making room…

Has it really been a month since my last post?!!? Boy the time really flies by these days! I’ve been plugging away over here at the day to day stuff and didn’t look up to notice how neglected this old blog has been.

So here’s what I’ve been up to….

Designing! First and foremost, website and blog design takes up most of my time. It seems like the new year always gets every one in the mood to start fresh, or redesign a site. I am booked all the way through May right now, it’s crazy! But in a good way of course…

Second on the time consumption list has been shopping. (I know poor me, huh!) I try to get out twice a week for vintage finds for the Etsy shop. Then once I finish the shopping it’s all about photographing, measuring, and listing each find. The shopping is the fun part, trust me!

Then comes the shipping…. shipping orders is hectic around here to say the least. I usually feel overwhelmed and wait until Josh can make time to help me, and then ship a bunch of stuff at once rather than ones and twos here and there. But of course that makes for a mess of an office space in the off time. I’m amazed I haven’t had any major blunders as of yet. Knock on wood….

And then there’s what’s going on behind the scenes… Josh and I have been finishing up our paperwork to start our home study and adoption application. Just a few finishing touches and we can start the interview process! It’s amazing the stuff you have to do for this, including writing our own “life story” for the social worker.  Josh and I both are finished and now we just have to refine them and make sure we answered all of the questions they wanted addressed.

I have also started getting ready for a nursery! Something I have been dying to do for years!! I found an amazing old dresser that was just perfect for a gender neutral room, and now it’s on to finding a crib, bedding, and some “fluff” for the room. Does anyone have any great resources for me? We don’t have a ton to spend, but I would love to get some soft neutral linens with grain sack inspired motifs…. I can’t find that style anywhere?!!? Does it not exist for crib bedding? All you sewers get to work for me will ya? ;o)

The nursery is next to my office and has been a “catch all” for products and unused decor in our house. So it’s been a challenge to empty the room for a baby. I am having to get creative with my storage solutions and part with a few finds that I really wanted to keep! We had a big sale last week trying to move some products and down size what we keep on hand, and it helped a ton!

One of the things I noticed while trying to downsize is how many books I have! I seem to use vintage books in my decor quite a bit. I might have done ok if I stopped buying them, but somehow I can’t stop! My eye is just drawn to the worn edges and browned pages…  they just don’t make books as pretty as they used to.

Aren’t they lovely? Now head on over to my shop so you can take some home, and use them in your decor! Just think, you’ll be helping me make room for a baby. Now how’s that for a guilt trip! :o)

And I’m not kidding about the nursery decor tips! If you have any secret spots you think I might like, please let me know! I promise to share photos as it gets closer to being a “nursery”! Yay!!!

by Sadie Olive

show hide 30 comments

March 18, 2010 - 9:19 pm

lindy - I looove your blog. been a lover of your work over a year now!

March 16, 2010 - 9:36 pm

Julianna - So thrilled to hear you say you are preparing a nursery – it will be the prettiest one ever I am sure!

March 15, 2010 - 5:28 am

Lynn - I love vintage books — each one seems like its own little treasure!

March 14, 2010 - 6:25 pm

Leah C - Lots of wonderful happenings in the making for you! I’m so thrilled for you & Josh…a sweet lil’ baby will be so loved and lucky to have you two as parents:) Wishing you well…

March 14, 2010 - 2:10 am

Tami - Just wanted you to know about a grain sack bear on clearance at Ballard Designs. I think it would be perfect for your nursery theme.

March 12, 2010 - 10:36 pm

susan - love all your photos! doing the nursery is so exciting. i can still remember stenciling our daugher’s room, now she’s 10 :)

hope all is well! susan

March 12, 2010 - 3:28 am

valerie - Hi Sara,

So great to see your updated post and was great to meet you.I tried to send you a note, I do not know if you got it…I may be interested in having your design help for a blog. I am so happpy for you and your journey into MOtherhood….i hope to hear back from you. And, I also have a huge love for old books.

March 11, 2010 - 3:47 am

HOlly - check out the Jones Design Company blog. she is in my sidebar links…she has a similar look as you.you will love what she is doing with her nursery…. LINEN BUMPER PADS..browns and flax/linen…. BEST WISHES

March 10, 2010 - 7:25 am

Lisa Super - Best wishes on your journey to becoming a Mother. I found beautiful and whimsical wall decor for my children’s rooms at Oopsy Daisy and you can’t beat a Bugaboo Frog stroller. A fortune yes but a happy comfortable baby while you shop!

March 10, 2010 - 6:12 am

tangie - SO excited for your adoption journey!! with your taste, the nursery will be gorgeous. and I agree, old books are just delightful — their beauty and the “story” they tell just from their worn covers is amazing to me.

March 10, 2010 - 3:27 am

El - Beautiful. I’m sure the nursery will be exquisite.

March 10, 2010 - 2:13 am

Melissa - I just wanted to say…your blog and website are beautiful! they remind me of the old Victoria magazine when Toshi Otsuki was the photographer. I also wanted to say that I’m sending you positive, wonderful baby thoughts as you venture into the wonderful world of adoption. One of my best friends adopted a baby from Ukraine, and she is such a dear, sweet little person :) God Bless you sweet girl!

~Melissa

March 9, 2010 - 9:45 pm

lauren marco - For nursery items vintage look Warm Biscuit Company is great. If you want something more Aunt Grace vintage feedsack style there are tons of fabrics out there you could have made into the accesories such as blankets, burp cloths, changing pads, bibs…. and then do a simple organic or linen texture or matlesse for the bumper pads and dust ruffle that would work with any pattern almost as well as being great for a girl or boy.
Best of luck to you! I’ve followed you for a couple of years now, love your photos and vintage finds! If you find fabric you like I would be happy to make up those accessories!

March 9, 2010 - 7:58 pm

janae - Time sure does fly! How exciting that y’all are getting closer and closer to extending your family! I’m sure the nursery will be fabulous!

March 9, 2010 - 7:30 pm

paige - so fun to see a post from you today!
i actually checked my reader yesterday to make sure i subscribed to your posts b/c its been so long!
i’m so excited for you &your sweet guy
you two are going to be the cutest parents!!!
wish i could offer some nursery tips for ya’ but i’m entirel out of the loop

blessings girlie & glad to see you
xo

March 9, 2010 - 6:54 pm

Tara - Sara, I am so excited for you and Josh! this was a great post to read! I cant’ wait to see what you do with a nursery….I am sure it will be beautiful!

March 9, 2010 - 5:15 pm

liz - hi- I have read your blog forever, but never commented. To go with the rest of your house how about grain sack and linen bumpers and crib skirt with faded red ticking, maybe some natural colored velvet or chenille.Metal letters would be fun on the wall. you have a great eye for the extra stuff, i’m sure it would all come together! so much fun!
Liz

March 9, 2010 - 3:52 pm

lorraine lewis - I also the love the worn edges and brown pages of books- so beautiful…
Your nursery will be lovely, you have such a gift for decorating.
Blessings to you and your journey to adopt. You will be an amazing Mother.

March 9, 2010 - 2:42 pm

Ramona - This is such a happy time for you and your husband. Moving toward you at this very moment is one lucky child.

Smiles ~ Ramona

March 9, 2010 - 2:33 pm

Jen R - I am so excited for you! I have a friend who does the most amazing sewing in any fabric you like if you need her number! Javis Davis has cute bedding too.. I had my stuff custom made because i couldn’t find what I liked. My only advice.. buy a good crib the rest does not mater. We bought a really inexpensive one and i made it through 1 kid.. barely.

March 9, 2010 - 2:25 pm

victoria - Sara, I am an old book addict myself… so I love that you love them also!

As far as the decorating for the nursery… go “green”… lots of organic baby products on the market and on the web now… thank goodness… I have yet to understand how a person could bring a new life into a room laden with chemical products! Go figure!

And use “safe” and green painting products to redo furniture.
Seriously the web has it all as far as green living and products for baby… that not only will be safe for all of you… but the planet also!

Much love,
Victoria in Houston

P.S. I have a wonderful Baby Blessing to welcome baby to your family, and friends!!!

Its on my site…feminineliving.com

March 9, 2010 - 1:22 pm

Zita – Mlle Magpie - Sara, it will be the most beautiful nursery/nest for your baby, I have no doubts. Do you know Alicia Paulson at Posie Gets Cozy? They are going on the same journey as you, you should go for a visit: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2010/02/the-clearing.html

March 9, 2010 - 11:13 am

Abigail - hello! i’ve just discovered your site and wanted to pop in and say how lovely your work is – you’re a real inspiration! we seem to fall in love with similar things. i love the music you choose for the blog reading as well, i’ve come back a bunch of times just to play the music :)

i sounds like you are headed for some exciting blessings – i wish you and yours the best!

March 9, 2010 - 5:53 am

Jeanne - I am so excited for the both of you! You will create the most gorgeous nursery ever!!! What a lucky baby to have you as a mom.

March 9, 2010 - 5:07 am

Amy - I so understand the frustration you are going thru. I just had to finally make everything for my sons nursery. I wanted a specific look as well not cutesy but antique. I finally made myself just sew it after getting of bed rest it gave me something fun to focus on. Thick waffle chenille and teastained cottons primitive styles for the curtains and accents it was a lot of work but it was worth it. I hope you find what you are looking for and splurge a little after all you have been through, you deserve it.

March 9, 2010 - 4:29 am

Bonnie - What a beautiful collection of books! *drooling*

I’m so excited for you to begin designing your nursery. Besides the baby of course, that is what I look forward to most. I don’t have any kids yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing what you find for your nursery. I’m sure it will all be lovely.

Best wishes with the adoption process.

*hugs*

Bonnie

March 9, 2010 - 4:15 am

Gina - Hey Sara – nice to see ya! Missed ya but I know you’re crazy busy…but I check in your blog every day to see what’s up…in regards to the nursery decor tips – there’s this woman who also sells on Etsy, here is the link (hope I did this right!)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/marleyandlockyer
that I have been eyeing her grain sack pillows and she even takes custom orders – I am not sure what you think about the prices though…hope it helps…

March 9, 2010 - 4:02 am

Alison Rowe - Wow! I thought that I was busy! How exciting about your adoption process! I hope that everything goes smooth for you. Check out http://warmbiscuit.com. This is one of my absolute favorite children’s site. They do custom nursery bedding and they have some really fabulous fabrics. Their fabrics are only the beginning of all the wonderful items they have. Hope this helps! Cannot wait to see pictures of what you do! Have a great week!

March 9, 2010 - 3:00 am

Laura - I did a book post tonight too! Love, love, to use old books. You have some beauties here…
How wonderful to be decorating a nursery. Sorry, it’s been so long since there’s been a baby in our home…no tips on sources here! Decorate with love and lots of fun!
:)

March 9, 2010 - 2:38 am

Susan - Good Luck with the Nursery bedding. All I ever see is very Babies R Us like. I would def think about finding a good seamstress who could create exactly what you want.
So excited to hear your progress.
My husband and I recently decided to pursue Fostering to adopt and we will soon be starting the paperwork etc.
Keep us all posted.

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