It's done, part two!

I wanted to post this before I forgot to take pictures of it! The preemie blanket is now finished and waiting to be blocked (obviously). I've included a 15 inch ruler for scale.
I told myself that I couldn't shop for the next baby blanket until this one was finished, so of course, I had to finish it this afternoon!

It's made with Bernat's Baby Coordinates in white and blue bon bon. I used a cabled granny square pattern that I found in Crochet Today's March/April issue. Instead of assembling them like a rectangle, I put them in a circle because he's so little and doesn't need a lot of extra blanket.
The yarn is really soft and has a pearly white thread running through it. You may be able to see it on the blue section. The cable runs out from the center in the middle section, but it's a little hard to see.

In case you're wondering, the kids are on Spring Break, so I don't have to work either job. This may explain the extra time on my hands. Two down, two to go!

Oh! and no bunny to go with this one, yet. I'm not sure when he'll be leaving the hospital, so I'm going to wait until he's home to make his bunny.

It's done!

I'm done with the ladybug blanket and Snuggle bunny. I finally like the ladybugs. They were quite possibly the hardest thing I've ever done. Not in terms of difficulty, but they have been worked and reworked so many times I've lost count. I've probably used twice as much yarn as I should have, and I have a gallon-sized Ziploc bag full of ladybug attempts. Once I frog them all, I should have lots of yarn bits to add to the collage bin for the kids at work.
I used Caron's Simply Soft (my favorite yarn!) in red, black and white. The squares are half-double crochet, and the ladybugs are well, a disc. I can't really think of how to explain them. I made a big red circle, added a black half circle, a stripe, and six tiny black circles. I decided against adding a ladybug to every other white square because it didn't look right with even number of rows of white squares, so I alternated the way the ladybugs faced. I really like the ladybug on the back of the Snuggle bunny, too. She has a ladybug tush! Hee, hee!
I almost don't want to give this one away, but it's way to small for me! So it's been packed up and is awaiting Hubby to deliver it. It's for yet another co-worker's new arrival. I swear there's something going on at Hubby's office!
Next is a tiny blanket for a baby born at 28 weeks to a lady at our church. Her shower is in a few weeks, so I gotta get crackin'. Then I've got two friends expecting, one with a possible boy (sonogram wasn't clear) and the other one doesn't know yet. I've found a pattern for a yellow and green blanket with piggies on it, so I'm excited to go yarn shopping! I was good with the preemie's blanket, because I'm using up stash for that one. So I deserve a trip to the store.

I've been tagged- again!

I've been tagged by Patti on Modest Clothing & A Touch of Whimsy with Seven Random facts. I'm not checking back with my last tag, so if they're the same, I'm sorry. It's been a while.


Here's the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here we go...

1. I wore black lipstick in college. Imagine pale me with long, dark hair, black lipstick and wearing flannel shirts. I was confused, okay?

2. I've known Hubby since I was 6. My sister used to tease me that we were getting married.

3. My maiden name and my married name are only one letter different. This kind of fueled the sister teasing also. The name changing trip to the DMV was fun, too.

4. I can still put my feet behind my head after four kids. Not bad, huh?

This is getting tough...

5. I was able to donate 18 inches of hair to Locks of Love a couple years ago.

6. I have selective OCD. The pile of laundry doesn't phase me, but a crooked picture or a mistake during crafting drives me insane. I think this is why I only have one picture hanging in my house right now.

7. I used to collect eyeshadow. I had a color to make every shirt, but only wore a few on a regular basis.

Phew, that was hard! All right, I'm going to tag... (closes eyes an points to list of blogs bookmarked)

1. Crafty

2. twiddlestix designs

3. Little Lovables

4. Curiouser and Curiouser

5. Envyla.net

6. colormebella.etsy.com

7. Comfort Joy Designs

I actually read all these blogs on a regular basis, so you know they're worth checking out!

I've been featured!

I've been featured on A Joyful Vision! Whitney is so kind to feature me. I think this is my first! I know it's been up a while, but I've been busy this week.

Oh, and today is my birthday! Happy 29th (again) to me!!!!

Life lessons from a two year-old

Little purple toy sticky lizards and twelve foot vaulted ceilings don't play well together.

P.S. We're now going on two weeks. I'm beginning to think dragging the ladder out of the garage would be easy.

Catch me, if you can!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! My weekend was so busy that I crashed yesterday around 6pm and didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning. Yup, I was tired. I love it when Hubby let's me sleep, not that he had much choice in the matter.

So let's play catch up. I've been busy with some baby sets for friends and co-workers who are pregnant. The first set I gifted already (and didn't take a picture of -duh!) was really cute. It was for a little boy , I'll call him "K", and it had blue and two different tones of gray. I'm kind of stuck on the patchwork quilt style, so all my baby blankets have been done that way. I made K a Snuggle bunny that matched, too. K's mom said she would send me a picture of him with the blanket, so I'm really looking forward to that because he is a cutie.
I do have a picture of an unfinished set I'm making for someone else. I can't say who it's for, but here's a shot of it.

Those ladybugs were giving me fits. I made two or three different kinds before I finished the one in the picture and I was happy with it, finally. It's not attached yet, but the ladybugs will sit on every other white square. I think it'll turn out lovely. I also tried a different type of Snuggle bunny, and I think I like this one best. It uses more yarn and takes longer though. I think it's worth it. When it's done, I post better pictures.

Saturday, my church held an Easter egg hunt at a local park for the city. I did face painting again, big surprise, huh? I love doing face painting, but I feel sorry for the little ones who can't sit still, but their parents really want them to get painted. I was asking the parents to hold their heads still, because I didn't want to put their little heads in a vice grip. The parents can handle that. The hands down winner for design? a bunny nose and whiskers for the girls, and a spiderweb with a spider for the boys. Yeah, the spiderweb came about because a little boy wanted Spiderman on his face. Sure, kid.

After that we had a birthday party to attend, and I had to set up tables for the Easter breakfast our church holds after Sunrise service. It wasn't a fancy set up, just flowers and pretty napkins, but I always lay silverware out on the tables because I hate juggling silverware at a buffet.

Easter Sunday, we had a sunrise service to attend. Hubby ran the sound so he had to be there early. He took the two older ones with him, which left me only the two younger ones to get ready, but that was still too difficult. It was a lovely service, and the music was beautiful. The breakfast following was yummy. They had eggs, potatoes, biscuits, muffins, yogurt, fruit, and pancakes. I'm getting hungry thinking about it.
We then went to my Mom's and had another egg hunt with my Sister's kids and Easter dinner. And then we went home and I fell asleep.

I decided to postpone my Friendly Friday post until tomorrow, maybe tonight. I was a little busy. Hopefully, you enjoyed the pictures. I don't like posting this long because everyone's busy, but this was a lot of stuff!

I'm a winner!

I try not to double post in a day, because it gives others false senses of the lack of time on my hands and then they start to expect things I could never deliver. ;) Mostly just Hubby, I guess. BUT, I got two prizes in the mail today!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!



I won a super soft minky washcloth from Antoinette's Boutique during a game in my Fabulous Artistic Moms group. It's so soft; I almost don't want to use it. Almost.



I also won a cute pair of apple earrings from Color Me Bella Designs. I entered her contest on her blog. I never win anything, and now I have two cute things that I didn't expect!

It's a good way to end a long week. There's no school tomorrow, so I don't have to work either of my jobs, but I do get to be a mom all day. Yee-haw.

Presidential Happiness

I spent one semester at a college that I'm choosing not to name (for now). It was not the place for me. Naturally I was depressed, and one of the few things that made me happy was singing songs to myself that weren't allowed on campus. Oh yes, it was one of those strict colleges, did I mention that?
Anyway, "Peaches" by The Presidents of the United States of America was especially peppy and didn't include any choice words that would've gotten me expelled (if there were, I didn't sing them). After all, how many times can you sing Alanis in the shower before your suitemates report you to the floor leader? Apparently only three.
So, this is an ode to them, my saviors in a sea of gray. And hey, they're still releasing some great stuff. Check them out!

Midnight Tea, anyone?

After a full day of babysitting, afterschool care, and youth group, I really could use a cup of tea! That's only one reason why I'm so happy today is tea party day. The other? Well, I get to break out my pretty china! Isn't it a lovely set? It's definitely not something I use everyday- especially not with my kiddies, but I really like using delicate china.
You'll have to excuse the dust on the sugar bowl; I didn't wash it because I'm not using it! I didn't mention anything about using EVERY piece, did I? I am using the pot, cup and saucer though, and isn't my everyday scratched flatware matched beautifully with my set? One day, I'll have to get gold flatware to match the rims.
I have to say thank you to my MIL, who left the set in my care until my SIL gets married? I would be happy to adopt it should she decide not to take it.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, I am drinking Vanilla Chai with sugar and 2% milk. Mommy hips and half and half like each other a little too much. Of course there will be a fine selection of the most exquisite Oreos to nibble on. And yes, my tablecloth is wrinkled, who irons a tablecloth? A woman who doesn't have anything else better to do?

It's a Party!!!

Hey, I'm only a day behind!!! Okay, so I've got to tell you about the latest blog party I'm involved in. It's being co-ordinated by Mommies United, and I love that it's Mommies! Who else understands that everything can come to a screeching halt because someone needs to go potty NOW, or that it is acceptable to dance and sing the "Poo-Poo" song in Target's bathroom because that same someone made a deposit?
They've got tons of great prizes, and I want them all, but I picked my top four!

1- Being of long torso and stretch marks, I would LOVE to win a Blush topless undershirt!

2- Again, I need these! Hip-T makes one that has lace on it. My sweet princess is always kind enough to tell me when my "panties are showing!" Especially in the middle of a crowded store.

3- A hoodie AND a tote??? Those are my two favorite things!! Thank you, Positive Chicks! A bag to carry stuff in and something to hid my extra, um, baggage...

4- And in case you think I'm ignoring my four sweeties, a gift certificate from bitty braille! It's fabulous that they are supporting the American Foundation for the Blind.

So now in true mommy party fashion, I will come up with some ridiculous party games that no child will want to play, but adults will be amused while watching others make a fool out of themselves!

Game Number 1-

What is the most embarrassing thing that you've ever done? Anonymous posts are fine!
I'll go first- Let me set the stage, Easter morning, sunrise service, it's wet outside, a little muddy. I'm wearing the cutest heeled sandals and carrying an infant in a carrier. Oh yeah, it's happening. The service has already started and it's quiet as we trudge through the wet grass to find a seat. My oh so cute heels get caught, and down I go, but wait! As I'm falling a lovely word escapes my lips. "Sh*t!" The baby is unharmed, and not too many people turn around. Later, during the breakfast, someone sitting on the front row comes up to me and says, "Are you okay? I heard what you said." AAAGGGHHH!!!! Well, we still go there, but I don't wear heels to sunrise service anymore.

All right, spill the beans! Share your humiliation. Remember what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, and makes us laugh at your expense.

Tickle me, Ethan

I found this on Comfort Joy Designs, and I had to share because it's just too cute!

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

Happy Friday!!! I only appear to have my act together this week. I've got so much stuff going on that it's scary!

Boutique-style Ribbon Flower Jeans

This week I'm featuring Jen (Swanky friend, yet again!) from Jen's Craft Corner. She carried her name over from another online store, and her kids' clothing line CutiePie came from the comments her daughter received in outfits Jen made for her.

Flame Necktie Onesie

Jen finds her inspiration from her children and necessity. She started decorating her home with handmade items because of thrift, embellishing onesies and hairbows because her daughter was born, and appliquéing shirts because her two older boys wanted something "cool", too.

Ribbon Flower Clippies-Sherbet

She squeezes in crafting time when she can, and loves making ornaments for Christmas, frilly little girl things, cute boy things, and beautiful home decor items to fill her shop. She's a great multi-tasker, but what mom isn't? Not only is she a crafty mama, but Jen is also a military wife, completely supporting her husband in the Air Force.

Visit her shop to check out all her adorable items, and buy something, would ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade JensCraftCorner

Honey, could you please...

My all-time favorite quote is from Bette Davis,

"I've no time for broads who want to rule the world alone. Without men, who'd do up the zipper on the back of your dress?"

What am I supposed to do with this?

If you're looking for my Boggy Carnival Giveaway, please go here. I'm an idiot and shouldn't be allowed to operate anything without being properly caffeinated.

This is what Hubby comes home with when he's asked to buy soap. Now if I use bar soap, I smell like an old man. It's a good thing I have shower gel.
Why does it have ridges down the side? Are all men so terrified of dropping their soap that it's a requirement for men's soap to have traction on the side? Is it some bad prison nightmare, or are they just too lazy to bend over? Do they not realize that these ridges are going to melt away, therefore only being useful for one to two showers? Do they really need to label it as "Dial for men"? Shouldn't the overwhelming old man cologne smell be a giveaway as to who the soap was designed for?
These are things that bother me.

And on a completely different note, I have added a new item to my Etsy shop! The princess toy tote that you saw in my video tutorials is up for sale!!!

Dance to the music!

Maybe moshing would be more appropriate today...

I'm adding Invisible Image to my list of favorite artists. They are definitely not like the others. Everyone needs a little "blow your brains out" music every once in a while.
They're a great group of Christian guys from Port Charlotte, FL. I actually got the chance to meet them at a teen function Hubby put together. Despite the shaved heads, tattoos, and rough image, they were polite and well spoken. Plus they just rock. If your teens are into hard music, you really should buy their CD. The teens will get the music they like, and you'll be happy knowing a positive message is lurking in their lyrics.
Check out their MySpace or website for information on purchasing CDs and merchandise, and on their latest shows.
ROCK ON!!!

FAM-tastic Spring Fling!

The Fabulous Artistic Moms of Etsy are having a Scavenger Hunt! Starting March 10th, you can hunt for our FAM-tastic frog or the phrase "famfrog" in any FAM shop. You will find our hoppy friend hidden in our items or item descriptions. Once you have found five contact BAM Designs through Etsy, and let her know where you've found him. If you don't feel like hunting, you can also be entered by purchasing something from one of our FAM member's shops. Need help finding a FAM shop? Just search tags for "FAM"!

At the end of the contest, we will start the drawing! FAM bucks are good in any participating FAM shop and can be used to purchase FAM-tastic items! There is no cash value on our FAM bucks, so you will not receive cash back, and they cannot be used for shipping.

For more details, check out our FAM blog, and get hopping!

The prizes are... (drum roll please...)


Grand Prize- $50 in FAM Bucks

Three Runners Up- $20 each in FAM Bucks

Numerous Honorable Mentions- $10 in FAM bucks each

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly Friday!

Quick someone congratulate me, it's actually Friday!!!! And I'll have you know that I had this post done Thursday night. Ha! But only because The Office was a rerun.

Purple Glass and Silver Beaded Bracelet

This week, I'm featuring Melissa of Made by Melissa (another Swanky friend). She chose her shop name because, well, her name is Melissa and she makes things.
Melissa finds her inspiration from everything around her; she's even admitted to hearing her stash calling to her.

Classic Ripple Baby Blanket -Unisex

She got her crafting start as a child. When summertime rolled around, her mother would take her and her sister to the craft store and stock up with enough supplies to keep them both busy all season. Her grandmother taught her how to knit, and she taught herself how to crochet.

Eenie Meanie Meinie Moe Bottle Cap Magnets

Even with a full time job, an infant son, and a husband, she manages to squeeze in crafting time. She takes her crochet with her where ever she goes, and spends a lot of time crafting on the floor with her son.
Check out her shop full of goodies for moms and little ones, her blog full of sneak peeks and updates, and buy something would ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade madebymelissa

I'm a fangirl.

Not only am I a fangirl, but I'm a klutz, too. Hubby bought a pair of Bose in-ear headphones about a year ago, and I've "adopted" them. Well, you know I would be the one who loses a (as in just one ear's) silicone tip. They're not so comfortable without the silicon tip either. After discovering that I don't really enjoy listening to half of a song that much, I decided that I needed to get another set of tips. Here's where the fangirl part comes in, I go to Bose's website, find the customer service number, call them up, and lo and behold, in seven business days I will have a new set of tips! Now, of course, Bose can do no wrong (as long as my tips get here). How great is it that even though Hubby didn't actually register his earbuds after he bought them, Bose is still sending us a set of tips for free? Yeah, Bose products are pricey, but the earbuds he bought are the most comfortable I've ever worn and sound great. All right, back to life, this commercial is over.

Everyone dance now!

I finally figured out Playlist.com, and I've created a playlist of some of my favorite songs. I didn't make it autostart because I know that irritates some people to no end, but it is located at the bottom of my page, so if you're in the mood...
Everybody dance now!

National Kidney Month

We're going to have a serious but important post today.

National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month. The various forms of kidney disease affect hundreds of thousands of people. Although some forms of kidney disease are genetic in nature, many people lose their kidney function because of diabetes or uncontrolled hypertension. Chronic kidney disease is insidious, as it progresses with few, if any symptoms, until irreparable damage is done. For more information, please see the websites listed below.

National Kidney Foundation: www.kidnet.org/

Free screenings for kidney disease: Call 1-800-620-9010 or visit www.keeponline.org to find the screening in your area. For Florida residents, there are no screenings this year.

PKD Foundation (Polycystic Kidney Disease): www.pkdcure.org/

PKD is a genetic kidney disease. There are 600,000 Americans and approximately 12.5 million people world-wide who suffer from PKD. PKD is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases and affects more people than Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell anemia combined. There is no cure or treatment for PKD. As the disease progresses, patients must begin dialysis or receive a kidney transplant.

The PKD Foundation raises funds for continued research to find a cure for this disease. One of the ways they raise funds is by conducting a Walk for PKD, sponsored by PKD chapters in each state. This year’s Walk for PKD will be on September 20 or 21. Please consider walking for the cure this year. Information is on the PKD website.

World Kidney Day—March 13

Please consider signing to become an organ donor on World Kidney Day. You could save or improve the lives of two kidney patients by donating your kidneys. You may also consider becoming a living donor. Many transplant programs will work with living donors who give a kidney to a relative, friend, or even a stranger. Check your local transplant program for more information.

Give the gift of life—DONATE!

Some of you may already know that my Mother-in-law, Donna, suffers from PKD. She has already had one kidney transplant, but she is losing function of that transplanted kidney. She is planning on walking in the fund raiser being held in Tampa. If you would be interested in sponsoring her or donating toward the cause, please contact me. My contact information can be found in my profile information. Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about this disease. Please feel free to spread the word by copying and pasting the above information onto your blogs.

Dance to the music!

This one may be more of a slow sway, though. I thought of something more mellow for a blah Monday. I've got a sick little one, so I'm moving a tad slower than normal anyway.

The latest song I've bought off iTunes is by Gavin Mikhail. I got a message from someone on MySpace (I'm fairly sure it was spam, but he's still good!) with a link to his MySpace in it. I checked it out and immediately fell in love with his voice. I think he may have been on MTV's Making the Band, but I don't like Sean Combs (or whatever he's going by this week) so I never watch that show.
My favorite song is "Days Gone By," however, I haven't heard one of his songs I didn't like yet. I'm slowly buying his CD, one song at a time. I'm weird like that, I guess. I should just suck it up and buy the whole thing, huh?
Seriously check him out, he's good! I don't know him, so I can't vouch for his personality, but you'll probably never meet him in person anyway.

Fabulously, Fantasmagorically Friendly (day after)Friday!

It's another Fab day-after Friday!!! You'd figure I could get this together after how many weeks? But no, not me, I'm special like that. I have to warn you before you go any further- I'm a little wired on caffeine right now. Proceed at your own risk.

So Silly Sock Monkey Baby Set

This week I'm featuring Katie and Anna (more Swanky friends!) of the adorable Doodlesprouts shop. Yup, it's a double feature (kind of) this week! They both give input to each item and manage to share duties even though they don't live together. I can barely share input on a weekly dinner menu with Hubby and we share the same bed!

DoodleScarf for Dudes

They both got their knitting know-how from Katie's mom and grandma, and with the birth of their first babies, they got their crafting start. They wanted something cute, different and well-made, so Doodlesprouts was born!
Their shop name came after much thought, giggles, and a little help from a thesaurus. Really, they couldn't have come up with a better name.

CORNtastic Hat for Baby Boys

While it's hard to find a balance, Katie and Anna stay in constant phone contact, set up weekly play dates, and use every available moment to craft on items for their shop. Check out their shop and blog to get a glimpse into their crafting genius. Oh, and buy something, will ya?

Etsy Buy Handmade doodlesprouts