Alyssa's Birthday!

Today was my baby's birthday. She turned 4. I can't believe it! I remember being so scared to go in and have her, since she was my first child. And I was scheduled for induction so I had to be at the hospital so early that morning. And those that know me...well, you know how much I hate mornings! LOL After way too many hours of labor, and her being difficult, Dr. Darby finally offered a c-section. I don't think I have ever jumped on an offer so fast! So after hours of labor and two epidurals and lots of good drugs...We had our baby girl!
She was 8 lb 2 oz which would explain why I could block the sun with my belly.

So today was supposed to have been her b-day party. Unfortunately she caught a cold yesterday and she is miserable. So we cancelled the party, and we had cake and presents here. I promised her we would have her party next Saturday. I just hate that the one time her b-day is actually on a Saturday...she gets sick. =(

I will have to post pictures of her party next week!

The Best Custom Paper Designer / Graphic Artist On Etsy!

I recently had the opportunity to work with a wonderful lady on Etsy. And she was amazing! And she saved my skin! HAHA! So here's what happened....

I procrastinated. Again. And we all know what happens then. Something goes wrong. And it went WAY wrong! I thought I had all of my lingerie shower invitations ready to be printed and mailed. Then I discover...well, let's just say....not good print job. I really didn't have a lot of time to completely re-do everything, so I turned to Etsy for help. Within minutes of posting an Alchemy request for only one specific graphic, I began receiving bids. Some crazy high bids...bids for the entire invitation....bids for the invitation and they mail them. None of which appealed to me, of course!

And then Michelle Hollo of HolloDesigns came along. I was super impressed by her ability to...well, read my mind! In around 30 minutes, she had a completed image for me. It was exactly what I was looking for. And at a really unbeatable price!

Thanks to her, my invitations were awesomely cool....and they were mailed on time. (The picture is the invitation I made from it. I blurred the important details, sorry guys! LOL)

Be sure to check out her shop! She has gorgeous.....
wedding invitations & programs........


Personalized Notecards.............


Super Cute Baby Announcements, and more!!!

M & M's Melt In Your....HUH?

So it has definitely been a rough couple of weeks for me. Besides the craft shows sapping all my energy, my sweet children have been replaced by....I don't know....someone else's children!

Last week, the kids had been really good, so I took them to the store, gave them each $1 and let them pick out a candy. M & M's (plain, not peanut, thank goodness, but you will find the reason for that in a moment) for both. Great! Means no fighting for once! LOL

So we get home, and I am attempting to get some Etsy work done, and I hear Logan coughing a little funny. But he looked fine so I went back to my work....until Alyssa starts yelling that Logan's nose is yucky and I need to clean it. Of course, I just assumed his nose was running since this seriously grosses her out. So I grab a baby wipe and call him over. He turns around...and has chocolate running out his nose. Obviously he never knew that M & M's were supposed to melt in your MOUTH, not in your NOSE!! I won't share the pictures, since they are obviously not going to be attractive...but let's just say.....BLACKMAIL!

So this leads us to yesterday....Alyssa went to her Nanny's so it was just me and Logan. Stupid me....I was thinking that would give me time to get caught up on some custom orders and even get a little housecleaning done. Logan sneaks off into the kitchen and unfortunately was able to reach the Dawn that Daddy had left at the edge of the counter. So he finally came out of the kitchen covered in blue, and that's when I discovered I would soon have a squeaky clean kitchen floor. For those who need clean floors.....don't use Dawn! LOL I had more bubbles than you could imagine, in addition to looking like a beginner ice skater just trying to reach the sink. Sigh...and to think I thought I had an exciting life BEFORE kids!

Two Years Ago....At About This Time.......

My water broke while I was attempting to get one last good night's sleep. Little baby Logan just couldn't wait 6 more hours before my scheduled c-section. So off to the hospital we went....and here's some pics.
April 16, 2007 8Lbs 15.4 oz

And NOW!

My handsome boy!

ARTFIRE

So I have decided to give it a shot...what could it hurt, right? I like only paying $12 / month, no matter how much I list or sell. Just hope I sell enough to cover the $12, right?! The listing is MUCH easier. And faster. I am going to give it 100% and see what happens!

So how about you?? Wanna join? Register on ArtFire.com

Tutorial ~ How to Make A Lined Pocket

So here's my first ever blog tutorial....so bear with me! When I first started sewing, I absolutely hated doing pockets. I hated trying to press and sew the seams all the way around, and doing the corners. Until my mom taught me how to make a lined pocket. Now, no matter what pattern I may be using, all pockets are lined. They look nicer and are so much faster!

So here's my super easy instructions for awesome pockets.

1. Cut 2 of your pocket fabric. Exactly the same.

2. Placing the fabrics right sides together, sew (or serge) around the edges, leaving either one entire edge open, or a space large enough to turn pocket. In this case, I left a gap large enough to turn my pocket back right side out. BUT don't leave this gap at the top of your pocket, because you won't be sewing the top of your pocket to close it.

3. Clip your corners to prevent any bunching in the corners once it's turned.

4. Turn pocket right side out. Fold the open section to the inside, keeping it even with the rest of the seam. Press.

5. Pocket is now ready to be attached to shirt, apron, dress, etc. Be sure the open gap is on the side or the bottom. Topstitch to your garment fabric and TADA! All done!

**This can be used with rounded pockets also. Follow same instructions!**

Who wouldn't want to enter!?!?

Our friends over at YouCanMakeThis.com are launching a new site in April, http://www.youcanquiltthis.com/. How exciting! The fun we have is expanding! So to celebrate, they are giving away a Marie Osmond 200 Quilter's Companion. If you don't know what this machine can do.....LOOK IT UP! It's awesome! It's a quilter's dream! So click on over and enter! And if you decide you don't want it, you can give it to me! =)