I am back!

I have been MIA for along time, but I am back. I am definitely going to try to stay on top of this blog. I would like to share some of the new products I just added to my store. Here are some pics. Thanks for letting me share!

Check out my etsy shop for more information!

Guess What We Did?

Every year my son gets super excited to go strawberry picking. He always tells me that he eats more than he picks. How could he resist these beautiful strawberries?

My daughter also had a great time picking the strawberries as well. She was really into it this year.


There is a little petting zoo there that is operated by the local 4-H club, so my kids and their friends had a blast feeding and watching the animals.

Blueberry picking is just around the corner, and we can't wait for that! Happy Monday!

My Dad and My Little Girl

I danced to this song at my wedding with my dad.



And here is my dad with my daughter. He loves her so much, I just love sitting back and watching them. It just always brings a smile to my face.


Have a great weekend!

I have to say....

.....I love this song



To my babies, experience that big big world!



Love you! Smooches!

My Memere

Where do I start? My Memere is strong, feisty, and a little rough around the edges. Well, let's just say she doesn't always think before she speaks. But, she has wonderful stories about how she grew up on the farm, worked in a bottle cap factory, and how she raised her eight children. I love visiting her, and seeing her interact with my children. It really is a full circle moment for me. I sometimes can't believe that I used to sit in her lap and she would rock me to sleep, she would hold my hand when we walked down the street, and I would sit at her dinner table for lunch. Now she does the same things with my children, her great-grandchildren. When I was over her house last Sunday, I noticed her hands. They were amazing. They not only showed her age, but her strength, her wisdom, her courage, her hard work, and her LIFE.


Thanks for all the lessons, stories, and love you have shown and taught me.

Jessica Sprague Class

I am so loving the Oh Shoot Photography class through Jessica Sprague's web site.

I am so inspired. I can't get enough of photography. I want to learn, experiment, be creative, and take a ton of pictures. I LOVE it!! Here are some pictures I have taken so far for the class. Thanks for letting me share.

Happy Birthday!

So my little Diva is another year old. I can't believe that she is two years old. Where has the time gone? I want to remember everything about your young life. I want to remember your smile, your laugh, your cute soft hair, your dimple in your chin, your tiny little teeth, your birth mark on your foot, your wonderful feisty personality, your spunk, and your determination. Nothing can stop you! You can do anything you put your mind too, you are one incredible little girl. A big kiss to you my big girl!She had a bird themed birthday party. It was perfect. You love birds, nature, and wildlife. I made birdhouses, a birthday banner, and cupcake toppers out of Amy Butler's scrapbook paper.

I also bought some bird shaped birdseed favors on etsy from Nature Favors.


I hand-stamped the little pots, put moss and candy in there, put them in cellophane bags, and tied them with a ribbon. Everything looked so pretty in the house. Everyone had a great time, can't wait for next year!

This is why....

...I really can't get anything done when my children are around. My little Baby Spice gets herself in so much trouble, but she is so darn cute I can't stay mad for long. She was eating breakfast very nicely, so I thought I would sneak away for a few seconds to look at some emails. Moments later, I heard her little voice say, "Mommy, Mommy, mess". When I went into the kitchen this is what I found... A little girl covered in maple syrup. I just stood there and laughed (and of course, ran to get my camera), I couldn't help myself. I discovered that she knocked down the big bulk maple syrup bottle we buy at BJ's, and it was just pouring out all over the place from the top of the table. She must have been standing under it, because she was covered in it from HEAD to TOE. What I discovered though, is that syrup comes out very easy. I was surprised that it washed right out, who knew?

Inspiration

Things that inspire me:

1. My children of course, they are my biggest inspirations...



2. Music, especially this song, it makes me think that when I have a bad day, tomorrow is a new day, and the past is the past.



3. Nature

4. Fabric, especially Heather Bailey's new line Nicey Jane, all I can say is delicious...

5. Paper

6. Vintage clothing, sometimes I feel as if I should have grown up in the fifties.

What a year so far....

And it has only been 10 days into the new year. First, I receive news that I have extremely high cholesterol, and that I need to take medication right away. Now, I received this alarming news in a letter. No phone call, no nothing, just a letter. I know that it is not devastating news, but I would have at least have liked to talk about the situation before they decided to just put me on meds, I am only 31. Oh well, maybe that is just me.

Second, I am trying to get back in the work world, but also, try to spend as much time with my family. I know, not an easy task. Well, I got a wonderful interview, for a job that I thought I could balance working and still being with my children perfectly. Well, I didn't get it and I was somewhat devastated. I guess the only thing I could really do was cry. My heart was just a little bit broken, and I actually kind of feel silly admitting that. Because, I felt like, why are you crying? This is not the end of the world, my kids are healthy, I am healthy (well according to the note from my Doctor I am not), and I have food on the table, etc. Cowboy up (I think that is the saying), and stop being a baby. But I just couldn't...

Third, we had no heat. Well, when you live in New England in January you REALLY need heat. So, my good old dad came over (what would I do without him) and tried to fix it, but it really wasn't a simple fix so he couldn't fix it. So he gave us a lot of space heaters, and we would have to call the oil company in the AM. Urghh, well they came over in the AM, and the good news was they were able to fix it and it only cost us $150, but the bad news is that it could keep happening, because it has something do with the wind, and the venting, I don't really know...all I really know is that it is going to be a LONG New England winter.

I know those things I can weather. But it is just hard. I need to get out of this funk, and push forward. So I decided to stop complaining, and try to be better...

What that means in my mind right now I am not sure, but I am hoping I can see things more clearly...

Pictures from My New Camera

I think my new camera takes really great pictures. I am for sure an amateur photographer, but I think this camera makes me look pretty good. Here are some pics I just took outside with very minimal editing. My kids do make great models. Happy Monday! Cheers!

My camera broke!

Oh geez, my camera broke. I had a Kodak Easyshare, for 6 years. It has been my loyal friend, but I knew it was on its way out. So I finally decided to go with the big guns and buy a new camera, Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Black 12.2 MP Digital SLR. I LOVE IT! Sorry Easyshare, I have a new best friend!

My First Craft Show

I am a little nervous. I have never done a craft show before, so I thought I would try one. Well, now I am stressing out about it. I don't have a lot of inventory, because a lot of things I do are custom. So, I am trying to build up my stock, which is proving to be really difficult. With my kids being sick, and being busy with orders (which I can't complain) I am feeling overwhelmed. It is so hard for me to get anything done. I don't have nearly as much as I would like, but I guess I still have three weeks to pull things together. I will keep chugging along, and chalk this up to a learning experience. Lesson for me, try to take one day at a time.

Happy 1st Birthday Little Miss A

I have to say I am so proud to be your mother. You are a joy everyday, and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful little girl. You are full of love and life, you are one spunky child. You love to know what is going on in the world, you are in awe of people, animals, and your big brother. You love our cats, and you can't wait till you walk so you can catch them. I can't wait for many more birthdays, and to see what you discover next. I am excited and nervous about the ride to come. But one thing I know for sure, is that I love you so much, you are truly a bright light in everybody's lives

Germs, Germs, Everywhere!

My kids have been so sick. It started with my son having a 104.5 temp. My husband and I attempted to give him some Motrin, but the moment he swallowed it, he threw up. It was a bright green, and it scared my husband and I to death. I was so scared there was something really wrong with him. Million things ran through my head, of what could be wrong that it actually kind of made me sick to my stomach. So we brought him to the Doctors, and everything looked great though, thank God!. His ears and lungs were clear. But the Doctor wanted to make sure that there was nothing brewing in his chest, so she wanted to send him to the lab for a chest x-ray. He was so brave, I was so proud of my little man. He stayed still and let him do the x-ray. He did tell me he was scared but he made it through. Everything came back normal, and he started feeling better the next day. I was so relieved that everything looked okay, and that it was probably just a bad virus. I gave him extra kisses and hugs that night for sure.

Then a couple of days later I hear my little girl crying in her crib, I went in her room to check on her, and she was COVERED in vomit. I couldn't even see her beautiful face, she was covered. It was literally in her hair, her ears, her eyebrows, and even her eyelashes. I was kind of shocked when I saw her, and found myself just kind of staring at her for a couple of minutes before I reacted, because I never saw anything like that. She vomited again, and it seemed as if she was choking, once again I was scared to death. My husband of course was just leaving for work, so we quickly called my mom to come to help. Honestly, I don't know what I would do without my parents. They are always there to help, and give me some words of wisdom. My mom rushed right over without any hesitation and she helped me clean up my poor little baby, and her room. I am so grateful to my parents for helping me out. I can't say thank you enough. The next day she seemed a little better, so I decided maybe I should drop off my son at my parents, in hopes maybe he would escape this horrible stomach bug. Well, of course, was I wrong. My mom called me and said that DJ seemed a little off and that he didn't feel well. I picked him up, and he fell asleep in the car around 6:00PM so I just put him in his bed. Well, a couple of hours later he started screaming for me to come in his room, I ran in his room, I picked him up and tried to hurry him in the bathroom, and that is when he proceeded to vomit all over me, himself, and all over his room. The smell was HORRENDOUS, which then made me throw up. OH MY GOSH, was I in hell! I quickly tried to clean myself up, while, at the same time I glanced over to see my three year old humped over the toilet throwing up. This is horrible, but I have to say, that I kind of chuckled out loud. Because here I was covered in vomit, and my three old has his head in the toilet looking like he is holding on for dear life. It was just once again, a sight I have never experienced. I rubbed his back, he said he felt better, so I put him in my bed, and he watched some tv. He later dosed off as did I, and the next day he felt better. He later said to me, " Mommy, I think that was a rough night." Boy was it ever!

An Etsy Feature

Having an eleven month old daughter, I love looking at this etsy shop justaddcharm for so some great accessories for my daughter's hair. Just Add Charm has some wonderful jewelry and accessories for a special girl or for the young at heart. If you are on the look out for some great Valentine Items, she has some great selections. Here is so more information on Sarah and her wonderful shop.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your work:
I'm Sarah, stay at home mom to three and I fill whatever spare time I manage to find crafting and running my business. With a 2 1/2 year old son and 3 month old twins, spare time can be hard to come by. I find that I need to make time for a creative outlet to maintain my sanity.

What do you sell in your shop?
Currently my shop is filled with all things button - hair accessories, bookmarks, jewelry, magnets, etc. I also make beaded jewelry and I'm learning to sew so you never know what might be available next.
What inspires you?
Anything and everything. Sometimes it's a color combination that strikes me and I know I just have to make something with it. Sometimes an outfit that's begging for matching accessories.


What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I love the Jello Shots magnets, anything with a retro feel like that makes me smile. I'm also obsessed with cupcakes so I love all the cupcake stuff.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?
Always seek out ways to improve your techniques and always provide good customer service.

What do you do when you are not creating?
Take care of the little ones, watch hockey, and read.

Thanks so much for letting me share this great shop. You can find Sarah at http://justaddcharm.etsy.com for more fun things.