even found a couple job opportunities that we'll be able to handle and a yarn shop or two!

So within a two-timeframe, we accomplished our goal to show the children a special place, found our new path to walk, have started packing boxes, movers are lined up to be here mid-month and have placed our current home on the market. The real question will be ...

"Can we sell our home in the two-weeks remaining!?!" We'll keep you posted.


Special Note: For those who have purchased from tomatobaby or wish to, please know that I will continue making special treasures once I have settled in. Please let me know if there is anything special you have in mind. Who knows, living in the southwest might just influence a few unique designs. Thank you for your continued support. ~j.

I'm Very Excited About ...

being in the Indie Collective Spring/Summer 2008 Shoping Guide! A collective group of Indie Designers is nicely displayed in this on-line shopping guide. One can spend hours "window shopping" for a perfect item or gift. Look for special discounts offered on unique hancrafted items. It's time to get back to the studio and create wonderful pieces ... guess I should put a few of those gift tags on line as well! Hope you find a hidden treasure in this year's shopping guide!

Happy Earth Day!

I spent most of my day either here at the computer or in my studio ... however ... I did go outside to celebrate Earth Day.

My latest project, tomatobaby gift tags. Today, I worked in the colors of what I remember the Arizona sky being ... with a twist. My two favorite fibers (wool and cotton) are used and I have plenty of both! Wanna be tagged? Give me a few more days and I'll have these up and ready to go. If you are the over-anxious type, drop me a note and let me know a color preference. I just might have what you're looking for to create your tomatobaby-tag. ~j.

During One of My Web-Travels ...

... and through a link that took me to another link (which, by the way, if I kept track ... I would have linked all of you along the way!) but back to my tale. My clicks finally took me to here ... "Mirta" formally known as "Barbie" has found a new job in this extremely talented artisan's studio.

Welcome to the delightful world of Elsa Mora ... her talent and work is truly hard to put into words. Over the years, I've always appreciated what others can do with their creative minds, hands and spirit.

There are those artworks which I kind of nod my head and think, "Okay ... I get how that was created." And, if I so dare, take a stab at the craft ... hence how I have come to master some of my own technique. Then there's another group which I intently study, admire and figure they can continue to do whatever it is, glass-blowing, painting spectacular scenic oil paintings, or carving intricate animal-like creatures from birch limbs ... but there's that other group ... those who stand out there alone and I am in just total awe with. That's where I'd put Elsa Mora ... in that group where I think only a few belong. Her artisan resume is very impressive and her work is to marvel.

I'm sure I've not pulled her best work to show here ... and I really don't know if I could select my favorites. But maybe that's where you could have some fun and see what your favorite is from her vast other collections she has displayed. Porcelains to Toys to Paper Sculptures ... and believe me ... when she titles her section "Handmade Fashions ... " ... well I think if Ms. Elsa ever runs a summer sewing camp ... I'll be first in line! I'll have to say, in the Jewelry section ... the felted creations caught my eye (wonder why?) and then I've always been a lover of "Freida" art stuff ... check out this great dollhouse.

So, in closing, maybe I did find a "perfect" Elsa piece ... entitled Second Nature makes me think that maybe that's what it takes. Some of us learn our artistic hand ... some study ... and some ... it's just second nature. Whatever it is or however it comes about ... I'm just honored to be somewhat a part of it ... at some level. Enjoy! ~j.

Doing My Part ...

Every once in a while a good cause comes along ... looking for a little support. How can one not help of the request of a 9-year-old girl, Milou of Argentina and beyond her years, for our support of Earth Day.

This is what Milou is asking ...

This is the Earth Day Domino Tag. Please support Earth Day! Rule: Copy the entire list and add your name at the bottom and tag at least 5 friends. (But you can tag as many as you like). Now, I am sharing the Domino Tag with all Earth Day supporters: Earth Day-World Poetry Day; Milou; AainaA-Ridtz; Ali Riza Saral; Crafty Green Poet; Eco-friendly life; Firmlyrooted; Gautami Tripathy; Jeques; Knocking From Inside; Poetic Leanings; POETS WHO BLOG; The Phantom UL Typingaway; tomatobaby

tomatobaby is also doing its part in supporting Earth Day. In the words of Kermit the Frog ... "It's not easy being green." Actually, we've come up with a new "green tomato" logo that indicates that an item, lovingly made by tomatobaby, has been made from a recycled, upcycled, repurposed or renewed material. Over the next few weeks, new items will be added and display the green tomato ... our part in Earth Day.

Let's support our younger generation and show that we too believe in the Earth we all live in!

"Oh The Places We Go ..."

... I didn't really mean to start with a Dr. Seuss quote, but how true it is in this techno-world we live in.

There is no way I would have ever found a creative talent so far away from me, if it wasn't for the Internet and just the simple wording of a request "do you want to swap links?" Being a designer of handbags myself and trying to get the word out of my own items, I'm always open to the idea of swapping links and like to take a look around before I jump in and say, "Sure!"

So, I ended up, through cyber-space, in Frankfurt, Germany where handbag designer Alex designs her Original Handmade Handbags and blog. Her mission is simple ... create and design original handbags to sell at local boutiques and market fairs. She will tease you with the latest fabrics she's discovered, the in's and out's of trying to run a small business, an invitation to her up and coming event and is eager to share her latest creations.

Visit Alex!

So, if you have a chance ... check out Alex and her delightful creations! And if you have something you'd like to share, or want to swap links, send me note. I'm always willing to take a cyber-ride and discover something new ... who knows, you just might make it here at tomatobaby! ~j.

Where I Go on Wednesdays ...

... okay ... guess I'm not going with the Wordless Wednesday theme after all ... too much other stuff going on. Thought I'd share my little Wednesday mid-day escape place. I'm very fortunate to spend a few hours every Wednesday in a little piece of heaven. Hey, I knit and love anything that has to do with wool and various fibers.

So, where is this place ... its a little yarn shop known as Loopville. (Did you know ... "ville" means village? So guess this is the "Village of Loop!")

Nestled in a little area known as Homberg Place, Loopville owner Jinka warmly welcomes each of her customers and is eager to help with either yarn selection, pattern advise or words of encouragement. I, on the other hand, will straighten up endless rows of yummy yarns, rearrange displays to show the latest pattern sample or what's new in the world of knitting notions. I'm still eyeing the drop-dead bags from Namaste ... oh to be that organized! Anything that comes from Lantern Moon is grand and then there's Mango Moon Yarns that has me spending my yarn budget quicker than I care to admit. You'll just have to take a look at Yarns~Yarns on the Loopville website to see the wide selection and I dare you to try to just pick one favorite! And then do I dare start to mention all the baby stuff to knit up ... ?? ... oh to have little ones again. I'm in love with the bamboo yarns ... who would have ever thought a plant like that spun into such luxurious fiber. Who knows ... maybe tomatobaby will just have to start a baby line too!

If get a chance and you're in the area of Knoxville, Tennessee, stop by ... look around ... yarn hugging is allowed! And for those who won't be in the East Tennessee area any time soon, check out Loopville's website ... Jinka will be more than happy to personally package up and ship your items to you. Oh, and Jinka has also started into the blogging world ... check it out when you get the chance. There's a free scarf pattern listed ... for those ... like me ... who haven't dared to attempt the cable stitch. Something else on my list of "learn how to do that!"

Before I close out ... I've added to this blog a link to Pandora Radio. Found out about this site by working at Loopville. New to me ... but maybe some are already subscribers. Best thing ... you can listen to all of your favorite music, through the speakers of your computer, and its FREE!

That's it for now ... ~j.