Baby Sprinkle Part Dos

Here are the other pictures I was telling you about, ohhhh a week or so ago. I just got home from a wonderful vacation in Kansas! My mom and I had a girls trip and got to visit with a lot of family. Faith and Lily didn't tag along, but I do hope they can next time. We drove, and even with stopping and staying in a hotel there is NO way my little girls could have made a trip like that. I had a hard time sitting still myself (my mom would say that is an understatement). I'm so proud of Zach. He and the girls had a wonderful week without me here! They went to the museum and the zoo, and they really spent some great quality time together. I can't believe that when I got home the house wasn't in complete shambles either! I'm a lucky woman.

So anyway, here are some more pictures. My friend Andrea actually took them, and they are indoor...but at least I have them! Enjoy =)

This is the Mommy to Be wearing her corsage I made her. I also made a little wrist one for Kailee (their four year old)

 This is the shirt I made for Kailee. The font is Itty Bitty from 8 Claw and a Paw.

I made this bib and matching onesie with the last of my most FAVORITE fabric! The Flower font is from Lynnie Pinnie and then I used the Itty Bitty again. I don't ever use a pattern for bibs (maybe I should?), but I just can't see spending money on something so simple!

I really love little ruffle bottomed things =)

Then I did a little burp cloth set. The Zebra Font is from Lynnie Pinnie and the Curlz font is from 8 Claw and a Paw.

Then I did this little black onesie. I got it at Hobby Lobby (black onesies are incredibly hard to find if you didn't know), and the size is pretty weird. It's very short and wide, but I really wanted to do a black one so I got it anyway. The heart font is from Lynnie Pinnie. This was my first time to make one of these onesies with the bow on it, but I think it came out adorable!

The last onesie I did is my favorite! I used the Shabby Crown file from Embroitique. If you follow my blog at all, you know that I had a really difficult time the first time I used this file. I almost always use knit on the ruffles and cut the strips half the size it says to, and when I do that it is SO much easier. Then I just added a little knit ruffle skirt.

Here are the bows and flower clips I made for Camryn that decorated the diaper cake.

I made two hand towels for prizes for our games, but only have a picture of this one. I love this new cake applique! I used an owl for the other one and it was SO cute, but of course, no picture. My cousin Nicole makes owl towels a lot, and they really are the best addition to a kitchen or bathroom!

I think that is all! On a different note, does anyone know anything about gardening at all? All of our plants appear to be doing great. In fact, we have a TON of little bell peppers, jalapenos, tomatoes, and blueberries. However, out zucchini and squash plants have been flowering for a good three weeks now...and still NO vegetables. Is this normal? Everyone have a lovely day!

Baby Sprinkle Part Uno

I've been gone for a while again...please forgive me. I've been preparing for a very special event that we had this past Sunday. I've actually gotten a lot of sewing done lately *smile*, but have gotten very little picture taking done *sigh*. One of my very best friends is having her second little baby girl. Have you heard of the term baby "Sprinkle"? It's like a shower, but lighter. For someone having a baby to get some sweet new things, but not an actual shower (as they have most of the big items). I was SO busy making things this entire week and was also HORRIBLE about taking pictures. It makes me want to cry, because I made some of the cutest things EVER. I'll go over there this week and take pictures of all of the things I missed, though. For now, this will tide you all over. I figured I'm a week and a day away from my last post, and shouldn't wait any longer.

Here is the decoration I made for the door. I had something completely different pictured in my head (don't we always), but am so pleased with the way this came out.

For favors we made put cinnamon rolls in little bags with a tag attached that said, "Thank you- From Andrea and her little bun in the oven". They came out precious. I made little brooches to pin on for an added touch.

Then of course I made one of my most favorite banners. You can find the file here. This is my favorite one that I've done so far, the colors really pop! Sometimes it is hard to get a thread color that will really show up on the fabric, but these all came out great, yay!

Then I made three little onesies. The first one has the Shabby Princess Crown applique file found at the link above (Embroitique). The second is the L:ynnie Pinnie Hearts Font, which is another favorite. The last one has some adorable little ruffles on the butt (that you cannot see), and uses the Itty Bitty font from 8 Claw and a Paw.

This little hand towel was a birthday/thank you gifts for a woman that always makes me the most amazing/delicious cakes for little things like this.

 Here is the cake, it tasted even better than it looked!

My friend Rachelle put together this diaper cake, and I made her a bunch of little bows and flowers to accent it.

Here is a cute little fruit basket that my friend Becca and I made.

I will try to have pictures in the next couple of days of all the other neat little things I made including/but not limited too corsages, burp cloths, bibs, bows, hand towels for prizes, and a big sister shirt.

You will never believe how amazing our garden is looking. Everything is HUGE! You would think I was crazy if you knew how often I walked outside to look at it and check the progress....really, you would. We have buds, flowers, and baby fruit/vegetables on every single plant! Here is a preview, and tomorrow I will post some up close pictures!

You can see a picture of what it looked like a few weeks ago here. Good night everybody!

Happy Mother's Day to All!

Let me begin with a few pictures from the Mother's Day Tea at Faith's school this week. I had done a post with a picture of the precious little invitation here. She was so polite and sweet when I came up to the school I could have cried. It was a wonderful little bit of time that we got to spend together!

This was my plate that was waiting for me after Faith came out and got me to escort me to my seat.

Here she is singing a special song about all of the sweet things that mommies do.

Now before I go on to pictures from our Mother's Day Brunch that we had today, I'd like to share one of the sweetest pictures I have ever taken of my little loves. I try to wake up early in the morning so I have some quiet time to drink my coffee, do some yoga, and just enjoy the peacefulness. I find that if I do this, my days start SO much more cheerfully than if not. However, it just doesn't happen every day. Many times I am honestly too tired to drag myself out of bed and miss that last hour of sleep. When I don't wake up first, Faith comes into our room to awake me around seven. Her "Good morning" changes with the day. Sometimes she is sweet and loving, and she hugs me while softly saying, "Good morning, Mommy." Other days, she wakes up bursting with energy and I am awaken with yelling and jumping on the bed. The one thing about the morning that is fairly constant is Lily laying right next to me. She still sleeps with us *sigh*, and Faith wakes her up every morning as well. The other morning I woke up and noticed that Lily wasn't in our bed. Zach was in his usual spot, and the house was still quiet, but no Lily. I immediately got up, thinking to myself, "The kitchen is probably destroyed...I hope they haven't broken anything...". When I walked into the kitchen (which was totally in tact) I heard a little voice saying, "You see Lily, that's why we only feed the fish so much and no more." When I walked into Faith's room they were lying together in bed, cuddled up reading a book. These two girls hardly EVER cuddle anymore. When they are that close to each other it is usually to pull hair, pinch, or bite. That was one of the very BEST mornings I have had in a very long time. The moments like that are truly what make being a mom the greatest gift.

I made a few little things to accent our dining room and make our Mother's Day Brunch a little more festive this year. We hosted the brunch, for several different reasons. The main one is that going to a meal in public has become more of a hassle than anything...I will spare you the details (even though I'm sure several of you know).  I think I'll actually keep the decorations out for a while, they all came out perfect!
Here is a little bouquet of fabric roses that I made to use as a centerpiece.

Then I made a couple of new hand towels for my kitchen.

I made this table runner.

I also made this little banner inspired by one that I saw on Tatertots and Jello

Now for the good stuff, the food. I made a spinach quiche (my husband's favorite), an enormous fruit salad with every berry imaginable *in my first watermelon basket ever*, whole wheat banana and chocolate chip waffles, cranberry orange scones (these are actually them, not much work, but DELICIOUS), apple cider sausage from Samster Mommy's recipe, chocolate covered strawberries *made by Faith*, and ordered a delicious red velvet cake.

I've been wanting to make one of these watermelon baskets for the longest, and it wasn't quite as hard as I thought it would be...definitely messy, though.

The cake was to die for.

Happy Mothers Day! Everyone enjoy it.

Fickle

I will be no more...I bet you don't believe me. I finally found a look for this blog that I think is truly ME. I've been fond of the ones I've switched between thus far, but I haven't just LOVED any of them. This look is perfect...and is here to stay, for at least a few months *wink*! I've been coming to the close of my taking order period, at least for now. I have about three fairly large custom orders to finish up before June. After that, I am going to sew for my sweet girls and for fun. I'm sure I will do the occasional outfit for a friend or a gift for a family. Sewing and embroidering as a business very quickly became much too overwhelming for me as a mother and wife. I, like many of the other women whose blogs I read, had a very difficult time finding balance. To quote Jessica from Joyfolie, "I want to be a good mother to my children and have a business. Some days that seems like an impossibility." I don't think I could say it better myself. For me, as of right now, it is an impossibility. I am a beginner, and have been learning non stop since starting to sew in October. I enjoy creating, and do not want to lose sight of that. There have been many times lately where sewing has been a chore, and that is not my desire. I still look forward to sharing my projects, and letting out my thoughts/frustrations/praises in this blog. I've taken to blogging almost as much as sewing. There are some absolutely amazing women I have come across because of this blog. The blogging world gives you a look into a world of talent you might never see without it. For that, I am thankful. It is 11:00pm now, and I am trying for more sleep aka less grumpiness, so good night all. See you later this week with all of the lovely things I am creating to decorate our Mother's Day Brunch with! Oh the anticipation...

Whew, What a Weekend!

Well lets see, what word could I use to best describe this past weekend...I guess I'd have to say eventful. Before I start to whine, there were definitely a couple of really fun things that we did this weekend! Saturday morning we had Faith's soccer game (which has got to be one of the most humorous things to watch, have you ever seen 4 year olds play soccer?), but we were extra motivated and went to the gym and worked out first! Woohoo, for me! I have a lovely friend that accompanies me, usually five days a week to the gym. I love it, we mix it up and do Spin, Yoga, and all sorts of cardio. I have to be honest and say that even if I'm really not in the mood to sweat...the kids club and having a tiny break can convince me almost every time. So back to my story, we finished our work out and got to soccer (on time, I might add). Faith had a lovely game, and almost got a goal a couple of times! She is enjoying soccer, but is at times a bit too aggressive. They always have fun, and the game has ended happily every time so far. Then we go out to the car to leave and go to lunch and what do I find? Well, the same thing that several other moms find as well...as shattered passenger window and missing purse. *Yes I am completely aware that it is an EXTREMELY bad idea to leave your purse in the car*. I actually don't usually (even thought the games are at church). I had my hands full by myself with the girls though, and after the stroller, two chairs, diaper bag, Faith's water, and Lily...I just shoved it under the seat. I really am just sick...my purse was brand new. My wallet in the purse was a Coach wallet from almost two years ago that I have taken GREAT care of...and now they are both no more. Oh well, live and learn I guess. So needless to say, we missed my niece's birthday party. Here is the outfit I made her!

Not a great picture, I know. Hopefully I can replace it when my SIL sends me one of her wearing it, and her bow. The file is from Embroitique. I left off the one candle because I didn't want it to come across as a first birthday (she's three). 

After all of the commotion we came home and laid around for the rest of the day. Movies, naps, etc. Then along came Sunday...we sadly missed church to do my missing window. I would have hated to have my actual car stolen next. I know, I know, you are probably thinking, "Well I'm sure church is okay." Let's not forget, that is where this happened! So instead, we made a lovely little brunch/lunch and spent some girl time together.

We went to a good friends and spent the beautiful afternoon picking blackberries galore. The had a wonderful time! Here are a few pictures from our afternoon. Note-I'm leaving out the 15-20 that Faith took of Bethany and I bent over doing all of the work...silly child.

We ended up filling that ENTIRE bucket...we as in Bethany and I. Faith and Lily acted as professional golf cart riders. Lily actually did pick a few, but they were mostly green and red...glad she didn't get a stomach ache. Then we came home, ate dinner, and made a cobbler! I used this recipe- (so easy)

EASY BLACKBERRY COBBLER

3 c. blackberries
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. flour
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
1/4 lb. butter

Melt butter in 8 x 8 pan. Mix blackberries and 3/4 cup sugar. Mix flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and milk. Pour mixture into melted butter; spread evenly. Pour berry mixture on top. Cake should cover the berries and be golden brown when done.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 1 hour. Serve warm with milk on top or ice cream.

***I did make 2 changes- used whole wheat flour, and cut the sugar in the fruit in half. Was DELICIOUS. I let Faith eat it for breakfast :/ It's okay to splurge sometimes right?

One last thing. Jessica, owner of formerly Mia Joie that is now Joyfolie has launched her new name (isn't it lovely) and some absolutely ADORABLE new items. She is doing a give away right now, I am crossing my fingers that I win. I have never won any of these before...I've actually only entered probably two or so. Who wouldn't want to win a pair of these?

I'm really testing my luck and entering Dear Lillie's give away as well...wish me luck. I really really REALLY want this dress!

We shall see...now I have to go clean. Everybody have a wonderful day!