Giveaway Winners

Remember the Dec 3rd giveaway? Well. . .only 2 people entered. I hate to choose - so I'm considering them both winners!

I'll be emailing to get your shipping addresses! Congrats!!

My new projects:
I finished the potholders for my mom's Christmas. I also knitted washcloths for moms & Grandmas. Here are the fronts of the potholders. . . .
And the backs. . . .


I loved them so much I'm working on a set for myself. I want mom to test them first - I used a lining called Insul Bright. Its supposed to be okay with just a single thickness, but the feel of them seemed off, so I doubled it. If one layer works, next time I'll just use batting & the Insul Bright. (Okay - it says right on the company's web page to use one layer Insul Bright + one layer of batting. Now I know)

I've also made 2 baby doll slings - one for Emma & one I was commissioned to make for her friend. The friend also received a burp cloth, 3 baby wipes, a blanket & a cloth diaper. All for $10. Her mom was very pleased with that one!!

Emma is working on her Cupcake Party cupcakes. We made chocolate tonight. mmmmmm Messy project, but yummy.
Brad's been brewing 2 kinds of beer, and I made Farmhouse Cheddar cheese, clotted cream, buttermilk and butter. Mmmmmm.

Advent Calenders

I adore Advent. . . and the calenders make it even better!

Here's one I'd like to make - my mom will hate it. . .she's not fond of birdies. I, however, named my baby Ava - so I've become obsessed with birdies ever since Feb 28, 2007.

I found it here - at Skip to my Lou


I'm also looking for a cutsie gift for Emma's teacher & staff. I don't have much money but would like it to be special. Here's what I've found:

Hot Chocolate jars from Little Birdie Secrets
And here's another idea with a fab poem! I'm sure this came from Skip to my Lou, but now I can't find the link.
Don't forget about my giveaway! I've only had one entry so far. :( It ends Dec 15th at midnight.

Give Away!!

Okay - I'm going to give away 2 yarn balls!

Here are your requirements:

1. Post a comment on my blog in 2 places. One in this post (so I can pick from the list at random) and one on any other of my posts. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you.

2. Promise you'll use these for something - dryer balls, pet toys, baby toys, whatever - and then come back & comment on what you think.

Please feel free to add a link to your blog in the comments if you're interested.

Our fun giveaway will end Dec 15 at midnight Pacific Time. That way I can ship your yarn balls in time for Christmas!

Ooooo ~ Another crafty idea!!

Today's idea is wool dryer balls! I'm off to get Emma at school but when we get home, we're making these!! You toss them in the dryer instead of fabric softener. We're terribly allergic to dryer sheets & fabric softener around here but. . . these are supposed to: get rid of static, get rid of lint, separate clothes for better drying & be good for the environment.

Here's the tutorial I found.

I'll let you know how they come out. I'm excited!

Inspiration

So I get my inspiration from all kinds of places. Sometimes I just see a fabric & the idea comes to me. But. . . here's the latest dress I'd like to make for Ava.

If you've never looked at this web site. . . stay away. You'll soon spend all your money on your children!! bestdressedchild.com

Right now, I'm working on a beautiful smoky blue angora sweater dress. It will soon be for sale at my Etsy shop.

And have you seen the ruby sweater dress? Its to die for! But so is my model!

My girls - dressed for fall!

Here is a link to the hat I made for Ava.

Pumpkin Hat

And I'll be back soon with a few notes on making a pumpkin reflector for Halloween!

Changes

Change can be good. Sometimes. I've updated my background. . . TheCutestBlogOnTheBlock

And I've added a link that lets you subscribe. . . if you're so inclined!

Here's what I just finished knitting for Ava. . .

A flower hat with leaves & a stem

And a small lacy scarf - just sized for a toddler.

Bzzzzy again!

Okay, so I'm way behind on my posts!

I've gotten bogged down sewing. I need to photograph all kinds of stuff. I need to create a catalogue to take around in person to my friends. . . .

Here's a cute photo of the shopping cart cover I just sold.

And I made some felt food for Emma. They're available as a custom order. I'll apologize now for the photos. Turns out I had a wrong setting clicked on my camera!


Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, pancake with syrup & butter, waffle with butter & tea (the tea bag smells like chamomile!)



Lunch: Hamburger with removable Ketchup, Mustard, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese, meat & bun




Dinner: Ravioli



Dessert: Sugar cookies with frosting

I really wanted to be sure I posted today. 08-08-08 What a great set of numbers!

A friend of mine pointed out this site to me today. She knows the mom who invented this product called a SippiGrip. Its a leash for a sippy cup. Kim, my friend, says they'll soon be selling them at Target. Be sure to watch for them. I think the price is great - just $7. If I sell a few more things off my Etsy store, I may buy one for Ava.

On a totally different subject, I have a new niece. Hailey was born 08-04, at 8:04am and she weighed 8lbs, 4 oz! How about that?

This is my oldest, Emma, with her little sis, Ava, and their new cousin. Ava seems less than impressed but she did just lose her standing as youngest grandchild on my hubby's side of the family.

The other thing I wanted to share is a great site I found yesterday. Executive Homemaker Its full of all kinds of great info. And I intend to sign up to sell my homemade aprons, cart covers & dresses. Now I just have to get busy & get them the info they need.

Wowee! A great giveaway

My friend Beth is having an awesome giveaway on her blog. If you haven't been reading her blog, you need to start. . . .She has some great crafting ideas. Her daughter Kelly is about Emma's age and those two are so much alike sometimes. . . .

Bizzy Bee Creations

Instructions are on her page as to how to enter. I'm hoping I win because I know Em wants hair clips!! (They go great with a tee-ball uniform!!)

Or, just head over to Beth's etsy shop & purchase your own clips - then you win no matter what! Its not just bows at her shop - there's some other stuff too.

BizzyBeeCreations.etsy.com

While you're checking out etsy shops, stop by mine again - I've added some new stuff. I've just designed a Hankie Apron, and I have some cute Grow-with-me Sundresses.

BumbleBabyMommy.etsy.com

Post partum Depression & Anxiety

I've been thinking about PPD/A a lot again recently. I mainly wonder when I'll be "over it." I'm amazed at the difference in how much better I feel, and how I'm more like myself. I'm grateful to all the support my husband has given me. I wanted to share a few links with everyone reading.

PPD/A affects 2 out of 10 women

It is the number 1 complication of pregnancy/childbirth

It can affect moms, dads & adoptive parents

It can hit you before, during or after pregnancy. You may have had a miscarriage or a still birth.

Out of the Valley

Post Partum Progress

Speak Up when You're Down

PPD/A does not always show up as the mom who's in bed with her covers pulled up over her head & messy hair. No one knew I needed help - I always had my hair done, my make up on, my girls dressed in coordinating outfits. Its important for friends & family of pregnant women to be on the look out for PPD/A. . . its not always what you think it is.

Spring is here! Thank goodness. . . the only problem is now I want to be outside instead of sewing. I may consider moving my machine to my deck for a while. I just made a large etsy purchase for my designs. . . Alexander Henry fabrics!!

I'm working on the deck right now - its becoming an outdoor room with an Indian theme. I bought some great lights from Ikea's Skina collection that I'm working on hanging. There's a curtain of flowers in multi colors & a string of yellow birds. I'm also putting in a flagstone patio to hide the dog run. I've been telling Brad for years, we have to plan the gardens around the dog.

Here's a new contest I've entered. Look for this photo & Click here I'd love to win but it requires you following this link & voting for me.

Going green

Have you started to make the switch? I've been doing green things for as long as I can remember. The most simple one being turning off the water while I brush my teeth. I found a great blog

Growing Green Kiddos and Organic Babies
written by a member of my mommy/baby group. Steph is up on all kinds of green stuff.

Be sure to stop in at Hometown Ace Hardware (3700 Tieton Drive, next to Joann's Fabrics) if you're in Yakima. We've started selling the ECOS line of cleaning products. I've been using the toilet cleaner, the laundry detergent & the dishwashing detergent. We also have reusable tote bags for $1 each. I love taking them shopping or just out & about.

Aprons Abound!

This week's new etsy item is a series of retro aprons that I've been sewing. There are two styles: the scalloped bottom edge with darts & a yoke or the scalloped bottom edge with a boxy top.

Come take a look! The fabrics are fab!!