I had to snap a picture of my breakfast, I don't remember my food ever having so much personality. Despite his happy grin, I gobbled him up without any guilt.

I had to laugh when I found these. These have got to be the oddest shaped bandaids around, and you know I love odd shaped bandaids.

I did this little watercolor a few weeks ago. I have been doing lots of fairy sketches lately, but this is Thumbelina grasping a bit of yarn as her butterfly friend takes her for a ride. She'll get her wings soon I'm sure.

We are currently doing a remodel on our tiny guest bathroom. I will be so happy when it's done. New sink, new fan, new floor, new walls, new faucet, old but still good toilet. Maybe I'll post pics when it's done.

Bedtime Bad Habits

Scratch my last post, okay not really.

Due to a severe lack of chocolate, I have developed a bad habit over the last week. I have such a difficult time with bedtime, especially with one little boy who will remain nameless... okay, let's just call him Screaming Monkey Boy. Actually there are two others, we'll call them... Whiney Wahini and Busybelle, who also have their bedtime meltdowns. Anyway, the bad habit I have developed (besides giving my kids silly nicknames) is that I base my children's behavior over the whole day, and my success as a parent, on these nightmarish bedtime moments. After the evening dust settles, and tears have dried, either wiped by mother or crusted to their cheeks, I wonder where I went wrong. I NEED the happy musings! The habit I am trying to implement is my evening ritual is to go though all the positive things that happened throughout the day. Two points for good or at least entertaining behavior, one negative point for not so good. Like when Isaac climbed into my lap this morning and snuggled up close saying, "Isaac a teddy bear", and when I asked him what mommy was he replied, "mommy a lollipop", and proceeded to lick my cheek. And when Sophia saved Isabelle from falling off the bench at the kitchen table for the 11th time today, or when she cleaned up her muddy footprints after being asked only once. And when Isabelle played quietly by herself for at least 15 minutes, and gave Isaac hugs and kisses even after he tortured her by repeatedly putting a laundry basket on her head. Actually, I got lots of hugs and kisses myself today, and that's got to count for something! Right now they are sleeping soundly, and I only have a small pile of dishes in the sink. A pretty decent day I would say!

Happy Little Things

Some days I feel like all I can do is hang on till bedtime. That's the time when I can sit down, unearth my secret stash of chocolate, and think about how I can make tomorrow better. It is in those quiet moments that I try to forget my many faults, weaknesses, and cluttery corners of my house (okay, I always try to forget those things), and think of the things that make me happy(chocolate helps immensely).

My darling friend Stina made a list of good things to think about that I loved, so I thought I'd share some of my own.

Things that make Star happy:

*bed head* *The smell of rain* *weeping willows* *odd shaped band aids* *fortune cookies*

*caterpillar hunting* *tree houses* *camping with cousins* *bread pudding* *star stickers*

*tiny painted toes* *pop-up books* *moon shadows* *first tracks* *80's toys* *fresh basil*

*costumes* *unicorns and pegasus* *yoga* *lilacs* *chocolate mint truffles* *tight hugs*

*wind chimes* *silky nightgowns* *singing lullaby's* *family prayer* *belly button lint*

I could keep on going, I love making happy lists, but I'll save some for another day.

Check out Stina's etsy shop where she sells wonderful handmade jewelry.

Oh, and I also love: *comments on my blog*

I would love to see your list!

A Mother's Love

Here is my new watercolor illustration titled

"A Mother's Love".

I will have prints and cards available in my shop just in time for Mother's Day.

Ready for Spring!

We are home!

I love family vacations, but I am such a stresser, I feel like I spend the entire time just keeping my children alive! They are all alive, so it was a smashing success!!!

After two weeks in California, I think I'm ready for more warmth and sunshine!
Of course we came home to icicles and piles snow, which is really okay since we have family coming in a couple weeks to go skiing.

We had a wonderful time, and the kids had plenty of cousin bonding which was way past due.

Hot dogs and s'mores taste best at the beach!

Thank you for joining in the "pay it forward" giveaway, I will definitely post pics of what I send once I decide what it is.

Now I think I need a little vacation from the kids, a shower will have to do.

Pay it Forward

Okay, I promised another giveaway of sorts, but this time there is a catch. Many of you are probably aware of the "Pay it Forward" handmade gifting sweeping through blogland. If not, here's the rundown. The first 3 people who comment on this post will get a mystery handmade gift from me within the next year (lots sooner, but that's what I signed up for), but only comment if you are willing to do the same on your blog. This way, love, joy, happiness, and handmade goodies will abound!!!

Yippee, we have a winner!

Hello owl lovers, I am here to announce Lula Dahl as the owl giveaway winner as chosen by the random number generator. Check out her etsy shop where she sells darling aprons and such. Thank you everyone for your entries and sweet comments! I am currently on vacation, but shortly after I return home I will have the Oliver Owl pattern available. I will also be doing another giveaway of sorts on Monday the 23rd so check back.
Have a great weekend!

GIVEAWAY

My Oliver Owl Softie was featured on Sew Mama Sew! How cool is that!

In celebration I want to offer a giveaway of one of my Owl softies plus a copy of my Oliver Owl pattern so you can make as many darling Oliver's and Olivia's and... oh, you can name them whatever you want. To enter this little giveaway just place a comment on this post telling me your favorite colors so I can make you the owl of your dreams, and if you want 5 additional entries just post a linkypoo from your blog to this post. The drawing will be held on Friday the 2oth of February. The winner's owl and pattern will be shipped the first week of March because we will be out of town till then.

The pattern will be for sale soon in my shop, I will post here on the blog when it is available.

Thanks for visiting my tiny blog!

Hugs and Kisses!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Hope you got all the hugs and kisses you needed today!

I sure didn't, but I guess I'm pretty greedy when it comes to that kind of stuff.The kids helped make some fabulous cookies, and I think I ate every single one pictured here!

Here are a couple pics of my new paper doll prototypes. I started on them a few months ago, and because of technical difficulties I am still working on them, but I thought I'd give you a peek. I designed them to be customized to look like you or your child. I have dozens of hair styles and colors, I can change eye color, skin color, and I am working on a few different faces.

I also have a lovely collection of outfits for the little dears.

I made a mini version with girl and boy dolls for Sophia to give to her classmates for Valentine's day, and they were a great success. I wanted to post a printable version on here but I couldn't figure out how to post a PDF. Any tips would be great for future freebies!

This is Sophia with the wind blown hair style in auburn, hazel eyes, and fair skin.

I just love her!

Lots of love, Star

Mom vs. Mommy

I few months ago I noticed that my 3 year old sometimes calls me mom and sometimes calls me mommy. That isn't really out of the ordinary except sometimes he would correct me and others on who I was. Like for instance: Daddy would say, "go to mommy so she can help you wash your hands", and Isaac would say, "NO mommy, MOM"! Or I would sometimes say,"Come to mom so I can tie your shoes", and he would reply"NO mom, MOMMY"!

It would always change and I could not figure it out for the life of me.

Well, a few weeks ago the mystery was solved.

As Isaac sat in my lap he looked at me and urgently said "MOMMY!", "yes Isaac" , "No mom, MOMMY!", "yes, I'm right here". He looked at me with great frustration and annoyance and began to tug at my glasses. "Isaac, mommy needs those to see", "MOMMY!"(tug,tug). So I removed my glasses to prevent their breakage, and Isaac let out a squeal of delight, threw his arms around me and said with joy, "MOMMY!!!!".

Okay, I am mom when I have my glasses on, and mommy without them.

It's great that I finally figured it out, but mom is developing a complex! It turns out Isaac prefers mommy's company over mom's. It really makes mom sad when he almost angrily begs for mommy in the morning, mom already had bad self esteem and hates to get out of her jammies. Mommy is just way too chipper and lively, and always has something fun planned. What's up with her? I guess I can see why Isaac likes her more, but it still hurts!

He is so stinkin' cute, I just can't get enough of him!

I'm sorry for my silliness, I just thought it was so funny that I had to share it.