Thursday Luvin'

Hello dear friends, how is everyone today? Here in Cleveland we finally got a break from the unrelenting heat and humidity and enjoyed some cooler breezes. It was absolutely lovely! I am working on a some parenting posts, a little bit of homeschooling stuff, and trying to deal with the everyday stresses of life. Anyhow, here are some lovelies I have seen on my addiction, also known as Pinterest!

I am LOVING these earrings!!! So whimsical and fun!

Get a pair here!

                                               Source: theburghbaby.com via Connie on Pinterest

This fairy garden is beautiful,
I love the detail work and I think that the girls would enjoy making this.

Speaking of crafting with the girls...

                     Source: unsimpleliving.wordpress.com via Connie on Pinterest

Wouldn't this be fun art for a playroom?

                                              Source: smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com via Connie on Pinterest

I really would love to learn how to knit so I can make some of these...
I know the basic knit and purl stitch but that's about it.

                                               Source: flickr.com via Connie on Pinterest

Next week starts my favorite time of year,
Gabby's birthday is the 16th,
Aj's birthday is in September... then there is the yumminess of fall and holidays.
I can't wait to start all the celebrating!

Today I am Loving...

... this awesome wrap bracelet found here...

It is bright, colorful, and the elephant is a symbol of good luck!

(however, the $250 price tag is a bit hefty so I am making my own with these beads:)

and this little guy

Isn't it adorable?!

I have been making practice wrap bracelets and

I must say that it is a pretty time consuming project but a lot of fun 

and the end results are worth it. 

Here is the original design by Chan Luu, which are over $200 each:

and here is my bracelet that I made using this tutorial:

It cost about $6 to make and took about 2 hours all said and done...

There are tons of these tutorials flying about Pinterest and many that you can buy on Etsy,

 but I am a DIY sort of gal and love that I can customize my own to fit my teeny wrists.

What do you think about this trend going around?

Hola!

I have some new things in the store... =)

a one of a kind Fairy Door

and I am now making Little Nook Fairy Doors, 

perfect for staircases and tiny spaces.

I love the Happily Ever After Door. 

It makes me smile with the sunshiney yellow color!

I have another crazy week coming up, 

last of the dance photo shoots but 10 hr days,

kids to care for,

plus a teething baby...

so forgive me if I'm not around too much....

I will be thankful to get through these next 3 days with all my sanity

and my hair free of greys! 

Are you looking forward to the upcoming week?

Sunday Thoughts

Hola ya'll! Well after a very rough week I can honestly say that I am looking forward to Monday. I am hopping back on the No Yelling Wagon, reaching deep within that calm mommy inside, and going to set the example that I so want to be for my girls. Hopefully this rainy weather will stop so that we can get back to our regularly scheduled program of bike riding, gardening, and playing! Here are some cool things that I wanted to share before I forget them:

I am clutching this article from Tiny Buddha like it is a life-raft... good-bye bad moods!

We love going to the movies when it is bad out or too hot but these days it is really pricey. If your kids are movie buffs too check out the Summer Movie Clubhouse for a GREAT summer movie deal- 10 movies for only $5 if you get the whole set or $1 per show at the ticket box!!!

Of course, summer also means lazy reading days on the beach, at the park, or wherever else we decide to plunk down. Check out Border's Double Dog Dare Reading Challenge or Barnes and Nobel's reading program to earn free books!

I would love to organize our garden like this... so neat and tidy...

Gabby is starting to really notice nature and I wanted her to start a nature journal this summer. This is a great example of a simple journal!

And of course there is always a new Etsy find... today's new discovery is a shop called Andrew's Reclaimed. I love beautifully polished and simple decor and this wood shop delivers all that and more. Check them out, especially this neat woodpecker feeder!

Well, that's it! Here's to a new week, a fresh start, and many new discoveries...

Random Ramblings from a Tired Mommy...

I would love to be in that bed right now... preferably with curtains drawn, lavender lotion soothing me to sleep, and no thoughts of who needed what from me. Just for a moment... then I could get up and continue this dance called life.

Today I met two teachers who were planning on homeschooling their children. Doesn't it say something when even teachers don't want their kids in public school? These teachers lived in pretty affluent cities as well, so it wasn't as if the schools were impoverished. Both were concerned over about different things from the school atmosphere to curriculum and asked really insightful questions. It was nice!

Last week we went to the nature center and it just so happened that most of the schools were on Spring Break. Gabby met a very nice 7 yr old boy who was also in first grade. Inevitably he asked what school Gabby went to... I held my breath to see how the conversation would play out. Gabby told him that she "got to school at home" and you should have seen the boy's eyes light up! He asked how come she got to stay home and Gabby replied, "Because my mom likes to teach me! Go ask your mom if you can to!"

Ok, so I have 2 questions for all you Blogger/Blog queens: 
1. How do you respond to a comment right in the comment section?
2. How do you know who is linking to your blog or a post? I know that people share some things that I write about and would love to see the links!

I really need to get a jump on all the different things I have going... Usborne is up and going again but I need new business cards and stickers to go on the back. Etsy is going really well so I need to add more items and such, plus there is the craft show in June that I will need business cards for... AHHHH! Ok, time to go have a winecooler and paint some fairy doors... thanks for listening to me ramble dear friends!

Crafty Goodness

One of best things about living in Lakewood is the abundance of creativity and small businesses. Many stores have unique, well made things that often find their way into my home like our pink children's table and my craft closet. I visited a new store today called Crafty Goodness, a cute little shop that only sells local handmade art. One of my fellow Etsian blogger friends- Prasti- has some adorable onesies and plush blocks there along with about 64 other artisans! (The blocks shown are from her Etsy shop- Here to There- aren't they pretty?!)

In the store I saw awesome zombie art, belts made from car seat belts, makeup, plush monsters, pillows, jewelry, and so much more! It was really cool to know that everything there was local and made with love.

Speaking of local art, there is a new addition to my store! A Special Edition Fairy Door that is shaped like a rainbow. It is so colorful and happy... I can't wait to paint some more! (Anyone who orders a fairy door in the month of April will get complimentary brass door numbers as a thank you from me, all you have to do is put in the notes to seller what number(s) you want on the door!)

And if you are curious what others think of my fairy doors, here is a wonderful review from an Etsy buyer. I made a  pretty hot pink and white door for her little girls that turned out so pretty.

It was so nice to get out for a walk today. it finally feels like Spring is coming sooner than later. Happy days to you all!

Easter Goodies and a Bunny

This Easter we are really cutting down on the amount of stuff we put in the girl's baskets. Instead of filling a plastic basket with junk that will be broken or lost within a day or two we are going to give them stuff that will inspire and enhance.

I ordered some cute unpainted wooden toys from Goose Grease Undone on Etsy, a set of butterflies and a set of dragonflies. Lately we have been painting unfinished wooden eggs a lot and the girls really enjoy watching me paint fairy doors and Spoolie dolls. By getting them their own paintables they can work beside me without taking my store supplies, lol!

Some other ideas I have are bird masks- (the girls LOVE birds!),  recycled crayons in fun shapes like these dinosaurs, creative building blocks, and of course, fun soap!

We will give the kids a little bit of chocolate, some bubbles, and a book, but that will be about it! I did, however, make something that I should have saved for Easter, but couldn't resist showing Gabby and AJ my creation- Plush Little Pocket Bunnies!!!

These are bunnies that are embroidered and personalized with a special pocket in the back, which is perfect for storing small trinkets and such. They are super easy to make and the girls love hugging them close! I really should have saved them for their baskets but I couldn't resist!!

**I am going to try to post a tutorial tomorrow... they are super quick and easy to make.  I have a pretty nasty cold right now though so we will see.**

Today I am....

:loving: this sweet tutorial on how to make an easy summer dress for my girls, plus a matching headband!

:thinking: about creating a floor bed for Miss Moira this weekend... girlfriend HATES her crib and got stuck one too many times for this Mama to care for! 

:craving: some warm sunshine, like what we felt last week in Atlanta.

:making: a recycled t-shirt rug with Gabby, using a hula hoop for the loom!

:wanting: this photo,  this journal, this purse, and  these hair pins from Etsy

:singing: this song from Glee, it just makes me smile! 

:needing: to feel some more sunshine on my face... I was spoiled in Atlanta by all the sun, warmth, and blooms!

:drawing: in this book that we bought for the family. It really makes you think... I mean what do you draw for "girlish laughter"?

:sewing: more of these pretty yet useful necklaces for the craft show in June. They are really teething necklaces that hide unfinished wooden beads, perfect for sore little gums!

What are you up to today?

Well Hello!

This is about as much romance as I get these days!
(photo from here!)

Hey there! Is anyone else feeling the romance in the air? Hearts, red, and lots of chocolate everywhere... Speaking of romance... one thing they forget to mention when you are having a baby is the utter lack of opportunities for romance once your little one arrives. And forget it when you have more than one! Trying to find some grownup snuggle time is akin to finding a good time to repaint my walls... I don't think that having a hubby who works third shift helps the problem either. By the end of the day I am beat, he is snoozing before work, and sure enough one of the kids needs something. Ack!

Today Miss Moira had her 2 month old doctor's appointment. The general thought is that she is cute as a button and perfect as pie. Although she has a pretty bad case of cradle cap on her face and hair line (yuck) as well as some eczema on her arms... thank goodness for Photoshop and Picnik... She wakes up looking like a little scaly dragon-baby hybrid. The only cream that seems to help is this wonderful cream by Weleda.

Homeschooling is going well with Gabby. We are tackling Dolch's Sight Words, reading comprehension, vertebrates and invertebrates, pictographs, and the great state of Ohio. I read a great article today over at Simple Homeschooling that really put the whole thing into perspective though... the most important thing I have to do with her today is just love her. Simple as that. Seriously, go here and read the article... you will feel all warm inside after!

I got an interesting email today from a fellow Etsian, asking me if I want to participate in a craft show in June. I have never done a craft show and have no clue what would sell there...  I make a lot of things... how do I choose? Do I sell a little bit of everything or just concentrate on just one or two things that people really like? Ahhh! Any advice would be welcome! Obviously if you visit here a lot you see all of my craftiness, which my kids love. But what would actually sell? I am thinking of making a whole bunch of really girly things like some pom pom tutus, fairy doors, and spoolie dolls that match hair clips.... who knows though!

Love Is In the Air!!

Seems like love is in the air everywhere I look! Valentine's day wreathes, tiny bottles filled with I Love You messages, cakes with hearts baked in the center.... Yep, definitely almost February!!

Here are some of my favorite projects and lovey-ness that I have seen today:

Aren't these Valentine's Day Gumball Necklaces cute?!!!! 

Find out how to make them here!

"I love every little thing you do."

Isn't that a perfect message for your valentine?

Get your own teeny love note in a bottle here!

Everyone loves those cute little conversations hearts...

why not make them part of your decor?

Here is the tutorial... super cute!

I love cake, this one definitely says LOVE to me!

Find out how this baking genius did it here!

I am searching and searching for a cute and simple wreath idea for our front door...

anyone have any suggestions?

My Tuesday ♥'s

Been seeing lots of cool stuff on the web and wanted to share it all with you before I accidentally close the windows and forget!

♥ the idea of making a vacation memory jar with the kids!

from here

♥ anything that makes eating healthier a little easier and a lot more fun!

found here

♥'s are all over the place with Valentine's Day right around the corner!

Super easy craft found here!

I can't tell you how much I ♥♥♥ this handmade rug!

Supplies came from here and the artist is here!

Finally, I am so ♥'ing this pretty bamboo scene complete with panda,

all made from felt!

What wonderful talent!!

Check out the full Etsy shop here!

Getting Readjusted...

Today my little one is exactly 3 weeks old and while in some ways I have needed more time to adjust to this new routine, in many ways life just continued on as normal. My own children to care for, other children to care for (a new family started the week that I came home from the hospital!), pets to be looked after, laundry... it is all there. I am enjoying this new person in my life though... she is definitely an easy, mellow baby, who already heard the sounds in the sometimes chaotic house, therefore, when I have to raise my voice or there is nuttiness going on she can sleep right through it all. Thank goodness!

Moira definitely has a personality already. She is calm and likes to push away from me to look around her environment. She will fuss if I don't nurse her as quickly as she wants and man oh man is she a messy eater! Most days I have at least a couple outfit changes for me and her as she somehow gets milk on my arms, legs, her whole upper body, lol! I have started wedging a small washcloth between her chin and me to catch all the run off... but at least I know she is eating well. Well enough, in fact, that she gained a whole pound and then some in the first two weeks of her life!

But aside from the baby, most normalcy has returned. There are still some things we need to fix, like getting a bigger vehicle, but all in all... I am getting readjusted quite well!

Oh.... and I just bought these for Miss Moira's monthly photos.... aren't they genius?! The seller has tons of fun designs and they are way cheaper than actually making onesies with the design on it!