Here's my newest listing for the ATEAM Barefoot Launch! You can find it HERE!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Something NEW and a GIVEAWAY!!
IVYLANE began their "Sweets" launch yesterday and I am offering this "Sweet Bunnies" dress. You can find it HERE!
Also, you can be entered into a fabulous IVYLANE giveaway! Just visit the IVYLANE BLOG and follow the directions!!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Spring Chicks
I just listed these cute and fuzzy chicks (on the hoodie WITH the matching skirt, of course). You can find it HERE!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Somebody Help This Dog
We've tried explaining to The Princess that the dog is NOT a doll--or even a little person--but I don't think she's getting it....
The other day she told us Oreo liked to "spin." WHAT? It seems she had put the dog in my office chair and was "spinning" her around...*sigh*
Dino Days
My kids' school has Dino Week--a week focused on books and reading--and today was "Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character" day. My girl chose to go as Laura Ingalls and my son decided to go as The Man in the Big Yellow Hat (from Curious George). All I have to say is, "Did I REALLY think I could make a big yellow hat all by myself?" While the costumes are definitely NOT even close to my quality standards, it just doesn't matter, because my kids thought they looked SO GOOD--and that's the point!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Feelin' the Love
The kids both had fun parties at school. I think you can tell what they both enjoyed the most!
Some PUPPY love....Oreo has secured her place in our hearts!
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Little of This and A Little of That
Just a little "catch-up" post...
The Prince had a birthday--
The birthday cake:
The birthday sundae (We take the kids to IHOP on their birthdays--it's the ONLY day they get ice cream at breakfast!):
Cupcakes I made for his class (yes, I made them):
Six big BEAR hugs from his teacher:
The rest of the birthday cake at the family party:
The Princess gave us some looks--
If I don't eat all my pancakes, I don't get ice cream? OH MY!!
This is THE LOOK...you know, the look only girls seem capable of giving:
And, the DOG--
She needs another trip to the groomers:
She's learning a few tricks:
She LOVES to play with The Prince:
If I don't eat all my pancakes, I don't get ice cream? OH MY!!
This is THE LOOK...you know, the look only girls seem capable of giving:
And, the DOG--
She needs another trip to the groomers:
She's learning a few tricks:
She LOVES to play with The Prince:
News From bella*tessa designs!!
In the midst of all the healing going on around here, some other changes have occurred, as well...
I am now a member of the ebay design group:
I am now a member of the ebay design group:
It's an exciting new venture for me and have listed my first set with them today. You can find it HERE!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Where I've Been...
I've been nursing the sick...in my own household. Everyone in my home has been on antibiotics in the past month, so we are all doing much better!
In addition, I made the decision to return to teaching next year. However, it seems God had a different idea, because I'll be returning AFTER SPRING BREAK! A teacher in my children's school is going on maternity leave and I'll be taking her place. It seems there's quite a bit of paperwork involved to return to a job that you left 6 years ago.
I will be continuing with my sewing, but am excited that it will be shifting from a full-time job to an enjoyable hobby! I will still be listing sets on ebay and etsy and will keep you updated here. I just won't be listing quite as many, so if you like something, get it while you can!!
Life is returning to normal, so hopefully my blog posts won't be quite as sparce. I'll be posting about my son's birthday next!
In addition, I made the decision to return to teaching next year. However, it seems God had a different idea, because I'll be returning AFTER SPRING BREAK! A teacher in my children's school is going on maternity leave and I'll be taking her place. It seems there's quite a bit of paperwork involved to return to a job that you left 6 years ago.
I will be continuing with my sewing, but am excited that it will be shifting from a full-time job to an enjoyable hobby! I will still be listing sets on ebay and etsy and will keep you updated here. I just won't be listing quite as many, so if you like something, get it while you can!!
Life is returning to normal, so hopefully my blog posts won't be quite as sparce. I'll be posting about my son's birthday next!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A Kitchen Renovation
When we moved into this house back in July of 2004, we knew we wanted to change the kitchen. However, with the birth of our daughter 4 days later, 2 small children, a full time job, not to mention a BUDGET, it's taken a little time, but the kitchen is finished! I didn't take great pictures along the way, but managed a little time line (also shows the progression of cameras/photography):
November 2004--As it was when we moved in: striped fruity wallpaper, 90's oak cabinets, green painted formica backsplash, faux bleached wood laminate countertops.
November 2004--As it was when we moved in: striped fruity wallpaper, 90's oak cabinets, green painted formica backsplash, faux bleached wood laminate countertops.
October 2005--We'd torn down the wallpaper and began the preparations to refinish the cabinets.
December 2008--Right before the final renovations with refinished cabinets and dark red paint on the walls.
(Almost) FINISHED!! January 2009--This is my favorite part: the window box above the sink and our new sink and faucet--just needing some grout.
Another view of the finished counters and the tiled backsplash. Let me add that my husband (with help from his dad) did the MAJORITY of the renovations on his own!
We do have new lights to put up, but that will involve some electrical finagling, so it will be a weekend project (soon!).Sunday, December 21, 2008
OREO
If you know me, you thought this post would never come (or not come for a VERY long time), but we have a puppy--and we are all in love!
She is a Lhasa Apso puppy that we got at the Humane Society yesterday. She is a puppy mill rescue who is 3 months old and just about as sweet as can be. She only weighs 3 1/2 pounds (maybe 3 now after we had her shaved to get rid of all the knots and matting she had).
When we picked her up, they were calling her "Tinsel," but the kids wanted to pick their own name for her. Unfortunately, it seems a 4 and 5 year old can't agree on a dog name. While calling Aunt Erin to tell her about our new pup, she suggested "Oreo," since she's black and white--JACKPOT! BOTH of the kids agreed immediately to have that be her new name!
Training a new puppy is really never fun, but to be honest, it is going better than we thought it would. We actually got 5 hours of straight sleep last night followed by about 3 more (after The King took her out, of course). We've decided to work really hard at the beginning to train her, so that she will be a great dog for the rest of her life.....right?
Bottom line: she's adorable, loving, cuddly, and the kids think she's the best Christmas present EVER!!
Training a new puppy is really never fun, but to be honest, it is going better than we thought it would. We actually got 5 hours of straight sleep last night followed by about 3 more (after The King took her out, of course). We've decided to work really hard at the beginning to train her, so that she will be a great dog for the rest of her life.....right?
Bottom line: she's adorable, loving, cuddly, and the kids think she's the best Christmas present EVER!!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
CPSIA
Have you heard about the wonderful legislation passed to ensure our kids toys are lead and phthalate free? Did you know that the law ended up being worded in such a way that, unless amendments are made, it will be illegal for me to sell my hand-made clothing come February 10? I truly didn't believe it, at first--and to be honest, I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I'm still researching, but what I've found so far seems to imply that in an effort to protect our children (which I am ALL for), a law was passed that will impact not only me, but THOUSANDS of other small businesses.
I've copied this from the Etsy site, because it gives a very general idea of what I'm looking at--and writing just isn't one of my "things." If you are interested in more information, leave a comment and I'll be happy to share with you.
I've copied this from the Etsy site, because it gives a very general idea of what I'm looking at--and writing just isn't one of my "things." If you are interested in more information, leave a comment and I'll be happy to share with you.
The following is an open letter regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This Act, which will go into effect on February 10th, 2009, puts forth much more stringent safety measures for products intended for children under the age of 12.
Under the very important auspices of child safety, the Act may have grave unintended consequences: fewer choices for families who are looking for handcrafted alternatives. Many Etsy artists and craftspeople have expressed fears that they won't be able stay in business due to the burdensome cost of testing and certification pursuant to the proposed legislation.
As a venue for handcrafted and vintage items from small entrepreneurs, Etsy has invited the Ombudsman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to join us in a webchat in our Virtual Lab. Etsy would very much appreciate the opportunity to provide a forum for discussing the concerns of artisans who make toys and children's products as well as their customers who support handmade products.
We urge members of the Etsy community and anyone concerned with both child safety and conscientious consumption to contact their governmental representatives; ask them to consider how the Act will impact independent craftspeople.
The office of the CPSC ombudsman: 888-531-9070.
Visit the Handmade Toy Alliance for information about writing your representatives.
Over 200,000 artists, crafters and vintage collectors sell their items on Etsy.com. Many of these artisans make toys and other items for children. Made with love, care, the human touch and—often—all-natural materials, these items bring the consumer marketplace back to a personal level where customers can chat with toy makers and even create custom items for specific needs. Etsy members are part of a larger movement that seeks to creatively provide people across the globe with alternatives to mass-produced goods.
Many Etsy sellers are work-at-home-moms and dads. Among them are crafters with the skill and heart to preserve traditions of toy-making or to innovate their own methods of making children's items with a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) hands-on philosophy. You can meet an Etsy toy maker and seller by watching this five minute video portrait (all of our videos are published under open Creative Commons, so please feel free to repost). Amber Dusick, aka woodmouse.etsy.com and Los Angeles-based toy-maker/work-at-home-mama, is an artist who would be impacted by this proposed legislation if it is enacted. Amber uses sustainably harvested woods, non-toxic paints and beeswax along with her wood-burning tool to create simple, natural wooden toys. Her imagery is reminiscent of a child's crayon drawing come to life in wood.
Amber, like other Etsy toy makers and sellers, is fearful that as a sole proprietor she will not be able to afford the stricter regulations of the Act; the cost of testing and certification is likely beyond her means. She told Etsy, “I'd be more than happy to have each of my toys tested, if it wasn't so cost prohibitive. It is the COST involved in testing that will shut us down, it isn't that anyone refuses to have their work tested."
The Small Business Administration defines "small business" as under 500 employees. Most of our Etsy members are either sole proprietors or maybe a family or studio of friends working together. Many craftspeople on Etsy have told us that they could be put out of business if forced to comply with the proposed legislation. This is the painful irony bound up in the CPSIA.
Etsy wanted to reach out with this open letter to see what can be done to ensure that small businesses and micro enterprises are being taken into account with this legislation. Our members would like to better understand how the CPSIA took into account these smaller businesses operating with fewer resources for testing and compliance. We believe Etsy artisans are pro-testing and pro-safety; the problem is the prohibitive certification costs relative to their small businesses' incomes. Our community is concerned that this legislature disregards small businesses in its attempts to regulate large corporate entities.
The U.S. House and Senate passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (the CPSIA), and on August 14, 2008, President Bush signed the Act into law. Further information on the Act is available at the CPSC website at http://www.cpsc.gov/ and helpful FAQs are located http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.pdf.
Under the very important auspices of child safety, the Act may have grave unintended consequences: fewer choices for families who are looking for handcrafted alternatives. Many Etsy artists and craftspeople have expressed fears that they won't be able stay in business due to the burdensome cost of testing and certification pursuant to the proposed legislation.
As a venue for handcrafted and vintage items from small entrepreneurs, Etsy has invited the Ombudsman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to join us in a webchat in our Virtual Lab. Etsy would very much appreciate the opportunity to provide a forum for discussing the concerns of artisans who make toys and children's products as well as their customers who support handmade products.
We urge members of the Etsy community and anyone concerned with both child safety and conscientious consumption to contact their governmental representatives; ask them to consider how the Act will impact independent craftspeople.
The office of the CPSC ombudsman: 888-531-9070.
Visit the Handmade Toy Alliance for information about writing your representatives.
Over 200,000 artists, crafters and vintage collectors sell their items on Etsy.com. Many of these artisans make toys and other items for children. Made with love, care, the human touch and—often—all-natural materials, these items bring the consumer marketplace back to a personal level where customers can chat with toy makers and even create custom items for specific needs. Etsy members are part of a larger movement that seeks to creatively provide people across the globe with alternatives to mass-produced goods.
Many Etsy sellers are work-at-home-moms and dads. Among them are crafters with the skill and heart to preserve traditions of toy-making or to innovate their own methods of making children's items with a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) hands-on philosophy. You can meet an Etsy toy maker and seller by watching this five minute video portrait (all of our videos are published under open Creative Commons, so please feel free to repost). Amber Dusick, aka woodmouse.etsy.com and Los Angeles-based toy-maker/work-at-home-mama, is an artist who would be impacted by this proposed legislation if it is enacted. Amber uses sustainably harvested woods, non-toxic paints and beeswax along with her wood-burning tool to create simple, natural wooden toys. Her imagery is reminiscent of a child's crayon drawing come to life in wood.
Amber, like other Etsy toy makers and sellers, is fearful that as a sole proprietor she will not be able to afford the stricter regulations of the Act; the cost of testing and certification is likely beyond her means. She told Etsy, “I'd be more than happy to have each of my toys tested, if it wasn't so cost prohibitive. It is the COST involved in testing that will shut us down, it isn't that anyone refuses to have their work tested."
The Small Business Administration defines "small business" as under 500 employees. Most of our Etsy members are either sole proprietors or maybe a family or studio of friends working together. Many craftspeople on Etsy have told us that they could be put out of business if forced to comply with the proposed legislation. This is the painful irony bound up in the CPSIA.
Etsy wanted to reach out with this open letter to see what can be done to ensure that small businesses and micro enterprises are being taken into account with this legislation. Our members would like to better understand how the CPSIA took into account these smaller businesses operating with fewer resources for testing and compliance. We believe Etsy artisans are pro-testing and pro-safety; the problem is the prohibitive certification costs relative to their small businesses' incomes. Our community is concerned that this legislature disregards small businesses in its attempts to regulate large corporate entities.
The U.S. House and Senate passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (the CPSIA), and on August 14, 2008, President Bush signed the Act into law. Further information on the Act is available at the CPSC website at http://www.cpsc.gov/ and helpful FAQs are located http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.pdf.
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Letter to a Dog
About18 months ago, we went to visit some of my husband's relatives. They have a little white dog named Holli, and my son fell in love. He talks about her all the time, and (of course) thinks we need a dog, too.
This week, my husband took a business trip that allowed him to visit his family and he sent a couple of pictures of Holli back to us. This rekindled my son's "obsession" with Holli, and he decided to send her a letter (yes, to the dog). He sat and wrote the letter and drew the picture with absolutely NO help--even put it in the envelope so I could address it and put on a stamp.
Last night, I saw the envelope sitting with a pencil right beside it at "my spot" at the kitchen table--presumable so I wouldn't forget to do what I said I'd do. I hadn't looked at what he'd done, but when I took it out, I was so glad I had my new scanner--this was something I wanted to keep!
Here's the letter:
(Dear Holli, How much fun are you having with my dad? Aunt Alice, write a letter.)
This week, my husband took a business trip that allowed him to visit his family and he sent a couple of pictures of Holli back to us. This rekindled my son's "obsession" with Holli, and he decided to send her a letter (yes, to the dog). He sat and wrote the letter and drew the picture with absolutely NO help--even put it in the envelope so I could address it and put on a stamp.
Last night, I saw the envelope sitting with a pencil right beside it at "my spot" at the kitchen table--presumable so I wouldn't forget to do what I said I'd do. I hadn't looked at what he'd done, but when I took it out, I was so glad I had my new scanner--this was something I wanted to keep!
Here's the letter:
(Dear Holli, How much fun are you having with my dad? Aunt Alice, write a letter.)
Here's the picture of him with Holli on a leash:
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
TICKETS!
We have purchased ticket for all four of us to go see this:
This will be the first time for the kids to see it and they are actually pretty excited!
AND....
I just purchase tickets for just me and The King to go see these guys:
Talk about excitement!! We pretty much play their music non-stop this time of year. Chances are you've heard them before, but if you aren't sure, click on this link to hear one of my all-time favorite songs:
http://www.imeem.com/people/tpuf_/music/UkKwfNZC/trans_siberian_orchestra_carol_of_the_bells/
This will be the first time for the kids to see it and they are actually pretty excited!
AND....
I just purchase tickets for just me and The King to go see these guys:
Talk about excitement!! We pretty much play their music non-stop this time of year. Chances are you've heard them before, but if you aren't sure, click on this link to hear one of my all-time favorite songs:
http://www.imeem.com/people/tpuf_/music/UkKwfNZC/trans_siberian_orchestra_carol_of_the_bells/
Monday, December 8, 2008
Requests
It's been requested of me to post some of the following photos (mostly by family members), so here you go:
First, in the King's last race, the professional photographer caught this picture of him:
Second, here is my entire family: parents, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, husband, children and me. We try to get a decent picture every year at Thanksgiving!
First, in the King's last race, the professional photographer caught this picture of him:
Second, here is my entire family: parents, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, husband, children and me. We try to get a decent picture every year at Thanksgiving!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sample Set Listings!
I just listed FIVE of my Christmas sample sets and they all have FREE shipping!! Check them out HERE.
We've been having holiday fun with family at our house for Thanksgiving followed by whirlwind days of getting all the Christmas decorations up! I'll have some pictures to post in the next day or so.
We've been having holiday fun with family at our house for Thanksgiving followed by whirlwind days of getting all the Christmas decorations up! I'll have some pictures to post in the next day or so.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Activities
Although it seems like there is always one thing or another going on, we have officially entered the "busy season." Last weekend the King ran a half-marathon. It is amazing to me that he can run for that long----and that (for the most part) he ENJOYS it!
OK, so I wasn't quite ready with the camera and only caught the backside (but look at those calf muscles!!).
The kids both had Thanksgiving feasts and programs at school. Neither one of them has had to deal with any sort of "stage fright."
The kids both had Thanksgiving feasts and programs at school. Neither one of them has had to deal with any sort of "stage fright."
Friday night they had a dance recital at an OUTSIDE amphitheater, and it was ffffffffreezing!
Finally, here's my girl with her cousin (Erin's daughter). Erin had posted about a new Photoshop technique that she learned and I had to try it out...
This week is busy as well with meetings at the school Monday night and Tuesday morning; a full day of Thanksgiving food preparation and house cleaning on Wednesday; Thanksgiving here on Thursday; Thanksgiving at my parents on Friday; a family "run" on Saturday; that's it (I hope).
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