A Berry Sweet Day

Thank you so, sooo much for all of your helpful food suggestions....I guess I am going to order a book and try out some of your fun recipes and ideas....and it's good to know I am not alone!!

Lily loved this cheese and avacado quesadilla I made for her today.....so, it's a closer step in the right direction...Since she was such a good eater today, guess who got to help mama make something berry yummy!?Oh and she was a berry good strawberry masher....I let her mash for over 15 minutes, NON STOP! Perfect! Thank ya, Lily!MmMmmMm, then we shared this delish treat together, and.....Watched her new Strawberry Shortcake video...so, so sweet! And, you know what' s even sweeter.....? All of the DVD's smell like berries....oh, how we love these!
And, Lily took a berry good nap today. And what does mama do? What SHOULD mama be doing?

Laundry? Yes.

Dishes? Yes.

Cleaning floors? Yes.

Washing fingerprinted windows? Yes.

Grooming Owen, the junkyard dog? Y.E.S.

Did I do any of it?? NO.

I raced off ot the sewing machine.....I am addicted to making these!

Looove this card cozy.....can't wait to make the matching cards.....so sunny and pretty!

And, wont sweet Lily be surprised when she gets up to find her Little People tucked in some sand?

Oooh, I can't wait to see the joy in her eyes when she sees something new. I off to enjoy some berry sweet candy corn..... Wishing you a BERRY sweet day, too!

xoxo

P.S. Don't forget to get your name in over HERE for free stuff from me!!! Hurry, GO, git!

Mamas....I Need Your Help!

This is what my little Miss Picky Eater ate for lunch today. It's the first time she's had peas since she was 5 months old. She doesn't even like mac and cheese, but for some reason...today, it was ok. And, I feel so quilty.....like she's eating Cheetos for lunch! But, I am desperate! I have been having the hardest time getting Lilyana to eat much of anything, let alone veggies. I have tried everything from cooked carrots with brown sugar to sweet corn. NOPE. She shuns it all with a hard shake of the head and the tongue goes out before I can even get her to try it!

She doesn't like many proteins either, sometimes shunning those even more than the veggies.

Her diet of choice?

FRUIT, yogurt and.....FRUIT.

I have been succumbed to sneaking spinach and squash into pancake mix....which she'll sometimes eat, usually while giving me the stink-eye.

She doesn't even really like little snacks...I have tried to cute them up by putting them in this fun gum dispenser with flip tops. Nah, she shakes it, doesn't taste it. I am running out of IDEAS. I know she'll eat when shes hungry and I know you have to introduce foods several times before they'll bite, but.....ARGH!! I am at my wits end....and out of ideas! I need to compile a list of foods......for a 15 month old....can you help? Give me some food ideas, anything.....what do your kids love??

Help and I will love you forever!

On a happier, less-stressful note, it brings me SO much pleasure (sick, I know) to make these patchwork card cozies....I had forgotten how fun these were to put together.....

This one has a mish-mosh of pretty trims and fabrics...nothing better than using up stuff you already have (I have a bad habit of buying, buying, buying).

Filled with fabric cards.....I almost don't want to give it up!!

But, alas...it's in the SHOP....you can catch it HERE.

It's also been sooooo long since I have made a paper scrapbook layout.....

But, these two were so much fun....my hands were FLYING!! I love that freedom you feel when you are creating something from scratch...only to watch it take "personality" right before your eyes. Sounds slightly silly....but for me..SO STRUE!

I SAVED THE BESTEST, SWEETEST NEWS FOR LAST (but not least)

HEAD on over to Shealynn's blog (you know, that girl that makes the super cute camera straps) and see THIS POST to enter to win this GIVEAWAY loot from me!
--set of hoot owl magnets

--set of fabric flower tags

--set of winged hearts tags

--set of be mine tags

Be sure to check it out HERE!!

......and, I'll be waiting patiently for all your yummy kiddie food ideas!!

(happy hump day)

LOVE SALE

Lemon Tree is having a HUGE sale!!

Be sure to stop by and check it out.......what better way to brighten your Monday??

.....AND I have some fun stuff coming up soon, so stay tuned!!

I Have.....

Hello, Happy Friday to you!!

I recently found this on Karri's blog...A Little Much, and thought it would be fun to do, too! I know I love reading and learning new little tidbits from other bloggers.

If I've done it, it's in bold and red.....

I HAVE:

1. started your own blog

2. slept under the stars

3. played in a band

4. visited hawaii

5. watched a meteor shower

6. given more than you can afford to charity

7. been to disneyland/world

8. climbed a mountain

9. held a praying mantis

10. sang a solo

11. bungee jumped

12. visited paris

13. watched a lightning storm at sea

14. taught yourself an art from scratch

15. adopted a child

16. had food poisoning

17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. grown your own vegetables

19. seen the mona lisa in france

20. slept on an overnight train

21. had a pillow fight

22. hitch hiked

23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. built a snow fort

25. held a lamb

26. gone skinny dipping

27. run a marathon

28. ridden in a gondola in venice

29. seen a total eclipse

30. watched a sunrise or sunset

31. hit a home run (ha ha...only playing kickball.....with KIDS)

32. been on a cruise

33. seen niagara falls in person

34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. seen an amish community

36. taught yourself a new language

37. had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person

39. gone rock climbing

40. seen michelangelo’s david

41. sung karaoke

42. seen old faithful geyser erupt

43. bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. visited africa

45. walked on a beach by moonlight

46. been transported in an ambulance

47. had your portrait painted

48. gone deep sea fishing

49. seen the sistine chapel in person

50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris

51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. kissed in the rain

53. played in the mud

54. gone to a drive-in theater

55. been in a movie

56. visited the great wall of china

57. started a business

58. taken a martial arts class

59. visited russia

60. served at a soup kitchen

61. sold girl scout cookies (no, but I like to eat them...does that count?)

62. gone whale watching

63. gotten flowers for no reason

64. donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. gone sky diving

66. visited a nazi concentration camp

67. bounced a check

68. flown in a helicopter

69. saved a favorite childhood toy

70. visited the lincoln memorial

71. eaten caviar

72. pieced a quilt

73. stood in times square

74. toured the everglades

75. been fired from a job

76. seen the changing of the guards in london

77. broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. seen the grand canyon in person

80. published a book

81. visited the vatican

82. bought a brand new car

83. walked in jerusalem

84. had your picture in the newspaper

85. read the entire Bible

86. visited the white house

87. killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. had chickenpox

89. saved someone’s life

90. sat on a jury

91. met someone famous

92. joined a book club

93. lost a loved one

94. had a baby

95. seen the alamo in person

96. swam in the great salt lake

97. owned a cell phone

98. been stung by a bee

99. wrote a poem for someone else

100. given a toast at a wedding

I'd loooove to read yours...if you want to do it.....be sure to link me to your blog so I can read it....!

ON TO THE WINNER OF THIS FUN PACK.....

My little helper was in NO mood to be helpin mama out with the name drawing! So, I had hubby tell me a number between 1 and 33 (since one person left 2 comments)....and he said "6".....so number 6 it is!!! Ther person who left the sixth comment was...........

SARA at All Things Girlie

Yay! Congrats to you! Connect with me....let's get your goodies out asap!

I'm off to start my weekend!! Enjoy yours, too!

Something for Me.....Something for You

I can't help it, I just loooove sharing my new buys!

I love it because a lot of my readers are also avid crafters...and I hope to inspire and spark your creative juices. What better way than with crafty eye-candy?

I am a stamp JUNKIE, and this is where a big chunk of my money just went. Sigh. I love this "thank you" tree...fun!Hello Spring!! Of course, the hoots are never far away........
ADORE!
Wont these be sweet on handmade packages??

There's something about this pop art birdie stamp that is so fresh and modern, love it!

Trees, birdies.....what more can a girl ask for?

D.E.L.I.S.H.

Hello, lover!!

Sweet!!

Get more sweetness with the new Chloe's Closet line (get it at Michael's).....creamy oranges, greens, blues OH my! I am in love with the papers and fabric tags and perfect trims....

Isn't the measuring tape trim so pretty and fun? It makes me want to sew my fingers off!

Stamping is one love, sewing is another......what's new in that department??

Stitched tags for the shop, so colorful and bright.....

Ultra fluffy and girly tulle flower........Is it a brooch? A crafty embellishment?
Maybe it will be stitched onto a new bolster pillow I am dreaming of starting.......? We'll see.And......fun stitched paper and fabric embellishments for scrappers, cardmakers, etc......think whimsy, sweet and NOTHING you can find in stores! Fun goodies to make your crafts unique~
In light of all the sewing I have been doing, I wanted give something to you!

If you like to create, then this little stash is perfect for you (especially if you love vintage)

This FREEBIE will include: lots of vintage dotted swiss fabric scraps (both sheer and cotton), vintage rick rack, vintage pink and blue leaves, and vintage fabric trims....all tied up with creamy tulle.

One lucky winner will receive all of this.....to help inspire you in your crafting endeavors!

All you have to do is tell me (answer to this post)...

What is your #1 most favorite craft?

(it can be anything from cooking to crochet!)

I will draw a winner Friday!!

Until then....have a sweet week!

Wishing for Spring

Is it 21 degrees BELOW ZERO (with the wind chill) where YOU are???

I hope not, because that's what it is......where I'm from, and it aint pretty.

School closings, cars that wont start, dogs that cry and whimper and wont even go for walks, nostrils that freeze up just walking to get your mail.

It's more like the North Pole. Seriously!

I have lived through many, many frigid winters, but weather like this is still always shocking to the bones.

Is it COLD where you are?

What else to do, but to dream about spring! And bright, sunny, Spring colors...

Whipping up some polka dotted fun over here...lots and lots of dots....waiting for the final touch.

When Lily got up and saw these tags, she was shaking with excitement....just wanting to snatch them all up and toss them in her handy-dandy pouch she's been gallivanting around with lately!

Doesn't matter how cold it is outside....Owls are always in season!

Lots of hoots heading to Lemon Tree!

Yep, I am in a spring-y kind of mood....aren't these birdies so sweet?

What do you do when you're stranded..........at home??

p.s. all tags at Lemon Tree are an additional 15% off-----sale ends tonight!

HAPPY DAY.....HOPE YOU'RE STAYING WARM!

Ethnicity Extinct? Or Never Existed?

Remember these? (they're on ebay right now, and I want them!!!)

OOooOoooh, how I loved my "little people". I remember playing with them for hours! I even made little "homes" for them out of shoe boxes and plastic containers....they had their own handmade mansions! I also remember using nail polish and permanent markers to add on"hair", "lipstick" and "blush" to my little people....now, that's funny (to me anyways)!

That was then...and now I have NO IDEA where they are...I so wish I still had them...for Lily.

But, while thrifting, I found this huge package of them, at Savers of all places! Of course, I had to give them a little grooming, but now they're all ready for Lily's big girl playroom...aren't they sweet? I love the little mustached cowboy character, so cute. I am always on the hunt for vintage-y toys......and these take the cake!

Then, I was at Target recently and saw that they were carrying a 50 year "birthday" edition of the Little People!! YAY! Do you remember this nifty little house to tote your little peeps in??? I do!

I snatched it up and Lily's in love...

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hey, have you ever been down the creepy doll aisle in Target?

We go down it all the time, because Lil loves watchin all the dolls talking and moving their heads as you walk by......I'm sorry, but this creeps me right OUT!

And, you know what else creeps me out?

Why is it that I can not find one single african american doll? Asian doll? Spanish doll? Handicapped doll? How about a BOY doll? Heck, I'll take a red-headed, freckle-faced doll.

I don't know about you and your kids, but I know that Lily isn't gonna live in a fantasy world where everyone is the same color and ability.

I am so sad that stores like Target do not offer such toys for children, especially for children that are Lily's age.....who are so impressionable, so innocent and so open and willing to love anything, everyone and all.

Instead, you have to search forever online for such dolls and pay ALOT (and I mean ALOT) for them....sad, sad!

Do you agree or am I over-the-top??

I think there's a niche for ethic/handicapped/gender neutral dolls and toys to be sold on etsy.....let's see what happens with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.....I think it's a promising idea!

* * * * * *

Oh, thank you thank you thank you guys so much for all your fun ideas on what to do with my robe!!! I am so scared to cut it up....but, I have some ideas and will let you know what I turn it into!!

Happy Day!

Need Your Ideas!

I bought this robe when I was pregnant with Lily....and I have worn it just about every single day since. I have lots of other robes, but this one is THE ONE. It's thick 'n cozy and pure perfection....

And, many of you probably remember this picture of me in the hospital.....this was the REAL first time I held Lily.....after her bath, after everything.....
My moment of pure bliss and awe.

Yep, this fuzzy robe has been with me through thick and thin.

The problem is that it's.........gettting thin! I have washed and worn it hundreds of times now and soon it's going to resemble a pile of strings. THAT is what I do NOT want to happen!

I want to save it before it falls apart.

It is the most special and meaningful article of clothing I own!

So, I need your ideas!!!

Tell me............................what can I turn this robe into, so that Lily and I can cherish it forever?

I thought of a blanket...nah.

I thought of a stuffed animal for Lily...maybe.

HELP!

Hey, I'm Here!

Hello, Hi, Howdy, Hola...I'm alive, I'm well, I'm here.

It's been 11 days since my last post...wow!!! I have to smile because I got a few emails asking if I was okay. You guys are too dang sweet. Thank you for worrying.....wondering about me. I have the best cyber friends I could ever want!

Why such a huge gap in posts? Well......I've been passed out under the Lemon Tree.

I have been working like a crazy mad woman, getting custom orders fulfilled and Valentine goodies done. This, of course, is a GOOD problem, not a bad one, so I am not complaining! But, if you run a little etsy shop and keep up with a blog, and have at least one kid (2, if you count hubby).....then, you know how consuming it can all be.

My problem is that I try to cram it all in while Lily takes her naps during the day and on Sundays.....and then what gets neglected??

THE HOUSE. I wont even get into what a disaster it is, but I will tell you that there is fur in the refrigerator and cobwebs our dog could sleep in.

I remember doing this post in August, and I want to say THANK YOU again for making etsy and blogging so rewarding and fun! I have surpassed all of my goals that I had for myself and Lemon Tree.....thank you, thank you!!!

*****

Anyhoo! Now that I have things under control.....I wanted to show you my newest splurge and my plan. I usually NEVER buy books, because I love checking them out at the library for FREE.

But, this one had way too much cuteness to leave behind....

I am going to "relax" by trying to learn how to make these ruffled bloomer shorts for Lily this summer. Aren't they the CUTEST?? I can do it, right? Fingers crossed! If you remember this post, you'll see that I am no savvy sewer.

And, I thought these yo-yo mobiles would be a cute addition to a playroom....think of all the color combinations!! Or, ditch the yo-yo idea and make a bunch of blossoms or owls cascading down......even better, huh?

And, I think I can handle making these booties...I need something that ties so that Little Miss keeps them on her feet! This is a never-ending battle!

So, that's my plan....to start putting a dent in my ever growing fabric stash and make something, anything.

I may even have a giveaway or 2....if you love free fabric, you may want to come back....ya never know when one will pop up!

I am off..........to CLEAN first....aren't my pile of scrubbie owls so cute? I almost don't want to use them!

Then, I'm off to catch up on blogs I miss!!

Have a happy, happy day!