Fall Is In the Air

Today the prince had a school field trip to the pumpkin patch. The princess and I went along. It's a great place outside of town with all kinds of animals! It was quite chilly this morning, but you can't really go to the PUMPKIN PATCH when it's warm out, can you? It should be brisk and crisp outside!

The kids were able to hand feed the goats. They got to see a camel and a buffalo--yes, a camel and a buffalo. They climbed on the requisite mound of pumpkins, took a hayride, and picked out their own little pumpkin to bring home. Most of the pumpkins were mid-size, but the prince picked out a cute little pumpkin that fit in the palm of his hand. I asked him why he picked a little pumpkin and he said, "I couldn't carry the big pumpkins, I couldn't even carry the medium pumpkins, so I picked a little pumpkin." Can't argue with that logic!

SPC--Week 4--Food and Me--After Food

During this entire month's SPC, I've really tried to tie my pictures into how I feel about food at any given time. Today, food means dishes, clean-up, more work. I remember the days when I didn't have a dishwasher and my deal was, "If I just had a dishwasher, my kitchen would always be clean." Yeah, right.

So here it is....a picture of how I feel about food today. I need to invest in more disposable dishes, utensils, etc.

Note to self: do NOT take a self portrait from the back, again!

SPC--Week3--Food and Me--Comfort

I've been sick--runny nose, achy body, deep-chest cough. I'm getting better now, but took this picture the other day when all I wanted to eat was the ol' standby--chicken noodle soup.

11.14.07

The long awaited date is arriving! The new season of Project Runway begins! YIPEE!

SPC--Week 2--Food and Me--Decisions

I love chocolate.

My husband loves me.

He gives me chocolate.

Now......which one do I choose?

To see more pictures from the Self Portrait Challenge, click HERE!

Gotta Have It!

My SIL, Erin, made this FANTASTIC necklace for me and I love it! I wanted to take a picture of it today and had The Prince (who's only 4) do it for me!

You can find yours HERE!

Love

The other day, while taking pictures of one of my outfits, the kids decided they were in the mood to pose. It was so much fun AND, I got some of the best pictures of them! I look at these and feel my heart overflow with love....you know, the honest-to-goodness feeling that your heart is just not big enough to hold all that you feel for your children? The feeling that only your children can cause? My cup runs over.....

SPC--Week 1--What Will It Be?

Here it is--my first attempt at the Self Portrait Challenge. This month's theme: Food & Me! Well, I have plenty to say about that! I love food! Really, I get a lot of enjoyment not only from eating good food, but also from preparing it. With an Italian husband, from a typical Italian family, food is important! When I think about the pictures I could take depicting the role of food in my life, I realize that I'll have a difficult time choosing just four!

This week I titled my photo, "What Will It Be?" I feel like I spend more time than is appropriate standing in front of my pantry trying to decide what will be eaten...by me....for dinner....for my kids' snacks. This is also where I stand while trying to figure out our grocery list and where we throw away our trash. I'm thinking I need a chair!

Finally, a last little peek into my life....the blur in the bottom corner (aka my son). There are few things I can do in life right now that won't include my children in some way!

Resells! Resells!

I've listed a few of my sample sets on ebay.

Mermaid 1

Mermaid 2

Christmas

Vintage Blue

Or click HERE to go to ALL my ebay listings.

I Did It!

I signed up for the Self Portrait Challenge. Tune into my blog on Tuesdays for a peek!

Last Minute Rock Star

Two days ago a few of the girls in my design group, The Lil Peas, decided to do a mini-launch based on the High School Musical *craze*. I (of course) decided to jump on board. This is what I came up with:



It's a dress, jeans, and tee, and you can find it HERE!

First Soccer Game

Last Saturday was our first soccer game. They did so well! This is the third season for the Prince, and his progress is beyond noticeable. This is the first season for the Princess, and her skills are noticeably better than the Prince's were when he began. To be fair, we KNOW that this comes from the previous two seasons where she was able to watch every practice and game--she definitely had a head start.

At this week's game, the Prince played goalie for a while and he blocked FOUR goals! He took the job seriously, and while he was in the goal--no points for the other team!


The Princess actually followed the ball around the field (didn't just stand there and kick at the dirt, like someone else did their first season). She even got in a pretty good kick! At the age of three, we tell her, "Keep your eyes on the ball, listen to your coach, and try to kick the ball just one time." She did her job!


They had a blast, and for us, that's all that matters!

Priorities....

Are you like me? Do you look at your life and wonder if you are doing things the right way? I have spent time over the past week or so looking at my life and wondering if I'm doing it right.

All I've truly wanted out of my life was to be a wife and mother. I think I am pretty good at both. However, on those days where the stress of other things in my life affects my relationships with my husband and children, I wonder if it's worth it. They are my highest priority (after God, of course).

If you've read my blog, you know I design mostly girls clothing and sell it on ebay. I love doing it! I enjoy creating, and I love the idea that others like my designs, as well. The thing is this: it stresses me out sometimes and I'm not the only one paying the price.

I have spent the last week trying to decide if I should just quit. For now, the answer is, "no." However, my priorities are starting to change. I don't spend as much time sewing as I used to. Last week I did an overhaul on my home and my husband said, "Wow! I think you need to quit sewing....I like you like this." Hmmmmm......

The thing is, I need the little outlet that sewing offers to me. It is a way for me to express my creativity and I love the ladies I chat with on a daily basis in my design group. It's just a little something for me.

I've kept going at it thinking that I would "make it big," and contribute mightily to the family income, but it hasn't happened. I don't know if it will. The thing is, I have changed my thinking about why I do it. It's for ME. Before, I could explain away all of my time spent sewing by saying, "It's for the family." Now, I know differently.

The point of this long and rambling post.....I'm not sure. I guess just a way to get out some of the things that have been floating around in my head.

I am a wife and mother. That is what I want to be....what I LOVE being. For enjoyment, I design and sew clothing.

This is an old picture, but one of my favorites:

It's the Thought

...that counts, right? I spent a good deal of my morning making my daughter a bow board for her mysteriously multiplying bows.


I covered an OLD cork board with batting and the fabric and carefully stapled it so that the lines would be perfectly straight. I cut out coordinating ribbons and stapled them on the board and hanging down from the board--making sure that they, too were perfectly straight.

I must admit, I was pretty pleased with my end result. "Cute!" I thought....

THEN....

I started adding the bows....and bows....and bows....and bows. I ended up with this:


Do you get my point, here? You can't even see the cute fabric or the super straightness of all my lines! So, I decided to share it here so that somebody will have seen my handiwork.

It's the thought that counts, right?

That's IT!! (For Now)

This is the last new set in an incredibly busy week! I won't be listing anything new until next Tuesday, when I'll be listing my formal Christmas sets.



This set was made for the I2D (Inspired to Design) launch using the "Aunt Grace Scrapbag" fabric line. The pants are super wide, the long sleeves are shirred, and the apron is hand-embroidered.


The matching bows are by Des (details-by-des). As always, I think the bows give the whole set a finished look!

Favorite Things

My 2nd set for the EuroPEAn Holiday launch! You can find it HERE!

Let It Snow!

Here's my newest listing for the Lil Peas "EuroPEAn Holiday" launch. It's a reversible jumper, appliqué tee, and appliqué knit pants. I love how the furry snowmen came out! You can see my listing HERE!

Tammy made this adorable snowman necklace to match! Click on the picture to find her listing!

Generations (& a Fence Update)

Today Poppy (aka The King's dad) came over to help put up the new fence. He came a little early and had The Prince go out and help him get started. Poppy is an independent contractor, a handy-man, the guy who can just about do it all. It is because of him that my husband can *almost* do it all, when it comes to household/construction/repair things.

It was so touching to watch him start to pass on some of his knowledge to The Prince--and let me tell you!--The Prince was soaking it up like a sponge! His life would be perfect if he could end up just like his Daddy and Poppy!

Weekend Fun

What else could you possibly want to spend your weekend doing?

After a strong and windy storm Friday night, we awoke to three sections of our fence in our backyard. Doesn't it always happen this way? We knew that section of the fence was going to need to be replaced. It had been looking "droopy" all summer. We had made plans to save up a little repair money and take a scheduled day sometime in October to replace that entire side. You know, when we could have (male) friends and family over to help....when is was a gorgeous fall day (no rain and NOT muggy). But, NOPE....The King was SO HAPPY to spend Saturday in the rain removing the old fence and Sunday in the humidity digging the 2 foot holes and setting the new posts---FUN, FUN, FUN!! Tonight his dad is coming over to help him finish with all the pickets.

The good news--while at the hardware store, he spotted a sale and bought himself this (as a birthday present):

Soccer Stars

It's that time of year again! Soccer is a big sport in this house--mostly because soccer was Daddy's sport. This season The Prince AND The Princess are playing soccer--and they are on the same team! It's the only time when their ages match up just right, so we'll have this one last season of having only ONE game to go to on Saturdays--thank GOD!

They had their first practice last week and it was fun to see them working together! The Prince played the big brother role well: they did a kicking drill and when the coach thought everyone was finished The Prince spoke up and said, "My sister didn't get her turn, yet!" She's a little more reserved and wouldn't have said anything....it was sweet!

Here are some pics of the future Soccer Stars!

I told them to stand next to each other, and this is what I got:

Talk about perfect form! (In my humble opinion.)

His Daddy kicks just like this!

She has plans to steal that ball from Daddy!

I mean, really! Could they look any more alike?

NEW Website & Mailing List Promotion

I've finally set up my new website. The offerings are bare (for now), but I have plans to add to it throughout the month of October. My web address is:

www.bellatessadesigns.com

One way to stay updated on what's going on with bella*tessa designs (no family stuff, here!) is to sign up for my newsletter. When you sign up for my newsletter, you will be entered into a drawing to be held at the end of October. Winner receives a free custom outfit made by ME! (Appliqué tee & skirt or pants)

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For Now

After messing, and messing, and messing, and MESSING with the colors of my blog, I think I'll stay here for a while. Still not *in love* but it's good enough--because, yes! I have other things to do!

Sneek Peek

Here' s a look at a versatile set that I'll be listing tomorrow (Monday 09/03). If you click HERE after Monday morning, you can see the listing. Made of all knit, it's comfy and cozy. With the reversible dress, tee, and pants all included, you can wear it many different ways!

Say Hello To My Little Friend

Let me start this post by saying that if this no-so-little bugger was inside my house, I wouldn't be taking pictures of it--it would be DEAD!

As you can see, however, it is alive and living on an enormous web right outside my dining room window. I would guess that it is about 2 inches long, the body about 3/4 of an inch long. All around DISGUSTING!

Enjoy!!

Well, hmmmmm......

I've been messing around with my blog colors for quite some time and basically....I HATE IT! However, it's 12:45 a.m. and I need some sleep. So, bear with me here, I guess I'm under renovation!

EDIT--Sat. 2:00 p.m.

Try number 2---NOPE! I'll be back!