HELLO free stuff!

Hello, happy Wednesday

Well, it's that time again.....time to give, give, give...YAY!

A friend and I were chillin' at Barnes & Noble the other day and came across some cute stuff for the kiddos. "The alphabet". I didn't LOVE them, but thought the educational sentiment was perfect for my little nugget, since she has been showing interest in shapes and letters.

So, I came up with my own version. Something waaaay cuter (hee hee) and something that took a lot less steps & materials to make!

Meet my version of "Alphabet Soup"

...A fun way to play & learn with letters. And something NOT plastic and doesn't need batteries!

We have been organizing and touching these cuties all week long...the LilyBug loves them.....especially the A, O and X........I have no idea why, but she does. I keep trying to get her to love up on the "L", for Lilyana......nope. She runs back to her favs, and carries them around like they are her babies.

They are sew simple....even for a beginning sewer. Heck, you do not even need a sewing machine to make these, because they would look adorable hand-stitched with embroidery thread.

Basically, all you need is fabric scraps, fusible fleece and some letter stencils/templates. You can do this, right?? Nooooo problema! These would make unique letters for scrapbook layouts as well....OR, slip in a magnet and use them as a fun fridge alphabet set.....I loved how these turned out, soOoooooOooo

I want to give one lucky reader a fat stack of 52 pieces of yummy fabrics & all the fusible fleece you will need to make your own "Alphabet Soup"........and your own set of letter stencils, plus directions.

Your own little "Alphabet Soup" kit!
Don't wanna make letters? Then use all this happiness to add to your fabric stash, of course I wont mind! Or give it as a fun gift...

What to do to qualify?

All you have to do is leave a comment.....yep, that's it. Leave your name, too...please!

A winner will be chosen this weekend.

*Chat* soon, friends!

OWL PAPER UPDATE!

Just a quick little note.....about that kraft paper I just got....I had a few convo's and a comment asking where I got it...

I bought it from Emma's Paperie, which is ALSO having a sale right now! 25% off of EVERYTHING!! Enter code "CHA" when you check out!

{do a search for "kraft paper"}

5 Minutes & 3 Ingredients to Cuteness!

Simple. CUTE. And cheap!

Target and Wal-Mart have the cutest little girl ruffle dresses, that are a knit material, so they are super comfy & cozy, too (big plus).

Of course, I like to "cute them up"!

Ingredients: Plain dress, ruffle trim & birdie applique from JaneSays

(and oooooh, check out the "extra 40% off" her REDUCED section!!)

Just iron on the applique...done! Next, sew on some cute ruffle trim (I used yellow & white gingham double layer trim) onto each shoulder strap....

Next thing you know....you have a walking dolly, in her pretty new dress!Good thing I got my photo op in....5 minutes later, her dress was full of peanut butter. Easy as pie....in 5 minutes!

Something else, easy on the eyes....HELLO owls!
Love Kraft paper...and I am going to use every single inch of this stuff!

See ya tomorrow for a fun giveaway!!

It's Fast Approaching...

I used to have a newborn baby, one who liked being wrapped up like a tight little burrito and sleep. And, then I had an infant who was content to be held and cooed at.

Now, I have a full blown toddler...and she is fast approaching the big 2

When did this happen?? I wish I could freeze time today. The day she got into my purple glitter and covered herself and the floor in this stuff........and then said to me, so proud, "pretty mama". This messy kind of stuff so does not bother me in any way. I look at it like a learning opportunity....a crafty one at that!

So, we spent 5 minutes admiring the glitter, how it sparkled, how it felt, how it was kinda "sticky".

And, the whole time.....I was thinking to myself....
"please don't grow up anymore!".

Because, you know....there will be that day where the innocence is lost, where things like glitter will not be exciting anymore.
.....Where spashing in the water will not be as satisfying and fun.........and, maybe, she will not be as daring.......to try new things.....

Yep, there will be a day when she doesn't come running to me for a hug and kiss on her "owie".

*sigh*

Can you tell my heart feels so heavy today?? It's BURSTING with complete and utter love for this little girl! Nothing in the entire world makes me feel happier than being with her and it just kills me to think that someday she wont need me as much.

Someone, please freeze time!!

As silly as it sounds, it is my mission today to be a "toddler" with her and to see the world through her innocent eyes.....

Want to freeze time today and be a toddler with me?

{super fab giveaway coming soon...stay tuned, my friends!}

Looking Forward to.....

OK, am I crazy??

Or is it too early to see Chistmas ornaments at Hobby Lobby? I am still in shorts and flip-flops and the holidays are a speck of dust in my thoughts! I love the holidays, but I don't love thinking of all the work that goes into them......the planning, the cooking, the parties, the gobs of money spent, the yucky weather......I can't complain all that much, because I am thinking of, and looking forward to Fall....Lilyana was born in October, so I love that time of year and will forever remember the pretty tree in front of our house....that is beautiful all year 'round....but...it is the prettiest in Fall. Here I am with excited Grandma Karen......exactly one week before I had Lil....And, I love crisp, cool weather. Not frigid, below zero weather, more like....60's....perfect!

So, with Fall in mind....I got some pretty new fabrics. Look for fun new clutch's, pillows and home decor in the SHOP next month!...and fun new stamps....owls of course, would you expect anything other than??And, oh.my.goodness. WISH ME LUCK! I am going to attempt these CUTE patterns to make new Fall dresses and tops for Lil.....you know how I HATE patterns, so this should be interesting.......and, I am waiting for a fun sewing craft night with my new budding seamstress friend.....because I have to make a new sofa blanket throw for Fall....with this yummy fleece...so soft and cozy!
But, for now....I am going to be content with Summer.

What are you looking forward to?

Jackpot!

Hello Friends!

Just a quick little stop in to say "Hello, Happy 4th!" and I wanted to shamlessly endorse my most favorite beauty product!

I had NO IDEA they carry this Patricia Wexler eye cream at Bath & Body Works.....because I rarely ever go into Bath & Body Works!

Today, the little Misses and I were shopping around town and stopped in for some anti-bac soap....and waa-laa!

There is was, with lots of other fun goodies...YUMMY scents and look at that FAB oilcloth makeup travel case. LOVE.So, why am I telling you this??

Because you have to run to Bath & Body Works....this stuff was 75% OFF! Normally $30 and I got them for $7. YES, please!

Sale is only on until Sunday, so check it out if you are looking for the best eye cream everrrr.

Just wanted to share, now I'm off to craft-land!

HAPPY 4TH! Have a safe and fun weekend!

Meet the Man of the House

Ok, I use the term "man of the house" lightly. But, he does occasionally rule the roost around here!

Meet Mr. Owen....He's a Tibetan Terrier {but, not really a terrier}. Also known as the "Holy dog of Tibet", he was SUCH A CUTE puppy, OMG.....hardly resistable!....BUT, he was not always such a good little guy. When we first got him at 10 weeks old, we put him on a pedestal. That was mistake #1.

He was a TERROR. Seriously......we wanted to return him to the breeder, due to "defect". He really, really was awful. Chewing things, BITING us, biting other people, horrible. I even tried taking him to see the kids where I worked, to socialize him..........He chewed on the classroom toys and bit my co-teacher. I think he even drew blood. Mistake #2 ... taking him to work.

He pretty much ran the house, ruled over me and my hubby....did what he wanted, when he wanted.He was in puppy class....Mistake #3. He nipped at the instructor constantly, she thought he was a hopeless cause. We did, too.

We thought for sure, there was NO WAY he was going to be able to live in the same house as a baby!But, the thing is.....we LOVED him so so much, there was no way we could give him up!

He was a part of the famiily now, and we just kept working with him....and Lily was going to be coming into the picture soon, so we really cracked down on training....to the point where WE were the leaders of his little pack. He got better and better........and when we brought Lily home, I admit...I was terrified of what he would do.

But, I am happy to say....all the hard work paid off.....Because Owen is now the absolute BEST dog inthe entire world.

He is gentle, loving and patient with Lily. He listens {mostly}, and he is happier now that he doesn't have the responsibility of being the "pack leader"...And, we have a little girl that is head over heels in love with him!
Our little guy is turning the big 3 soon and we couldn't be happier with him or love him more. I know I will always have a Tibetan Terrier as a dog now....love you, Owen!

Do you have a terrorizing pet story, that ended in happiness?? Love to hear it!

Enjoy your day!