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!
Have a great weekend!
Categories
giveaway winner
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!
Categories
blog giveaway,
featured,
owl softie
Hugs and Kisses!
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!
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.


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.
Categories
being a mom
I'm still here!
I know, it's simply ridiculous that I have been absent from blogland for so long!
I have a billion excuses, like: Holiday craziness, the whole family cycling through at least 3 different viruses, daydreaming, multiple family trips, house guests, thinking really hard about starting an exercise program, playing with friends, eating way too much chocolate fondue...wait, there is no such thing as too much chocolate anything, playing with my little monsters...sometimes angels, but today they were monsters, writing run-on sentences, and getting ready for my display at our little local gallery.
I have a billion excuses, like: Holiday craziness, the whole family cycling through at least 3 different viruses, daydreaming, multiple family trips, house guests, thinking really hard about starting an exercise program, playing with friends, eating way too much chocolate fondue...wait, there is no such thing as too much chocolate anything, playing with my little monsters...sometimes angels, but today they were monsters, writing run-on sentences, and getting ready for my display at our little local gallery.

This is my display at out local library's gallery. The librarians were so nice and helpful, and one of them mentioned that they have never had a display quite like this one. I hope that is a good thing! I have more creations to put on display, but I've been procrastinating. You see, I just took my Christmas tree down today. I just couldn't take it down when Isaac's eyes would light up each morning, and with a big grin he would say "Miss-miss tree lights on!". Then he would race down the stairs to turn them on, climb into my lap with his blankie "loodlelady", and thumb, and stare at the sparkling tree, and I would stare at the sparkles in his eyes. But during the past week or so, all ornaments on the lower half of the tree had been lovingly removed by Isabelle, and I think Isaac lost enthusiasm when he realized Santa wasn't coming again anytime soon. So, goodbye tree! We will see you in about 10 months. (AAck)

I love giving and getting unique and personalized gifts for the holidays. I painted this picture of my Oma and Opa to give to Oma for Christmas. Opa always wore dark glasses, but I saw a picture of the two of them before they were married, as they were joyfully playing in the sunshine. He didn't have his glasses on in that picture, and I wanted to capture them at that time in their lives. I hope Oma liked it. I loved going through all the wonderful pictures and stories in the book she had made for each of us! With the help of my dad and cousin, she made a beautiful hardbound book with the story of her life, complete with photos and letters. I will treasure it always!

We had a lovely warm visit with my dad in Phoenix. I had always dreamed of riding a camel, and now that dream has been fulfilled! I don't think Isaac had ever dreamed of riding a camel, but now he can aim a bit higher in his dreaming than his silly mom. Now all I have to do is swim with dolphins, hug a koala, and ride an elephant, then my life will be complete. Well, at least when it comes to animal encounters. The Phoenix Zoo is fabulous, and I sure didn't mind that it was about 75 degrees! It sure beats negative 7!


What a good dad, watching closely so our little lad doesn't go kersplash. We loved Arizona, and on our way to the airport when we were going home I had to stop in Mesa
at the Blissful Living Studio.
at the Blissful Living Studio.
It was a visual feast! I wish they had something like that here. I told them they should set up online classes or something.

Thrift stores rock!
Categories
family
The Christmas Cloak

I always dreamed of having a red velvet cloak, so when Sophia was 3 I made her just that.
I made it a few sizes big so it would last. She looked so elegant as it brushed the snow as she walked. Well, the funny thing is that here is that same cloak. At 8 it still fits her, that's the great thing about cloaks, no sleeves to grow out of.
I hope you all had a warm and happy Thanksgiving! We are decorating the tree today, it's like magic, once the tree goes up everyone is a little sweeter, a little quieter, and the number of hugs and kisses being distributed has greatly increased!
I think I should keep it up all year!
Here's a couple hugs and a kiss for all of you... Smoosh....Smoochy..Squish..!
Categories
christmas cloak,
handmade,
magic,
red velvet
Sweet little doll for a sweet little girl!
I am finally posting pics of the custom doll I made for my recent giveaway winner. This cute little girl is Amberlyn, and I had fun making a little friend for her in her likeness.
Categories
custom dolls,
handmade
Kid Costumes 2008
Here they are!
Tiny Princess Leia,
And the cutest Garden Gnome ever!








This is what you get when your children are raised on old movies.
All Sophia wanted to be was Shirley Temple from "Captain January", what mom could refuse that request? We had many nights of wrapping her hair in rags to create the perfect ringlets. I designed her costume to be a cozy jacket style sailor top, with separating zipper and grosgrain ribbon trim. It is made of soft cotton flannel, and she loves it so much she's worn it many times since.
I was trying to think of something warm and snuggly to make for the other kids since we frequently have snow on Halloween. Both the Gnome and Princess Leia costumes are made of polar fleece, with a faux for beard and metallic pleather belt. The Leia hat is my favorite, I think I will size up my pattern and make one for myself to wear snowboarding this season. Yes, I am that strange.
All three were a smashing success with all who saw them, and it made me happy that they were all cozy and comfortable. I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!









It's that time again!
Those of you that know me, know that I love any excuse to make a costume. I feel that we need a few more opportunities throughout the year to wear them, but I suppose I will settle for Halloween. I made the goal in Jr. High to go Trick-or-Treating every year of my life, and so far I have never missed a year. Silly goal I know, but I was always taught that setting goals and working to achieve them is a good thing! Here are pics of some of the costumes I have made over the years, I would love to hear which one is your favorite!
I just thought I'd post something for you to look at while I busily sew.
Check back for photos of this year's costume madness!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)