Helloo...Psst...It's me again!

Just wanted to stick my little neck out here and say Hi! I'm still here. Not such a great start to 2011 here in our house with one after another of us succumbing to the midwinter ills. Been living in a little bubble here and have to say I am ready for Spring! Beautiful sunshine out there today but alas my littlest crawled into bed with us this morning declaring both ears hurt and he felt hot. Hm-mm, didn't that doctor I saw Saturday know this would happen? I did. But with all the resistant germs out there I listened to her and waited for the full blown infection to set in so we weren't taking antibiotics for nothing. Not really upset with her just tired of visiting the doctor and wishing my little one could be at his 100's day celebration today with the rest of his kindergarten class and me well I wish I could be in the studio with all those delicious new fabrics. They do say good things come to those who wait right? Well I'm waiting and ever so patiently if I do say so myself. Got lots to show you when there's time to finish like a new living room and a powder room redo, new fabrics and hopefully lots of new projects this year. I hope your Valentine's Day was full of love! I know I enjoyed the kind of cuddle up love that comes with being cocooned in sick bay with my kids upon our new sofa. Hope to be back again really soon!

Sending prayers

A sweet young girl we met through friends just found out she is losing her battle with cancer yesterday. Her name is Lisa and I would love it if you said a prayer for her and her family as they process this information and face what is ahead. She had a head full of curls before her chemo started and through all the pain and suffering has offered such hope and smiles to those around her. She has truly blessed the McMaster family that adopted her and her older siblings and all of us who have had the priviledge to meet her in her 6 short years. God bless you Lisa and your family and friends. Her story. 

Getting Ready

Well we started off the New Year not feeling so well but as the last of us shrug off the ills (insert hubby milking it for all its worth) we are looking forward to freshening up some of the house. Painting to be done, finally a new sofa and chair for the well used living room, and a much needed washing machine to reduce the water usage in this house of 6! It has already reduced the number of loads I am required to do to keep up with these kids and I am greatly thrilled! It even plays music when its done which delights me every time I happen to catch it at the end of the cycle.
I'm thinking the before and afters might just become only the afters because I'm embarrassed to show you how shabby things look around here due to the abuse of 4 kids and a giant dog. In retrospect there has been lots of living in this house and it is well loved but I am looking forward to not being embarrassed to welcome visitors into my home.
Lots of color especially my favorite pale turquoise blue with red, chocolate brown and creamy white accents. Of course I should probably add some of that color to my wardrobe instead of the black grey and cream I found in my closet to dress myself in over the holidays. My other New Years Resolution to eat better and get more exercise, so I'll keep you posted on my progress in house and body. Let the progress begin! Happy 2011!

I Wimped Out

So the Christmas tree came crashing down 2 days after we put it up this year, tree stand and all. I thank my lucky stars that I hadn't gotten around to putting any of my grandparents vintage ornaments on and after cleaning up the mess I wimped out and left them in their storage boxes till next year. Oh the mess we had to clean up at 3:30 in the morning, but I had visions of those little feet that pit patter into our bedroom every morning between 5am and 6am crunching through the broken ornaments on the way.

Amazingly the ornaments that were broken were not part of the collections that I have been amassing to send off with each child as they leave our nest for their very own. The few that were broken were the new ones from this year and  I was able to quickly replace those. So note to self, always tie the Christmas tree to the wall and next year, my favorite vintage ornaments, I promise to bring you out for all to enjoy!

On another good note, this gal of mine turned 15 the other day and is currently enjoying the Florida weather with her most generous Aunt and Uncle, and cousin for Christmas. We miss you Bailey girl, but are thrilled for you and know that visiting Harry Potter World is something you will never forget!

Merry Christmas to you all wherever your travels this Holiday season may take you, or not take you, but enjoying family and friends at home like us. Well that is most of us, from this house of boys and 1 mama to yours, may your holidays be merry and bright and may 2011 be full of joy!

Whew!

One birthday left to go, all craft shows done and special orders almost complete, no weekend plans for the 1st time all fall, and a tired Mama ready to enjoy the Holidays! No big plans here, but a relaxing friend and family filled holiday that I am so looking forward to. Simple but non the less fulfilling!

We'll be missing our oldest this Christmas as she is being whisked away to the fantasy land of Disney and Harry Potter with my Sister and Brother-in-law and our neice. She can not wait to go, and as for turning 15 next week she is as enamored as her cousin of 11 years. I'm sure it will be a trip with life long memories!

My plans for today though? Sharing an afternoon of collaborative crafting, hot tea and chocolate filled croissants! Yum-mm, decadent!

Thanksgiving giving

Well better late than never, this Thanksgiving apron with Halloween reverse is finally ready for ordering from the shop. Technology woes this week made my slow progress even slower getting this cutie up in time for the holiday, but snap it up while you can because I'm so tempted to keep this one for myself.

Not the typical holiday baking going on here but baking non the less as my niece has requested my famous zucchini bread for our Thanksgiving contribution this year so I think I'll whip up a bunch and freeze some for the kids for that early morning school rush. I am such a messy cook that I love the attached vintage chenille bedspread fabric so I never have to hunt far for a towel to wipe my hands clean. The reverse side features a vintage look Halloween fabric with a great plaid fabric towel loop to hang your own favorite towel from. Special order a coordinating child's size one as a gift or to use with your little one!

Holiday Aprons

Well its been really slow progress but I'm happy to say the aprons for holiday baking and cooking are starting to show up in my shop. Many more coming with adult ones too!

Two November birthdays under our belt with the third arriving this week and Thanksgiving next week? Where did November go? Are you ready for the holidays?

 Well I'm back to the studio, maybe if I hibernate in there time won't be rushing by so fast!