NEW Pieces in the Shop!

Today, I'm introducing FOUR new pieces to the Shop. You may have seen them previewed on my Instagram a few weeks ago, but the wait is over, they're ready to be purchased online! 

And in case you missed my Instagram post yesterday, I'm starting a NEW Malachos this week with these yarns. Aren't they magnificent? Here's to hoping I have time to finish it before the baby comes!

Life Snapshot No. 007: 5 Resources for the First Time Mom While Pregnant

Whoops, I didn't write a blog post yesterday. Sorry, guys. These past two weeks have been weird, to be honest. I'm caught between wanting to do work, but being too tired to really think of anything great or even getting out of the bed or off the couch. One thing we have done, though, is put up all the art and shelves in the nursery and gave it a much needed final touch. 

Nursery with Sheep & Wool Map of the World 

I have been using all of my available brain power to think and prepare for the baby to come into the world. I can't believe tomorrow will mark 34 weeks and he being only 6 weeks away! Unreal. So, since I can't really think of anything else but the baby, I'm going to share some resources I've really loved during my pregnancy. I don't have any experience yet, but these have been my go-tos whenever I have questions. And I have a lot of questions.

  1. This post : The 20 things you need for the first month home with a newborn baby by Emily Henderson (including all of the comments)
  2. This book : The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp - it's all about the five S's and this book taught me a lot about what to expect with a newborn
  3. This website : Cricket's Circle - they pinpoint the 3 best products out there in every category (albeit, sometimes pricey ones, but their selection of 3 usually shows variation in price). I can't tell you how many times I've been in Babies R Us or Target and have pulled this site up on my phone for a last-minute decision. 
  4. This store : The Nesting House in Mt. Airy - the couple who owns the store (and another location in Collingswood, NJ) are so helpful and kind. They once walked Daniel and I through all the cloth diaper madness for a full 45 minutes and I'm constantly going back to their website for their resources and recommendations there. Plus, their consignment kid's clothes and baby needs are the best priced I've seen.
  5. This book : Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon - this book was recommended to us by a mother of four from our church and we dove right in. Bear with me, it's a little anti-medicine and there are some pretty graphic pictures (I literally just used post-its to cover up all the inappropriate spots), but it's giving Daniel and I a very clear idea of what to expect with childbirth and is preparing us well to have a teamwork-oriented, natural birth. We'll let you know how it really worked after the baby is born.

So, there you have it. If there are any other resources other moms have found to be particularly useful, please please let me know in the comments! 

Clover Market Recap

As y'all know, Clover Market was this past Sunday. And, oh boy, was it a great day! Gorgeous weather, wonderful people, and a whole day spent with my husband/helper/salesman. I could not have asked for anything better.

Ernie and Irene's booth at Clover Market Chestnut Hill 2014

My favorite part of the whole day was getting to meet so many great people and to watch their faces light up as they walked through my booth. They were able to touch, feel, and even sit on the Malachos and it made me so glad to see their delight when they felt the great textures and softness of my pieces.

A huge shout out goes to my husband, too, who pretty much set up everything single-handedly and who sat with my 32 week pregnant self all day as a great supporter and salesman for Ernie and Irene. 

A candid photo my friend Lillian snapped while visiting my booth.

Thank you so much to Clover Market for the beautiful Market and thank you to all the Chestnut Hill shoppers who came by and loved Ernie and Irene.  I hope to hear or see from you again soon! 

Follow me on Instagram for more pics and updates like these.

Fresh Artwork Friday No. 007

We have had some lovely warm weather this week and that has made some little green buds pop up in our backyard! Since this is the first Spring in our new home, we're not 100% sure what kind of flowers they will be, but I'm hoping there are tulips.  So I put all my hopes into this week's Fresh Artwork Friday. TGIF!

Tulips by Ernie and Irene

New Look! And 4 New Pieces!

As I've been getting everything ready for next weekend's Clover Market (in Chestnut Hill on April 13th!), I've been thinking a lot about two things. One, I need to make beautiful, unique "walls" for my booth to hang all the Malachos, Silhos, and Axios for display. Two, I want the pictures in the online Shop to be more consistent. And a little more exciting. Let's be real.

I bought giant 4'x4' panels of pegboard and painted them with heavy brushstrokes of my most favorite colors. See the outcome below! 

Silhos: Antlers by Ernie and Irene

Silhos: Antlers by Ernie and Irene

Malachos: White Medium by Ernie and Irene

Malachos: White Medium by Ernie and Irene

AND on top of it all, I have FOUR new pieces to show you today! Check them out below. 

Malachos: Gray Medium by Ernie and Irene

Malachos: Gray Medium by Ernie and Irene

Silhos: Squirrel by Ernie and Irene

Silhos: Squirrel by Ernie and Irene

Axios: Joshua 24:15

Axios: Joshua 24:15

Axios: Totus Tuus (Totally Yours)

Axios: Totus Tuus (Totally Yours)

Make sure you head over to the Shop to see SO much more! Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Malachos Process

When creating Malachos, I start with my inspiration - the fleece of a freshly sheared sheep - then decide colors and materials for each piece. Most of the time, my materials are from Purl Soho because, really, who doesn't want an excuse to pop in to that shop? I use various all natural fibers for the yarns, but mostly find myself using wools and cottons. 

My latest trip to Purl Soho left me with these lovely skeins.

So then I take those yarns and crochet what I call little "hats." I get asked all the time what I am making when I'm crocheting in public and I normally just lie and say that I'm making baby hats. It's easier on everyone that way. 

Malachos crocheted pieces in progress.

When I feel like I've crocheted enough "hats," I arrange them - on my dining room table, of course - into the placements for the final piece. 

Malachos piece in progress

Then I flip each "hat" over in preparation for them to be sewn together and stuffed.

Malachos piece in progress

Once everything is sewn together into what I lovingly call the "hide," I stuff each hat with 100% virgin wool. 

Malachos piece in progress

As soon as each one is stuffed, I can lay down the 100% cotton backing fabric, flip the whole piece back over, and cut the backing edges around the shapes of the outlying "hats." I then use a blanket stitch to stitch around the edge to secure the piece. 

Malachos piece in progress.

The final - and probably most difficult - part of Malachos production is to stitch between each "hat" so that the wool stuffing and entire piece is super secure. Thanks to this step, you are now able to flop, fold, and move this Malachos as much as you want and everything will stay perfectly intact and in its original shape. Not pictured: tags to hang the piece.

Finished Malachos back.

And, now, you're able to place this Malachos anywhere you'd like! I love how it looks hanging over the edge of our new crib for our nursery. 

Malachos in nursery.

And that's that! This particular Malachos will be up in the Shop by the end of this week. Stay tuned! 

Fresh Artwork Friday No. 005

Happy Friday, friends! In honor of the first day of Spring yesterday, I painted a little floral for you. We are supposed to have some beautiful weather this weekend and I, for one, cannot wait to soak it all in. Here's to a sunshiny and relaxing weekend!

Spring Flowers

PS - In case you noticed that I did not have my usual Wednesday post this week, I am sorry. I'm just about finished with a new, gray/brown Malachos and I hope you stay tuned next week for a post all about the process of creating one of these, from the crocheting, assembly, and stuffing, to the final stitches. 

Clover Market 2014

Ernie and Irene has some exciting news! I will be showing at Clover Market in Chestnut Hill (our old 'hood!) on April 13th and I could not be more excited! 

Ernie and Irene products

I used this image in my application to show how my booth will be merchandised. This was taken just in our little nursery, so the booth will look a slight bit different. I'm hoping to build some "walls" so we can hang up the pieces instead of on tables and/or chairs. It's only a MONTH away, so I've got a lot of work to do! Can't wait to see YOU there!

Ash Wednesday

The past few weeks have been astoundingly wonderful for Daniel and me. The Lord has put amazing people in our lives, prayers have been truly answered, and He is starting great things within us and through us. We've recently found a great community of young Catholics at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Philadelphia and are confident in what He is doing there and that He will challenge us and form us through this community.

cross001.png

Today is Ash Wednesday, and we, along with millions of other Catholics around the world will be receiving ashes on our foreheads. We are so excited because this marks the beginning of the season of Lent where we take 40 days to really think about the issues of our lives, what separates us from the Lord, and to prepare ourselves for the greatest celebration of all: Easter. We know that this Lent especially is only going to make us grow and become better servants of Him.  

So the inevitable question is, what are you going to give up for Lent? I'm giving up the episodes upon episodes of reruns that I watch on Netflix throughout my day (hopefully to be replaced by productive podcasts - any recommendations are welcome) and I'm adding to my daily routine the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours. I've been wanting to pray the Liturgy of the Hours since I started Ernie and Irene and have always made up excuses for not doing it. But not now. No excuses and I'm really excited about it. Daniel has decided to forgo using hot water for showers and is going to pray the rosary daily. What are you giving up or adding on for Lent?

Curious about what Ash Wednesday means? I find this article from LifeTeen to be especially understandable. 

Life Snapshot No. 006

I have been busy, busy, busy this week working on some more freelance work, creating a new Malachos for the Shop, and getting everything ready for our big babymoon next week AND our baby shower in NC that weekend! So many things to be excited for, I can hardly stand it. So this post is short, but hopefully sweet. Happy Wednesday, friends! 

PS - While I haven't been watching Parks and Rec reruns on Netflix, I've been listening to Ellie Holcomb's new CD, With You Now, on repeat. So solid. 

Fresh Artwork Friday No. 001

As I mentioned briefly a few weeks ago, I've been refocusing Ernie and Irene and the product line. Don't worry, I'm always, always, always going to be a maker and Ernie and Irene will always feature handmade, beautiful, artful pieces. But, in addition to the physical pieces of Ernie and Irene's shop, I'm expanding my offerings of print and pattern designs for fashion, stationery, and home textiles. 

To start this, I'm going to be releasing a new painting or artwork every Friday. Some complex, some simple, just a little eye candy to start off your lovely weekends. And I know it's only Thursday, but hopefully the THREE works below can last you through the weekend! 

Ranunculus Floral

Ranunculus Floral

Sticky Leaves

Sticky Leaves

Sheep

Sheep

If you're interested in purchasing these artworks or commissioning other pieces, you may always email me at hollyguertin [at] gmail [dot] com. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!