Mermaid Match!

My SIL (the_vintage_pearl), has made this adorable soldered charm bracelet using the very popular mermaid fabric. It's a perfect match to my set, or any fun summery set! You can find it HERE!

Splash!

My ebay design group, The Lil' Peas, just began a their "Splash" launch using this adorable mermaid fabric. Here is my contribution. I was pleased with the how the hemline of the capris turned out and the little sparkle added with the hand-sewn seed beads and sequins on the appliqués. You can find my auction HERE!

Attack of the Bobbin

To those of you who sew, I think this will make sense. One of my BIGGEST pet peeves is when I am in the "groove" of sewing...I mean, I am really truckin' along...and the BAM, the bobbin runs out. Usually, right at the end of a project--only a little bit to go. It is one of the MOST frustrating things in my life. For those of you who don't sew, you are probably thinking I must have a pretty simple life if this is one of the most frustrating things in my life. Those of you who sew, know better. Off to wind a bobbin...

Potty Training?

The Princess turns 3 in July and is not yet potty trained. I "know" it's OK--that it will come--but, we're not there yet. Oh, she'll tell me she has to go potty and will sit on the toilet anywhere from 5 to 10 times a day. However, that's always AFTER she has gone in her diaper. This is just one area where the differences in my children's personality is so obvious, it's almost blinding.

The Prince will do just about anything for praise. He would sit on the toilet until he did whatever necessary to get a cheer from me (he started using the toilet right around his 3rd birthday). The Princess.....well, let's just say that she could care less about getting a cheer from me. She enjoys it if she gets one, but won't go out of her way just to please me. She is marching to the beat of her own drum. While I can see the potential for accomplishment in her life because of that, right now, I wish a cheer from me is all it would take to get her out of diapers--LOL!

As they say what works for one child doesn't work for the other. I think she is going to be one of those children who need to be trained by running around the house naked for a week--Yipee!

My World...

A little update about my world:

Saturday, The Prince broke his foot. We didn't realize it and didn't take him to the doctor until Tuesday afternoon. It is a small fracture and after visiting the orthopedist this morning, I am SO happy to report that a cast will not be needed. (Can you imagine trying to keep an active 4 year old docile while wearing a cast?)

Today The Princess fell off of The Prince's bed. He has a loft style bed that is about 4 feet off of the ground. She was jumping on the bed (which of course, she's not allowed to do) and basically lost her balance and fell off. She hit her shoulder and foot on the way down but was only left with minor bruises.

I am locking my children in a little box to keep them from ALL harm for the rest of their lives--not to mention for my own peace of mind--maybe I'll feel like a better mother if they can make it through a couple of days harm-free. (OK, so this isn't true, but it sounds good.)

In the midst of all of this, I have accomplished some sewing and just listed this patriotic applique set. You can find it HERE.

Natural Highs...

I received a forwarded e-mail from my grandma and it brought a smile to my face. I found almost all of them to be true and thought those of you who visit my blog might, too.

NATURAL HIGHS

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket. WOOHOO
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry). MALTS FOR ME
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15 The beach. ABSOLUTELY
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter. HEY EVEN A $5
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS.
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with mate).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29. Playing with a new puppy.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies.
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
38 Holding hands with someone you care about.
39 Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
40. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

Don't Hate Me...

...but I think I have the best husband around! These are pictures of him cooking my dad's birthday dinner. Yes, cooking. He is a better cook than I could ever hope to be and, (when he has uninterrupted time) he truly enjoys it. When I walked in on him with his cute little apron with the ipod clipped on the back I (of course) immediately thought "blog pic." He made his divine lasagna and meatballs--everything from scratch! He comes from long line of Italian men who know how to cook. He also received his love of gardening from these great men. Isn't he cute?

Now, let me take this post to also add that this incredible husband of mine also does the laundry--not just sometimes, but every weekend! I usually do the linens and the hang dry "good" clothes, but other than that, he washes, dries, and FOLDS it all! Like the title says, "Don't Hate Me!"

Hey, Batter, Batter!

Yep, it's Better Batter Baseball (say THAT 5 times fast)! The Prince has seen the commercials for this and has been politely asking for it for some time, now. We just purchased it yesterday and he was ready to take it on today. We were pretty surprised at how he did for the first time! The Princess, too, had to have a turn, and she was really concentrating! Just another Sunday here at our house.

(For those of you who know me and missed my earlier post, yes, we still go to church...just on Saturday nights, now.)

Star Spangled Pride

Here's my latest and greatest! A fun, comfortable, and girly set for the 4th of July! I wanted something cute that could still be played in at the family picnic. I also thought of this as a cute outfit for a little girl welcoming home her favorite soldier. You can find it HERE! As always, blog readers receive FREE SHIPPING!

Tagged....Again?

Kristen of Gock's Frocks has tagged me to list seven random things about myself. The good news.....I've already done this--YIPEE for me! It was quite a few posts back, so if you'd like to read about me, you can click HERE! Thanks, Kristen!

(Oh yeah, I am NOT re-tagging my 7 people--LOL!)

M.I.A.

You may have noticed an absence of posts (or maybe not). In addition to being swamped with orders, an upcoming launch (tomorrow, to be exact), a traveling husband, and 2 characteristically needy toddlers, I woke up with a spasm in my back yesterday. I was literally in tears! Now, how did this come about, you may wonder? It could have been the marathon of sewing on Monday night...OR it could be from holding my phone in between my ear and shoulder ALL DAY LONG...OR it could be that when I finally went to sleep Monday night, I fell asleep on that side and woke up in EXACTLY the same position (I was pretty tired)...OR it could be that when my husband is traveling, something seems to occur that is out of the ordinary...take your pick. I paid a little visit to my mother and she was kind enough to rub it out for me. Today I woke up extremely stiff and sore, but no more spasm. UGH--doesn't my body know that mom's/wives/designers aren't allowed to have physical ailments--LOL!

Work Is FUN!

Have you ever noticed that what we often consider to be work, our children consider fun? It doesn't take a psychology degree to figure out that they look up to us and want to be like us (for now). Plus, I think that just about anything that you will do with them equals fun in their minds.

Today it was a hot one, so we (um, they--I'm not remotely close to putting one of those on) broke out the swimsuits for the first time this year. The kids had been noticing how dirty Daddy's car was, so he let them help him wash it off. Yes, he's the hunk you see--at least to me! They scrubbed the car, splashed in the bubbles, and squealed when The King squirted them with the freezing cold water. I stayed a safe distance away.

Do You Know Your Color?

GREEN

You are a very calm and contemplative person. Others are drawn to your peaceful, nurturing nature.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

I saw this quiz on some blog today and went to take my own test. Very interesting....and in my case, I think, true. It's also interesting because I am drawn to shades of green when decorating my house--I find it very calming! Click HERE to take your own quiz--but before you do, take a guess at what color you might be. I thought I might be a pink, but NOPE!

Hostess With the Mostess!

Love In Paradise

Bubbly Ducky Brunch

OK, so here is another site--I MUST get off the computer! The blog is called Hostess With the Mostess, but after reading (drooling over) that, you HAVE to check out their website. There's a link from the blog or you can click HERE. I love parties and planning beautiful parties (one of my secret fantasies is to be a society wife who throws the BEST parties) and this site has some ingenious party ideas and themes. Plus their products....ahhh, their products. The photos above are bridal shower and baby shower ideas and the pictures below are just a few of their finds that I love! Each picture is linked so you can click on any one to find out more information about it! Just something else for all of you with nothing but time on your hands to check out--HA!

Retro Dream Blue Personalized Thank You Cards

Multi-Dot Storage Container Set

Serving Dishes

Have a Few Extra Hours?

I just discovered this blog tonight and WOW is all I can say! It is called decor8 and I have added it to my favorite blogs list. I spent a tiny bit of time there tonight and realized I could spend hours reading the posts and clicking on the links. It makes me want to update my entire house! So, if you have a few additional hours to drool over decor ideas and how to, go take a look (or in my case, a few minutes here and a few minutes there that will eventually add up to MANY hours).

Feel the Love!

A storm blew through here this morning (what else is new). The kids got all excited as it started to get darker out (i.e. the DARK pics) and the thunder started to rumble. I came upstairs to do a little computer check. I suddenly realized that my sweet angels were QUIET--now, usually that means only bad things. Today, however, I peered downstairs to this.

They had gotten their favorite stuffed animal and blanket and were cuddled together watching the storm. First, my heart melted and then I thought, "BLOG!" I didn't want to run downstairs and turn the lights on, because that would have been the end of the love fest! If I could just ignore all the sibling squabbling that occurs (they are currently screaming at each other over a toy), their love for each other is something I never take for granted.

Orange Dandy

This is my newest listing on ebay. You can see it HERE. I especially like how the applied dandelions came out. I got the idea to use that "furry" yarn for the tops of the dandelions and then hand stitched the stems. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the orange, but ended up loving it! As always, if you are the winning bidder, let me know you saw it on my blog and I'll give you FREE SHIPPING!

Seven Random Facts About Me....

Yes, you read it right--SEVEN random facts about me. I've been caught the blogging world of "tag, you're it." So....here goes:

1. I taught 2nd grade for 8 years and have my Master's Degree that would allow me to be an Elementary Principal if I took the State Certification test. (Yes, I'm the one who notices ALL the typos on your blogs!)

2. I have a blood disorder called Von Willibrand's Disease. I've had it all my life, but was just diagnosed with it a couple of months ago. It doesn't affect my day to day life, but when I bleed...I BLEED! (Gross, huh?)

3. I love to read...romance, mystery, fiction but mostly romance mysteries! I hate that most of those out there are full of JUNK (explicit *whisper* s..e..x...and swear words), but I buy them at the Goodwill, so I don't feel so bad when I end up skimming half the pages just to get back to the plot.

4. One of my favorite pass times is working in Puzzle Game books (yes, I know I am a DORK). You know with Sodoku, Mind Teasers, etc.

5. Something that relaxes me: playing the piano. I took lessons from 2nd to 9th grade. I play ONLY by reading music. I can sit and play for an hour. I print off songs from the internet that the kids enjoy and they dance around while I play.

TWO MORE?????? SHEESH....

6. I am a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan...woohoo! I grew up in a town of about 2000 people in Nebraska--the same town where my parents grew up, and where my grandparents (3 living) still reside.

7. I am a perfectionist. If I can't (or don't have the time to) do something perfectly, I won't do it at all! That includes cleaning, laundry, sewing, my hair, just about anything.

There, seven RANDOM facts about me. Now, for the tags...hmmm, I'm pretty new to the blogging world, and don't know all that many bloggers. (Let me also add that if you don't fulfill your end of the tag, I understand. I've skipped on a tag not too long ago.) BUT, I tag Gina, Megan, Morgan, Beki, Chelsea, Lisa, and the Gazza Girls (Nikki & Terry).

WHEW!

For Me

I've seen posts on other blogs about feet and pedicures. While I am all about taking care of my feet, it is more of a habit for me--like taking a shower, getting dressed--if my toes aren't painted, I don't feel complete. My fingernails, on the other hand, are a luxury. When my nails are manicured and painted, I feel feminine. I used to have my nails painted ALWAYS--before kids. I even used to pay for acrylic nails while I was teaching. Now, I am almost always without polish and I am lucky to keep them cut evenly and shaped nice. To be honest, it isn't really worth it to paint them. With two toddlers, they are trashed in two days. Plus with all the sewing and typing on the computer, it's not practical to have them at any real length--they just get in the way. HOWEVER, today, I needed a little pick-me-up. I filed them, buffed them, and painted them this fun, dark shade of red. I feel pretty--even in my grungy t-shirt and sweat capris. That was the whole point, wasn't it? Sometimes it just takes a little thing to make you feel like your own woman (if only for a little bit).

L....A...Z...Y...

Well, that's how I feel! I have been so unmotivated lately, and it's getting ridiculous! Today, I did some catch up on housework, so at least the downstairs is clean. Tomorrow, it's all about the upstairs. And, oh yeah, I have some orders I should finish!!!!! My goal is to get it all done by the end of the week so I can ship them all out while I still understand the postal rates. I've realized that I can't do everything ALL of the time. I go through phases....sometimes I'm in house mode: the house is spotless; I cook great meals every night; the clothes are all clean, ironed, and organized together in outfits; I get fully dressed with make-up. Other times I'm in work mode: I sew a new outfit in one day; I stay completely caught up on orders; my ME page, blog, and logos are all up-to-date and (I think) awesome. What I have figured out is that all those things NEVER happen at once. Luckily I have a pretty understanding husband who just rolls with my peaks and valleys and supports me no matter what phase I happen to be in. Just the day (week, month, year) in the life of a SAHM attempting to be a part-time WAHM.

Start 'em Young Pt. 2

Tonight I walked into the living room after bath time to this: The Princess had pulled out her ironing board and play cloth napkins, and she was hauling a chair to it. I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I iron jus' like you, Mommy." *sigh* It always melts my heart when she wants to be just like me. Also, it reminds me to be the type of person I want HER to become.

As a side note, if you'll notice in my previous post about my work space, I have my ironing board set up so that I can turn from sewing and iron while still sitting in my chair. Hence, her needing the chair to iron---in case you were wondering.

Start 'em Young

Today, after days of rain, The King was able to get out and mow the yard. When he got home he asked The Prince if he'd like to come out with him and he got a "sure." When he said The Prince could help him mow, you should have seen the eyes on that boy. He was SO EXCITED to get to do something that Daddy does! I decided to snap some pictures to hold on to, as a reminder when this becomes His Job. "See, you USED to LOVE to mow the grass!"

Check It Out!

I heard about this site from Megan months ago. Recently I revisited it with my 4 year old son. He LOVES it and so do I! I taught 2nd grade for 8 years and would have used this in my classroom. It starts at the basics of letters and sounds and progresses to more challenging reading. The Prince can navigate the site by himself and it's one of his favorite things to do during "computer time." I watch him getting excited because he realizes that he is learning to read! You can get to the site by clicking on the logo above. Check it out and let me know what YOU think!

Shh...Do You Hear That?

It's the sweet sound of....silence. Ahhhh, sweet silence! The King took the kids out tonight and I have three whole, sweet, wonderful hours all to myself. As I thought about it, I realized that I could not remember the last time I had that much time all to myself. Yes, occasionally I go grocery shopping alone, or go get my hair done. This, however, is a whole different ballgame! I am not going to have to talk to ANYONE for three whole hours! Of course, the first thing I did was get on the computer to blog about my excitement! Next, I think I'll make some brownies (thanks, Amelia!), followed by some television. MAYBE, I'll fit in a little sewing, but I'm feeling pretty selfish with my time, and I'm off to enjoy it!

Feeling Fresh!

First we were Feeling Hoppy, and now we are Feeling Fresh! Just listed this fun set on ebay. Click HERE to go to the auction. This is the one and only time I'll offer this set on ebay. After this, it's going to the new website I'll be selling on called The Silly Wagon. It is still in the construction stages but should be fully functional sometime in June. Look for more information to come! If you bid on and win the Feeling Fresh set, tell me you saw it on my blog for FREE SHIPPING!