WilloToons.com

grace in small things

2009-01-05T16:37:00.001-08:00

I don't know if I can keep it up for 365 days, but I love just listing out a few right now:

space: the new space in my home created from getting a new office (outside the home), and selling my old dining table & chairs (which I will replace with a new more compact set)
my internet skillz. (seriously)
heat
fall colors out my window

::::

Wow, the whole "small" part of that was harder than I thought.

Today I'm loving feeling organized and accomplished. I'm doing a bit of spring cleaning & it feels like I'm making a new start in this new year. A year that I know has a lot of really exciting things in store. :)

Happy New Year everyone!

Now is the time.

2008-12-26T13:15:00.001-08:00

Now is the time., originally uploaded by Willo.

home for the holidays

2008-12-25T21:50:00.001-08:00

Oh Christmas tree!, originally uploaded by Willo.

I'm back in my hometown, Steamboat, CO, for the holidays:

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!

xo

awesome jon stewart/mike huckabee interview

2008-12-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

There are so many gems in this interview:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Mike Huckabee Pt. 2

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

"Religion is far more of a choice than homo sexuality."

"We protect religion...and talk about a lifestyle choice. At what age did you decide to not be gay?"

"Semantics is cold comfort when it comes to humanity."

"I think you're looking at sexuality and not attributes, and I think it's odd because the conservative mantra is "Ameritocracy", and I think what you're suggesting is, the fact of being gay parents makes you not as good as others. And I would suggest that a loving gay family, with a financially secure background, beats the hell out of Britney Spears & Kevin Federline any day of the week."

I love Jon Stewart!

all set up at UNIQUE!

2008-12-12T19:55:00.001-08:00

all set up at UNIQUE!, originally uploaded by Willo.

LA Peeps... come by UNIQUE this weekend!

2008-12-11T10:17:00.001-08:00

LA Peeps - Please come by UNIQUE this weekend!, originally uploaded by Willo.

For thos of you in LA, Ali & I are driving down to participate in UNIQUE LOS ANGELES!

It's going to be an awesome show, so if you're in or around LA, I'd love it if you'd come by & say hello to us!

Also, I have a few wristbands for friends I need to give out, so we may meet people out for drinks tonight or tomorrow night. Text me if you want to get in on that & nab a wristband from me... it's my intention to pass them all out & have every one of you come to the show & support all of us independent artists!

Here's deets on the actual event (Facebook event link). Can you all post this to your profile or email it to LA peeps?

Hope to see you while I'm down there!

chicago was awesome!

2008-12-11T10:12:00.001-08:00

holiday cards too!, originally uploaded by Willo.

Thanks to all of you in & around Chicago that came out to the Renegade Holiday Craft Fair - what an event! Five (!) rooms full of incredibly creative, crafty fabulousness... huzzah!

I was fortunate enough to stay with this pretty lady & her handsome kitty all weekend:

Sarah was quite possibly the most hospitable, generous, warm, fun & darling hostess with the mostess a girl could ask for! I felt so incredibly welcome, supported & comfortable the entire time. Seriously, I can only hope that I am this great of a host for my guests. She's awesome!

And, I love that her home was so full of the holiday spirit!

Happy Holidays everyone!

I'm heading to Chicago for Renegade!

2008-12-02T10:54:00.001-08:00

I'm going to Chicago! yay!, originally uploaded by Willo.

Do you live in or near Chicago... or have friends & family in that area? Well, give them the heads up, this weekend is Chicago's Renegade Holiday Craft Fair! Held in the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse both days this weekend, Dec. 6 & 7, and I'll be there (my table is on the 2nd floor, FYI) with all my WilloToons merch!

This is my first time traveling to a show! I'm very excited, but because it changes a lot of what I usually bring, it should be interesting. I'm also delighted I get to stay with my awesome friend Sarah Hatter, who apparently is already planning to make us delicious omelets for breakfast & a yummy chili (hi bed & breakfast fabulousness), AND who is going to help me at my table over the weekend. yay! love her.

I'm a little nervous about the weather, but I'm confident that my warm new jacket from my brother's store, Om Gallery will keep me warm. Well, that and Sarah said homes there are actually insulated & have good heating systems. huzzah! So maybe I won't die from the freezing cold. Ooh, and total bonus, she has a snuggly kitty named Cooper, too! You know me, add a snuggly kitty to the mix & I'm happy. :)

Ok, gotta go finish cleaning & packing. Remember, if you can't make it to this event in Chicago, be sure to listen for when there's a similar type show near you so you can buy unique & affordable holiday gifts from independent artists. Actually, I'll be traveling to LA the following weekend (which will be a welcome change in temp!), so maybe I'll see you there! Click here to see all my upcoming events.

Happy Holiday shopping everyone. xo

happy thanksgiving everyone!

2008-11-27T13:58:00.001-08:00

Now on sale in the shop! :)

I was just talking to my momma & she's making bacon wrapped shrimp appetizers for the Thanksgiving dinner she's going to today. Nice, mom! I don't know if you'll be having bacon today - or if I will, at the orphan dinner I'm going to - but regardless, today is a big day for feasting on many yummy foods we love. We are very blessed!

I'm so thankful for all my amazing friends and family around the city, state, country and world. For my snuggly kitty who gives me so much joy, entertainment & snuggly love. For my health and good fortune of having this beautiful home, a creative spirit and willingness to be open to the lessons life and relationships have to offer. And, of course, for all of you who take the time to visit my site, and support me & my dream business. Seriously... thank *you* for reading right. this. second! :)

I am sending you all big love & warm holiday bear hugs... as well as compassionate, loving, healing thoughts to all of those faced with hard times. Life can throw some epic challenges our way, but whatever you do, just keep the light of love in your heart and hold on. We are not alone. We are all connected. Feel my love & hugs through the internet right now? See? We're totally connected. :)

Have a wonderful holiday weekend, everyone!
xo

p.s. OK, I cannot resist giving you one last thing... because nothing says Thanksgiving like a Pinecone Cheeseball.

my jewelry in RAG SF!

2008-11-22T17:20:00.001-08:00

I went & restocked my jewelry shelf at RAG Co-Op in Hayes Valley the other day - I think it's looking so pretty!

Go shopping at RAG & support local artists! My stuff is also available in the RAG online store, too. Here's my shelf of baby stuff there:

Shop Indie & Handmade this Holiday season! WilloToons Jewelry & WilloToons Baby

craftsplosion!

2008-11-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

I've been crafting like crazy lately, preparing for the holidays... I've been sewing totebags & pouches, making jewelry, gocco'ing greeting cards & more! So fun!

Recently my peddle foot stopped working on my machine, so I took it apart (hi, McGyver!) and somehow got it to start working again!

Crazy that this little part is all that powers a peddle foot, huh?

Here's a few more videos & photos of my sewing machine surgery if you wanna see.

:::
Here's a few pics of the pouches I made, too:

on the other side of this one there's a little hedgehog. :)

octopouch!

Note: These are the first pouches I've ever sewn! Fun, huh? They're made with left over velvety orange curtains & blue felt for the octopus.

The one casualty of all this crafting is that my house is a serious crafty mess! Or as I like to call it, "craftsplosion." heh.

Kazoobie likes it though! :p

Happy Holiday Crafting!

things I need help with...

2008-11-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

implementing changes on my site, sales, etc.
creating & sending out newsletters... seriously why is this so hard for me to do?!
assembling press packets & sending them out to magazines, newspapers, etc
researching/acquiring a packaging idea I have in my head
moving my blog over to wordpress (but I want to do a small redesign first)
potentially doing said small site redesign, since I'm clearly not finding the time!
create wholesale application form on my website
finish wholesale shopify store
design new hangtags, specifically for bibs (that style is changing), and for baby & toddler tees
design a new postcard, more rockin'/adult focused vs the baby focused one I have now
accounting/quickbooks - once again I'm almost 2 months behind
adding testimonials to my site
add a quick feedback form to my site

oy, we'll start there... the list goes on. :)

raise your hand if you can help... I am just trying to get this baby off the ground!

you really want to pull the bible card?

2008-11-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

"It says in the Bible that marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman! As a Christian, what other parts of the Bible would you like me to just ignore?"

Let's say that I don't want you to ignore any, and that we'll take a strict interpretation of the Bible as the basis for laws concerning marriage in the United States. I'm happy to report that your amendment now reads like this:

Marriage in the United States shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5) Marriage shall not impede a man's right to take concubines, in addition to his wife or wives. (II Sam 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chron 11:21) A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deut 22:13-21) Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30) A contract of marriage is for life. Neither this Constitution nor the constitution of any State, nor any state or federal law, shall be construed to permit divorce. (Deut 22:19; Mark 10:9)

I feel more marriage-inclined, how 'bout you?

- Lance Arthur responds to comments from CNN.com which are pro-Prop 8. That is to say anti-gay marriage. His entire post is quotable, so just go read the whole thing.

via Your New Favorite

visiting my beautiful baby niece!

2008-11-16T00:12:00.001-08:00

my beautiful baby niece!, originally uploaded by Willo.

On Thursday night I went down to Santa Cruz to see my awesome brother, Max, his gorgeous & wonderful wife, Samara & the cutest baby girl ever, Miss 8-month old Sylvyanna! Sylvy's crawling now & so much more.... she's sooo cute!

In just 24 hours & I managed to get 116 photos & 27 videos... Can you tell I'm quite smitten? :)

she's so fun to play with right now. she's taking everything in... singing, talking & giggling.

This is probably why I shouldn't have kids... there's not enough hard drive space in the world! haha

View all the photos & videos from this visit!

2008-11-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

This video is amazing... stop everything, and take five minutes to sit & look into this man's eyes & listen to what he has to say. It's so beautiful, heartfelt, integrous & true. I want to hug this man.

Also, this is the first I've discovered Keith Olbermann. I don't watch a lot of news, so that's why, but wow... what an incredibly solid, heartfelt speaker.

Here's more, very well said, dialogue from an email I just received from Courage Campaign:

In this emotional statement on "Countdown," his nightly news program on MSNBC, Keith eloquently expresses why the passage of Prop 8 is so tragic and then directly addresses supporters of the proposition.

Olbermann poignantly asks those who voted for Prop 8 where they "stand, on a question of love." That's why we hope you will share this YouTube with your social networks -- your friends, family and neighbors -- and especially those who may disagree with you on marriage equality (and we all know someone who disagrees, for whatever reason).

This video is a great way to spark an honest dialogue and begin the work towards our collective long-term goal of persuading more people to vote in favor of marriage equality.

Usually, after an election, political discussions wind down and life returns to normal. But Prop 8 is not about politics. It is about love, equality and civil rights.

That's why, as of this morning, an astounding 103,041 people have signed the pledge to repeal Prop 8, launched by the Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile. And it's why thousands of people will be gathering to protest Prop 8 at City Halls across America at 10:30 a.m. PT on Saturday.

Californians are standing up for marriage equality and speaking out against enshrining discrimination in our state's constitution. But, to build a grassroots Marriage Equality Movement -- the civil rights movement of the 21st Century -- we need to start changing the conversation across California and our country. That means talking with our family and friends.

Changing the conversation in California starts with you. Please watch Keith's comments, share it with your friends and family, and then ask them to join over 100,000 people in signing our pledge to repeal Prop 8:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/SpecialComment

Studies have shown that the most effective way to swing a voter to our side is to talk to our friends and family about the meaning of marriage equality. The path to repealing Prop 8 starts now, with you and the discussions you have with the people in your life.

Thank you for everything you are doing to restore marriage equality to California.

Pip Squeak a Go Go!

2008-11-09T10:08:00.001-08:00

I have a WilloToons table at this cute little event today. Sorry I'm posting this here so late, but hopefully most of you heard about it via my Flickr, Twitter or the WilloToons Newsletter (subscribe!).

Tell your Bay area Mommy/Daddy friends
Pip Squeak a Go Go - A dance party for kiddos & parents @ 330 Ritch
Sunday, November 9th from 1-4:30pm

The Devil-Ettes, San Francisco's premier 60s style go go dance group, are pleased to bring you a Go Go Dance party for the underage set. Inspired by the 1960's television show "Kiddie A Go Go," The Devil-Ettes offer a new spin on an old classic with music and fun for all ages. Whether you're a kid, or just like to act like one, this is one bash you won't want to miss! The kids dig learning all the lost and forgotten dances of the 1960's and The Devil-Ettes are great at keepin' the kids engaged throughout the day!

View all upcoming events | Visit the WilloToons Shop!

Videos are up & they're amazing!

2008-11-06T14:39:00.001-08:00

Yay, Misty posted the videos in the set now, too & OMG, they're so awesome! I had no idea it was going to be SOO incredible watching them after the fact. Watching this one (below) completely made me well up with tears! This was the second one I shot, right as we came out of the Phoenix (the big red neon sign you see at the beginning) & we were all so blown away by the pure joy & celebration of everyone on the street!

View the rest in Misty's photoset on Flickr. These, more than any photo could capture, truly give you all a sense of how amazing it was to be here & a part of the amazing feeling of YES WE DID! in San Francisco! So awesome!

Misty's election night photos are up!

2008-11-06T14:07:00.001-08:00

Barack n Roll ladies!, originally uploaded by mistylwhite.

Yay! Misty's photos & videos are posted now! They're amazing! All of my vids & pics are coming soon, too.

Looking at these is so fun! Makes me re-live how amazing the entire night was celebrating. YES!

sad & mad about prop 8

2008-11-06T13:43:00.001-08:00

I really tried to hold out yesterday... that magically they'd count the rest of those votes & prop 8 would fail after all... but alas, it passed. And, as most of you know, the nation is pissed. It was hard for me to see so many celebrating Obama, and then curse out California. :'( It definitely sucks.

My friend Kevin's tweet summed up one of my feelings on it: "YesOn8 voters: your lives are unchanged, but you crushed the hearts of many. If NoOn8 happened, your lives would have still been unchanged."

I also really loved this post by Andrew Sullivan:

"Yes, it is heart-breaking: it is always hard to be in a tiny minority whose rights and dignity are removed by a majority. It's a brutal rebuke to the state supreme court, and enshrinement in California's constitution that gay couples are now second-class citizens and second class human beings. Massively funded by the Mormon church, a religious majority finally managed to put gay people in the back of the bus in the biggest state of the union."

*sigh*

I really don't have much more to say about it, other than my friends & I are committed to helping see this CHANGE. Obama as president is a HUGE step forward, and one I'm beyond grateful for. So maybe it's just a matter of two steps forward & one step back. We'll get there, people! Our country is changing, consciousness is rising... equality will prevail.

If you feel as passionate about this as we do, please sign this petition to re-open Prop 8.

Thank you for reading.

WE DID IT! OBAMA WINS! YES!

2008-11-05T13:32:00.001-08:00

WOW! I might have to apologize in advance for the number of exclamation points that will be in this post, because seriously? OMG!! YES!!!

What an absolutely amazing, glorifying victory!! And for those of you who weren't with us in San Francisco... it was INCREDIBLE! Everyone honking & cheering, clapping, singing & celebrating in the streets! It was sooo awesome!!

We started the day around 4pm. My friend Misty came & picked me up for a trip to Krispy Kreme in Daly City to claim our "I Voted" free star-sprinkled donut. :)

Then, because Misty had somehow forgotten her FOAM FINGER, I insisted we drive back to her house to get it. haha. For the record, it was TOTALLY worth it!

Then we headed to the Phoenix, and Irish pub on Valencia where I remembered they had annoying TVs. haha. But in this case, we were looking for TVs in our bars, so that was the plan! We were joined by Hez, Corey, Ryan, Hillary, Andy and more... and by the end of the night the bar was packed! We all cheered every time a state was called for Obama & as it got closer & closer and really started sinking in, the tears started flowing! So incredible.

I think the moment that it truly got me was when I saw on the screen "Barack Obama Elected President". *sigh* that makes me tear up right now just typing it! WE DID IT, PEOPLE!! YES!!!!

When we left the Phoenix, the streets were full of people. Cars were streaming by, honking, waving & cheering out the windows - everyone was SOO happy! WE DID IT! Absolutely incredibly utterly beautiful and amazing (watch a video from this moment). Do you know how exciting it is to feel an entire nation JOYOUS and UNITED? Welcome to TODAY.

We all cruised over to the Kilowatt Club where we heard SFBG was having a celebration party. We were then joined there by too many friends to name... but wow, what an incredible celebration!! At one point we heard that traffic was completely blocked outside on 16th street & I'm so glad we went out to witness it for ourselves. Hundreds of people celebrating in the streets! Fireworks, American Flags, dancing, singing, instruments playing - everyone smiling! *sigh* We are all so in love with our country right now. HECK YES, AMERICA!!

Watch the videos to get a real feel for the energy that was on the street that night!

I got a few photos & videos before my battery died, and then continued to take a ton with Misty's camera - ~~so I'll be sure to post about it when they're up~~ - Misty's photos & videos are posted now! In the meantime, thank you ALL to helped make this happen!! WE ARE AMAZING!

Heck ya, I voted!

2008-11-04T13:01:00.001-08:00

I voted!, originally uploaded by Willo.

Today's such a big day... I'm so emotional! Luckily soon Misty is going to pick me up & we're going to get free 'I voted' KrispyKreme donuts. haha

I voted early, so I am not down at the polls today, but it's been really incredible to watch all the twitter updates roll in, talking about all the various lines, signs, people & the excitement in the air.

This morning I sent out the very last donation, from the money we raised at our Barack 'n Roll Fundraiser, to a great grassroots organization in OH called Vote From Home. They've been busting their ass & have helped over 11,000 people do early voting! The video on their site is really inspiring... check it out if you get a chance. Also, if you didn't see it, I recently added a post to the Barack 'n Roll website with photos & quotes from all of volunteers that have been emailing us from across the country!

As I was writing my Barack 'n Roll teammates about the final donation this morning - thanking them for believing in this candidate & having as much passion as I do to see CHANGE in our country - I was literally in tears... we've all worked so hard on this election & today I am so excited to celebrate Barack Obama as the next president of the United States of America!

Just think - a president we can actually acknowledge as our president!! :D One that we are inspired by & believe in! Huzzah! SO AMAZING.

I hope that every single one of you reading this got out & voted! Regardless who you have voted for - it's truly the most important thing you can do as a citizen of this country.

Big election day hugs to all of you! I look forward to tomorrow when we can all officially say YES WE DID!

Thanks for reading & for all of your support.
xoxo

California, please vote NO on 8!

2008-11-03T19:00:00.001-08:00

(FYI to those of you reading the RSS feed, this post has two videos, too! Odd that RSS - or at least the reader I use - can't display vids. Anyway, click here to watch them.)

If You Are Undecided, You're Not Paying Attention

2008-10-30T13:15:00.001-07:00

Hahaa!! OMG, you've got to read this awesome blog... it's written by an 82 year old woman. This post in particular has me absolutely cracking up... there's so many classic lines in it!

Talking about all the debates & info out there (and how anyone could still be undecided):

"Honey, I trust you can read. Please do because this is important."

Talking about Palin:

"Honestly, there are more beavers in Alaska than people. But this is the person who is going to explain the complexities of one of the largest economies on the globe to John McCain. I'm pretty sure they don't have enough fingers and toes between them to count that high."

Talking about McCain:

"If I hear that McCain is a Maverick one more time I just might throw myself to the floor and break a hip. A maverick is an independent individual who doesn't go along with a group or party. If John McCain's a maverick I am one of those cheerleaders on the sidelines of Harold's beloved Dallas Cowboys."

To all of you who are undecided:

"So tell me again why you are undecided?

Oh yes I forgot. The terrorists are going to get us.

Folks, I'm tired of living in fear. Life is too short. How about we try hope and optimism again and see how that works. It created the greatest nation in history and the world is better for it.

Thanks for stopping by everyone. If I find out that you didn't take the time to vote, I will ask Matthew to ban you from this web page blog. I mean it. Really."

::::

Seriously, how awesome is she!? I want to hug her! Read more of her hilarious quips on http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com. <3

Yes We Carve!

2008-10-30T13:07:00.001-07:00

NICE! If you haven't carved your pumpkin yet, check out YesWeCarve.com for some inspiration!

They have a ton of stencils you can download & everything - so awesome.

Also, watch this video... it actually just made me tear up a little! haha

*sigh* So excited for Obama to be our next pres!!!

Generation We

2008-10-28T20:00:00.001-07:00

This video is based on the recently released book called Generation We: How Millennial Youth Are Taking Over America and Changing Our World Forever (that is completely FREE for digital download). I work with teens on a weekly basis & they constantly inspire me & give me hope for our future. This really sums that feeling up for me:

I highly recommending watching the video, above, but here's a textual summary, too:

"The youth of our country have emerged as a powerful political and social force. As the largest generation in history, they are independent - politically, socially, and philosophically - and are spearheading a period of sweeping change in America and around the world. One only has to look as far as the Obama phenomena to understand that. In the latest quarter of fundraising alone, a staggering 128,000 students donated to his campaign.

In Generation We, the author explains the emerging power of the Millennial Generation, shows how they (and their supporters from other generations) are poised to change our nation and our world for the better, and lays out a powerful plan for progressive change that today's youth is ready to implement."

Check out more about the book & the movement at http://www.gen-we.org.