Shop update

There are two new dresses in the shop!!!  The yellow dress is a 24mths/ 2T  and the blue dress will fit 3T-4T.  Ava wears a 5T and the dress fits her perfectly (maybe just a little short) and also looks great as a tunic with shorts.  My models were a JOY to work with!!!!

May 2-4

Running through sprinklers and using garden waste bags for sleeping bags...it was a fun LONG weekend for sure.

I heart sun hats

Okay I am totally addicted to making sun hats for the kids.  They are quick, easy and the kids always look oh so cute in them.  The first one I made was for Anthony and I used this McCall's pattern that I bought from the thrift store (a real score because it had all the pattern pieces).  

The hat is made out of some old linen curtains and I hand embroidered locally grown across the front.  It fits him perfectly and he keeps it on which is super important.... I really don't like darting here and there trying to catch hats that are being flung off of heads.  Next time I think I would line the brim in a contrasting fabric and maybe use a medium weight interfacing  instead of HEAVY which has resulted in a cardboard-like brim.

My next sun hat adventure was started at 10pm last night after trying to pack for a day at Marineland (more on that another day) and realizing that my dear sweet Ava only had her precious T-ball hat to protect her head (and that hat is NOT cute) so in my insanity I made her the most adorable hat.  I bought the e-book pattern from here and got started right away.  I love this hat and the pattern was so easy to follow with great step by step pictures.  I caused the only problem.... I made it a little small (I should have read the sizing chart a little more closely).  I also didn't line the hat as it called for because I used the serger on all the seams.  Ava does not like her head to be hot so I thought the less fabric the better.  I will be starting a new hat with the same pattern but in a bigger size as soon as I finish this post.  I have big plans for my kids heads.....I'm just hoping that one day they will actually let me take a picture of them with the hats on.

Firsts

Over the last couple of weeks we have had many firsts around here.... Lord A's first steps, our first asparagus and strawberries of the season and  our first 2010 trip to the zoo but none of these firsts (well maybe the steps) were quite as exciting as Lady A's first T-ball game.
I tend towards the solitary sports myself....knitting, sewing and cooking..... so I wasn't much help, but the Mister has been waiting for this day and was prepared like no other.  He became a co- coach by default and it was a joy to watch him and Lady A in their element.
It took 2 hours to play 2 innings but I think a grand time was had by all.

Here are some highlights

First ever at-bat.....she hit the ball well and then

                                         she chased the ball and tried to grab it herself

                        once she got the hang of it she really whipped around those bases

to be welcomed by her father/coach at home plate............ the excitement and pride on her face is priceless.

I am so looking forward to many more t-ball firsts

{this moment}

inspired by soulemama

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

Three gifts

I was given THREE  gifts for mother's day this year.  One that I loved, one that I am excited/scared of and one that I did not appreciate at all.

1.  The mister and lady A went to a daddy and me group and made me a concrete stepping stone for the garden which I can't say enough about.  THe creativity and thoughtfulness that went into this gift really touched me.  I LOVED IT

2. The mister bought me a Janome 1110dx serger which I am so scared of.  Of course I am excited to get using it but let me tell you the set up of the machine is overwhelming.  I will have to take the free courses offered through the store that he bought it.

3.  THe FLU....kids have been sick the last few days and today it hit me.  I spent the day in bed writhing in pain.  At first I was thinking from a positive place......like I will have a lot of time to myself.... but I was in too much discomfort to enjoy any alone time that I had.

Overall I had a great mother's day as I got to hear the kids downstairs playing with their Dad and enjoying time with him.  I could not ask for a better family to be a mother to.........I am truly lucky.

Happy Mother's Day

July 19th 2006 I became a mother.  I was given a gift (my daughter.... and later a son) that takes my breath away at every turn.  Something changed in me that day and until recently I had a very hard time putting my finger on what it was... of course I knew the obvious.... I was more responsible and softer hearted but it was something deeper than that.  One day while reading one of my favourite blogs The Blankie Chronicles I came across this post that put into words exactly what I was feeling.  It discussed the idea that as mothers we have a "desire to protect and care for not just our babies, but all children" and that we have a" protective roar that can turn the world upside down".

       This was the change that I had felt...it was the overwhelming feeling that I wanted to protect all children....the ones I saw without proper winter clothing, those that were getting publicly screamed at by their parents, those that were too young to be playing out on the street late at night and the list goes on and on.      

       This mother's day brings much appreciation for my two wonderful children and the joy and excitement that  they bring to my life everyday.  This mother's day I am also thankful for the awareness of this feeling  that I am part of larger whole.... a force of MOTHERS....who can collectively change the world with their "roar".  I am going to work hard to harness this "roar" in my community to make a change...a change that will hopefully make a difference in the lives of the children who really need it.  

Thank you Kate for the inspiration and Happy Mother's Day to you and all the other mothers out there!!

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

yay

yay....my first ever etsy sale and guess what...... it was not from a family member or friend.  I am above and beyond excited.  I am so motivated to get this little business going.  HEre is a picture of the tote bag that I sold.

I also made a hand embroidered thank you card which I totally fell in love with.

I am going to learn how to use photoshop and make some wonderful postcards from this card.  Oh the possibilities are endless.