Two Little Bluebirds

Gratitude

2012-01-09T09:37:00.009-05:00

Today I am grateful. That's not to say that I'm not grateful other days, because I do make an effort every day to count my blessings. But, today I am especially grateful. This weekend we got a call from my daughter's teacher. Unfortunately, it was news we had been expecting. One of my daughter's friends lost her mother to breast cancer this weekend. It was a long battle. We knew that the end was near and we tried to prepare our daughter a few weeks ago by delivering the news that her friend would soon need extra love and support.

I admit I took the news harder than I expected. Frankly, I had never met the mother and I have not yet had the opportunity to meet her daughter either. But that didn't stop me from connecting with the sadness that her family must be feeling right now. And I couldn't help feeling the loss that the mother must have felt when she realized that she wasn't going to see her young children grow up.

So, today I feel great gratitude that I have been blessed with another day. It's another day to see my girls smile and to feel their arms wrapped around me. Life as a parent isn't always easy. It's filled with tough decisions, exhaustion, and moments of pure frustration. It involves days when we have to break up fights between siblings, clean up never ending messes, and wash enormous piles of laundry. For many it means coming home from a job to face many more hours of work at home. It means nagging kids to get their homework done and to say "please" and "thank you". It's a job with no pay raises or monetary bonuses. We have to do it every day, 24 hours a day, even if we don't want to! And we never know if we are "doing it right".

But today I am grateful for all of it because without the hard stuff I wouldn't have the really good stuff. I embrace the things that my kids do that seem to drive me crazy. I am grateful to be driven crazy by such amazing girls! I look forward to the dirty dishes, the spots on the kitchen floor 10 minutes after mopping, and the toys spread all throughout the house...that I keep tripping over. My home is full of energy and life, and I'm blessed to be able to see it, hear it, and feel it all.

I don't normally set resolutions for the new year, but this year I made an exception. I have vowed to take better care of myself. It's easy to put our families before ourselves, but if I don't take care of myself too I'll miss out on so much and so will they. So, I'm working to add regular exercise into my week and trying to eat healthier. I'm going to make every effort to enjoy being a mother even on the toughest days. I'm going to try to let go of what isn't truly important and I'm going to do my best to be a better parent every day even if I don't always succeed. I want to be here to see it all for as long as I can. Today I am grateful for being here....

It's as simple as that.

Wow, What a Day!!

2011-08-18T16:41:00.003-04:00

Wow, what a day it has been! I had the very great honor of having one of my crowns featured on the Front Page of Etsy!! Every Etsy seller dreams of hitting the front page. It's such a rewarding honor to be noticed even if just for a moment. I want to thank Susan of Life in The Sass Lane for curating the fun treasury that got me there! Here's a peek. :)

And then, as if I wasn't already having a wonderful day in Etsy land, I reached 300 sales in my shop today! Talk about the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae! It's hard to believe that in just over 2 years I have made over 300 crowns! That's 300 children around the world that are enjoying (hopefully) something that I made with my own two hands. That really is a humbling thought, and a true honor. I love what I do and I love my customers. I get a chance to spread cheer to some of the very best people around~kids!

I want to thank each and every one of my customers and all of my followers and supporters. I appreciate you more than you can know! So, thank you for today's treat! And thank you to my little bluebirds for your inspiration and support. You are the true highlight of very day! :)

2011-06-30T00:31:00.001-04:00

Who has the best Etsy Team in the land? EtsyKids Team! Please show your love and support for EtsyKids Team and vote for our team on Handmadeology's Handmade Top 10 as many times as you wish over the next 6 days!

EtsyKids Team members can add 2 listings from your shop and have all your friends, family and fans vote for YOU! Find out how to participate in this discussion on Ning: Handmade Top 10 Etsy Team Challenge

Taking Some Time Off to Enjoy My Two Little Bluebirds

2011-06-03T15:44:00.006-04:00

I will be taking some time off to enjoy my sweet little ones. Please note that I will be unable to accept custom orders from June 4th - June 20th. I will have limited access to the internet during this time so feel free to message me with questions or future custom requests, but please know that I will be unable to reply until June 20th. I'll be back with lots and lots of new crowns and other fun stuff after my break (I promise)! Thanks so much for your patience and understanding. Have a great start to your summer everyone! :)

The Invisible Mother

2011-05-07T19:56:00.005-04:00

“It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone, start talking to me, asking for some such thing. Inside I’m thinking, “Can’t you see I’m on the phone?”

Obviously not; No one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, doing the endless piles of laundry, or even standing on my head… Because no one can see me at all. I’m invisible. The invisible Mom! Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?? Can you write this? Sign this? Find this?

Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being. I’m a clock to ask, “What time is it?” I’m a TV guide to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?” I’m a car to order, “Right around 5:30, please.”

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books… The eyes that studied history… The mind that graduated Magna Cum Laude from college. But now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again??

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel sand where she went. I was sitting there, looking around at the women present, all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I brought you this.” It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription: “To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”

In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it?”
The workman replied, “Because God sees.”

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you! I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no button you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.”

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who shows up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from school for dinner, “My Mom gets up at 5 in the morning and does laundry, gets us breakfast, bakes, cleans and is on the go all day long, doing stuff for us.” That would mean I’d built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home and feel comfortable and happy enough to invite his friends.

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.” --Author Unknown

Happy Mother's Day to all of the women out there building their great cathedrals!

Yay! I'm a Guest Blogger!

2011-03-25T13:13:00.007-04:00

So in between making dinner, doing laundry, picking up toys for the umpteenth time, and making crowns of course, I've been given the opportunity to do a guest series on another blog. I'm a member of EtsyKids Team and I curate on the EtsyKids Treasury Team. Product photography has always been something I've struggled with. Anyone who sells online can relate to my hair pulling battles with backgrounds, lighting, camera settings, and photo editing. In an effort to help all of my fellow busy EtsyKids teammates, I'm writing a Photo Makeovers Series over on the EtsyKids Treasury Team Blog. Looking to increase your online sales? Come check out my easy to implement photography tips in my first two posts on Choosing Backgrounds and Lighting. You might just find a useful tidbit or two! There's more to come in the series too so be sure to check back at the end of every month! :)

The February That Flew Right By!

2011-02-24T21:49:00.026-05:00

February may be a short month, but I sure did manage to pack a lot in! It's been a month of custom orders and special requests one right after the other. In fact I never had time to make anything else for my shop! So, I thought I would give you a visual tour of the February that flew right by!

Phew, no wonder I'm tired! I hope you all had a wonderful month. I wonder what's in store for March......

It's Been a Wonderful Year! Now It's Time for a Break...Well, Sort of!

2010-12-30T22:34:00.007-05:00

The year 2010 is quickly coming to a close. What a wonderful year it has been for me, my family, and my Etsy shop! I reached several milestones this year including my first Etsy anniversary and just recently I reached 200 sales! October through the early part of December were super busy times for my Etsy shop and I am truly grateful to all of my customers for their support this past year! My customers inspire and motivate me every day. Thank you!

I've also made some fantastic new friends along the way and I've been overwhelmed by the positive encouragement and support that I have received from followers of my blog and facebook fan page. It is this encouragement that keeps me moving forward especially on the days when I need that little extra boost of confidence.

So, as this amazing year closes, I look forward to the new year. I believe that 2011 will bring with it another fun and exciting chapter for Two Little Bluebirds. I cannot wait to see what unfolds! And don't worry I have lots of new ideas up my sleeve!

In the meantime, I'm going to take a little break....well, sort of. I'm enjoying some much needed time off from sewing. It's given me a chance to spend some extra quality time with my family and it has given me time to brainstorm new ideas. So, for the month of January and maybe even February, I won't be listing much of anything in my Etsy shop. I will use this time to bring my new ideas to life and to build up inventory.

If you should need anything at all do not hesitate to contact me. I will still be taking custom orders and requests. So, don't be shy!

And here's wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Fairy Wonderland

2010-11-03T00:27:00.018-04:00

I've been a busy little bee creating a brand new crown for the shop. This flower garland style crown was inspired by the little fairies who frequently prance through my living room on grand adventures turning pirates into toads!

Each crown has seven individually hand crafted felt flowers encircling it. The Ariella Crown has alternating hot pink and aqua flowers.

For the fairies who absolutely love pink, I created the Rosetta Fairy Crown.

For fairies who love to frolic through fields of violets, I created the Alina Fairy Crown in fuchsia and lavender.

And for the fairies who love the glow of the summer sun, I created the Orange Blossom Fairy Crown.

Each crown has an adjustable elastic back and coordinating satin ribbons that add movement and whimsy to these magical crowns. I'm so in love with this design!

Now, excuse me while I return to fairyland. You can't leave little fairies in training alone with the pixie dust for too very long. Who knows what might happen! ;)

The Kissing Hand

2010-09-01T23:32:00.010-04:00

Summer is slowly ending and although you wouldn't know it by the 90 degree heat that is lingering, there are telltale signs that summer is coming to a close. The pools and parks are nearly empty and the school busses have returned to the neighborhood. Any other year, my daughters and I would watch the kids head out to school or see them standing at the bus stop, but this year is different. This year my oldest daughter started kindergarten. It's been a bittersweet week....mostly for me. My daughter is doing great with the transition. On the second day of class as I was dropping her off outside of her classroom she briefly turned around and said "Bye Mom". I had to coax her into giving me a goodbye hug before she disappeared into the classroom. By the second day, I dropped her off outside of the school building and watched my little girl walk in all on her own....so little, yet so big.

I'll admit that having her at school has afforded me some added quiet at home, but I still have a 2 year-old to keep me company on errands and while doing life's daily activities. Little sister loves to help mom out and I think that she has enjoyed having all of the toys to herself! But, today I looked at my youngest daughter and for a second I was taken back three years to the time when my oldest was two and followed me all around the house. And, in that moment I thought about how quickly time goes. That in a blink of an eye, my daughter has turned from a baby that never wanted to leave my side into a 5 year-old that is embracing her new adventures out into the world. I admit it's a bit hard letting go. So, there you have the bitter part, but the sweet part is how proud I am of her and all of the progress that she has made. She's an amazing kid with an phenomenal spirit and I am honored to be her mom.

Today she came home with a picture that she had colored of a little hand with a pink heart in the middle of it. On the sheet it said "Ask me to tell you about The Kissing Hand". When I asked my daughter about this a smile grew across her face and she began to tell the story of a little raccoon who was beginning school. His mother kissed his hand before he left and the little raccoon could feel the kiss travel up his arm to his heart. All day long the little raccoon could feel his mother's love just by touching his hand to his face. Hearing my sweet little daughter tell this story brought tears to my eyes. I kissed her hand, gave her a hug and off she went to play.

It's not easy letting go, but I know that she feels my love all day long and there is no doubt that I feel hers. So, I kiss my baby's hand, give her her backpack and lunch box, and send her out into the world. I know she'll be alright....as for me I'm still keeping the tissues handy!

Here's hoping you feel the love of someone special in your life all day long!

New and Improved Pirate Set!

2010-08-03T09:35:00.006-04:00

I've finally had a chance to update an old favorite in my shop. For several months now I have been working to add a treasure map to my Pirate Hat and Playset. Well, I'm happy to say that it's finally finished and is now a part of this fun set for little pirates. Arrrrh!

So now the set comes with a felt pirate hat, an eye patch, a red felt treasure bag, five gold coins, AND a treasure map!

In order to find the treasure your little one will have to wind through palm trees, green hills, an alligator pit (Yikes!), and steep mountains! But that's no problem because little pirates are BRAVE!

One of my favorite features of the map is that it's designed to be rolled up. I added a red ribbon to secure it while your little pirate travels to far off lands in search of treasure!

I want to thank Amy with Amy Jos Creations for giving me the inspiration and motivation to create this treasure map. I also need to thank my wonderful husband and daughter who designed the graphics on the map! Without my 5 year-old there would be no alligator pit! Boy are kids creative! ;)

Frolicking with Fairies

2010-07-09T15:36:00.001-04:00

For the past two weeks I have been frolicking with fairies....and cupcakes and flowers. These fun crowns were created for two special little girls.

Every custom order presents me with new and exciting challenges. These crowns were no exception! Sometimes the fairies refused to cooperate and were a bit fussy about how they wanted to be created. I can't tell you how many times I had to re-cut their arms and heads to get them just right. Picky fairies! :)

But in the end, the greatest challenge with this crown was in its final construction. Each piece had to be attached to the crown in just the right order so that the crown came together with a clean and professional look. I don't know if I've ever held my breath so much while making a crown! But in the end it all came together beautifully. Careful planning definitely payed off!

No fairy is complete without a magic wand. I decided that these fairies needed sparkly wands! They are all set to grant lots of wishes!

In order for the girls to be able to tell their crowns apart, I added their first initials to the inside of the crowns.

Two adorable crowns ready for fun and mischievous play! It's going to be hard to see these cuties go, but I know they are headed to a good home! Enjoy little ones....enjoy!

Handmade Pick--Little Lion Designs

2010-07-09T00:23:00.001-04:00

It has been awhile since I last featured another crafter/artist, and this time I've chosen a very special shop not just for the beauty of the art, but also for the beauty of the story behind the art. Stephanie with Little Lion Designs creates the most amazing repurposed fabric and textile art. When I first came across her shop she won me over with the fact that she's concerned about the carbon footprint she is leaving on the Earth. She uses scraps of fabric from thrift stores and quilters, makes her own starch, and uses child safe glue. When I hear that someone is trying to keep things out of the landfill and use environmentally friendly products in their art/craft I do a little happy dance! Then I took a look at her shop. I was blown away! See for yourself.

But just looking at her art wasn't enough for me. I had to read her profile too. This is where the story behind her art moved me so deeply that I knew I had to feature her work here. You see, Stephanie lost her infant daughter, just 34 days old, to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. As a parent, there is nothing more heartbreaking than reading about the loss of a child. Oftentimes I can't bring myself to read these types of stories because they are so deeply saddening, but this one time I couldn't stop myself from reading on. That's when I came across this very special blog post by Stephanie. It is a tribute to her daughter, Kaia on the one year anniversary of her death--her first angelversary as Stephanie called it. It is truly the most beautiful and touching thing I have read in a very long time.

Stephanie's story is one of a mother who loved and lost and then never stopped loving. And as we all know as mothers, our love for our children is boundless. It was through the death of her daughter that Stephanie was inspired to create again. And her work speaks volumes about the beautiful inspirational spirit behind it. I couldn't make it through Stephanie's tribute without tears streaming down my face and I couldn't keep my eyes dry for hours afterwards. And although I felt deep sadness for Stephanie's loss, I also felt a sense of peace and admiration for the human spirit. Even in the face of tremendous loss peace, beauty, and love can still grow.

I hope that you will take the time to visit Stephanie's Etsy shop and facebook fan page. She is an amazing artist and a true inspiration! Thank you Stephanie for sharing your story.

A Memorable Year

2010-07-02T02:33:00.001-04:00

(The very first crown I sold on Etsy)

So, my official first Etsy Anniversary has come and gone. This past year has been amazing, fun, and exhausting all rolled up into one. If you had asked me 15 years ago what I would be doing today, I most certainly would have never guessed that I would be making felt crowns! But, I'm here and I'm so very grateful for it. Really crafting has been a part of my life since I was a small girl. I remember sitting down with a big box of craft supplies and fabric scraps and just creating whatever my heart told me to create. Later, I became fascinated with embroidery, and in high school I focused on drawing and painting. I took a long break from doing anything crafty through college and during my early career as a Physical Therapist and later a stay-at-home mom. It was such a long break that I nearly forgot how good it feels to be creative. So, when I really think about it the journey to this day has been in the works all along. I know that not everybody believes in fate or destiny, but I can't help feeling that all along I was meant to be right where I am.

Taking pieces of felt and bits of thread and turning them into something beautiful and fun brings me joy and inner peace. There is no greater feeling than creating with my hands and then stepping back to look at a finished crown....always in amazement. It's a moment when a smile spreads across my face and I let out a little sigh. I think to myself, "I created that and it will soon bring joy to someone else". "How cool is that!" And it's not just anyone it's bringing joy to....it's bringing joy to the most amazing creatures on Earth--kids.

So why do I stay up until the wee hours of the morning? Why to I push myself to create the very best product I can? It's because I love what I do, I have the very best customers on Earth, and all along I have been destined to be right where I am.

It's been an incredible year. I've learned more than I ever thought possible, I've made more friends than I ever imagined, and I've grown my love for all things handmade twofold (maybe threefold!). I have to thank my husband and daughters for their amazing support and encouragement. They are my source of inspiration....along with my color and design consultants! Thank you also to all of my fans, friends, and supporters. You keep me going and spur me to continue creating.

Here's to a great first year! I hope to bring you many more fantastic crowns and products for kids during my next year on Etsy!

Etsyversary Celebration!

2010-06-21T11:20:00.000-04:00

(My daughter wearing my very first crown!)

This month, I celebrate my first Etsy anniversary! It's been an amazing year and I want to celebrate with all of my fans and supporters. So, I'll be hosting a fantastic giveaway! Here's what you can win.

1 person will win a $5 gift code to my Etsy shop.

1 person will win a set of 4 felt cookies (you choose between chocolate chunk or rainbow sprinkles)

And for the grand prize....one lucky person will win a Purple Bloom Felt Flower Crown just like this one!

I can't think of a better way to celebrate then by giving away a crown based on my very first design!

Want to know how to win? Here are the rules.

You will receive 1 entry just for commenting below and telling me which of my crowns is your favorite. Please leave your name and email address so that I can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Want to earn extra entries? Here's how!

1 entry for becoming a

facebook

fan/liker

1 entry for becoming a follower of this blog

1 entry for every tweet with a link to this blog giveaway (limit 1 per day please)

1 entry for posting a link to this giveaway on your blog or facebook page.

1 entry for every friend that you refer who becomes a fan of my

facebook

page.

1 more entry if your referral makes a purchase from my Etsy shop.

Please leave 1 comment for each entry. If you were referred by a friend please let me know who referred you. Be sure to post links to your facebook page posts, blog posts, and tweets with each corresponding entry. The giveaway begins today and ends on July 4th. I will draw the winners on July 5th.

Thanks so much for entering and good luck!!

When it Rains it Pours!

2010-06-06T16:41:00.000-04:00

Well, I had a miserable morning, but the sun is coming out and things are looking up. We had a major rain storm last night that knocked out our power...which means our sump pump couldn't get rid of the water from our basement. Needless to say our basement flooded. Everything on the floor was soaked including all of the things that I had intended to use to entertain my kids on a 14 hour car ride at the end of the week. Weeks of planning and organizing went into the trash this morning. I always like to surprise my kids with new activity books, coloring books, toys and games on these long car rides. It was nauseating to throw away brand new stuff...in fact it led to a complete emotional unraveling for me. I can only imagine how people feel who have lost everything...all of there most special possessions and memories. Or worse yet a loved one during a disaster.

Really everything can be replaced. I won't be able to surprise my girls like I had hoped, but it could have been so much worse. I have learned some valuable lessons and I won't repeat those mistakes again. The wonderful Evi with Aedan Seppe sounded the alarm bells today and several of you have been so kind in offering to help in any way that you can. I am truly humbled by this out-pouring and grateful that so many of you care so much. It comes as no surprise though because I have seen so many acts of kindness from my fellow link love crafter and artists. You are an amazing group and I am truly grateful. I lost a lot of stuff today, but I gained so much more...thank you friends...you are the rainbow after the storm.

An Etsy Anniversary Just Around the Corner!

2010-06-03T23:21:00.001-04:00

As I begin preparation for our much anticipated family vacation, I've realized that another special occasion is quickly approaching. I will soon be celebrating my one year Etsy Anniversary!! I cannot believe how quickly time has passed since I created my very first crown and decided to take the plunge into the world of online selling. You can see my daughter modeling my very first crown in the picture above.

I've seen my work evolve right before my very eyes and I've accomplished things with felt that I never thought were possible! I am grateful to all of my faithful fans and followers and I'd like to host a birthday celebration when I return from vacation.

I'll use my time off to think up some fun ways to celebrate including a giveaway or two. What I'd love to know from all of you is how you'd like to see me celebrate this special occasion. Post your suggestions below or on my facebook fan page. Lets whoop it up and have a great time! I think first birthdays are the best so help me make my first Etsy Anniversary a blast!

Passing Along a Little Sunshine!

2010-06-02T23:16:00.000-04:00

I am so flattered and grateful to say that this blog was nominated for the Sunshine Award by two lovely ladies with fantastic blogs. Thank you to both Goody Goody Tutus and Anticipation Cards for this honor! Unfortunately it has taken me awhile to pass this award onto others, but I have finally found a free moment to honor other great blogs.

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world.

So here are the rules for the Sunshine Award:

1. Place the logo within your blog or post

2. Pass the award on to 12 other bloggers

3. Link the nominees within the post

4. Let the nominees know they have won by commenting on their blog

5. Share the love by linking back to the person from whom you received the award

And the nominees are......

1. Aedan Seppe

2. Forever You

3. Mo and Ozzy Creative Crochet Hats

4. Squishy Products

5. Kreations for Kids

6. Gia's Bowtique

7. Smelly Rhino Studio

8. Whimsy Pics

9. Bethie Boos Tutus

10. Apple Tree House

11. Temporary Insanity

12. Sally Lee by the Sea

Be sure to check out all of these great blogs!

Handmade Pick--WhimsyPics

2010-05-11T10:21:00.000-04:00

This weeks Handmade Pick is by WhimsyPics. Melissa makes unique scrapbook albums, paper crafts, cards, gift cards, ACEO's and even altered art! Everything that she creates is delightful and beautiful! I couldn't find anything in her shop that I didn't like. It's all wonderful! The ACEO pictured above is so sweet! It makes me long for summer!

Here are some examples of her cards. Look how gorgeous this swirling gold tree is!

I love these sweet and whimsical gift tags. Perfect for Easter or dressing up any package.

Here are some more examples of the beautiful cards Melissa creates. I love the three dimensional qualities and the fantastic color choices of her work.

Here is an empty Altoids tin that has been altered into a shabby chic box. What a great way to hold all of your tiniest treasures. I think I am drawn to this piece in particular. Hmmm....maybe it's the bird and the crown???

I hope that you will check out Melissa's Etsy shop to see all of her beautiful creations!

You can also follower her on facebook and on her blog

What I Don't Want to Be When I Grow Up!

2010-05-05T17:19:00.001-04:00

So, my daughter's preschool year is coming to a close. It's been quite an experience for the both of us and I've learned one really important lesson. When I grow up I DO NOT want to be a teacher!My daughter participates in a cooperative preschool with 3 other girls her age. All of the moms take turns teaching the class every week. Now, understand that we only hold class one day a week, so I'm responsible for teaching only one class a month. Believe me I didn't need any more experience in the classroom to realize that teaching is not for me! Yes, it does take a heck of a lot of time to develop lesson plans. You'd think that preschool would be easy right? I mean it's not like I'm teaching quantum physics or anything! But, in retrospect, developing the lesson plans wasn't even close to the toughest part. Teaching is like running yourself through the wringer 100 times a day. I'd come home after each class completely exhausted! And of course the kids weren't interested in half of the stuff that I had planned to do each day. It's hard work keeping four rambunctious 5 year-olds focused on the tasks at hand. They are wiggly little balls of energy. Imagine having 26 wiggly balls of energy to deal with! Oh, my gosh I'm getting cold sweats just thinking about it! I realize that I do not have infinite patience by any stretch of the imagination!

I know without a doubt that teachers are born not made. They are blessed with a gift and a special spirit. They work day in, and day out under paid and under appreciated. They put up with stuff and deal with situations that most of us don't want to touch with a 10 foot pole! I now have had the opportunity to see teaching from both sides of the coin. My dad has been teaching for over 40 years. I've heard his stories and I've seen how hard he works each day to educate our kids. I've wondered for years why he keeps teaching after all of these years, but I get it now. It's his calling. It's what he was meant to do, and he's good at it. Now, I know not all teachers are created equal. I had a few crummy teachers growing up. My 7th grade English teacher comes to mind. That woman did nothing but give me ulcers! But as we all know, you can't let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch! There are so many awesome teachers out there and I think it's about time that we give them the credit they deserve!

So, today I tip my hat to teachers....no wait I bow down to you and praise you for the tireless work you do! Thank you for not strangling our kids, because believe me I nearly did. Okay, not really, but I think you get my point! If your kids have a great teacher let them know how much you appreciate the work that they do. After all, it is teacher appreciation week. And believe me I have an appreciation for teachers unlike most others! There's no doubt in my mind, I DO NOT want to be a teacher when I grow up, but thank you to those that do!

Jungle Fun!

2010-05-01T23:55:00.000-04:00

So here it is! The completed Jungle Crown! I love how this crown turned out. I think that it's my new favorite crown! On the front of the crown is a lion.

On one side I added a cute monkey.

On the other side is a fun loving elephant.

And at the very back is a cute giraffe.

Here you can see all of the animals together. As you can tell, all of the animals are hanging out on green jungle leaves.

This is the first crown that I have created that has a wrap around design. Happy birthday little Aedan! Have a fun and "wild" first birthday!

Work in Progress--Jungle Crown

2010-04-28T13:57:00.000-04:00

I thought I would share one of the projects I am currently working on. This crown has been really fun to create and it's for a special little boy who will be having a jungle themed first birthday party. How fun!
You can see I've included a giraffe and an elephant one side.

I've also included my favorite little monkey and a lion too.
The empty space on the far right is where the Velcro will be. So when the crown is all put together there will be fun jungle animals all around the birthday boy's head! Boy, do I love this job!!

A Better Mother

2010-04-23T17:33:00.000-04:00

As we prepare to celebrate my youngest daughter's second birthday this weekend, I find myself becoming a little sentimental. On the one hand I can't believe that she has reached this milestone already, but on the other hand it feels like she has been a part of our family forever. It's funny how when you are pregnant with a child you can't fully imagine you life with them in it. You rub your growing belly and think to yourself, "who is this little creature inside?" Then, once the baby is born you can't even remember your life without them in it. What was it that I did before this person came into my life? Wait a minute...was there a life before?

During my second pregnancy I saw a reality show about expectant moms. They interviewed a mom after her second child was born and she said something that has stuck with me to this day. She said. "My first child made me a mother. My second child made me a better mother." I know today, even more than ever, the truth in this statement. The first time around I was a nervous mom. I worried about everything. Will I forever pace the floors at 3am with this child that won't sleep? Is she eating enough? Should I worry about this cough, this rash, this fever she has? Will she be doing this annoying behavior forever? With the second child comes the realization that nothing lasts forever. "This too shall pass" is the mantra of experienced mothers. So I don't fret when my youngest daughter refuses to change her clothes and will only wear one shirt for five days straight, and I don't get worried about every bump, and tumble. And I know that yes, with patience and loving guidance my daughter will move pass that annoying habit or behavior. However, I must admit having a second child brought about new stressors and I often joke now that I lost my patience when I was pregnant with my second child and I haven't found it yet! But, life is the journey not the destination, right? If I gain perfection now what's left to learn? So, I'll continue to be imperfect and continue to learn from the experiences that my girls throw my way.

My first daughter is special because she made me a mother. My second daughter is special because she has truly made me a better mother. And for that I am grateful. I love you little sweet pea. Happy Birthday!

Sharing My Passions

2010-04-20T12:58:00.000-04:00

What does April 22nd mean to you? I'm looking at my calendar and yes, I have to take my daughter to ballet, clean the house, get some crowns made....and wait just a minute! It's Earth Day! I can say that long ago Earth Day didn't mean a whole lot to me, but lately it means so much more. Ever since my first daughter was born, I started thinking differently about the world around me. I wanted her to have the best in life-best food, best water, safest toys, cleanest environment to play in. The list went on and on. I began reading books and researching online and I realized that not only could I do things differently, but it really wasn't going to be as big of a change as I thought it would be. So, I'm going to use this year's Earth Day as a chance to start sharing some of my other passions with you. One of these passions, or obsessions as my husband would call it, is the environment. Don't worry, I'm not going to preach about global warming or bore you with statistics, but I would like to share useful information with you.

Did you know that you don't have to use all of those expensive cleaners in the store to get a clean house? Did you know that so much more than you ever imagined can be recycled or reused? My hope is that you will learn a little something along the way from these blog posts. I believe information is power. The more you know the better you can make decisions for yourself. I hope that you will find the information that follows in the coming weeks and months helpful in making your own decisions for yourself and your family. If you have tips to share please feel free to post here. I love your comments and I love learning something new!

Where's My Paycheck?

2010-04-14T16:04:00.000-04:00

I'm writing this blog post as I finish cleaning our bathroom. My youngest daughter is napping and it's killing me that instead of cutting felt or sewing I am scrubbing grout and trying to unclog a stubborn sink drain. I know it's true that the bathroom has been neglected for some time now, but darn it I hate cleaning it! As I'm steam cleaning the tile in the shower I'm wondering to myself again... Why it is that I don't earn a pay check for this job called motherhood? How come I don't earn a bonus for getting up six times during a meal to get my kids something just so I can finally sit down to a cold meal? Where's the gold star on my report card for rocking a sleepless child back to sleep in the dark of night while everyone else is peacefully sleeping? Where is my "You make the prettiest piles of clean laundry" award? Where's my vacation time and sick pay? I keep looking for these things but they are no where to be found.

My sister has a saying that goes something like this "A mother's j0b is to keep her kids alive and to move stuff from one part of the house to another." I took the time to really think about this and darn it she's right! Of course I noticed she was right as I was taking toys back downstairs to the playroom and then gathering up a pile of clothes that belonged upstairs. I have a wise sister!

I often think that mothers who work outside of the home have it the toughest. I can't imagine how hard it is to juggle their time. It's funny though... I'm a La Leche League Leader who provides support and information to breastfeeding moms. I got a call once from a mom who was having some difficulty not only breastfeeding but juggling a busy life. She worked outside of the home and I expressed my admiration of her. She in turn told me that she thought that stay-at-home moms had it much harder. Funny how the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

I write all of this with a smile on my face because really I love what I am doing. I love being a wife to my husband and a mom to my kids. And really I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. So I'll continue to scrub grout and unclog sinks and eat cold meals. Even if I don't earn an actual paycheck for motherhood, I've found that the benefits are better than any job I've ever had!

So little kids around the world listen up! Give your mama a hug today! She works really hard and still manages to love you every minute of the day! Thank goodness for motherhood!...now back to my grout!

Little Ballerinas on the Brain!

2010-04-09T02:24:00.000-04:00

My daughter's first ballet recital is coming up next month. It's such an exciting time of the year because it brings back so many memories for me. I took 11 years of dance lessons and I loved every minute of it!

Yesterday, my daughter had her first opportunity to get all dressed up in her recital costume. I did my best, as a first time ballet mom, to get her all gussied up with the proper stage make-up and a ballerina bun. I have to admit she was pretty darn cute and I was one proud mama! I can't wait until the actual performance!

So in the meantime, excuse me if I have ballerinas on the brain! If you have the same affliction you will want to check out all of the adorable ballet themed items I have found on Etsy lately. I'm beginning to think I'm not the only one thinking ballet!

Here is a beautiful watercolor print by Paint Ashley .

I love the sweet ballerina in this vibrant print by Jolinne .

And every dancer must have her shoes! Check out these felt ballet slippers by Evgie

If you have shoes you'll need a bag to carry them in. Check out this adorable ballet bag by Splendiferous Fiber!

I love this Ballerina Slipper Clippie by Gia Bowtique! Who knew you could take tiny ribbons and make them into ballet slippers? So cute!

Here's another pretty pink
hair bow by Peek-A-Bowtique!

And what a great way to store all of those cute ballerina hair accessories! I thought this was such a unique and pretty bow holder by Add a Lil Charm!

Really could it get any cuter than this knitted ballet dancer buddy doll by Granny Knits? Oh, how I wish I was a little girl again!

Oh, wait! I almost forgot! You can't have a ballerina if you don't have a tutu! Goody Goody Tutus makes some of the most gorgeous and adorable tutus I've ever seen!

Sorry if you too have now developed a case of "ballerinas on the brain!" It's not easy to get rid of you know! So, if you find any other fun ballerina stuff be sure to comment here. I just can't get enough!

Handmade Pick of the Week

2010-03-28T14:42:00.000-04:00

This week I am featuring the work of Atlanta artist, illustrator and humorist, Rebecca Salcedo. She specializes in original paintings, custom pet portraits, prints and other handmade items. She is also a writer and a musician. She's an amazingly creative and talented person!

Last month I was the winner of her facebook giveaway! Boy, was I lucky! I received one of her original ACEO paintings along with one of her handmade notebooks. I also received a magnet with her adorable Flying Ace beagle on it. I love those sweet beagle eyes!

You can enjoy her work on note cards, prints, or original fine art paintings. There is a bit of humor in many of her works, but she is so versatile as an artist that everyone is bound to find something they like.

She also creates great, quality notebooks out of recycled and re-purposed materials. They are completely hand cut and bound by hand. I gave my 15 year old niece the Twilight notebook that I won. She loves to draw, and of course she is a huge Twilight fan!

Thank you Rebecca for the great prizes! Be sure to check out Rebecca's work in her two Etsy shops. You can find her artwork at smellyrhino.etsy.com and her notebooks at www.outwardbound.etsy.com.

Be sure to follow her on facebook as well. www.facebook.com/smellyrhinostudio. She is currently finishing up her series 31 Rhinos in 31 Days. You can follow this amazing series, and learn a little something about art along the way on her blog, www.smellyrhino.com

Handmade Pick of the Week

2010-03-16T09:50:00.000-04:00

Ahh, spring is just around the corner! I'm thinking about flowers, green grass, and the Easter bunny today! What a great time to feature Auntie Jill. I just adore her shop! My girls now own three of her stuffed lovelies! My youngest daughter has the snuggle bunny pictured above. She loves her rabbit and drags it everywhere she goes! Jill uses minky fabric for most of her creations so they are super soft and perfect for snuggle time!

Here are some of her smaller snuggle bunnies. I think these would make a great baby shower gift. She makes these in both minky fabric and fleece.

I love this enchanted unicorn too. Her horn is made of brocade fabric and she has a small rosebud above her tail made of ribbon. She's perfect for all sorts of magical adventures!

Here is a very sweet elephant that Jill created for a special boy named Jacob. Jacob, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma on 12/31/09, loves elephants. This elephant is helping to raise funds for Jacob's extensive medical costs. I have no doubt that this elephant has given Jacob lots of comfort!
I really like the colorful mane on this lion. He looks like he's ready for some fun, and for spring too!
It's obvious that all of Jill's animals are made with love. They are soft, cuddly, and very well made! You can find Auntie Jill on Etsy www.auntiejill.etsy.com or at http://www.auntiejillshop.com/

Also check out her facebook fan page! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Madison-WI/Auntie-Jill/80718076500?ref=ts

Leprechaun Hat Giveaway!

2010-03-10T19:28:00.000-05:00

Wow, I just reached 500 facebook fans! That is so amazing! I want to celebrate by giving away one of my Leprechaun Hats! I love spring and I love my fans! I can't think of a better way to usher spring in and say thank you to everyone who supports my work.

If you would like to be entered just leave a comment below with your email address or shop name so that I know how to contact you.

I'll draw a name by noon tomorrow. Sorry, that doesn't leave much time, but I want to make sure that the prize makes it to the winner in time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Thank you everyone! I appreciate each and every one of you!

Handmade Pick of the Week

2010-03-06T23:03:00.000-05:00

My Handmade pick of the week is Twist21. I think her jewelry is fantastic. She creates quality pieces including hand painted, sand painted and fabric pendants.

She has a whole series of hand painted trees that are just incredible. I am amazed at the amount of detail she is able to render on such a small surface!

Check out the tiny hearts on this tree.

Here is an example of one of her fabric pendants.

She designs rings and earrings as well including many created from lampwork beads.

I love this sandpainting of a blue bird, but how could I not?

You can find Twist21 on Etsy at www.twist21.etsy.com and
www.twist21trinkets.etsy.com

And be sure to follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/twist21

Handmade Pick of the Week

2010-02-28T20:50:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I have a bit of an obsession with all things handmade! Just when I think I couldn't possibly discover another amazing artist or crafter, I stumble upon a new one and I am once again amazed. So, I'd like to start featuring and sharing some of my favorite handmade finds.

Today, I'd like to share a great Etsy shop with you that I discovered just in the past month. Monica with Mo and Ozzy Creative Crochet Hats makes the cutest crochet hats! Her creations are truly creative and unique. I love both the colors and the designs of her hats. They are bright and cheerful, and just plain fun!

And Monica doesn't just make hats! You can also check out her Etsy shop to see her other creations including hair accessories and purses. www.etsy.com/shop/moandozzy

She is hosting a giveaway on her blog right now. Be sure to check it out! Oh, and wish her a Happy Birthday while you are there!
http://moandozzycrochet.blogspot.com/2010/02/great-birthday-giveaway.htm

400 Facebook Fans Giveaway!!

2010-02-16T20:56:00.000-05:00

It amazes me that I have 400 facebook fans! To celebrate I will be hosting my very first giveaway. One lucky fan will receive a $5 gift certificate to my Etsy shop. It will be good on anything in my shop including custom orders! Just be a facebook fan and leave a comment below and I will enter your name into the drawing. I'll draw the winning name this Friday morning (February 26th). It's just that easy!

I am so grateful to all of you for following my work and providing support and encouragement. You inspire me every day to continue to create. Thank you!

Monkey Business?

2010-01-30T02:41:00.000-05:00

Somehow I've fallen in love with monkeys! I can't say that I was ever a huge monkey fan before I created this crown, but something happened the moment I put the finishing touches on this little guy. Pure monkey magic. And now I have a bit of an obsession with all thing monkey. Which means that there are more monkeys to come. Don't worry, if you aren't a monkey fan this obsession will pass and I'll be on to another one. Maybe next it will be puppies, or elephants, or who knows? That's the beauty of this "job", I go where it takes me!

In case you are curious, this monkey is entirely hand cut. I start out with a drawing, and then I create a pattern for each felt piece that must be cut. Some pieces don't require a pattern at all, but if I want to be able to reproduce a design I'd better have a pattern for the complicated components! Then I set out (painstakingly sometimes) cutting out all of the pieces. It's a labor of love from beginning to end, but I love what I do! Who knew life would take me on this path. Right now I am enjoying the ride! Now, back to more monkeys!

A Little Bit of Irony

2009-12-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

I was at a dollar store one day last week with my youngest daughter trying to kill a little time while my oldest daughter was in preschool. As my daughter entertained herself rummaging through the toy bins I happened to notice a book for sale across the aisle. The topic of the book centered around the global impact of cheaply made Chinese goods. Of course the book was only a dollar, and although I didn't check I am very confident that the book was publish in China too. I couldn't help but notice the irony of my discovery. It also made me even more appreciative of my obsession with handmade goods. Not only do I make them, but I buy them whenever possible. I feel good knowing that I am helping to support a mom in Illinois or a student in Ireland. I know that they are paying themselves a fair wage (or so I hope) and that they truly enjoy what they are making. Buying handmade makes me happy! So, shop handmade this holiday season and fill your life with beautiful things made by fantastic people.

Have a wonderful Holiday!

The Purple House

2009-10-25T23:39:00.000-04:00

I recently returned from a trip to visit my family. My girls love visiting their grandparents, but they aren't too crazy about the long car ride. I enjoyed this trip because the girls were in a good mood most of the way. That doesn't mean that I didn't hear "Are we there yet?" a million times!

I'm beginning to find that one of my favorite highlights on this trip back home is our passing of the purple house. This brightly painted house is a thrill to my daughter who loves the color purple! It also stands as a reminder to her that we are almost to our destination. I love this house for other reasons. I wonder every time I pass the house who must live inside. It is a modest house close to the road, but it stands tall with pride. I can imagine it is saying "Look at me!" I wonder if the person who chose to paint this house such a vibrant hue of purple is also bold, daring, and willing to say "Look at me! I'm proud of who I am!"

This house reminds me that we should all be proud of who we are. We should take pride in our talents and celebrate our uniqueness. We shouldn't be afraid to show our true colors even if it is bright purple in a sea of browns, tans, and white. So, I look forward to seeing the purple house again. It reminds me to step outside of my box and live a little!

Welcome to my blog!

2009-10-15T12:28:00.000-04:00

I'm in the process of getting this blog up and running. I still have lots to learn so please excuse the dust while I get things organized!