I’m feeling...  much better after starting a round of antibiotics to fight this dreadful sinus infection.

I’m listening...  to Patsy Cline. “The only different, The only thing new….”

I’m giving...  away a copy of the latest MixTape zine! Not only does it feature four tasty sweet bread recipes by yours truly, it also offers an interview of Dudley Redhead (a crafting fanatic), reviews of 10 non-traditional crafty books. and yet another funny cartoon by Shannon. It’s worth reading just for the ads (and I am rather fond of well-designed ads)!

The first article in the zine features several reader responses to the following questions:

Love is...?

I am inspired by...?

My favorite craft resource is...?

So enter your own answers to the above questions in a comment below and I’ll randomly choose the most fortunate MixTape recipient! (I will mail world-wide, so all you readers in Singapore, Budapest, and Nigeria, be sure to enter, too.)

Leola,

You will be hatching soon and realize there are so many interesting things to see and do other than interrupting your Mom’s blood flow all day. In the spirit of my Reverse Christmas Wish List, here is my Reverse Baby Shower Wish List for you!

Aside from the boring essentials such as Ultimate Crib Sheets and sleep sacks (the kind that completely close at the bottom, otherwise they ride up)....

If I had unlimited funds – and your parents had unlimited space – here are the myriad things I’d be getting you:

1.  First, a GeoGreeting spelling out "Welcome to the world, Leola!" that we can print out and hang up in your room.  I think your Dad would go for this, too.  It's better than stuffed wildcats, believe me.

2.  You won't be able to wear these for a few years, maybe your Mom can find a place in your room for these adorable felt bird pins by Dandy Brand.

3.  For cuddling, a lovely windsee made from vintage fabric scraps by OneGirl.

4.  Nursery décor is a such a personal decision that I’ve decided to present you with a gift card (presented in a Bundled Baby Card), though I can recommend wall decals - a tree silhouette with wallpaper leaves from Enfant Terrible and for your bathroom, some cute blue elephant decals from Bored Inc.:

as well as a fabulous design from Jen Skelley (perhaps for one wall of your room?):

5.  Moving on to your wardrobe... for hanging around the house being a snuggle bunny: the Honey Bunny onesie from Harrilu.

6.  It’s best to learn early on that you can never have too many shoes – here are two adorable pairs from For Evelyn to get you started!

7.  The essential white kimono - makes it so easy for your Mom to dress and undress you during your tiny floppy stage. And as long as we’re daydreaming here, I’d make the time to figure out how to add some fun iron-ons like this Love Bird design!

8.  And you will want a dressier kimono outfit for church, tea parties, and skipping out to get the mail. It doesn’t bunch up like two-piece outfits, it’s super comfortable, and it’s brown, not pink.

9.  And to protect these adorable outfits, I offer a cute vintage-style bib by ElephantEars.

10.  Finally, I would wrap all your gifts in kimono and patchwork wrapping paper from Petra Boase:

I know you're shocked that no books are included on this list - that's because I'm giving you a few in real life.  I'll be telling you more about them later, after your Mom has opened them.  But I am sticking in these excellent animal book dividers - because with me in your life, you'll need them!

I first stumbled upon D’Andrea’s blog “Monsters In My Kitchen” because she also has two year-old twins. I keep returning because she posts an entertaining mix of delicious looking/tasting recipes, toddler activities, as well as photos of the monsters lurking about her kitchen:

D’Andrea also has an Etsy shop named Pupa where you can browse her cuddly natural doll creations – perfect for babies and toddlers - such as June and George below. (She can custom design a doll to match a child as well!)

And look at these little walnut people:

Miraculously (did I mention she has a three year-old in addition to the twins), she also manages to create cool wallpaper out of maps. I think I’ll fly her in from Toronto to do our bathroom as well. And I’ll offer her soooo much money that her husband won’t balk at watching the kids for a weekend.

On second thought, I’m not sure if I have sufficient funds. Because if it were my husband it would be a least $50K.

I visited an office building in Midland, Texas, that showcased a rather unusual collection of the owner's art.  (And I use the term "art" very loosely here.)

As you walk into the lobby you look up and see a large stuffed cat with it's prey.

A few steps later you see a stuffed cat suffocating what looks like a large deer.

Next we have some stuffed baboons riding in a wagon pulled by a stuffed zebra.  (It's a good thing I had my camera because you would never believe me otherwise.) 

Just wanted to make sure you saw the baboons up close:

Who would want to see these stuffed creatures in ridiculous poses or at their moment of death every time they come to work?  (Besides you, Bob.)