the unhappy hippopotamus

Thank you so much to everyone who has emailed me with hugs and support. It means a great deal to me. I want to clarify that my children were never in any direct danger. However, the trust that I had put out there when I post photos had been broken. Photos had been stolen and used out of context in inappropriate ways. It sucks. It's shocking really, and I have to do my best to insure that it won't happen again.

Let me change gears and show you something that made me really happy:

I had about five minutes to browse at the Goodwill the other day, and I chose the kid's books. I'm so glad I did, because I found this incredible book, The Unhappy Hippopotamus. It's about a depressed hippo, people! Look at some of these incredible illustrations (by Edward Leight, 1957). Harriet the Hippo is sad and tries all kinds of ways to make herself smile. She has a party, but still can't smile:

She tries reading, but still can't smile.

And dancing. Still no smile:

Finally, she goes to see a wise old owl who gives her the advice, "You've got to be YOU!"

She goes to wallow in some mud, and:

Harriet inspired this pink hippo:

Folks, you've got to be you. (Smile).

Comments

[Alicia A.]

Stephanie,

I have been thinking about the privacy issues myself lately. Big stuff- even though I'll miss seeing those little faces, you do what you need to do. We all completely understand.

The hippo and the story are fabulous!

[kittymomma]

I have enjoyed reading your blog, found from Leya's blog at curiousbird. Though I've never posted a comment to it before, I had to write and say that I'm so sorry to hear about your problems with your children's photos. I hope things are settling down again on your end, and I look forward to reading more craft-related entries. My thoughts are with you.

[kittymomma]

I have enjoyed reading your blog, found from Leya's blog at curiousbird. Though I've never posted a comment to it before, I had to write and say that I'm so sorry to hear about your problems with your children's photos. I hope things are settling down again on your end, and I look forward to reading more craft-related entries. My thoughts are with you.

[amanda]

a depressed hippo is a very sad thing, indeed. So happy she was happy in the end. Your hippo is just adorable!! And I'm so happy that you've found a way to do the blogging that you love, while keeping your family safe. Many good wishes for "Little Birds Handmade"!

[Robin]

If given just 5 minutes to browse Goodwill, 99% of the time I'd choose children's books. I have quite a collection, particularly for someone with no kids (yet). I love this story, and the lesson it gently teaches us all. Thank you Stephanie for being here, I enjoy visiting you every day. I will also miss the kid-ventures, and wish you all the best.

[tracy]

so glad you are you. (thanks for the smile - and so glad it all has a happy ending!)

[Elaine]

Another lurker who hasn't commented before - I felt I had to say bravo to your calm and assertive way of dealing with a vile and horrid situation. There are scripts you can include on your site to stop robots from doing a Google photo search for imagery. Typepad were helpful when I wanted to add such a script to my site - always worth asking the help centre for tips on stuff like this.

[pixie]

Well I'm delighted to have found you too. Was worried something unpleasant had made you password protect little birds archives. Happily most of the world's citizens, especially crafty bloggers, are peaceful and positive, and we are glad to have you share anything you are willing to. Love the hippo, he made me smile.

[melissa f.]

i'm happy to have you in any incarnation!

(when asked what sam was being while crawling around the floor yesterday:

are you a baby?
NOOO.
are you a dog?
NOOO.
what are you?
a hippo.
oh. )

[melissa]

I'll miss your kids faces too, but am happy you're still blogging, in a way that feels more comfortable to you. I love Miss Harriet- both the book and your version!

[Meg]

I'm sorry you had to deal with something creepy, especially involving your kids. Thanks for continuing to share your cute work!

[christina]

amazing! a good things after something bad. i am sorry to hear the news with the photos.

that book is great and the hippo turned out looking wonderful.

[Amanda]

That is so creepy. Some sicko stole pictures of a bunch of my friend's babies in diapers and posted them at some nasty blog thing. It was so sick what people will do and I'm so sorry you were affected that way. I can't believe that people do stuff like that...it really takes from the innocence of our kiddos you know?

I love the hippo! Can't wait to see more of what you have been up to! Have a super week!

[jennifer]

she's beautiful!
*hugs* to you and yours.
just when you develop that sense of comfort and "home", there are people to remind us we're not in kansas anymore.
but you are amongst friends, enveloped in support, and this community (that you have helped develop and thrive) is incredibly protective.
bless.

[Briana]

I am so sorry to hear about that with the kid photos. Can you please help by letting me know how you discovered this was happening? I want to be sure that my child is safe too.

Thanks for posting all your cute projects! That is one slim and slender hippo! so cute.

[Briana]

I am so sorry to hear about that with the kid photos. Can you please help by letting me know how you discovered this was happening? I want to be sure that my child is safe too.

Thanks for posting all your cute projects! That is one slim and slender hippo! so cute.

[carol]

You absolutely make the most beautiful "animal friends". They really are just clever sculptures with beautiful fabrics and colors. Thanks so much for sharing them with a large community of creative people.

My son wants me to make him a stuffed dinosaur for him for Christmas. That's all he wants. Any simple book suggestions or I imagine this may be a learn as I go thing.

[shari]

hello stephanie,
what fabulous illustrations in the hippo book! i love your pink creation as well.

been thinking of you and your family. sending hugs, shari

[Sarah]

Although I am saddened by your news, I am even more saddened that it happened at all. What has this world come to?

[Cynthia]

so lovely the hippo!!!
i'll try to find that book for my sister who is obsessed whit them ever since she dreamed with a pink hippo in a blue swimsuit!!!

love your blog

[andrea]

happy thoughts to you and your family. i know we'll all miss seeing your delightful children, but happy you'll still be posting your crafty things. what happened sucks and it's so disapointing, but i guess it makes us all aware to be more careful in revealing too much info. thank you for always being such an inspiration! the new hippo is fantastic!
andrea :: hellobee.blogspot.com

[kirsten]

have to love hippos! 'hippos go berserk' is one of our other hippo favorites. good choice with the book section - that's my favorite!

[Caterine]

Oh this hippo story make me ... SMILE!
:)
Thanks for sharing.

[chelee]

So glad you're still "here".

Love the hippo and story, love it!

[laurie]

oh no! isn't this the second time that you've had problems with image stealers?

i'll miss seeing all of those great posts but i completely understand and support you!

xo laurei