A Community Christmas

Last week I was involved as a craft vendor in what was put together in a week's time event named, "Community Christmas". My gal pal Mama Ruck and an acquaintance of ours had put this event together to help other Mom's who have some type of home based business network and sell items . Since the event was put together in one week's time...there weren't that many people there to buy. On a VERY positive note, it was a great social and networking time. I was able to meet some of the other local mother's in the area that have a part time at home business, be it retail or handmade. It was a lovely evening! I made a little bit selling my beeswax ornaments, lip balm, and one of my essential oil blends. Plus, I absolutely LOVE to barter, so at the end of the event, I was able to barter some of my items with some other Mama Made goodies. A tiny toddler travel pillow for my Baby Bear in the pirate motif- he's really starting to get into pirates and a barrett for Ladybug. However, my favorite trade was the cutest little waldorf bunting pocket doll for little Ladybug's stocking. Isn't she adorable? We still need to come up with a name...hmmm...



Here are a few of the items I made...

This little apron will go to one of my nieces. It has a place for her crayons and a matching little bandana to keep her hair out of her face while she's being artistic!



One of these aprons will go to Baby Bear, since it was originally meant for him anyways. I was going to buy more of this same fabric. It has a matching potholder. It'll go with the kitchen items that go with his Santa brought gift...


"Santa, please bring me my kitchen". I love his wording. As if it's already his and Santa's just the delivery guy-lol!

This hat will be re-worked for my niece. I just need to make it a tiny bit smaller. It'll look really cute on her :D

The lip balm I made was in a variety of eo's, such as peppermint, floral, and citrus. The extra one's will definitely go out as part of gifts :D

I know this is going to sound kind of silly, but I was secretly hoping some of these items were not going to sell-loL! With just a week's notice, I was crafting like crazy-still lol! Oh my, it actually took some time away from my Christmas gift making that I knew was time I was going to have to make up for. You see, if these items didn't sell, then I wouldn't have to make more of the same items as gifts :D This kind of puts me a little ahead of the game since I do tend to procrastinate, so it all worked out wonderfully! Yes, I'm silly like that :D

Happy Birthday Zoe!!

Last week was my little Zoe's first birthday :D

Words can not describe the joy that you have brought to our lives. Words can not describe the happiness you have brought to our family. We love you and everyday I am grateful and know that I am blessed to be the mother to you and your brother. I love your beautiful smile! I love how when you don't get what you want, you scrunch up your face and pucker your mouth and make that funny little breathing noise! I love how girlie you are, you're quite the princess! I love that you have brought such a wonderful balance to our family! I love that you are such an affectionate baby! I love that you, for the most part only want to be held by Mama and Dada! I love your sweet spirit! Thank you for choosing us to be your family! Thank you Zoe Grace...we love you!

Happy very 1st Birthday Zoe!!!

Crafting and Taking Care of Family

I so want to blog about my little Ladybug's Birthday, but until I can...here are some pics of more of the items that I was working on last week for her birthday.

The template for her birthday crown was found at Skip to My Lou. I used the crown template, then followed my own design for the crown itself. Most of it is machine stitched, except for the upper stitching along the top of the crown and the star above the "Z". I was also able to make a really quick tiny one for her birthday babydoll "LOLA". I used my own quick template and tried to make it somewhat similiar, but simpler.

As for this week, I was asked to be a vendor at a friends "Community Christmas" party. It was kind of last minute, but I was asked last week. Of course my little one's birthday prep came first, so last week was dedicated to the garland, crowns, etc. So, I just started to try and put together some craft projects to sell items THIS FRIDAY!! I know...not much time. I guess I'll be crafting like a mad woman the next few days-lol!!! I just started tonite-me oh my! Silly, but I'm hoping to get to network and hopefully make some cash before Christmas. Not to mention, my birthday is also coming up next week! With all this house stuff, I'm glad to be keeping busy and focusing my energies on productive and positive things :D

I made a few quick children's pot holders. It's the first time I tried making them, so I think they didn't come out half bad-lol! I know now is probably not the time to try and make new items, but there will be a "Pampered Chef" lady at the party and I thought...why not try and make some kitchen items to add to the mix along with matching children's aprons? I will also have beeswax ornaments, beeswax polish, beeswax candles, some crocheted children's hats and samples of scarves and other hand work for custom orders. I will also be making baked goods! I have my work cut out for me this week!!

I also was able to make some Elderberry Syrup tonite-finally! I went in on an order from Mountain Rose Herbs with a couple of other Mama's. We all ordered the Organic Elderberries and Organic Elder Flowers. The order came in a few weeks ago and I've been waiting for the chance to get to make a recipe that was given to me by another mama. The recipe also included freshly grated ginger! It came out soooo yummy!!!

Some Completed Projects!

Last night I was finally able to make my Little Bear's pillow. I decided to make him a regular pillow with bamboo filling. I then used the "choo choo" fabric to make a little pillowcase with a big "T" for Tyler! This gives me the option of being able to make and change more pillowcases, as he tends to be a messy little guy-as most boys are-lol!
I also was able to get the machine to embroider his name on it. I was in a big rush to get it to him before bed, as I promised it would be done. This was before I knew we would be out all day-loL! It is perfectly proportioned to his bed :D
When I showed it to him he said the most adorable thing..."OH thank you Mama! I'm so proud of you!". Now how cute is that? I couldn't help but giggle. "I'm proud of you too baby boy!".

Here is Ladybug's Birthday garland. It isn't finished, but it was all I could do to put it up on her birthday. I'd like to put it up in her room, so I do want to still add and complete it. Unfortunately, a good portion of my morning last Friday was taken up by the old homeowners, trying to collect rent on the home that we are living in, which has been auctioned off last week. Little did they know, that I was prepared for something like this (unfortantely). I did seek legal council and so now they have been advised to show proof that the "Old Owner" bought back the house. He's a property investor and had let 4 homes in our area go last month! Then our dryer broke down :{
Afterward, I decided that since it's Ladybug's birthday...after the last incident all by noon...we officially declared it "ZOE DAY!", with no further discussion of anything negative...at least to not let those things affect our happiness in the celebration of our beautiful little girl's 1st birthday :D

1st Week of Advent

WIP's and One Completed

I was able to squeeze in a real quick project, by making some beeswax ornaments for an advent swap. They are inspired by Homemade Serenity :D

Tonite's WIP's...Little Ladybugs Birthday Crown and Little Bears pillow

I'm gonna have to finish my little Ladybug's birthday crown tomorrow...as little kitty Max has had an accident all over the playroom floor through to the livingroom floor. Ahhh...good times!

This one here is totally unrelated, but a special request by my little guy. He asked Mama for a new pillow for his little toddler bed...I mean his "Big Boy" bed. He chose his own fabric as well! "Choo choo's Mama! I want the choo choo trains!", he screams right when he see's it. Oh son, I'd give you the sun and the moon if you wanted.

Stay tuned for more...

Maximus the Cat

Wow, so much has been going on since we found out about our move! It's almost as if everything has been in overdrive lately. I haven't really packed anything. I'm barely starting to post my for sale stuff on craigslist and/or diaperswappers...that's not to mention the BIG yard sale that will take place as we get closer to the date; whenever that is? I guess I should say, whenever we find out...more or less?
I really have lots of blogging to catch up on. I did get a chance to change my header on Thanksgiving. However, I guess most of my posts will be WIP's or something similiar, considering how close we are to my little Ladybug's birthday AND Christmas. Not to mention, Papa just had a birthday this past week as well.
So...with that said, we do have a new addition to the family. His name is Max...after Maurice Sendak's, Where the Wild Things Are-Max, Max...after my favorite college instructor and advisor. Max after Mad Max-lol! He's the cutest little kitten! Funny thing is, when we first got him, I thought he was a she-lol! So I named her "Nikita". We then took "her" to the vet to get an exam and found out "Nikita" is a boy! Good thing we only had him for 2 days, before getting used to that name.
We kind of found Max and Max kind of found us. Poor thing is half the weight he is supposed to be, had an infection and fever of 105 degrees, and has a REALLY BAD case of ear mites. After visiting the vet on Wednesday and giving him his meds, by Friday he's been running around and being quite the kitten :D Even our dog Kaya loves him...and she really does not care for cats, unless she's broken her leash on a walk to chase after one! So naturally Max is at home with us. Right where he's supposed to be :D
Welcome to the family Max!!

Sorry for the photo. I promise to have a better one up soon :D