Editor's Pick of 2007 -- Cool Mom Picks

I was cringing when I opened my e-mail inbox today just knowing there would be more bad news about something I made or shipped. But there wasn't!!!!

Good news only...

Check out the post from Kristen and Liz at Cool Mom Picks. They included the mid-century "Gracie" toy box in their Editors Picks of 2007. Both purchased the mid-century toy box from me back in the summer and thankfully, both made it to Brooklyn and Atlanta unscathed.

If you haven't seen their blog, check it out. They are two very funny ladies with great taste and serious writing chops.

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Making Spirits Bright

I've been absent from blogging for a few days because my parents are in town from Ohio for Christmas. And I'm doing my best to not "work" but it is hard. I'm not doing any building until next week; however, since I have my mentor in town, he'll be showing me some router tricks later today. WHOOHOOO!! I am breathing a little easier about the shipping disasters because we're making progress on the whole claim or refund process. But that's not to say I'm a little more gun shy about shipping now. How do you all feel about metal toy boxes? Those don't break!!!

I hope you're all enjoying the holidays with family and friends. We're having a good time decorating, baking and mixing pomegranate martinis. A karaoke party will soon be taking place filled with swingin' Christmas songs crooned by my talented husband and his "karaoke wife", Oonagh. Let's just say I can build better than I sing! (NOTE: You did not read that we're having a swingers christmas party. Just a karaoke party with some christmas tunes....and a hot tub....and some drinks. Uh oh....JUST KIDDING!!!!)

Cheers!!!

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Shipping Disasters

I'm still on "vacation" but I have access to a computer so I thought I'd write in about some recent shipping disasters.

Here's the part where I question why I'm shipping my pieces...during the holidays....and via UPS.

So I shipped out two toy boxes (mid-century style) before we left on vacation and was so happy to have everything caught up and a few weeks off from building. I unfortunately received two emails that said virtually the same thing...received the toy box but it's broken. WHOOHOO!!! I've shipped this particular toy box roughly twenty times and no issues until now.

So now the poor recipients and I are working through the UPS PACK AND SHIP PROMISE claim details.

Did I mention I had two glasses of wine at dinner?? Yep, that's how i'm feeling right about now regarding the whole shipping thing. I'm questioning it and noting which pieces hold up better when being thrown haphazardly from truck to truck.

Just when you think the whole "i own my own business" thing is running smoothly, something like this happens. I think I'll just go lie down and think back to the days of designing marketing materials and babysitting other people's kids.

Sometimes it seems A WHOLE LOT easier to just work for the man.

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Vacation

YEAH!!!! A snow vacation with family!!! It's finally here so I won't be posting for a few days. I'll be back on the 20th so look for more Life in My Garage action but for now, I'm off to pack my snow boots.

Happy Holidays!

Kiersten

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Tangled and True Post About Mod Mom

I'm running out of time before our vacation with my parents and my sister and her family but I had to post a link to a really amazingly kind post by Kelli from Tangled and True. She's a very cool person with a gorgeous and very helpful blog.

Check it out when you have a minute...

http://www.tangledandtrue.com/2007/12/mod-mom.html

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My Proudest Building Accomplishment of 2007

So I was thinking about what I've built over the past year and what I'm really most proud of and I immediately thought of the play house my hubby and I built for our daughter's preschool. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the owners (and even vacation with them on occasion) which made building the playhouse even more special. SHAMELESS PLUG: If you live in LA in the Valley and are in need of a preschool, you have to check out The Little School! You won't find a better preschool!!

Anyhow, I designed the playhouse after looking at plans for several different houses online. I scaled it to fit the space and then learned (also online) how to build a roof. We built it in sections and then put it together onsite. Scott suggested taking the siding we used for the sides and cutting it into squares to make the shingles for the roof. Brilliant!

So far so good -- the house is still standing and from what I can tell, the roof doesn't leak.

I have to say I feel relatively confident that I could build us a little house if we're ever running from the law and and having to live in the woods somewhere in Oregon. That's a damn good feeling!

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Check out one of my favorite blogs -- Lineanongrata!

One of my favorite bloggers, Julia at Lineanongrata is giving away a gift a day. She's an amazingly talented artist living in the south of France.

I'm proud to say I own one of her pieces. Leave a comment on her post and you might end up being the proud owner of a Julia gift.

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